I purchased my Merc A140 from Mercedes Direct in August 2004, it was a green one and had 17k on the clock, on an Avantgarde trim. Recently though I've sold it and now feel its appropriate to list the pros and cons of this particular model
Size & Space
For a start, I bought the long-wheel ... Read review
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A review by omar360 on Mercedes A140 Long August 1st, 2006
Author's Car rating:
Safety
Excellent
Comfort
Good
Road Handling
Satisfactory
Looks
Satisfactory
Features
Good
Advantages:
Driving position, boot & rear space
Disadvantages:
Service costs, steering response, visibility
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full car review
I purchased my Merc A140 from Mercedes Direct in August 2004, it was a green one and had 17k on the clock, on an Avantgarde trim. Recently though I've sold it and now feel its appropriate to list the pros and cons of this particular model
Size & Space
For a start, I bought the long-wheel base version, this gave it approximately 20cm extra space, yeah I know doesn't sound like much but compared with the short-wheel base (which i also drove) there is a sense of more space. I'd recommend anyone to go for the long-base one. I easily managed to get 5 adults in the car (including me) numerous times and not one complained of space. The boot was a good decent sized one and because it was a hatchback there was no trouble putting the shopping or occasional IKEA flatpack in it. The manual reckons all but the drivers seat is removable giving it acres of space, i can't comment because i never tried but the family in the brochure look pleased with this feature. Parked up against the likes of Focus' and Golfs' the A140 doesn't look huge or out of place and one feels that mercedes had tried to cater this to that market.
Handling and Performance and safely
I think that overall it was about a C+, a good effort but could have been much better. The 1.4, i felt did, at times struggle with motorway speeds and overtaking on narrow lanes always proved to be a mission. I think the 1.6 would be better for the open road. In town the 1.4 coped fine, it kept pace with the traffic and could take the corners well enough. It was however letdown by the handling; i found it quite unresponsive and gave the feeling that you were never 100% in control, this was even the case at low speeds and in reverse. I just never kelt connected to the car and the road. I'm not sure what the economy was like, I'd put a tenner in and it got me about 60-70miles - hard to say now that a tenner gets you so little petrol Mine came with about 6 airbags, ABS and an alarm, the doors locked at 20mph so you're never worried. I never woke up in the moringing fearing that i was unsafe, the car is a solid build and worth paying a bit more for
The Rest
One thing i hated about my car was the visibility, it ranged from annoying to dangerous, the A-piller (right of the drivers side) is huge and coming up to junctions, you could easily miss a car or a person, same with the C-piller (?) - the back left, i mean parking on the wrong side of the road it was very difficult to see cars coming from behind. The visibility issue, i thing is huge and really should be sorted. Not the most sporty of looking cars, more of a minibus, but it was n't catered for the youth and their body kits. Of course being a Mercedes and less than 3yrs old, I followed the regime of main-dealer service, I know Ouch! It stung to the tune of several hundred pounds a go. But i'll give them this, the car never once even gave a hint that something was wrong and it always worked perfectly.
So there it is, my mercedes - poor visibility, high service costs, high driving position, reliable and safe. So in a nutshell If you're thinking about buying one, please get the long-wheel version, if you're going to do many motorway miles get a bigger engine.
Advantages: Spaciousness, visibility, relatively low running costs Disadvantages: classic version is a little basic for a mercedes, but with cd and aircon added I'm happy
...base in December 03 from mercedes benz direct with 20k on the clock (just under 2 years old). Rather more than i had wanted mileage wise, but only 1 previous owner and immaculate with a pretty good price (9k). Service from MB direct was great, but I had to struggle to get extras like mats and extra tax etc.
In six months I have driven approx 8k miles both on motorways and country tracks ( i use it for work) , and apart from wishing I had traded ... ...very happy - I imagine having the A140 is keeping the petrol costs down. On mixed driving (town and country) I average about 450 miles for a full tank (£38) - which compares favourably with my old car a Ford Ka.
We all love the roomy interior and the limo like leg space in the back, and I love the driving position which is higher and gives more visibility than a hatchback/saloon. Its due for a service soon and Im told this will cost approx £150 ...
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Advantages: It's amazingly versatile. Disadvantages: It's not cool. Finding a babychair to fit was difficult.
The A-class is a perfect car for me and my family.
I have a baby and a large dog. I can fit in the pushchair and the dog easily. Not to mention that when we travel for a weekend away everything just slips in the boot. Or if a more luggage is needed the the chairs can just be folded down in seconds. It is the most versatile car that I have ever had.
It is amazingly comfortable as well. Even with the babyseat in the car will take 4 adult passengers. ... ...backwards position is definitely roomy. If more space is needed then still when folded forwards there is still as much roon in an average 5 door car.
It is economical to run. The cost of ownership is fantastically low. All of that and it si as safe as house. In my opinion it is definitely worth the extra money for the long wheel base as it increases your options immeasurably. ...
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Advantages: Greater room than standard Disadvantages: None over than the normal A Class
This is a review of my Long Wheel Base (LWB) A-Class (now sold) over the Short Wheel Base (SWB) which I still own.
*News* - the new model A-Class has increased in size to the equivalent of the old LWB model. This review is for all those out there who may consider a second hand purchase of the old (pre 2005) model.
The LWB model adds 170 mm to the overall length of the SWB model. Whilst this may not seem much, it is an appreciable difference internally, ... ...spacious mini-MPV. This is still a very small car which is easy to park and manoever around town. With the front seats in use, rear foot space is tight (especially with a 5'10" driver) in the SWB model. The LWB extra space translates into a significant improvement in rear leg room during normal use.
This equates to an executive class space in the rear footwell.
** The LWB is great if you tend to carry adult passengers in the rear seats **
The ...
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Advantages: space. easy to park. good visibility. economic. good service support Disadvantages: noisy
...This new addition to the household arrived in January and is the A140Long in white. Our first Mercedes and I had some concerns but my wife was oblivious as she has wanted one for three years. It falls in line with most of the write ups and is really good around town; hav'nt tried it on along run yet. Had problems initially with the battery running flat & triggering the security system, still not certain why . However, Mercedes after sales support is phenomenal. The battery is under the drivers foot plate and not easy to acess for jump leads. Seems a bit light on the road and on corners but this may be just a perception issue being seated high up and moving from a diesel Volvo 440. It certainly comes into its own when the seats come out and its used in a 'utility' mode; amazing what you can get in. Pulls a small trailer comfortably...
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05.06.2004
