Mercedes-Benz GLA (X156): operating experience, reliability and features

Introduction

In the first half of 2010, the demand for compact crossovers has been growing rapidly. This segment has become a tasty treat not only for mass-market car manufacturers, but also for premium brands, which are also keen to increase their sales. Therefore, its strong word in this class was hastened to say Mercedes-Benz, releasing the model GLA, that is Geländewagen class A. In this article we will consider typical problems and nuances of operation of the first generation GLA (X156).

Model history and specifications

The series Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013. It became the fourth model built on the company's modular front architecture (MFA). All the motors used in the crossover were straight four-cylinder units.

The gearbox had two: six-stage mechanics and seven-stage robot. Global sales started with the front-wheel drive version of the GLA 200, powered by the 1.6 litre M270DE16L engine. Initially its capacity was 156 horsepower, but in the autumn of 2015 passport figures were reduced to more advantageous tax 150 forces.

Also front-wheel drive was the diesel modifications GLA 200d, which were put on the turboprop OM651DE22LA with a volume of 2.1 liters. True, they were not very popular and in the second half of 2016 left some markets due to weak sales.

Index 250 in the name received cars with two-liter M270DE20I. They already had a full drive. The AMG series cars were equipped with a 2-litre M133DE20AL engine. With them, by the way, there was a reverse metamorphosis: initially the engine power was 360 horsepower, but since 2016, after modernization, it has increased to 380 horsepower.

In January 2017, at the Detroit Auto Show, Mercedes presented the reselling GLA. The updated model has received cosmetic changes, including reworked radiator grille, new front and rear bumpers. In addition, the previous bi-xenon headlamps were replaced by LED. In the power line, changes were minimal: only the GLA 45 AMG version increased its power by one horse - up to 381 horsepower. The characteristics and equipment of the engines of the 270 family remained the same.

Engines M270: features and problems

Constructively the units of the M270 family are identical, only working volume and options of the finishing differ. Therefore, the main problems are similar.

Cooling system

The most common problem is the weakness of cooling system components, namely thermostats and pumps. For the most part, thousands 60-70 they walk exactly, and then as a card will lie. Some people have problems after 80,000 km, and some people have problems after 100 km. It is noteworthy that no one has been able to identify the triggering or accompanying circumstances - failure does not depend on the driving style, nor the conditions of movement.

You can calmly go on business, and suddenly - clubs of steam and a characteristic sweet smell. This means that the water pump has failed. With the thermostat, the situation is a little easier and less effective for visual accompaniment - only the jumping arrow of the coolant temperature. After a long warm-up, the temperature reaches 80-90 degrees, then it drops sharply to 50 degrees when you start moving. At the next stop, it rises again to 70 degrees, and when you start moving it goes down again. For a while you can drive like this, but such temperature fluctuations indicate the thermostat malfunction.

Turbocharger

Near 100,000 km, the booster pressure regulator may fail. The car will lose its dynamic, the RPM set will turn into a real pain, the Check Engine indicator will pop out on the dashboard and the error P0299 "low boost pressure" will be recorded in the memory. On the surface, this resembles a breakdown of the Westgate, but on the M270 first GLA motorcycles cause such behavior is usually the valve regulator, which replacement returns the car to the old cheerfulness.

At such distances, there is a high probability of occurrence of another error - P06A00 "activation of the valve of the oil pump in the engine has an electrical fault or failure". The fault is not the oil pump, as many may think, and the wire through which it is transmitted to the control unit information about the state of the pump. However, to replace the wire will have to remove the lid of the pan, and accordingly, and pour oil.

Ignition system and crankcase ventilation

The ignition coils on this engine usually fail in the range of 120-130,000 km, usually individually and not always one by one. However, specialists recommend changing them immediately complex as soon as the first one is out of service.

There are cases when the valve of the exhaust ventilation system goes down in the region of 100,000 km. Outwardly this does not appear, the engine works as normal, but on the dashboard lights Check Engine, and in the memory is recorded error P052E71. It should be borne in mind that this valve is not sold separately, only with a tube, which in official catalogs and other spare parts search programs is indicated by the long title "ventilation tube between oil separator and distributor booster air collector".

