A-Class W169 - What Do We Think?

psmart

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Wasn't there an issue when the A-Class 1st came out when they tended to 'fall over' when swerving to avoid a moose?? Has that been solved, or did they simply ban mooses from going onto roads?
Shortly after the Moose test, Daimler exhibitioned several in the Maritim Hotel here in Stuttgart, just outside the Piano Bar (our favourite haunt). Being English and fun loving, we chalked up some notices in German to the effect 'Achtung! Stand Clear, Vehicle liable to fall over)' and posted them on each car. Highly hillarious, even our German cousins thought it funny, except for the obvious Daimler reps, who were not amused!
 

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I've had my W169 A160 CVT since April and driven 9000 miles in it. I swapped my Volvo S80 for it and have no regrets whatsoever. It hasn't been completely fault free with a warped RNS brake disc, squeaky drivers seat, a rattle from the rear tailgate and an untraceable (as yest) low whistle that I'm beginning to suspect is coming from the transmission. It easily averages 47+ mpg when I do brim to brim fuel checks and recently achieved 55mpg. It is no speed demon but that is not why I bought it and it goes quick enough for my needs. The dealership I use have been polite and helpful but have not been 100% successful at sorting issues immediately - in fact they have only managed to do so once! Overall I thoroughly enjoy the car and would have no hesitation in buying another as it currently suits my needs perfectly. The earlier comment regarding the paint scratching easily is very true.
 
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rhud

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Interesting that the 'paint scratching' has been spotted elsewhere. Is the A finish to a lower standard than bigger Mercs - or maybe the steeply raked bonnet is more vulnerable?
 

slender

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I was very surprised to find that the wing mirrors did not fold unless they were specifically optioned. That seems a strange item to omit as standard in this day and age.
 
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rhud

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Couldn't agree more - unbelievable!
 

Splatt

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I've had my W169 A160 CVT since April and driven 9000 miles in it. I swapped my Volvo S80 for it and have no regrets whatsoever. It hasn't been completely fault free with a warped RNS brake disc, squeaky drivers seat, a rattle from the rear tailgate and an untraceable (as yest) low whistle that I'm beginning to suspect is coming from the transmission. It easily averages 47+ mpg when I do brim to brim fuel checks and recently achieved 55mpg. It is no speed demon but that is not why I bought it and it goes quick enough for my needs. The dealership I use have been polite and helpful but have not been 100% successful at sorting issues immediately - in fact they have only managed to do so once! Overall I thoroughly enjoy the car and would have no hesitation in buying another as it currently suits my needs perfectly. The earlier comment regarding the paint scratching easily is very true.

As a thought are you driving with the A/C switched off.? I find if I do this I get a low murmer which stops instantly on switching A/C on . Seems to be from the A/C clutch when it is idling.
 

slender

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As a thought are you driving with the A/C switched off.? I find if I do this I get a low murmer which stops instantly on switching A/C on . Seems to be from the A/C clutch when it is idling.

Tried it with a/c on and off and all manner of other permutations - still it persists!
 

NewMB

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Wasn't there an issue when the A-Class 1st came out when they tended to 'fall over' when swerving to avoid a moose?? Has that been solved, or did they simply ban mooses from going onto roads?

It was a swedish test by Teknikens Värld (World of Technics). A test performed on any new car in Sweden. Car went over several times. He broke 3 ribs and a few other things. Small tires and no ESP I believe were some of the problems. MB recalled every singe one!

The moose...or correct name elk, "The Elk Test" is basic driving skills in Sweden how to avoid, not just elks, but other animals (like deer etc) as well and is basically a straight road with cones were the driver have to go zig-zag between them at various speeds. I did this as part of my driving test and you may think its fun.... just wait until you loose grip!

As for your last question about baning the elks from the roads. Well, along most major roads and motorways, you have fences that are 2.5m high (and in some places higher) to stop said animals from crossing the roads.

Certainly a country that do look after the safety of their drivers....
 

three pointed star

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Is the A class a true Mercedes? No…but only in as much that they haven't built a true Mercedes since the W123 era, or arguably 124 era. It is however a truly remarkable piece of design and I'm proud that Daimler Benz came up with it. Bearing in mind that this is a car shorter than a Ford Fiesta, I have transported a 3 seat hammock (flat packed) inside with the front and rear passenger side seats removed, the chap at the garden centre was amazed. Whilst I accept that everyone’s expectations are different, I find it equally at home on the motorway as around town.
 

rovingHawk

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I occasionally take my 95k mileage A140 (2000 model) from the midlands to the Orkney Islands or the south coast. For these journeys it carries two scuba twin-tank set-ups plus full dive gear and food/clothing for two for a week or so. And a passenger, obviously.

