Should You Buy a MERCEDES B250e? (Test Drive & Review Mercedes B Electric Drive)
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- Опубликовано: 16 апр 2023
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Today, I'm in this 2016 Mercedes B250 Electric. Let's see what it's like...
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Finally a english speaking channel that realize most other countrys use the metric system please continue converting gallons and miles to liter and km in your videos! Thanks for a great and interesting channel.
I could tell you before watching that the answer to the question is a resounding NO! I was working at an MB dealer - we used to dread demo requests as we only had one across the group, and the two furthest dealerships were 125 miles apart and at the time only one branch had a fast charger. This meant we had to trailer it everywhere!
😂😂😂😂
Wow.
The reason why the B250e was even made is because the USA at the time requires a car brand to sell a dedicated EV. I am not entirely sure why they chose a B-Class but this enabled Mercedes to produce their cars for the USA.
I hope this helped!
I believe it's specifically California that had this requirement. They had to either comply, or not be able to sell cars in the most populous state of the second largest new car market in the world. This is also why the Fiat 500E was sold there, along with a number of other hastily converted petrol cars from Euro brands, brought into existence just so that they can sell their big expensive SUVs in California.
It is what we call a compliance car, its purpose is it just to make the government happy. I think they choose the B class because of the sandwich floor so the battery can house underneath the interior floor pan, and it has relatively roomy for sticking EV stuff in.
We’ve had one since 2016, and haven’t had a day of stress over it yet. Running costs are extremely low, as is the battery degradation. Still feels as new and feels like the best built car we’ve ever owned.
So in practice I don’t really recognise the negative comments in this video, sorry.
I got a 7 year old B250e and it still does 60-70mi in the summer without trying too hard. EPA claims it will do 87mi when its new. It works for me, as a grocery getter, but it will not be the only car in the garage.
Had ours from new. Paid for itself in 4 years. No other car I own was as fast or as cheap to service. Insurance was no more expensive than my Ford. Real best range was 80 in winter and 115 in ideal conditions. Was also a great way to learn the charging infrastructure of the UK.
The small range is because the battery charges to 77%. If you have range+ option or if you can activate it your battery charges to 93% and 20-30 miles more range.
That range is absolutely shocking. Imagine how many miles you'll have left once the battery gets old.
Indeed. Less than 125 miles for a vehicle of that size is horrifying. Please do a video on the Mazda MX-30 BEV…….that’s apparently another joke too. This would benefit from a 1.0 litre Range Extender - but they don’t make them anymore! 😮
@@datathunderstorm The Mazda was more of a ‘prototype’ thing
@@datathunderstorm Yes they do they have just released a new MX-30 R range extender with a small rotary engine
Slow charging times too .
@@angrymuffinsb 😱😱😱…..What?!! Perhaps Mazda would like to move to Russia. They’d get a medal from Putin for treating their potential customers with such disdain and indifference.
Ironically, I really liked the cut of the Mazda MX-30’s jib, having owned and driven a Mazda MX-3 Coupe for 8.5 years - and I loved every minute of the latter.
The Mazda MX-30 would have been the perfect introduction to EV’s for me - IF ONLY THEY AT LEAST DOUBLED THE RANGE to 250 miles (200 realistic).
At least the Mitsubishi iMIEV was a dinky car with virtually minuscule weight and size with an equally piddling EV range - but at least it had size and price on its side - especially 2nd hand prices.
You really have to wonder why they bothered with the MX-30 - I bet they can’t give them away…!!! 😳🙄🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
I agree, the merc columb mounted shifter is great. All autos should be like that tbh.
Matt, nope unless you carry a fold up bike in the boot. The range would be okay for a WEF type getting from their aircraft to their helicopter. The B class is not a bad car, I bought my wife a diesel auto and she, a German was very happy.
