A-Class (W169) A-Class a success.
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The second generation A-Class (W169) produced from 2004 to 2012 was the last one classified as a supermini / B-segment vehicle.
SDNR
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Merc1 said:
Yes Merc1............but you know my point of veiw on the A class. I just find it completely ironic that Daimler-Chrysler were so concerned about the image of a Mercedes ultra-limousine, that they decided to call it a Maybach and yet thought nothing of putting their badge on such a nasty little entry-level car that their Japanese, French, and German competitors consistently out-perform.
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I am rnds said:
lol, ok again I don't think the A-class is nasty, but I very much agree with the sentiment of your post. A car such as the A-class could never really be a true Benz. It's too compromised on too many fronts and Mercedes simply can't do what they do best at that price point. As I've said before, the B should have been the A, and the B-class should have been a true A3/1-series competitor. Instead were left with two VERY AVERAGE odd people mover/ tourer things that really don’t know where they belong and who they're competing against, and are subsequently falling flat on their face, not in terms of sales, but in terms of the competition.
For the sake of the brand, a Mercedes simply cannot be mediocre. It must be near the top, if not the class benchmark.
cawimmer430
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I used to hate the A-Class, W168 and even the W169. But after driving the W169, I was blown away. For a FWD car, it handled amazingly well and the steering feel was very BMWish: solid and direct and responsive. Now, I have to confess that the A-Class is one of my favorite Mercedes-Benzes. If I was in the market for one, I'd select either an A180 CDI 5-speed or A200 CDI 6-speed. 
They're so fun to drive and handle like a sports car. For a subcompact car like the A-Class, let me say that there was very little body roll in corners. Amazing. I'd honestly label this car as the 3rd most sportiest Benz after the SLK and revised C-Class. Here's my recent A-Class testdrive: A170. Loved it.
Link: http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=67334&forumID=21&catID=1&search=1&searchstring=
They're so fun to drive and handle like a sports car. For a subcompact car like the A-Class, let me say that there was very little body roll in corners. Amazing. I'd honestly label this car as the 3rd most sportiest Benz after the SLK and revised C-Class. Here's my recent A-Class testdrive: A170. Loved it.
Link: http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=67334&forumID=21&catID=1&search=1&searchstring=
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Sadly, the driving experience just doesnt translate over to Australian roads. In a small car comparison the A-class was absolutely trashed by every vehicle except the toyota corolla. The bumps caused the suspension to bottom out frequently and sometimes the rear even became airbourne on the rebound. While the interior is HUGE leaps ahead of the old car, its now only class competitive, nothing more. The 1.7 is also thoroughly outclassed by other similar displacement engines. I have no idea why the engine is SO WEAK in term of output. All in all not very high praise. And this car is carrying a 10 thousand dollar premium over the next most expensive competitor.
cawimmer430
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Mr. Mercedes said:
I know that Mercedes plays around with suspension tweaking for different markets, could be that they did that for Australia. US-spec Benzes tend to get softer suspensions and vaguer steerings. As for the 1.7-l engine, I found it to be quite agile in the A-Class, a little torqueless tha faster you drove but overall, adequate. In the B-Class (B170), the 1.7-l engine is totally underpowered IMO.
Imhotep Evil
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Merc1 said:
Well the previous generation was also a succes, despite the gremlins it toped the 200 000 units per year benchmarck.
So no suprise here.
Snake Vargas
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Hmm, despite the B-class love that's going around here, I prefer the looks of the A-class. Sure, some might say it's "cute", but it looks purposeful in the way that a small city car should. The B-class is a bit lumpy in comparison, as if MB decided the A was too small and then dreamt up some dimensions and wrapped the A-class styling around it, gave it a few tweaks, then put it out on the forecourts.
Nevertheless, I have read that Australian review. I was a little disappointed, since I reckon the new A is head and shoulders above the old (not that it's hard). Oh well.
For any talk that the A isn't what a MB should stand for, I have a different take. Sure, it's not a sports car, nor is it a luxo cruiser like an E or an S, but IMO it does its job well - the job of being a competent city car, with space for 4 occupants in comfort, but being stylish inside and out, comfortable, and versatile. If it's built well and reliable, I think that's all that MB needs to stand for, in this segment.
I'm not sure of its dimensions, and in a way it doesn't matter - IMO they should have compared it to cars like the Jazz and the Mazda2, or the Polo, but as a slightly larger and more upmarket version for those who want the size benefits but not at the cost of cheaper interiors.
Nevertheless, I have read that Australian review. I was a little disappointed, since I reckon the new A is head and shoulders above the old (not that it's hard). Oh well.
For any talk that the A isn't what a MB should stand for, I have a different take. Sure, it's not a sports car, nor is it a luxo cruiser like an E or an S, but IMO it does its job well - the job of being a competent city car, with space for 4 occupants in comfort, but being stylish inside and out, comfortable, and versatile. If it's built well and reliable, I think that's all that MB needs to stand for, in this segment.
I'm not sure of its dimensions, and in a way it doesn't matter - IMO they should have compared it to cars like the Jazz and the Mazda2, or the Polo, but as a slightly larger and more upmarket version for those who want the size benefits but not at the cost of cheaper interiors.
Imhotep Evil
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Merc1 said:
No need to get rough, it's not like you've discovered America either.
Imhotep Evil
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Merc1 said:
I never meant to be a detractor or atack you.
I and other BMW fans have said similar things on BMW succeses treads too.
Beside, I can't read tought to know everyone knows that the A klasse toped the 200 000 units a year benchmark (witch I considered my personal contribution BTW)
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