A Class reliability

[JULIANGERAGHTY]

Hello I'm a new member and don't actually own a MB yet but I'm working on it. We are thinking of replacing our old Ford with something that can carry 2 adults and 2 growing children comfortably. We are looking at getting an early A Class. In the reviews we keep reading about there are niggling reliability problems but don't give details. Can anyone tell us what they are and how these cars fair long term please.
Many thanks.
Julian

 

[whatever]

hello
My personal advice would be to save your money and buy something more reliable.
I'm getting rid of mine (2001 classic) in the next week for a VW. A car I had before and know LASTS.
I thought buying a Mercedes would be a good thing , but i was wrong.
They seem to have numerous problems , most of which are hard to find and even more so to fix.
Maybe I'm bitter about them, but I honestly would look elsewhere.
Not worth the money.
Regards.

 

[JULIANGERAGHTY]

Thanks, I've been looking in the technical sections and have refined my search terms a bit. I'm beginning to have serious doubts.
Julian

 

[jberks]

I'm inclined to agree. The latest A classes are excellent by all accounts, capable of giving the best from BMW or even Honda a run for their money.
But earlier ones can be troublesome. Dashes and gearboxes seem to be the main areas of concern from what I've gathered.

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,


I've owned a new MK3 golf back when they were new and currently the wife has an A class (2003)

We have had it nearly 2 years and its only needed new discs and pad (except the services). It does over 40mpg (manual petrol 2.1), Has loads of room, goes well and loks nice.


I have use of a MK4 golf regularly and yes its good but bland as you like, the A class is very good and if you choose correctly see no reason why you cannt get a nice one.

There are always poor cars what ever make you buy, the VW's I will agree overall are good cars but unless its an R32 do look quite somber. The one I had was a Mk3 Gti Anniversary great car (but not worthy or a gti badge).


Good luck what ever you chose as I do like the Golfs also.....

 

[jibcl500]

Buy the new a class, the arly ones are cr@p...........Or buy a Voxall or Frod people type carrier thing or VW, I heard VW are quite good.


jib

 

[Xtractorfan]

Ever thot about a Seat Altea, its a brilliant car..had one out for a few days recently and was really impressed..and it basically is a golf..but a better drive

 

[jibcl500]

sorted then.

jib

 

[horgantrevor]

All car's give trouble you could by a new car and it could be the biggest nightmare ever

But i have a 99'' A Class and the only trouble i had was the rear thruss bearings went it makes the back wheels look cockeyed a cheap fix 45 euro for parts and i fixed it my self
.
just make the fan belt is changed as this runs nearly all pumps,and electric parts

if you need help on fixing use this site for an A Class http://www.aclassinfo.co.uk/mypage.1.htm

i hope this helps just be smart check every thing works bush every button and ask the seller all questions

good luck

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Does make me smile some people knocking the ////// out of them?? as I say ours has been great (2yrs in our ownersip)

Dads brand new E class has had allsorts of recalls and minor issues, it also has lost the value of our A class each year.... does that make it a better car?

His SL has had its fair share of problems and that was 70K + new

We love all of them they all do different things in our family and as mentioned you can have problems with any car if your unlucky some do seem to have more

 

[horgantrevor]

ive been lucky with the few merc's ive owned in the past never to much trouble

i have an a class and c class looking for a third i may find at this site http://www.classiccarsireland.nl/home.asp

 

[Rory]

Any car can go wrong but if you buy an older Ford or VW etc (or even an older "normal" MB) there's always someone around who can get parts and fix it.

A Class has some complicated assemblies and there are a number of potential problems that could easily cause an older one to be an economic write-off.

 

[JULIANGERAGHTY]

A Class has some complicated assemblies and there are a number of potential problems that could easily cause an older one to be an economic write-off.

I think this is the picture that is coming clear. I didn't apreciate how packed in the engine is and how much work is needed to do the things that are likely to go wrong. I'll just have to start saving for a newer one. Thanks for your replies.
Julian

 

[A1000]

We went for a newer one and have been impressed with it so far. It's a great car for around town and short/medium length journeys. You might be luck as the newer version was introduced around march 2005 which means that there might be some coming off lease schemes after 3 years about now.

Wrt to maintenance we were luck and got it onto Service Contract+ just before it was pulled. Amusingly enough as we increased the annual mileage on the contract the monthly rate dropped until we got to about 15k miles pa. Didn't seem right, however, as it was in our favour we went with it! I was tempted to ask for 100k miles pa to see if we got it for free!

 

[grpar]

I think this is the picture that is coming clear. I didn't apreciate how packed in the engine is and how much work is needed to do the things that are likely to go wrong. I'll just have to start saving for a newer one. Thanks for your replies.
Julian

Julian,

If you ever had the chance to drive the Easy Car A-classes a few years ago (good old Stelios !) you'll know that they were basically a good little car, but the ride was harsh and not especially pleasant (something to do with the suspension stiffening that followed the famous Elk Test). Worth getting something else (including the new one) unless you're dead set on the original.