Merc A class or Volvo v40?

[KennyO]

Mrs KO needs a new car. Current Volvo v60 is being a pain. Fancy something a bit smaller as we dont need to cart pram about now and use my truck for long hauls.

Anyone any experience of the above. Would be A200d or D3 or 4 Volvo.

I propably prefer volvo as its a bit less showy but merc is one of the few smaller cars we both like the look of (however paying for the brand).

Any thoughts anyone or other ideas?

Thanks

 

[farmerdan7618]

New A class is a lovely car, but is fairly low, and rear wheel drive so won't be much good for bringing lunch out to the field.
If purely on the road, well worth a look. I nearly bought one, but not quite.

 

[Finn farmer]

A class is front wheel drive. I do prefer my Mercedes to be rear wheel drive so i'd get 4wd A class. Cla is a great looking car, whether it's sedan or estate.

A is also specced to the roof if you want so. Ar navigation, big screens etc. Almost only difference between Mercs nowadays is the size (of course there are differences in suspension and noise cancelling, but spec wise almost the same).

 

[Cowabunga]

New A class is a lovely car, but is fairly low, and rear wheel drive so won't be much good for bringing lunch out to the field.
If purely on the road, well worth a look. I nearly bought one, but not quite.

It is very low and some of the engines and transmissions are from Nissan/Renault and are near enough identical to those fitted to the Qashqai and Kadjar and Megane.

 

[Finn farmer]

It is very low and some of the engines and transmissions are from Nissan/Renault and are near enough identical to those fitted to the Qashqai and Kadjar and Megane.

I think that my C220 cdi is fitted with one of those Renault engines and has the 7 gear tronic automatic. It has pretty good performance thanks to the twin turbos and uses approx 5,1l of diesel/100km (mind that the consumption is one years average with days that had - 35°C temperatures). It has done almost 200k miles without problems.

 

[Cowabunga]

I think that my C220 cdi is fitted with one of those Renault engines and has the 7 gear tronic automatic. It has pretty good performance thanks to the twin turbos and uses approx 5,1l of diesel/100km (mind that the consumption is one years average with days that had - 35°C temperatures). It has done almost 200k miles without problems.

Yes, I'm not saying that it is a bad thing.

 

[ollie989898]

I am near certain the V40 can be had in 4 wheel drive?

Check the boot is large enough for what you want. Get a D4 and polestar it. Worth looking at XC40?

 

[Boohoo]

My brother is nearly half way through a 2 year lease with a Mercedes A45 AMG and he's glad he didn't buy one. Yes it can shift and it sounds amazing but the build quality isn't there and the technology is dated for someone who loves their gadgets. He says in many areas the Fiesta ST he had previously was a better car

 

[Finn farmer]

My brother is nearly half way through a 2 year lease with a Mercedes A45 AMG and he's glad he didn't buy one. Yes it can shift and it sounds amazing but the build quality isn't there and the technology is dated for someone who loves their gadgets. He says in many areas the Fiesta ST he had previously was a better car

The A series has had a complete overhaul this year. They changed the materials and made it feel more premium, also tinkered with the steering to make it more responsive. I wouldn't buy the older A, to be fair i wouldn't buy the new A either if i was looking for a small car. I'd buy Hyundai i30N or top spec Fiesta and have almost 10grand in my back pocket to spend on something else.

 

[ollie989898]

I am biased because I love Volvos, I would not entertain any other vehicle. If it was me I would be getting a V60 AWD with the D4 engine.

 

[Cowabunga]

'Cheap' Mercedes cars are no better than anyone else's cheaper cars. They are built down to a price. Perfectly good cars if it suits the driver of course. Its nice to have so much choice of good relatively cheaply built cars with 'premium' badges these days. I'm not saying that with tongue in cheek either. I do mean it. If you like the car, go for it. Its most important that the car suits and satisfies the owner/driver.

 

[ollie989898]

Another car worth looking at are the new Alfa Romeo range of hatch backs but I have no idea how reliable they are.

 

[Boohoo]

The A series has had a complete overhaul this year. They changed the materials and made it feel more premium, also tinkered with the steering to make it more responsive. I wouldn't buy the older A, to be fair i wouldn't buy the new A either if i was looking for a small car. I'd buy Hyundai i30N or top spec Fiesta and have almost 10grand in my back pocket to spend on something else.

I didn't know they had given it a complete overhaul, hope they've managed to get it right this time.
A top spec car from a premium manufacturer shouldn't disappoint, especially if like my brother's it is one of the last of that model and any problems should've been sorted out.

 

[Mursal]

Alfa's are good, but we have absolutely no dealer back up, worth talking about.
Very low value secondhand, never buy a new one ........

Did you consider Audi / VW / Skoda at the same price point, see what you can get?
Q3 would be the preferred option, if within budget ...........

 

[Martin Holden]

'Cheap' Mercedes cars are no better than anyone else's cheaper cars. They are built down to a price. Perfectly good cars if it suits the driver of course. Its nice to have so much choice of good relatively cheaply built cars with 'premium' badges these days. I'm not saying that with tongue in cheek either. I do mean it. If you like the car, go for it. Its most important that the car suits and satisfies the owner/driver.

Correct. Cheap has a reason behind it always!

 

[KB6930]

Mrs KO needs a new car. Current Volvo v60 is being a pain. Fancy something a bit smaller as we dont need to cart pram about now and use my truck for long hauls.

Anyone any experience of the above. Would be A200d or D3 or 4 Volvo.

I propably prefer volvo as its a bit less showy but merc is one of the few smaller cars we both like the look of (however paying for the brand).

Any thoughts anyone or other ideas?

Thanks

D4 v40 is a fair bit of kit picked up ours as ex demo a couple hundred miles from home and in the 3 yrs we've had it it's been faultless

 

[KennyO]

Alfa's are good, but we have absolutely no dealer back up, worth talking about.
Very low value secondhand, never buy a new one ........

Did you consider Audi / VW / Skoda at the same price point, see what you can get?
Q3 would be the preferred option, if within budget ...........

Nothing we really like. Not looking for SUV type or 4x4. Reality is a fiesta or focus would do fine but she wants something fancier- and will be paying, so its her choice.

Just for school/ nursery run and getting to and from work.

 

[KB6930]

D4 v40 is a fair bit of kit picked up ours as ex demo a couple hundred miles from home and in the 3 yrs we've had it it's been faultless

I should add to this that we've a 1yr old with seat either goes along with him and everything fits fine

 

[ORRA LOON]

Try a v40 cross country, my wife cried when we traded ours in as she loved it that much .

 

[Finn farmer]

Nothing we really like. Not looking for SUV type or 4x4. Reality is a fiesta or focus would do fine but she wants something fancier- and will be paying, so its her choice.

Just for school/ nursery run and getting to and from work.

Gonna throw this in, don't know if you'll be considering other makes than Volvo and Mercedes. How about Lexus Ct? Goes well into the small luxury segment and might be a bit cheaper, also considered very reliable.