Would love MB owners thoughts on whether the AMG a180/a200 is a semi sensible purchase in my situation

[Abmb89]

Hi all

Hopefully a potential long term MBO member.

In the market for a new car.

2 adults + 2 kids (3.5yr + new born).

Originally had a budget of 15k but decided to purchase 1 car together with grand parent instead of 2 separate putting budget to ~25-27k.

80% of the journeys will be 2mile each way to school runs , 10% 5mile each way journey to big box stores and remainder being the occasional trip from SE London to Brighton / coast during summer. Ie we won't be lugging loooads of luggage at any point and if it gets to it we could always add a roof rack presumably

Looking for automatic & petrol.

Would we be crazy to get a 2019/2020 low milage <20m a180 / a200 AMG line exec / prem car? Depending on car I see them from 25-27k online and fit all the criteria.

Been doing loads of research and can't help but feel that the smart choice would be some Kia niro or ford puma or vauxhall grandland but I feel like those cars would be so boring to own and not ones that we'd love or want to keep long term.

My thinking is that an amg a180/200 would keep value better long term and being newer would break down less. Plus once we have a 3rd kid (in 4-5yrs) we'd need to get a new 7 seat car either way...this way we could keep the MB as a second car, add some Mods / tuning from a hobbyist perspective to breath some life / love into it.

I'm sort of looking at it same way as I did my laptop purchase - bought a completely unnecessary 18.4" Alienware 10-11 years ago but it's still serving me brilliantly, I recently modded and upgraded it and don't see it needing replacing any time soon.

Any advice would be highly appreciated!

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

2 miles to school - walk it, better for the environment, better for your health and better for your kids health. Let’s face it all the kids are banging on about their parents killing the environment, they’ll thank you in probably about 25 years, they’ll no doubt whinge, whine and complain vociferously in the mean time.

Car wise, try an A with your kids car seats, the back isn’t particularly large and access is tight. Petrol is a good choice.

Take a look at a B class, much less fashionable but could be a better choice for your requirements. Decent test drive and trying the car seats is essential

One small point is that the “AMG“ bit is just marketing twaddle that gives you large alloy wheels and plastic seats. Neither of which you want if you‘re actually going to drive it…

 

[LostKiwi]

The biggest issue with any car is rear seat leg room. Kids take a surprising amount of space
Newborns have their own set of challenges around prams and pushchairs as well. Make sure you take that into account when looking.
The A Class isn't exactly commodious in terms of space. As mentioned a B class may be better suited.
My daughter has a Qashqai and that suits her well (although she does only have one 9 month old,).

 

[Abmb89]

Hello and welcome

2 miles to school - walk it, better for the environment, better for your health and better for your kids health. Let’s face it all the kids are banging on about their parents killing the environment, they’ll thank you in probably about 25 years, they’ll no doubt whinge, whine and complain vociferously in the mean time.

Car wise, try an A with your kids car seats, the back isn’t particularly large and access is tight. Petrol is a good choice.

Take a look at a B class, much less fashionable but could be a better choice for your requirements. Decent test drive and trying the car seats is essential

One small point is that the “AMG“ bit is just marketing twaddle that gives you large alloy wheels and plastic seats. Neither of which you want if you‘re actually going to drive it…

Thank you

Personally I love a good walk. I often walked our daughter to nursery with her on my shoulders. However WFH will likely be ending and I should have been more clear - the 2nd kid isn't born yet but once they are wife won't be able to take both both on bus (often full) or by walk herself in all seasons (summer is fine). Plus opens up the freedom to travel more widely around London without using public transport. Personally I wouldn't get a car at all - never driven and been perfectly fine but wife insisted and everyone knows, happy wife happy life

Were a very "un-woke" household in a way, so the ICE discussion won't be an issue

The last bit is perhaps of most interest to me and what I feared, I guess I won't lose out at all (from depreciation / resale POV) on getting eg a200 sport premium Vs AMG? Just make sure it has leather seats and maybe 17" wheels and were golden?

Thank you!

 

[Abmb89]

The biggest issue with any car is rear seat leg room. Kids take a surprising amount of space
Newborns have their own set of challenges around prams and pushchairs as well. Make sure you take that into account when looking.
The A Class isn't exactly commodious in terms of space. As mentioned a B class may be better suited.
My daughter has a Qashqai and that suits her well (although she does only have one 9 month old,).

Thank you for reply. We expect this to be main car for 4-5 years. Our current 3yr old toddler is very petite so not expecting her to explode in size. Do you mean leg room for kids sitting in chairs or for any adults in the back? Both us parents are small (179cm and 163cm) so front seats won't be pushed back loads at all.

Hopefully we can get the local dealer to let us test drive with our baby chair and main prem inside in boot to confirm size.

 

[keefysher]

An A class is too small for a family car.

We have a Qashqai too, much more practical. Friends who went A class soon switched to a Quashqai. Very economical, lots of room with more toys as standard.

