Merc A class - unloved or hateful?
Discussion
My old A6 is starting to wind me up (keeping it working is starting to be way too expensive), so have spent a few days browsing various cars - 3 series coupes, A3s, Toyota Celicas, Honda Civics ... all that I need is something comfortable for the daily commute, with enough space for dragging my sons around at weekends.
And happened upon the Mercedes A class. Are these things generally not liked, or is servicing insanely expensive on them? I've been browsing various A140, A160 and A190 models and they're cheap to buy, relatively low insurance (compared to my A6), surprisingly low mileage.
So what is the catch? Are they fundamentally flawed, or just viewed as the Mercedes version of the Honda Jazz?
And happened upon the Mercedes A class. Are these things generally not liked, or is servicing insanely expensive on them? I've been browsing various A140, A160 and A190 models and they're cheap to buy, relatively low insurance (compared to my A6), surprisingly low mileage.
So what is the catch? Are they fundamentally flawed, or just viewed as the Mercedes version of the Honda Jazz?
I assume you are talking about the mk1? I used one for a while and found it had no redeeming features whatsoever. The ride was truly horrid and would get blown around by cross winds. Handled like a pig too. I suspect if it came from anyone else other than a German "premium" manufacturer, it would have vanished without a trace. Hateful things IMHO.
The 2nd generation W169 model is actually quite a decent car. Although the original was flawed, they drastically improved its replacement. Feels very high quality and scores well for reliability. Clever sandwich platform means it can offer similar interior space to a C-Class whilst been the same length as a supermini. Rare A200 Turbo is a bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing.
I had an A170D, it was a good wee motor, fine for running about town, super market runs. It had an aux heater in winter so warmed up quickly and AC. I really like the wee thing. However I bought it for about £1.5k (IIRC) with 120k on the clock. I ran it for 2 years until it died with rot.
I'd buy another for running about town.
I'd buy another for running about town.
I had 2 of the first gen ones.
The first was a SWB one with the post-elk modifications and whilst the steering was odd (didnt really self-centre from memory) and you got pitched about the cabin on choppy roads I liked the thing and the concept of a lot of space in a small package was great.
The second one I had was a first generation LWB one and the ride on that was a lot better compared to the SWB. It still had the strange steering and the space in the back was hilarious.
Neither of then went wrong in the 20k I put on them in a year and the 1.4 was very economical. How reliable they are now I dont know but go for a manual as the 'automatic' is dire.
Example of the space in the back of a LWB:
From: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
The first was a SWB one with the post-elk modifications and whilst the steering was odd (didnt really self-centre from memory) and you got pitched about the cabin on choppy roads I liked the thing and the concept of a lot of space in a small package was great.
The second one I had was a first generation LWB one and the ride on that was a lot better compared to the SWB. It still had the strange steering and the space in the back was hilarious.
Neither of then went wrong in the 20k I put on them in a year and the 1.4 was very economical. How reliable they are now I dont know but go for a manual as the 'automatic' is dire.
Example of the space in the back of a LWB:
From: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edited by KTF on Thursday 22 May 11:22
unpc said:
I assume you are talking about the mk1? I used one for a while and found it had no redeeming features whatsoever. The ride was truly horrid and would get blown around by cross winds. Handled like a pig too. I suspect if it came from anyone else other than a German "premium" manufacturer, it would have vanished without a trace. Hateful things IMHO.
I'm currently driving a 2001 A6 Avant 1.9TDI. It doesn't ride or handle well. Handling isn't really that important for me these days (I know, scandalous). All that I really care about is reliability and general running costs.KTF said:
I had 2 of the first gen ones.
The first was a SWB one with the post-elk modifications and whilst the steering was odd (didnt really self-centre from memory) and you got pitched about the cabin on choppy roads I liked the thing and the concept of a lot of space in a small package was great.
The second one I had was a first generation LWB one and the ride on that was a lot better compared to the SWB. It still had the strange steering and the space in the back was hilarious.
Neither of then went wrong in the 20k I put on them in a year and the 1.4 was very economical. How reliable they are now I dont know but go for a manual as the 'automatic' is dire.
