Buying an A-Class

[psmart]

I've been offered the chance to pickup an A140 Classic SE, 36000 miles, 2.10 years old.

After reading a number of threads on the forum relating to ECU faults, noises, bad build quality etc, but most relating to older models, I'm posting to see if there is any feedback on this particular vintage. Car has been in the family since new, so its of known origin, had a few issues/recalls, but basically seems sound now.

I basically need a run-around to replace my Fiat Seicento, and loving Merc (even though Im not happy with their reliability record), seems a no-brainer.

Any forum members got a yeah or neah to say on the A140?

 

[psmart]

No one has any views on the A-Class w168? Is it that bland

 

[sheriff]

As I've already said to another person asking A class questions, you won't get much interest on here. I've recenly bought one, and to be honest, I'm really pleased with it. With regard to all the so called common faults, in my opinion, if they were going to happen to an older car, they probably would have happened already. As Malcolm so succinctly put it to me a little while ago, it would be a pretty boring forum if people posted saying "I drove my car today, and nothing went wrong !" Take a look on www.baby-benz.com and http://homepage.ntlworld.com/albert.rowe/mypage.1.htm pretty good informative sites.

 

[nimsu]

hey don't let all of that stop you from getting one! i've had mine for 13 months, in that time, the only thing thats happened is that it wouldnt start once, it had a new starter motor added under warranty, admittedly that was a bit of a hassle especially with the stingy dealers... But the a class we have has pretty much been thrashed and abused, it has really coped well, with 30,000 between a service and oil change,with no problems in between, the engine seems bulletproof...
rememeber, people use tech forums (for all different models of cars) often to air their problems, not all of them are bad!
the a class replaced a CLK500 (04model) even after 3 months of ownership, that car developed a gearbox oil leak, and that cost £40k more!
hope that provides a bit of positive feedback..
oh mine was a a140 lwb (03)

 

[psmart]

sheriff, nimsu thanks for all the feedback. Strange thing is, looking at WarrantyDirect, it cost more for a mechanical insurance on the A-Class compared with my M class which is more than the C-Class! Its a toss up at the moment for the A140 or the Smart ForFour 1.5cdi, the former being better purchase cost wise. Will know in a couple of weeks which way Im going.

 

[type49]

Common A class faults are - - worn rear trailing arm bushes (about 3 hours labour) , worn rear springs (do with rear bushes), front antirollbar link arms (10 minutes), steering column worn (3 hours), starter motor failure (4 hours), V belt tensioner (2+ hours), autobox (11 hours), manual box selector assembly (2 hours), air flow meter/control unit (1 hour). These are rough dealer times & do not always mean the job will take that long but that's what you will be charged. Generally the engines & manual boxes are good & a lot of the above work would have been done previously. If you dont mind the very bumpy ride, (dont be fooled, the Elegance is NOT softer that the Avantgarde) then a looked after A probably is'nt such a bad buy. I forgot, diesels are harsh & noisy. I would go for a 160 auto-clutch manual. Clutch failure is'nt common but just bare in mind it's a long job to replace when worn, about 8 hours.

 

[sheriff]

sheriff, nimsu thanks for all the feedback. Strange thing is, looking at WarrantyDirect, it cost more for a mechanical insurance on the A-Class compared with my M class which is more than the C-Class! Its a toss up at the moment for the A140 or the Smart ForFour 1.5cdi, the former being better purchase cost wise. Will know in a couple of weeks which way Im going.

Just taken out a 3 year warranty with these http://www.warrantyworks.co.uk/index.php?fromlink=home
Cost me £488, you don't have to get it serviced at the stealers, any VAT registered garage is ok. It looks pretty comprehensive, they're actually selling Motorplan warranties (which I've succesfully claimed on in the past), but are cheaper than if you buy direct. I suppose the proof will be if I have to claim in the future.
As an aside, I've read posts saying that the A is uncomfortable, I've just done a 350 mile round trip, stayed on cruise control at 70 on the way, but had to "ahem" press on coming home, no aches or pains, my 15 year old son slept all the way, and we got 47.2 mpg, which I was really impressed with, especially with the progress we made coming home ;-)

