Mercedes A-Class vs other budget compact cars

[RobbieTheTruth]

Hello,

Looking to get a little runaround for sub £1000 and seen a few Mercedes A140s going.

They seem readily available at about £900 for a 2002-2004 model, 80-100k on the clock.

How would these compare with other inexpensive small cars, Toyota Yaris for example?

Are they good cars? Worth the money?

Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.

[ZX10R NIN]

If things go wrong they are a nightmare to work on not one of Mercedes best get a Clio this coming from a guy who's Mercedes bias

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 15th April 08:49

[V12 AMG]

Rubbish little car.

MAF built into engine ECU, semi auto or full auto box will give up on you if it has that option. Rear trailing arms are a nightmare. That's just the start of the list.

The Yaris is a much better car, from a quality point of view and from a drivers point of view. The A class is a shockingly bad drive, doesn't handle and doesn't ride well.

Edited by V12 AMG on Wednesday 15th April 08:56

[richarda0109]

A140 - slow doesnt even come close.
I had a A190 which was a blast but as said above rear trailing arms cost me and in the end the auto gearbox died at around 106K.

Rgds
Richard

[idiotgap]

If you like the a-class, try and stretch to a w169 (newer shape 2004 on). We have a 2010 model that we've been really happy with and no problems over the last 5 years.

The interior is smart and has held up very well and due to the underfloor mechanicals the packaging is very impressive, there is loads of room in the back for a car with such a small foot print, the back seat is very wide. I'm told the auto boxes in the later model is better too.

Realistically I think the cheapest of these cars might be more like £2k though.

[va1o]

As above wouldn't bother with the old shape (W168) as it has many problems which can be expensive to fix.

The newer model (W169) was significantly improved and feel exactly like a small premium German hatchback should, offering solid reliability and good build quality.

[RobbieTheTruth]

Thanks for feedback so far.

Are the C200 Kompressors good? 2002 models seem to be available for around 1.5k

[V12 AMG]

Yes, 2002 is the last year of M111 which is a solid engine. The later M271 isn't so bullet proof.

W203 is a much much nicer place to be than an A class.

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 on the above you won't look at an A Class after trying a C class

[52classic]

Mrs C has run an 'x' reg A class for 5 years now, no serious problems at all. Radius arms? Well OK. Job done, a DIY fix at about 30 quid a side. Otherwise just a battery, 2 tyres and a set of brake pads.

Her 'lunching' friends love that it's a Merc and can't believe that a grand's worth of car is streets ahead of their Peugeots, Toyotas, Kias etc., for trim and finish standards. With a personalised plate and sub 70K on the clock it has some kerb appeal too.

To be fair, it is no driver's car, reminds me of a dodgem. Annoying squeak in the steering column too!!! But for our particular circumstances I can't see us changing any time soon.

[V12 AMG]

You're a very lucky owner!