Folks I bought 2021 GLA 250 a few weeks back. Nice and beautiful car. I am a DIY person so like to learn how to fix things and learn new technology ( I am a software IT person). So I found out after doing some research it has 1000s of electronics controlling different modules of cars from sensors behind the big grill logo, lights to the tail where we have a backup camera which also can stop working because it is a mechanical process controlled by computer. So I decided I will keep this car till the warranty runs out. Even the dashboard display is all electronic with a gaint LCD screen which is one unit ( Speedometer and infotainment system). One point of failure can lead to the replacement of the whole LCD which is super expensive. Also, the buttons are confusing, the electronic parking brake sometimes auto operates and sometimes not so I have to remember using the switch. It is not smart enough to auto brake so I have to remember to check. No oil dipstick. The engine sounds rough but smooth not worried about it. So my most worries are the expensive repair cost when the warranty is over. This car definitely needs to go once the warranty is over. I have GLE 350 2018 which I maintain myself as I have diagnostic icraft V3 for MB. It is a DIY SUV but I believe all 2020 to 2021 onward MB has redesigned their technology so that customer has no choice except to rely on MB dealers. I also heard the previous diagnostic tools will not work on 2021 onward models. There is a more expensive new diagnostic laptop and interface which can cost 1000s of dollar so no DIY. I used to own Honda accord V6 with all same electronic features that this GLA 250 has which are keyless entry, forward collision warning, lane change warning. And no need to recalibrate any sensor. And on the top 280 hp honda engine uses just 5 quarts. Anyway, I believe Japanese electronic technology is far far better than German. I also think German cars like BMW and MB are losing to more advanced Honda and Toyota in all respects. And that's another reason they want their customer to be hooked up to dealers. Their sales are dropping and so is the quality of their engineering once known to rule.
Just my thoughts. For got to mention the auto stop and start engine is terrible. We can not permanently disable it no option is available in the software except one has to remember to push the button to turn off the start and stop every time we start the engine. To be honest I will never recommend this car to anyone. By the way till now no issue but I am sure it will have with time.
Thank you

 

For the record, MB is selling more cars than ever. Honda and Toyota make nice cars but they're not MB's. I would suggest that if you want to do your own maintenance, you should buy an older vehicle with far fewer electronics on it than the newest vehicles that are loaded with electronics. Having been raised by an engineer with German ancestry who was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the newest vehicles are not imho, good vehicles for a beginner DIYer to be working on. Most people, other than automotive engineers just don't have the expertise to be DIYing on such an advanced vehicle. In-experience can do alot of damage and may wind up voiding your manufacturer's warranty. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thank you for your comments. I am looking at this sale. German automaker sales dropped comparatively more almost double than Japanese luxury car. Yea that's why I am planning to keep my 2018 GLE 350 as much as I could and will sell 2021 GLA close to the end of the warranty. Actually, I am planning for Tesla for a daily commute and keep GLE 350 for long trips. though Tesla has electronics at least those oil change, ATF, Brake and 100s of different engine sensors, i.e. knock, chain, oil pressure, AT transmission gear, timing senor, Crankshaft positioning sensor etc. will not be in Tesla which will save 1000s of dollars of costs which comes with german cars.

 

A pretty pathetic attempt using only a global pandemic sales year to justify your point. For the record, MB sales are back up for 2021 and overall, MB is again selling more cars than ever. You might find that out if you'd bothered to research more than 1 year of sales that occurred during a global pandemic The Japanese brands have certainly had their issues over the years so they're not quite so wonderful, can we say, sudden acceleration issues? Tesla is certainly having its issues as well. The issues with Tesla build quality are also well documented. The MB EQS is very far ahead of the Tesla model S in every respect and the additional electric MBs coming to market will be equally well ahead of their Tesla counterparts. Not following the service recommendations set by the MB engineers is a recipe for an expensive disaster. People who are not automotive engineers don't know more than the automotive engineers.

 

Back up camera issue: Strage engenering. So when I put my car on the reverse and then change to drive the camera remains ON and I can not see my car play Nav as the screening still shows back up view when I am driving front lol. I do not know that is by design or defect. I will try to look at some timing configurations that might be hidden somewhere. And might visit our MB smart tech shop.

 

Sir, you have great points. Do you have 2021 comparison data?

 

I found some data for you. This is 2021, looks worse than 2020 for MB. When you go to the link then sort by selecting "Change" it will organize a list with the highest change on the top. You will find your answer when you will scroll way down to row 51 ( I guess ). I am not saying they are bad cars I am saying their engineering and public need have a disconnect when compared to other models of the same class. I bought it I love this style especially the interior but I know if anything brakes which happen often with german cars then I will make sure I do not keep a day over when the warranty is over.

https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2021-u...ures-by-model/

 

You're pathetic. I used your table for 2021 sales and I compared sales by brand and MB is ahead of both BMW and Lexus by 20,000 vehicles which proves my point. You've put your total lack of automotive knowledge on full display. I have no idea why you bought your GLA in the first place. It's pretty pathetic to then show up in an MB forum and attack MB and brag about being too cheap to pay for the maintenance needed to keep your GLA in good running order and also claim that you have no engineering work experience but that you can do your own maintenance on a highly complex 2021 vehicle. What a joke. I suggest you move on.

 

It’s an odd mindset to go onto a forum to say you don’t like a car because you can’t fix it yourself. It’s like saying you don’t like eating out because you want to cook your own food. It’s pretty simple - don’t eat out. Odd to try to encourage others not to eat out.

I think the GLA 250e is the best car I’ve ever owned. And I’ve been super impressed with every Mercedes I’ve ever driven. I moved from VW to BMW to Audi to Mazda and now MB. I’d be surprised if I didn’t stay with the star from now.