2002 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A140 Avantgarde LWB 1.4 petrol from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Practicality over driving excitement, almost perfect
Faults:
Clunking steering column on RHD car; this is easily fixed by packing the splines on the lower column.
2 front springs broke due to road surfaces, and 1 top mount is now slightly creaky.
Battery is a bit small, so doesn't like lots of short journeys.
General Comments:
Huge space inside and economical enough.
Has only covered low miles, but serviced annually so the engine and drive train are perfect. Everything functions perfectly including the air conditioning which has never been serviced. Routine maintenance is a doddle; it's only major items that require more time to repair.
The packaging of this car is unique and it's the only small car that can hold 3 baby seats in the back and a double pushchair in the boot. It's wonderful, just look after it!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th October, 2018
17th Jun 2010, 23:33
I have 2 one - manual gearbox with normal clutch - has 215,000kms and the other one -AKS- has 85,000kms. Both have been wonderful, without any trouble, and they are running as first day. Just normal service.
For the AKS I have a tip for you: just don't stay at red lights with first gear engaged, it is easy to forget; and don't break the car in hills with the accelerator, and you will be fine. The normal clutch is more durable, of course - maybe because of how people drive them. I had to change the normal one at approx. 165,000kms, the AKS one I haven't changed it, although it has a lower mileage.
The automatic A classes from that generation do have some troubles, but manuals are fantastic, very rugged.
Cheers.