a2 tdi v a class cdi

A

andyboy

Member
i've been looking for an A2 tdi(following sale of my 1.4), now the wife says she would like a new shape A class instead, anyone owned one or driven one? a mate has an old shape and it's been unreliable, i'm sure the new shape is much improved but would like to hear any feedback.
 
I looked at one.

As a static object it has a lot to commend it, good looking, well specced, nice interior.

As a mobile object, I have driven more exciting wheelbarrows! I thought it was a terrible drive; stodgy and stolid are words that come to mind, a huge disappointment. No cigar!
 
I think they look better than they drive i must say i PDI these not all the time but on the road they are c**p no feedback through the steering and its like the old american films you moving the steering wheel all the time to keep the straight on the motorway, get an A2

Cheers Phil
 
I think a certain car mag summed this up nicely
"the A class is a quicker car.. until you get to the twisty bits then it wouldn't see where the A2 went"
Of course that applied to the previous A class, but from what I hear the newer one ain't that much better
Mike
 
A2TDI Vs A180CDI

Hello,

Personnal opinion as a past owner of a Mercedes A170CDI, first generation. Bought the car new in 98 and sold it in Dec 2007. We were pretty please with the car except for 3 occurence. Car is too expensive for what it is and certainly NOT a mercedes! If you buy with that image on your mind (and the supposedly good reputation), stay away from it. Maintenance and repairs are expensive due to the complexity and the electronics. Don't get me wrong: We do not regret the purchase and the car did what it was suppose to do. But.....mercedes it is NOT and will never be.
For us, we will stick with AUDI. I still own a SLKAMG (bought new in 2000)that we use during summer but our 2 daily transport are the A2 and the A4.
I do most of the repairs and servicing myself. This may explain that!

Think twice, compare, and check price as well as resale value.

Good luck. DJ.
 
Someone told me that if your merc has problems you always have to take it to them? because of the alarm systems if you move the car in anyway it locks or something so merc onl have the equipment to carry out work. Dont know how true and on what cars?
 
A2 Vs A Class

Hi,

well, the thing is with Mercedes, people have a tendency to think that they are for the richest. So, software programs are expensive.
VAG-COM: +-400 €
Mercedes: +-3500 €.

That's for something similar to VAG-COM. Hardware on top of it.

In response to your remarks: Yes, you have to take the car to Mercedes or someone independant with the equipment. But than it is like going to an official dealer. A bit cheaper, not much. For someone who does it as a DIY, it is too expensive. Just cross my fingers with the SLK. Works fine but has only 40000Kms. Battery and alarm system deconnected during winterizing, wheels and tires exchanged for storage, oil and oil + air filter replace and never had a problem (till now) during firing up in summer. Comes to life straight away. Same spark plug. Never undone one!

DJ
 
It depends on your usage and what you want to get out of the car. If looking for the old shape A, then stick with an A2. But the new shape is different, it seems to be much more of a car than the old and there are many engine choices depending on how much you want to spend. I'm pretty sure its ride is better than the A2's harsh suspension setting.

BUT! Where is the soul and character in an A-class? Where is a place like A2OC with passionate and knowledgable members who will always give you a hand?
 
interesting, though i must say it's not for handling or speed i have a lotus 340 for that, it's doing school runs mainly, i hear what is said about diagnostics though i recently ran a vito cdi and there are specialists fixing mercs locally to me, i guess i should drive it and see, tbh depreciation is my fear:(
 
we had an A150 Classic SE 5 Door for a year when the low cost lease deals were kicking about. I simply couldnt beat it for the price. Anyway as for the car itself I thought it was really good the interior is good and the car has a nice solid feel too it the engine was OK but wasnt expecting much for the base engine.

Didnt have to bother going to a dealer as nothing went wrong with it so not experienced MB dealers.

So i wouldn't buy one as the prices are silly - I would buy an A2 over it any time but I would consider leasing another one especially at 165 a month ;)
 
I can't comment on the new 'A' class, but we do own a first generation 54 plate.

The build quality of the Merc compared to that of the baby Audi is like comparing a piece of glass to a fine diamond. The driving experience of our 1.4 petrol is fairly lacklustre and the interior and exterior quality is equally not as good as that of the Audi.

It really depends on what you are looking at in a car first and foremost. The 'A' class offers good boot space, good flexibility and is a sound workhorse. The driving position is fairly well laid out and all round visibility is reasonable too.

If you want to own something a little special and something that is a cult classic which was designed with ingenuity, passion and built with quality materials - the A2 wins hands down.

If you are looking for a practical small, but largish car :)confused::p), then the boot space of the early model is very generous indeed, the car is practical and could tempt you. The new model is bound to be light years ahead of the first generation cars too.

As a second car, the 'A' class is fine and we purchased for practicality as much as anything else, (eh Chris?!). As a main drive I would personally opt for the A2 everytime and if she could, my wife would swap with me tomorrow.

Darren
 
Hi Andyboy,

While on holiday, I had a left hand drive diesel A Class on hire for a week back in 2006. The first difference I noticed was that the boot is not as big as an A2's. There were 4 of us and all our luggage fitted into my A2's boot, but not the A class'. Parking an A2 is easier, partly due to its larger door mirrors. Cornering is also better in the A2, but perhaps the hire company had fitted tyres that weren't exactly low profile.

One thing I did like about the A class were the seats, as they really grabbed your rib cage and the seat base was not as narrow as the A2's.

John.
 
thanks for the replies, usefull hearing from people that owned or drove the new A, i do understand it won't have the character of the A2 but that's not a huge problem, my A2 with big personality also let me down a bit:(, you can get a used new shape A cdi for 9k now, similar to a top level A2.
my vito cdi(similar engine)was trouble free for 125k miles(then it all went wrong!)i fancy the 180cdi model as it seems to have performance and economy in equal measures.
i'm gone try one and see, now i've driven a tdi 90 i know the benchmark.
 
We have a first generation A Class and an A2. My wife considers the A Class easier to drive (lighter gear change and steering and better visibility from inside the car) and our kids (now 14 & 16 years old) certainly like the extra rear leg room in the A Class.

I like the better handling of the A2, better fuel economy, better dealers, and overall it just feels a more solid car. The A Class almost seems fragile by comparison.

My most comfortable car to drive is actually my old Triumph TR7:)
 
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GrahamR said:
our kids (now 14 & 16 years old) certainly like the extra rear leg room in the A Class.
Click to expand...

When I sat in the rear of an original A Class I remember my knees being level with my ears - not comfortable for me at all.:eek: I much prefer the arrangement in the A2 where there is lots of space below the front seat. I guess it is a personal choice.

John.
 
the old merc a- was like so cheap and tacky it was not even up to the standard of a peugeot nevermind mercedes
 
not good i looked a 1 A2 but it had all round damage so was nt worth getting. Rang up some one on piston heads who had a front corner damaged A2 but the wouldnt negiotate on price. ive got my name down with an audi breakers other than that i keep checking cleavemotorsalvage and some local breakers been down the BCA a few times only seen 1 A2 TDi 55 plate which was an ex mobilty car had less than 10k on the clock went for over £12k
 
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