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

[alebonau]

Just wondering what the resale value will be like on a fully optioned A250 Sport in 3 years time? Do you think these cars will hold their value? Thinking of going novated lease and want to be sure that I'll be able to settle the residual at the end of the lease. Just looking at redbook figures on a 3 year old B class, and it has depreciated by about $20K, which is not too bad. If the A class has a similar depreciation, I'd be happy with that.

resale no matter the brand will always be poorer on fully optioned vehicles vs say a stock standard one without options. thats just the way it is and will always be the case.

demand on resale for a fully optioned vehicle will obviously be there but just keep in mind 2nd hand buyer just doesnt want to pay for the options.

anyways get the options you want to enjoy the car yourself. thats whom your buying them for, dont buy them because you think the next owner of the car is going to want to pay for them

 

[Frostee]

resale no matter the brand will always be poorer on fully optioned vehicles vs say a stock standard one without options. thats just the way it is and will always be the case.

demand on resale for a fully optioned vehicle will obviously be there but just keep in mind 2nd hand buyer just doesnt want to pay for the options.

anyways get the options you want to enjoy the car yourself. thats whom your buying them for, dont buy them because you think the next owner of the car is going to want to pay for them

You really have to factor into the equation how many km's you're doing as that will impact resale.
As mentioned by Alebonau options add very little value when it comes to resale. You may get a slight premium but in my experience you never get the money back that you put into options. I'd assume resale market value based on the base price of a A250

 

[Frostee]

there is an aux connection in the centre console where you plug your ipod in well it is on my a250 I think read possibly something about my14 missing it or something, or perhaps its some place else.

sd car is on centre console, again no idea if that goes missing on the my14 or on the audio 20, all questions for your dealer

According to the MY14 update

"Removal of AUX-IN The standalone AUX-IN input in the centre console will be removed. AUS-IN functionality will still be available with the media interface and provided cable"

No idea re the SD status. There's no mention of it in the MY14 update so I would assume no change. As Alebonau suggests you should check with your dealer - chances are they won'tknow but I am sure they could clear it up with a question direct to MB Aus.

 

[Shillo]

Latest version of the MB Guide App for iPhone is now available for Free D/L in Aus.
Requested the option to D/L selected content to my phone with no success but viewing over the network works well.

Lots of stuff to wet your appetite

 

[Frostee]

Latest version of the MB Guide App for iPhone is now available for Free D/L in Aus.
Requested the option to D/L selected content to my phone with no success but viewing over the network works well.

Lots of stuff to wet your appetite

What other stuff has caught your attention?

 

[Frostee]

Just found these online - don't look too bad. What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MERCEDES...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27d2cb30b3

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/x4-Merce...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e705cd58e

 

[Shillo]

What other stuff has caught your attention?

Nothing in particular, just details of how stuffs works, it might wet the appetite of those still waiting

 

[Frostee]

Nothing in particular, just details of how stuffs works, it might wet the appetite of those still waiting

Shame we don't get the auxiliary heater here. I love the concept of dialling in your departure time and cabin temperature and having the car interior at that temp when you get to it. I would love it on Winter mornings here in Melbourne.

 

[clip]

Just found these online - don't look too bad. What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MERCEDES...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27d2cb30b3

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/x4-Merce...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e705cd58e

Or if the A series is "sexy" enough, we could get these (the last word in puddle lights? :

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[Frostee]

Or if the A series is "sexy" enough, we could get these (the last word in puddle lights? :

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mmmm, think I will pass on that one

 

[joyjas77]

Just found these online - don't look too bad. What do you think?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MERCEDES...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27d2cb30b3

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/x4-Merce...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e705cd58e

Thanks for those links Frostee, I just purchased from seller for the second link a set of AMG valve stem caps from Japan, as theft is a concern for me they can be tightened with a 10mm spanner will wait for my car and valve caps now to try these babies
Here's link for anyone interested
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=130728544017&cmd=VIDESC

 

[Frostee]

