A-class (W168) - gearbox options

[wemorgan]

I'm tempted by an A-class (W168) diesel, but I'm a bit confused by the various gearbox options. Could someone please explain them to me.

I think there are 3/4 flavours:

manual - easy enough to understand
semi-auto - is this essentially a manual gearbox with automatic clutch actuator, as in Smart cars?
ACS - same as semi-auto?
auto - just like normal MB autos with a torque converter?

Does the semi-auto have a manual style gear stick that you have to change, or is it similar to an auto gear lever with P,R,N,D?

Last question.......which type is the most reliable if any?

Thanks.

edit: mods, sorry for not putting this in the 'engine' section......feel free to move it if toy have time. Thanks.

 

[kwakdonut]

I'm tempted by an A-class (W168) diesel, but I'm a bit confused by the various gearbox options. Could someone please explain them to me.

I think there are 3/4 flavours:

manual - easy enough to understand
semi-auto - is this essentially a manual gearbox with automatic clutch actuator, as in Smart cars?
ACS - same as semi-auto?
auto - just like normal MB autos with a torque converter?

Does the semi-auto have a manual style gear stick that you have to change, or is it similar to an auto gear lever with P,R,N,D?

Last question.......which type is the most reliable if any?

Thanks.

The W169!!

The later A Class is way better than the original.

Don't know about the 168, but the 169 can be fitted with a CVT Autobox as well as a manual.

The 168 had a lot of issues that seem to have been addressed by the newer model. Although, must admit that ours has been back to MB for warranty work on the gearbox (Valve body and torque converter both replaced).

 

[wemorgan]

Unfortunately my budget (~£2k) would limit me to a W168. If the W168 is too much of a gamble I may look for a Focus, or similar, instead.

 

[kwakdonut]

As much as I like MB's, the first A Class was a bit of a dog - you might be better of with a Focus or similar.

Don't know of any other 168 owners on here.....

 

[kwakdonut]

Auto Trader is turning up a few, price wise £1.5 to £2k, circa +100,000 miles.

The engines aren't too bad - I just think they never shook the 'stigma' of failing that 'moose test'!!

 

[wemorgan]

Thanks.
I've been looking on Autotrader myself and the cars seem to represent good VFM. But I guess it's only good VFM if they are also reliable.

I've read some posts about high cost of maintenance due to the engine packaging, so I'm initially wary.

My initial feeling is that the manual would be the most reliable and cheapest to maintain, but it would be good to hear from current owners too

 

[kwakdonut]

Yes, because of the 'sandwich' safety design, the engine/gearbox has to come out for all but the most mundane jobs. Imagine having to drop engine and gearbox to change a starter motor or turbo.

Interiors on the 168 are drab and of poor quality.

For anyone going from a C or E to an A Class, especially the 168, you will be disappointed with the lack of toys. our 169 was an ex-demonstrator with all but the most expensive toys installed - it has A/C, parktronic, cruise - I think you will have trouble finding these on a 168 in your price bracket!

Also, they have a 'normal' handbrake too! How quaint!!

 

[jaymanek]

Hi mate,

The auto's are a big no no.. They boxes are rubbish.. Semi Autos seem to be ok but a bit strange to drive..

I would go for a normal manual.. the diesels are good engines..

Only issues are:
- MAF is integrated with the ECU and cost is now around £600 IIRC
- Any engine work such as starter or alternator is a pain as the engine has to be dropped out..

but overall they are representing good VFM at the mo.

 

[blondebier]

Don't know of any other 168 owners on here.....

We've got one... the rarer A160 cdi. It's a great little car when I am around to drive it.

I was sorry to see the back of the W124 but Mrs B wanted a smaller car as junior is coming along soon and this one ticked all the boxes for her. It did take a little bit of getting used to but now I love the little thing.

It always does over 50MPG. On our recent holiday to Cornwall we got 60MPG! ~ just over 600 miles out of a tank.

I can't comment on the other gear boxes, but we've got a manual and gear changes are really smooth.

The best bit is that it only costs £35 a year to tax!

 

[wemorgan]

It always does over 50MPG. On our recent holiday to Cornwall we got 60MPG! ~ just over 600 miles out of a tank.

