RE: Official: Mercedes A45 AMG

RE: Official: Mercedes A45 AMG

Author
Discussion

Luke.

11,045 posts

252 months

Friday 24th May 2013
quotequote all
Twincharge said:
Does anyone know when these are likely to hit the showrooms? I'm quite interested in the 'Edition 1' spec A45.

It's either wait for that or get my C63 tomorrow.
Eh? Wait for an A45 or get a C63 tomorrow? jester

shout C63.

Twincharge

221 posts

180 months

Friday 24th May 2013
quotequote all
Luke. said:
Eh? Wait for an A45 or get a C63 tomorrow? jester

shout C63.
Ha! Yeah, you talk absolute sense. I came to that logical conclusion an hour ago. Thanks man.

ukwill

8,940 posts

209 months

Friday 24th May 2013
quotequote all
Wolands Advocate said:
C63 all the way, if you can afford it. No comparison!
They're certainly two completely different cars, however if you can afford the A45 AMG, then you can afford the C63.

Whilst I like the C63, I prefer the A45. I think it's the hot-hatch shape - it's the kind of thing that I would have wished I could have afforded at 20, but now 190 years on, I can.

Wolands Advocate

2,495 posts

218 months

Friday 24th May 2013
quotequote all
I test-drove a C63. And adored it. I so nearly put pen to paper to sign for one. I was literally pen in hand when the grim reality of the running costs (fuel + depreciation) sunk in and I had to beat a retreat.

There's no comparison between that V8 wonder which comes in kitchen-sink spec as standard, and a surprisingly meagrely-equipped 2.0 hatchback, however banzai.

ukwill

8,940 posts

209 months

Friday 24th May 2013
quotequote all
Wolands Advocate said:
I test-drove a C63. And adored it. I so nearly put pen to paper to sign for one. I was literally pen in hand when the grim reality of the running costs (fuel + depreciation) sunk in and I had to beat a retreat.

There's no comparison between that V8 wonder which comes in kitchen-sink spec as standard, and a surprisingly meagrely-equipped 2.0 hatchback, however banzai.
Horses for courses! I'm currently enjoying a V8, but I'm happy to look at a 2ltr. It certainly doesnt sound like a typical 2ltr.

I'll reserve judgement on the standard kit list until I receive it from my dealer. There's just too much internet gossip right now.

micawrx

280 posts

162 months

Monday 17th June 2013
quotequote all
F1GTRUeno said:
Enthusiasts wouldn't buy this at all, Only the image conscious, well off, TOWIE watching clones will buy something like this.
Absolute tosh, what about someone looking for a company car that would be crippled by tax but doesn't want a diesel?

Average earner?: 35000UKP - 193 quid a month (ETA - Tax) (if your are lucky enough to have a boss to buy you one) (C63 would be 544UKP)

Try and open your mind a bit...

My current ideas for next company car are: BMW 330D X Drive, Mk.7 GTI, Mk. 6 Golf R, Merc C350.. this fits nicely!

Edited by micawrx on Monday 17th June 12:52

ukwill

8,940 posts

209 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all

135i v New Golf v A45

Sutcliffe at the wheel.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-...

I won't spoil it smile

Pesty

42,655 posts

258 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all
Twincharge said:
Luke. said:
Eh? Wait for an A45 or get a C63 tomorrow? jester

shout C63.
Ha! Yeah, you talk absolute sense. I came to that logical conclusion an hour ago. Thanks man.
You need a slap for taking more than a second biggrin

As for he a class I love em and I know I think everything is expensive these days but Jesus 37k before options

Wolands Advocate

2,495 posts

218 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all
ukwill said:
135i v New Golf v A45

Sutcliffe at the wheel.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-...

I won't spoil it smile
I'm fascinated to see he says the A45 is comfortable because all the other reviews say otherwise.

va1o

16,040 posts

209 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all
ukwill said:
135i v New Golf v A45

Sutcliffe at the wheel.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/video-mercedes-...

I won't spoil it smile
Enjoyed watching that. All 3 are stunning cars and each offers something unique. Will be interesting to see what happens when the new Audi S3 is thrown into the mix, effectively with the Golf engine but matching the M135i for power and the 4WD from the A-Class.


loudlashadjuster

5,251 posts

186 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all
Mr Sutcliffe certainly seems impressed, although I don't know how he can say the interior is amazing, what with the satnav carbuncle and those tacky vents.

There wasn't really any indication of the noise it makes either and from previous vids I'm left a bit underwhelmed by it in this department. OK it's not going to match a I6, turbo or not, but I'm hoping AMG didn't leave it sounding like a generic big-boost four.

