RE: Mercedes AMG A45 gets faster and louder

[nickfrog]

I found the build quality of the A-class was not on a par with the Focus (non RS) in terms of panel gaps, fit and finish of the interior or even NVH. Performance is about much more than sheer power. Suspension kinematics, sophistication of the tranny (the Haldex is not exactly the last word in reactivity). They're both volume cars basically. But yes the Mercedes engine has the signature of a bloke on it. But that doesn't actually mean anything, it's still only a 4-pot.
Image/premium : that's subjective but I find the Merc even more Barryboy looking than the Ford. If it was premium, it wouldn't have depreciated so badly.

Have you actually driven it ?

[rb5er]

More premium....I despair. I used to work for Mercedes and I can only assume he has only ever driven and looked at them. They are less reliable than several much cheaper brands.

Love how he looks down his nose at people claiming they couldn't afford one when he knows absolutely nothing about them. It just proves his stupidity.

Not all people with money want to drive an ugly German car just because they think it is somehow "premium".

I actually quite like the a45 AMG although it is massively overpriced for what it is but was merely pointing out that you can get the same for much less but he seems to have taken that personally and thinks anyone that doesn't want one simply can't afford one.

Fools and their money etc....

[Tractor lad]

PumaUK7 said:

How so?

It is better built, in both craftsmanship and materials.

It does have better performance, having a more powerful engine.

The Mercedes brand is more premium, carrying more prestige than Ford.

Most fast Fords go UP in value. Most Mercs don't...

I'd have the RS any day over an A45 or "wider front than rear tyres to try and tame understeer" RS3.
But I want RWD so M135i it is; more torque than the A45 (on a dyno), which comes in much earlier and makes a proper sound. Oh and the auto does what you tell it to do; stuff like changing down a gear or two... It also doesn't have a stuck on Fisher Price iPad for a screen.

[PumaUK7]

Hilarious, this is really showing the demographic of pistonheads with all the barry boys caning it in their fiestas.

Considering my own brother currently has a C63 and I've looked at an A45 before (and had 1st hand experience of various Fords/VW's/Toyotas/BMW's, I'm well placed to comment.

Judging from your past cars, you're trying to convince yourself that these lesser marques are on the same level as the premium German brands. Ignoring the fact that Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands, the A45 does surpass the offerings from Ford, Honda, VW and BMW in terms of materials and performance. This is an irrefutable fact.

rb5er, a slower car made of dodgy plastics and a Ford badge on the front is not and will never be the SAME as an A45. If you truly believe that then you are delusional. They're similar and many would be happy with the Ford, however you're making a lot of sacrifices for that difference in price.

[Buff Mchugelarge]

.."Wider drift angles."

I reckon Mercedes have been watching the new Focus RS' party tricks

[nickfrog]

PumaUK7 said:

Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands

Correct.

[loose cannon]

Mercedes The best perceived quality that's about all

[Ali_T]

PumaUK7 said:

How so?

It is better built, in both craftsmanship and materials.

It's a car, not a piece of furniture, painting or sculpture. It's stamped metal and moulded plastic, not lovingly created from wood, paint or marble. Get real!

PumaUK7 said:

It does have better performance, having a more powerful engine.

So does a Massey Ferguson, but that's not going to win any drag races. Until we know the proper Ford specs, it's speculation and you falling for pub bragging figures.

PumaUK7 said:

The Mercedes brand is more premium, carrying more prestige than Ford.

That's debatable. Amongst the middle class, aspiring middle management leased to the hilt fraternity, to probably is. To car enthusiasts? They both have their merits. Ford is certainly just as successful, if not more so, in motorsport than Merc.

[Ali_T]

PumaUK7 said:

Hilarious, this is really showing the demographic of pistonheads with all the barry boys caning it in their fiestas.

Considering my own brother currently has a C63 and I've looked at an A45 before (and had 1st hand experience of various Fords/VW's/Toyotas/BMW's, I'm well placed to comment.

Judging from your past cars, you're trying to convince yourself that these lesser marques are on the same level as the premium German brands. Ignoring the fact that Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands, the A45 does surpass the offerings from Ford, Honda, VW and BMW in terms of materials and performance. This is an irrefutable fact.

rb5er, a slower car made of dodgy plastics and a Ford badge on the front is not and will never be the SAME as an A45. If you truly believe that then you are delusional. They're similar and many would be happy with the Ford, however you're making a lot of sacrifices for that difference in price.

You have actually driven the A45, haven't you? This god amongst cars you hold so dearly? Because, i don't know about you, but it was the single most disappointing test drive I had last year. Very fast, yes, but all that farting and burping from the exhaust is clearly to disguise a very humdrum sounding 4 pot. The chassis was set up very safely with no adjustability and the gearbox is the single worst dual clutch gearbox I've ever experienced. As for quality, have you ever tapped on that faux carbon finish dash? The last time I heard something that hollow and brittle, it was made by Palitoy and shaped like the Millennium Falcon.

[philmots]

PumaUK7 said:

philmots said:

Leagues ahead in what way?

It might be quicker in a straight line but that's not the only thing that maters.. Genuine question as I've not driven either, but I know how a good BMW drives and handles. Rear drive takes some beating.

Faster, better all-weather grip / traction. Essentially a quicker, easier to drive car.

We all know it's faster in a straight line, so the only other thing it's got is that it will take full throttle out of a tight wet corner and a M135i won't.. Personally, that's part of the appeal of rwd..

