A Class questions

[Black5]

Had a test of a second hand A class this weekend. Not my first choice of car but I was pleasantly impressed.

A170 CDI Elegance Auto.

It will be used mainly for work (20k miles a year). There is a lot I like about the car, but 2 things that need some improvement. If this can be done, I'll probably go for it.

1. Can they be made to handle? If so, what do I need to do? and how much will it cost?

2. Not quite as important, but I want a bit more grunt. Can you chip it? What benefits will I get? How much? Where from?

Any advice welcome.

[tonylal]

No and yes. You can improve the handling a little, as Merc did with the A210 (lowered and fatter alloys) but the already hard ride will become crashy. Just fitting the wider alloys with low profiles makes a dramatic difference. Elite wheels and tyres in Essex do AMG replica's. Put a quality 205 tyre on and you will be happier.
Guy at my place has a chipped cdi, I think DMS automotive did it. But look in the back of any performance mag and there are 3 or 4 suppliers. If the car is out of warranty you have nothing to lose. Diesels don't run that hot or high boost so go ahead man...............

[deva link]

Black5 said:

Any advice welcome.

Sorry only just seen this. Have you bought it?
Have a look at www.honestjohn.co.uk/index.php?url=/carbycar/index.htm
and the MB forums.

[CatherineJ]

We had an A200 CDI Avantgarde with the same AMG wheels and sports suspension as found on the A200 Turbo (I am assuming we are talking about the latest car).

All I will say is never again, the ride and handling were horrid.

[Black5]

I was beginning to think this thread was being overlooked.

Not bought car yet, still looking for right one.

That link makes quite scary reading. Do I really have anything to worry about? I find the Glow plug problem a little hard to swallow. Glowplugs aren't that expensive, so do you damage the engine removing them?

The car will probably not be serviced at a Merc dealer, so some of the costs won't be quite so bad.

I found that I could get the car chipped for £300

I was a little concerned about the handling after hearing of the early problems they had. Lowering is not going to be a problem then?

I guess it is not so much handling as body roll and the top heavy feel (being used to much lower cars).

Thanks for the replies.

[deva link]

Black5 said:

I find the Glow plug problem a little hard to swallow. Glowplugs aren't that expensive, so do you damage the engine removing them?

They snap when being removed, so the engine has to be come out, and the head taken off, to remove the remnants.

I guess you generally only hear bad news, but there are some real horror stories about A Class on the MB forums.
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk

[Fatboy]

My Mum's got an A170 CDI Manual (54 plate), and I have to say I've been very impressed with it (I'm currently using it to commute 70 miles a day).

OK so it's handling is not great, and the ride is a bit hard, but it's bloody good at lugging stuff and people about (take the rear seats out and it's positively cavernous.

Can't comment on servicing etc, as it's only done 20k miles, and never any issues...

[deva link]

Fatboy said:

My Mum's..

I honestly don't mean anything by this, but I think that's exactly who the A Class is aimed at. Typically a 'Mercedes' family, where Dad has an E/S class and they just buy the badge rgeardless of cost.

Fatboy said:

OK so it's handling is not great, and the ride is a bit hard, but it's bloody good at lugging stuff and people about (take the rear seats out and it's positively cavernous.

Sounds exactly the same as Honda Jazz, but they cost less and never go wrong.

[Fatboy]

deva link said:

Fatboy said:

My Mum's..

I honestly don't mean anything by this, but I think that's exactly who the A Class is aimed at. Typically a 'Mercedes' family, where Dad has an E/S class and they just buy the badge rgeardless of cost.

Fatboy said:

OK so it's handling is not great, and the ride is a bit hard, but it's bloody good at lugging stuff and people about (take the rear seats out and it's positively cavernous.

Sounds exactly the same as Honda Jazz, but they cost less and never go wrong.

No offence or anything taken whatsoever I'd have to say I agree with you - but I did feel that I had to defend it (a bit) as I initially felt it was a stupid little spack-wagon, but it just keeps impressing me (as long as I remember it's a city shopping car) with it's day-to-day usefulness.

I should also add that my Mum wanted a Mini Cooper, but got such a cracking deal on the A Class she didn't feel she could turn it down... And also that My dad had Mercs since 1983 right up until he stopped driving a few years back (1 Merc from new in 1983 right up until some retard caused a pile-up breaking for a pheasant in 1996 at 264,000 miles!!!), so we are really rather enamoured with Mercs in my Family

[Black5]

deva link said:

Fatboy said:

My Mum's..

I honestly don't mean anything by this, but I think that's exactly who the A Class is aimed at. Typically a 'Mercedes' family, where Dad has an E/S class and they just buy the badge rgeardless of cost.

Fatboy said:

OK so it's handling is not great, and the ride is a bit hard, but it's bloody good at lugging stuff and people about (take the rear seats out and it's positively cavernous.

Sounds exactly the same as Honda Jazz, but they cost less and never go wrong.

Oh, it sounds like it could be the car for me then after all.

Crossfire for the weekends with kit car and motorbike in the garage for sunny days and needing everyday transport with passengers.

I must admit, I didn't really care for them until I tried one. The space for such a small car is unbelievable. I guess I could look at a Jazz, but there is just something about the A class.

I just don't fancy a money pit.

[deva link]

Black5 said:

I guess I could look at a Jazz, but there is just something about the A class.

I was being a bit TIC mentioning the Jazz - I'm not sure a bloke could get away with driving one.

[Fatboy]

deva link said:

Black5 said:

I guess I could look at a Jazz, but there is just something about the A class.

I was being a bit TIC mentioning the Jazz - I'm not sure a bloke could get away with driving one.

I'm not sure the A Class is a particularly mach motor either

My Mum's has a small stuffed West Highland White terrier on the parcel shelf - I get some right funny looks from the lads on the factory floor driving that!