Greedy A Class. Advice please

[Mr A Class]

Hi I wonder if any of you guys can give me some advice. I have just bought a Mercedes A190 Auto year 2000. It's only done 26K miles and has full Merc service history. The last service being done 300 miles ago. It appears to have two problems which may or may not be connected ?
1) Sometimes it smells of petrol when I put the air con on. I've checked under the bonet etc and there is a smell of petrol but no sign of any leaks.
2) It seems to use loads of petrol. I'm getting at most 50 miles per quater tank (about 13.5 litres) I can almost see the needle going down !! My driving style is quite reserved, however I do quite a lot of short journeys

Where do I start to look ? or would it be advisable for me just to take it to a Merc garage and put it on the computer ?

Thank you all in advance.
Bob

 

[Dieselman]

It certainly sounds like you have a fuel leak. Get it into a garage asap for them to have a look for the source.

 

[jaymanek]

i have seen a lot of mercedes leak fuel, especially after they have not been used for a while.

i blame the silly clips they use to secure the pipes.. jus get some proper jubilee clips and you will be well away..