Just bought used A190 LWB

[Cozza]

Hi folks,
Having just acquired a 2002 A190 semi-auto last week, this is my first post on the site. Generally pleased with the car but I have picked up a few potential problems on the car. I would be grateful if anybody could chip in to back up or dispute my thoughts.
With the car stopped there is a slight knock and a bit of looseness when moving the steering wheel from side to side by a few inches. Also, when moving at low speeds, when I go over a ridge in the road there is a knock. Me thinks it may be the steering column worn? I can see from receipts (and under the wheel arch) that the front drop links were replaced just a few months so I don't think that's the problems.
When pulling away, as the clutch engages there are some strange noises emenating from under the bonnet. If it was a conventional clutch I would probably guess at the clutch release bearing. It's kind of a tinkling sound. (No, it's not me wetting myself on the half-leather seats)!
When putting the foot down in 2nd or 3rd, as you would to accelate during overtaking, the car has horrendous torque steer. Also, I went through some relatively shallow standing water/puddles the other day while driving along some C-roads and the car pulled terribly to the side. Do you guys think these points could also be tied up with a worn steering column (which I understand is a common fault)?

I have booked the car in for the supplying dealer to check the points above, but would be grateful for any additional pointers/info.

Cheers

 

[A210AMG]

Hello,

My wife has a A210 Evo and we love it, they don't temd to get good reviews but her MX5 had to go when she was expecting and I searched for somthing different. I've only seen one other on the road.

Sorry don't know about the noises but I know if I jump in hers after driving rear wheel drive cars and my ML it does torque steer. Its not 'that' powerful but in wet or damp conditions if you want to gooooo might as well forget 1st (ours is a manual as wife didn't want auto).

Great car though and being the Lwb version theres more room for rear passengers even behind me (6ft 2) than in my ML or E class estate.


Cheers

 

[Cozza]

Thanks A210AMG. As you say, the LWB has loads of room. Everybody that gets in the back says 'wow'. I really like the car and it's in really good condition with full Merc history. I don't have any concerns that it has been badly looked after. Just want to get these things checked

Cheers

 

[A210AMG]

Cheers Cozza,

Hope you get it sorted hopefullu nothing too serious. Post some pics when you can, Here is the wifes.

 

[mjtray]

Re your A190....my wife's previous A Class was a 190 ACS like yours which was replaced by a 210LWB two years ago.

The more powerful A Classes do suffer from torque steer.....the quality and brand of tyre along with correct tyre pressure does make a difference, but even then if you are gunning it, especially if going up hill when the front goes light, you can get the torque steer kicking in.

Re the tinkling noise...if I recall correctly we had a similar thing on our 190 and our previous to that 170 ACS and they both made the same noise....it was a faint noise, which I could hear when I had the windows down and when the car was at idle...can only assume its the ACS unit as our manual 210 does not make the noise.

Re knock, my first thoughts would have been the drop links, but as those have been changed, I'm afraid I can't help...would suggest you take it into a Mercedes Indi and see what they diagnose.

 

[BlackC55]

The steering column is knocking and will need replacement to cure.

They do suffer with torque steer. You should try a A210 the torque steer is dangerous under hard acceleration IMO. I thought there was somthing wrong withthem when they first came out and I PDI'd them.

Can't help with the noise. I would need to hear it.