Hi everyone
The girlfriend is in the market for a new car, and has taken a shine to the new shape Mercedes A Class. Having looked around for some second hand examples, we have our eye on a A150 (1.4cc) Avantgarde, and just wondered what others opinions were on the this model?
We will be using the car for mainly driving in London, and so we wil be getting the 7 speed auto box, but we will occasionally use the car for trips to relations up North, and airport runs, and one of the concerns I have is whether the 1.4 engine is capapble of comfortably cruising at motorway speeds?
Also are there any options we should be looking for, or are desirable to have?
Anyway I would be very grateful for any views of the A150, and if it is a good all rounder.....before anyone suggests a diesel model, as we won't be doing that many miles in it, the extra cost of a diesel would not be financially viable.
Thanks for any replies.
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/05/2008 at 01:42
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Personally I'd always go for the larger engine option: even if you don't want to go as far as the A200, the A170 would be a better bet and use little if any more fuel (as you wouldn't have to use so much acceleration to get the same results). You could get an A170 Classic for less than an A150 Avantgarde, and spec it up with the extras you really want.
Edit - sorry, I see you're looking for second-hand examples - in which case I doubt if a 170 will cost very much extra over a 150.
Edited by Avant on 08/05/2008 at 00:32
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I have recently bought a 57 plate A Class with the CVT gearbox and am very pleased with it indeed. I did consider the A150 but eventually plumped for the A160 Avantgarde and have absolutely no regrets whatsover - thus far, anyway! As the lowest powered diesel I, too, had concerns about motorway usage but I can happily report that I do not have any complaints. It isn't a speed machine by any stretch of the imagination but it keeps up with traffic quite easily - and returns mid 50's mpg with ease.
I replaced a Volvo S80 with this model and have found the interior to be very spacious and comfortable (I'm 6' 4" tall with two injured knees) with the high seating position and absent door sills making access and egress a breeze.
Mercedes Benz Direct have a high number of nearly new vehicles available (lots of A150's when I was recently looking) but don't go along expecting a fantastic buying experience as you are likely to be disappointed. They are basically a one-marque car-supermarket, but, from my experience, they will deal keenly.
As for options, the list is huge and you'll find a whole range of different spec models available on the used market. Like most things it'll ultimately come down to budget as to what is available for you.
Good luck!
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Cheers for the reply slender75, nice to hear you are happy with your car. Being a six footer myself, your comments are very reassuring!
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Thanks for the reply Avant. I understand what you mean about getting the bigger engine where possible, however having done some research, most reviewers say that the A170 is not a huge leap at all over the A150.
What Car even recommend the A150 over the A170, and in this economic climate, every little helps!
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I've had a few (A150 cvt) of these from europcar.
I'm tall (6'2). The range of adjustment on the seating position is good - better than class average. Putting the seat back will destroy the rear leg room, but if you're not carrying rear passengers, and you do need to be comfortable with long limbs - then it's a good plus point.
Comfortable cruising on the motorway? It depends on your expectation of a cruising speed is. If you're sticking to 70 / 75, then it's absolutely fine. The merc cruise control is really handy and easy to use. If you want to push your luck - on a german autobahn of course - conditions permitting etc etc - it will really struggle. To maintain anything above 75 - 80, the CVT has to be be in 'kickdown' mode most of the time, and that is really quite raucous. This is especially accentuated if you have cruise control set at a high speed.
The ride around town or motorway is fine. But will you ever want to drive quickly on a bumpy b road? I found the ride on undulating country roads was the worst I have ever suffered in a modern car - it was so jarring I thought my internal organs would be ripped out. On dips or ridges that a Focus would smoother, the A class will lurch horribly. That horrid ride would bother me - so I would never consider one. But if driving hard on a country road is not your style, then you can dismiss that complaint.
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"What Car even recommend the A150 over the A170, and in this economic climate, every little helps! "
If economy and running costs is an issue you don't buy a Merc. Before commiting get an idea of servicing costs - MB dealers know how to charge.
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I hired an early Mk i A class from easyrentacar (or whatever they were called). Not for the motorway, never again. The wheels were the size of digestive biscuits, and it drove like it.
Hire a proper car for the trips north. Or buy a proper car. Or go by train.
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MB was doing heftily supported PCP deals on A Class, but seems to have stopped them now. A new one, covered by warranty and a service package might make sense.
However, as others have commented, MB service and repair bills can be horrendous. The current A Class is a lot better than the previous one, but the way the engine / transmission is installed makes things like starter motor replacement a huge job.
If buying used, it would be worthwhile lining up a trusted MB specialist to do service & repair.
Edited by Bill Payer on 09/05/2008 at 16:36
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Thanks for all the advice guys.
I was planning on avoiding the Mercedes dealer network, and was going to find a local Merc specialist to do any work required.
Most of the comments seem very positive, living in London I rarely go any B road blasts, so I am not too concerned about those issues.
Glad to hear nothing too negative so far, the only real negative was about the Mk1 so thats OK.
Thanks once again for all your views, and would love to hear from anyone else.
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