Example of the space in the back of a LWB here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Thats the sort of thing I've been looking at, the LWB seems to fit my current needs perfectly. Reckon it has way more rear seat space than my A6.The first was a SWB one with the post-elk modifications and whilst the steering was odd (didnt really self-centre from memory) and you got pitched about the cabin on choppy roads I liked the thing and the concept of a lot of space in a small package was great.
The second one I had was a first generation LWB one and the ride on that was a lot better compared to the SWB. It still had the strange steering and the space in the back was hilarious.
Neither of then went wrong in the 20k I put on them in a year and the 1.4 was very economical. How reliable they are now I dont know but go for a manual as the 'automatic' is dire.
Example of the space in the back of a LWB here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
I quite fancied one for the packaging/practicality but the reliability on these doesn't sound great and they're not a good steer (even by superminis standards)...with an awful ride...have a read of the Autotrader owners reviews or honestjohn.
Some of your other possibles sound like they'd be much more fun and reliable (e.g. Celica)
Some of your other possibles sound like they'd be much more fun and reliable (e.g. Celica)
Mr2Mike said:
They are horrible things to work on (pray you never need a starter motor replaced) and have the dynamics of a blancmange. Unless it's being almost given away I would look elsewhere.
danp said:
I quite fancied one for the packaging/practicality but the reliability on these doesn't sound great and they're not a good steer (even by superminis standards)...with an awful ride...have a read of the Autotrader owners reviews or honestjohn.
Some of your other possibles sound like they'd be much more fun and reliable (e.g. Celica)
The handling really isn't important, especially when half of my time is spent in stop/start traffic.Some of your other possibles sound like they'd be much more fun and reliable (e.g. Celica)
The autotrader reviews are all over the place. One person saying they bought one to supplement their 911, and then sold the 911 as they stopped using it. It does however look like the majority of problems are with the auto; only driven one Merc (E220 CDI) and even though it was almost new, the auto was diabolical.
The FIL has a 58 plate, manual A180cdi that he picked up at 3 years old for not a lot of cash, considering the low mileage. It's remarkably spacious inside for such a small vehicle and he has no trouble in fitting his 6'4" frame inside with plenty of room behind for my kids. A colleague, the same height but probably twice the FIL's weight, also has the same shape A-class and has no trouble fitting his kids and some luggage in either.
Driving wise it's perfectly fine to pootle around in or for long journeys. I find it wanders a bit in sidewinds and doesn't disguise the noise of the diesel engine very well. It's very easy to park in small spaces, unsurprising given that it is only 3.9m long.
Costs - efficiency is ok - low 40's - low 50's, depending upon how much time it spends stuck in Bath or Taunton or being flogged up and down the A303. He balked a bit at the cost of the last service, though.
Driving wise it's perfectly fine to pootle around in or for long journeys. I find it wanders a bit in sidewinds and doesn't disguise the noise of the diesel engine very well. It's very easy to park in small spaces, unsurprising given that it is only 3.9m long.
Costs - efficiency is ok - low 40's - low 50's, depending upon how much time it spends stuck in Bath or Taunton or being flogged up and down the A303. He balked a bit at the cost of the last service, though.
clonmult said:
The handling really isn't important, especially when half of my time is spent in stop/start traffic.
..
It does however look like the majority of problems are with the auto; only driven one Merc (E220 CDI) and even though it was almost new, the auto was diabolical.
I think the mk1 auto is a semi auto (clutchless manual), not a conventional auto, and yes flaky...
It does however look like the majority of problems are with the auto; only driven one Merc (E220 CDI) and even though it was almost new, the auto was diabolical.
Ok if handling isn't a concern I'd imagine reliability is and you mention wanting a comfortable ride, perhaps a late lwb would be ok on these fronts (or a mk2, or different car)
We have had 2 A classes. The first (W168) A190 petrol I really loved. Was previously owned by a Chelsea footballer and was very quick off the lights. It did have its teething problems but I loved it for town driving. My current one is the new shape (W169) A200 turbo diesel which is quick through the midrange due to its CVT gearbox. This one has less issues and is a great little car as well. Its party piece is that I can take all the seats out for large loads (2 seater sofa).
Rgds
Richard
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Richard
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