We, (wife and I) updated both of our cars around the middle of this year.
Wife- from a 2008 Korean/Australian 'Holden Barina" to a new VW Golf "Bluemotion"
Me- from a 2008 Hyundai Diesel i30 to a new B200 CDI Mercedes Benz.
A combined move from Korean to German and a significant change in comfort, safety.
equipment levels and handling. It would have been very disappointing otherwise,
given the fact that both new vehicles cost around double the price of the cars they replaced.
Of the two new cars I would say the Golf is brilliant and the Merc is almost brilliant...just let
down by a harsher and noisier ride largely due to the “run flat tyres".
I've not driven a new GD i30, nor the new Golf Mk VII for that matter, but I can say that in
terms of quality and driveability the Mk VI Golf is at least one generation ahead of the FD series
i30 despite being of a similar vintage.
The Golf "Bluemotion" that we bought comes with one option only and that is the metallic paint.
So it is fairly much a set design to achieve low fuel consumption and low greenhouse emissions.
The only configuration available is a 1.6L diesel, 5 speed manual and officially this gives 3.8L/100km.
This figure betters the Toyota Prius and is one that we have shown is certainly achievable delivering
about 1300 km travel on one tank when driven on highways/motorways. It is simply a beautiful car
to drive and has plenty of diesel torque albeit with rather “long” gear ratios. It is a car that I feel I can
drive into any corner at speed and the curves just seem to straighten as it drives through them.
All done in a quiet, armchair-like ride with a nice, subdued diesel engine growl.
The Mercedes Benz B200 CDI is a 1.8L diesel with a 7 speed dual clutch auto transmission
with strangely no gear change lever in the centre console, just a short extra steering wheel
stalk with D/R/N or P showing up in the multifunction display. There are 3 modes Manual ( for when
you feel like using the steering wheel paddles), Eco (“taller” gearing and stop/ start function operates)
and Sport. Official fuel average is 4.7 l/100km but at present it is returning around 5.1 L/100km in mixed driving.
This car comes standard with an amazing amount of safety and driver features on top of which I have had the
following “packages” fitted as extras:
Driver Assistance Package: This includes “Distronic plus” which is a sort of radar controlled cruise control.
When set to any particular speed it will maintain distance to the car in front and slow down and accelerate
up to the preset limit almost as if being towed along by the car in front. It’s a bit weird to follow a car that
slows to a stop in front of you and not have any feet control on your accelerator or brakes just letting the
driver up ahead set the pace. It is also a great feature on the open road when going down a hill and feel
the braking effect as the set limit is maintained without running away down the hill. This package also
has “lane keeping assist” which sends a short, sharp vibration through the steering wheel if you
inadvertently cross a white line to the left or right without using the indicator. “Blind spot” assist gives a
visual warning in the mirrors and in the multifunction display when there is a vehicle in the blind spot to
left or right. If you indicate to move left or right in this situation an audible warning is given and the
opposite sides brakes activate to draw the car back into the original lane. It also has “parking assist“
giving the automatic parallel parking ability.
Exclusive Package: Full leather upholstery, dual zone climate control, fully electric front seats with up to
4 individual driver memory functions and heating function.
Comand Package: 17.8cm screen with colour display and 10GB music register. A Harmon Kardon logic 7
surround sound system with Dolby Digital 5.1 and 12 speakers. Bluetooth that works seamlessly with my
iPhone to give streaming audio. Linguatronic voice control and internet connectivity. Reversing camera
with predictive path function.
Vision Package: Panoramic glass sunroof, Bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive cornering and LED daytime
running lights.
Some (eg Shambles) might say the shape is not pleasing but I for one have an open mind about that.
The same can’t be said for the new A Class due early 2013 which is basically my car in a sexy new sports dress.
Pictures to follow in a separate thread as Photobucket won't cooperate at the moment.
