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C class or CLA???

Merco34

Active Member
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Mar 22, 2008
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Just looking into buying a 2015 C class or CLA....is the C class really better equipped than the CLA??

With regards to MB petrol engines are they relatively reliable and trouble free?? I have seen a CLA with a 180 122bhp motor in it....any opinions. or should I just keep to the 200 /220 diesel units? I s their any buying guides?

Thanks alot

Any other help really helpful.
 
The CLA (C117) is a 4-door coupe based on the A-Class and B-Class floor pans.

The C-Class (W205) is a proper saloon.

The C-Class will be more spacious, especially for passengers at the rear.

The CLA will be smaller, lower, lighter, and more agile, hence more sporty.

Another point to consider is that the smaller CLA will have FWD, while the bigger and heavier C-Class will have RWD.

So if you are looking for a roomy cruiser for 5 occupants, the C-Class is your better option. But is space is not an issue and you are looking for a smaller more agile car, the CLA will fit the bill.

Also, the C-Class is very common among fleet buyers, so I suspect there will be an oversupply of used C-Class which will drive prices down, compared to the less-common CLA, but I am not sure.

Either way, be wary of the panoramic roof option, they are great but also take-up head space, this won't be an issue for everyone but do check that you fit in the car comfortably.
 
Thanks alot!!!! anything to look out for on the petrol engine side of things?

Thnak Markjay
 
With regards engines, in some parts of the UK (London, for one) Diesel is essentially dead.... :)

If buying an early petrol example, make sure it's the M270/M274 engine, and not the older M271 which it prone to fatal timing gear failure.

The M270/M274 petrol engine does not suffer from any particular issues, however the thermostat is an expensive electronic part that sits in an awkward position under the engine, replacing it will cost £900 at a dealer, so make sure that the car gets to 80 degrees within 10 minutes then does not go down below 80 at any point during the test drive.

If the car is an Approved Used car from an MB dealer, just check with the dealer to ensure that any thermostat issues will be covered by the one-year warranty.
 
Personally based on nothing but looks the C Class wins hands down. The original CLA looks terrible in my personal opinion.

Not entirely constructive I know but the new CLA is genuinely a good looking car, the original just looks awkward.
 
...Not entirely constructive I know but the new CLA is genuinely a good looking car, the original just looks awkward.

The new CLA (late 2018 onwards) is also bigger than the original one.
 
Even though I love the CLA shape (especially the estate), I’d have to go for the C-Class simply for the fact it’s RWD.
 
Must admit the C class seems to have a better interioir.....
 
Personally based on nothing but looks the C Class wins hands down. The original CLA looks terrible in my personal opinion.

I agree entirely; I was passed on the motorway by one the other day, and from alongside, looking forwards, the front in particular is remarkably ghastly. My first thought was: "Jeez, who signed that off in the design department; Stevie Wonder?"
 
£900 for a thermostat!!!!! Use to £10-12, 2 or 3 bolts and hose clip.
 
£900 for a thermostat!!!!! Use to £10-12, 2 or 3 bolts and hose clip.
On my W203 fitted with the older M271 engine, it was a traditional Wahler wax thermostat, the part was cheap and I replaced it myself.

But on my W204 with the newer M274 engine, the thermostat only comes as a complete unit including housing and some internal electric bits, costing £100+.

Then, the dealer quoted 3h Labour, plus new coolant. It's located under the engine in an awkward position, and quite a lot of dismantling is required to get to it.
 
I agree entirely; I was passed on the motorway by one the other day, and from alongside, looking forwards, the front in particular is remarkably ghastly. My first thought was: "Jeez, who signed that off in the design department; Stevie Wonder?"

Yet they are surprisingly popular, that said so is the Nissan Juke and that's an utter dog egg of a car!

I was fully expecting to dislike the new CLA but by contrast they seem to have got that very right and I would imagine in a nice colour/wheel combination the CLA45 would look really good. Ironically where the first one tried to be a mini CLS and failed, the new CLA looks better than the new CLS which doesn't look as good! haha
 
On my W203 fitted with the older M271 engine, it was a traditional Wahler wax thermostat, the part was cheap and I replaced it myself.

But on my W204 with the newer M274 engine, the thermostat only comes as a complete unit including housing and some internal electric bits, costing £100+.

Then, the dealer quoted 3h Labour, plus new coolant. It's located under the engine in an awkward position, and quite a lot of dismantling is required to get to it.

To replace the thermostat on my CLK M272 was well over £100
 
A neighbour has it new CLA and it does look good. I can see why younger buyers would prefer it to the C class. The new CLA is now actually longer than the C class where as the reverse was true for the older CLA. Bizarrely there is a 3rd option which is the A class saloon. It's 5" shorter and has more head room in the back but is otherwise so similar to the CLA you wonder why they bothered.
 
Bizarrely there is a 3rd option which is the A class saloon. It's 5" shorter and has more head room in the back but is otherwise so similar to the CLA you wonder why they bothered.

I think the A Class has ended up being a very effective competitor to the Golf. Customers prefer the hatch form factor.

My view having had A and C on hire is that the A is quite a nice package. It's a larger car than many would maybe think. But the C is a nicer car overall. I think it's nicer to drive on A and B roads than the A Class.

The C Class is competent but despite that is left feeling a bit old as a model - in need of an update. The new 3 Series is more attractive. And you really feel the C is from another generation if you experience the current E class.
 
I suspect the C class on standard suspension will also have a more comfortable ride than any of the A class based models. There is a clear difference in the age range that these cars are aimed at. I have no need for a car bigger than the A class but would always choose the Class unless they produced a more softly sprung A class. Another difference is A class autos are dual clutch vs torque converter for the C class.
 
Another difference is A class autos are dual clutch vs torque converter for the C class.

Good point.

The dual clutch setup is smooth enough once underway but IME not so tactile or controllable when pulling away on poor surfaces. (To be fair to MB the same criticism applies to the VW Golf auto).
 
Its a dificult one tbh, Its going to be more or less my wifes car, so she might not need a larger C class......saying that the A class might be a touch too small, where as the CLA would fit in the middle. I would also get it E85 programmed as here in France you can find E 85 everywhere.
 

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