A45, CLA45 or C63 507...
Discussion
Which would you buy and why?
The time has come for me to downsize my fleet to one and the above 3 cars are my choices. I have a Lotus Exige to sell and a 6 month old a220 cdi to return (which I love) which should result (with a decent deposit) in a similar monthly ppc figure to what I pay now on the Merc at 410. I want trouble free, new car motoring...although the 507 kind of breaks that rule.
The a45 and cla will both be specced up to 47k and 52k respectively and the c63 (13 plate car) at 55k. I do around 15k miles a year and 6-7 track days.
My Merc dealer and all the staff I've bored to death at Brooklands say 507. A45 is probably best for the track part with good overall economy/cost, the cla is the same but a bit more grown up in style (which appeals to me) and the 507 is well, pushing the boat out a bit on economy but with a 3 year service and warranty plan, shouldn't be too much of a headache!
Decisions, decisions.
The time has come for me to downsize my fleet to one and the above 3 cars are my choices. I have a Lotus Exige to sell and a 6 month old a220 cdi to return (which I love) which should result (with a decent deposit) in a similar monthly ppc figure to what I pay now on the Merc at 410. I want trouble free, new car motoring...although the 507 kind of breaks that rule.
The a45 and cla will both be specced up to 47k and 52k respectively and the c63 (13 plate car) at 55k. I do around 15k miles a year and 6-7 track days.
My Merc dealer and all the staff I've bored to death at Brooklands say 507. A45 is probably best for the track part with good overall economy/cost, the cla is the same but a bit more grown up in style (which appeals to me) and the 507 is well, pushing the boat out a bit on economy but with a 3 year service and warranty plan, shouldn't be too much of a headache!
Decisions, decisions.
507, without shadow of a doubt.
I'm currently rocking around in an A45 and, great fun though it is, I would never have it over the bona-fide V8 for similar money. I have no doubt that the A45 is a much more 'effective' A to B device and a lot easier to get the most out of it but it just doesn't have the same appeal....as an example, even though you know other cars will be technically more capable, every time you start the C63 you will feel a tingle of satisfaction and this just doesn't happen with the 4-pot A/CLA. Also, if you buy well, the 507 will probably lose less money.
I'm currently rocking around in an A45 and, great fun though it is, I would never have it over the bona-fide V8 for similar money. I have no doubt that the A45 is a much more 'effective' A to B device and a lot easier to get the most out of it but it just doesn't have the same appeal....as an example, even though you know other cars will be technically more capable, every time you start the C63 you will feel a tingle of satisfaction and this just doesn't happen with the 4-pot A/CLA. Also, if you buy well, the 507 will probably lose less money.
Re the C63,I thought I was the only "12 year old car nut" to do this but from an internet thread somewhere a while ago im not.
However cold it is if im getting passed by one or heavens above im doing the overtaking I allways wind down my window so I can hear it
....and a few C63 drivers mentioned noticing that with their car.
I allways thought the old TVR 35is had the best noise but that C63 takes some beating....mind you I heard an Alpha Romeo 8cc the other day ,boy that is very sweet sounding in a different way.
15000 miles a year,I once too a gander at a cars OBC showed 13mpg (gulp) no pun intended,
However cold it is if im getting passed by one or heavens above im doing the overtaking I allways wind down my window so I can hear it
....and a few C63 drivers mentioned noticing that with their car.I allways thought the old TVR 35is had the best noise but that C63 takes some beating....mind you I heard an Alpha Romeo 8cc the other day ,boy that is very sweet sounding in a different way.
15000 miles a year,I once too a gander at a cars OBC showed 13mpg (gulp) no pun intended,
A45 just a 20k A class with an old heavy chassis that looks a bit better inside and out,nice engine but only a 2 Ltr engine for 47k.CLA45 same as above ugly at the back but a bit bigger 53k.At these prices nowhere near good value for money.
The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
btcc123 said:
A45 just a 20k A class with an old heavy chassis that looks a bit better inside and out,nice engine but only a 2 Ltr engine for 47k.CLA45 same as above ugly at the back but a bit bigger 53k.At these prices nowhere near good value for money.
The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
?? Ref the A class! Hardly a heavy old chassis!The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
btcc123 said:
A45 just a 20k A class with an old heavy chassis that looks a bit better inside and out,nice engine but only a 2 Ltr engine for 47k.CLA45 same as above ugly at the back but a bit bigger 53k.At these prices nowhere near good value for money.
The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
Yep I'm thinking of one of these later this year - smaller replacement for my ML, more smiles per mile and as I don't pay for fuel .... want a towbar on it though and live in Cumbria - so this is much more sensible than C6 ;-). The C63 would be the best choice out of the three cars you mentioned.
