A class/CLA 180 Not what it seems

A class/CLA 180 Not what it seems

Author
Discussion

Dave_

530 posts

203 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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TheAllSeeingPie said:
114d and 316d are for scrimpers who potter up and down the motorway to get to work. Given the recent economic climate people who can't afford to run a car, but somehow have landed one as part of a job might reasonably get the cheapest car they can and take the rest as salary. This means they are mobile but don't have expensive running costs when they want to use the car instead of public transport at the weekend.
Or they have a toy that does less than 20mpg when you drive it properly and so want something thats well built, a good drive and cheap to run?

TheAllSeeingPie

865 posts

134 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Dave_ said:
Or they have a toy that does less than 20mpg when you drive it properly and so want something thats well built, a good drive and cheap to run?
Yup that too. I didn't mean to offend anyone driving these things, I think they have their place and shouldn't be automatically discounted due to having wheezy engines (compared to the rest of the range).

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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From the looks of it it's available as either a 'Sport' or 'AMG Sport' trim too.

People are defending the car on PH for some unknown reason. Put too many exhausts on a Peugeot / Ford / Citroen and it's the funniest thing ever with constant ridicule, put an "AMG SPORT" big wheels and twin exhausts on a 120bhp Merc and nobody seems bothered...

So what exactly does the "180" stand for?!

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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C.A.R. said:
So what exactly does the "180" stand for?!
It stands for slower than a 250 and faster than a... well nothing because it's the smallest number in the range.

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Yeah, I rented an A180 in Germany recently, it was pathetic, needing a full kilometre to get from 120 to 130 mph, I kid you not...dangerously underpowered.

TheAllSeeingPie

865 posts

134 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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There's no consistency to MB nomenclature anymore. The 200 and 220 are both a 2.15 engine, the 250 is a 2.0 engine and the 45 is a 2.0 engine. I think it's supposed to suggest "equivalent levels of power from a N/A" but even that seems a bit odd.

DrDoofenshmirtz

15,187 posts

199 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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They want a nice car, but with good economy and low tax band. You can't drive fast anywhere now, so no need for a big engine...is what they're probably thinking.

kambites

67,462 posts

220 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
The Crack Fox said:
We should start a thread for the most inappropriate use of the word sport. We had a Scenic Sport once. Perhaps the sport was tiddlywinks.
I'm sure it's been done.

In a way M-Sport badging is worse. What motorsport exactly is your 316d used in? hehe

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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The 116i is also nearly 2 secs slower than a Golf GTI to 60mph, 1.5 seconds slower than a Focus ST. Ridiculous!

BigBen

11,610 posts

229 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Kawasicki said:
Yeah, I rented an A180 in Germany recently, it was pathetic, needing a full kilometre to get from 120 to 130 mph, I kid you not...dangerously underpowered.
That sounds lethal, lucky you survived really.

Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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BigBen said:
Kawasicki said:
Yeah, I rented an A180 in Germany recently, it was pathetic, needing a full kilometre to get from 120 to 130 mph, I kid you not...dangerously underpowered.
That sounds lethal, lucky you survived really.
Sincere thanks for your concern.

IanCress

4,409 posts

165 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I'm surpised a car with 122bhp can reach 130mph!

willmagrath

1,207 posts

145 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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A bottom of the range premium badge car is as pointless as a chocolate teapout

neil1jnr

Original Poster:

1,460 posts

154 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I know why people buy them, but I just think that for the money, even in the bottom range engine, you should be expecting a little more from Mercedes.

Like I said, I am just surprised that is all, it just shows how marketing a car as 'sport' and to some, being a Mercedes, defaults it as a quick car when it isn't.

Styling is the eye of the beholder but IMO, why pay thousands more for the Merc, when a Focus Zetec S has arguably a better chassis, better engine etc, I think it is crazy how people pay soo much extra just to have that badge and a slightly nicer interior.

vrooom

3,763 posts

266 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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jesus, 122hp of A class with sport trim is £21,040 excluding On The Road price ! 21k of that 122hp crap.

DrDoofenshmirtz

15,187 posts

199 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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neil1jnr said:
Styling is the eye of the beholder but IMO, why pay thousands more for the Merc, when a Focus Zetec S has arguably a better chassis, better engine etc, I think it is crazy how people pay soo much extra just to have that badge and a slightly nicer interior.
Because a premium brand car on the drive is worth thousands to some people.
Two identical houses - one owner has a Merc A class, the other a Ford Focus. Which owner earns more money on the face of it?
It's the Merc owner. So there you go. A new Merc on the drive may raise a few eyebrows amongst the twittering neighbours...A new Ford Focus won't even be noticed.

xRIEx

8,180 posts

147 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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neil1jnr said:
I know why people buy them, but I just think that for the money, even in the bottom range engine, you should be expecting a little more from Mercedes.
Brand positioning - if MB sold cars too cheaply then they would become a 'cheap' brand; therefore they aim for a certain price bracket to maintain the image that goes with it. There's no doubt it's a badge/image thing - you drive round in a Merc because you can afford to drive round in a Merc; it's absolutely not a value-for-money purchase.

If anything, the A Class (and BMW's 1 series) have 'devalued' those brands slightly by moving the brand into the cheaper market areas. In reality, (certainly the 1 series) has been a massive commercial success by enabling people with cash to spend buy in to the brand they otherwise couldn't afford or justify. They are people with slightly less cash, but it's cash that BMW/MB/Audi want to end up in their bank accounts - it's certainly working.

Brand strength is huge - Apple may not always have the best performing products in a particular market, but they (usually) charge the highest amount and still end up with the lion's share of the market, because the brand is so powerful.

Liquid Tuna

1,398 posts

155 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I think some people on here need to calm down. The car has it's place. I don't like them, the look of them, anything about them really, but they sell them, so clearly they appeal to a section of the market. MB didn't come up with a range of cars and then just stick one at the bottom of the range without thinking it through.

neil1jnr

Original Poster:

1,460 posts

154 months

Monday 15th September 2014
quotequote all
xRIEx said:
Brand positioning - if MB sold cars too cheaply then they would become a 'cheap' brand; therefore they aim for a certain price bracket to maintain the image that goes with it. There's no doubt it's a badge/image thing - you drive round in a Merc because you can afford to drive round in a Merc; it's absolutely not a value-for-money purchase.

If anything, the A Class (and BMW's 1 series) have 'devalued' those brands slightly by moving the brand into the cheaper market areas. In reality, (certainly the 1 series) has been a massive commercial success by enabling people with cash to spend buy in to the brand they otherwise couldn't afford or justify. They are people with slightly less cash, but it's cash that BMW/MB/Audi want to end up in their bank accounts - it's certainly working.

Brand strength is huge - Apple may not always have the best performing products in a particular market, but they (usually) charge the highest amount and still end up with the lion's share of the market, because the brand is so powerful.
Great point.

I am just one of those people who just don't get the brand thing. I realise you are right, it works becuase people want that brand and having a base model makes it affordable to them.

I wonder if it is just the UK or all over Europe people are like this. It is surprising how much of them are on the road though, along with the new 218d, they are quite common in Aberdeen.

I wonder how the new 308 stacks up against the Merc, IMO it looks like one of the nicest hatches out at the moment (almost on par with the mk 7 golf).



Kawasicki

13,041 posts

234 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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this is how weakly the A180 accelerates...such a disgrace...

https://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=bprRjGZQHGk