Are you having problems with your Mercedes-Benz? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Mercedes-Benz issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Mercedes-Benz in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
The A-Class was a serious break from tradition for Mercedes-Benz, which specialised in medium to big rear-drive cars for most of its long history. This was a small car, and it was front-wheel drive. But it was a great one, albeit almost brought undone by a moose. A motoring magazine in Sweden had a standard test which was meant to simulate a situation in which you had to avoid a moose on the road.The A-Class tipped on its side when the magazine put it through its paces against the mythical moose and then proclaimed it unstable in such moves. It was an unfortunate start for what was an innovative new look at motoring.MODEL WATCHAt launch Mercedes offered two models, the Classic entry level model and the better equipped Avantgarde. Initially power came from a 1.6-litre single overhead camshaft fuel-injected four cylinder engine which boasted 75kW at 5250rpm and 150Nm of torque.Buyers could choose from a five-speed auto or a quirky five-speed sequential-shift manual. The latter was an early example of a sequential shift manual that was a normal manual but allowed you to shift gears simply by moving the lever without the need to operate the clutch. At the time it was considered quite an advance, a manual gearbox that had the benefits of an auto.The problem was that it wasn't as smooth as an auto. It drove like a manual so there was a lull in performance. The suspension was a blend of MacPherson Struts at the front and a five-link beam with coil springs at the rear which endowed it with a comfortable ride and balanced handling.Changes made following the magazine moose test made it more responsive to the power rack-and-pinion steering. Brakes were a combination of disc front and drum rear, with ABS, electronic brake proportioning, and brake assist standard. Add to that electronic stability control and there's quite an array of electronic wizardry helping to keep drivers out of trouble.A year after launch, Mercedes added the A190 Avantgarde which was an A160 Avantgarde fitted with a 1.9-litre version of the SOHC four cylinder engine. Power jumped to 92kW at 5500rpm and torque climbed to 180Nm. That was followed in 2000 by the A140 which was identical to the A160 Classic, except for its 60kW 1.4-litre engine.An update in 2001 saw the styling freshened with new front-end looks and a revised specification list. The same update brought a longer version which added 170mm to the wheelbase and made the interior even roomier.IN THE SHOPGenerally the A-Class has been reliable, with little trouble reported by mechanics and owners. It's important to make sure of a service record, one by an acknowledged Mercedes specialist or dealer. If you find a service record from another outlet, check its competence on Benz cars. Like all Mercedes-Benz cars, the A-Class is usually looked after by caring owners so you're less likely to find any problems of neglect. Take careful note of any knocks or clunks you might hear on a road test and observe the transmission for smooth operation. Be particularly careful about the sequential manual gearbox – and only consider one if you're into quirky gadgets.CRUNCH TIMEThe A-Class is a nifty handler with plenty of on-board electronics to keep it upright and on the road. Couple that with an array of frontal and side airbags and you have quite an impressive safety picture.RATING14/20 Comfortable and well equipped small car makes sense for family transport around town.
THE 380SL is a classic sports cruiser and yours sounds a very nice example. In good original condition, a 380SL gets about $40,000 on the collector market, and in average condition about $10,000 less.
CARS 15 years or more old can be imported without complying with the Australian Design Rules that applied at the time of manufacture. It's a loophole to allow enthusiasts to bring in classic and historic cars. Unfortunately, it has opened the door for people to import commercial quantities of cars that don't fit the definition of a classic car. Try a Mercedes-Benz specialist for details of the 190e. The loophole is being closed.
IT'S crucial to be careful about imports, because you can't be sure about their history, but you shouldn't completely dismiss them. Some that are in good condition, and imported by reputable dealers, can be worth a second look. Get them thoroughly checked by someone you trust, who has an intimate knowledge of the make and model you want to buy. The 300E/300CE Benz is a good choice. They're very reliable, though they are known for valve guide wear as the kilometres climb. You're buying an old car, and it doesn't matter which badge is on the bonnet, it will break down at some time so be prepared.
YOU can have it serviced by any of the above. The Mercedes dealer will do the service by the book and most likely charge the most, but you'll feel pampered. The European car specialist will also service it by the book and charge less, but you probably won't be pampered by the service staff. Often these specialists are former employees of dealerships who have branched out on their own so they're fully trained and experienced. In this case, look for someone who specialises in Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, your mechanic may have no problem servicing your car, but if he's an all-rounder, he may not have specialist knowledge. That said, if you feel comfortable that he is a competent mechanic, and you trust him, stick with him.
IF IT has been running on Optimax for quite some time and hasn't burnt valves then I would recommend you stick with an unleaded fuel. It is generally recommended that all Mercedes-Benz cars before July 1976 should use either LRP while it is available, or unleaded with an upper cylinder lubricant, but if your car is running fine on unleaded, I suggest you stick with it.
THE 450 SLC is a lot of car for the money. You should be able to buy one for less than $18,000, which makes it great value. Look for an Australian-delivered car and avoid imports that could have come from Hong Kong, where rust is prevalent. Rust can be a problem. Check the floors inside for dampness, or signs that they have been damp. If you find any dampness walk away, because there will be serious rust in the body. The interior trim can split, seats collapse and the dash can crack. Mechanically the V8 is strong, but will use plenty of petrol. Once you've found a car you're keen on, have it checked by an expert.
THE warning light is indicating there is a problem with the ABS. I would strongly recommend you have it checked by a Mercedes specialist. The brakes will still work, but you will not have the benefit of the ABS. To check the function of the ABS, apply the brakes hard to the point of lockup. If the brakes lock and the wheels skid, the ABS is not operating. If you can feel a pulsing through the pedal, the system is working. Either way, have the ABS checked.
PULP is the best fuel for the W201 190E. It has the required octane for that engine, which would have been developed to run on the old leaded super. The Australian Institute of Petroleum says you should use an additive, but the Merc has an alloy cylinder head with cast-iron valve seat inserts that have probably been hardened. which means you could safely run it without an additive.
IT'S really too early to speculate on the reliability of the present-model vans. I would be surprised if you needed a van as big as the Sprinter or Ducato to transport your 13-year-old daughter. I would take a look at the Vito, Transporter and Trafic before the Transit. The latter has a pretty ordinary reputation for reliability. Have a talk to the people at Capital Special Vehicles, who specialise in doing the conversions.
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