Some Thoughts On The A Class

[hawk20]

Now I am the eccentric owner of two A class cars and have sold my S class, some have asked why on earth do that; and what is the new A class like. It is a bit odd that I have one really –let alone two- because until recently I wasn’t much of a fan of anything less than an E class and when I lost my head and fell in love with an S320cdi I thought I was in heaven.

But my wife wanted two cars so she can go to work without my having to take her and collect her. I looked at the cost of two cars in some detail and it is pretty horrific if you want new or fairly new cars. Whatever the size.

As a second car I thought we should try the A class partly because NCAP rate it first in class for safety, partly because my brother has one and loves it and, I suppose, partly because it is a Mercedes. We borrowed a new A class for a few days and I was impressed. The seats are really comfortable especially if you opt for the “comfort seat pack” at only £80. That gives height adjustment on both front seats, adjustable lumbar supports, and tilt adjustment for the front squabs. Good value.

Most important, they now offer steering column adjustable for rake and reach. Sadly an extra but at only £115 well worth it. I’m 6ft and Susan is 5ft 3in so we need the adjustment and can both get really comfortable. Excellent driving position.

I tried a 5 series BMW. The driving position is offset (crooked to you and me). Horrid. And the legroom is not enough for me; yet the A class has so much, I can’t reach the pedals if I push the seat fully back. And buckets of room in the back. As AutoExpress said: the A class has as much room as an E class.

So we decided that Susan would have an A class as our second car. I sold the S class having received an amazingly good offer and the A class arrived just before our annual holiday. So we ended up taking the A class –instead of the S- for our motoring holiday in France and Spain, during which we did 3,000 miles in just under two weeks. To our surprise it took all our luggage, bowled along at plenty enough speed on the motorways, and was fun to drive on twisty turny country roads. And it did 50mpg to boot.

I was very impressed. So much so I came back and ordered another one for myself. And really I don’t regret it.

For Susan’s car we had chosen the Avantgarde180cdi because I find diesels, with all that low down grunt, wonderfully suited to relaxed cruising with an auto box. And the performance of the 180 is enough for normal use. And very economic on fuel. Out of interest, at 70mph it is only doing 2,000 revs (same as my S class did).

Contrary to my instinct we bought the A class new, partly to get the exact spec I wanted and also because the current end-year deals are terrific. We wanted all the S class conveniences like auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric folding mirrors, parktronic, telephone and so on, and they are all available. The Avantgarde spec is excellent, if a bit pricey, and you can choose not to have sports suspension, big wheels and concrete tyres and other silly things that just spoil an already hard enough ride.


For me I ordered another 180cdi but this time the Elegance, just to be different. The ride is gentler, having smaller wheels and deeper tyres, the interior has wood instead of aluminium, but both are nice. The interior finish is excellent. Almost like an E class inside. Really.

It is easy to under-rate the A class. Measure the front seats: they are as big as those in the ML. And it actually has more legroom in the front than an R class.

And it has more legroom in the back than an R class.

And it has more room in the boot than an R class. Quite a car.

For other links on the A class and my trip to Spain in one see: -
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=43044

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42833

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=43691

This is what other owners think as reported in the latest J.D.Power survey: -

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.”

 

[Godot]

Glad you like them.

I love ours, sadly not brand new, but when bought this June, A180CDi,Auto, Bi Xenons, panoramic sun roof, the appropriate seat package, whereby the rear seats removed completely & the boot floor raised up etc.3 door in Dune Gold with 4500 since new Mud flaps & Seat Covers (10.1.06 date of first registration) for £13,995 from a non Merc dealer. I did cost it all up as if I was buying new & it came to about £22,000!!

Next service, or first service due in about 7,900 miles!

Wonderful comfortable (I am 6'3") economic car. RFL Band C £135 p.a. Ins Grp 6
cost me an extra £20 p.a. to insure, over my last car A160Auto.

No possible comparison between the the 2 vehicles at all

One happy bunny or what!!:grin::grin::grin::grin:

 

[verytalldave]

Glad you like them.

I love ours, sadly not brand new, but when bought this June, A180CDi,Auto, Bi Xenons, panoramic sun roof, the appropriate seat package, whereby the rear seats removed completely & the boot floor raised up etc.3 door in Dune Gold with 4500 since new Mud flaps & Seat Covers (10.1.06 date of first registration) for £13,995 from a non Merc dealer. I did cost it all up as if I was buying new & it came to about £22,000!!

Next service, or first service due in about 7,900 miles!

Wonderful comfortable (I am 6'3") economic car. RFL Band C £135 p.a. Ins Grp 6
cost me an extra £20 p.a. to insure, over my last car A160Auto.