Been easier to drive and listing a difference of having all wheel drive doesn't make its leagues ahead. IMO.

[bodhi]

Whilst this looks impressively quick, I suspect I would still be off down to the local Blue Propellor emporium and buying myself an M135i. 4 Cylinder engines are pretty hateful devices, no matter how premium the manufacturer or who has signed their name on it (I will make an exception for Subaru boxer engines though), and as commented, 4wd is mostly useless in the UK, especially round here in urban Staffordshire.

Couldn't really give a st how "premium" the manufacturer is (although I would take exception with those saying Mercedes use better quality parts than BMW, on a similar level these days), it's all about how it drives, and I would have a lot more faith in Ford or BMW to come up with a car that steers better than a Mercedes.

[greygoose]

PumaUK7 said:

Hilarious, this is really showing the demographic of pistonheads with all the barry boys caning it in their fiestas.

Considering my own brother currently has a C63 and I've looked at an A45 before (and had 1st hand experience of various Fords/VW's/Toyotas/BMW's, I'm well placed to comment.

Judging from your past cars, you're trying to convince yourself that these lesser marques are on the same level as the premium German brands. Ignoring the fact that Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands, the A45 does surpass the offerings from Ford, Honda, VW and BMW in terms of materials and performance. This is an irrefutable fact.

Have you driven an A45 or just looked at one?

You do realise that Mercedes are not hewn from granite any more and haven't been for twenty years. It's a car built by robots, get over yourself.

[GreenArrow]

greygoose said:

PumaUK7 said:

Hilarious, this is really showing the demographic of pistonheads with all the barry boys caning it in their fiestas.

Considering my own brother currently has a C63 and I've looked at an A45 before (and had 1st hand experience of various Fords/VW's/Toyotas/BMW's, I'm well placed to comment.

Judging from your past cars, you're trying to convince yourself that these lesser marques are on the same level as the premium German brands. Ignoring the fact that Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands, the A45 does surpass the offerings from Ford, Honda, VW and BMW in terms of materials and performance. This is an irrefutable fact.

Have you driven an A45 or just looked at one?

You do realise that Mercedes are not hewn from granite any more and haven't been for twenty years. It's a car built by robots, get over yourself.

Agreed! That has to be one of the most astonishing posts I have seen for years and there have been a few on PH. How does Merc surpass Ford, Honda, etc? Certainly not in reliability if you read the recent results of the Warranty Direct Survey. As for build quality, I sat in a then new E Class at Goodwood In 2009 and concluded that it felt no better put together than my 2003 B5 Passat. What about all the W210 Mercs that rusted to pieces? The A45 is certainly a point to point weapon but crazy list price for a four cylinder hatch back.

[R8VXF]

Are we talking about the same Mercedes that managed to make a car fall over at the sight of a reindeer?

[Ali_T]

R8VXF said:

Are we talking about the same Mercedes that managed to make a car fall over at the sight of a reindeer?

That is a ridiculous and factually incorrect statement.......it was an elk.

[RedTrident]

I,well the Mrs, own one. Without the spolier. I've driven all sorts of cars and bar a 911 turbo I had for a short time this car is on the road just faster.

I'm now also in need of a car with back seats and did like the coupe version of this car when we bought the a45. On the shortlist for me in addition to maybe the coupe version is

RS3 sportback
M2
Golf R

It's these cars I think the a45 amg will compete with. Anything once specced is below 50k and has prestige with real world drivability.

Exciting times to be in the market for cars like this.

[R8VXF]

Ali_T said:

R8VXF said:

Are we talking about the same Mercedes that managed to make a car fall over at the sight of a reindeer?

That is a ridiculous and factually incorrect statement.......it was an elk.

Haha, I knew it was some form of big beastie, just couldn't remember which type of beastie it was

[rb5er]

PumaUK7 said:

Hilarious, this is really showing the demographic of pistonheads with all the barry boys caning it in their fiestas.

Considering my own brother currently has a C63 and I've looked at an A45 before (and had 1st hand experience of various Fords/VW's/Toyotas/BMW's, I'm well placed to comment.

Judging from your past cars, you're trying to convince yourself that these lesser marques are on the same level as the premium German brands. Ignoring the fact that Mercedes IS perceived as the better of the two brands, the A45 does surpass the offerings from Ford, Honda, VW and BMW in terms of materials and performance. This is an irrefutable fact.

rb5er, a slower car made of dodgy plastics and a Ford badge on the front is not and will never be the SAME as an A45. If you truly believe that then you are delusional. They're similar and many would be happy with the Ford, however you're making a lot of sacrifices for that difference in price.

Quoted for posterity.

This is just astonishing. Quoting facts as being "irrefutable" before a car has even been released.

Undodgy plastics is what makes a car these days...

"Judging by your past cars"..... when you have none listed and know nothing about what cars a person has driven in their life.

I've heard it all on PH now.

You know the old addage about arguing with idiots.

Due to that I will leave you guys to it. Good luck.

[Ali_T]

I'm assuming he's a troll. Or, at least, I hope he is because nobody is that dumb!

[J4CKO]

I just dont find these that appealing for some reason, Golf R, Focus RS, M135, yes, but this doesnt do much for me and I cant put my finger on why as I suspect it would be pretty damn great.

I cant really understand why they are significantly more expensive, had a look round a normal A class and it didnt exactly seem any better than anything comparable.