Mercedez-Benz A160

[Kelpie]

Hi there,

 

1. Anyone driving the A160 and would like to advise me on its cabin space, performance and fuel consumption, please?

 

2. It seems like a good value 1 to 2 years old 2nd hand hatchback to own.

 

Thank you.

 

Regards,

[Cheeze]

Hi, i've driven the Old A160 before. I assume you are talking about this car as you are looking at second hand cars.

 

Performance is so-so. The 1.6l engine have to work hard to get the heavy body moving. Handling is also so-so. Steering is heavy but somewhat muted. The high stance of the car means noticible body roll around corners. Tried it at the 99 bend .

 

The interior is spacious enough for 3 to seat at the back and it gives me an overall 'airy' feel to the cabin.

 

Hope this helps... just my experience and opinion when I drove this car.

[Arno]

Hi, everyone...

 

I want to ask something. Your information is very important to me.

I'll go to singapore in this December, i come from Indonesia.

 

Could you tell me where i can find a spare parts for my 1984's Mercedes Benz W 123???

 

please reply this email.

 

Thanks everyone

[Spas]

Do not buy the A160. Let's just say u're gonna be buying just the brand. And it's literally simply JUST that little three-pointed star repeated not more than a handful of times.

 

You're better off buying an Alfa 147, or another conti car within that 90-120k price range. Really. But that's if u're looking at buying a new one. But think u're going for a second hand A160 right? What's the price u were quoted?

 

Cabin space is nothing to shout about. The performance leaves little to be desired and fuel consumption is so-so. And if it's 2nd hand then it can't be better.

 

Mind if i ask if u're a lady? Cos if u are a guy, i'd say the A-Class wouldn't bode well for your manhood. So please please think twice.

 

Perhaps list what your budget is, and what qualities you're looking for such as, fetching the kids to and from school, looking for space to lug around furniture, fuel economy is key, performance for the occasional revving... things like that. THen perhaps other forummers and myself may be able to suggest suitable alternatives.

 

[Odyssey02]

cabin space is awesome... the new one is even better. the new A170 is simply gorgeous in my opinion.

[Kelpie]

1. From what I've gathered in sgcarmart.com, the average selling price for a A160L is around 62k to 65K, ranging from year 2002 to year 2004.

 

2. Yes, its the "follow the star" syndrome. I know, its not a fantastic car. I'm looking at trading-in my 04 Civic and pay a little to get the car. So rear cabin space should not be too far away from my current car.

 

3. This car is heavy at 1.6ton. Performance index is pretty similar to Civic but the heavy body means it is going to drink more petrol. I'm of the thought that a Merc aged well, as COE Mercs are still very common on the road.

 

Regards,

[Kelpie]

Hi, i've driven the Old A160 before. I assume you are talking about this car as you are looking at second hand cars.

 

Performance is so-so. The 1.6l engine have to work hard to get the heavy body moving. Handling is also so-so. Steering is heavy but somewhat muted. The high stance of the car means noticible body roll around corners. Tried it at the 99 bend .

 

The interior is spacious enough for 3 to seat at the back and it gives me an overall 'airy' feel to the cabin.

 

Hope this helps... just my experience and opinion when I drove this car.

 

1. I read from somewhere that year 2002 model is a problematic batch. Were you driving a 2002 model?

 

2. Is maintenance expensive for this baby Mercez?

 

Regards,

[Ncss]

Driven the first version... the shorter length one. Rear cabin space is small... the car pick-up and comfort is quite OK. Can follow up the traffic.

Later, long version came out... rear space should be OK.

[Kelpie]

Thanks. Is the shorter version the year 02 model?

 

Regards,

[Ncss]

02... I think is the short version. Not very sure about that...

Long version came out around late 02 or 03?? Cannot remember...

Actually, A-class 2nd hand quite rare in market. Most ppl export when change car...

Long version is called A160L

 

See here...

http://www.sgcarmart.com/main/listing.php?...1=0&PR2=&FR=Any

Edited December 20, 2005 by Ncss

[Kelpie]

hehe..I've been watching that page closely. This is another car of my choice..waiting for bonus to decide.

 

Regards,

[Cklasse]

I had the short version from 2001 to 2004 and did not have much problem although you need to expect minor ones since it is a used car.

 

The long wheel base version has the biggest legroom in it's class, not even any 2 litre car can match.

 

I still miss the A-class and there is always a sentimental feel whenever I see one on the road.