Still, a good couple of scalps for the Mercedes.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

188 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
quotequote all
You have to factor in the Autocar bias towards the newest car they've got to play with.

va1o

16,040 posts

209 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
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pilchardthecat

7,483 posts

181 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
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The M135 isn't a direct competitor with this though is it? Surely that would be the new 1M when that arrives - the 'proper' M car with the mechanical M diff, etc?

rajkohli81

311 posts

208 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Wolands Advocate said:
C63 all the way, if you can afford it. No comparison!
You're absolutely right, A45 tested as quicker and seems very good value for money, so.... no comparison

wink

urquattroGus

1,869 posts

192 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
I was a bit disheartened for a minute as I have taken delivery of my new 5DR Auto M135i last week.

I like the idea of the AMG, but as I wafted along to work this morning (after having hammered it along to get home last night) I felt very happy with my own choice.

As people have said, I can't help but feel its not a direct competitor, I am sure the ride and waft-ability along with creamy 6 pot make it quite different. I have all the toys and managed a nice 4k discount off the 38K list with options.

I simply wouldn't be able to have the AMG with all these comforts for anywhere near the same money (43-45K?), or indeed quite afford it at all.

I have come from a Focus RS MK2 MP350. The M135i feels a lot quicker, but not as hunkered down and stiff, without the same ultimate handling sharpness. But I seem to carry speed over bumps where I would have almost hit the Ceiling in the RS.

It's a trade off I am happy with, the M135i is such a great all rounder. Can't wait to fit a louder exhaust to give a little more involvement too..... I might also add an LSD later on.

As for the golf, a good car, but bland, underpowered and overpriced for what it is. I specced one up to 34K on their configurator, and that was without leather!

I think they only lobbed the golf in because it was available, the test we all really want to see is AMG vs S3 vs M135i and then later on AMG vs new RS3 vs new 1M

Anyway, I will hopefully get to at least experience the AMG as my father wants to test one!

va1o

16,040 posts

209 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
pilchardthecat said:
The M135 isn't a direct competitor with this though is it? Surely that would be the new 1M when that arrives - the 'proper' M car with the mechanical M diff, etc?
Yes you are right and nor is the Golf GTI, but I think the point is more each is currently their respective manufacturers flagship hot hatch. Also there isn't quite as much between the prices when they are all 5dr and Auto, which the Merc comes in by default.

Johnnytheboy

24,498 posts

188 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
urquattroGus said:
I have come from a Focus RS MK2 MP350. The M135i feels a lot quicker, but not as hunkered down and stiff, without the same ultimate handling sharpness. But I seem to carry speed over bumps where I would have almost hit the Ceiling in the RS.
If I ever pull my finger out, I'm coming from exactly the same car. I was worried the M135i might be slightly disappointing in the gears but you're not finding this then?

Wolands Advocate

2,495 posts

218 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
rajkohli81 said:
Wolands Advocate said:
C63 all the way, if you can afford it. No comparison!
You're absolutely right, A45 tested as quicker and seems very good value for money, so.... no comparison

wink
That's the first time I've read the words "A45" and "good value for money" in the same sentence. A shiny new C63 can be had for around £49k if you haggle and it has pretty much everything you'd ever want as standard including COMAND and a sunroof. An equivalently specified A45 is...wait for it....£45k because it doesn't even have leather seats as standard...

OTR: £37,845
Metallic paint: £570
19" alloys: £615
Leather seats (part of AMG Exclusive Pack): £1080 (Artico is the standard covering)
Folding mirrors: £310
Intelligent Light System: £570
Heated seats: £300
Panoramic Sunroof: £900
COMAND: £2,100
HK audio: £680
AMG Performance Exhaust: £510

Total: £45,480

If I can find £45k, then I can probably also find another £4k to get the proper bespoke V8 thunder-saloon....

Crafty_

13,344 posts

202 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
quotequote all
Hang on a minute, so you can get a ~£10k discount on a C63 but not a penny off list price on an A45 ?

Find that hard to believe. I can imagine that the discounts will not be as generous as its a newer model and the C63 is getting a bit long in the tooth now, nevertheless.

I do know that some of the rarer Mercs attract big discounts because they aren't desirable.. I think its the SLS that attracts sizable discounts - £50k+.

Lets think of this a slightly different way, if an A45 'without leather seats is £37k' just imagine what the C63 replacement will cost when it comes out!

I will see what I can find out ref discounts on A45s.