After 3.5 years in a (lease) volkswagen golf 1.2tsi drove their decision to back private drive a car. Main reason was the lack of freedom of choice imposed by the government on a lease.
Selection process
In the orientation phase, there were two possibilities. First, the Mercedes A-Class and 2nd choice as the volvo v40. The Mercedes should become a private car. Volvo a lease. Cars that fell earlier were the BMW 1 Series (nice car but I could not find in nice position) and the Audi A3 (by the negative experience with the Volkswagen technology in the wave transmission). Remained Volvo and Mercedes about as real candidates. Eventually co-opted by the interior of the A-class. Finishing I found still on a higher level.
Quest
In my search for a good used a class initially made a test drive in a new a180. Immediately met the car to my expectations I just thought it was some limited power. Therefore moved the quest for a nice a200. Initially considered in Germany, until I met my current car Rogam Charlois. Appointment for a test drive and then I knew for sure that my new car had to be. Eventually come to a nice price for this rather richer equipped A-Class
And now driving
car drives like you would expect from a Mercedes. Car is very steady. After that he will send certainly compared to my previous car zeek tight. Where I had to get used to in the beginning was the stiffness of the chassis, partly due to the larger wheels. It was not annoying hard, but make sure that you turn something on comfort. And then the engine power. As you would expect from this engine is the ample sized for this car. When you first look at the specifications you expect a fast car. Remarkably, however, is that the right engine power very conservative release on the car. Otherwise, the car goes unnoticed quickly said without giving you the feeling that you're going hard. Consumption for the first 1000km is about 100km 7l. Not really spectacular, but expect it still diminishes as I am more used to the car.
Ergonomics
And perhaps most importantly how it is in use. Partly because of the different packages that the dealer had ordered on this car, this car has a full leather interior with more adjustments on the seats. After a short week I was able to find the ideal seating position. Send can be sufficiently explained to you up. The lumbar support that is adjustable is an ideal option. Operating the air conditioner is low and what is a little bit behind the gear lever. This is currently the only miss I've run into. Then the operation of the cruise control and speed limiter getting used to, but if you're used to it works perfectly. The operation of the radio is just searching, but especially the voice control of navigation is perfect.
Suggestions for expansion are always welcome!
Update 8000km (22,000 km)
After 8000km an update on my experience with the car.
Handling / driving experience
the car one can really only be described in one way: a real maniac. As expected with this custom rims, the car in the city that hard, but on the highway, the car is tremendously steady course. The hardness in town we take so for granted (and is a conscious choice). The car sends huge tight. Not of the BMWs, but certainly much better than my old golf. The gearbox is compared to golf a relief (wave the nasty tendency sometimes had to shoot from his first gear). Gearbox and clutch are very smooth. This is also due to the combination with the engine. Torque is available early and seems fairly linear display his ability. This gives you a peaceful experience in the car, so you drive unnoticed harder (than allowed). This is partly because the car does its job in the background. In the car you really only hear the rolling noise of tires and winddgeruis.
Ergonomics
To be honest sit all buttons on the logical place, but it seems that the car is designed to be automatic. Operating the aircondiotining is partially hidden behind the gear lever. In addition, I have to make a remark that I have less need the ministry and in my old car. Air conditioning works a lot more enjoyable since the blower never to blow right in your face. Then all the operation of the lighting somewhat hidden. The automatically activated lighting also not really needed, but the first few times you grab still wrong. The operation of the speed limiter and cruise control to get used to at first, but now works naturally.
Infotainment
Radio / navigation works perfectly. Phone loads quickly and automatically links to boarding. The operation of the navigation button between the seats works very logical. Voice control has many surprised faces returned beside me me (yes, this works flawlessly). Experience teaches that it works best to first call the town, then the street. Sound quality is good.
Quality Perception
of the car quality is what you would expect from a Mercedes. The only criticism is that cracks the dashboard (by expansion). Did this already read in other reviews and will ask again at the next maintenance or to do something. Have the feeling as if the paint of the car 'harder' than from my previous Gulf. With many highway no krastje can observe. For the rest no criticism of the quality of the car.
Cost / consumption
So far no unexpected costs. The petrol consumption I love neatly through the consumption monitor. Slightly higher than expected, but perhaps also due to my driving style. Do not have to be the first road at the traffic light, but keep on driving.
Two years later (47 776 km)
After two years, you can still have a decent impression of this car. Meanwhile, it also hiccups, but they can not take away from the car.
In chronological order, I will briefly mention the details of my car:
- July 2015: Regular maintenance no details
- August 2015: Burglary in the car, in which they have taken away my navigation table. My sunglasses were apparently they do not like, because they have left them.
- December 2015: There was a sudden water in the car. This went to the Rogam. Were ultimately sit second behind the rear vent valves which are not proved to be watertight. Everything is paid for by Rogam on a new set of pads after. Have a lot of different stories about how dealers heard it went to, because it ended up being a problem when several A-Class.
- December 2015: Fellow threw the door of his Fiat 500L at my car so I had quite a dent in my rear. Neatly restored by refinisher
- January 2016: Day after I had my car back from the repair puncture. Towed to the garage where a new tire is mounted. Mercedes mobility service tried and must say that the service was well wide
- July 2016: Regular maintenance. 1 for tire replacement (the other was already done in January) and new brake pads and brake discs. The latter I found quite quickly, but hey better than no good brakes brakes.
All in all, quite a few experienced with the car, but have not looked back. Then another little update on my experience with the car.
Handling / comfort
Actually to report any details relative to the last time
Ergonomics
Again, no specifics
Infotainment
use recently my cell phone and music streaming (Spotify) on my infotainment. Works perfect. I must say that I do not get the upgrade for Apple's AirPlay. Added value is missing me a little.
Costs
Since January I started working closer to my home, so I make a lot less mileage. The fuel consumption is increasing so considerably. I drive now +/- 60-70% of the kilometers in the city and have to say the car is or is not economical. Additionally wrong I still have a vending machine. Do when my car had a flat tire as a temporary car driven an A180 machine, but found this season but also wonderful ride, so who knows when the next car. Costs are higher than at Opel (my first car) and Volkswagen (2nd car was admittedly a lease), but that's because it is incomparable. A 1.4 turbo-charge (100hp) 1.2tsi (115hp) compared with a 1.6 turbo engine (156pk). Then it is logical that your tires wear out faster. Although I replace the brake pads and discs have been really fast.
For the rest still very satisfied with this car and do not know if I'm going to trade after 4 years this also.
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