Mercedes B200CDI vs Octavia 103TDI wagon

[VAG newbie]

It's about time that my wife's car's lease is due. So starting to look for a new car. Basically she needs a wagon/SUV to carry our 2 boys, 4 and 5 years old. Koreans are definitely out of question. My wife and I hates the ride and handling of Korean cars, always get car sick. Also after having 3 years behind the wheel of European cars, we find it very hard to go back to Japanese again. So after checking our requirements and budget (between $50-55K on road), it came down to the B200 and Octavia.

For a base car, Octavia is definitely way cheaper. But because of a few options that are "must have" for my wife, we have to spec up the Octy. Basically she needs
1. GPS (she gets lost easily, can't read map, tried portable before and it didn't work for her)
2. Leather (having 2 kids, you gotta have leather. Impossible to clean if cloth trim)
3. Bi-xenon (she can't see well at night because of her eye sight)
4. RV camera (again, for the sake of young kids. Octy doesn't have it, but I got a 3rd party one on my Superb, so I know you can install one)
5. Parking sensors (She is a woman)
6. Auto (we can't drive manual)

So after almost fully spec'd the Octy, it comes down to $52390 RRP drive-away. (This include a 3rd party RV camera). For the B200, it's $56864 if opt for the COMMAND, Exclusive and Vision package. So the 2 cars will be similarly spec'd. Although B200 is $4500 dearer, you get some extras which Octy doesn't have:
1. Park assist
2. Stop-start system
3. Attention Assist
4. Collision prevention Assist
5. PRE-SAFE occupant protection system
6. RV camera with guide lines
7. Premium sound system
8. Mercedes Badge.

Also because of the lower fuel consumptions, and with my corporate discount deal, apparently I get a 3 years free service with MB. Overall monthly repayment of the lease is cheaper with the MB.

Of course, you get a bigger boot and a full size spare with the Octy. Also slightly better performance with the Octy engine (103KW/320Nm vs 100KW/300Nm) but more fuel consumption (6.5L/100km vs 4.7L/100km).

I have thought of maybe I should get a Superb Elegance Wagon, which will be better equipped and a lot more space. But the price will be similar to the B200CDI, and it might be too long for my wife.

Thought of Passat 125TDI wagon too, but after adding all the options, it will be way dearer than the Mercedes, and VW's reliability record is not great.

Sound's like we have made up our mind? No, not really. My wife hates the badge! She thinks it is too snobbish driving a Mercedes. I am in the process of convincing her.

Which one would you pick? Should I continue to persuade my wife? If so, what else can I tell her other than the value and safety? In not, what else is better with Octy than the MB that I have over looked?

(On a side note, with many competitors slashing their price and adding equipment, Skoda really need to reconsider it's pricing. Even Octys are not such a good value anymore.)

[Jake02]

I'll get a lot of hate (haters gonna hate) for this but I say go the B-class (or the Superb). I have a soft spot for the B-Class because it's just so practical and looks better than ever in the new model. I'm not sure it'll do the family thing as well as the Octavia, though it's also a lot better value than before. $55k for an Octavia (even an RS) is a $h!tload of money! What options are you adding to it (remember, sat-nav is standard equipment)? For $55k I think a Superb is much better value for money. But that's an exciting time for you guys, good luck!

[Transporter]

Would you keep the car once the warranty finishes?

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

[Mysticality]

Remember, the Octy doesn't have bi-xenon headlamps. Only xenon low beams. Highs are halogen.

I would probably go for the B-class, based on the costing.
I just googled pics of the B200CDI... And based on that, I would definitely go for the octy!

Perhaps the vRS, even. As Jake02 said, it has satnav standard. As well as more power!!

[dArK5HaD0w]

For a base car, Octavia is definitely way cheaper. But because of a few options that are "must have" for my wife, we have to spec up the Octy. Basically she needs
1. GPS (she gets lost easily, can't read map, tried portable before and it didn't work for her)
2. Leather (having 2 kids, you gotta have leather. Impossible to clean if cloth trim)
3. Bi-xenon (she can't see well at night because of her eye sight)
4. RV camera (again, for the sake of young kids. Octy doesn't have it, but I got a 3rd party one on my Superb, so I know you can install one)
5. Parking sensors (She is a woman)
6. Auto (we can't drive manual)

So after almost fully spec'd the Octy, it comes down to $52390 RRP drive-away. (This include a 3rd party RV camera).

$52390 for an octy?!?!?!
damn...wat numbers have u been crunching there?!?!?!?

a my12/13 vRS has everything u need in its standard form, except the reverse-camera, and doesn't cost anywhere near $52390!!!

[Jake02]

Perhaps the vRS, even. As Jake02 said, it has satnav standard. As well as more power!!

The 118TSI/103TDI as well as the RS' have satnav standard. I can't see how a 103TDI DSG wagon ends up being $53k... Unless it has everything on it.

[romaniac]

I got my superb for $48k so paying $53k for an octavia is silly

[gldgti]

I know its right there glaring in the first post, but for a little while I thought you were talking about a C-class wagon (awesome!)

Now I realise b-class....

Octavia all the way!!!!!!!!

[VAG newbie]

$52390 for an octy?!?!?!
damn...wat numbers have u been crunching there?!?!?!?

a my12/13 vRS has everything u need in its standard form, except the reverse-camera, and doesn't cost anywhere near $52390!!!

When you add DSG, Leather, electric seat, sunroof, Xenon, fog light, alarm and RV camera, it will cost you that much. I got the price from www.discountnewcars.com.au

Do I need all these options? No not really. I just added them to match the standard equipments of a B200 when those packages are included. B200 has many option packages at attractive pricing, eg. the vision package that includes panoramic sunroof and Bi-Xenon for $2490! That is very un-Mercedes like. Anyway, even after deleting som eof the non essential options such as sunroof and electric seats from both cars, the price difference is still about $4000.

Agree vRS is better value, so is the Superb wagon. Problem is I have this obsessive love towards beige interior, which is not offered in vRS. But I guess it will be my wife's car, I can still enjoy my black superb with beige interior.

No, I don't keep the car after warranty expires. So 3 years of free servicing is an attractive deal. That's a $15-2000 saving! It is because with my tax bracket, salary sacrifice is always more beneficial for me, unless I get a Honda Jazz and drive it until it dies.

Just checked the vRS brochure. I don't think leather and Xenon is standard in vRS. If I add these plus front parking sensor and RV camera. it will be close to $50K if not over. The standards alcantara is very kids unfriendly!

[THE_EGG]

Personally I would get something like an Octavia vRS 125TDI so it is still pretty efficient but you will get all the goodies like sat-nav etc. If it is the 103TDI vs. the B200 CDI then I would choose the B-class hands down.