I want an A class

[cazzjo]

Hi

I'm looking to buy an A class but my husband not sure. Can anyone give me any pointers to known problems with the A class or is there a particular model to steer clear of.

many thanks
Caz

 

[verytalldave]

About the best morsel of advice is - buy the facelifted model which came out about 2 years ago.

MUCH MUCH MUCH better than the previous model.

Hopefully you will be able to afford one those ones.
Early models do suffer from rust so be careful.

Diesels are very economical, and therefore carry a price premium.

 

[Splatt]

Yes go for the facelift version 2005 onwards the 160 CDI is very frugal , about 62 mpg and CO2 119g/km

Have a look at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=922
this shows not much to worry about.

 

[horgantrevor]

also the one i bought for the wife which is a 99' w168 A class had a fault which is common the rear wheels looked cocked out words . it was the thruss bearings in the rear a main dealer told me they go every 60 or so miles. not a hard fix bought parts and fitted them my self took a few hours . the early models have a boot door latch that sticks and can be a pain mercedes changed it on face lift model w169.

last but not least make sure the is poly 'V' belt is changed because it runs almost every thing and is a five hour fix and can be expensive

other than that great little runner if looked after will last a long time it has loads of room and easy to change layout for trips or loading large objects

 

[aliddle]

Take a stiff drink and go to bed early... when you wake up tomorrow you may find the need to buy an A160 will have worn off......

Only jokes....

 

[hawk20]

The A class that came out in 2005 was not facelifted but was a complete new model and all reviews note that it is a much better car than the original version. I have two and love them despite having had numerous E's and an S class before them. It is as roomy as the E class and un-matched by any other 'small' looking car. Top in class for safety with NCAP too. Now sold over two million of them. The fan base is growing.

This is what the biggest survey of owners JD Power said: -
" Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Rating 81.1%
Overall ranking 28th=
The A-Class ran a very close second to the Corolla Verso. It seems Mercedes has got its act together on the reliability front and, like the Toyota, it performed extremely well in this area.

Interior build quality proved to be the A-Class's major strength - owners reported no nasty niggles, rattles or glitches. Heating and ventilation systems, the stereo and the seats also got the thumbs-up, and the engine and transmission proved to be strong.

The A-Class scored highest for exterior styling. On the downside, owners felt costs of service and repair were too steep.


Here is what Adam Towler said in Autocar and some links to follow: -

A Class New Model Autocar Adam Towler
Mercedes A180 CDI
Test date 27 July 2004 Price when new £18,012

Improved cabin creates real Benz desirability
You can form an opinion on the new, much-improved A-class based on the sharp exterior, or the fact that it now drives like you’d expect a small Mercedes to. But it was the intersection of the A-pillar, door and dashboard that summed it up for me.
Unlike the old car, with its less than substantial interior, the solid, slab-sided plastics of the new one and the way they join together are proper Mercedes-Benz. They’re just there, with a uniform gap between them – and look like they’ll be for a long time. It’s a small but important indication of the leap in standards.
To be fair to Mercedes, it has not dodged entirely the issue of the original not quite living up to the quality expected of a Benz. Yes, the PR people said tacitly, build quality and dynamics would be much better than the previous car’s. They had learnt from their customers about what was wanted in a baby Benz and had made every effort to deliver the goods this time around. They may have even been slightly defensive when they said that the old one had, after all, shifted 1.1 million units.
That the new A-class is really good is hardly breaking news, but this is our first steer in the diesels and they’re rather good too. The basic 1991cc block is used across all three of the Euro4 compliant diesels (A160 CDI, A180 CDI, A200 CDI) but it’s the 108bhp A180 CDI we’re concentrating on here.
With second-generation common-rail injection technology operating at up to 23,000 psi, and an increased capacity over the outgoing engine, the 180 produces 184lb ft between 1600 and 2600rpm. Its character suits the A-class well, delivering a strong surge of pulling power from low revs and sustaining this push without any noticeable drop-off through a wide range. Stay away from the final 1500rpm on the dial and it’s refined, too, remaining smooth and free from awkward harmonics. It’s superior to a VW Golf TDi and to the more powerful A200 Cdi, which is rougher under acceleration. The 180 is an eminently driveable engine and a good match for the car. And Mercedes claims it will return an impressive 54.3mpg.
Despite ubiquitous use of the term ‘driving pleasure’ by so many of Europe’s car companies, the A-class is not a car to rival the BMW 1- series for driver appeal. But that’s not to say it isn’t an appealing car. The main improvement over the old car is the ride, which has a supple but well controlled big-car quality to it, whether at high speed or around town. There’s plenty of poise through bends, decent outright grip and accurate steering with well-judged, speed-sensitive weighting. As you sit high, surrounded by MPV-like architecture, you’re not inclined to push hard, but the diesel A-class can be driven quickly with a minimum of fuss.

