Bought the car couple of years ago with 6000 miles on the clock (Avantgarde style, model w203 ), and it's still running smoothly with 16k miles on the clock now. Albeit the crashes I've had (first one by a cat running in front and the second by someone hitting my side as they were pulling out of a side road), this car is the dogs bollocks. It looks cool and drives pretty well for a saloon of this class. I would have gone for either a BMW 3-series coupe or saloon, but everyone's got one of them... I wanted something different. Safety is great, with more airbags than I count in the front and the back. The built in sound system is v. good, giving some deep rumbling bass with the right tracks (Need for Speed Underground is great with it) The standard suspension is a bit soft, and would recommend the sports suspension and parameter steering. Leather is also a must option (with heated seats), as is climate control. I wouldn't bother with the patrktronic (parking aid), as this car is a doddle to park. It aint that big to too drive! The automatic is god damn smooth and would recommend it (it does have gear changing abilities too!). The auto's on other cars suck badly compared to this. I've onl;y had two incidences with regards to getting keyed, nothing major - which is good. Fuel consumption does suck a bit, for a 2.6l v6, with an average 12miles per day (mostly stuck in traffic to wimbledon), i pay about £80-100 a month. With that in mind, I should have bought the 3.2l v6 - in for a penny, in for a pound. Driving from South London to Manchester gives me around 25 to 30mpg, and this is me with my 'heavy' foot. Servicing is as you'd expect from Mercedes - pricey - but so is BMW. Minor servicing is £250ish and a major is £500 (every 10k miles). You don't get much for a Merc, and you'd have to buy all the extra gadgets. I didn't go for the GPS system, as a/ it was expensive, and b/ I needed it for two cars c/ updated maps. For that I am using a spare Ipaq 3600, with TomTom Navigator and GPS, with is far superior, and has updated maps and all the UK speed cameras on file. Insurance is cheap too, if you go to the right insurance company. For me It's under £800 with me as a main driver and my dad as a secondary driver. Customer service for these guys is ok,(esp when doing test drives), but could be better from their servicing team. Certain individuals from the Croydon branch mar this otherwise good experience.
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Mercedes A-Class - Hatchback - Front (FWD) - 6 Speed - (Man) / Autotronic - (Auto) - 1992 cc - Max Speed: 116 mph - 109 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: Elegance SE, Classic SE, Classic, Avantgarde SE, Long
Well i've added the reasons. One of them being a cat running in front of me at when I was going round a corner. scared the crap outta me, and i avoided and oops. hit the wall. Second was a driver pulling out of a side road, and then hitting me on the side as I was driving past. I got my NCB back on that one.
anwar 10.07.2004 21:53
But does it make you a good,safe driver?! Sounds like you need to settle down if you are having accidents-or causing them! Ann
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