CLA45S+

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BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Wednesday 6th November 2019
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Is anyone else getting one? After agonising over an M2 Competition I couldn't bring myself to live with the lack of practicality. So, for the first time ever I've ordered a new car without driving it first. It does look very handsome and all of the reviews I've seen and read sing its praises. The dealer is quoting Jan/Feb delivery.




BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Monday 18th November 2019
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I take it that's a no then! Ah well, I'm looking forward to getting it.

BlackCup

1,231 posts

182 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Very jealous, I have the current CLA45 S/B and i absolutely love it. Funnily I’m looking at the M2 comp as a next car but not for a year or so.
I don’t necessarily need an Estate next either but I’d certainly miss the practicality of my current car- even though it has some downsides like the shape of the boot opening. Just the price you pay for style I guess!
Are they well specified from stock or do you have to add many options? Any good deals being that there aren’t any to test drive?
I would love one in red, it’s so rare to see a bit of colour, I have Mountain Grey which is great for blending in but once you’re around other nice cars it would be nice to have a shade of merlin purple or san merino blue to choose from...
I really like the look of the new one but just have that yearning for a big V8 like the C63 still... and can see myself regretting not owning one in years to come when they’re taxed to the hilt or banned altogether for their effect on the world!
Congratulations by the way...I’d be over the moon!
Matt

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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BlackCup said:
Very jealous, I have the current CLA45 S/B and i absolutely love it. Funnily I’m looking at the M2 comp as a next car but not for a year or so.
I don’t necessarily need an Estate next either but I’d certainly miss the practicality of my current car- even though it has some downsides like the shape of the boot opening. Just the price you pay for style I guess!
Are they well specified from stock or do you have to add many options? Any good deals being that there aren’t any to test drive?
I would love one in red, it’s so rare to see a bit of colour, I have Mountain Grey which is great for blending in but once you’re around other nice cars it would be nice to have a shade of merlin purple or san merino blue to choose from...
I really like the look of the new one but just have that yearning for a big V8 like the C63 still... and can see myself regretting not owning one in years to come when they’re taxed to the hilt or banned altogether for their effect on the world!
Congratulations by the way...I’d be over the moon!
Matt
They hugely improved the boot aperture size and shape apparently making it easier to get stuff in and out.

They're pretty well specced as standard. I went for the Plus, rather than the Plus Plus. The ++ gets a few extras like a panoramic sunroof (not interested), forged alloys (hate black wheels), the advanced adaptive suspension (although the standard Plus has adaptive), and a choice of colour seats with massage built in (again, not really interested). The Plus Plus is an extra £6k on top and it just wasn't worth it. No extra power, same brakes, same gearbox.

The M2 is a hugely entertaining car to drive and they have some excellent deals on now as they are coming to end of cycle. It really took some soul searching before I ordered the Merc. The reviews all sing its praises though. It's going to be my only normal car alongside my old 911 and it was hard to justify having two impractical coupes.

I got £2.5k discount on list. The only option I specced was the Designo grey paint as per the photos. The rest is so well specced there's nothing to add.

Here's a detailed review on the new CLA45;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cw70cJmOxs


Edited by BrewsterBear on Tuesday 19th November 07:47

adrianpi

5 posts

61 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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That's great I just ordered the Plus, I need the pano.

That's a good delivery date, how long did it take your dealer to come back with a date, mine has taken 2 weeks so far?

I got 6% and used Carwow to get the deals through.

Are you worried that the matt grey is hard to fix, you cannot polish out, its a respray for the smallest ding?

... maybe PPF would help.

playalistic

2,269 posts

163 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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They look lovely. I'm sure you'll be happy with it!

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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adrianpi said:
That's great I just ordered the Plus, I need the pano.

That's a good delivery date, how long did it take your dealer to come back with a date, mine has taken 2 weeks so far?

I got 6% and used Carwow to get the deals through.

Are you worried that the matt grey is hard to fix, you cannot polish out, its a respray for the smallest ding?

... maybe PPF would help.
That’s the Plus+ if it has the panoramic roof and extras. I’d been in touch with the dealer for a few months. It surprised me that the reveal and early reviews were in August, but they weren’t available to spec. I’d called a couple of times since and he kept promising I’d be his first call the minute the dealer configuration went live.