 

[citroennut]

hi psmart,
my wife has had two a class a 140 classic x plate and an '03 140 classic lwb. she thought that the swb was a better car, the lwb seemed thirstier and not as comfy but had loads of space. the swb could take items my e class couldn't with all seats full! we once took the swb from ayrshire to suffolk on holiday when the e class wasn't going, three adults and two almost teenagers and their luggage for two weeks, it swallowed the lot. comfortable journey good fuel consumption, excellent wee car with minor faults in the two years of ownership

 

[television]

MB SW were selling brand new smart diesels LWB for £9k down from £14k last week.

Malcolm

 

[clelly]

buying an a class

MB SW were selling brand new smart diesels LWB for £9k down from £14k last week.

Malcolm

Can you tell where MB SW is located my wife has been looking for a deal on a lwb a class thanks

 

[backtoford]

Iwould not touch another mercedes a-class or any other mercedes.
My a-class has its m o t on the 5th march (am) and if it passes it isfor sale
05/03/2007 PM one word to describe the a class utter c**p

 

[backtoford]

MOT passed A-Cr**p gone so ends the nightmare of owning a MB

 

[Timechaser]

MOT passed A-Cr**p gone so ends the nightmare of owning a MB

So says someone who's nick contains "Ford"...

Sigh! The Irony of it all... (yes hibbo, the capitalisation on Irony is intentional)

 

[eric242340]

Im not happy with all the A Class issues, but if you want to compare it with Ford? You cant compare. Its a very good ladies car and most buyers here look for the 160 semi auto. Please dont try to compare any Benz with Ford

 

[psmart]

Im not happy with all the A Class issues, but if you want to compare it with Ford? You cant compare. Its a very good ladies car and most buyers here look for the 160 semi auto. Please dont try to compare any Benz with Ford

Oi! Ladies car.... ... Ive just acquired one to add to my fleet, last time I looked I still had man's parts!!!
Fords... aaaah! yes! RS Turbo, Sierra Cosworth, Oriion Ghia, XR2, XR3 XR3 Cabriolet, Granada, Scorpion.... all cars Ive either owned or leased (fleet contract hire)! Loved them, but there not in the same league as a Benz and they were unreliable! Just like Mercedes! So if you agree that all European cars are going to be unreliable, then Benz is the way to go!

 

[Hibbo]

Iwould not touch another mercedes a-class or any other mercedes.
My a-class has its m o t on the 5th march (am) and if it passes it isfor sale
05/03/2007 PM one word to describe the a class utter c**p

So says someone who's nick contains "Ford"...

Sigh! The Irony of it all... (yes hibbo, the capitalisation on Irony is intentional)

Good impact-based capitalisation! (I would appreciate it if you would capitalise my name in future though )
My pedantic instincts were more inclined to inform our friend that 'utter crap' is actually two words.

 

[backtoford]

I would rather use the bus than buy another A-cr**p

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

My pedantic instincts were more inclined to inform our friend that 'utter crap' is actually two words.

only one actually.....Mercedes.

 

[sheriff]

I would rather use the bus than buy another A-cr**p

didn't know there were two a's in cr**p.....
You're a lucky fella if you've never had a problem with a ford, I've had plenty of them, and there's always been something to sort out on every one. What model/year did you have, and what sort of problems did you have with your A class ?

 

[backtoford]

Problems with A Cr**p(s):

First A class, owned for 9 weeks, spent 7 weeks in MB workshops:

Cylinder head gasket
Faulty fuel pump
Faulty injectors
Front and rear suspension bushes
Faulty instrument panel
Rear number plate fell off
Windscreen wipers stopped working
Overheated at speed

Mileage when bought 18,000, mileage when sold 18,500. Exchanged

Second A class, owned for 3 months:

New gearbox

Yes MB are very reliable I don't think! Their servicing is also just as good. The first A class had "just been serviced" when it was sold to me. On investigation the air filter was totally choked and looked like the original item. You just can't deal with these guys they would swear night was day if they thought they could get away with it!

Regards

Backtoford