I've moved fridges and dining room tables in it, I go to work every day in it (38 miles each way, mainly M-way).

I change the oil occasionally, otherwise I do relatively little to it. In 36k miles it's needed the back door latch and gear selector replacing; otherwise it has been fine.

RH
 
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rhud

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Going back to quality of paint finish on the new A Class - is there widespread experience of easy scratching or tiny dots revealing the white primer appearing? Admittedly, I have black metallic which is the least forgiving. Beginning to wish I had gone for silver!

Also - anyone got the storage tray which fits under the front passenger seat? I am about to have one as an add-on accessory. Do they fit well, rattle or provide worthwhile storage?

As the one who kicked off this A Class thread - thanks to everyone who has contributed. Makes me feel less isolated!
 

Splatt

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Going back to quality of paint finish on the new A Class - is there widespread experience of easy scratching or tiny dots revealing the white primer appearing? Admittedly, I have black metallic which is the least forgiving. Beginning to wish I had gone for silver!

Also - anyone got the storage tray which fits under the front passenger seat? I am about to have one as an add-on accessory. Do they fit well, rattle or provide worthwhile storage?

As the one who kicked off this A Class thread - thanks to everyone who has contributed. Makes me feel less isolated!

I have picked up a few stone chips on the bonnet , but I assume that is because it is a steep angle and collects a hit from any flying detritous. Otherwise paintwork is good.
 

mastereng

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Starting with the various comments on paint; yes in my opinion it is not very good and does seem to scratch/mark easily. I have black metallic and my car is nearly a year old and the paintwork is nothing like as good as my previous BMW or come to that my wife's 8 year old Freelander!

Paintwork is only a minor gripe as overall (touch wood) I have had 11 months troublefree motoring. Contrary to some opinions here I think the 180 diesel is a good city and motorway car. The six speed gerabox allows quiet cruising and the torque is ample for hills and overtaking whilst the clutch is light enough for town use. OK the engine rumbles and grumbles a bit at low speed when cold but in the context of a very compact quality car with huge interior space and legroom I think it is pretty good. Of course it won't be long before it has its first service and I am wondering if that experience - particularly financially - might alter my opinion to date....
 
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mikewalsh

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I have an A160 CDI W169. I previously had an A170 CDI. Compared with the 170, the 160 is a bit of a gutless wonder. Until I became aware of it's poor overtaking qualities - especially uphill -- I used to frighten myself. I'm toying with the idea of "chipping" the car. Anyone done that yet? Apart from that, the car's OK I suppose. mikewalsh
 

stumpy

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Starting with the various comments on paint; yes in my opinion it is not very good and does seem to scratch/mark easily. I have black metallic and my car is nearly a year old and the paintwork is nothing like as good as my previous BMW or come to that my wife's 8 year old Freelander!

Paintwork is only a minor gripe as overall (touch wood) I have had 11 months troublefree motoring. Contrary to some opinions here I think the 180 diesel is a good city and motorway car. The six speed gerabox allows quiet cruising and the torque is ample for hills and overtaking whilst the clutch is light enough for town use. OK the engine rumbles and grumbles a bit at low speed when cold but in the context of a very compact quality car with huge interior space and legroom I think it is pretty good. Of course it won't be long before it has its first service and I am wondering if that experience - particularly financially - might alter my opinion to date....

Type BMW and orange peel into a search engine and see what comes up. They now have the worst paint finish of all.
 

mastereng

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"Type BMW and orange peel into a search engine and see what comes up. They now have the worst paint finish of all."

You may be absolutely right but after 3 years of 3 series ownership compared to one year of the A Class - the BMW paint was better. Perhaps I was just lucky with my BMW (or maybe not so lucky with my black A Class)?
 

Maybe One Day

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I have an A160 CDI W169. I previously had an A170 CDI. Compared with the 170, the 160 is a bit of a gutless wonder. Until I became aware of it's poor overtaking qualities - especially uphill -- I used to frighten myself. I'm toying with the idea of "chipping" the car. Anyone done that yet? Apart from that, the car's OK I suppose. mikewalsh

What does chipping the car mean?
 

stumpy

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"Type BMW and orange peel into a search engine and see what comes up. They now have the worst paint finish of all."

You may be absolutely right but after 3 years of 3 series ownership compared to one year of the A Class - the BMW paint was better. Perhaps I was just lucky with my BMW (or maybe not so lucky with my black A Class)?

It is the Bangle cars which are affected. My E39 was superb. On the cars I see at MBWorld the finish looks excellent.
 

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