Driving 59 plate A160 SE

[Mike Walker]

Have had the above for 10 days as a courtesy car whilst my W203 was having wheel arches repaired thanks to MB Bromley Kent.

Driving the A Class was an interesting experience as it felt underpowered even with just me in it, steering was extremeley light and it also seemed to wander all over the place??

Took it back yesterday and the guy from the Coachworks said they have 10 on lease, together with 40!! new Fiestas. His opinion was similar to mine and he said fiesta was a much better drive.

Anyone had similar experiences as I was thinking about buying one -but not now - when our Punto got a bit older.

 

[SilverSaloon]

i've driven a few A classes (original ones and the latest shape). everytime i never quite feel like i'm in a mercedes.

the newest one was a decent drive IMO but just didnt have that mercedes feel you get out of a C class or above.

 

[A210AMG]

We like ours, quite nippy, loads of room and 40 plus mpg (2.1 petrol)

I think in the new shape you need the A180 / A200

 

[Dryce]

i've driven a few A classes (original ones and the latest shape). everytime i never quite feel like i'm in a mercedes.

I'm the opposite. If I turn up at an airport and it's late and dark and I trudge to the hire car and it's an A it's actually not a bad thing. I know the controls and switches and cruise control and AC/heater will all be in the right locations.

 

[Mudster]

Mrs M's A150 feels underpowered. But it's Her mobility vehicle so that's not a bad thing.

The steering does feel light and when I drive it I have to use the manual option on the auto box otherwise it's painfully slow.

A little bit more oomph makes it a good car.

I'm considering a B class for my parents due to ease of entry/exit. But I may get them an A class if they feel it's enough...it would have to be a 170 at a minimum though.

 

[Rory]

I had a brand-new one as a courtesy car the other day and thought it was horrible. I imagined you'd get used to it though - 10 days ought to be plenty of time.

I've had a B150 before and that was even worse.

 

[renault12ts]

I've driven the old A as a courtesy car. I found it heavy in the steering, but I have parameter steering in my E.

 

[louisv6]

<<snip>>

Driving the A Class was an interesting experience as it felt underpowered even with just me in it, steering was extremeley light and it also seemed to wander all over the place??

<<snip>>

Anyone had similar experiences as I was thinking about buying one -but not now - when our Punto got a bit older.

I had an A140 as a courtesy car when my last w203 was being fixed, and I'd agree that it was nice to find all the controls where I'm used to them being (because it's a Mercedes), and the inside was a nicer place to be than any other small car I might have been given.

I enjoyed the high driving position too, but it was woefully underpowered and I couldn't bring myself to buy one. Perhaps a diesel would be better?

 

[Mactech]

I've found A160's decent enough loan cars for the day, as long as you weren't going very far! There are much better cars of that size now and I would question the safety of a vehicle that you need a calendar to plan any overtaking

 

[MPG]

The last loan car I had was an 09 plate 3 door A150 with that 7 speed auto box. Have to say that the seats were uncomfortable, it had no acceleration regardless of the gear I chose & the interior materials weren't great. Couldn't fault ergonomics or the power of the A/C system, but could find an infinite number of ways to spend the cash on something I'd prefer.

 

[rossyl]

GF has a 2.1 A Class Evo - the first generation W168. 18" alloys, lots of toys and a lovely interior. It's the LWB version, and the rear seat legroom is immense.

Also given the size and weight of the car the 2.1 manual is more than enough, and it's very fun to drive.

 

[A170 Blue]

My (W169C) A180 has the 1.7 litre petrol engine and I find that the larger size engine performs well providing good acceleration and excellent motorway cruising.

When looking to buy my A Class I test drove the 1.5 litre engine version and found that to be slightly underpowered.

The A180 1.7 litre is the one to buy as the A200 2.0 litre version is no longer available in the UK

 

[kurtdaley]

I have been running an A180cdi which has been chipped up to 130bhp, plenty fast enough especially acceleration, steerings a bit vague but at the end of the day it's not a sports car.
45mpg overall as well