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

[Emex]

Got my test drive booked for 4pm tomorrow, slighty mixed ideas on what to expect....keep you all posted on the aftermath.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Enjoy it Emex!

Al, the suspension is very firm. However we went over some pretty rough areas and I deliberately aimed the tyres at cats eyes quite a bit. With cats eyes and bumps the impact is certainly transmitted through to the cabin, but the harshness is well damped and rounded off and the steering remains true and accurate. Over course surfaces, again you feel it in the cabin but once again, the harshness in not present. I really will need another drive of the car to be 100% sure, but for now I don't see it as being a problem.

The steering was brilliantly accurate and quick and the body roll control outstanding and close to non existent.

Clip, I saw a black one drive past me on Kingsford Smith Drive, and it looked sinister with the front LED's on. It really stood out amongst the traffic.

 

[alebonau]

thanks for the feedback mr merc that dont see ride as a problem overall is very encouraging. but yeah definitely try get a test drive to make up your mind. am hoping can get a drive sometime next week though its pretty hectic overall so not sure will get to it !

 

[Zafiro]

Mr-Mercedes, arent you nitpicking about the ride quality? you sound like 80 year old man

 

[Emex]

OK Ive driven it, let me say it has surprised me, in all the good ways. It handles (very) well, rides well (you feel the bumps, but its not ridiculously stiff), like what Mr Merc says you feel it but its not bone jaringly hard actually it feels good, its very close to my MX-5 (which is a very good thing). Its missing the doughy steering & throttle like the Benzes of old, didnt have that sensitive hyperactiviity of a drive by wire throttle too! If you can, take one with an AMG Sport package or an A250 for a drive. This thing will be really really popular!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Mr-Mercedes, arent you nitpicking about the ride quality? you sound like 80 year old man

LOL. Just me, I don't think you realise just how rough our roads can be. Big country + small population = money very stretched to build and maintain perfect roads.

And besides, after a tough day at the office, sometimes you just want some comforting on the way home. Oops, I do sound like an old man.

But just to be clear, I understand on a car like the A250 sport, a firm ride is to be expected. What I couldn't live with is harshness. If VW has gotten the GTI so well sorted, there should be no reason for Mercedes to not strike a good balance on the A. My first impressions were very positive.

 

[Emex]

Mr Merc is right, we have $hit roads and since we have had some pretty wet weather in Qld in the last 2 years its affected the roads even more. Having said that, they could have done a Mini Cooper Coupe and made it handle like an ox cart. They didnt, what they did was make it handle well with a slight firmness. I didnt think it was any worse than my stock MX-5 (how many people complain about them?) which was my benchmark, besides you can say yes to a non AMG model that doesnt have the sports suspension too (looks uber awesome in dark colours btw).

 

[clip]

Personally I'm looking for a little more stiffness than a GTI. Not as much as a Megane (although I could live with that too). I know it's why the GTI's are so popular, but for something like the a250 I'd like it a little less compromised. Otherwise, why not buy a GTI? As long as it goes a bit harder (although I'd like around 190kw), and sits a bit flatter and you can induce a bit of oversteer, it should be OK. I'm off now for my test drive, post up my thoughts soon. BTW, anyone here do trackdays at Lakeside? Would be great to get a group of us together.

 

[Monster]

Oh... how did I miss these posts, I just came back from a test drive of the A250 AMG sports, it is a nice car, but I am slightly underwhelmed by the whole experience, guess I was expecting for more, and for $66k AUD drive away, it isn't expensive but not a bargain either. Detailed test drive review to follow.

 

[clip]

Am I test driving a different vehicle? I took one for a really good run today and must say it was better than I imagined. No comparison to the gti, grip levels were outstanding. Throwing it around the usual run that pushes the gti to near it's limit, the a250 just held it's line with barely a squeek from the tyres. TBH, it blew me away how tenaciously it hung on. S mode transforms it, and better gear change timing than the gti. However, not as snappy with thise changes as I'd like it. Do love the blip as it changes down though, sounds great. Incredibly quiet on the highway which is nice. Ride is firm but damped, no nasty jolts and no harshness. Seats are the best I've sat in for me, and after numerous bike crashes, my back is pretty well shattered, so very sensitive to seat comfort.

Hitting the hills showed up the big torque, it pulls really hard. It's also really obvious at highway speed overtaking -feels much more like chipped mk6gti. It could do with another 40kw, but watching how quickly the speed rises, I suspect it's quicker than it feels. Also with smoother gear changes you lose some of the effect.

At the end of the day it's a very nice place to spend time and is going to give a whole lot fun through the twisties.

Anyway, it sold me just on it's handling and ride 9/10 - so I confirmed my order. Now just have to a few months

 

[Emex]

Clip, here comes the tuners. As predicted first is Brabus, the surprising part the A200 Cdi.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/113022154131/mercedes-benz-a200-cdi-modified-by-brabus

 

[clip]

ahhh, good stuff! Thanks Emex. Maybe by the time I actually get mine, they'll have it sorted for the 250

got to admit I reckon it's capable of a handling a whole lot more power, and unlike a gti (I have to stop comparing it to a golf!), I wouldn't be needing to spend thousands on suspension and wheels.

 

[clip]

Clip, here comes the tuners. As predicted first is Brabus, the surprising part the A200 Cdi.

hmmm, 20% increase, if they can do that to the oilburner, then 180-190kw could be expected for the 250? And that would be very fine indeed!

 

[alebonau]

thanks clip ! as a gti owner really appreciate your comparisons there. really does sound right up my street. cant wait for a test drive !

