SUV: Merc GLB vs others?

masterboy123

Hi All,

I am doing 1000 kms weekly and hoping to buy new Mercedes GLB 200D automatic.

Is there another premium competitor with similar price tag of 50,000 max? It should be brand new and SUV body (personal preferences).

Must haves:
+Automatic transmission
+Auto lights and wipers
+LED lights
+Reverse camera
+Adjustable lumbar support
+Auto dim rear view mirror

Thanks so much!!

carsfan2

masterboy123 wrote: »

Hi All,

I am doing 1000 kms weekly and hoping to buy new Mercedes GLB 200D automatic.

Is there another premium competitor with similar price tag of 50,000 max? It should be brand new and SUV body (personal preferences).

Must haves:
+Automatic transmission
+Auto lights and wipers
+LED lights
+Reverse camera
+Adjustable lumbar support
+Auto dim rear view mirror

Thanks so much!!

Did you not have a similar thread a while back?
Anyway, Audi Q3 35 tdi with a few options is the obvious comparison I would have thought.
Volvo xc40 worth a look too maybe.

bazz26

On a side note. If your going to be driving 52,000 km per year is buying new really advisable? You will be hit very hard with steep depreciation.

masterboy123

That's correct but I deferred the purchase due to covid situation.

Q3 and XC40 are on the smaller size. I am not interested into the dimensions of Q5 and xc60. Thanks for the suggestions though.

carsfan2 wrote: »

Did you not have a similar thread a while back?
Anyway, Audi Q3 35 tdi with a few options is the obvious comparison I would have thought.
Volvo xc40 worth a look too maybe.

carsfan2

Is the GLB bigger than Q3?
I was recently in Audi dealer and while looking in the showroom was impressed with the Q3. Substantial enough and loads of space. With a comfort pack plenty of kit. Quality very high too.
Merc GLB looks to be appealing to mums that want seven seats and a prestigious badge.
The Volvo is very cool in right color combo, very comfortable and good offers including 0% finance.
I think you have your mind made up though?

Spark Plug

XC60 in Inscription spec would be good comparable although it’s not a 7 seater, Q3 is more a direct competitor to GLA. Are you going with the standard 7” screens in the GLB? The smaller Mercs including the A classes really need the twin 10.25” screens to lift the interior however to get both the premium pack option needs to be ticked which is €5k.

Spark Plug

Spark Plug wrote: »

XC60 in Inscription spec would be good comparable although it’s not a 7 seater, Q3 is more a direct competitor to GLA. Are you going with the standard 7” screens in the GLB? The smaller Mercs including the A classes really need the twin 10.25” screens to lift the interior however to get both the premium pack option needs to be ticked which is €5k which is likely to mean a factory order

carsfan2

I would have put the merc glc as competition for Q5 or Volvo XC60 to be honest.
Price wise there doesn’t appear to be much between them.
I agree re premium pack. The standard screens in the merc look awful.

masterboy123

Yes definitely GLB is much bigger compared to Q3. GLB is even bigger than GLC when it comes to dimensions.
I think Q3 is more like BMW X1 or Merc GLA.

I checked out GLB 200D and liked it to be honest. I liked Volvo Xc60 but it's like 10 grand more. I don't see 0% finance from Volvo here in Limerick

carsfan2 wrote: »

Is the GLB bigger than Q3?
I was recently in Audi dealer and while looking in the showroom was impressed with the Q3. Substantial enough and loads of space. With a comfort pack plenty of kit. Quality very high too.
Merc GLB looks to be appealing to mums that want seven seats and a prestigious badge.
The Volvo is very cool in right color combo, very comfortable and good offers including 0% finance.
I think you have your mind made up though?

masterboy123

Yes, i will be going with premium infotainment pack in GLB.

Spark Plug wrote: »

XC60 in Inscription spec would be good comparable although it’s not a 7 seater, Q3 is more a direct competitor to GLA. Are you going with the standard 7” screens in the GLB? The smaller Mercs including the A classes really need the twin 10.25” screens to lift the interior however to get both the premium pack option needs to be ticked which is €5k.

