Driving an A class

[Mart 63]

Hi, it looks like I'm putting a deposit on a Rapido 8086df next week. I've never driven an A class. I've just sold my Benimar tessoro 442, which is around 20cm shorter, and a few cms narrower. Is there much of a difference in driving either. I've sat behind the wheel of a A class, and the cab seems huge. Any tips for driving an A class. Also it has a 9 speed auto, which will be the first auto I've owned, does it make much of a difference. Thanks

 

[G1969]

You will soon get use to it, better visibility and automatics are a lot easier- just enjoy

 

[Marie-Claire]

The body is no wider than your used to , now if your mirrors go thro the rest just follows. We recently got the 8096 with the 9sp and it isa joy to drive and upto now seems very well put together.

 

[bobandjanie]

They are very different to drive, the windscreen being further away and the seating position seems like your sitting in the middle of the vehicle.
You will soon get use to driving it. Bob.

 

[brynric]

Bit difficult to brush flies from the windscreen.
Driving is a little odd for the first trip or so then becomes a very positive experience. Much less worry about the width of the vehicle.
Automatic makes long journeys more relaxed.
Driving aside - an A class is a more comfortable living experience.

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[Pausim]

A Class are easier to drive than C Class.

 

[Mart 63]

Thank for the positive replies.

 

[Wh05apk]

Having had 2 a classes and now just gone back to a coachbuilt, I would not say one is better than the other, just different.
Visibility wise although the screen is bigger, it is further forward, so I don't find you can see any higher than a coachbuilt, just be aware the mirrors and a pillars tend to cause worse blind spots.

 

[Lenny HB]

A Class is so much easier to drive, better viability, flat sides makes getting through tight gaps and reversing easier. Also they are quieter and warmer.
The seating position is exactly the same as a standard CB, same distance to the side of the vehicle & same distance to the front.

As for the auto box you will wonder how you ever managed to drive a manual.

On our 3rd A Class when I get in a van with a standard cab it feels really clostriphbic and feels like you are going to hit your head on the windscreen as its so close.

 

[John Barrett]

I fitted switchable parking sensors at the front quarters of our B640. Helped a lot!

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[Peppadog]

I’ve had both over the years, although in a pvc now.You will find it daunting until you start driving. You will soon love it.

 

[1090alex]

Hi, it looks like I'm putting a deposit on a Rapido 8086df next week. I've never driven an A class. I've just sold my Benimar tessoro 442, which is around 20cm shorter, and a few cms narrower. Is there much of a difference in driving either. I've sat behind the wheel of a A class, and the cab seems huge. Any tips for driving an A class. Also it has a 9 speed auto, which will be the first auto I've owned, does it make much of a difference. Thanks

Hi
You'll get used to it really quickly as the body isn't any wider than the cab area unlike a coach built.
One thing to get used to is the sliding driver's window. This can present blind spots when at a roundabout or junction. You really have to have a good look out and not just glance. A lot of A classes don't have sunvisors so you'll maybe need to have a good pair of sunglasses handy.
Enjoy the view you get from the A class windscreen!

 

[Mart 63]

Thanks again all, it's under 12 months old, so it's going to be a bit daunting on the first couple of journeys.

 

[Rapido925M]

Knowing where the front “bumper” is causes me problems, even after 18y
I usually need three attempts to get to the white line marking the edge of the parking spot. I tried sensors to allow me to get close to walls but they didn’t work properly. I tried various mirrors angled to let me see vertically but I’m not prepared to fasten one externally. The best solution is a passenger!

Otherwise it is plain sailing, especially if you drive over the edge of the quayside

Gordon

 

[funflair]

Knowing where the front “bumper” is causes me problems, even after 18y
I usually need three attempts to get to the white line marking the edge of the parking spot. I tried sensors to allow me to get close to walls but they didn’t work properly. I tried various mirrors angled to let me see vertically but I’m not prepared to fasten one externally. The best solution is a passenger!

Otherwise it is plain sailing, especially if you drive over the edge of the quayside

Gordon

Surround 360 deg cameras would get you to within a couple of inches, or even a single DIy camera for the bumper would help.

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[DandJ]

I'd say that simply by the fact that you are actively discussing it means you are thinking about all the aspects of driving an ever so slightly larger vehicle...I'd wager you've considered the route you'll take home/storage from collecting it too? You'll be absolutely fine

 

[Lenny HB]

Surround 360 deg cameras would get you to within a couple of inches, or even a single DIy camera for the bumper would help.

Fitted a camera on the front of the last van, thinking of fitting one on each side of the front grill on this one.
Made my own switch box but now you can get video switch boxes for a few quid that even show split screen images of mulitpul cameras on one screen.

 

[bladerunner]

I'd strongly recommend eg omniview360 - 4 cameras.
Make a huge difference to confidence of driving.

 

[Guigsy]

Generally, it's not much different. The dash edge and passenger window bottom edge is further away from you, so you do lose sight of low stuff a few metres earlier. If you're reversing past things like bollards on the passenger side, they disappear from view and mirrors earlier. It makes some manoeuvring judgement a bit harder. I've had an MX5 stopped next to me at lights that I couldn't see because of the blind spot. Getting on to ramps is more of a guess. Most of the time, it's makes no difference though.

 

[vzac]

At least you know where the front of the vehicle ends. It's the window. They are great to drive.