Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250 Sport Auto 4MATIC

[cafe67]

Back again for the brains trust - still looking around at cars and gone bit left field 

 

,

wondering about peoples opinions on these 2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250 Sport Auto 4MATIC or perhaps on Mercedes full stop 

 

2017 so it’s out of warranty - so I figure finding a decent mechanic is very important - but are Mercedes expensive European hand grenades or like most decent buys provided they are looked after ?

 

cheers dave 

[Mendes]

@La scala ??

[betty boop]

50 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

wondering about peoples opinions on these 2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250 Sport Auto 4MATIC or perhaps on Mercedes full stop 

i had the non 4 matic version... this was mine .. gorgeous car inside and out ! 

 

 

 

much better car than golf GTI i had prior in every sort of way... a real looker of a car and got a lot of attention.. mine was one of first off the boat though... and not as run of mill as a golf gti.

 

it had a lot of "engineered by amg" bits eg the lovely exhaust with the real cackle  

 

the  4matic will grip better and wont loose as much traction. resale when sold it was VERY good ! 

 

 

50 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

2017 so it’s out of warranty - so I figure finding a decent mechanic is very important - but are Mercedes expensive European hand grenades or like most decent buys provided they are looked after ?

 

so this is a very good question.. i had a 5 years service plan on mine.. so didnt cost me a cent to maintain... infact they gave me vouchers to go spend in the gift shop when took in to service.. but outside of that yes expensive to service .. see if its through a dealership if can get on a service plan..

 

if looking at arch rival please .. and i mean please check out bmw m125i and m140i both are RWD ... i had one these as car after the merc and as much as i loved the merc and every part of its ownership  this is next level as a car.. solid bmw and it can  be had with bmw service plans and very cheap to service .. if can get a m125i they are a gorgeous car... beautiful in handling and a 2L turbo.. if can get the m140i its an animal at 3L straight 6 and both cars have a gorgeous zf 8speed.. honestly its why folks dont bother with manuals on these..

 

this is m140i i had inside and out ..

 

 

 

 

also absolutely gorgeous inside and out.. the m140i is now at cult status so i managed to sell it for what i got it for ... so might be out of running as as yeah a 2018 car still fetches what it costed. but look out for a m125i sport that will look identical greatly to m140 but with the 2L turbo and its a very nice rear wheel drive car... 

 

Edited August 2 by betty boop

[betty boop]

ps below is bmw m125i msport would suggest to have a look at, seem to top out at $40k second hand so should be able to easily get a good example cheaper than that.. these were quite customisable when you bought them so will find some variety in interiors etc.. inside they were to level you expect in most bmw and really well made well built car and they have a good history of nothing much going wrong with them. 

 

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/1-series/125i-m-sport-badge/?sort=Price

 

ps is presuming you wont chase a bmw m140i  as yes pay a bit too much for these now i think given their cult status taken on... 

 

 

[cafe67]

5 minutes ago, betty boop said:

ps below is bmw m125i msport would suggest to have a look at, seem to top out at $40k second hand so should be able to easily get a good example cheaper than that.. these were quite customisable when you bought them so will find some variety in interiors etc.. inside they were to level you expect in most bmw and really well made well built car and they have a good history of nothing much going wrong with them. 

 

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/1-series/125i-m-sport-badge/?sort=Price

 

ps is presuming you wont chase a bmw m140i  as yes pay a bit too much for these now i think given their cult status taken on... 

 

 

thanks for your replies , Al most helpful

[cafe67]

@betty boop 

 

trimming the search to WA 

 

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/1-series/125i-m-sport-badge/western-australia-state/?sort=Price

[betty boop]

13 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

@betty boop 

 

trimming the search to WA 

 

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/bmw/1-series/125i-m-sport-badge/western-australia-state/?sort=Price

 

that bronze (burnt orange was official name i think) one looks a beauty as a 2019 it would have been a "LCI -2" models so last refresh had all the latest tech  .. the 2018 black one will be the same with the updated spec.. and looks to have that very nice alcantara seats that are very lovely ... easy clean too ... unless limited by budget i would get  2018 or younger  LCI-2 models. 

 

even the top priced bronze one where will you get a level of quality of car like that for money its going for .... 

 

note you can get apple car play enabled for these through the dealer if not already and also will be able to buy service plans for these through bmw which will make them very low cost to own.  

