Print

[mozilla]

I would've been quite interested in this (http://www.forfour.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=5174.0) but I've just bought an A-class. Which is surprisingly a lot different to a forfour!

[CrazyG]

Different to a ForFour....nah...you are kidding me 

[mozilla]

One can be fooled by getting in and seeing familiar stuff like radio 6, and the same format trip computer and other controls but all my W169 CDi feels a very grown up car... surprisingly comfy but still firm, and loads of space inside. If im not mistaken the 4 pot CDi is the same as the forfour CDi plus a cylinder

[Scoobysook]

Similar engine but angled more I think. Lots of space in the two I've been in sitting more upright. It's quite a good packaged car.

[Problemchild]

How much was the A-class?......Vs the bargain forfour here

I would buy the car advertised here in a heart beat with it's similar spec to an actual merc

JJ

[CrazyG]

We're getting way off the topic/thread of the car that is being sold here guys....
so can we only have posts relating to the sale car on here from now on please.

However, if anyone wants to discuss the pro's n con's of an A class (whatever
year model it is..) then please feel free to do so in the General chat area. Taa

[Problemchild]

We were just following your lead G

Split and moved

Would be interesting to hear about a cost/age comparison

JJ

[mozilla]

Lol when I saw this new thread created... just like the good old days
Comparison wise its actually very similar to the forfour advertised on the other page, Its 2006 A180 CDI Elegance, 95k miles and full mercedes history roughly at the same price (a bit less actually). Power is 109bhp and 54mpg combined. The forfour has 95bhp and 61mpg combined and slightly quicker to 60, the a class is a heavy carm almost 400kg heavier but because its a lot bigger. However, the increased interior space of the a class (its actually wider than a C class), a cabin which doesn't rattle or squeak, and much better suspension swung it for me. What i don't like is the feeling when driving of sitting 'on top' of the car rather than 'in' the car, and being very close to the nose of the car.

[CrazyG]

Following my lead ?   

The 2.0 litre CDI engine in the 'A' Class was the basis for the
1.5 ForFour CDi engine....basically they just 'chopped off' one
cylinder to get it to fit in the engine bay.

Anyways...the W169...or Mk.II 'A' Class....
Better than the Mk.I, but as per more than 1 ex MB mechanic
(not a technician) that I know, they are still 'a bit of a mare'
to work on.
The labour costs are higher than most FWD cars due to the extra
time required to get to and do any work in respect of the engine
as the angle, fit, and position of it makes it hard to do even the
most simple of jobs on. Jobs that you would take for granted on
most other FWD cars.
To give you an idea, to replace a clutch has like most other FWD
cars to be done from underneath, but on the 'A' Class it is an
engine out job !
Getting to the starter and alternator is also a job and a half...again
from underneath. (Think I was told the engine might have to be
'dropped' for one or the other...not 100% sure which).
As for the gearboxes.....the manual is fine...in fact it is THE one to
get if buying an 'A' Class as the auto/semi-auto gearbox versions
have always been their weak point, and I was advised to avoid
them like the proverbial plague....especially so on the earlier Mk.1.

Otherwise, the MK.II is roomier, rides better, and overall is a far
better car than the Mk.I, and not just in the 'looks' department either.
The roomier Mk.II LWB (manual) version is the one to go for...
if you can find one.

The driving position IS very 'commanding' as you sit up high, and
it is quite nice to drive. (I've driven both the Mk.I and Mk.II)

Autotrader fuel figures, CDI (mpg):
                     'A' Class 1.7CDI    'A' Class 2.0 CDI   Smart ForFour 1.5 CDI
Urban                  41.5                       44.1                     47.9
Motorway             64.2                       61.4                     72.4
Combined             54.3                       54.3                     61.4

[mr singh]

i drove an auto A-Class and B-class and was surprised it was a CVT... THE WORST auto box i have driven, felt completely disconnected from the experience as it sits at the most economical point until you put your foot down and then it sits at where the engine produces the most power. at least with a conventional auto or an automated manual its exciting hearing the engine rev/scream/roar and then change gear and it all happens again.

i had a 62 plate manual B-Class diesel over night when i worked at York when my 'old' forfour was in at Mercedes of Leeds for the flashing fuel gauge... it was nice, lovely to drive, smooth engine, nice interior but it looks god awful to look at

if i were to buy another car the new A-Class (depending on cost) and the mk1 B-Class would be on my list along with other cars BUT i wouldnt buy a diesel

[Problemchild]

how much was the a-class?

i still want a b-class BRAB



JJ

[CrazyG]

I feel for you JJ.... 
'B' Class Brab was only available as a CDi..2.0 litre....and auto 

And nice though your picture is, it appears that it was/is only a
promo photo as the previous one I saw for sale on Autotrader was
just the same spec as the current singleton is that is for sale now....
No double lower front lights...no extra low front spoiler....
and no 'split rim' type wheels.
And it's only a puny 140bhp...with a snail like 0-60 time of 9.7 seconds
and a top whack of just 121mph !
It doesn't even have paddle shift....or a 'manual' type overide on the
autobox....as in D1, D2, D3...or Sport, just the usual selection P/R/N/D !

Oh, and of course it's overpriced !  But then anything Brabus always is 

[Jetstream]

...and much better suspension swung it for me. What i don't like is the feeling when driving of sitting 'on top' of the car rather than 'in' the car, and being very close to the nose of the car.

We had a A180 CDI  CVT in 2006 as a new company lease car. I don't agree about the ride.
There was a stretch of A road near Leighton Buzzard which was awful but we used to use as a good judge of a car's suspension. I'm no chassis engineer (!) but it would run out of travel and the pitch / rebound settings were all wrong so it couldn't keep up with the road undulations. It also wore out the front tyre edges in 6 months and 4000m around Milton Keynes despite the pressures being checked weekly. Second only to a Mondeo TDCi we had. Both were nose heavy cars and 'used' their front suspension hard.

Fast forward 10 years - bought a ForFour 95 CDi for a relative and I was surprised how good the ride was - both on the same road and on the motorway. This is despite the shocks being 'well bedded in' !

[Problemchild]

So what's the price for an 06 a-class?

JJ

[mr singh]

they start from £1500 and go up on auto trader. all i did was put in up to 10 years old and it gave me over 2000 results

it also depends on the mileage, the cheapest is just below £1500 (£1490) but the mileage is 170,000 miles and that is an 06