All things w168

[Edd1968]

Yes, I tried to find those separate seats for the rear too - no luck.
Got myself a very nice grey nappa leather interior though, so was happy with that ...

Here's that rear armrest, just to tease you a little bit

and the A210 door handles with the front armrest:

Obviously, I couldn't leave the armrest unmodified (USB port and carbon lining):

One other mod I can recommend - rear wiper from a W245 (suggested at the time by a fellow member here) - looks better, and fits without any alterations:

Oh, and the bonnet star:

Ive also been playing around with different colour instrument lights. But I've reverted back to the original as the cheap Chinese leds kept failing

 

[grober]

Originally the sandwich floor on these was reputedly designed to accomodate battery packs for an electric version but Mercedes bottled it. The double floor embued the small car bodyshell with great strength for its size but did raise its centre of gravity somewhat. Following the notorious elk test roll over ESC was fitted a standard [ braking the inside rear wheel in a corner ] and a slightly lowered suspension roll stiffness was increased but unfortunately gave the car the ride characteristics of a roller skate which subsequent refinement could never really combat. Its perhaps no surprise then that when Mercedes designed the new W176 A class they turned to Renault to assist in the platform design. Some say this was to improve chassis compliance the more cynical that Renault simply knew how to build smaller cars cheaper! The W168/169 were full of technical innovation and command a loyal following- they are just not for everyone.

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[Edd1968]

... Hehe, yes this video did nothing for the first car's reputation!

 

[Edd1968]

Originally the sandwich floor on these was reputedly designed to accomodate battery packs for an electric version but Mercedes bottled it. The double floor embued the small car bodyshell with great strength for its size but did raise its centre of gravity somewhat. Following the notorious elk test roll over ESC was fitted a standard [ braking the inside rear wheel in a corner ] and a slightly lowered suspension roll stiffness was increased but unfortunately gave the car the ride characteristics of a roller skate which subsequent refinement could never really combat. Its perhaps no surprise then that when Mercedes designed the new W176 A class they turned to Renault to assist in the platform design. Some say this was to improve chassis compliance the more cynical that Renault simply knew how to build smaller cars cheaper! The W168/169 were full of technical innovation and command a loyal following- they are just not for everyone.

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I have actually tried this with my car both pre and post suspension upgrade.
The electronic systems really work well but with the better Suspension components now fitted, slightly wider track etc you'd never know its C of G is half a foot higher!

 

[GLK]

Like all the mods
I would love one of the rear armrest/storage boxes, mini A-class. I have the front one. Interested to know what head unit you fitted though, double din?

It was a generic double-DIN Xtrons unit, with no satnav by choice (to avoid overheating and software slowdown), worked well for over four years, and I believe is still working today, another three + years on. I even made a custom USB drive for it, to plug directly into its mini-USB port, he he.

I had to make the adapter fascia myself out of C-class frame and a piece of "carbon-like" ABS sheet. And I seriously dislike those fascias / adapters / frames, etc. That's why for the current car I went for a model-specific unit: fills the entire space and just plug-and-play.

What's the red led (I presume) above the drivers air vent on the right?

It was a Scorpion alarm system, which main dealers used to fit back then - that car was a Y-reg (2001).

Funnily enough, a w245 rear wiper is winging its way to me as I type this. Just bought one!
Did you retro fit the cruise control I've seen alot of Autos with it. Mines not got it but I have looked into the task of retro fitting and just can't be bothered with all the electrics. Fitting stalks is easy, it's the other gubbins that I need to sort out.

The cruise control was factory fitted on this one.
The pre-facelift A190 from Japan didn't have it (but had all the other boxes ticked, incl folding mirrors and CDC).

Looks very nice in there. I'm sure you got good money for it when you sold it.

Only £250 more, than I paid for it four and a half years previously

 

[Flyinspanner]

Does anyone need a full leather interior? Just saw this

Mercedes A Class W168 Interior Full Set, Full Black Leather Seats Front and Rear | eBay

 

[Edd1968]

Nice condition

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Rather than an A38, how about retrofitting the M112k from the C32 and SLK32?

2002 Mercedes-Benz A32K AMG | Review | SuperCars.net

 

[Edd1968]

Yeah, I know. Would love that.
The A32k AMG was a very heavy car (for it's size) and those guys at HWA modified the sh*t out of the chassis to fit it and its drive train. Compare where it's steering wheel sits and where the standard one sits, the bulkhead was moved at least 6-8" back. And you can see how much further back the seats are mounted to compensate for this....
Amazing thing though. Stupid money also. I'm sure I read somewhere about £200k price tag. Could be mistaken though.

 

[GLK]

Wow, that's what I call a mod!

Has anything similarly spectacular ever been done with W169? I don't even need rear seats

 

[Edd1968]

Dunno but how about this if you don't need your rear seats.....

... Big fat amp and subwoofer

 

[Edd1968]

Not seen anything done with the 169.
I love the idea of ludicrously yet beautifully executed souped up small car.

 

[GLK]

Ha-ha, yes I like the idea too.

As to a crazy sound setup - I actually have a reasonable Bose subwoofer in my spare wheel, as a factory option, however at some point, I'm going to dynomatt the car, replace all the speakers and add an amp, though it might be a tad smaller, than the one pictured.

 

[Edd1968]

I have been umming & aaing about whether eventually go for a set of the wheels fitted to the A32k and A38. The A32k wheels are nicked off the C32 AMG and the A38 sat on SLK AMG. Both will fit onto my car as long as I fit the correct rolling diameter tyres. I use a great online tool www.willtheyfit.com
Just found a set of C32 wheels on ebay but they are nearly £700!!! And need a refurb!

 

[clk320x]

Just found a set of C32 wheels on ebay

@Bobby Dazzler was selling a set before, Rob you still got em?

 

[Edd1968]

I had the Bose system in my first one back in '04
Seen a whole set on German ebay but they want £286 for it!! Just can't justify that when I'd rather uprate other parts

 

[Edd1968]

@Bobby Dazzler was selling a set before, Rob you still got em?

Really, these wheels?

 

[Edd1968]

Ha-ha, yes I like the idea too.

As to a crazy sound setup - I actually have a reasonable Bose subwoofer in my spare wheel, as a factory option, however at some point, I'm going to dynomatt the car, replace all the speakers and add an amp, though it might be a tad smaller, than the one pictured.

I'll have your bose amp when yer done with it!

 

[GLK]

I'll have your bose amp when yer done with it!

I have a strange option - extra speakers, subwoofer, but no extra amp - was very simple to fit an aftermarket head unit though, so am not complaining

 

[clk320x]

was very simple to fit an aftermarket head unit though, so am not complaining

Everyone likes a challenge! Time to add a dedicated amp