A-Class Build Quality.... - Page 2 - Benzworld.org

xjsjag53 · 12-31-2002, 03:59 AM

I have owned a 170CDI since new in Nov. 1998. It has been plagued with problems. Drivers window going up and down, hovering on its own accord. Snapped bit of cheap plastic on gear linkage. Anti roll bar broken. 5 times it has been returned to dealer because it would cut out on acceleration. Finally, a complete new engine, fuel system, including pipes and tank have been rinstalled. Now the facia lights and computer readout lights only work occasionally The dealer says it requires a new loom at a cost of 700 uk pounds !!! Surely just a loose connection ? Altogether not a happy experience!![:(]

mikeb · 01-02-2003, 09:55 AM

Girlfriend has bought one of these recently, and just had the gearbox die (it's the clutchless manual).

This is a 99 car with 46k miles.

According to a MB engineer I was talking to at the weekend, the earlier cars weren't great quality, the quality of A classes has got better as time has gone on...

mike

gary wiffen · 02-05-2003, 07:12 AM

[:)]THERE IS AN EXCELLANT UK BASED A CLASS FORUM CALLED
WWW.BABY-BENZ.COM

I OWN A A170 CDI 33000 MILES, ALLTHOUGH MY WIFE PRIMARILY USES IT I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OVERALL BUILD QUALITY.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT BUYING A NEW ONE AGAIN IN MAY 03 BUT GIVEN HOW POORLY THE CAR HAS DETEARIATED OVER THE WINTER I AM SERIOUSLY RECONSIDERING IT.
I AM NOW LOOKING AT THE NEW CITREON "A3"? SIMILAR IN SHAPE TO THE A CLASS.

WHEN YOU VISIT BABY-BENZ LOOK UNDER THE THREADS WITH "REAR KNOCKING" I THOUGHT I WAS AN ISOLATED CASE.

CHEERS

heckflosse · 02-08-2003, 02:54 PM

Their talking about changing the A-Class at work.
I'm trying to persuade them to get a Audi A2, but it looks like its going to be a Vauxhall Meriva[:(]

mjtray · 04-15-2003, 10:01 AM

We have just replaced our 1999 A170 with 27000miles for a 6 month old A190.

The 170's build quality was crap....endless electrical problems, which resulted in alarm going off in cold weather, interior lights coming on as and when they wanted to , crappy interior trim, lots of squeaks, unable to use the computer due to switches packing in, and finally the gearbox actuators on the semi-auto packed in and cost a lot of money to replace...thank god for the 3 year warranty with one month left to run!

So why replace it with another A?.....well the concept of the A is great...very versatile. Also the kids love sitting up high and being able to see out. Also love the warranty etc that comes with the car. As for the replacement car, the build quality is significantly better...they should have built them like this in the first place.

My recommendation, avoid the early pre-facelift A's!!!

Cheers

Martin

Sherif · 02-03-2004, 10:37 AM

Squeaky seats, anti roll bar links, air mass, ecu, brakes, rattles EVERYWHERE, squeaky seatbelts.... thats just my car.... what else can go wrong???

My mom's 230E of 160,000 miles is far more solid.

My 3 years is running out soon. what else should i make sure is fixed before then????

AnnaB · 02-04-2004, 07:51 AM

I had a rattling sound when I first bought my A140 a few years back. But then i found out it was a couple of loose screwdrivers and stuff where the spare tyre is in the back that I hadnt fixed into place properly.

lofty · 10-20-2004, 04:58 AM

Iâ€™m glad we havenâ€™t got all the rattles in the UK, sounds as though they are worldwide!
My 160/2002 has the same probs as most of you, the head rests are notorious for rattling, they are better when lowered, interested to see that the location tubes can be replaced cheaply. One of our main probs in the UK appears to be steering, which could be down to the car being right hand drive, do any of you left hand drivers have probs with steering? As well as the drop links but the wear on them could be down to some of our roads, cheap and easy to replace if thatâ€™s any consolation.
MBNA there is a very good site for baby benz owners link direct from my own site 250+ photographs on the â€˜Aâ€™ Class just go :- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/albert.rowe look forward to seeing you. In the meantime safe driving. Lofty [:)]

Shermio · 10-20-2004, 04:04 PM

I Own A 99 A160 Avantgarde That's Been Heavily Modified... And Yeah I Still Have Problems With It.. The Manual Gearbox Has Been Replaced (At No Cost) At 30,000km And The Sway Bar Replaced (At No Cost) At 45,000Km... Yes The Interior Could Do With A Little Sprucing Up Especially The Quality Of the Gear Knob Which Had A Shocking Plastic/Rubbery Coating That Rubbed Off... In The End I Opted For A Carbon Fibre One...

My A160 Has Had Minor Engine Mods Done To It To Boost The Performance... (ECU Upgrade, And Filters) It Now Has 95Kw Compared To The Standard 75Kw And Has A Top Speed Of Over 200km/h But With The Continued Problems Like Squeaks And Knocks I Have Now Brought A E230 And The Quality Is Much Better Even Thou The Car Is A Bit Older (1996) Which Is A Shame, The Little A Class Was Perfect For the City With Small Parking Spaces And Very Nippy, It Can Easily Out Run Any Similar Cars...

[V]

CHIPS · 02-16-2005, 06:07 AM

Mrs.Me purchased a "pre-owned" A about 18 monhs ago. Last September the noise from the rear end became unignorable - two broken springs - well we said a word or two about the fabled Mercedes engineering quality paid up and looked big. Failed MOT this morning - offside rear spring broken!
What a heap of tin.