A-Class (W176) [Official] Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176)

[Duds]

Ok, so I just got my VIN today and it's current location is "Marshalling Yard Rastatt".

Has anyone waited a long time for their car to be put onto a ship? Or do they get on a ship very quickly?

Any info or thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[kaktusdigital]

Ok, so I just got my VIN today and it's current location is "Marshalling Yard Rastatt".

Has anyone waited a long time for their car to be put onto a ship? Or do they get on a ship very quickly?

Any info or thoughts would be appreciated.

mine was 4 days, but it was waiting at the dock for 3 of those, so I guess it depends on the shipping schedule as well.

btw, is anyone considering buying these black plastic things? I think it was quoted at 100 euros for the pair on the 'other' A-class forum.

 

[Frostee]

Ok, so I just got my VIN today and it's current location is "Marshalling Yard Rastatt".

Has anyone waited a long time for their car to be put onto a ship? Or do they get on a ship very quickly?

Any info or thoughts would be appreciated.

My car was lucky this time shipped next day. Can take up to a couple of weeks. Just check daily and you'll see when it's loaded

 

[Duds]

My car was lucky this time shipped next day. Can take up to a couple of weeks. Just check daily and you'll see when it's loaded

A couple of weeks? Awwww mannnnnnn! Hahaha I guess I should not complain as my car is actually in existence and many here still have a long wait...

 

[clip]

Where are you mostly driving to average high 7's?

That's a mix of highway and light urban running joyjas, which is my normal usage.

BTW, had the car checked out, all good. Interesting there is no bonnet sound deadening material, so maybe engine sounds get amplified a bit especially in the garage?

Also asked them to check for any error codes, but nothing came up. Also checked on trans updates and was told it had latest mapping, so all good all around. Very happy with service, they took it straight in and checked it over on the spot for me. Only took about 30 minutes.

 

[clip]

A couple of weeks? Awwww mannnnnnn! Hahaha I guess I should not complain as my car is actually in existence and many here still have a long wait...

From what I heard today, orders taken for A250's now, won't see delivery until early February!

 

[clip]

btw, is anyone considering buying these black plastic things? I think it was quoted at 100 euros for the pair on the 'other' A-class forum.

Nup, count me out on those kaktus. They don't seem to quite follow the same line or something - although might be ok on darker paintwork.

 

[Duds]

From what I heard today, orders taken for A250's now, won't see delivery until early February!

Yep, my point exactly. I will stop complaining henceforth

Give us your top 3 things you love about the car Clip, to give us something to drool about while waiting.

 

[Wolfgang]

A more recent update from Valmet.

Valmet Automotive to hire 100 new workers

The Uusikaupunki car maker is to take on a hundred new employees and ask 200 furloughed staff to return. The company has a contract to produce around 100,000 vehicles for Mercedes between 2013 and 2016.

The plant is currently producing test models to ensure the plant’s welding, painting and construction capabilities meet Mercedes’ exacting standards. Assuming all tests are passed, Valmet will make 100 ’Suomi Edition’ models, for sale in Finland, before commencing normal production.

http://yle.fi/uutiset/valmet_automotive_to_hire_100_new_workers/6718906

 

[joyjas77]

To be honest I'm glad that Australia is only getting German built A Class cars. I would have cancelled my order had mine not been German built. But by the look of it, they haven't even started producing cars as of yet so I needn't have worried.

 

[Kilcrohane]

To be honest I'm glad that Australia is only getting German built A Class cars. I would have cancelled my order had mine not been German built. But by the look of it, they haven't even started producing cars as of yet so I needn't have worried.

Valmet assembled Porsche Boxsters before VW's takeover and the use of Osnabrück, but I agree, an A-Class from the 'mother-plant' at Rastatt in Germany just seems special.

 

[giorgioleiros]

Hello Everybody

Could somebody tell me his impressions about the new lowered confort suspension.
I have doubts between de sport one or the lowered comfort suspension

Thank you very much Everybody

 

[Frostee]

Hello Everybody

Could somebody tell me his impressions about the new lowered confort suspension.
I have doubts between de sport one or the lowered comfort suspension

Thank you very much Everybody

Hi,

My understanding is that Lowered Comfort Suspension only became effective on Model Year 804 production which commenced in June. It might take a little time for these to flow through to this thread. I suggest that if you haven't already done so you post this questions at http://www.aclassclub.co.uk There are lots of UK based owners there and should help finding someone who has a car with this new option.