Edited August 2 by betty boop

[David A]

An old friend owned a Mercedes bi-turbo wagon for a while (can't recall the model). He ended up selling it for two reasons. Firstly he said the servicing side wasn't good, and that basically the Service Dept were a PITA. And secondly because being rear-wheel drive, he said the car was "scary" to drive in the wet. That said, I couldn't say if you'd have a better experience with a different model and Dealership?

[betty boop]

2 minutes ago, David A said:

An old friend owned a Mercedes bi-turbo wagon for a while (can't recall the model). He ended up selling it for two reasons. Firstly he said the servicing side wasn't good, and that basically the Service Dept were a PITA.

its definitely a watchout for mercs with folks i know with them, yes definitely expensive to service with their A service B service etc why service plans (if can get on an older model) is definitely a necessity.. otherwise there are and i dont know in WA but there are good independents around and most folks would use them instead. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, David A said:

And secondly because being rear-wheel drive, he said the car was "scary" to drive in the wet.

 

re RWD.. having bmw one from 2018 things have come a long way with those... with RWD 2018 model I had even though an animal of a thing with the big 3L twin scroll turbo straight six it had.. you would have to be doing something really pretty silly to be taking it out of shape.. its the nature of nanny systems and e-diff on bmw everything is very much in control,.. you'd have to be taking the traction control and stability control off or something for it to be scary.. that said i generally also do drive to conditions ...ie i wouldn't be stupid in the wet ...

[David A]

@betty boop He had the most powerful AMG bi-turbo wagon. He said even with upgraded Michelin PS4S tyres, it still wanted to kill him in the wet...even at moderate speeds. But that was 5 years ago. I'm not sure about the current Mercedes models and service situation.

 

Edited August 2 by David A
typo

[Guest]

Sounds like your mate just needed some driving lessons and track time

 

Mercedes service has been wonderful IME. I've been servicing with MB on and off for over 12 years and the service has only got better in that time. I remember one time the head mechanic stayed back until 8pm on Xmas eve to fix a small but annoying fault on my car, knowing I was going away the next day. They even ordered me pizza and let me hang out in the lounge after hours while they worked!

 

Now they pick up and drop off at no extra charge (well I guess I'm still paying for it in some way).

[betty boop]

1 minute ago, David A said:

@betty boop He had the most powerful AMG bi-turbo wagon. He said even with upgraded Michelin PS4S tyres, it still wanted to kill him in the wet...even at moderate speeds. But that was 5 years ago. I'm not sure about the current Mercedes models and service situation.

probably a c63 wagon or something .. the c63 with 6.3L V8 twin turbo are lunacy.. !  

[betty boop]

4 minutes ago, Marc said:

Mercedes service has been wonderful IME. I've been servicing with MB on and off for over 12 years and the service has only got better in that time.

i never had any issue with merc service either... but i wasnt paying for it either

 

5 minutes ago, Marc said:

Now they pick up and drop off at no extra charge (well I guess I'm still paying for it in some way).

yep i used to get that too with their courtesy vehicle..... other dealerships eg bmw been with just give you loaner cars which can be interesting  

[David A]

23 minutes ago, betty boop said:

probably a c63 wagon or something .. the c63 with 6.3L V8 twin turbo are lunacy.. !  

That's the one. He called it the "Widow maker"

[cafe67]

3 hours ago, Marc said:

Sounds like your mate just needed some driving lessons and track time

 

Mercedes service has been wonderful IME. I've been servicing with MB on and off for over 12 years and the service has only got better in that time. I remember one time the head mechanic stayed back until 8pm on Xmas eve to fix a small but annoying fault on my car, knowing I was going away the next day. They even ordered me pizza and let me hang out in the lounge after hours while they worked!

 

Now they pick up and drop off at no extra charge (well I guess I'm still paying for it in some way).

I know from friends with Audi’s you go to the Audi service centre with a cheapy Audi, model - service is so-so, go there with expensive model, they fall all over you.?

Edited August 2 by cafe67

[David A]

4 hours ago, Marc said:

Mercedes service has been wonderful IME. I've been servicing with MB on and off for over 12 years and the service has only got better in that time. I remember one time the head mechanic stayed back until 8pm on Xmas eve to fix a small but annoying fault on my car, knowing I was going away the next day. They even ordered me pizza and let me hang out in the lounge after hours while they worked!

