Understanding difference between Mercedes B Class models

aroominyork

We are planning to buy a Mercedes B Class 3rd generation (2018 - ) during the next week and are going a little crazy trying to understand the difference between models. The two we are currently down to are i) 1.3L Sport B180 ii) 1.3 B180 Sport MPV 5dr Petrol 7G-DCT Euro 6. Can anyone please help me understand the difference?

DanDare999

aroominyork said:

We are planning to buy a Mercedes B Class 3rd generation (2018 - ) during the next week and are going a little crazy trying to understand the difference between models. The two we are currently down to are i) 1.3L Sport B180 ii) 1.3 B180 Sport MPV 5dr Petrol 7G-DCT Euro 6. Can anyone please help me understand the difference?

ii) sounds as if it has an automatic Dual-clutch transmission gearbox. 

aroominyork

DanDare999 said:

aroominyork said:

We are planning to buy a Mercedes B Class 3rd generation (2018 - ) during the next week and are going a little crazy trying to understand the difference between models. The two we are currently down to are i) 1.3L Sport B180 ii) 1.3 B180 Sport MPV 5dr Petrol 7G-DCT Euro 6. Can anyone please help me understand the difference?

ii) sounds as if it has an automatic Dual-clutch transmission gearbox. 

From a bit of googling I understand it to mean there are different clutches for the odd and even gears, giving slightly smoother gear changes, slightly faster acceleration and slightly better fuel consumption. Is that right? In new models it looks like it adds about £3k to the price. For the 2019 models we are looking at the difference is just over £1k. Worth it...?

Goudy

The 1.3 (1332cc) engine is a product of the Nissan/Renault/Daimler alliance.
Mercedes refer it it as the M282 but it's otherwise known as the H5Ht by Renault and the HR13DDT by Nissan.

It comes with different power outputs up to around 160hp but I think this version would be around 130hp or so.

The 7G-DCT is a 7 speed wet, twin clutch automatic gearbox so I resume the other is a manual.

Renault call it the EDC but is actually made by Getrag and called the 7DCT.
It's rated for around 320nm of torque which I presume is why they don't mate it to the higher output engine and use the 8DCT for those.

The Sport denotes the trim and equipment.
I think Sport is the entry level.

I have the same engine and gearbox in my Renault and it's great, after repeatedly testing everything else on the market I found it by far the best, even better than VW's wet twin clutch the DSG.
I found the DSG performed too many hard downshifts at inopportune moments for my liking and can be a bit slow making it's mind up when slowing to an almost stop and setting off again.

At steady motorway speeds it can nudge 58 or so mpg and around town it's really smooth but sharp and positive.
You hardly notice it changing unless you really hammer the kickdown and there is no slipping or mushiness to it what so ever.

The engine is very quiet both under the bonnet and at the tailpipe.
I'm not sure if Mecedes fit the same FAP system to their cars (passive exhaust filter) but it really muffles any undue noises under and out the back, it's all very civilised and I find it hard to notice when it's running when it hasn't stopstarted on colder morning.

I've had it over two and a half years and it's all been faultless, I wouldn't hesitate to call it the best small engined automatic I've ever driven.

It's not really a problem but I do notice it's can hang on to it's first change of the day I second or so longer.
First thing in the morning it'll pull away ok but just hangs on to that first shift a fraction longer than normal, I presume it's trying to warm everything up quickly, but it's no bother really, it's just a very small quirk.

Renault warranty it all for 5 years these days, so they have some faith in it.

I was thinking about swapping it for an A class myself next year as a bit of an upgrade.
If I do I'll stick to the same engine and gearbox for certain.