That noise reminds me of Thames Link trains as they accelerate out of a station
Thank you Matt really admire your tenacity making these informative vids about Ev’s 👍 one day there will be one that makes a little sense to own but for me right now with my common sense head on it’s a firm no cheers 👍
that's the thing about tiny range EVs... I can't stand having a whole car just, and only, do groceries and a few errands, and need another car to do everything else outside a quite close circle without getting anxious. I know about not polluting while doing more common stuff but I also don't think it's very efficient to have 2 cars (with that in mind. I would love to have a 2 car garage with a 911 and a Range Rover😆)
We have got one of these as our main car. Mostly we do local journeys and charge it in the garage, but we've taken it on longer trips from Manchester to the Lake District, Newcastle, Birmingham (1 stop en-route for each) and London (2 stops). With the range extender you can do legs of 80 miles no problem and in warmer weather it will do 100+. We usually plan stops for lunch or visit an attraction where there are 22kW chargers (which the car can take 11kW from). The range estimate is quite conservative and we usually end up with more remaining range than was predicted, by the end of each leg. By the time we've had a bite to eat, stretched our legs and sorted the baby out, the car's got enough range to get to our destination. I did have some anxiety for the first few longer journeys but as the charging network continues to expand and I am confident in how far it will go on each leg, the anxiety goes away. Not for everyone though, I know. And if you can't charge at home, steer clear of low-range electrics like this.
This car is impressive looking for the person who doesn't realize Mercedes sells cheap cars too. It is a Mercedes, but by name only
It's stii better to have than something like a Citroen C4 Picasso
@@sbstn110 I'm not even sure about that😂
@@sbstn110 Citreon c4 picasso is way better than any stupid Mercedes cars lol
That's an insightful comment. A lot of us in the USA only think of MB as a luxury brand, and are a bit surprised when we first see basic MBs running about as taxis when we go traveling overseas. Over here, slap a three pointed star on anything and most people will think it must be posh.
One of a handful of Mercedes actually made in Germany, though, unlike all the SUVs and the C class
Good review Matt and very fair observations.
We have a diesel B class with 2.1 diesel 2014 model it has been extremely reliable.
The B250 Class in the US used a Tesla Motor and drivetrain but got less than 100 miles of range. It was a difficult sell at $42,000 so most were offered to employees for $249 a month lease, That got rid of them quickly.
And out of that deal Tesla got to use MB gear shifter and indicator stalk for the next ten years!
Some of the m got up to 50k with options, can't imagine who would pay that when its new.
doesn't the 250e use the same Tesla drivetrain as the US badged "C-Class Electric"?
We’ve had a petrol b250 for 8 years and are still delighted by it. There’s a lot of room in the inside for a small car.
Honestly from where im sitting these are the perfect sorta car for a decent or maybe even "Luxury" tip runner, where the only things you care about are how much can be stuffed in it whilst avoiding van or big car fees, and then to the fact that charging the thing will likely be done at home with the 3pin plug and you will just denote it as "free" along with the tax that is free anyway and whilst your charge may be getting shorter by the month as time goes by, and with its simplicity to drive, it doesnt give you much to worry about overall in a grab and go scenario.
Love the content. It’s great how most of little City’s small fan base are used car dealers from Stockport! most have a boyfriend or “friend” usually called Julian. Great stuff !
You used the Mercedes font showing the 0-60 mph. Legend!
Super video as always and I definitely remember your coffee video ☕. I'm a bit like you in that I hate hype, even in things like TV programmes, the more people say "you must watch this" the longer it takes me to watch! But everyone is different, just like watches and clothes. Wear and enjoy what you like, it's your style. I'm definitely loving the NG Antarctica Spider. Certainly different which is often no bad thing. Enjoy the rest of your week sir 👍
Hi Matt one of the 250e’s currently for sale on Autotrader was my car until I sold it on in 2021. Sad that the version you had didn’t have the heated seats or the range extender ( this opens around 5% more battery capacity - not to be used too often) - you will spot this variant as it has the shiny orange windscreen. The irritating noise is NOT normal and sadly probably heralds the other Achilles Heal of these vehicles apart from the poor range and lack of rapid charging -moisture it gets into the motor and causes rust which will eventually kill the motor - a very very expensive replacement part! I loved my B250e because of the sense of luxury, but eventually sold because it could only be used for journeys of around 90 miles.
Thanks for confirming the motor rusts.
I've been telling people the motors fail on these trolleys.
They say "just fit a new one". As if MB will give you a free one 8 years after the warranty has expired.
@@patrickbateman9197 it’s a modified Tesla Model S motor so not cheap! There is a RUclips video of a rusted out motor somewhere. I panicked because of this issue and sold mine in for a good price after putting 20k miles on it over 18 months.
@@maesygwartha thanks for updating. I had no idea. That makes it worse. I think people think ICE are a lot more complex. They are. But electric trolleys aren't simple either. Sounds very expensive to change motors. What happens when they start "coding" parts so they can't be swapped around without a dealer programmer?? On the grounds of "safety"??
