Faults:

I bought this car as I wanted a nice and luxurious car for my city driving.

The engine was powerful for such a small car, and the high seating position offered nice view of the road.

The main reason for my purchase was the Mercedes badge and the low kilometres, as I believed Mercedes stood for reliability and luxury.

After few days, the engine went into safe mode, which meant that it could only be driven under 50 km until restarted. Then everything was fine. After diagnosis it appeared the ESP computer was finished. Cost from dealership was 1700 euro.

During the next two years, the car was more in the garage than on the road. Alternator died, CV joint on front axle broke, engine lost power, and at the end, the automatic gearbox was finished.

Then I decided enough is enough, and I sold the car to a scrapyard. I always take good care of my cars in terms of service and so on. This is the worst car I have ever owned, and the cost of parts is ridiculous. I will newer buy a Mercedes again.

General Comments:

The worst car I have ever owned.

Faults:

Car can start first time for 1-2 weeks, then for no apparent reason, the car just fails to start. No dash lights come on at all, and the car seems dead. I have checked the battery and that appears to be fine. Why oh why buy one?

General Comments:

LEMON. After reading all the problems that others have had, I am at my wits end wondering why anyone would buy one. Maybe I should be grateful, that SO far, I only have this one problem, but the biggest issue is, I have no idea what is causing it!! Has anyone had a similar problem??

Faults:

I have a A160 Mercedes with registration T 169 AUA - Last week when I was driving on an uphill at 160 km/hour speed, the "F" fault appeared on the dashboard in 5th gear. Once stopped it went into the other gear, but kept jumping back to "F". Went to a friend who is a mechanic by professional, but could not find a fault/solution.

I have try stalling the engine without any success, so I decided to keep her as it and find someone to buy her since I have completely lost faith on her, I like the car but that “F” in drive position got me off mood!!

Festus Patta / Robert Awali,

Tel: +255 784 280114 / +255 784 777676

rawbet_k12@yahoo.co.uk

Dar es Salaam – Tanzania

East-Africa.

Faults:

Changed brake pads at 100,000kms.

I changed transmission fluid -oil- at 100,000kms, but that was my idea, not even suggested by specialist.

I will be changing soon my 2 front shock absorbers.

I have hit the wheels once or twice very hard, and had to change the rims.

Wiper blades, the one in the back has to be changed more often (3 times in 10 years), the ones at front, I think only once or twice.

At about 100,000kms the wipers worked capriciously, but it was corrected very easily by mechanic.

Clutch at 175,000kms.

Break light bulbs, once.

General Comments:

This car has been very reliable. I wanted to comment about it because it has turned 201,000kms now. Everything works properly. I have only done preventive service at indicated intervals and it is very good. The interiors finish are not as refined as C Class or even modern A Class, but it is rugged and it ages well. Rarely there have been some little noises on the middle section of the dashboard, but it has been eliminated with some liquid my mechanic applies to it - twice in 10 years.

I can take this car to top speed as I could when it was new. Front shock absorbers will have to be changed soon as my mechanic pointed out, but at 201,000kms, I think this is normal, and I take it very often on unpaved routes...

This car is very sturdy, well constructed. It is above other -bigger- cars of other brands. I prefer it much more to VW Golfs or others of the sort.

I like the handling, stability, braking, always in control, and acceleration is also very good. Top speed is near 185km/hr, and I have done that in Germany. I have done many long trips with this car: Spain, Germany, Denmark, Italy -many times-, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg... So, I have taken this car everywhere. I would recommend this car without any doubts to any in search of a used, not expensive to buy or to maintain, car. I have seen problems with automatic transmission, and semi-automatics are okay too, but you have to take a little more care with those. Mine is a simple manual model.

When you have to change something, it is expensive, but you rarely have to change anything.

My Citroën BX was a very good car, but I remember I had to change many more things and when something was wrong it was dangerous - as everything depends of hydropneumatic suspension, and brakes where like all or nothing - without ABS.

This car -A Class- is very safe, you always have good control even in curves or emergency braking.

That is my experience.