Engine supports and accessories

The silent block on top of the engine support console is dislodged to about 150-160,000 km. To understand that it is not difficult: the engine start, and sometimes the activation of the air conditioner is accompanied by tapping. In addition, on the bodywork with a working engine felt vibrations. It's interesting that the experienced owners found out: instead of buying an expensive console with a silent block, in the landing place fits perfectly in the Toyota Camry's sixth and seventh generation rear suspension block, which serves quite tolerably, and all the side effects disappear instantly.

A little less, up to 120-130,000 km, lives the rodent. Usually its replacement is combined with the replacement of the drive belt, which at this distance also starts whistling. Do not forget to put a new slewing roller and tensioner together with the belt.

Fuel system

The M270 fuel hose of the feeder line turned out to be quite weak. Its strength is exhausted somewhere around 120-160,000 km. Detecting a leak will be easy: a persistent smell of gasoline will appear in the cabin. When you open the hood, you will see a hose on the surface and all leaks will be visible. Changing it is easy, you can do it even with your own. The main thing is to choose better homoutics for fastening, because the opinion of specialists about the original is not very flattering.

Sports engine M133

Now let's move to the upgraded version of the civilian engine - the sports M133, which is based on the M270 engine, but has been significantly improved by AMG to improve performance. In particular, it was equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger and the walls of the cylinders were coated. These and other measures allow the unit to demonstrate a much greater capacity than the M270.

However, there are no miracles in the world: the realization of a powerful potential at full speed reduces the resource of many units, so to perform both maintenance and replacement of the out-of-service components will have to be more frequent. For example, the circuit of the gas distribution mechanism on this engine is unlikely to last longer than 70,000 km without problems, and the turbines will barely survive 100-120,000 km.

Diesel engine OM651

The OM651 diesel engine is much more efficient in this respect. Only equipped with them crossovers on the secondary market quite a few - cars did not buy very willingly. Probably, a certain role was played by the childhood ailments of the first versions and the double reputation earned on light transport vehicles, although in the passenger segment at minimal loads the motor does not break.

The main thing here is to monitor the performance of the oil heat exchanger. Unfortunately, it gets clogged quite regularly, and the loss of its effectiveness threatens with the most unpleasant consequences, even to the quickness of inserts. Therefore, specialists recommend the following prevention: every 80-100,000 km, regardless of the condition, change the heat exchanger.

Transmission

Quite reliable and seven-stage preseletive robot 7G-DCT. The AMG modification is installed its enhanced version - AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT. The biggest problems of this box (after the removal of childhood diseases by new patches) are related to mechatronics, but they can be easily avoided if you regularly and timely change the transmission fluid and thus extend the service life of hydroblok solenoids.

Normally, the oil in the gearbox is renewed when it reaches 60,000 km along with the oil in the rear gear on the all-wheel drive versions. However, if you are not afraid of the adventure of powerful driving and like to "heat up", it is better to perform this procedure earlier - at least 40-50 thousand km.

Feeling in the rear of the car annoying kicks that accompany a sudden acceleration, start from the ground, speed dial, and also at this point can be heard intermittent clapping - do not hesitate and refresh all technical fluids. If the oil drained from the rear reducer will be thick and dark, it is already better to disassemble the entire unit and clean it.

Suspension and brake system

The questions are also minimal. There were occasional misunderstandings like the 30,000 km of stacks, but they were changed because of guarantees. In general, the components of the chassis are working well for at least 100,000 km and even after this point do not require too much replacement. For example, bearing rotors work well up to 140-150,000 km, the steering head is about the same.

As for the brakes, the front brake pads travel 30-40 thousand km, the brake discs - about 100,000 km.