Hope this was helpful

 

[Frostee]

I was doing 7s in country driving, cruising, going up and down hills etc. I reckon with mainly highway cruising it would achieve the claimed figures easily

Hi Alebonau,

A few questions have come to mind for you;

• Something I have been meaning to ask you is whether or not you use the economy start/stop engine feature? When I did my test drives I found this feature worked really well. It was more about my unfamiliarity and focus on the feature that made me aware that it was there, as I don't really recall noticing it at all (other than the rev counter movement between stop and start) in terms of driving experience. I do a lot of city driving and will be inclined to use this. Keen to hear your thoughts
• Digital radio. How do you find the reception?
• Electric hand brake. How do you find its use in practice?

Cheers

Frostee

 

[Duds]

Well, it's finally my turn to put up my shipping transcript

Bring it on!

ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 05/07/2013 06/07/2013
BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 07/07/2013 08/07/2013
LE HAVRE FRANCE 10/07/2013 10/07/2013
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 11/07/2013 11/07/2013
PORT ELIZABETH SOUTH AFRICA 29/07/2013 29/07/2013
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA 31/07/2013 31/07/2013
FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA 12/08/2013 13/08/2013
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 17/08/2013 18/08/2013

 

[Frostee]

Well, it's finally my turn to put up my shipping transcript

Bring it on!

ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 05/07/2013 06/07/2013
BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 07/07/2013 08/07/2013
LE HAVRE FRANCE 10/07/2013 10/07/2013
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 11/07/2013 11/07/2013
PORT ELIZABETH SOUTH AFRICA 29/07/2013 29/07/2013
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA 31/07/2013 31/07/2013
FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA 12/08/2013 13/08/2013
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 17/08/2013 18/08/2013

Congratulations Duds, a significant step closer to getting your new car. Welcome to the convoy!

 

[alebonau]

Hi Alebonau,

A few questions have come to mind for you;

• Something I have been meaning to ask you is whether or not you use the economy start/stop engine feature? When I did my test drives I found this feature worked really well. It was more about my unfamiliarity and focus on the feature that made me aware that it was there, as I don't really recall noticing it at all (other than the rev counter movement between stop and start) in terms of driving experience. I do a lot of city driving and will be inclined to use this. Keen to hear your thoughts
• Digital radio. How do you find the reception?
• Electric hand brake. How do you find its use in practice?

Cheers


Frostee

hi frostee, re start / stop. yes I was quite dubious as to the use of this, particularly after a bad experience on the alfa guilietta where it is implemented really bad and you cant turn it off ! on the a250 I was pretty wrapped could turn off ! it basically is enabled when you hit the eco button on the centre console. select it and it engages the start / stop disengage and no longer does the start stop work.

on getting the car I decided to leave it engaged to give it a go and was pleasantly quite suprised even impressed. come to a stop and engine switches off. take you foot off the brake and in an instant rather amazingly the engine fires into life even before you can take your foot off the brake pedal to move across to the accelerator. really implemented well especially when consider hill hold and other times when this has to work really well. only time have just caught it out in an instant is when stopped and engine switched off, if you decide to turn the wheel before disengaging the brake the steering is a touch tight before it realises what you are doing and fires into action. but all other wise it is seamless you even forget it is working behind the scenes. I permanently just leave it on now

digital radio works really well in the suburbs and in town we even get song and artist info coming through. reception drops off about 100 km out of metro areas, which is about limits of transmission.

re hand brake, like the stop start had my reservations. but with this too have been super impressed. come to a stop put into park and hit the hand brake and it engages. time to take off and put into D from P and pull the lever to release and it disengages. it just works. am not sure what criticism can throw at it really. as works fuss free as you would expect it to

 