Thanks for those links Frostee, I just purchased from seller for the second link a set of AMG valve stem caps from Japan, as theft is a concern for me they can be tightened with a 10mm spanner will wait for my car and valve caps now to try these babies
Here's link for anyone interested
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com.au/viewitem?itemId=130728544017&cmd=VIDESC

I think these look good value, quality looks good. Will get some too

 

[joyjas77]

I think these look good value, quality looks good. Will get some too

For that price I figure it is worth the risk (but Japanese made they will certainly be better than Chinese ones), can tighten them up so hopefully no-one without a 10mm spanner in their pocket will be able to steal them. If they do I figure I can afford to lose them
I would also like to order lock nuts but think I might get some direct from MB.

 

[joyjas77]

Just wondering what the resale value will be like on a fully optioned A250 Sport in 3 years time? Do you think these cars will hold their value? Thinking of going novated lease and want to be sure that I'll be able to settle the residual at the end of the lease. Just looking at redbook figures on a 3 year old B class, and it has depreciated by about $20K, which is not too bad. If the A class has a similar depreciation, I'd be happy with that.

My dealer repeated much the same as all of the others that options won't add on much value, they will certainly make your car more desireable to potential buyers.

I fully optioned mine, but with the hope that I can afford to keep it for quite a while. Mind you the options added up to over AU$10k so I'm not thinking about selling it anytime in the near future.

 

[joyjas77]

Anyone interested in sharing insurance companies that you are using for your A or plan on using for your A if you are still waiting?

Also anyone been looking into keeping their car past the warranty period been looking at third party warranties? My MB dealer is able to offer me something but it means I need to get it serviced by them, and he wants me to wait until close to when my warranty runs out. I've been searching and can find a few companies selling them one that I think looks good is underwritten by Allianz insurance. I want to have the same warranty as I would expect from the manufacturer so that it will cover everything. I've got my A fully option with COMAND, Driver Assist Package, Vision package, which I figure are the main things that would go wrong from my options. If Dual Clutch Transmission had problems it would probably cost a bomb to replace/repair. Anyway would like to hear what warranty options others are looking into.

 

[Bknight]

Anyone interested in sharing insurance companies that you are using for your A or plan on using for your A if you are still waiting?

Will be going through my same interested company(AAMI). The A250 is cheaper than my current car.

 

[joyjas77]

I was checking AAMI and thought they seemed fairly reasonably priced for insurance. Currently using GIO who are also quite reasonable. But just thinking if the inevitable happens and I have an accident with either of these insurance companies can I specify I only want genuine MB parts to be used?

 

[Shillo]

I was checking AAMI and thought they seemed fairly reasonably priced for insurance. Currently using GIO who are also quite reasonable. But just thinking if the inevitable happens and I have an accident with either of these insurance companies can I specify I only want genuine MB parts to be used?

My son was with AAMI for his bike insurance, took his bike to where he bought it from for a quote after an accident. AAMI then arranged for his bike to be picked up and delivered to their "preferred repairer" for another quote. The first place quoted all original parts, the second repairer quoted to Repair/Paint the damaged parts. Guess who got the job?, his Bike cost him 10k and wasn't even a year old !!
Make sure you read the small print before committing to any insurer.

 

[MercNewbie]

Anyone interested in sharing insurance companies that you are using for your A or plan on using for your A if you are still waiting?

I checked with our current insurer (youi) and fully optioned was very similar to our current 5yold c30

 

[joyjas77]

Make sure you read the small print before committing to any insurer.

Yes quite important, that's why I feel it is handy to use a forum like this as others have had experiences or have read the PDS. It will save everyone some legwork and reading every PDS which seems like the size of the average Stephen King novel. And let us narrow this down to read the PDS of just a few insurers.

By the way has anyone had a quote for MB insurance?

I'm a little nervous changing insurance at the moment as I've been accident and claim free for best part of 20 years and had a small claim last year for less than $2k (figured it was quite a bit more than my excess so I claimed), but it dropped my rating and every insurance company asks have you had a claim in the last 5 years.