A45 build quality rears its head!
Discussion
REALIST123 said:
ecain63 said:
REALIST123 said:
Not good. Seems to be a fairly common issue these days across many makes. Is the car kept outside?
Yeah, but that should make no odds. A bit of fog is common but actual water in the housing is not normal. Still not good.
windydog said:
Beg you pardon, but you've already suggested a faster than appropriate speed through 10" of standing water. Where do you expect the water to go?
Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
Thank you for your observations. You know me that well with only 5 posts to your name.Water in the headlights, trims, brake ducts....don't get me wrong there is some valid observations there, but if you treat the car with scant respect, then I would not be hopeful of anymore from MB in return.
REALIST123 said:
Yes, but he's been reading for 8 months. And he may have a point don't you think?
Yeah, if you look at it from the keyboard detectives perspective then you could put 2 and 2 together to make an assumption like the above. For his information, the water in the headlight has only been a factor since a couple of days after the event. During this time we've had a lot of rain, far more than any other point since owning the car. Also, water in what trim?Anyhow. A call from MB has returned a verdict that cable ties are in accordance with regulations and have passed all necessary test and inspection standards. Why some other A45s have bolted ducts and others have ties is a question they could not answer. The felt undertray will be inspected at next service.
Case closed. Ownership experience remains fun but dissapointed at quality of the product
windydog said:
ecain63 said:
Thank you for your observations. You know me that well with only 5 posts to your name.
Pardon, I certainly didn't come here to troll your post and offered no personal insult, I played the ball not the player so to speak. I knew only what you presented in your OP, a tone which if taken to a MB dealer would probably not engender a sympathetic result. With a whole 7 posts to my name now, I would like to add plenty of adjectives worthy of a "keyboard detective" that paints an ironic picture of your first jab, but for the benefit of all, I will desist. FWIW, I agree that felt and cable ties are not what one would expect in a relatively expensive new car. But I will not congratulate you on ruining the residuals for those who enjoy and respect their A45s, and those that have a firmer grip on their tempers.
Edited by windydog on Thursday 20th November 12:57
The event that resulted in this thread was unfortunate, my written word a little hasty and admittedly i could have driven through the water slower than i did. But!.... I did not drive through it at any great speed, just slightly quicker than would normally be done. And, 10" of water (if it even was that deep, i'm not sure as the kerb was still visible) is not that deep when you think about it. Maybe up to your lower shin? Less than half way up the alloy!
As far as damaging the residuals of these cars??? I think you'll find that I'm far from the first on here / the internet to question the quality of the A class and A45 AMG. Merc did a number on us and I've accepted that, but the car will serve me well enough in the short term so i'll just use the car as it was designed until either: It fails under the strain of it's design or i get to the end of the ownership experience and the car goes to a new owner / back to Merc.
Either way, I hope you'll accept my apologies if you think my reply was a little sharp. You can read the whole thread from the view of a sceptic or you can read it from the view of an A45 owner. Both will give different views of the situation.
Eddie
windydog said:
Eddie, no dramas, water or something less damaging under the bridge, thanks for the explanation. Rightly forgiven for suggesting that a 5 post warrior who may or may not have been through puberty yet shouldn't be giving you advice, and although new to the forum, I bought my Boxster on here back in '07, so am no stranger to the site and my thinning hair would qualify this. But well noted, I'll be a little more delicate next time, and rightfully offer an apology for any hurt feelings. My intent and impact are perhaps two different things when viewed on computer screens.
Okay, so what next? If later A45 owners are reporting that cable ties are no longer being used, then this would suggest they know it's a problem. As per the Porsche issues on IMS, RMS et al and just about every other recall, there is assumed liability here. Without treading heavily on the MB branch, have they offered anything yet?
There have been recalls on a dodgy turbo batch and rattling trim but nothing to suggest my issues will require such measures. I spoke to the guys at MB HQ last week and the response was:Okay, so what next? If later A45 owners are reporting that cable ties are no longer being used, then this would suggest they know it's a problem. As per the Porsche issues on IMS, RMS et al and just about every other recall, there is assumed liability here. Without treading heavily on the MB branch, have they offered anything yet?
-Cable ties have passed UK and EU tests and regultions so no need to do anything to change this.
-Could not comment on other cars fittings as cases are dealt with individually.
-Would not offer opinion other than the 'MB party line' regarding my question 'would you be happy with it'?
-Said i should be happy that the repairs were done FOC. lol
-Brake Assist (or whatever it's called) is designed to be overactive / sensitive so i should expect it to beep all the time and to assist me braking without actually needing it!!!!! wtf? Apparently it will only assist in slamming the anchors on if i am myself covering or applying the brake, not independently.
-Under tray will be checked at next service.
As for my ownership journey: I've got my eye on an new (Chris Harris spec) RS6 which is currently on a 3 month loan from my local dealer. Once it's done its time with the client (who's waiting for his own fully spec'd RS6 to come off the assembly) line my mate is going to punch some numbers out and possibly buy the A45 as part of the deal. So, I may do ok out of it in the end
. ruggedscotty said:
Cable ties meet specification.....
Sorry but cable ties are for bundling and securing cables together and to something - not for securing adhoc items of trim.....
Id be annoyed if my car had an undertray secured by cable ties they are going to fatigue in due course....
Yeah, it was annoying and frustrating. AMG have done a number on us with this car. Overpriced and with ruinous depreciation. The car was nigh on £50k new and after 6 months of ownership i was offered £29k to £32k trade in. I did have a friendly dealer offer me £35k as a favour but that's still madness after such a short time and few miles. The car is now staying and i intend on exploiting some serious performance. Last week saw the addition of stage 2 tuning inc a switchable exhaust. 0-60 in 3.6s, 0-100 in 8.7s and a first test run 1/4 mile in 12.0s (all vbox times). I'm aiming to enjoy it and upset meatier models along the way.Sorry but cable ties are for bundling and securing cables together and to something - not for securing adhoc items of trim.....
Id be annoyed if my car had an undertray secured by cable ties they are going to fatigue in due course....
Charliesum said:
Out of interest Eddie, what average mpg did you get as standard.
A mate is looking at a cla and merc are telling him high 40s on a run which I think may be somewhat off .
I'm averaging 24mpg, but i drive it quite hard. You can see 35mpg being very gentle at 70mph but not the 40mpg+ that Merc claim.A mate is looking at a cla and merc are telling him high 40s on a run which I think may be somewhat off .
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