Hello from the Redneck Riviera - otherwise known as the Florida Panhandle

[dennphill]

I just traded-in my third Subaru for a (new, but year 2024!) Mercedes GLB 250! It will join in my garage its older sibling, a 2002 M-B SLK 230 Kompresser (Model R170), which I have had since new (and it was my second SLK). I am introducing myself as I am still trying to figure out this new car and how it works. Thanks in advance to any and all who may be able to assist me in answering my (now, numerous) questions. As an aside, I have been a constant reader and follower of the Mercedes SLK World forum since probably 2003. My SLK, now approaching near 118K miles, is a reliable daily driver and I really like it. It's pretty much still stock but in really good - over-maintained, actually - condition. I will come back and post more as I figure out how best to voice what now is disappointment in a couple of areas of GLB ownership...first, I really wonder what Mercedes was thinking of when they made this GLB without a spare tire. Stupid Mercedes! And please don't get all over me about how well modern tires last and how much extra weight you carry round in having a spare, and so on and on. I ran into the same issue with (also now stupid) Subaru and their new Forester Hybrid...the one that just came out...also, no more spare....and the same effin' story with the NX I looked recently at with run-flat tires and no spare and the Toyota Crown Signia. I got it that these new compact hybrids need more battery space, but I am truly dissapointed in Mercedes. (I almost decided last minute to buy a GLC 300 (with a spare) instead, but my wife and I were looking for 'something smaller' (and my wife did like the size and looks of the GLB. SO - my solution is: I now have a small space-saver spare coming to keep in the trunk. (Hell, it was only an extra $500 to fix Mercedes' problem!). So that's my introduction to a disappointing new car. (And I still can't seem to find how to work the 'lane-keeping-assist' and use the 'adaptive-cruise-control'...but that's issues for another forum post. I think my car just does not have these features that are standard everywhere else...) Anyway - new car - and it looks nice enough and seems to run well. We'll see how it goes. Ciao, y'all!

 

[dennphill]

Anybody ever say, "Hello?" It's taken from early June - the buy of my new GLB and joining this forum - to today - 28 July - to get finally a confirmation message from the site to authorize me! Anyway, more as I have questions and try and figure out parts, oils, wipers, etc. Had the vehicle only a month and am already getting service warnings that initial service ("A") is overdue. Apparently the initial dealer service was LAST June (2024) so they say it's due an A Service now. My dealer's Service Manager quoted me a cost of $479 for this first A Service, but agreed to a 10% military discount when I come in. Said it seemed a bit pricey, but then he said there's "a lot of labor" doing "routine item checks" and he furnished me with the Model Year 2024 Model 247.6 Service Sheet (6 pages) so I could see all the service items and checks for Required Service Work, Required Additional Work, and Recommended Service Work. It also lists High Mileage Required Service Work as well as High Mileage Recommended Service Work (after 160K mi/16 years). It all shows A and B Services every 10K miles or annually. I don't expect any pity from this forum...but it's quite a change after about 10 years and two Subaru Outbacks.
What was I thinking. And the darned car doesn't even have a spare tire (I just went out and bought one from Modern Spare on Amazon together with a jack kit and cover), or even a case above the rear view mirror for my sunglasses.