The longer the better! (Mercedes-Benz A170CDI Elegance)

Name: Nirm

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Product:	Mercedes-Benz A170CDI Elegance
Date:	21/04/02 (721 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clever design and size, driving position, safety features

Disadvantages: None really other than price

When we bought the first A-Class (a petrol A140 Elegance) almost 3 years ago, I suppose it was a bit of a statement! Having progressed from Ibizas, Fiestas and Polos, the 'Baby Benz' was a radical change and totally different. We were also willing to give the car the benefit of the doubt on certain shortfalls, though Mercedes Benz (MB) should have got them right initially.

Well as we all know they didn't and what a disaster. For all the pros of the vehicle, one con outweighed them all - the ride - you felt all the bumps and were glad to get out of the car. When we heard that an LWB (long wheel version) was going to be made, we almost instinctively knew the ride was going to improve. With a change in circumstances looming, we test drove a diesel LWB and we fell in love with it all over again and have not looked back!

So an A170 CDI LWB Elegance (a bit of a mouthful!) it was to be. The ride, whilst not as smooth as perhaps a traditional saloon (such as the new Mondeo), is a vast improvement on its predecessor. We live in the countryside and journeys can be hairy at times, however the car copes with all the twists and bends, bumps and holes, with supreme ease. The diesel engine noise is evident though not obtrusive and in fact my wife finds it reassuring (no, she's not farmer!) as, quite correctly, so many engines today cannot be heard and sometimes you do not know when you are accelerating.

In the cabin and at the front the build quality is much more up to regular MB levels than their initial 'plasticy' attempt, with a major dash and central console overhaul bringing it in to line with their saloons, especially with 'wood' being introduced in to the Elegance specification. The air-conditioning (standard in Elegance) was always good, but seems even better without noticeably affecting performance. The seats are the same as before and could be criticised as being on the small side, especially if you are robustly
built person, but nevertheless comfortable and supportive.

In the back and what is LWB version's claim to fame is the space! With the seats in the normal position the luggage space (now with a proper parcel shelf) is the same as the non-LWB version's large enough to fit 3 Sainsbury's blue baskets side by side. In this configuration you could have a party in the cabin or think business class travel on a quality airline - its huge! With the configuration set up for the same seat pitch as in the non-LWB version, the luggage space is simply massive! Configurations are versatile, however, we would be hard pushed to use it as a van - we wouldn't want to demean the 'Junior Benz'! Needless to say the ride in the back is comfortable for 2 well built adults.

We have always preferred the Elegance trim (the names says it all) and this time we went for a lighter interior fabric that makes the interior feel huge compared to the our previously almost black trim that made the cabin feel pokey. The standard alloy wheels are somewhat conservatively styled. Apart from the metallic paint, the only options we specified were the packaged rain sensor and auto-dimming mirror (both which work extremely well) and the folding exterior mirrors (after experiences with the A140 and our narrow garage!) - all surprisingly good value for money!

We both enjoy the assurance of the elevated driving position, though you feel as though you're falling in to an old sports car when you move back to a traditionally styled vehicle. The car is at its absolute best on motorways. Its rock solid when passing high-sided vehicles (that's the ESP working as designed), breaking is very reassuring and the precise steering 'feels good'. The car is equally nippy in town driving and easier to park than anticipated, though we did toy with the idea of specifying the relatively expensive parking sensor.

In all driving situations, you soon learn
that there is no need to over rev this diesel as it has as no real effect other than noise! Just gently press the accelerator and move through the well spaced gears (the cluth is a delight) and the car gets to speed quickly and smoothly (much more so than than the A140/160). At 70mph+(!) this vehicle copes better than most petrol cars at accelerating (if you need to!) and in truth you wouldn't know the car is diesel powered. The car's fuel performance is better than expected, gradually improving to almost 50mpg - only tarnished by the fact that diesel is presently more expensive than unleaded - you just can't win!

Though considerably cheaper than traditional MB cars, exterior build quality is excellent thankfully not compromising the inside and, 7 months on, we are pleased to report no rattles! At the top of the price league for the type of vehicle it is, overall we feel it has been to date good value for money, especially compared to our other car, the new Mondeo, however that's another story!

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