1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class advantgarde A160

Summary:

Will NEVER buy a Mercedes again

Faults:

Thought we had bought a good car when we bought our first A class/ Mercedes. We had the car two months when we returned it to the garage we bought the car. The car would not select gears. thanks to the garage it was fixed free of charge. Then as the car reached approx 60,000 miles the engine just died. The car had to be left in to the main Mercedes Dealer in Belfast.

To my amazement it was the fuel sensor, which cost me a staggering £917.00 to repair.

When we got the car back from the garage it was discovered that the rear spring had broken, this was repaired at a local garage and not the dealer. now the car has reached 80,000 the airflow meter is causing problems and the car stops at junctions. stay away from a class cars unless you want high repair bills.

General Comments:

1. The car is a poor effort from Mercedes

2. Not bad to drive on motorways

3. Seats very squeaky.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th December, 2005

22nd Jan 2006, 16:21

Please I at the moment drive a ford puma 1.6S it drives superb, but Iam struggling with the space and am considering the AClass having test driven the CDI model and loved it, but after having a beetle and having numerous problems am needing some solid advice please let me know.

3rd May 2006, 20:18

I had an A160 Avantgarde and was glad to be rid of it. The interior quality on all pre-2005 A-Classes was marginal and will rapidly degrade with age. Mechanically the car broke down several times and was expensive to repair. Air mass flow sensor failures are very common in pre 2005 A-Classes and cost a staggering amount of money to fix. The entire ECU module had to be replaced as the sensor cannot be changed by itself.

2005 and later A-Classes are much better, so if you're considering an A-Class, please do not buy a second hand model.

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Elegance 1.6 petrol

Summary:

A very clever little car

Faults:

Nothing much. Some parts in the rear suspension had to be replaced-a known issue, new parts are modified and should last. Total cost about £300 for both incl. fitting at the local garage.

General Comments:

I am really surprised how good it is on the motorway. Last Summer I had a 1300 mile run across Germany and France, loaded up and with passengers, it is very spacious and stable, the ride is very comfortable, and it will do 115 (in Germany of course).ACS is OK, though I may consider a manual next time-it delays matters slightly when you accelerate in 1st gear. The seats are very good, driving position and layout also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st April, 2005

1999 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Classic 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Practical, but a stiff ride, and too much plastic

Faults:

I have only owned the car about six months yet, so nothing really, although the ride is very shaky, and there's a smell of petrol from the heater, but the dealer says it's not dangerous, just a spill, and it should go with time.

Also the airbag light is on, but Mercedes have said it is fine, and the light is faulty because of a damaged switch.

The bonnet release button was broken, but Mercedes fixed this free of charge.

General Comments:

The car, being small, is still very practical, and the seats can be removed to fit two to three big bikes, all seats except the driver's removable.

The ride is very harsh, and it seems to find dings in the most smoothest of roads.

I did have a 05 '54' Audi A2 1.4 TDI as a courtesy car, while my other car, an Audi A6, was having new track rod ends fitted, and the A2 was amazing quality, and the build was as good as my A6. The drive is more rewarding, although you don't know where the bonnet finishes on the A2.

I'd have the A2 if I had the choice, although the A Class is more practical, as you can take all the seats out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th February, 2005