A45, CLA45 or C63 507...

[nightSpirit]

You hear a lot of different views on consumable life. I think a set of tyres and discs in a single session at say Brands would be obscene! I'd hope discs and tyres last a year of use minimum...ok maybe a full day and 30 laps of the Ring would be an exception.

Again thanks for the feedback, I do like all 3 cars and just when I think of one, another takes its place.

At the end of the day, I just want a car (don't we all) that doesn't let me down or cost me anywhere near what I spend now on fiddling (circa 800 a month..which has to stop) and I can drive in all circumstances for maximum enjoyment.

Insurance btw on the c63, any advise?

[ZX10R NIN]

It has to be the C63 I had mine Four years it was the OH daily driver we only sold it due to her doing more miles & if it wasn't for the fact I had CLK63 which I preferred I'd have kept it.

As good as the other two are they don'y get a look in IMHO

[nightSpirit]

Man, I'm torn! Can anyone say what annual costs are likely to be on both cars...that would sway me as I don't want to go from modding each month to basic running costs, need to save money

[ecain63]

Averaging 24mpg in my A45 compared to 18mpg in the C63. Tax is obviously much lower in the A45. Insurance also cheaper and servicing is the same roughly for both. Rear tyres will last 7 to 10k if used sensibly on road. Will last 5 mins on C63 if abused. My A45 fronts are 1/2 worn at 6k miles.

[nightSpirit]

So the big(ger) Merc is likely to cost around 7k a year (ins, tax, mot, petrol, tyres, brakes) vs 3100 ish for a45 or half the running cost..?

[chiefski26]

Drive both then decide, I doubt the a class will appeal.

[nightSpirit]

Drove the 63 already although need to drive it again more aggresively. Should have an a45 for a few days next week.

[WhiteAMG45]

I think it is a good idea you are going for extended test drive because when i bought mine I had two test drives before I signed the dotted line.
I am very impressed by the A45

[nightSpirit]

I've decided against the C63 now and am leaning toward the A45 (getting a loaner from MB week after next). I prefer the look (if not the quality of materials used) of the new interior...and those brilliant seats. I'm also put off by an expected 7k a year in normal running costs. I'll report back when I've had a play in the A45 but if I wanted one, I'd have to wait till the 2016 car comes out now which means my little A220 will be taking on more track duties

[Rahul uk]

nightSpirit said:

I've decided against the C63 now and am leaning toward the A45 (getting a loaner from MB week after next). I prefer the look (if not the quality of materials used) of the new interior...and those brilliant seats. I'm also put off by an expected 7k a year in normal running costs. I'll report back when I've had a play in the A45 but if I wanted one, I'd have to wait till the 2016 car comes out now which means my little A220 will be taking on more track duties

Get the C63. I have had mine 6 months now (14 plate with Diff) and it is an amazing car. Had a fair few BMW M cars previously and the odd AMG, but this is tugs at the heart the same way my E46 M3 did. Every journey is an event and the car is special. With a 507 edition it will be very rare and if you look after it should not lose as much money as the regular model. As for running costs I average around 17mpg with hardly any motorway travel (mostly B roads) and expect a new set of rear tyres at the 7k mile mark (currently on 5k miles) based on current wear and tear. I enjoy my cars but that doesn't result in smoking tyres like an extra on fast and furious all the time.

I went to my local dealer today because they had a special event. Sat in the A45 and GLA45 and preferred the GLA45 over the A45. Looked identical to a A220 in the showroom that had an AMG kit on it. If you don't need 4wd and not too bothered about fuel costs then go with the 507. If you do need 4wd then I would skip Merc altogether and get an RS4.

[ZX10R NIN]

nightSpirit said:

I've decided against the C63 now and am leaning toward the A45 (getting a loaner from MB week after next). I prefer the look (if not the quality of materials used) of the new interior...and those brilliant seats. I'm also put off by an expected 7k a year in normal running costs. I'll report back when I've had a play in the A45 but if I wanted one, I'd have to wait till the 2016 car comes out now which means my little A220 will be taking on more track duties

I think your making the wrong choice had the C63 just over four years it averaged 24.6mpg in that time I changed the disc & pads to Performance Friction items (we use them on our race bikes) for better brake feel, stopping power, no fade etc & never looked back as an added bonus they were cheaper than the Mercedes items to.

I'd say your probably looking at a real 3k in running costs which depending on how you drive will be mainly tyres I used to get between 7-9k out of the rears but I changed to Vredestien as soon as the OEM set went at 5k

[Steelnads]

I have had my 507 coupe for almost a year now. The last time I looked I had averaged 22mpg over 800 miles and at 6500 miles the rears are barely half worn (I reckon the rears will do 15000 miles).I have noted that just as many people get quite decent mpg figures and tyre life compared to those that don't.

My last point is that the 507s are really holding their money....after a year of monitoring prices they are simply not dropping.