 

Now they pick up and drop off at no extra charge (well I guess I'm still paying for it in some way).

I remembered over dinner what my friend's gripe was with his Dealership. He had a persistent fault which kept re-occurring, and every time he brought his car into the Dealership they denied the fault was a warranty issue. Finally after months of back and forth with the Dealership, Mercedes announced a recall for that exact fault and it got belatedly fixed. But by then he'd had enough of his car and Mercedes Service and bought a 2014 Porsche Cayenne GTS instead. Based on your experience, it sounds like that is atypical of the Mercedes ownership experience.

[betty boop]

sounds like friend had some persistent issue that was a difficult fix or dealership didnt want to know about.. .long time since had an issue like that on a car some 20 years... and even then dealership (differnt brand) were pretty persistent to try fix it. and did eventually..

 

some of this comes down to folks inhabiting the dealership or owners there with franchise models.. this has changed with merc changing the dealership model and them now owning them so hopefully its direct to merc now. not to say the same folks at the dealership are still not there  

10 hours ago, cafe67 said:

know from friends with Audi’s you go to the Audi service centre with a cheapy Audi, model - service is so-so, go there with expensive model, they fall all over you.?

Edited 8 hours ago by cafe67

 

cant speak for audi's as havent owned one.. but thats another brand i wouldn't buy unless on a service plan.. and usually they give you those for free on promotion periods eg audi haus and such .....

 

but i have to call out ,, with only an A class merc .. i didnt feel at any time i was treated as a 2nd class citizen. no i didnt get pizza and folks working for me on new years eve but i didnt need to either .. most service places are pretty professional these days and have owned a few brands... its just folks behind these and they do their best ...might get the odd ball character but they dont usually last weeded out pretty quick i suspect in customer facing roles these days.

 

its all pretty honest and professional these days.. our little mini we get a full detailed report sent out with everything documented and any suggested things either fixed already or needing looking at in the future .. even a video with mechanic walking around the car talking through what they did for goodness sake ! bit surprised how far car servicing has come.. even the whole process.. car monitored and is linked to service centre and will get a call to book in when time comes.. logs in app for car.. yep the bmw i pointed you to from 2018 is a connected car... just how goes these days ...full service also logged direct in the car .. so no need for log books and what not either...  and since on a service plan car came with not paid a cent so far in last 2.5 years ownership. 

[cafe67]

1 hour ago, betty boop said:

sounds like friend had some persistent issue that was a difficult fix or dealership didnt want to know about.. .long time since had an issue like that on a car some 20 years... and even then dealership (differnt brand) were pretty persistent to try fix it. and did eventually..

 

some of this comes down to folks inhabiting the dealership or owners there with franchise models.. this has changed with merc changing the dealership model and them now owning them so hopefully its direct to merc now. not to say the same folks at the dealership are still not there  

 

cant speak for audi's as havent owned one.. but thats another brand i wouldn't buy unless on a service plan.. and usually they give you those for free on promotion periods eg audi haus and such .....

 

but i have to call out ,, with only an A class merc .. i didnt feel at any time i was treated as a 2nd class citizen. no i didnt get pizza and folks working for me on new years eve but i didnt need to either .. most service places are pretty professional these days and have owned a few brands... its just folks behind these and they do their best ...might get the odd ball character but they dont usually last weeded out pretty quick i suspect in customer facing roles these days.

 

its all pretty honest and professional these days.. our little mini we get a full detailed report sent out with everything documented and any suggested things either fixed already or needing looking at in the future .. even a video with mechanic walking around the car talking through what they did for goodness sake ! bit surprised how far car servicing has come.. even the whole process.. car monitored and is linked to service centre and will get a call to book in when time comes.. logs in app for car.. yep the bmw i pointed you to from 2018 is a connected car... just how goes these days ...full service also logged direct in the car .. so no need for log books and what not either...  and since on a service plan car came with not paid a cent so far in last 2.5 years ownership. 

other than for the actual service plan ?

[Jakeyb77_Redux]

I liked the A class when they can out but my BIL had the 250 and had endless problems with it. Also know of another one in the family and they’ve had heaps of electrical faults that MB can’t fix. They both have sworn off them now.