 

[clip]

just found this:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=...&filename=W176%20%20B25%20PowerXtra%20CGI.pdf

Pity I can't read German, but I guess 180kW and 385Nm is the same in most languages

It looks like all plug and play gear (all that I can make out). Now just to find someone in this part of the world that can get it sorted for me.

 

[Emex]

Try this...courtesy of Google Translate:
BRABUS B25 PowerXtra CGI
base:
A250 and A250 Sport
BRABUS PowerXtra CGI consists of a computer-controlled auxiliary control unit for the
ECU of A 250 The controller is a plug and play wiring harness that allows the
BRABUS PowerXtra controller can be adapted to the production engine electronics. The kit is
shipped and installed by the plug and play system is very simple.
Motor Data:
Displacement cm ³ 1991
Compression 9.8: 1
Torque 385 Nm (350)
in min-1 1200-4000
KW / hp 180/245 (155/211)
at 5500 min-1
Performance:
acceleration
0-100 km / h s 6.2 (6.6)
top speed
Vmax: 250 (240) km / h
All listed performance figures are approximate values​​. They depend on vehicle-specific details such as vehicle type,
Equipment, tare weight, rear axle, wheel-tire combinations, transmission type and aerodynamic
Equipment of the specific car.

For the Diesel:

BRABUS D2
base:
A200 CDI
176-720-210 ww. 176-720-220
The D2 kit consists of a computer-controlled auxiliary control unit for the
ECU of the A200 CDI. The controller is a plug and play wiring harness, with its
By the delivered D2 controller can be adapted to the production engine electronics. expanded
The kit is by the BRABUS auxiliary control unit integrated Vmax unit (Vmax ww. 210
and 220 km / h). The kit is ready and by the plug and play system is very easy to
mount. A special feature of the new BRABUS PowerXtra kits D2 is its integration into the
Vehicle CAN bus. Via the CAN bus of the vehicle, all of the function of PowerXtra
Kits necessary information provided.
Motor Data:
Displacement cm2 1796
Bore / stroke mm 83/83
Compression 16.2: 1
Torque Nm 350 (300)
At 2000 min-1 (1600-3000)
KW / hp 121/165 (100/136)
At 4000 min-1 (3600-4400)
Performance:
acceleration
0-100 km / h s 8.9 * (9.2)
top speed
Vmax: 210 *** (210 ***) km / h 176-720-210
220 *** (210 ***) km / h 176-720-220

* All listed performance figures are approximate values​​. They depend on vehicle-specific details such as
Vehicle type, equipment, tare weight, rear, wheel-tire combinations, transmission type and
aerodynamic equipment of the specific car.
** Electronically limited

 

[W201]

Mr. Merc I had a test drive of new A-Class back in september, and regarding the comfort, here are my impressions:

The car is firm, but it is tolerable. However, the car had 18 inch rims, and (what I think is bigger problem) run-flats. I strongly believe that with smaller alloys, or simply with normal tires, that car would be more than fine in terms of comfort. Now, if you opt for the normal tires, there is another problem: the boot is pretty much small, so having spare tire with you may be an issue.
That said, the A-Class is not a family car in the first place, so even if you go for some long journey in your car, I'm pretty sure you can bring two more people with you, and have enough space for all your bags and luggage (if you use back seat for luggage as well). Anything more is pretty much frustrating (in terms of lack of space for luggage).
Also, one thing I didn't like in the A-Class are the sport seats. To me, they are intolerable, and I would opt for normal (limousine-like) seats anytime.
The car I drove was 180 CDI 7G, not an Sport or AMG-Sport model.

EDIT: The car I drove looked exactly the same like the silver one on the second picture.

 

[clip]

Thanks Emex, much appreciated (I always forget google translator). I'm not sold on piggy back systems to be honest. I'd much prefer a proper remap rather than something that tries to override the stock system. Is this all Brabus does? I'd actually be a bit skeptical about their power increases with this sort of setup too. One advantage I guess is that it's easy to revert back to stock.

 

[clip]

...However, the car had 18 inch rims, and (what I think is bigger problem) run-flats. I strongly believe that with smaller alloys, or simply with normal tires, that car would be more than fine in terms of comfort. Now, if you opt for the normal tires, there is another problem: the boot is pretty much small, so having spare tire with you may be an issue.

In Australia the only A250 that is coming in at the moment is the A250 Sport AMG (I really wish MB had done a better naming job, it gets very confusing). They have normal 18" tyres. No spare, just a can of goop and a compressor, so room for an extra bag.

 

[clip]

Just a few more thoughts after a night to think it over (just tell me shut up if I'm talking too much folks ).

Speaking solely about the A250 Sport AMG, (if I wanted a normal runabout hatch, not sure if I'd buy an A series, regardless of model). After driving and owning a few (Alfa QV, Golf GTI/R, 125, Megane Cup) I'm happy with compromises with the 250. Lateral seat support could be a little tighter. It could go a tad harder off the line - take-up seems a tad more pronounced in the MB than a VAG dsg (although 0-60 in 6.5 seconds as tested, is good, but just doesn't feel like it).

To me, the A250 feels much closer to a Megane than a GTI. It does feel heavier, more planted, and the steering brings new meaning to point and shoot, and is just an absolute stand out quality. Direction changes are super fast and never seems to unsettle it. They've done such an outstanding job with this, and is probably what I'm most taken with it. If it wasn't as good as this, the A250 Sport AMG just wouldn't make any sense. Autocross anyone?