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Post by grimep on Jan 1, 2020 17:43:48 GMT 1
Normally I wouldn't consider owning one of these but my mum is getting to that stage when she ought to give up the car and she's offered it to me. I'm not keen on the idea of buying a car off close family (what happens when you offer them £700 less than the asking price, they just hate you forever? You haggle?? Seems kinda weird) and there are a few things worrying about these cars. This is the 1.5 A160, 2012, about 40k. So first off the tiny packaging means there's no room to work around the engine, especially round the back. I read somewhere the engine has to come out for starter motor replacement and for timing chain replacement, though maybe there's a way around those. Speaking of timing chain, that's my main worry. I've read that they are notorious for failing at relatively low miles, also the EML warning light can come on with just a bit of wear in the timing components. As this car didn't sell in volume and there are relatively few on the road, 2nd hand parts inc engine swaps might be impossible to find or uneconomic. So I was hoping if you guys had any experience or advice on these pint sized Mercs. Oh, on this particular car I've noticed mayonnaise under the oil fill cap, so the usual old-lady car that never gets properly warmed up, should I be concerned, might the oil galleries be bunged up? Also, last time my mum drove with me in the car, she pulled away from the lights and cos she was nervous about merging after the junction she tried to out-accelerate the car next to us. She did this by staying in 1st gear and revving the hell out of it. I looked over at the tacho and it was pretty well up to the red line nearing 6000rpm. At the time I thought hell, the next owner of this car is going to get a nasty surprise when the engine goes bang! But that owner could be me, and it sounds like the timing chain is notorious. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDXEhZPxd4kwww.youtube.com/watch?v=0od97NBdfkEwww.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/125722/mercedes-benzObviously you'd run a mile as it could be a money pit, but its a kinda cute car and would look cool with some spokey alloys. I suppose the sensible thing to do would be to get a cheap Nissan Note or Fiesta as a small runabout, (which I didn't even want) and let her try to get maximum cash with a private sale. But its Xmas and the mince pies have sent me a bit mad and I'm seriously considering it. thoughts on the above please, and a Happy New Year :-) |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2020 18:27:21 GMT 1
Always difficult with close family ties. You don't offer a price if the car is pointed your way, it is much politer to say, what are you considering as the sale price of the car? If the sale price does not reflect a significant discount for family then you might consider asking something like, have you thought about "We buy any car.com" and maybe move the car on that way? Looking at the title of the post, no matter which side of the year fence you take, that car is getting on a bit and as you say might just be a car for somebody with deep pockets. Some of the most reliable cars to buy nowadays are the basic models like the Ford Fiesta. The 2012 on-wards looked after would be a good buy in my opinion. We do have a Ford specialist on here who might offer good advise with buying a used Ford also.  Meanwhile I'll crawl back into my hole and carry-on doing the book keeping  |
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Post by grimep on Jan 1, 2020 19:31:50 GMT 1
Thanks for the thoughts. Yup, I value Karl's opinions ;-) But more looking for specific experience with the A Class
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Post by Noberator on Jan 1, 2020 22:38:15 GMT 1
What's the Service History of the vehicle and overall condition.  How many owners in total. I'm assuming it's the petrol engine not diesel manual version not the CVT transmission which are troublesome. |
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Post by grimep on Jan 1, 2020 23:38:55 GMT 1
Manual petrol, in pretty good condition but not getting regular enough use - owner says they have filled up with petrol twice in a year.
Recently serviced and MOT'd, I think 2 owners or maybe 3. I'll have more info on the specific car later this week.
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Post by wheelnut on Jan 2, 2020 0:18:48 GMT 1
There is an old piece of wisdom which goes "when in doubt, don't" and you seem to have doubts in bucket-fulls. In this case you are dealing with your mum and she is unlikely to disown you over an old car.
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Post by grimep on Jan 2, 2020 10:45:04 GMT 1
You are totally right, on the other hand NEW CAR! (not had one for years) and mum can be fairly flexible over repayments
The Mrs isn't happy about the idea because of boring things like debts, and the central heating leaking, and the roof leaking, that sort of thing. But Im thinking, it would look neat with some custom alloys, am I right?!
