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Counterpoint: B250e Edmunds Review

oilerlordoilerlord Member Posts: 2
edited June 2016 in Mercedes-Benz
I was in the market for a used EV, and drove several different models including the B-Class Electric, e-Golf, Focus Electric, Leaf, Soul EV, Spark EV, Volt, and of course...a Tesla Model S P90D. Unfortunately, I didn't have a spare $80K jingling in my pocket for the latter, and I set a budget at under $25,000.

Readers should not be put off by the lukewarm Edmunds review of the B250e. As used EV's go, there isn't anything else out there (short of a Tesla) that can match the B250e for it's level of luxury, overall packaging, and fewest number of EV-related compromises.. After months of research & comparing EV's, I bought a well optioned, used 2014 B250e with only 6700 miles on it for less than 50% of MSRP. An absolute steal.

To expand on one of the reviewer's points:

"And despite that vaunted Teutonic efficiency, the B250 isn't very efficient in its use of power. On our Edmunds EV testing loop, a 2014 B-Class EV traveled an impressive 105 miles before it ran out of juice, but it used nearly 50 percent more energy than did a Volkswagen e-Golf along the same roads."

Most people don't care how "efficient" their EV's are - only how far they can travel on a charge. In real-world testing, both the B and e-Golf have about the same range, but the B250e is physically much larger, and has a larger Tesla-supplied 36kWh (28kWh usable) battery with thermal battery management features that the VW doesn't offer. Tesla is the undisputed king of EV powertrains. The fact that this technology is (currently) included in the Mercedes EV offering is a big competitive advantage.

My point is that readers should take "professional" reviews with a grain of salt. Edmunds loves the Spark EV, and gave it a 4.9 / 5.0 review score. On paper, the Spark EV is an incredible car but in my experience, the Spark felt like driving a small, low-rent econobox...my wife even commented that she "didn't feel safe" in it. Clearly, Internet reviews are a good place to start but can't replace seat time and your own hands-on experience.

Comments

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's the link to the Edmunds' review:

    2016 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Hatchback Review

    Feel free to write up a consumer review too. Thanks!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I'm curious. How come you didn't give the Volt more consideration?
  • oilerlordoilerlord Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2016
    I seriously considered a used 2013-2015 Volt but it ended up being too small for us, and the sloping rear hatch while stylish, made the rear cargo area too cramped for our dog's crate, and the lip at the back of the hatch wouldn't make loading golf clubs easy either. That said, I didn't mind the car's exterior but the interior is seriously dated, and somewhat cheap appearance & feel. Though used Volts, Sparks, FFE's, Leafs, etc, cost less; our 2014 B250e was the best overall package and most car for the money. Along with being larger, quieter, and more luxurious than everything else we drove (except the Model S), I also appreciated that the B250e looks like a normal car, and had good acceleration despite it's 3900 pound mass.

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