I've heard some horror stories about Tesla repair costs.
The motability special this is, everyone got it on that scheme
Vert nice , good job buddy !😮🎉😊
Fair review Matt 👍
Thanks 👍
I see what you mean about the range. Even as a city car for a commute into town you’d want to be able to get through the week on a charge, but this seems to fall short, whereas the Leaf would probably do it. So you’d have Friday range stress, no doubt on top of the Friday evening after work supermarket shop anxiety. You’d then have to tell your friends on a Friday night you couldn’t come out because you’re charging your car!
If you dont drink and drive, then friday nights are ideal to charge the car over the weekend when you can taxi/uber to meet your friends, have a drink and safely return home and then at the end of the weekend your car is ready for your work week commute.
Actually, I haven't met any EV drivers who would expect the range to last a week. Most people charge at home overnight, or at work, and it isn't difficult to incorporate charging into your supermarket shop, cinema trip, eating out etc.
@@AliWade1971 "...charge at home..."
That exactly is the problem. It sounds so straight forward - but for most urban people having no garage or drive with a charger, charging "at home" is not an option.
That is pretty daft, because driving with no local pollution is especially valuable in densely populated areas - and downtown traffic is where EVs have the highest efficiency benefits over ICE cars.
It's just that most urban dwellers can't take their car up to the socket in their flat or lower an extension cable from the window, so they need some more range between the visits to public chargers...
@@notroll1279 Lots of other options. Just needs a bit of thought. There are plenty of videos on YT discussing owning an EV without home charging
@@AliWade1971
There are options but it's a fuss.
In Berlin where I"m living there are chargers at supermarkets but mostly they're slow so they won't fill the battery while you're shopping. There are dedicated charging spaces - which you have to leave once the battery is full. So you return from work, search one of those charging spots, walk home for dinner - and then head out again to find a "regular" non-charging space which is pretty hard in the evening hours.
It"s fussy and while it won't kill you, you surely wouldn't want that every other day...
This range would be enough for a second car, but i feel like it would be almost impossible to get parts for. Anything that isnt just regular b class stuff is probably unobtanium. A similar leaf or zoe would have the same range, but they sold in much bigger numbers, so repairs are much simpler. There are even people working on upgrading them. Doubt that we'll ever see something like that for the B250e.
Fun fact Mercedes and Tesla were partners in ev business for a while some Tesla models have Mercedes parts on them like the suspension and the struts you can research it and it's true that they used a battery pack from Tesla but it was a smaller version of the Model S 75's battery pack and actually most Mercedes parts in Teslas are from the CLS and the GLC i was searching for a part on a Model X from 2017 for a friend I learned that most of the parts are from a CLS
Love the channel. I've seen a couple of your B-Class videos. Was wondering if you can do a BMW 2 series active tourer, it's a BMW equivalent of the B-Class so curious to hear your thoughts on that.
Coming soon!
It sounds like a scouser when you accelerate, eyyyyy Mate!
😂
@@HighPeakAutos
You can't unhear it now
I drive a 2021 Smart ForTwo EQ - with a range (real life) of between 80-110 miles, depending on the weather etc. Fantastic for me - we live in a rural area with solar panels to charge, it is a 2nd car (we have a Jaguar Ipace too - and a Renault Twizy) and most of my journeys are a 25 mile round trip. It does charge quickly, on a 22kw AC charger, so longer trips are definitely possible - and in SW Wales we have lots of AC chargers. There is always the option to hire a car, if I needed to do a long trip as an emergency and the other family car wasn't available. If we lived somewhere more central, I wouldn't have a car at all - walk/cycle/public transport/car hire .... Driving an electric car is a far better experience, it saves us lots of money each year and we enjoy the planning of trips away. I have some chronic pain and fatigue conditions, and an EV is smoother and easier to drive. Our local postpeople drive EV vans now, and they say the lack of vibration through the steering wheel and not having to change gear has really helped when they are driving in our very rural areas for several hours each day. EVs are not for everyone, particularly at the moment, but we wouldn't go back to an ICE car.
I have the newer CLA 250e and I agree about the gear level. Merc do it on all their cars I believe and with it on the steering wheel it's so easy to drive and shift between drive and reverse. All manufacturers should put it there
I agree Matt....its flawed. Mats over mats would prob cost you about 2 miles of range because of the weight ..especially if you've added a tailored boot mat....! Yep ..I'm one of those too. I'm waiting for the High Peak Autos "I'm a mats over mats, kinda guy" tshirt!
