A class Mercs

[theplayingmantis]

Seeing absolutely loads of these lately in Essex both in the horrible looking 2018 design and the horrible looking pre 2018 design. Is there some sort of ridiculous PCP offer in place to shift them?

Don't see the appeal myself.

Are these not Mercs for Mercs sake cars? The badge snobs choice? Genuine question keen to understand if what i always though is right or if there's something I've missed.

[swisstoni]

I think it’s for people who want a small car with ‘a badge’.

[donkmeister]

Try driving one

I get hire cars frequently, and of this class of car I usually get an A-class, 1-series, Golf, Seat or Peugeot. Of the lot, the 1 is the best drive and the A the best all-rounder.

They are the ugly pair in a class of car that is generally displeasing to the eye, and the rear seats are unfit for adults, but if you want a small car and have no kids or toddlers they are good to drive and well-designed/built.

[theplayingmantis]

donkmeister said:

Try driving one

I get hire cars frequently, and of this class of car I usually get an A-class, 1-series, Golf, Seat or Peugeot. Of the lot, the 1 is the best drive and the A the best all-rounder.

They are the ugly pair in a class of car that is generally displeasing to the eye, and the rear seats are unfit for adults, but if you want a small car and have no kids or toddlers they are good to drive and well-designed/built.

I have no need for a small car at the mo, otherwise i might!

I was seeing a brummy girl a few months ago who had one, her rational for getting it was 'i wanted a Merc!'

I think that's where my perception of most buyers come from!

[David87]

Didn't realise the new one was out yet. I certainly haven't seen any in Essex.

[theplayingmantis]

David87 said:

Didn't realise the new one was out yet. I certainly haven't seen any in Essex.

i assume was new, 18 plates, chunky as anything. blinged up. but with a crap engine. being driven like a pleb though. green in colour it was. those that appeared same shape i assumed were same model and the 18 version...defo looked different to 17 plates.

[forzaminardi]

I've got a vague sense of them being OK cars for those in the market for a posh hatchbacky sort of thing - I may have read a review or something. I'm sure in the scheme of average cars for average people they are pretty good, with the kudos of a moderately posh badge. I'd not ever be interested in one, I think, but I can see the appeal to those who want a sensible, reasonably affordable car with a desirable badge on it. Not a great-looking car in general, to my eyes, and some of the AMG-line ones look spectacularly grotesque (in my opinion). They do come in some interesting colours though.

[theplayingmantis]

forzaminardi said:

I've got a vague sense of them being OK cars for those in the market for a posh hatchbacky sort of thing - I may have read a review or something. I'm sure in the scheme of average cars for average people they are pretty good, with the kudos of a moderately posh badge. I'd not ever be interested in one, I think, but I can see the appeal to those who want a sensible, reasonably affordable car with a desirable badge on it. Not a great-looking car in general, to my eyes, and some of the AMG-line ones look spectacularly grotesque (in my opinion). They do come in some interesting colours though.

this could explain it maybe if the new version isnt out as per big David, maybe im seeing fancy versions that are visually horrendous as Merc are clearing stock for the 2018 model?


edit also i cant understand the need for a 'posh' small hatchbacky. if someone wants a small hatchback runaround get something from KIA/Hyundai, if something more practical a bigger car.

are they good drivers cars? if not then i suppose by proxy i cant see the point in any small 'premium' badged hatchbacks, other than an entry point to a marque for those who cannot afford/need bigger models

Edited by theplayingmantis on Monday 9th April 15:04

[TopTrump]

Unfortunately everyone thinks they need to look like they have money. Nothing says this more than affordable Mercs. Ghastly looking things, the entire range.

[sc0tt]

I new a girl that bought one not long after she passed her test that was ropey at best. Because Mercedes...

[Shiv_P]

Tbh if I was in this market and wasn't looking for a hot hatch like a Golf R, M140 etc I'd just get a golf.... no need for any of this badge bullst when the golf does it all for a good price. or maybe a focus if a little B road is involved
The rear seats in the A class are horrible... barely any sunlight and very cramped

[donkmeister]

theplayingmantis said:

this could explain it maybe if the new version isnt out as per big David, maybe im seeing fancy versions that are visually horrendous as Merc are clearing stock for the 2018 model?


edit also i cant understand the need for a 'posh' small hatchbacky. if someone wants a small hatchback runaround get something from KIA/Hyundai, if something more practical a bigger car.

are they good drivers cars? if not then i suppose by proxy i cant see the point in any small 'premium' badged hatchbacks, other than an entry point to a marque for those who cannot afford/need bigger models

Edited by theplayingmantis on Monday 9th April 15:04

Golf otr from £18,235 for 1.0tsi 5sp manual
A-class otr from £20,720 for A160 manual (no idea on engine or gears)

Of course, most of those will be leased in actuality, the monthly payments may well be the same.

So whilst being a posher marque it may well be no more expensive on lease basis.

[Zetec-S]

Pretty hideous looking things, often bought by people who want to look the part, but don't realise how pathetically wheezy most of the engines actually are.

A young lad at work has just got himself one of these, I overheard him referring to his new "sports car" the other day

[457892345]

Zetec-S said:

Pretty hideous looking things, often bought by people who want to look the part, but don't realise how pathetically wheezy most of the engines actually are.

A young lad at work has just got himself one of these, I overheard him referring to his new "sports car" the other day

While im no fan of this particular car, having the most powerful engine or not shouldnt really take much away from a car in general, you can have fantastic cars to drive that are <200bhp

[Jdjd1]

Might not be a "sports car"

But with a quick remap like this one there isn't much that can cover ground A > B faster, Certainly faster then a vast majority of "sports cars"

And that statement about no light or horrible rear seats, Do you own one? Or just one without a panoramic roof?

Edited by Jdjd1 on Monday 9th April 16:02

[Torquey]

I know someone who has an A180, paying £520/month lease because apparently she misread the numbers at the time of signing for it.
They're desperate to get rid of it now.

[Meridius]

See plenty of them near me too, not so into the hatchback but I do quite like the CLA version.

I dont know why PH still has these rhetorical threads, we all know why these cars are popular and the people buying them are a majority of consumers which is why we see so many and why manufacturers continue releasing more.

[Rawwr]

Jdjd1 said:

But with a quick remap like this one there isn't much that can cover ground A > B faster, Certainly faster then a vast majority of "sports cars"

Any my washing machine is terrible at keeping food frozen.

[Zetec-S]

457892345 said:

While im no fan of this particular car, having the most powerful engine or not shouldnt really take much away from a car in general, you can have fantastic cars to drive that are <200bhp

That's very true, but in my opinion a 108bhp Mercedes is not going to be a fantastic car. And I certainly wouldn't refer to one as a sports car.

[Zetec-S]

Jdjd1 said:

Might not be a "sports car"

But with a quick remap like this one there isn't much that can cover ground A > B faster, Certainly faster then a vast majority of "sports cars"

Yes, but you've posted a picture of (I assume) an A45 AMG.

No amount of remapping will make an A180d a fast A-B car.