 

[LostKiwi]

Kids in child seats. They tend to stick their legs straight out so need more legroom than an adult!

 

[Blobcat]

Kids in child seats. They tend to stick their legs straight out so need more legroom than an adult!

S500L… simples

 

[mioba]

Kids grow fast and the time flies.3yr old toddler is a different animal in 4-5 years. You mention no need to lug luggage about - are you really sure with 3 kids.

In all my travels with my kids at that age the boot was full of their stuff including prams (no space in an A class)

You have a good budget and I would be looking at an E class estate or a C class given the family situation.

 

[mioba]

Kids in child seats. They tend to stick their legs straight out so need more legroom than an adult!

and kick the back of the drivers non stop - ohhhhh so annoying.

 

[Abmb89]

Kids grow fast and the time flies.3yr old toddler is a different animal in 4-5 years. You mention no need to lug luggage about - are you really sure with 3 kids.

In all my travels with my kids at that age the boot was full of their stuff including prams (no space in an A class)

You have a good budget and I would be looking at an E class estate or a C class given the family situation.

The intention is to get 7 seater like XC90 when we have 3rd one Def agree by then different question completely!

Tbh whilst 3/4 and 1 yr old should sef be fine I agree 7/8 yr old and 3/4 will be diff matter too. Saw our neighbours with 7 & 9 year old completely fill up a q7 with toys for a week-long trip to one of those theme parks !

Are the Space issues being raised here likely to be same in GLA too?

 

[mioba]

The GLA looks bigger, are you local to a dealer, if I was in your situation take the family to a dealership and get in and out a few cars to get a feel for them space wise..

MB dealers always appear to have stock. If there is another dealer go there too.

A big purchase needs to be the right purchase.

 

[Abmb89]

The GLA looks bigger, are you local to a dealer, if I was in your situation take the family to a dealership and get in and out a few cars to get a feel for them space wise..

MB dealers always appear to have stock. If there is another dealer go there too.

A big purchase needs to be the right purchase.

Yep we do but not many others. Trying to make a shortlist then go to a place that has most of those models to test in one day. Other contenders are gla, X1/X2, q2/Q3, chr, and I'm sure something like a niro or puma will end up making it too or a Yaris cross but none of those cars really excite. Really loving the a class dual 10" screens and interior

 

[LostKiwi]

Forget a BMW of any kind. They are like a reverse TARDIS. Looks big but are very small inside.
All the cars you've listed are on the smaller end of the manufacturer products. Personally I'd be looking mid segment minimum.
A C class estate (if you can find a petrol one) would be ideal and a much better drive than an A class

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^+1 C class estate would be my choice trading up to an E class as they grow

 

[Abmb89]

^+1 C class estate would be my choice trading up to an E class as they grow

What about c class saloon? Both wife and I hate MPV but I'm a fan of estates...she hates them too sadly. She loves small/medium sized SUVs and hatchbacks...but thankfully seems ok with saloon style. Had a look and I agree seem much more practical and probably long term even if the 2019 interior and infotainment system isn't as nice.

Btw grandma has a 1996 e class e280 elegance a petrol saloon with 136k miles. Some rust and chips etc. Hasn't been used for 2 year's. Thinking of taking it to get MOT passed and wondering whether worth fixing up at all for sale or just scrap it? Or best start a new thread for this question?

Many thanks!!

 

[Abmb89]

Just realised a class Also has a saloon version which is nearly same size as c class saloon - just 10cm shorter and 405litres boot space Vs 450...also worth considering? It appears to have that updated dual screen panel that I love

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The C class and E class models have always been MBs core offering and in my opinion they offer the best value for money in the range, they are both rear wheel or all wheel drive, I’d certainly test drive both the saloon and estate. I’m on my 3rd E estate and wouldn’t be without one I’ve never been disappointed with it’s load lugging capability or quality and it was ideal for transporting three children, I even transported a junior squash team in the 7 seater version on a few occasions

 

[Abmb89]

The C class and E class models have always been MBs core offering and in my opinion they offer the best value for money in the range, they are both rear wheel or all wheel drive, I’d certainly test drive both the saloon and estate. I’m on my 3rd E estate and wouldn’t be without one I’ve never been disappointed with it’s load lugging capability or quality and it was ideal for transporting three children, I even transported a junior squash team in the 7 seater version on a few occasions

yes i initially didnt even bother looking at them because i assumed a C class would be like 20% more for same specs as a A class but its basically the same if not more car for same price at first initial glance!

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

yes i initially didnt even bother looking at them because i assumed a C class would be like 20% more for same specs as a A class but its basically the same if not more car for same price at first initial glance!

MB dealers have the best cars, if you are looking second hand take your time and find the best spec available autos are great I’d give manual versions a miss, you will also benefit from a rock solid one year warranty.
one thing I would do is buy a car with a real leather interior (beware most are Artico (faux) leather) as it’s going to be a family bus.