Matt's mats over mats
It's not bad looking to be fair and if anything it'll be the badge that sells it but definitely not the worse compared to other ev's out there.
This was a question Janis Joplin already was wondering about in the early 60s... great vids Matt! Keep up the good work! (received my email recently, about why it matters in UK to see if a car is financed?)
Mercedes were good in those days. Not now.
Love your work 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Theres many of them here in Norway
Bizarre note but the B-class wasn’t for sale in the US (except for as mentioned), but it was sold in Canada and I see a ton of them around. Acura also had a rebadged civic and there are some other bizarre ones that the US didn’t get that Canada did
that sound really does the head in. Sounds like coil whine on graphics cards under load
It's awkward for Matt when he has this car on his forecourt 😂 I admire the honesty though.
I'm completely agree with the short range of phobia. Good narration with hugging trees 😂
Thanks for the video Matt. Quick story... I was alongside a Tesla EV at traffic lights a few days ago. I was in my E36 328i. This Tesla took off like a scalded cat when lights went green. Very impressive low down torque to get moving like that from standing start but not a single decibel of noise from it. Boring as bat shit. Give me my BMW straight six any day.
The last of still good-looking B class. Those current are just...no words. Talking about exterior. Well I suppose if u want one and have well developed platform around you, perhaps a plug in parking space at work...it could work. U can get a full electrical Dacia for the same money, new. With normal range. But it's a star that does it for some people.
Until a year ago I owned 2013 b250 turbo it was awesome and it had the same honeycomb design on the dash
and that was in canada
The B class was also sold in Canada 🇨🇦 from 2007-2019
My mum has a B200 of the same era. First 3-4 years of ownership were fine. However the car has now developed lots of little gremlins. Batteries needing to be replaced frequently, check engine light on and off for no apparent reason, now a whining noise the dealer can't diagnose. Time to get rid of it ...
What's the r class like was after a 7 seater ended up with the e350 estate but the face lifted rclass looks OK...
I understood that the B class was specifically to be MB's Battery Car, hence the B class. Its poor range given it was designed to be an EV from the ground up is comical. A PHEV might be better than two cars, one conventional and one EV. Plug it in for the local trips and fill the tank for the extended trips. Cost comparisons would be interesting I'd guess.
Seeing the B180 d and B200d are£20 and £35 to tax respectively.. I think I would go with the Diesels and they still give very good mpg
Mercedes-Benz needs to cull so many of these low-end models and focus on building high-quality, reliable luxury cars again. I'm trying, Matt, There's nothing I can like about these and all the A-Class variants.
can you do a video with the mk2 volkswagen tiguan?
Hi Matt it’s nice the B class but I personally prefer the B class 220d
Wow madness. That gear selector is exactly same as in my AMG C63
And the gear selector, indicator stalk and cruise stalk also appear in Teslas
Omg I have no words!!
Is it possible to get a range extender ?? And an adapter for fast charging?
What’s your opinion on the bmw series 2 grand tourer. Can you do a video on them??
Totally get the anxiety thing. It's why I haven't gone EV and I am also somebody who turns up stupidly early for any flight I might be taking. The EV noise is interesting - my Jazz Hybrid is whisper quiet in the cabin when in EV mode but I got a shock the other day when I heard a CRV Hybrid - a low and slightly unpleasant whining sound so my car must sound like that on the outside.
I really hate the cheap glued on tablet. It was a massive improvement when they changed it.
Range anxiety puts me off EVs so, purchased a Japanese hybrid and averaging 60 mpg 👍
A Prius?
@@Alexander_l322 yaris probably
An LS 500h with exclusive package?
2.0 TOYOTA CHR
Not that great then
A range of 45 miles in 4/5 years l;ol ... they would stress me ... as always you are the best sales man on this car 🤣
😮couldn’t live with the stress and constantly looking at the range left and will I have enough
There was a B63 amg for sale in the us
Great specimen the B250E, ive never seen one but it dosent seem that bad, here we had a facelift one which had LED lights and stuff.
Great video and review as always Matt :D
What do you guys think about the petrol version with the 1.2 turbo 122hp ???
