Any A35 owners??
Discussion
I need to return my lease later in the year and I'm going back to owning a car is ready of borrowing one as leasing costs are just daft now.
After 3 boring but utterly reliable years in a Hyundai Tucson I need to get back into a quick hatchback which was my old default. I don't need such a big car as the wife has gone from her Mini into an Evoque (sigh)
I need something mid sized, 5 door, quick enough and I keep getting drawn to the A35, essentially it looks to fly under the radar a bit unlike the Golf R/GTI and S3 etc. Having previously had a stealth grey Focus ST I don't want the attention from idiots when I'm out and about and the A35 looks fairly inconspicuous.
The Merc also looks to have a far nicer interior compared to the VAG group offerings.
Has anyone got one and if so, what's ownership like?
If be going for something about 3 years old.
Many Thanks
After 3 boring but utterly reliable years in a Hyundai Tucson I need to get back into a quick hatchback which was my old default. I don't need such a big car as the wife has gone from her Mini into an Evoque (sigh)
I need something mid sized, 5 door, quick enough and I keep getting drawn to the A35, essentially it looks to fly under the radar a bit unlike the Golf R/GTI and S3 etc. Having previously had a stealth grey Focus ST I don't want the attention from idiots when I'm out and about and the A35 looks fairly inconspicuous.
The Merc also looks to have a far nicer interior compared to the VAG group offerings.
Has anyone got one and if so, what's ownership like?
If be going for something about 3 years old.
Many Thanks
Great cars in my opinion, but need the aero pack otherwise it looks like an A180.
They do run out of puff at the top end of the rev range and as it's an A class they can be a bit plasticky inside.
Ran mine from new for 3 years and 23,000 miles without issue - although there are some horror stories about cylinder head replacements.
I moved on to a Taycan - no where near as exciting on a B road so upgraded the family Qashqai to a GLB35 - just a big A35 really!
In my opinion the MBUX system is the best around, far far superior to the Porsche.
They do run out of puff at the top end of the rev range and as it's an A class they can be a bit plasticky inside.
Ran mine from new for 3 years and 23,000 miles without issue - although there are some horror stories about cylinder head replacements.
I moved on to a Taycan - no where near as exciting on a B road so upgraded the family Qashqai to a GLB35 - just a big A35 really!
In my opinion the MBUX system is the best around, far far superior to the Porsche.
My wife has one, hers is an early 2020 car but low mileage. She loves it, insisted on a yellow one, no aero pack. Hers is a Premium but does not have Apple Car Play or Android Auto, suspect it may have been an option at that time. Hers also has the 192 wheels which we would rather not have.
Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
Thanks for the replies both, good useful information.
I'm not too fussed about the aero pack, I know it looks good but I quite like the subtle nature of the non-aero cars. Having had a stealth grey Focus ST a few years back that attracted every idiot from miles around I'll happy have something a little more subtle.
I think a premium or premium plus 2020 onwards car for me will be ideal but I don't think I fancy a yellow on
I just need to go and drive one and make sure I fit as I'm 6'4" so a bit of a lump.
I'm not too fussed about the aero pack, I know it looks good but I quite like the subtle nature of the non-aero cars. Having had a stealth grey Focus ST a few years back that attracted every idiot from miles around I'll happy have something a little more subtle.
I think a premium or premium plus 2020 onwards car for me will be ideal but I don't think I fancy a yellow on
I just need to go and drive one and make sure I fit as I'm 6'4" so a bit of a lump. You should be fine at 6'4, my wife has a 2019 A35 and I drive it no probs at 6' 6 - there's also reasonable space behind my seat for my children (more than there was in the Golf 7 GTI that preceeded it.
My wife specifically did NOT want the aero pack as it does make it look boy racer'ish - but agree with other comments that is looks plain without it, but that's the point for some people.
Only had it a few months but pleased with it so far, goes very well, nice interior. My only comment would be the gearbox can be a bit 'lazy' when pulling away - almost like it is slipping the clutch for ages to have a very smooth pull away - very different and less urgent compared to my M235i, but I'm guessing more throttle will result in faster get away!
My wife specifically did NOT want the aero pack as it does make it look boy racer'ish - but agree with other comments that is looks plain without it, but that's the point for some people.
Only had it a few months but pleased with it so far, goes very well, nice interior. My only comment would be the gearbox can be a bit 'lazy' when pulling away - almost like it is slipping the clutch for ages to have a very smooth pull away - very different and less urgent compared to my M235i, but I'm guessing more throttle will result in faster get away!
river_rat said:
You should be fine at 6'4, my wife has a 2019 A35 and I drive it no probs at 6' 6 - there's also reasonable space behind my seat for my children (more than there was in the Golf 7 GTI that preceeded it.
