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

[gun16]

Yikes, are you hard on your brakes?

Also, why on earth is A/c sanitisation necessary? I've never been offered nor paid for it on any of our MB's.

They have all started offering it (bmw/mercedes/vw etc) its a money spinner but apparently it does kill all smells and bacteria that are in your aircon lines. I personally wouldn't bother but I would never keep the car more than three years either lol

Pads before 30k wow... discs as in they couldn't machine them...that seriously blows my mind.

 

[Emex]

The aircon sanitiser is a Wynns product (if your in Australia) and essentially it is a cleaner that runs through the aircon unit. Usually this is box of cleaner that's sat in the footwell on the front passenger side, as that's where the interior air intake usually is. According to the training manual it does what it says on the tin.....BUT tbh i've never used it, I never recommended it when I was working as a serv. advisor either. The one time I would use it is if I smoked in the car (fat chance of that) AND there is an AutoGlym one that does the same thing for less markup (d'ship cost was $50 and marked up for about $300 also were told to make it sound important & necessary)

 

[landis89]

Thanks for the help above Gun - this happened to me last weekend:

Was driving through Sydney CBD at a set of lights I notice a smell and within seconds a stream of steam or smoke coming from the bonnet and following that the "top up coolant" notice pops up on the dash. After immediately pulling over and getting out of car I notice a red liquid trickling down the road into the gutter from the underside of the car

I call MB roadside – the technician attends and proceeds to fill up the coolant tank with water noting that it is taking on a lot more than he expected. then we notice that the pipe from the coolant tank had completely come off its clip connection in the engine bay and all liquid was simply pouring straight out from it

technician told me he'd never seen this before – car got towed to dealer who flushed coolant system and replaced hose connection under warranty (dealer said it would have been an issue from factory and was only a matter of time before it happened)

I am amazed that the hose actually came off its clip – anyone heard of this before?

 

[Monster]

Thanks for the help above Gun - this happened to me last weekend:

Was driving through Sydney CBD at a set of lights I notice a smell and within seconds a stream of steam or smoke coming from the bonnet and following that the "top up coolant" notice pops up on the dash. After immediately pulling over and getting out of car I notice a red liquid trickling down the road into the gutter from the underside of the car

I call MB roadside – the technician attends and proceeds to fill up the coolant tank with water noting that it is taking on a lot more than he expected. then we notice that the pipe from the coolant tank had completely come off its clip connection in the engine bay and all liquid was simply pouring straight out from it

technician told me he'd never seen this before – car got towed to dealer who flushed coolant system and replaced hose connection under warranty (dealer said it would have been an issue from factory and was only a matter of time before it happened)

I am amazed that the hose actually came off its clip – anyone heard of this before?

This is the first time I have ever heard about this ! It is quite alarming and it shouldn't happen to such a new car.

 

[gun16]

Yikes, are you hard on your brakes?

Also, why on earth is A/c sanitisation necessary? I've never been offered nor paid for it on any of our MB's.

LOL look at this VW emailed me today:

 

[gun16]

Thanks for the help above Gun - this happened to me last weekend:

Was driving through Sydney CBD at a set of lights I notice a smell and within seconds a stream of steam or smoke coming from the bonnet and following that the "top up coolant" notice pops up on the dash. After immediately pulling over and getting out of car I notice a red liquid trickling down the road into the gutter from the underside of the car

I call MB roadside – the technician attends and proceeds to fill up the coolant tank with water noting that it is taking on a lot more than he expected. then we notice that the pipe from the coolant tank had completely come off its clip connection in the engine bay and all liquid was simply pouring straight out from it

technician told me he'd never seen this before – car got towed to dealer who flushed coolant system and replaced hose connection under warranty (dealer said it would have been an issue from factory and was only a matter of time before it happened)

I am amazed that the hose actually came off its clip – anyone heard of this before?

WOW

 

[Monster]

LOL look at this VW emailed me today:

And this is the reason why VW was voted to have the worst dealership service in Australia.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

And this is the reason why VW was voted to have the worst dealership service in Australia.

And the fact you have to book 3 weeks in advance for routine service and sometimes even wait that long for warranty work that has rendered your vehicle unusable. Pathetic!

 

[scoobee888]

I've just had my so called free scheduled service: 2 years with 27K on the clock. What's not free: standard wheel alignment and air-conditioning sanitisation for a total of around $400. But what was the real shock: $1,200 to replace the front brake pads and discs. I cannot believe that pad and disc like is only 27K. Has anybody else had to have these replaced and if yes, how many km to you get out of them?

I've just had my routine service done, 2 years with approx. 28K on the clock. The front pads were replaced for $863 ($713 worth of parts and $150 for labour). I was surprised they needed replacement given that I rarely push the car and most of the times I drive in Eco mode and have ESP turned off.

 

[Monster]

I've just had my routine service done, 2 years with approx. 28K on the clock. The front pads were replaced for $863 ($713 worth of parts and $150 for labour). I was surprised they needed replacement given that I rarely push the car and most of the times I drive in Eco mode and have ESP turned off.

Did the technician tell you the remaining pad thickness? MB brake pads are pretty soft and I get a lot of brake dust on the front wheels even though I don't push the car.

 

[Iain]

I'm back! Been a while. Sold the A250 about 12 months ago and went back to a GTI. I'm very interested in the face lift model coming soon, particularly the adjustable suspension and improvements to the gearbox and motor software etc, my two main complaints. I'm completely fed up with VW after sales service and it's only getting worse now that the petrol models are involved as well. Looking at the new 250 now. Anyone planning on upgrading? I miss having a Mercedes!