 

To see the problem of local A-class from year 1999 to year 2003, go to this website forum that I put up.

 

http://a_klasse_club.tripod.com

 

(no www)

[Felipe]

haha, muz be a fellow alfisti here. give Kelpie a break lah...tink he's not looking for that sorta car. ok, seriously, i would find it strange that one would buy the A class for handling! the seating height is a good indicator the car is not meant for tat sorta thing. the cabin is certainly bigger than the 147 but not by much. the 147 doesnt have great rear legroom but sits 2 pretty comfortably.

 

its pretty obvious the 147 can do pretty much what the A-class can do plus a hell lot more driving dynamics. but its yr preference tat counts. ive seen guys driving nissan march (new model, I felt I had a sex change when i last drove it!), so the A-class not tat bad i think lah for male image.

 

the price range ure looking at cud maybe get u the 147 manual, which er, i think u rather not have.

 

lastly, alota COE mercs are still ard. its a testament to their reliability. Im not so sure of the new ones due to the loads of electronics. it may still be reliable but i guess not many will wana live thru the lifespan simply for costly parts to replace.

[Odyssey02]

seems that there are quite a few baby benzes on sale on the sgcarmart

[Kelpie]

seems that there are quite a few baby benzes on sale on the sgcarmart

 

Yes, I'm watching them closely. Hopefully, can get a good bargain for a 04 A160L next year.

 

Regards,

[Odyssey02]

btw, i thought there used to be an A190 on sale? where did all of them go.

[Chickenbackside]

I scrapped my A190 Avant Garde short wheel base just 2 months ago. It was coming to 5 years old.

 

After driving the A160, I decided I couldn't live with the lack of power and bought the A190 instead. It was pretty nippy little car and could outrun most mid-sized Japanese sedans. I always loved the shocked faces I get when I squeezed the go pedal, haha.

 

It was generally very reliable. Nothing major in the 5 years of ownership. Just regulat wear and tear items like brake pads and discs, suspension arm, bushings... The engine was still in top shape.

 

It was very fussy about fuel though. I remember there was a time when I decided to switch from 98 RON petrol to 95 RON. After a few tanks, the check engine light came on. Brought it to C&C and they asked me "did you pump 95 petrol?". They were right on the dot! They said there is too much carbon buildup due to the petrol. I could either pay $500 to have it cleaned or just whack the engine until the carbon clears out. I decided to rev it's nuts off. I went out and got a fuel system cleaner, poured it into a full tank of 98 petrol, redlined the bugger every chance I got. Although the light didn't go out after one tank, it did after 5 tanks. Had lots of fun in the process too, haha...

 

The biggest complaint I have was the ride. It was completely uncomfortable. Harsh like dunno what. I could feel every single bump on the road. On familiar roads, I would always brace myself for the usual humps. These humps coldn't even be felt with my dad's Toyota Corolla. It was physically painful if the drive was long. I guess this would not be that much of a problem on a regular long wheel base A160. My car had the lowered sports suspension with 17" rims.

 

The seats were really lousy. No support anywhere, very thin padding. And the CREAKS! There were creaks everywhere. From the seats, the windows, the back... You name it, it creaks. Brought it back to C&C so many times that I gave up eventually. Even the mechanics said "Aiya, A class is like that one lah"...

 

But overall, I did enjoy the car. I could load my whole racing bicycle into the car, no need to take out any wheel. Just fold up the back seats and you get a van. Great for moving stuff. And the birdeye's view was great. You're always looking down at other people. It is by far the easiest car I have ever parked.

 

Now I drive an E46 face-lifted BMW 320, which is a much better car in every respect (except interior space of course). But everytime I see one, I still feel for it.

 

Great little car if you can put up with the idiosyncrisies...

[Cklasse]

It seems that I am not alone to have that sentimental feel about the A-class.

I too had 3 enjoyable years with my A160. It may be tall, but it sure can take bend hard and fast due to its harder suspension and standard size 195 tyres.

 

The interior space, height and length are the best features of this car. I can park the car in any tight spot due to its length, it may look long but it is shorter than a lot of hatchbacks on the road. Carpark ticketing machine is just at the right height when taking the ticket or inserting cash card.

 

One more thing, the first time you hold the steering wheel when you take delivery of the car, there is a special feeling with the star on the wheel.

 

Looks like I have to borrow my brother's long wheel base A-class to move my IKEA stuff now that I am shopping for my new home. I miss that car.

Edited December 23, 2005 by Cklasse