I was just about to give up and buy an unregistered stock M2 Competition when the call came. I looked at the spec of the standard S+ and it has plenty of toys and I couldn’t justify the extra for the roof, wheels and other bits.

I asked him there and then when I could expect the car and told me Jan/Feb delivery, so I paid my deposit and left. A couple of days later he emailed me a copy of the factory order and that was the last I heard. He might have been blowing smoke up my arse, but I don’t think he was.

As for the paint, I have been thinking about it. My detailer says he can get matt ceramic coatings, although how much protection they really offer is anyone’s guess. I think I’m going to take the paint protection warranty when I take delivery. That should offer some peace of mind.

adrianpi

5 posts

61 months

Tuesday 19th November 2019
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Yes I went for the plus, no other option to choose apart from the paint colour.

Only PPF would protect from stone chips, it does work. I would get the front done.

I am going to chase delivery date from what you said thanks.

I will research on matt paint repairs, maybe the chips away people etc have found away. Does look good.

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Friday 22nd November 2019
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Mercedes certainly like to confuse things don't they. biggrin
The standard CLA 45 S is the +, but the upgrade is called Plus.....which could be read as Plus Plus. wobble

P.S. Awesome looking car....although I would have the Coupe version if I could afford it. smile

BlackCup

1,231 posts

182 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019
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Oops may have just been to Merc Benz World and ordered a plus plus shooting brake in red! Now to sell mine before it comes whenever that may be!

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019
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BlackCup said:
Oops may have just been to Merc Benz World and ordered a plus plus shooting brake in red!
That will be Patagonia Red.
Its a real shame Mercedes discontinued the lovely Jupiter Red....and it was a free colour too!
Then again if your buying(or more likely renting) a £60k car you probably don't mind spending £800 on the paint. biggrin



BlackCup

1,231 posts

182 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019
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Yep I’m buying, plan on keeping it 4/5 years, never financed a car in my life. Always saved then got a personal loan for the remainder.
Apparently no ones seen the new red yet but it’s thought it’ll be a deep metallic red so I’m happy with that! Just sick of grey, black n white.
It’s gonna look great with the black alloys and red paint.

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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The red did look lovely in the brochure. I've never had a matt colour on a car and I'm usually a stickler for a high shine. I put a lot of business the way of my detailer as per the photo below. On the CLA I think it looks great though.


BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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Update from the dealer says delivery to the dealership on the 13th April.

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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It's been brought forward. I'm collecting Monday all being well and unquarantined.

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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BrewsterBear said:
It's been brought forward. I'm collecting Monday all being well and unquarantined.
Have you been having discussions with your dealer about the increase in VED first year rate due to new WLTP testing from 1st April?
Most cars are jumping up one band which for your car would mean an additional £538.
I currently have a car on order which was originally scheduled for April but has been brought forward to next week. In my case the increase would be an additional £320

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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Yeah we did discuss it. The new plates were March 1st so there's no worry there. If it saves me a bit of cash registering before April then all good.

Ron240

2,745 posts

118 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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BrewsterBear said:
Yeah we did discuss it. The new plates were March 1st so there's no worry there. If it saves me a bit of cash registering before April then all good.
I think you misunderstand.
It has nothing to do with 20 plates released on 1st March, it is the new first year VED rates that come into force for all new registrations from 1st April onwards.
You car was originally scheduled for April so that would mean it would be subject to the higher rate, but if you have it registered before then you will avoid the increase...which on your car is likely to be £538 for the band above the one it's currently in.
These increase only affect the first year rate and hence the on the road price, but the subsequent years remain unchanged(currently).
Dealers have only very recently been told of the specific increases, although it has been common knowledge for a while that it would be happening.


Edited by Ron240 on Saturday 21st March 12:44

BrewsterBear

Original Poster:

1,503 posts

191 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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No, I got you. My point was 20 plates are already out so theres no loss of future value for an older plate. I know that VED is going up for new cars on April 1st. I am collecting my car on Monday so it will be registered before that and I will reduce the amount I am donating to the government for the pleasure of greasing the economy.

It's all good smile

Gameface

16,565 posts

76 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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BrewsterBear said:
Is there a thread on this?