A (not unhappy) new owner

[Helmet Vonthrob]

Just bought an A-Class 160 Elegance, couple of problems............

Car won't (easily) go into reverse gear when cold..fine when hot (gearbox oil change??)... what is the MB service interval for this?

Tappets clatter at start up but quieten down after about 2 seconds, oil was v. dirty so just got a friend to change it without a filter (cost me a tenner & I'll fully service it over the next week or so.

Is this car fly-by-wire or can I adjust the throttle cable? since at present it seems to be remote.

Apstrt from that, car is 80K, 1998 and remarkably quiet, elctrically everything seems to work.. oh yes, it's Mauve.. still, it's for my girlfriend so not all bad!!

Any advise on other isssues gratefully accepted.

 

[LANDR0VER]

Just bought an A-Class 160 Elegance, couple of problems............

Car won't (easily) go into reverse gear when cold..fine when hot (gearbox oil change??)... what is the MB service interval for this?

Tappets clatter at start up but quieten down after about 2 seconds, oil was v. dirty so just got a friend to change it without a filter (cost me a tenner & I'll fully service it over the next week or so.

Is this car fly-by-wire or can I adjust the throttle cable? since at present it seems to be remote.

Apstrt from that, car is 80K, 1998 and remarkably quiet, elctrically everything seems to work.. oh yes, it's Mauve.. still, it's for my girlfriend so not all bad!!

Any advise on other isssues gratefully accepted.

Sounds a lovely car,Do you not like your girlfriend....

 

[SLinKyjoe]

wot does helmut have?

 

[turnipsock]

My Mum's Audi A2 also has the problem with a lot clatering at startup. It's like it takes a couple of secs to get the oil pressure up.

 

[LANDR0VER]

wot does helmut have?

Don't know but it sounds painfull...............

 

[Helmet Vonthrob]

And so it goes on...

What quantity and what grade of oil for the gearbox??

 

[IDMerc]

Ours has the gearbox problem - if you move the lever across the gate a couple of times (ie check its in neutral) it usually goes into reverse no problem. It's a cable linkage so may need adjusting - no idea how before you ask!

Throtle is "fly-by-wire" - not adjustable

Expect service costs of £400+ if you go to a stealership - but they do empty the ashtray and wash the car......take the dog for a walk.......

 

[Richard Murray]

A-Class traits...

Hi

Few things you should be aware of. Regardless if car has full Mercedes history or not.

Check front suspension struts. Both these failed on my wife's A-160 (1999) with 70k. Strut is poorly designed. In our case - the lower seat cup sheared completely and the coil spring ended up pressed against the tyre. Luckily it happened in a car park and not at speed. Seems the strut is a alloy/steel composite, which I suspect suffers from electrolysis corrosion. In my case MB denied all responsibility - saying road conditions, driver style, could be at fault. I've heard of broken springs and leaking struts - but not sheared seat cups!

Also - the lock on hatchback boot needs to be well lubricated. The back of the car gets filthy due to its shape. Squirt of WD40 straight into the lock barrel helps. If you have time - strip off the boot panel and give the mechanism a liberal spray too. I wouldn't be surprised if it has deposits or signs of corrosion which will eventually seize the mechanism.

Regards gear oil - an independent will easily check this for you and top up if necessary avoiding dealer prices.

Richard

 

[Merc Aky]

Salty Roads

You can blame the strut failure on your salty roads in the winter. No such problems in New Zealand.