[nightSpirit]

Thanks for the replies guys, I see what you're saying on the 63 and yes the values will hold compared to a new car (plus they've already lost some due to being used). I'll borrow the 45 and give it a decent test and then probably ask the dealer if I can go out solo in the 63 to try it out of comfort mode.

It will be my only car so will have 15k a year put on it but even at 20mpg it'll be a lot more thirsty than the 45 surely? I'm just trying to be frugal, not because I can't afford it but because I have a history of sinking all my cash into my cars and I want to break the cycle

Anyone in the Surrey/Guildford area want to take me for a spin?

[Booyakajon]

Ive had my 507 for 18 months and done 10500 miles with no problems and lots of fun. I had new rear tyres at 6000 miles and new fronts at 10000. MPG between 15-19 around town, 8 at Oulton Park a few weeks ago but it was fantastic around the track. No brake issues at all and the week old front tyres were fine - if a little scrubbed! Was expecting more rear tyre wear but I think this set will last longer than 6000. BTW I received many compliments for the 507 and its sound at Oulton

[Alex L]

My other half does 18k per annum in her c63 estate, in the two years we've owned it has returned an average of 22mpg and we have only replaced the rear tyres once and not at all on the front.

It was serviced last week and brakes are only 50% worn. The only thing to go wrong was a creaky nearside wing mirror which was replaced under warranty.

There's a chap on here, Dunc, who has/had a 507 coupe and was at the same Bedford track day that I was on. He was driving pretty hard and understand experienced little tyre or brake wear. Don't believe everything you read on the internet

[nightSpirit]

Thanks for the replies again, you've twisted my arm I think...I'll have another look at the 507. I couldn't have a stock 63 though as it's just too much of a sleeper.

Not a lot of love for the a45 (it's new though) and NO love at all for the cla! I saw one that had some carbon goodies on it from the factory and it looked pretty good.

[kiparoo]

I've registered just to stick up for the poor maligned CLA! Had mine nearly a year now and absolutely love the thing.

I understand the car is a bit marmite (main criticism seems to be the rear end) but I love the looks and its a real head turner. The standard non AMG CLA is admittedly ugly.

Only complaint is the slow-to-react manual mode, but I'm hoping there's a update from Mercedes which will resolve (first service is due), failing that, I'll buy a auto flash tuning solution.

The dealer asked why I didn't go for the cheaper A45, but I felt in my mid 30's I wanted something a bit more 'grown up' and move away from a hatch back (personal choice, no offence to anyone with an A)

Re running costs, I averaged just under 35mpg on the drive to Le Mans last year, and that was with plenty of heavy right foot action.

Few pics of mine

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the C63 will be a better long term option engine wise there is no stress, as for the brakes Performance Friction Discs & Pads are a great set up & very cost effective.

[Palmball]

kiparoo said:

I've registered just to stick up for the poor maligned CLA! Had mine nearly a year now and absolutely love the thing.

I understand the car is a bit marmite (main criticism seems to be the rear end) but I love the looks and its a real head turner. The standard non AMG CLA is admittedly ugly.

Only complaint is the slow-to-react manual mode, but I'm hoping there's a update from Mercedes which will resolve (first service is due), failing that, I'll buy a auto flash tuning solution.

The dealer asked why I didn't go for the cheaper A45, but I felt in my mid 30's I wanted something a bit more 'grown up' and move away from a hatch back (personal choice, no offence to anyone with an A)

Re running costs, I averaged just under 35mpg on the drive to Le Mans last year, and that was with plenty of heavy right foot action.

Few pics of mine

I think your car looks great there!

I think the general problem with the CLAs looks are hard to pinpoint, but it shares similar issues with the new Audi A3 saloon (although nobody seems to have issue with the nondescript Audi) - it's relatively narrow for the length (as expected, being based on a small hatchback chassis) and the roof is relatively stretched back over the rear wheels creating more 'challenging' proportions.

As for comparisons with the C63, there's nothing wrong with the 45's but you've got a new car being compared to a used car that was recently much more expensive...you would kind of expect the C63 to be viewed as the more favourable option.

For what it's worth, the A45 I'm driving currently is superb and as I think I said before, it's probably the faster point to point car. It's definitely more effective, but it'll always be less satisfying than the V8 when you don't want to go fast.

As for the gearbox, the software in late-2014 version I'm driving is superb.....no complaints whatsoever and one of (if not the) best Merc gearbox I've used to date. It's smooth, has very fast gear changes and responds instantly in manual mode...in terms of response, it's faster than my SLS was even after having the latest upgrade (if not quite as well engineered in terms of shift quality as the Getrag unit). It bodes well for future AMG's and confirms a change in strategy to program their 'boxes to work as they always should have done.

[nightSpirit]

Don't worry, I'm a fan of the cla for much the same reasons...it's the slightly older mans a45! I love all 3 cars...and more in the range which is unusual for me, it's like buying an album and liking every track equally