Mercedes-Benz B-Class (2012 - 2019) B180 BlueEFFICIENCY SE 5d Auto Owner Review

After weeks of researching web sites, I spotted a gleaming 2013 MERCEDESB180 SE BLUEEFFICIENCY CDI AUTOMATIC, at a local independent dealer. Not even on my horizon as an MPV, but Impressed by the comfort, claimed economy, quietness, finish and boot space I parted with my hard earned, for the oldest most expensive car I’ve ever owned.

Now after 8 months, it still looks good, drives quietly, I can forgive the pedestrian performance for its economy, but don’t get the Teutonic design concepts!
- [ ] I’m over 6 ft & the ignition key jabs me in the kneecap every time I brake.To guarantee a crushed kneecap in an accident?
( You might say I should have noticed it during the test drive. But I didn’t.)
- [ ] Why is the electronic handbrake out of sight and reach when it could have been on the tunnel?
- [ ] And that gimmick-wheel thing on the tunnel?
(I’ve only ever used it to reset the clock, manually for BST. A task I haven’t had to do since the 1970s.
- [ ] Wipers that sweep when it’s not raining, smearing the screen.
- [ ] Beepers that sound for no apparent reason.
What conditions need to be met before it engages ECO to save fuel? Does anybody know? The MB Forums suggest not.
Don’t get me wrong it’s a lovely car, well finished, cheap to tax, economical on fuel, comfortable, very quiet in front (less so in the rear) and remarkably spacious even in the boot, but it really is the most annoying thing I’ve ever driven; maybe the habits of 11 years in a Vectra take time to relearn.