The best bit is that it only costs £35 a year to tax!

Yep....that's exactly what I'm after too

 

[blondebier]

Yep....that's exactly what I'm after too

It did take a little while to find this one, but they do come up occasionally. There are loads of A170's about, but as they are a little (i.e. 25BHP) more powerful, they chuck out more gas, hence more money for Mr Darling.
IIRC £120. Still it's better than most.

 

[NewMB]

Don't forget to check with MB if it's been modified since the famous "Elk" test in Sweden. The journo broke 3 ribs and sholderblade at 30 mph.....

 

[wemorgan]

Does anybody know how the semi-auto gearbox works?

Do you get a manual style gear lever with an automatic clutch actuator?

Or is an automatic gear level with paddle shift?

 

[kwakdonut]

Don't forget to check with MB if it's been modified since the famous "Elk" test in Sweden. The journo broke 3 ribs and sholderblade at 30 mph.....

From what I've heard, the 168 originally pass the test at the required speed but it turned over at 55mph! This was well in excess of what was required but MB still thought it serious enough to recall the first batch and fit Stability Control to them and all the successive ones.

To be honest, I would expect ANY car to be somewhat twitchy @ 55mph when a violent manoever is carried out!

 

[blondebier]

We don't have to worry too much about Elk down in Sussex... we do have some deer on the Ashdown Forest but they are little more sensible than elk!

They soon get out of the way with a blast of the horn!

 

[A210AMG]

Hello


I thought all A class's were modified after the elk test?

I know I've certainly chucked my wifes round some elk infested roundaboputs and it hangs on no problems

Wife has had her A210 W168 for nearly three years, great car its a LWB so loads of room, does over 40mpg (manual 2.1) and looks great.

Brothers wife have a A170cdi, avantguade with full roof, again manual and they love it. 50mpg easy

They get a bad report on here but since owning ours its been cheap motoring.

Brothers wifes..

Ours

 

[wemorgan]

Hello


I thought all A class's were modified after the elk test?

I know I've certainly chucked my wifes round some elk infested roundaboputs and it hangs on no problems

Wife has had her A210 W168 for nearly three years, great car its a LWB so loads of room, does over 40mpg (manual 2.1) and looks great.

Brothers wife have a A170cdi, avantguade with full roof, again manual and they love it. 50mpg easy

Thanks........those look like nice cars you have there.

The good cabin space with removable seats is one of the things that appeals to me........flexibility.

40mpg from the A210 sounds impressive too.....I had initially only considered the diesel but that 2.1 petrol sounds good.....not sure I could handle the 1.4 petrol.

In all honestly I think I rather have an Audi A2.....but I'm keen to learn more about the A-class....especially as they are so cheap.

 

[NewMB]

From what I've heard, the 168 originally pass the test at the required speed but it turned over at 55mph! This was well in excess of what was required but MB still thought it serious enough to recall the first batch and fit Stability Control to them and all the successive ones.

To be honest, I would expect ANY car to be somewhat twitchy @ 55mph when a violent manoever is carried out!

Unfortunately, not entirely correct.

I was reading the mag at the time - being Swedish (it was also all over the news). A "good" car must make it at 70 km/h (43 mph) and a "great" car at 80 km/h (50 mph). The A class went over below this speeds.

MB recalled all A classes and did something to the suspension and fitted bigger/fatter tyres. As you say, they also fitted stability control.

The Elk test represents not only avoidance of elks, but the main objective is to measure how good any car is to avoid animals and more importantly people and children. On Swedish country roads the speed limit is either 70 or 90 km/h.

Personally I do think that any car should manage a quick manouvre at 50 mph without a problem.

As a note, even the East German Trabant managed the test......

 

[NewMB]

Hello


I thought all A class's were modified after the elk test?

Yes they were.

 

[A210AMG]

The wife gets 40mpg... I don't

Its a very lazy engine though, and I think its quite a light car so that helps.

I like the Audi A2's but they don't do a LWB model and the normal one is a fair bit smaller.

If you can and both the a class and A2 have them see if you like the full sunroof, its great I wish the wifes had it.