If it was my money I would put my money down at the Merc dealers for the soon to be released C Class C400.3Ltr twin turbo petrol,the suspension,chassis,steering,gearbox and engine tweaked by the AMG department so a half way house between a full blown C63 and the normal AMG line cars.Think its four wheel drive all for 40k.
Apparently RWD deliveries are june - AWD deliveries are October - which fis me perfectly as the ML is due in December (let them get the wrinkles out first)????
Love the look of the new C Wagon as well..
S.
ecain63 said:
?? Ref the A class! Hardly a heavy old chassis!
Fair comment I was being too harsh.What I was trying to say is that the A Class chassis has been in production for quite a while compared to the newer designed Mercedes chassis.The CLA that uses the A Class chassis is a lot heavier than the new C Class that is virtually the same size car.When the A Class is updated or a new design comes out it will probably use a shortened version of the C Class chassis and weigh up to 75 kg less.
Thanks all,
I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
nightSpirit said:
Thanks all,
I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
507 (or any C63):I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
Will eat tyres at a rapid rate on track. Obviously this depends who hard you push it, but my experience with C63's is that you will want to turn rubber to smoke at every opportunity. Brakes are good when not cooked but don't last long on track due to nose weight (less life than standard C63 discs due to lower wear tolerance). 507 discs are the same as the PPP composites and are £2k a set for the fronts inc pads. The rears are the same cost as regular C63. Otherwise the car is sound, so long as you keep an eye on gearbox temps, and will take the track all day. The engine certainly won't complain. Fuel is the next consideration!
A45:
Brakes are awesome on the road and apparently are pretty good on the track. No real fade and they last well. Chris Harris certainly felt happy with them. Handling is excellent and traction largely infallible thanks to 4matic. It's maybe not as 'fun' / scary on track as you can't drive sideways quite so easily as the C63, but as the A45 was the fastest AMG in the range on track (yes, even quicker than the SLS) you can get really stuck into pushing out quick and consistent lap times. Tyres are not so vulnerable as the C63 but the engine will obviously need to be given more thought due to it being smaller and having a whacking great turbo to warm things up. I've heard no bad stories about A45's on track but i'd be more inclined to show sympathy to the little 4-pot, unlike the big V8 which will show no stress over multiple track sessions. I intend on tracking my A45 at some point.
C63: More fuel, brakes and tyres, but more sideways!
A45: Faster but less like a hooligan! Cheaper to run on track!
Having driven both hard! A45 for technical track work. C63 for drift fun!
ecain63 said:
nightSpirit said:
Thanks all,
I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
507 (or any C63):I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
Will eat tyres at a rapid rate on track. Obviously this depends who hard you push it, but my experience with C63's is that you will want to turn rubber to smoke at every opportunity. Brakes are good when not cooked but don't last long on track due to nose weight (less life than standard C63 discs due to lower wear tolerance). 507 discs are the same as the PPP composites and are £2k a set for the fronts inc pads. The rears are the same cost as regular C63. Otherwise the car is sound, so long as you keep an eye on gearbox temps, and will take the track all day. The engine certainly won't complain. Fuel is the next consideration!
A45:
Brakes are awesome on the road and apparently are pretty good on the track. No real fade and they last well. Chris Harris certainly felt happy with them. Handling is excellent and traction largely infallible thanks to 4matic. It's maybe not as 'fun' / scary on track as you can't drive sideways quite so easily as the C63, but as the A45 was the fastest AMG in the range on track (yes, even quicker than the SLS) you can get really stuck into pushing out quick and consistent lap times. Tyres are not so vulnerable as the C63 but the engine will obviously need to be given more thought due to it being smaller and having a whacking great turbo to warm things up. I've heard no bad stories about A45's on track but i'd be more inclined to show sympathy to the little 4-pot, unlike the big V8 which will show no stress over multiple track sessions. I intend on tracking my A45 at some point.
C63: More fuel, brakes and tyres, but more sideways!
A45: Faster but less like a hooligan! Cheaper to run on track!
Having driven both hard! A45 for technical track work. C63 for drift fun!
I am more of a technical track driver though...so it's worth a thought atleast driving the 45 to see if it works for me I suppose. How long do you reckon the 507 discs and pads last? I've only ever swapped brakes once on a track car after a full year of action (6 sessions in all honesty).smashy said:
Re the C63,I thought I was the only "12 year old car nut" to do this but from an internet thread somewhere a while ago im not.