 

[gun16]

I miss having a merc but not the A250 so much. I'm selling my Clio RS (that was a bad decision) still unsure what I want next since I probably can't afford an M2 lol.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I miss having a merc but not the A250 so much. I'm selling my Clio RS (that was a bad decision) still unsure what I want next since I probably can't afford an M2 lol.

WHAAT! How long was that with the Clio mate?

I've sold the S3. I've got something interesting on order...2 weeks.

 

[gun16]

WHAAT! How long was that with the Clio mate?

I've sold the S3. I've got something interesting on order...2 weeks.

Six months lol...

Oh really....I will send you a text

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Six months lol...

Oh really....I will send you a text

Haha you're worse than me!!

 

[scoobee888]

Did the technician tell you the remaining pad thickness? MB brake pads are pretty soft and I get a lot of brake dust on the front wheels even though I don't push the car.

I've found MB pads much softer than Honda's - there is so much brake dust built-up within a day of driving. The gloss black wheels literally turns matte within two days after a wash. You can stop much faster so from a safety perspective I can't really complain . The technician didn't advise how much was left on the pads and I forgot to ask. We have MB cars serviced with the same dealer and they have always looked after us so I no reason to question whether it's really required or not. But next time I will check for my own curiosity.

 

[scoobee888]

I'm back! Been a while. Sold the A250 about 12 months ago and went back to a GTI. I'm very interested in the face lift model coming soon, particularly the adjustable suspension and improvements to the gearbox and motor software etc, my two main complaints. I'm completely fed up with VW after sales service and it's only getting worse now that the petrol models are involved as well. Looking at the new 250 now. Anyone planning on upgrading? I miss having a Mercedes!

I got the same feedback from my friend who is a die hard VW fan. My uncle had issues dealing with the service dept trying to get his car repaired under warranty. I'm waiting for the next generation to upgrade. The face lift doesn't excite me so much with the cosmetic changes. Two years on and I'm still enjoying the drive. It is a firm ride especially over bumps but for me I don't feel it's jarring.

 

[Iain]

Well I've ordered a 2016 build A250 Sport 4 Matic in Mountain Grey with all of the bits and pieces. It will also have apple car play with the later build date. Looking forward to the new suspension and updated gearbox and engine. I've wanted an AWD car for a while now. Always loved dad's WRX / STI's and now the S3. I'm sick of too much power through the front wheels. All 3 of my GTI's have axle tramped and the first A250 did as well, but not as badly. Hopefully sending some power to the rear wool stop this. Anyone else agree? Would have loved a CLA shooting brake but I can't see the value in around $15,000 more than a fully optioned A250. I'd rather spend the extra and go for an A45. Maybe when the new model comes out in 2-3 years. I'm looking forward to getting rid of my GTI Performance. The front suspension continues to creak and jiggle over bumps/speed humps and turning corners sharply. Taken it back 3 times now and told nothing is wrong with it they still don't listen when I say that our CX-5 doesn't make a sound. It's not the hard suspension, it didn't start making a racket for about 3 months. VW customer service is absolutely atrocious. They deserve to be losing market share and it will take them 10 years to recover from the PR disaster. Always had exceptional service with the Mercedes.

 

[gun16]

Well I've ordered a 2016 build A250 Sport 4 Matic in Mountain Grey with all of the bits and pieces. It will also have apple car play with the later build date. Looking forward to the new suspension and updated gearbox and engine. I've wanted an AWD car for a while now. Always loved dad's WRX / STI's and now the S3. I'm sick of too much power through the front wheels. All 3 of my GTI's have axle tramped and the first A250 did as well, but not as badly. Hopefully sending some power to the rear wool stop this. Anyone else agree? Would have loved a CLA shooting brake but I can't see the value in around $15,000 more than a fully optioned A250. I'd rather spend the extra and go for an A45. Maybe when the new model comes out in 2-3 years. I'm looking forward to getting rid of my GTI Performance. The front suspension continues to creak and jiggle over bumps/speed humps and turning corners sharply. Taken it back 3 times now and told nothing is wrong with it they still don't listen when I say that our CX-5 doesn't make a sound. It's not the hard suspension, it didn't start making a racket for about 3 months. VW customer service is absolutely atrocious. They deserve to be losing market share and it will take them 10 years to recover from the PR disaster. Always had exceptional service with the Mercedes.

Awesome mate.

Has the buying experience changed/ improved?

How does the wait time compare now?

When do you get it?

Any face lift changes?

 

[Iain]

Could have had a car in early Jan but I wanted the 2016 build and with Apple car play. The new facelifted A Class is now available in Australia but don't come with CarPlay / Android for the first 8 weeks' build. Most Mercedes buyers like technology so I'd be pretty pissed off if I found out there'd been an update straight after buying the car. I think it would affect resale as well. Don't understand why Merc would not just delay the new model release. My car will arrive late March so there has definitely been an improvement in delivery times but I'm sure there'd be less demand now. My car will be built late January.
The facelift comes with full LED headlights, updated instruments, new wheel designs, front and rear bumpers, electronically adjustable suspension (a big improvement from overseas reports), software updates for the lazy 7 Spd auto, a bit more power and torque and bigger/higher resolution central screen. The suspension is the most important feature for me and also AWD that will hopefully spell the end of axle tramp and torque steer but we'll see.
I was very happy to go back to the dealer from whom I would have bought the first one but I found a car from another dealer and only waited 10 days! Pretty good at the time! He was brilliant. He was only a cadet dealer back then but has had 2 promotions since then. He thanked me for writing a glowing letter to his boss at the time and I managed to get about $6000 off with the corporate discount that also includes free servicing for 3 years, probably saving about another $3000 so very happy.