RE: Mercedes-AMG A45 facelift: Review
Discussion
Gandahar said:
In a very subtle colour this could be a very good Q car from the front
A test with the old skool Evo X would be good
Then and now
Well, I had an Evo X FQ 330 SST when I test drove the A45 when it first came out. The A45 is definitely the faster car, no doubt about it. The EVo is a heavy old piece of pig iron at 1625kg with the SST box. Build quality and interior were better in the Merc and the fake burping gave more "character", though both engines are really dull sounding things without the theatrics. I believe the A45 engine is actually a derivative of the Evo X engine, ultimately, but that was third hand info. But, that's where the A45's advantage ended. The SST box isn't the greatest dual clutch and it's a bit agricultural at times but it was miles better than the A45's abortion of a gearbox. That, alone, ruined the car for me. However, the Evo actually had a much better ride than the stock A45 and the handling was on another plane, mainly because the Evo resists understeer to the same degree as the A45 seemed to embrace it! The Evo also had far sharper steering and more feel (though it still has bugger all on the grand scheme of things). Oh, and the Evo had better brakes as well, though let's not get into how many times you have to have the discs on an Evo X skimmed to stop pad build up! A test with the old skool Evo X would be good
Then and now
It would be interesting to see how the new A45 has improved, and I just might give one a go, despite being 99% set on the Giulia.
Ali_T said:
It would be interesting to see how the new A45 has improved, and I just might give one a go, despite being 99% set on the Giulia.
My understanding is that improvements have been made to the 'box and the suspension settings change, though we opted for the adjustable suspension anyway. The standard facelift car we test drove didnt seem that firm so it must have been improved as suggested.daemon said:
QuattroDave said:
ben5575 said:
More like 22mpg in my experience... 17mpg if you're making progress.
that's horrific, my v10 rs6 managed to average over 19mpg over 4,000 miles!Would be curious to hear peoples experience. Even at 22mpg it sounds pretty much in line with what our 370z did and it had 50 less BHP.
On motorways I can get 36 Mpg on comfort mode but this car is not for that type road
I took an A45 on the track at the AMG day run by Mercedes for new owners. The track is short but a good indication of performance on the road where high speed cornering/Straights is a bit irrelevant. The new C63 was more fun until it started to rain....... at that point the A45 was insanely quick on damp roads. If you manage to understeer (or oversteer) one off the road you are probably deserving to end up in a field!
To answer the question above - is it going to be different for everybody? For me it was the need for a 5 door car with 3 rear seats (for occasional kids taxi staff) - folding rear seats for occasional DIY shopping! Look and sound a bit leery, be very quick up to 80/90 (need my licence so beyond that is pointless for me) and be a safe drive for the other half.
There are MANY times I get in it and wonder if the stupidly high monthly cost is worth it.... Then I start it, pop and crackle the exhaust and I'm fine again!
To answer the question above - is it going to be different for everybody? For me it was the need for a 5 door car with 3 rear seats (for occasional kids taxi staff) - folding rear seats for occasional DIY shopping! Look and sound a bit leery, be very quick up to 80/90 (need my licence so beyond that is pointless for me) and be a safe drive for the other half.
There are MANY times I get in it and wonder if the stupidly high monthly cost is worth it.... Then I start it, pop and crackle the exhaust and I'm fine again!
Ozzie Osmond said:
I am interested. What is about these cars which makes buyers think, "Yes, I really want one of those"?
?Why wouldnt someone want one?
Its at the top end of the hyper hatch market (arguably THE top hyper hatch as the only viable rival was the RS3 hatch which they've now stopped making)
Its a full blown AMG car, in the same vein as an M car or an RS Audi
The sheer mad-as-a-bath-full-of-otters ness of it. Relatively sedate looks with mad performance
The level of trim in the car - already very high as standard and lots of desirable - and interesting - options to chose from
The way it drives. Frankly amazing.
The acceleration. Very very little comes close.
We pondered a new Boxster S or Cayman S, but decided on one of these and bought a used Porsche as a second car as its a lot more practical on a day to day basis and doesnt stand out as much if you park it somewhere less than perfect.
Edited by daemon on Wednesday 5th October 21:13
WZC1 said:
I am getting high 20's per tank with a mixture of motorway and town. With more spirited driving the numbers never get too low for me.
I'll be honest, thats where i was expecting economy to be. Ours will be mixed longish runs and some round town work.Not terribly bothered either way - we dont do big miles and we've had scoobies and stuff doing low 20's. The 370Z was in that realm too and liked 98RON fuel, so we ended up using super unleaded and an octane booster (no 98RON fuel here in NI)
Out of curiosity, whats the recommended RON rated fuel in these?
23.7 average over 5.5k miles mainly town driving on a steady motorway run (70ish) I've seen 38 mpg, with regards to the gearbox the latest updates have made it much better you have to remember that these are torque limited in 1st and 2nd gears hence why it feels laggy a feature I don't like, my 8p rs3's gearbox was much better than Mercs dct offering, that said it handles far sweeter than the rs3, the speed this 5 door 5 seat hatch can cover ground is astounding
daemon said:
moffat said:
Still has a bad gearbox and a terrible interior... This could could be the perfect hot hatch!
I think "bad" is an overstatement. It has its limitations, but then no car is perfect. We'd a wail of a time in the one we test drove and not once had we any concerns about the box.Will see what its like day to day, and then update this thread.
daemon said:
I think "bad" is an overstatement. It has its limitations, but then no car is perfect. We'd a wail of a time in the one we test drove and not once had we any concerns about the box.
Will see what its like day to day, and then update this thread.
