Fuel economy A160 results

[theogeor]

When we planned our nexy visit to Dijon to our friends we decided that this time we should take my wifes A160 petrol and not my 911 due to space and comfort. I reluctantly accepted. Yesterday we left home in the very early hours getting the train at 5:42. Car was fully loaded with wife and mids us bags so I decided I was going to drive economically. To my surprise we ba managed to do all 504 miles in one tank of letrol with real economy of 42mpg. By tbe wY as tge kids and wife were happy I did the french leg non stop at steady speed. During the tril we were overtaken 2-3 times by other fellow Brits driving bigger and faster cars. It was funny that couple of them notice that it was second or third time that tgey overtook us. Well tgey had to stol for fuel we did not . All the credit to the car nit only it was comfortable for a long trip but economical as well. Top marks for a small car
By the way the only reason I accepted driving the A160 ratver my 911 is the ability to bring more wine back. So far I spent 500 euros for 24 Premier Gru bottles so all fuel savings are now gone

 

[Howard]

500 miles in an A class deserves a medal , and that comes from someone who owns one.

And you gave up a 911 trip to do it !

 

[theogeor]

Sorry for spelling mistakes. ..just notice ...problem when using a mobile to post. ..

 

[rhud]

I predict that the much-maligned W169 A Class will improve its reputation with age. Bit like the Audi A2.

 

[igk1]

The salesman who sold me my E Class was driving one - he rated it, I think they're nice...

 

[theogeor]

As I said other than the lack of power compared with my 911 (I kniw is not a fair comparison) the car we got for city driving and school run on its first long trip behaved like a proper size Merc. At no point we felt that we were driving a small car with comfort been top and like a much bigger car thus been able to drive for 6h without stop. And I agree that the w169 especially the latest and well equipped models will be appreciated a lot more now that are not available as new.

 

[theogeor]

Came back last night after our European holiday. Overall I can say I was impressed with the A160 (w169) as this was its first proper long trip within two years of ownership. Key points were
1. A lot of space for a car of its size including boot space. Having test driven the new A class is much superior than the new model. Not only I manage to have the whole family stuff with us for 10 days but also brought back 36 bottles of the finest burgundy wine
2. Comfort levels are fantastic and comparable with much bigger cars. Never felt that I was driving a small car and managed to do a lot of non stop legs of 5-6 hours at a time
3. Having a luxury dual zone climate control rather than the basic is a big benefit. One of the options that my wife will always want in her car. Make the whole trip more comfortable so will be on the list for the next car in a years time
4. Fuel economy was overall very good and on the way to Dijon I have managed fantastic fuel economy and did the whole trip in one tank. On the way to Disney for the second part the fuel economy dropped as I was driving at higher speed but also was more loaded (wine at the back) Overall a 39MPG is not bad considering the load and speeds I was traveling. A diesel of course will be much better ... so its something to think off however the engine noise was next to nothing which is something important for some.

Last thing just before Eurotunnel I saw an error warning me about front left dip beam light...Great I had spare bulbs and quickly changed it before became dark.. Nice feature to have by the way and should be standard in all cars...I see endless cars with faulty lights and that is very dangerous

Overall as I said at the beginning I was super impressed with the car... Maybe I will have second thoughts changing it next year...

Theo

 

[rhud]

I haven't tried the new A Class,but in fairness it is a completely different car aimed at different (especially younger) customers. It may do very well - perhaps better than the W169 - but as for me I'm delighted that MB stuck with the original for as long as they did and got it pretty much right in the end.

 

[kingdave]

Overall a 39MPG is not bad considering the load and speeds I was traveling. A diesel of course will be much better ... so its something to think off however the engine noise was next to nothing which is something important for some.

My wife has a diesel W169 and we use that for long journeys when it's big enough for fuel economy reasons over my 124 estate. Completely agree that the space inside the w169 and general refinement around town is amazing.

We do have a couple of minor gripes though:-
- the turning circle is rubbish which seems a bit weird for a city type car.
- Ours was an ex-demo specced without leccy folding mirrors which means they are fixed and don't fold at all. Very annoying - wish it had the £100 option from the factory because retro fit was thousands so we didn't bother. It is quite a wide car which helps on the space front.
- The fuel economy on our A160 CDi (cvt auto) is a bit poor (not significantly different to your petrol figures). It is possible I am jinxing this by trying to get the thing to go.
- The engine is loud and gutless, hence I am probably revving the nuts off it and killing any efficiency gains.



If you are comfortable cruising in the A160 petrol, I would stick with that and not wish for the diesel. Perhaps the A180 is better, but I really expect a bit more from a 2litre (both A160 and A180 are essentially the same 2l unit). After all, the beemer 520/320d posse on the motorway don't seem to be held back!

Maybe I should get mine chipped.

My whinging aside, I do hope the W169 gets the recognition it deserves one day, for it's excellent packaging - I do actually really like it!

 

[rhud]

Agreed on all points. I find the petrol version fine - not especially frugal,but quiet. I am a low mileage person, so some of the advantages of diesel do not apply. The mirror thing is absurd. When I ordered my 2nd, folding mirrors option was top of my list of extras. The 2008 facelift made the mirrors bigger (good). Why didn't they make them manually fold at the same time?

 

[theogeor]

The options my wife wanted on top of the already well equipped Avantgarde were
1. Electric folding mirrors
2. Luxury dual zone climate control
3. Parctronic mainly for the parking sensors

Been a mid 2011 model it was already mature and improved over the earlier models. My wife is already against changing it....And I agree with the comments that the w169 will be now really appreciated and good latest samples will maintain their value.