2012/2013 Mercedes Benz A Class

[Elks]

A45 is the range topper, if we get it here in OZ it will be $80k est.

0~100 4.9 sec. AWD with rear bias.

That car will be just awesome.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

Er... 'scuse me you forgot the W124!!

(230E.... 535,000kms and still going well )

[blackf6]

Well since Stone Brothers Racing will be running Mercedes and Shane Van Gizburgen will be driving the marque, I like.

[Mighty Reds]

pfft, who cares about this when there's a new Pulsar SSS coming.

[FPV8U]

I quite like the looks of it, will the AMG version have a Manual option?

[mik]

looks well presented with lots of gadgets, looks pretty small too.

[Nic85]

That top spec 1.6L turbo petrol looks to be the go.

[TheInterceptor]

Its missing the gear shifter!

I didnt expect this, not bad!

[Hayden1]

Originally Posted by Elks

A45 is the range topper, if we get it here in OZ it will be $80k est.

0~100 4.9 sec. AWD with rear bias.

That car will be just awesome.

Where did you hear that? That would be amazing

[GasoLane]

Like Elks said 'If' we get it here.....

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...tails-revealed

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by pursuit2359

Agreed. I think Mercedes used to be run by engineers, but is now run by accountants. In the early 1990s, consumers seemed to decide that Lexus was better value and that BMWs were better "driver's cars". In the interests of profitability, Mercedes-Benz cut costs and relied on its name to sell product that wasn't up to their previous standards.

I don't see the A-Class as a true Mercedes.

The old Mercedes were built like tanks but they drove like them too. Last couple of years they have got their quality back and they can now steer too.

[Conrad]

Originally Posted by smoo

Best Merc ever?! Lol maybe check out W108, 123, 116, 126. Real Mercedes that were built to a standard not a budget unlike the crap they've put out the last 20 years that will get lost in a supermarket carpark.

Just the biggest load of crap i've ever heard. It's extrememly rare to find one in good condition and when you do they are still worse than any falcon i've ever driven.

[pursuit2359]

Originally Posted by Brazen

The old Mercedes were built like tanks but they drove like them too. Last couple of years they have got their quality back and they can now steer too.

I can't vouch for the quality, but Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar used to have distinct steering/handling characteristics -
1. Mercedes-Benz had well-damped suspension (emphasis on comfort) and not so much steering feel;
2. BMWs had firmer suspension, faster steering ratios and greater steering feedback;
3. Jaguars had a supple ride (often describedas a "magic carpet").
Perhaps influenced by motoring journalists or the public, every manufacturer seems to be trying to make "driver's cars" that are "dynamic". I think I miss the emphasis on comfort and quality, since those things are more relevant to me in 95 per cent of the driving I do.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Wretched

I wasn't putting the car down, quite the opposite actually but I think you misread what I wrote.
It doesn't look exciting but it isn't ugly, nothing wrong with it.
It is classy like most of Merc's current range which is the point.
Exciting looking != good looking.

Does it fail and fall over in the moose test like the first edition did?

Do the plastic interiors still fall apart in your hands?

Do the funshift auto-tranny fail after 50,000km like before?

A want-to-be benz owner fanboi vehicle

FAIL!

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by pursuit2359

I can't vouch for the quality, but Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Jaguar used to have distinct steering/handling characteristics -
1. Mercedes-Benz had well-damped suspension (emphasis on comfort) and not so much steering feel;
2. BMWs had firmer suspension, faster steering ratios and greater steering feedback;
3. Jaguars had a supple ride (often describedas a "magic carpet").
Perhaps influenced by motoring journalists or the public, every manufacturer seems to be trying to make "driver's cars" that are "dynamic". I think I miss the emphasis on comfort and quality, since those things are more relevant to me in 95 per cent of the driving I do.

Careful, profound logic like that will stir the natives up around here. For the last word in comfort and luxury get yourself a W221 Mercedes-benz S Class fitted with 17 inch wheels, which along with its computer controlled self balancing air suspension will have you purring in a way that's more content than Garfield after eating three bowls of his favourite pet food. Mercedes-benz do interiors and technology extremly well and the thing they're the best at of all, fantastic seats and the new seats in the A Class look good for a small hatch. The M Benz range has to start somewhere and the new A Class looks like a good starting point to me if poeple are in the market for that sized car.


Note To Ford - This is how you build an interior

[pursuit2359]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Careful, profound logic like that will stir the natives up around here. For the last word in comfort and luxury get yourself a W221 Mercedes-benz S Class fitted with 17 inch wheels, which along with its computer controlled self balancing air suspension will have you purring in a way that's more content than Garfield after eating three bowls of his favourite pet food.
image

Hmm... food for thought. I've long wanted to try out an XJ with CATS, but have never gotten around to it.

P.S. Garfield's favourite food was lasagne

[Rodge]

My wife won't let me try out the new XJ mate, she loves our Merc too much and i'm pretty content with it too, just quietly

Anyway, yeah the new A Class looks like a nice peice of kit, certainly better than the BMW 1 series.