Truckermal

Lord God doing 1000Km per week! A Q3 would be the last thing I'd want.... An Ateca FR would be much cheaper and looks better.

masterboy123

I think Ateca FR comes only with Petrol engine, correct me if I am wrong. I would be inclined to stick with diesel given the mileage.
Also, I am sure about Seat cars when it comes to reliablity.

Truckermal wrote: »

Lord God doing 1000Km per week! A Q3 would be the last thing I'd want.... An Ateca FR would be much cheaper and looks better.

Truckermal

Well the Ateca Derv version so, nothing wrong with Seat reliability wise! I'm presuming you are a male as the Q3 is very middle aged woman style even Q5 is a mammy wagon.

What about a E Class Saloon? Nice mile muncher or CLS..

kirving

For 1000km per week, Active Cruise Control will make your life much more comfortable if you just want to take it easy some day. And whatever the best headlight package offered by whichever manufacturer is - one which includes not just auto-dipping but also blanking function so you can leave them on full beam all the way home.

bazz26

masterboy123 wrote: »

I think Ateca FR comes only with Petrol engine, correct me if I am wrong. I would be inclined to stick with diesel given the mileage.
Also, I am sure about Seat cars when it comes to reliablity.

Ateca FR is available with a 2.0TDi engine:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2690973&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D78%26o%5B%5D%3D2589%26f%3D2%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2021%26yx%3D2021%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Shares most stuff with other VAG models. Probably as reliable if not more reliable than a Merc and alot cheaper to fix outside of warranty.

VW Tiguan is worth looking at too:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2698877&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D93%26o%5B%5D%3D1299%26f%3D2%26t%3D2%26yn%3D2021%26yx%3D2021%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

Casati

GLB has no direct competition as a seven seater, possibly a Seat Tarraco or Skoda Kodiaq but they are bigger though not much cheaper.

Defo get adaptive cruise and auto dimming headlights. The massive screens woudnt be for all tastes, I’d rather a 220d and the standard screens.

carsfan2

I think op really has decided it’s a premium brand suv he wants although I agree Mercedes e220d would be a superior mile muncher.
If it’s the glb I would spec the third row seats as even if they’re never used will make resale much better.

Idbatterim

Is work paying for diesel, if not, I would be getting electric!

Idbatterim

What about a polestar 2?

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/polestar/2/driving

carsfan2

Idbatterim wrote: »

What about a polestar 2?

https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/polestar/2/driving

Not on sale in Ireland

masterboy123

I really want an suv as I find the seating position much more comfortable for long journeys.

I am checking XC60 now, I am focusing on adaptive cruise control, heated front shield, lumbar support comfy seats, etc. All are present in xc60.

I don't think electric car will work out for me given the mileage and unpredictable driving. Work is not paying for fuel either.

Is XC60 reliable? And what about its fuel economy and service cost?

carsfan2 wrote: »

I think op really has decided it’s a premium brand suv he wants although I agree Mercedes e220d would be a superior mile muncher.
If it’s the glb I would spec the third row seats as even if they’re never used will make resale much better.

colm_mcm

They’re doing some special offer on option packs on the XC60, for €899 or something.

Zurbaran

Volvo are usually a bit more reliable than the Germans if the surveys are anything to go by. You may be set on new but a few year old example of any of the mentioned will save a lot and the hit won’t be as bad when you go to change.

Covit

Truckermal wrote: »

Well the Ateca Derv version so, nothing wrong with Seat reliability wise! I'm presuming you are a male as the Q3 is very middle aged woman style even Q5 is a mammy wagon.

What about a E Class Saloon? Nice mile muncher or CLS..

A 400d version , oh the sound of that 3 litre engine mmm

Zurbaran

I wouldn’t discount the rx450h. The real mpg figures would be very close and in urban driving it would do better. Again you would be talking second hand at 50k but it would have all the spec you want and be the most reliable option.

masterboy123

So I checked out Volvo Xc60 and BMW X3 also. These are coming above 55k with some of the optional goodies. Other half didn't like Q5's interior but their infotainment looks class.