My wife specifically did NOT want the aero pack as it does make it look boy racer'ish - but agree with other comments that is looks plain without it, but that's the point for some people.
Only had it a few months but pleased with it so far, goes very well, nice interior. My only comment would be the gearbox can be a bit 'lazy' when pulling away - almost like it is slipping the clutch for ages to have a very smooth pull away - very different and less urgent compared to my M235i, but I'm guessing more throttle will result in faster get away!
Have you tried putting the gearbox in S+ ? When I can be arsed to enjoy a more spirited journey I flick from C to S+My wife specifically did NOT want the aero pack as it does make it look boy racer'ish - but agree with other comments that is looks plain without it, but that's the point for some people.
Only had it a few months but pleased with it so far, goes very well, nice interior. My only comment would be the gearbox can be a bit 'lazy' when pulling away - almost like it is slipping the clutch for ages to have a very smooth pull away - very different and less urgent compared to my M235i, but I'm guessing more throttle will result in faster get away!
Leased one for the last 3yrs - actually just renewed for 2 more because I have no real need to change it.
No ownership issues - it really does fly under the radar, which is perfect (no aero, and no lairy colour - its black). The MBUK system is really quite good - there are probably numerous things I've not even figured out in the system, but it does what I need it to. I can say "Hi Mercedes, play Heart80s" or "Hi Mercedes, take me home" etc. which is convenient. It's missing carplay, which would be nice, but not essential (others have this option).
It's pretty rapid (similar figs to a 996), and really quite responsive when in S+ mode, and the 4wd definitely helps with traction during the winter/spring - definitely surefooted. It's not particularly enjoyable though - but certainly does the job I need it to do.
It’s probably worth mentioning they are very low, I have seen a fair few pics of the front bumper ripped off due to kerbs.
They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
RichA35 said:
It’s probably worth mentioning they are very low, I have seen a fair few pics of the front bumper ripped off due to kerbs.
They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
That's some mad economy figure there - sure it wasn't broken at 22mpg? I average 25mpg and 18mpg round town in my E63S .....They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
RichA35 said:
It’s probably worth mentioning they are very low, I have seen a fair few pics of the front bumper ripped off due to kerbs.
They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
Even around town it does not dip below about 30mpg. You must have a leaden right foot They can be quite thirsty as well, I averaged 22mpg over 25k miles. Sub 15mpg around town wasnt unusual.
Although I did lend it to my Dad for a week and he managed 40mpg but was accelerating on the motorway using the cruise control button apparently.
Overall I enjoyed my time with it.
Your Dad seems to achieve the same as us.
Sport plus always selected wouldn’t have helped but yep it was averaging 22mpg. I was doing very little motorway mileage due to Covid and WFH.
Below my Dads trip with overall average below that.
Below my Dads trip with overall average below that.
Edited by RichA35 on Wednesday 14th February 20:10
Edited by RichA35 on Wednesday 14th February 20:11
Edited by RichA35 on Wednesday 14th February 20:19
MustangGT said:
My wife has one, hers is an early 2020 car but low mileage. She loves it, insisted on a yellow one, no aero pack. Hers is a Premium but does not have Apple Car Play or Android Auto, suspect it may have been an option at that time. Hers also has the 192 wheels which we would rather not have.
Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
If you buy one without Carplay/Android auto and you really want it, you can purchase it as an over the air retrofit from MercedesMe store on these vehicles with MBUX head units. Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
I purchased a new one 12 months ago. Mine doesn't have the aero pack and looks very standard which is great for me. I would agree with a previous post the gearbox seems a bit sleepy when you first pull away. The tech is great and works really well. Mine has just clocked 6k miles and has been perfect and averaged 31.3 mpg according to the app. Mine is in metallic grey and looks well.
cts1975 said:
I purchased a new one 12 months ago. Mine doesn't have the aero pack and looks very standard which is great for me. I would agree with a previous post the gearbox seems a bit sleepy when you first pull away. The tech is great and works really well. Mine has just clocked 6k miles and has been perfect and averaged 31.3 mpg according to the app. Mine is in metallic grey and looks well.
How have you found the build quality? Half of the posts online say it’s great while the other half seem to be negative. Having sat in one my initial impression was really positive. drewbar said:
MustangGT said:
My wife has one, hers is an early 2020 car but low mileage. She loves it, insisted on a yellow one, no aero pack. Hers is a Premium but does not have Apple Car Play or Android Auto, suspect it may have been an option at that time. Hers also has the 192 wheels which we would rather not have.
Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
If you buy one without Carplay/Android auto and you really want it, you can purchase it as an over the air retrofit from MercedesMe store on these vehicles with MBUX head units. Mostly used for motorway mileage, currently averaging 39.87mpg over about 3k miles. Had a service done by a local garage, all okay except for re-setting the service counter. Local MB garage refuse to do it.
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