No possible comparison between the the 2 vehicles at all

One happy bunny or what!!:grin::grin::grin::grin:

I must say that I agree 100%. I sat in your car at the meeting a few weeks ago and was genuinely surprised at just how comfortable and spacious it was. Getting back into my C Class afterwards seemed almost claustrophobic in comparison. I would CERTAINLY seriously consider an A class now. In fact, the A and B class may very well be the way forward. There will always be a market for the larger 3 box luxury cars like the E and S classes. But as far as NORMAL drivers on NORMAL roads with NORMAL requirements, the A and B classes meet all their needs - and keeping the financial side of ownership in check. When I eventually get round to trading in, I can see it being a close-call toss-up between a W204 and an A class.
BTW...........I seem to recall reading somewhere recently that MB were going to drop the A class in the not too distant future. I hope this not the case.

Worth a visit....................
http://www.baby-benz.com/portal/index.php

 

[A210AMG]

Have to say I like the new ones also,


We have the old model that seems to get slatted but for what we paid and in the 19months we have had it we have had no problems. We even get over 40mpg out of it and its a 2.1 petrol.

It has more room in the back seat (leg room) than my ML and my dads E class. The front is not as big or doesn't feel anything like as big as my ML, but thats as the steering only goes up and down not in and out...

I'm probably odd anyway as I like the B class (its grown on me as a Fat A-class) and also like the R class.


Not sure I would want one as my car but can understand your point of view and the way petrol / tax is going who know's in a few years we may all have to re think....

cheers

 

[hawk20]

Yes I'm a fan of the B class too. As much legroom front and back as the S class. And the boot is the same volume too. plus got the hatchback gain of being able to fold all the seats down. Rides well and quieter than the 'A' but it is £5k more.

 

[Rory]

I had a brief drive in a B150 courtesy car the other day and I thought it was a bit wierd - I thought the raised floor made the seating position seem really strange.

Maybe I just need a longer drive to get used to it.

 

[hawk20]

I had a brief drive in a B150 courtesy car the other day and I thought it was a bit wierd - I thought the raised floor made the seating position seem really strange.

Maybe I just need a longer drive to get used to it.

It is a bit strange getting in. Climb up like a mini 4x4. And the sandwhich floor means you are higher up, with a good view -again a bit like a 4x4. But the actual height of the seat above the floor is about the same as an E class. So once you are in you sit 'normally'. Much easier to get out of than the average very low car. And the sandwhich floor means you don't need the large sill most cars have that obstructs feet when getting out. So it is nice for those with bad backs.

 

[NewMB]

We bought a new A180 Cdi Avantgarde SE with delivery in July this year for the wife.

She loves it!

I find driving it particular nice. Seats has great comfort and support (also have the seat package), auto very smooth, good on fuel and actually bigger than most people thinks. For example, the backseat is enormous. Certainly more legroom than in my C class. Boot is smaller though.

The 180 diesel is a fine engine. A bit of clatter (read: tractor) when cold, but once warm and at speed, very smooth.

We also wanted certain toys, ie parktronic, seat package, xenon lamps, auto, auto wipers and rainsensor, navigation (the small one, not Comand) and CD changer.

Keeps her happy....keeps me happy.

Done 4000 miles in this car so far and the only thing needed have been Shell Ultra oil. Fuel is good, although it takes more than my C class since I installed the Brabus kit.

Probably go for another A class once 3 years are up.

 

[Alfie]

Mine is great.

It an A160 CDI Avantgarde auto in cosmos black.

Came with;

Louvered panoramic sunroof,
Folding mirrors,
Electric seats,
Cd changer,
Child seats integrated.
Seat comfort package
Phone pre-wire
Parktronic

I've added;

Comand
Full leather
Heated seats
Auto dimming rear view mirror
LINGUATRONIC
IPOD interface
Bluetooth cradle
Tyre pressure loss warning
Comfort closing/folding mirror activation on key fob.
UK variant setting


Considering Xenons and rear view/reversing camera.

Fill it up once per month, regularly get 50+MPG. Tax is £135 per year, fully comp insurance is £144. I will keep it for years and years. I may well add an AMG to the collection at some point but the A class stays!

My wife has a B170SE with a whole host of extras and I have to say that it is more refined than the A class and a whole lot bigger too! Both great cars.

 

[Rory]

Do they do an A or B class with 6 cylinders though?

 

[NewMB]

Do they do an A or B class with 6 cylinders though?

No.

Only engines are:

A150
A170
A200
A200 Turbo (I think this has been discontinued)
A160 Cdi
A180 Cdi
A200 Cdi

According to my contact at MB, the A170/A180 Cdi are the two to go for. Great blend of comfort, power and economy.

 

[hawk20]

No.

Only engines are:

A150
A170
A200
A200 Turbo (I think this has been discontinued)
A160 Cdi
A180 Cdi
A200 Cdi

According to my contact at MB, the A170/A180 Cdi are the two to go for. Great blend of comfort, power and economy.

200 turbo is still going fine -but pricey!

I agree for my taste the 170 or 180cdi are best but my brother's 160cdi does amazing mpg -like 65 to 70 on a long run. It is manual.

