This brings us onto our current A-Class.

The A210 Evolution LWB

At the time we bought this car we where looking at buying a smaller sportier car but in the end we bought a A210 Evo which is a cross between something sporty and something with a load of room inside.

Now some would say its not sporty, well define sporty. 0-60 isn’t Porsche territory and it’s not as cheap as something like the Honda Civic, but I’ve already stated on this site that I wanted a White Civic Type-R but Honda UK wouldn’t accommodate me. I’ll have one though if the price is right next time I go to Japan. The Jap Spec is a better car anyway!

I have to say the A210 is brilliant to drive compared to the other A-Classes I’ve owned. It’s fast, a little too fast sometimes and it handles miles better than the other two, although it does have a tendency to drive on three wheels when pushed near the limit on the corners as I found out on a recent track day. On the straight and narrow the speedo does have a tendency to climb round to the wrong side of the dial rather quickly. I wont say how far round the needle has been.

Okay its not as quick as some cars for the same money but they don’t have the three pointed star on the front. Plus even though I live in an A-Class hot spot, our A-Class stands out because of its body kit and nice alloys.

Besides, if I’d have bought the Honda Civic Type-R I wouldn’t be able to nearly as much stuff in the back as I can in the A-Class.

I have loads of friends who own A-Classes and constantly meet people who own A-Classes and ask me about ours. For those who are reading this and want to meet other A-Class owners then I always point people in the direction of the Baby Benz website, who have regular meetings of like minded people throughout the country.

If your interested in an A-Class then there are a few things to check before you hand over your hard earned cash.

The most common faults are listed below,

1. Steering rack. With the engine turned off, move the steering wheel from left to right. If it makes a clunking noise then the bearing which connects the wheel to the rack is in need of replacing. Its an expensive part especially with labour from MB. The A-Class steering rack has been updated three times since the model was released, that I know about, and this has been the topic of many a subject at Baby Benz meetings. This only affects older models.

2. Rear suspension, Where the spring is held onto the rear trailing arms have a tendency to rust which allows the spring to move. Parts are cheap, labour is expensive. Have a look under the rear, its worth getting your hands dirty for this one. This only affects older models.

3. Rear trailing arms bushes. While you’re down checking the springs check the trailing arm bushes.

4. Rear Wheel bearings, these can go. Check them.

5. Rattles from interior. Its not that the interior isn’t put together well, its just that some bits might not be secured properly or the part didn’t fit exactly. Common areas to look at are: Rear seats (take them out and put either insulation tape or foam over the securing posts in the floor), headrests (Easy one this, take them out and pull the posts further apart, not too much mind you. When they go back in they will fit more snugly than before). Tailgate (remove the cover and install bits of foam around the door, then screw the cover back on) Any other rattles can be fixed as per the tailgate.

6. Air Mass Sensor. This is £500ish just for the part! However whether or not this needs replacing is like the lottery. I know people who’ve done 90,000 miles and it’s been okay and other with 10,000 miles and it needed replacing. If it worries you get a warranty if you can. Remember that all MB under 3 years old should have a warranty with MB.

If you buy an A-Class then Join the Baby Benz Club, its free and the people you meet are a nice bunch who share a common enthusiasm the A-Class and who knows if you turn up, I might even take you for a spin in my A210!