[Frostee]

hi frostee, re start / stop. yes I was quite dubious as to the use of this, particularly after a bad experience on the alfa guilietta where it is implemented really bad and you cant turn it off ! on the a250 I was pretty wrapped could turn off ! it basically is enabled when you hit the eco button on the centre console. select it and it engages the start / stop disengage and no longer does the start stop work.

on getting the car I decided to leave it engaged to give it a go and was pleasantly quite suprised even impressed. come to a stop and engine switches off. take you foot off the brake and in an instant rather amazingly the engine fires into life even before you can take your foot off the brake pedal to move across to the accelerator. really implemented well especially when consider hill hold and other times when this has to work really well. only time have just caught it out in an instant is when stopped and engine switched off, if you decide to turn the wheel before disengaging the brake the steering is a touch tight before it realises what you are doing and fires into action. but all other wise it is seamless you even forget it is working behind the scenes. I permanently just leave it on now

digital radio works really well in the suburbs and in town we even get song and artist info coming through. reception drops off about 100 km out of metro areas, which is about limits of transmission.

re hand brake, like the stop start had my reservations. but with this too have been super impressed. come to a stop put into park and hit the hand brake and it engages. time to take off and put into D from P and pull the lever to release and it disengages. it just works. am not sure what criticism can throw at it really. as works fuss free as you would expect it to

Thank you Alebonau,

Your comment re stop/start and electric brake align with my recollections from my test drive. It seems from your experience the systems are well developed and not buggy. I think as you say it's really a matter of becoming accustomed to them and not thinking too much about what's going on in the background.

Re the DAB+ readio, I am actually pretty excited about having one in the car. I have them at home and love the sound. I listed to a fair bit of AM radio when in the city and believe me the interference you get in the Melbourne CBD is something shocking. I suspect it is somewhat impacted by the tram lines that we have. It's going to be great to not get the crunch and crackle that is commonplace now.

On a side note I found the following link. Huge write-up on the development and features of the A Class. Apologies if this has been posted previously.

http://500sec.com/models/mercedes-w176-a-class-2012/

and one on its development

http://500sec.com/the-development-of-the-a-class/

 

[shankoz]

Well, it's finally my turn to put up my shipping transcript

Bring it on!

ZEEBRUGGE BELGIUM 05/07/2013 06/07/2013
BREMERHAVEN GERMANY 07/07/2013 08/07/2013
LE HAVRE FRANCE 10/07/2013 10/07/2013
SOUTHAMPTON UNITED KINGDOM 11/07/2013 11/07/2013
PORT ELIZABETH SOUTH AFRICA 29/07/2013 29/07/2013
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA 31/07/2013 31/07/2013
FREMANTLE AUSTRALIA 12/08/2013 13/08/2013
MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 17/08/2013 18/08/2013

Hey Duds - I think our cars are on the same boat!! Not long to go now

 

[alebonau]

Thank you Alebonau,

Your comment re stop/start and electric brake align with my recollections from my test drive. It seems from your experience the systems are well developed and not buggy. I think as you say it's really a matter of becoming accustomed to them and not thinking too much about what's going on in the background.

Re the DAB+ readio, I am actually pretty excited about having one in the car. I have them at home and love the sound. I listed to a fair bit of AM radio when in the city and believe me the interference you get in the Melbourne CBD is something shocking. I suspect it is somewhat impacted by the tram lines that we have. It's going to be great to not get the crunch and crackle that is commonplace now.

On a side note I found the following link. Huge write-up on the development and features of the A Class. Apologies if this has been posted previously.

http://500sec.com/models/mercedes-w176-a-class-2012/

and one on its development

http://500sec.com/the-development-of-the-a-class/

frostee to be honest have not done a lot of driving in cbd with the dab+. I know the main problem with cbd with even dab+ is all the buildings. keeping in mind the transmission towers are out in the dandenongs. but do beleive they put some repeaters in the city so would hope be ok. but yeah look forward to more comment on how you find dab+ once have it and your experience in cbd.

one question I have fellow a250 owners. have a couple of small kids and am continually wiping with a damp cloth the front seat backs which get soiled wiht kids muddy shoes. just wondering is there something to remove scuff marks if they do appear in the harder plastics they put on the back of the seats ?