2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Elegance 1.4

Summary:

Poor build quality

Faults:

In the two years I have owned it:

Dashboard replaced twice, but in dealer 5 times for fault identification

Rear tail gate rehung

Suspension adjusted

Brakes replaced twice

Wipers failed

Kick plate replaced

Door rehung

Not full specification when delivered.

General Comments:

The car is practical for London, but rattles like a 5 year old Skoda. The dealer service is not great, but that might be a factor of the frequency of visits.

Mercedes Head Office seem unwilling to accept repsonsiblity for the service and our satisfaction levels although the admit the technical problems are unusual.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th July, 2002

8th Dec 2007, 12:18

The good part is, I assure you this car will be good for many thousands of miles. Just service it at due times.

2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Elegance 1.6

Summary:

Generally, delightful to drive

Faults:

Airbag warning light, baby seat link connector faulty.

General Comments:

The suspension is very hard; so vibration tends to be a problem on poorer road surfaces.

Slight under inflation of tyres seem to help this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2002

2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 160 Avantgarde 1.6 petrol

Summary:

High on price, low on comfort, too many niggly little faults, but still a fun car to drive

Faults:

Fuel gauge faulty on delivery : dealer replaced, no charge.

Driver's seat creaked very badly : after several attempts to repair, dealer replaced, no charge.

Whilst in dealership, front wing scratched : dealer re-sprayed to my total satisfaction, no charge.

When next in for service (soon), I will also ask dealer to check "clunky" steering and rear brakes which stick on when parked overnight, releasing with a jerk as I drive off.

General Comments:

The car is fun to drive, performs well and is economical.

However, the seats still creak a little, they are too firm and the suspension is harsh : unexpectedly, the car is best on the motorway rather than country lanes and urban roads.

I did not buy a Merc. to ride on "cart springs" and to realize after a few weeks that there is not even a light in the boot space!

Basically, this should be a superb small car, but it is actually overpriced for the quality and comfort you get : I was happy to pay the Mercedes price premium, but now feel to have been short-changed...it will have to improve if I am to purchase another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th February, 2002

27th Oct 2003, 04:05

I thought the Mercedes A Class would be a classy car coming from the house of Benz. However, I was disappointed with the suspension, the car cannot navigate through a small crack on the road without the riders feeling it. On a gravelled road there was too much of body noise, again something not expected of a Mercedes.

I have the Classic 1.7 CDI which is quite a nippy car, however for the price the equipment with the car is quite ordinary. For example, I would have at least expected a remote key lock which comes at no additional price with most cars of that range.

2000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A160 Classic 1.6 petrol

Summary:

A very practical, cheap to run Mercedes

Faults:

Nothing has really gone wrong with the car in the time I have had it.

General Comments:

The car is very practical, and the ability to remove the rear seats is a great feature. I can even fit items such as fridges and wide screen televisions in the back, saving on delivery costs.

The seats are comfortable on long or short journeys.

An annoying feature is the lack of some form of roof gutter, which causes water to land on you when you open the door after being out in the wet.

The dashboard can also be a bit creaky.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th January, 2002