However cold it is if im getting passed by one or heavens above im doing the overtaking I allways wind down my window so I can hear it....and a few C63 drivers mentioned noticing that with their car.
I allways thought the old TVR 35is had the best noise but that C63 takes some beating....mind you I heard an Alpha Romeo 8cc the other day ,boy that is very sweet sounding in a different way.
15000 miles a year,I once too a gander at a cars OBC showed 13mpg (gulp) no pun intended,
Alfa, ALFA, A L F A! However cold it is if im getting passed by one or heavens above im doing the overtaking I allways wind down my window so I can hear it
....and a few C63 drivers mentioned noticing that with their car.I allways thought the old TVR 35is had the best noise but that C63 takes some beating....mind you I heard an Alpha Romeo 8cc the other day ,boy that is very sweet sounding in a different way.
15000 miles a year,I once too a gander at a cars OBC showed 13mpg (gulp) no pun intended,
nightSpirit said:
ecain63 said:
nightSpirit said:
Thanks all,
I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
507 (or any C63):I've got to say I'm swinging to the 507...just hope it hangs around long enough for me to get it (gotta sell the Lotus first).
Drove a 507 (13 plate) today and it is not what I expected at all, the interior isn't dated as I'd imagined (prefer it to the sea of black plastic in the new car), it feels very solid and in terms of quality is way ahead of my A-Class (and I love my A-Class)...very classy place to sit. The engine in comfort mode sounded good and the performance although not biblical was deceptive (looking at the speedo and thinking 'oops') with a lazy, effortless power delivery. It also feels like a smaller car than it looks.
All in all, very impressed...in 6500 miles it had averaged 25mph and 19mpg so that's a decent indicator of what I'd manage at best.
For anyone who owns these cars, what are they like on track and how reliable are they? I don't want to even open the bonnet and certainly don't want to be replacing brakes etc every 2 track days (I'm a sympathetic driver on track, more smooth a consistent than hard and erratic).
Will eat tyres at a rapid rate on track. Obviously this depends who hard you push it, but my experience with C63's is that you will want to turn rubber to smoke at every opportunity. Brakes are good when not cooked but don't last long on track due to nose weight (less life than standard C63 discs due to lower wear tolerance). 507 discs are the same as the PPP composites and are £2k a set for the fronts inc pads. The rears are the same cost as regular C63. Otherwise the car is sound, so long as you keep an eye on gearbox temps, and will take the track all day. The engine certainly won't complain. Fuel is the next consideration!
A45:
Brakes are awesome on the road and apparently are pretty good on the track. No real fade and they last well. Chris Harris certainly felt happy with them. Handling is excellent and traction largely infallible thanks to 4matic. It's maybe not as 'fun' / scary on track as you can't drive sideways quite so easily as the C63, but as the A45 was the fastest AMG in the range on track (yes, even quicker than the SLS) you can get really stuck into pushing out quick and consistent lap times. Tyres are not so vulnerable as the C63 but the engine will obviously need to be given more thought due to it being smaller and having a whacking great turbo to warm things up. I've heard no bad stories about A45's on track but i'd be more inclined to show sympathy to the little 4-pot, unlike the big V8 which will show no stress over multiple track sessions. I intend on tracking my A45 at some point.
C63: More fuel, brakes and tyres, but more sideways!
A45: Faster but less like a hooligan! Cheaper to run on track!
Having driven both hard! A45 for technical track work. C63 for drift fun!
I am more of a technical track driver though...so it's worth a thought atleast driving the 45 to see if it works for me I suppose. How long do you reckon the 507 discs and pads last? I've only ever swapped brakes once on a track car after a full year of action (6 sessions in all honesty).C63 brakes probably won't last more than a full day on track. Tyres probably less than that at the rear. On the road they reckon that 20'000 miles will see your composite discs worn to the minimum thickness. That's with mixed driving. Give them a hard time and they will last you less obviously. Pads, i'm not sure! Best ask around. My car was sold at circa 20k miles and needed the rear discs and pads doing in a couple of thousand miles. The fronts were new at 10k when I bought it so never had them changed (lucky for me).
Do not believe all you read here.
C63 PPP brakes/pads are not £2k -
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
NEW Genuine Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Brake Kit Disc's & Pad's RRP £1414
Discs last a lot longer than 20k miles, ph member Jackwood changed his at 60k miles and used to track his c63 estate.
C63 PPP brakes/pads are not £2k -
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
NEW Genuine Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance Brake Kit Disc's & Pad's RRP £1414
Discs last a lot longer than 20k miles, ph member Jackwood changed his at 60k miles and used to track his c63 estate.
Edited by chiefski26 on Monday 2nd March 23:01
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