Family member looking at A Class autos - which year is safe?

[clk208]

Hi all,

Family member is looking at recent but previous stylie A-Class as a runabout, thinking along the lines of around 2009-2010 onwards.

I recall on the original A-class, any auto transmission woes were a major headache and in most cases rendered the car beyond economic repair as you needed to dismantle the whole car to get at it.

Did this situation improve in later models?!

Any advice much appreciated!

 

[grober]

The second generation W169 model uses a CVT type auto transmission. I believe there were some problems with this box and the dual mass flywheel on the early diesel models. Most transmission problems are an engine+gearbox out of the car job. The W169 model has proved to be much more reliable than the W168. Mercedes-Benz A-Class - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

from honest john http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz/a-class-w169-2005/?section=bad
quote :- 18-8-2011: Autotronic CVT valve bodies are starting to fail after 6 years and around 70k miles. Cost around £1,250 to replace.

ps:- its debatable whether this "profile" is very different from many other similar small automatics from other manufacturers

 

[mejermy]

My wife loves her W169 A160 diesel auto bought new in 2007, but which has now only 42000 miles on it, so not a comprehensive trial. If buying new and keeping the car up to scratch yourself it may be fine, but I would be very careful about used. Grober's observation is correct, and the smallest repair which would be simple on rear wheel drive MBs can require such extensive labour due to other component removal (including engine and gearbox) that I wouldn't have one. Mind you, that comment applies to many euroboxes where all the kit is crammed into a small area.

 

[npuk]

Would say go for a post facelift (MY09) W169 so 2009 / 2010 one is fine. Any CVT issue I have read has been on early W169 models.