 

[Phil D]

This is a great thread - I can't recall too many mentions of this model, other than moans about unreliabilty on the original model, and now all of a sudden there's a fan club out there- and it would seem for good reason.
I spent an hour or so looking at dealer's sites yesterday and my only observation was that if you wanted a fairly good spec and in particular an auto, there was not much choice among the used options. Much as I love brand new cars, the first year depreciation hit is still a big problem (though Hawk's analysis of the pcp deals at sub 6% apr is pretty convincing).
Question - is a manual considered "accceptable" on this particular model or does it attract the same leper status when you come to sell that you get with its bigger brothers?
Phil

 

[A210AMG]

Phil,

Because this is the 'entry' level merc, shopping trolly, town car,people carrier what ever it's roll is I think manual is fine on this model.

A lot of people coming from other cars to an A class probably already drive manuals and people (my wife included) are put off by autos?? (thats because they don't give them a try...)

I love an auto box and it makes for a smooth drive, but I would think the A class it would not add the same stigma as if it were a C or E etc...

my 2ps worth although I do miss cruise on some manuals as they don't offer it as an option can you get it with a manual A class?

cheers

 

[hawk20]

Because it has a 'normal' handbrake instead of the foot operated parking brake that most Mercs have, if has no problems in manual form. And many are. Residuals for manuals in Glass's guide are just as good as for autos.

A150 Classic SE, metallic, manual, 5 doors, on a PCP is only £999 deposit and £199 per month over 36 months. No depreciation worries.

 

[Rory]

A150 Classic SE, metallic, manual, 5 doors, on a PCP is only £999 deposit and £199 per month over 36 months. No depreciation worries.

These are good deals on the basic car, however I found when looking at special deals on E Class that if you add options then the monthly cost jumps up dramatically - they seem to try to recover more or less the whole cost of the options over the PCP term.

I think MB are going to have to do something about this as more and more people move to PCP deals - when you're asked to pay £50+/mth extra for COMAND with little to show for it at the end of the PCP period then you really start to question if it's worth it. They've already introdroduced a better equipped E Class model aimed at the company car market where lease costs are fixed.

 

[Eric Tilley]

I find it interesting driving the "A" class with the CVT auto box. When driving this system maintains engine speed constant at 1800 rpm (2200 in S position) untill you get above 50. When you press the pedal you hear no increase in engine note but you just go faster. What I can`t get comfy with is using this box in the optional manual mode, here you get 7 psuedo gear selections and keeping the revs under control involves constant gear lever flipping which I assume is due to the drive being more direct and not cushioned by a torque converter.I know that it should be little different to using a manual box but somehow it seems more fussy.

 

[hawk20]

These are good deals on the basic car, however I found when looking at special deals on E Class that if you add options then the monthly cost jumps up dramatically - they seem to try to recover more or less the whole cost of the options over the PCP term.

I think MB are going to have to do something about this as more and more people move to PCP deals - when you're asked to pay £50+/mth extra for COMAND with little to show for it at the end of the PCP period then you really start to question if it's worth it. They've already introdroduced a better equipped E Class model aimed at the company car market where lease costs are fixed.

Very interesting and important point. I went into this in some detail with my dealer. If you ask, they can show you which 'cost options' will add to the residual (the guaranteed future value) and which ones won't. Some add a lot and some Mercedes clearly think do not affect the value in 3 years time and so you pay for the whole cost during your 3 year period. But there is quite a list of things that do increase the residual (bigger engines, auto box, avantgarde or elegance and so on.

Just one point. What you pay on PCP mirrors the real world if you buy outright. If most extras do not increase your trade-in value in 3 years time (as many threads assert), then it is quite right that you pay for them on a PCP as you would if you bought outright. No free lunch -again!

 

[hawk20]

I find it interesting driving the "A" class with the CVT auto box. When driving this system maintains engine speed constant at 1800 rpm (2200 in S position) untill you get above 50. When you press the pedal you hear no increase in engine note but you just go faster. What I can`t get comfy with is using this box in the optional manual mode, here you get 7 psuedo gear selections and keeping the revs under control involves constant gear lever flipping which I assume is due to the drive being more direct and not cushioned by a torque converter.I know that it should be little different to using a manual box but somehow it seems more fussy.

I agree. But I think it seems more fussy because you have an unnecessary 7 gears to play with. Five would be plenty especially on the diesel versions.

Personally, I find the auto box so good -as always with Mercedes- that I just stick it in D and go.

 

[hawk20]

Phil,

Because this is the 'entry' level merc, shopping trolly, town car,people carrier what ever it's roll is I think manual is fine on this model.

A lot of people coming from other cars to an A class probably already drive manuals and people (my wife included) are put off by autos?? (thats because they don't give them a try...)

I love an auto box and it makes for a smooth drive, but I would think the A class it would not add the same stigma as if it were a C or E etc...

my 2ps worth although I do miss cruise on some manuals as they don't offer it as an option can you get it with a manual A class?

cheers

I agree with all you say here. And it is a fact that autos are a much higher percentage of big cars than of smaller ones.

Excuse the repeat posting, which I try to avoid, but you ask a question about is cruise available on the A class for manual versions. Yes (unusual though this is) it is available as an option on manual versions for £205. Worth it.