Not a fan of b class style
Picked up a Mitsubishi outlander plug in hybrid
That was nice to drive
Have you done a review on one, if not it would be nice to have one with your opinion
Just seen your previous review on the outlander. Took me ages to find the lever to open the fuel cap
Only when the manufacturers make electric cars affordable, and increase the battery range, not to mention putting charging stations everywhere (with a full charge completed in five minutes), will the concept work. Until then, I'm happy to fill up at Sainsbury's just down the road where it takes less than five minutes.....before driving from the west country to Manchester on a full tank, with some to spare.
If battery swap tech becomes cheaper that could save 2nd hand EV's like this
60 miles isn't enough currently
That noise is the reduction gear or motor bearings going out
Cheers for the vid - I watch all your stuff to see if I can level up my car knowledge / hear your pithy jokes/great rants.
A video content suggestion for you - would a top 5 granny cars video be something you'd look at? I need to get a used car for my 85yr mum and am looking for ideas. She's on a Quashqai(your fave) at the moment and likes the height but this diesel white elephant needs to go and we're thinking she'd benefit from an automatic as she gets on in years.( I know, I know!)
Do you have cars for geriatrics top 5 (for under 15k or something)?
Cheers - keep up the great work!
Good suggestion. You cannot go wrong with an auto Jazz. Or an HRV. Or a CHR. Or a Yaris.
Yes, an auto Jazz in pale blue. Perfect 👍
Haha, Jazz every time in this context!
Hey Matt another niche motor to demonstrate your knowledge, good luck selling it...
I've always prefer the B class over the A class especially the b200 turbo
Good evening matt
I saw one once, it caught my eye cause it had this blue tinty look on the windscreen
4:20 *This is the future of 15 Minute Cities ! - I Had 2014 a B200 CDi AMG [Mercedes Diesel Engine] that did on a return trip from Saalbach non stop 654 miles in 11.14 hours at 53.2 mpg and average speed of 58 mph including ferry - many of which on German Autobahns at over 100 mph !*
*PS Road Tax £30 a Year !*
nice video
Good car if you live in the city and another good video 🚗🚙🚘⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍
Thanks 👍
How are you with running extension leads over pavements from your 2nd floor flat window. In January.....
A proper compliance car, a missed opportunity for MB, not giving it DC charging capability was an odd decision. I understand it can be retrofitted.
Do you think in the future when EV's are everywhere that customers will be so concerned over battery range when buying a 10-15 year old cars due to battery degradation?
Can you do a video about the 9th gen civic 1.8
Matt do you know how long it takes to charge / miles it will do on a charge .. regards
Charger can draw 40A, so about 8.8kW Charging; if you get 3 miles per kWh, that's about 26.5 miles of range per hour charging.
Think EV would drive me crazy Matt, fancy a car you can’t just jump in, don’t plan anything, and go, my better half and me did that last week did 170 mile @48 mpg in my XC60 b4, why do the EV headache, not me.
How much would a new battery cost? I've heard crazy figures.
My mother had a diesel B-class as a dog wagon. It had the worst manual gearchange I've ever experienced. An older used EV like this would be usable as a third car for around town where you only want to go a few miles to the shops, and certainly is nicer than a Leaf or Zoe.
Perfect car for 15 min city’s all the consistency (yes I meant that spelling) theorists warned us about
The B series was designed for all those people who collect scale model Merc cars who realised they needed a model to pad out the spacing between models on the mantle piece.
Would love a BMW i3 review!
When you said it would be a short video I thought it was due to the range 😂
Please do a newer E Class soon
Good vid, thanks, and yes the range is not usable for anything else other than a local runaround. Also, remember EVs are losing the zero road tax in 2025.
only for cars registered after that date !
My Wife's got B220 AMG line Premium, It's Brilliant !!
right-o from the pilgrim grimm high peak.
Not Seen Matt in a Ford Mondeo Kombi MK 3 or 4?
What happens if you forget to charge it??
Great video matt but spot on why give yourself a coronary worrying about getting home but if you don't like your wife just run out of electric next to the pub it's happy days 😀
Mm... As you say, "range anxiety" would be inevitable for most people on this car... I remember that BMW 5 series hybrid which you demonstrated - a far better option!?
Find a buyer living on one of the Channel Islands!
Similar range to 3door Mini… VW UP! … or (aherm) smart eq…
BMW i3 rex 2015 are round the £12 mark is the one I go for