Other malfunctions

Airbag

Speaking of other problems, it is worth noting that the first GLA in 2020 was a service action related to the driver's airbag. Due to the manufacturing defect it could work without any reason, so before buying a car it is advisable to check the car for participation in this recall.

Gas tank hatch

But the gas tank withdrawal campaign was not carried out, although this problem was quite common. In many cars, it sometimes does not close, then suddenly opens on its own and is treated only by replacing the unreliable electric drive, quickly coming out of service.

Gas tank adsorer

Next door lives another problem, characteristic for cars until 2015 release - is the tank adsorber, or catch of fuel vapours. It had a constructive defect that led to the fact that during refueling the gun could constantly pop. As a result, the designers produced a modernized part that was installed on cars. When replacing it makes sense to take only her, because with all the others the situation will repeat again and again.

Side mirrors

Among the rather exotic problems inherent to the first GLA, it is worth highlighting the mirror alignment. Instead of stopping in their working position (about perpendicular to the body) during folding, they kept extending further until they stopped, pinching and turning 180 degrees. If nothing changed after 3-4 repetitions, you had to change the settings and adjust the automatic folding parameters again.

Battery

A fun story could happen also with an extra battery that serves approximately 6-7 years. It's time to change, usually tells the appropriate instruction on the dashboard. But sometimes the system does not report a problem. Instead, miracles begin to happen with starting the engine in start-stop mode. After a short stop, when you press the accelerator pedal, for example, there is a noticeable vibration, the combination of instruments shuts down, and other unpleasant events occur. In different cars this may appear differently, but the essence is the same: Check Engine lights up, memory error appears and the engine does not start itself. It can be started by force, after which it works normally - until the next stop. All these signs only indicate that the additional battery has reached the end of its life path.

Many owners of crossovers, in order to save money put here, instead of the brand battery, motorcycle. But there is one feature: the motorcycle battery has no gas-extraction tube from the cabin (because they are intended for motorcycles, and there ventilation occurs naturally). This means that the evaporation of such a battery, even if it is small, will go into the salon. The difference in price, if you take a quality analog with the necessary conclusion, is not so great.

Conclusion

Overall, the Mercedes-Benz GLA X156 can be characterized as a fairly reliable and trouble-free car. Most of the defects considered can be prevented by timely maintenance and prevention. In addition, many of them are relatively simple and low-cost repairs.

GLA is a car of a certain level that does not like and does not forgive disparaging. Therefore, the parts for it must be purchased. Take this into account when choosing a car. Parts do not have to be original, with the mark of Mercedes-Benz. The main thing is that their quality was flawless, because otherwise avoid a headache with the content of Mercedes crossover you will not succeed.

When choosing a second-hand GLA first generation it is worth paying attention to the following points:

1. Engine and its condition. Check if there is no noise, if oil is running, if there are problems with the turbine. Pay attention to the cooling system, especially if your car's mileage is approaching or exceeding 80,000 km.
2. Transmission. Make sure the gear changes are smooth, without jerks and delays. Check with the owner to see if the gearbox and rear gear oil have been changed (for all-wheel drive versions).
3. Electronics. Check the functioning of all systems, especially automatic folding mirrors, gas tank manhole, start-stop system.
4. Service history. The ideal option is a car with a full service history, which has passed all the planned TOs.
5. Participation in recall campaigns. Check whether a particular item is subject to reviews, especially regarding the airbag.

By listening to these tips and carefully checking the selected car, you can minimize risks and enjoy owning a compact premium brand crossover. Mercedes-Benz GLA X156, despite some features, is a worthy representative of its class and with the right service will last long and reliably.

When choosing a modification it is worth taking into account that the versions with the engine M270 (1.6 and 2.0) are most common and well studied in terms of typical faults. AMG versions offer impressive dynamics, but require more frequent and expensive maintenance. Diesel variants with OM651 engine are rare, but very reliable with proper care for oil heat exchanger.

In any case, the Mercedes-Benz GLA is a car that, with the right choice and maintenance can give its owner many pleasant moments and highlight his status without creating excessive problems with operation.

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