1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Elegance 1.6

Summary:

Rubbish rubbish rubbish

Faults:

I have a 160 Elegance, it has a "F" sign on the dash and is not going into gear at all. This happened out of the blue - went into services off the motorway to spend a penny, and got back to the baby and saw this F sign. Had to get towed back (200 miles away). Does anyone know what this fault is?

General Comments:

This is the worst car I have ever owned. I had a old shape C-Class before and it was lovely, but this A-Class should be renamed Toyota A-Class!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th September, 2007

8th Sep 2007, 05:58

A Toyota A-Class would be better built and cheaper. The F signal on your dashboard probably denotes a failure of the transmission (automatic, I'm presuming). On such an old car (1999) the repair will be very expensive compared to the replacement cost. I had a 2001 A-Class and happily sold it after a major engine failure. Good luck.

3rd Apr 2008, 10:25

Oh no! The dreaded 'F'

> That happened to mine after just two weeks of ownership

> It cost Mercedes £1167 to put a new one in

> My warranty paid the first £500

> Dealer offered to pay approx half the difference because I had just bought it

> Leaving me to pay £384 or so on a car I bought two weeks earlier for £2900

> A160 Elegance - run a mile from it!

Oh and 'F' means fault with semi-automatic transmission check fuse box, ensure fuse is intact and all relays are in place. If they are, you gotta take it to Mercedes to repair/replace

In reply to 3rd Apr 2008, 10:25

11th Sep 2013, 05:45

It took me just 45 minutes to fix the error 7 problem on my wife's A Class. The problem only occurs because EU rules force the manufacturers to use lead free solder in the construction of their printed circuits; this leads to dry solder joints, and that is what causes the gearbox problem. I simply changed the solder to leaded solder, problem solved, and you don't need to be a mechanic to do it, it's that simple.

In reply to 11th Sep 2013, 05:45

8th Apr 2015, 17:25

You are 100% right.

In reply to 11th Sep 2013, 05:45

13th Apr 2015, 13:24

Hi, I have the same problem. Please advise which part you soldered? And how did you take it out?

In reply to 13th Apr 2015, 13:24

14th Apr 2015, 16:52

So the car is supposed to be elegant and classy based on its name, but owners are having to stick the car back together? There's a disconnect there.

In reply to 11th Sep 2013, 05:45

18th Dec 2015, 22:55

Hi there, I have the F problem. Could you please advise what you did to fix it?

Thank you.

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Elegance 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Never again!

Faults:

1. The automatic transmission failed three times, once at 70mph in the fast lane of a dual carriageway - narrowly avoided a serious accident there; another time when it was being tested by a mechanic, and the front wheels locked, causing the car to skid. The gearbox, including torque converter, was replaced under warranty.

2. A gearbox mounting bolt failed after just 18 months (£150 repair bill, later refunded after I wrote to the MD of Daimler-Chrysler UK).

3. Steering column needed to be replaced at 18,000 miles.

4. Anti roll bar link rods failed at 24,000 miles.

5. Rear suspension packed up at 35,000 miles.

6. Electronic control unit failed at 37,000 miles, causing intermittent failures (e.g., car left stranded in the middle of the road whilst attempting to turn right) - and the car failed its MOT because of high exhaust emissions. Cost nearly £900 to fix.

General Comments:

We wanted to buy a classy, reliable and safe small car for my wife. The new A-Class seemed to be ideal, and we eagerly signed up to buy one of the first auto models in the UK - a brand-new, top-of-the-range (for then) model with leather seats, automatic transmission, etc.

We were impressed by the versatility of this little car - and the bodywork still looks like new, after 7 years' of ownership. The car has been great for transporting children and loads - including the occasional IKEA run with front passenger seat and rear seats removed, making a very capacious load-lugger.

Unfortunately, this all comes at a cost. This is the most expensive and unreliable car we've ever owned. After 37,000 miles, we've spent nearly £4,000 on servicing and repair bills - and the dealership we've loyally supported all this years have offered us a paltry trade-in of just £3,000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th February, 2006