At the moment GLB is just coming in my budget. Thinking to get 220D but won't have budget for bigger digital screens then. Tough choices.

carsfan2

Don’t go by list prices alone.
If you have a trade in of a desirable car you may get a better deal from certain dealers and some will have more margin to work with and so may discount more. Also if dealer has a stock car as opposed to having to order you may get better deal.
Unfortunately you’re probably going in at the worst time of year for a deal as there have been very strong orders in to most premium marques before the end of last year and lots of guys have already hit their targets so are less likely to need to offer much.

masterboy123

I checked auto trader.co.uk and there seems to be pretty good specs car.

Are we still allowed to bring cars from UK? I checked VRT also and its still alot cheaper for X5.

ba_barabus

masterboy123 wrote: »

I checked auto trader.co.uk and there seems to be pretty good specs car.

Are we still allowed to bring cars from UK? I checked VRT also and its still alot cheaper for X5.

Don't forget 21% VAT of the OMSP here

masterboy123

Gosh 21% VAT!!

Is 21% on purchase price excluding VRT?

ba_barabus wrote: »

Don't forget 21% VAT of the OMSP here

Del2005

masterboy123 wrote: »

Gosh 21% VAT!!

Is 21% on purchase price excluding VRT?

See if you can get a dealer who will sell ex [url=
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal...eme-notice-707]VAT[/url] in Britain.

Or go North.

masterboy123

Thanks.

I have noticed warranty will be an issue. For example, mercedes 3 year warranty is only 2 years in ROI. Is it same with other cars?

Del2005 wrote: »

See if you can get a dealer who will sell ex [url=
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/personal...eme-notice-707]VAT[/url] in Britain.

Or go North.

colm_mcm

Not all manufacturers do that.
I’m not sure there are savings to be made by buying a new merc from the uk, and dont you have a fairly recent C Class to trade in?

masterboy123

Ah ok.
Yes, bored with C class now looking to switch to SUV now.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not all manufacturers do that.
I’m not sure there are savings to be made by buying a new merc from the uk, and dont you have a fairly recent C Class to trade in?

carsfan2

masterboy123 wrote: »

Ah ok.
Yes, bored with C class now looking to switch to SUV now.

Have you visited any garages to test drive any cars including the GLB or gotten any figures from garages?

masterboy123

I have test driven GLC only. I was allowed to sit in GLB and look around due to covid.
And I did get prices from two different Mercedes dealers.
I am confused among GLB, GLC X3, and XC60.

carsfan2 wrote: »

Have you visited any garages to test drive any cars including the GLB or gotten any figures from garages?

johng906

In a similar position to the OP.

I was drawn to the glb by the interior, the big dual display mbux is awesome, but the exterior is putting me off in black - looks like a big London taxi. Would need a good look in person.

Was it the Mercedes dealer near parkway you got to kick the tyres?

Spark Plug

masterboy123 wrote: »

I have test driven GLC only. I was allowed to sit in GLB and look around due to covid.
And I did get prices from two different Mercedes dealers.
I am confused among GLB, GLC X3, and XC60.

I know dealers need to be careful with test drives with COVID but a customer already driving a c class wanting a drive in GLB should be sorted some how...a have c class myself and there was no issue with me taking a e-class for a decent spin by myself before I ordered.

Truckermal

Truckermal wrote: »

Well the Ateca Derv version so, nothing wrong with Seat reliability wise! I'm presuming you are a male as the Q3 is very middle aged woman style even Q5 is a mammy wagon.
......

An Ateca is just the same image wise if you view the q3 &q5 like that

GusGus

masterboy123 wrote: »

So I checked out Volvo Xc60 and BMW X3 also. These are coming above 55k with some of the optional goodies. Other half didn't like Q5's interior but their infotainment looks class.

At the moment GLB is just coming in my budget. Thinking to get 220D but won't have budget for bigger digital screens then. Tough choices.

Deffo go the 220 and nit 200

masterboy123

Yes, i was at Merc Dealer on Dublin Road and also in Cork. But they have only GLB 180D, which is only 116 bhp. I don't think it will be enough power.

Pic attached :

johng906 wrote: »

In a similar position to the OP.

I was drawn to the glb by the interior, the big dual display mbux is awesome, but the exterior is putting me off in black - looks like a big London taxi. Would need a good look in person.

Was it the Mercedes dealer near parkway you got to kick the tyres?