What put me off was the ride from inside the car was atrocious. Too stiff more comfort mode. 
Servicing is not too bad if you find a good Indy garage. Read the forums or post to find a good Euro Indy garage in your area. 
Paying someone over $1000 to drop the oil and change some filters is robbery. 
I do take the Porsche to an Indy garage as it’s only once a year and not too badly priced but my Golf and Range Rover I service myself and keep all records 

 

 

Edited August 3 by Jakeyb77_Redux

[betty boop]

59 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

other than for the actual service plan ?

ours came with a 6 year service plan, its not unusual these days ... our other ev also has a service plan built in. 5 years...sure built in the price but not something have ot worry about .. what will it cost me ? or a rising cost each year ?  

 

yes if buying a service plan absolutely .. but its not a lot for my last car i had service plan it was some 285-$300 a service nothing more than that and was locked in for 10 years... probably what pay for most cars ? we were paying more for our car in a mazda @ $400 a pop or more at times for larger services ...

[La scala]

On 02/08/2024 at 4:54 PM, cafe67 said:

Back again for the brains trust - still looking around at cars and gone bit left field 

 

,

wondering about peoples opinions on these 2017 Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250 Sport Auto 4MATIC or perhaps on Mercedes full stop 

 

2017 so it’s out of warranty - so I figure finding a decent mechanic is very important - but are Mercedes expensive European hand grenades or like most decent buys provided they are looked after ?

 

cheers dave 

I’d look at the CLA sedan - has much nicer ride comfort and roomier. A class ride is somewhat unpleasant.

Better yet is the B class 2012> mega versatile , easy in and out with plenty of cabin space and larger glass so you can actually see out.

The C class 2015> drives amazing if you don’t mind a larger format.

Dont expect Toyota lifespan however Mercedes are the top of the German offerings in terms of reliability etc . Don’t rule out the Diesels , much longer lifespan.

All are build with forced replacement in mind and therefore can get costly if you plan to grow old with one.

Have specialised and work on all Mercs and Beemas since 1995 .

Test dive them all to see , score one with a full service history and well under 100.000km if poss , get a pre purchase inspection. 
Low priced small car yards stuff often flog repairable write offs so check.

If you notice auto masters / rac / ultra tune service history ,  move on.

Happy hunting.

 

[betty boop]

 

CLA is a very nice car.. its more style sedan laid back vs the hot hatch A250... it was very ahead of its time in design and very popular... a tad more expensive than a250.. but lost the practicality of the hatch .. not that the a250 had a very big boot opening ... 

 

re diesel.. just be aware some years merc actually used a renault diesel... not that anything wrong with renault diesel though just so know they are it was in latter years that it went back to merc again.

 

internally i dont recall any difference really sedan or hatch.. just the different shaped boot  

[murrmax]

Agree with Al the 140i or 125i with the B58 or B48 engines with the ZF8 speed would be the way to go, the engines are reliable and robust enough for Toyota to use in the Supra, both are characterful engines with a relatively linear power delivery despite being turbocharged, 
OOTB I prefer the 125i from a drivers perspective more balanced, the 140i is a step up performance wise but really needs upgraded suspension and LSD to match the engine, it deserves it.   

[betty boop]

7 minutes ago, murrmax said:

Agree with Al the 140i or 125i with the B58 or B48 engines with the ZF8 speed would be the way to go, the engines are reliable and robust enough for Toyota to use in the Supra, both are characterful engines with a relatively linear power delivery despite being turbocharged, 

it says a lot that toyota felt the drive train is supra level...

 

8 minutes ago, murrmax said:

OOTB I prefer the 125i from a drivers perspective more balanced, the 140i is a step up performance wise but really needs upgraded suspension and LSD to match the engine, it deserves it. 

id agree with that...the 125i will be the sweeter drivers car.. the m140i is balls and all  i got the LSD put on the m140i a week into ownership  

re suspension unless tracking, for every day and a bit of scooting around i liked the selectable adaptive suspension it had.. you could go from comfort.. which was very GT like .. .long distances relaxed country drives...to sport which was a jekyl to hyde like transformation..  not just suspension but drive train throttle response, steering everything would really tighten up for sharp response.. once of best parts of the car.. that it could do a big day of driving in comfort .. or drive it around in anger  the 125i sport unfortunately i dont think came with this ... 

 

and it was one of the things with the 125i sport.. option up and you might as well have got the m140i.. now days the m140i has gone cult status ..so the 125i sport might be a better buy with better value for money... 

[Andythiing]

Grab this https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2017-lexus-lc-lc500-auto/OAG-AD-23645272