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Post by grimep on Jan 5, 2020 15:23:48 GMT 1
Spoke to a W169 A Class mechanic who reckons mayo under the filler cap is a sign the chain will need changing. Apparently the breather system is a poor design, and lubrication suffers as a result.
these things look a mare to work on, just changing spark plugs is a major operation. Might still get it though, why not
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Post by studabear on Jan 5, 2020 19:40:44 GMT 1
I know a independent Merc specialist. I can see what he says.
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Post by Noberator on Jan 5, 2020 23:20:04 GMT 1
Spoke to a W169 A Class mechanic who reckons mayo under the filler cap is a sign the chain will need changing. Apparently the breather system is a poor design, and lubrication suffers as a result. these things look a mare to work on, just changing spark plugs is a major operation. There may be trouble ahead.  |
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Post by grimep on Jan 11, 2020 8:05:13 GMT 1
I know a independent Merc specialist. I can see what he says. thanks |
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Post by grimep on Jan 11, 2020 8:17:46 GMT 1
Spoke to a W169 A Class mechanic who reckons mayo under the filler cap is a sign the chain will need changing. Apparently the breather system is a poor design, and lubrication suffers as a result. these things look a mare to work on, just changing spark plugs is a major operation. There may be trouble ahead. Haha, yeah. Well I figure if I get the little problems sorted out and then keep it well maintained it will be more or less the same as anything. Harder to work on than something with a more conventional layout, but the oddball design means there's a fair bit more boot space than in a Golf. Apparently you can drop the back of the engine / gearbox about 10cm for a starter motor change, so not a DIY driveway job but do-able. Quoted £450 for a timing chain change. I just wonder what the story is with those chains, mayonnaise, breather system.... |
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Post by remmington on Jan 11, 2020 13:33:34 GMT 1
I have just done a water leak on a 2011 V Class Merc van (639). I nearly had to take the engine out to do it - front off - wiper splash off - separate exhaust - undo engine mounts lift engine up and rotate it towards the Offside. £750 of labour - to fit a £39 part. Scary when you say it - I am not joking either! I did roadtest it for a full 60miles to prove repair - as I did not want the job coming back - upset the customer (it has to be right for this type of money!) Who designs this pooh...? |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2020 17:25:14 GMT 1
I have just done a water leak on a 2011 V Class Merc van (639). I nearly had to take the engine out to do it - front off - wiper splash off - separate exhaust - undo engine mounts lift engine up and rotate it towards the Offside. £750 of labour - to fit a £39 part. Scary when you say it - I am not joking either! I did roadtest it for a full 60miles to prove repair - as I did not want the job coming back - upset the customer (it has to right for this type of money!) Who designs this pooh...? Designed on some type of CAD package, assembled on an assembly line as a unit, and then using machines the unit (complete) is fitted into the vehicle frame. Fixing the damn things afterwards is not really considered, I suppose the dealers would rather sell another vehicle to the customer, more money in it. I do agree with the road tests, I to like to ensure that all the monitors have run their course and done a fully self test to ensure all systems function correctly before I hand the keys over. Nowt wrong with that, just the time involved. |
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Post by remmington on Jan 11, 2020 17:38:24 GMT 1
I have just done a water leak on a 2011 V Class Merc van (639). I nearly had to take the engine out to do it - front off - wiper splash off - separate exhaust - undo engine mounts lift engine up and rotate it towards the Offside. £750 of labour - to fit a £39 part. Scary when you say it - I am not joking either! I did roadtest it for a full 60miles to prove repair - as I did not want the job coming back - upset the customer (it has to right for this type of money!) Who designs this pooh...? Designed on some type of CAD package, assembled on an assembly line as a unit, and then using machines the unit (complete) is fitted into the vehicle frame. Fixing the damn things afterwards is not really considered, I suppose the dealers would rather sell another vehicle to the customer, more money in it. I do agree with the road tests, I to like to ensure that all the monitors have run their course and done a fully self test to ensure all systems function correctly before I hand the keys over. Nowt wrong with that, just the time involved. I am a bit "old school" - if it is going to be a big bill - a proper road test is in order - it is. Take a load of money off someone for a vehicle repair - it has gotta work and be proven... Show the customer the pile of parts on collection - no hidden agenda. Long road tests I do - by taking the vehicle home with me overnight and mix the road test in with other journeys I have to do. Lets be honest - this Merc owner - is getting a huge labour bill - I do not want him on the phone telling me the coolant level has dropped because I have not topped it up after the thermostat has opened after filling - do I? |
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