I'm sure I've said it before but the gearbox is brilliant in mine - no issues and gets a serious workout in manual every day. As for the interior, a fantastic place to be, maybe you love it you hate it - if you spec the Performance Wheel you get the gear shifter from the SLS, the wheel from (amongst other AMG models) the C63 AMG Black Series and standard Recaros that are also fitted to the new C63S and the AMG GT....the infotainment is fitted to loads of the other MB range. I just fail to see how it can be described as 'truly terrible' - all subjective - I do think there are a couple of minor rattles that manifest over harsh bumps and the dash itself with the fake carbon fibre isn't going to be to everyone's taste (I think it's fine) but other than these I love it and feel cocooned and well positioned to attack my favourite B road....Will see what its like day to day, and then update this thread.
daemon said:
I'll be honest, thats where i was expecting economy to be. Ours will be mixed longish runs and some round town work.
Not terribly bothered either way - we dont do big miles and we've had scoobies and stuff doing low 20's. The 370Z was in that realm too and liked 98RON fuel, so we ended up using super unleaded and an octane booster (no 98RON fuel here in NI)
Out of curiosity, whats the recommended RON rated fuel in these?
Recommended is 98 mateNot terribly bothered either way - we dont do big miles and we've had scoobies and stuff doing low 20's. The 370Z was in that realm too and liked 98RON fuel, so we ended up using super unleaded and an octane booster (no 98RON fuel here in NI)
Out of curiosity, whats the recommended RON rated fuel in these?
PhilEvo said:
daemon said:
I'll be honest, thats where i was expecting economy to be. Ours will be mixed longish runs and some round town work.
Not terribly bothered either way - we dont do big miles and we've had scoobies and stuff doing low 20's. The 370Z was in that realm too and liked 98RON fuel, so we ended up using super unleaded and an octane booster (no 98RON fuel here in NI)
Out of curiosity, whats the recommended RON rated fuel in these?
Recommended is 98 mateNot terribly bothered either way - we dont do big miles and we've had scoobies and stuff doing low 20's. The 370Z was in that realm too and liked 98RON fuel, so we ended up using super unleaded and an octane booster (no 98RON fuel here in NI)
Out of curiosity, whats the recommended RON rated fuel in these?
daemon said:
QuattroDave said:
ben5575 said:
More like 22mpg in my experience... 17mpg if you're making progress.
that's horrific, my v10 rs6 managed to average over 19mpg over 4,000 miles!Would be curious to hear peoples experience. Even at 22mpg it sounds pretty much in line with what our 370z did and it had 50 less BHP.
Ozzie Osmond said:
I am interested. What is about these cars which makes buyers think, "Yes, I really want one of those"?
t's a logical follow on from the premium makers moving into markets once exclusively the preserve of Vauxhall, Ford etc, when the likes of BMW etc cottoned on to the fact that lots of people did not want to move up to a bigger car like a 3 series or 5 series but would quite happily move up to a premium car that was the same size as the one they are currently drivingFor hot hatch performance car buyers in this segment these are the logical next step. For someone coming from a traditional fwd hatch who wants more performance, AWD/RWD, and a premium car feel without moving up to a larger car and having the extra spending required for a M3/4 C63 etc
These cars maintain the classic hatch template but add in premium interiors and AWD, their full on performance cars that just come in a smaller form factor.
Theirs clearly a market for people who are happy to pay 10 to 20k extra to get a nicer interior, more performance and a move away from the FWD compromise.
The same thing is happening in the mini sized car market, my GF loves the A1 and wants to get one even though I've been pointing out very nice alternatives, the response their too big !! A lot of people don't want to own big cars, but they do want nice cars so small cars are now coming with bigger price tags as a result
Ozzie Osmond said:
I am interested. What is about these cars which makes buyers think, "Yes, I really want one of those"?
Everyone has different buying objectives but I fancied a change so I drove it, had a blast and thought I could have fun in this so I bought it. It is not my dream car, it is not a car I will drive for the rest of my days - it has five seats, a bit of poke, isn't too thirsty and will likely keep me entertained for a few years and then I will try something else. Ozzie Osmond said:
I am interested. What is about these cars which makes buyers think, "Yes, I really want one of those"?
Small, practical, very fast, all weather ability, supposedly premium build and can slip under the radar to most of the general public if you want to stay discrete. Edited by Ali_T on Thursday 6th October 12:26
AH33 said:
I saw a GLA45 AMG the other day. It had a spoiler. It was one of the worst looking things i've ever seen. The end.
Those really are horrible and I still don't like the CLA either. Had to drive my mum's CLA180 last week and it was a remarkably horrible car. Snatchy brakes, an acclerator that does absolutely nothing for 50% of it's travel and a clutch that bites at the very top of the travel...after only 4500 miles. Don't know how she ever coped driving that dog. FN2TypeR said:
daemon said:
QuattroDave said:
ben5575 said:
More like 22mpg in my experience... 17mpg if you're making progress.
that's horrific, my v10 rs6 managed to average over 19mpg over 4,000 miles!Would be curious to hear peoples experience. Even at 22mpg it sounds pretty much in line with what our 370z did and it had 50 less BHP.
I seen a green one recently. Yes, green! I'm not a fan of the looks, but in that colour it looked rank.
It was been driven by a knob deliberately slowing down then flooring it so everyone could hear it 'farting' between numerous sets of traffic lights.
I see a few RS3's being driven just as recklessly. These seem to be the cars of choice for well off chavs.
It was been driven by a knob deliberately slowing down then flooring it so everyone could hear it 'farting' between numerous sets of traffic lights.
I see a few RS3's being driven just as recklessly. These seem to be the cars of choice for well off chavs.
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