The driving position is very adjustable, visibility’s good, and the cabin has a quality feel in both its construction and ambience. It’s also spacious – especially in the rear – and offers versatility; there’s even an optional removable front passenger seat.
UK buyers will have to wait until early next year before right-hand drive cars are delivered, and can expect to pay accordingly to put a three-pointed star on their driveway. But the new A-class is everything the old one should have been: an individual, practical, prestige-badged small car. And it’s a real Mercedes.
Adam Towler

 

[hawk20]

A CLASS LINKS
Here's a couple of links: -
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=45064
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42833 This is An A Class to Spain and back
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=43044 This one is Second Baby on the Way

Some Thoughts On The A Class
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=33319

And here is Honest John's view: -
The first big improvement of the new A Class is the feeling of heavy, Germanic solidity. There’s nothing flimsy about it. The plastics are thick. The pile of the upholstery and carpeting is deep. Even the feel of the rear seats as you fold them is reassuringly over-engineered. Unlike the original, it’s a proper Mercedes in miniature rather than just a small car with a Mercedes badge.
It drives and handles like a larger, heavier car too. It’s quiet, refined and smooth. You could step out of an old W123 E Class or a W126 S Class into a new A Class and feel the cars were made in the same factory by the same people

 

[jibcl500]

Buy a Toyota.

jib

 

[hawk20]

Buy a Toyota.

jib

Is that from a Mercedes enthusiast? There isn't a single Toyota that comes anywhere near the A class for space, quality, comfort or practicality. Tried them all.

 

[jibcl500]

Rav 4


jib

 

[verytalldave]

Someones been at the herbal cigarettes again......................

 

[hawk20]

Rav 4


jib

Petrol not diesel. High VED. Lousy mpg. Poor legroom in front (not enough for me). Looks nice though.

 

[jibcl500]

diesel 40mpg all day, quick too.

jib

 

[hawk20]

diesel 40mpg all day, quick too.

jib

Yes but sadly the diesel is manual only. No automatic version. And even the manual only has a combined figure of 42 mpg against 54mpg for the A class.

 

[jibcl500]

But its a Toyota which is better than the A class.

jib

 

[hawk20]

But its a Toyota which is better than the A class.

jib

Better than a Nissan perhaps and a Kia too probably.

 

[jibcl500]

Disagree the first generation A class are poor, the design brilliant, the materials and engineering crap.

jib

 

[hawk20]

Disagree the first generation A class are poor, the design brilliant, the materials and engineering crap.

jib

I did not like the old A class. Looked at it and tried it several times, but not for me. But I don't know why you are trying so hard to put someone off the A class when the new model from early 2005 has had good reviews from Autocar, Honest John and even Jeremy Clarkson.

The reliability has been excellent on the new one and JD Power shows that owners are highly satisfied.

Autocar did a head to head with the BMW 1 series and chose the A class. We have two and have found them excellent. My brother has a three year old one from early 2005 and has had absolutely no problems at all. He gets over 60 mpg from his A160cdi and is delighted with it. Now my daughter has an A180cdi Avantgarde and she is very pleased with hers too.

I am sure the Toyota pleases many people too and no doubt they have an excellent forum as well. But we prefer Mercedes.

 

[A210AMG]

WE like our little A class

Its the 'old' model 2003

For what we paid it only had 19K on the clock and cost someone 21K new, for the same money yes we could have had pleanty of other cars but this is very rare and huge inside, goes well and wife gets over 40mpg easy.

I like the Rav4 but its a completly different car to a A class so no comparison, we have had a few Jap car and they are superb (Mx5's)

So far in nearly 2yrs we have had the A class its been great. The new one is like sitting in an E class but higher up

 

[hawk20]

WE like our little A class

Its the 'old' model 2003

For what we paid it only had 19K on the clock and cost someone 21K new, for the same money yes we could have had pleanty of other cars but this is very rare and huge inside, goes well and wife gets over 40mpg easy.

I like the Rav4 but its a completly different car to a A class so no comparison, we have had a few Jap car and they are superb (Mx5's)

So far in nearly 2yrs we have had the A class its been great. The new one is like sitting in an E class but higher up

Good to hear from A210AMG a regular A class contributor. How many miles has yours done now?