CLA45 Shooting BreaK
Discussion
Hi there,
I've recently become interested in these and was wondering if anyone could offer any ownership or test drive info on them?
I currently have an s2 Exige for fun and Twingo 133 for daily and (3!) dog duties, but fancy something more refined and German for a change.
I love the look of the estate and they seem big enough for the pooches, just wonder how they cope in the real world; MPG, build quality, what options are vital etc?
Many thanks in advance!
Ps Pics please if you have them, they seem quite rare!
Matt
I've recently become interested in these and was wondering if anyone could offer any ownership or test drive info on them?
I currently have an s2 Exige for fun and Twingo 133 for daily and (3!) dog duties, but fancy something more refined and German for a change.
I love the look of the estate and they seem big enough for the pooches, just wonder how they cope in the real world; MPG, build quality, what options are vital etc?
Many thanks in advance!
Ps Pics please if you have them, they seem quite rare!
Matt
I can't offer any real advice as I've not had much experience of the CLA. I must admit I do quite like the shooting brake it has a 'mini CLS' look to it, which I guess has always been a superb looking estate car.
I'm aware that the CLA is essentially based on the A Class so in most guises, is a front wheel drive car but I'd imagine the CLA45 is 4WD like the A45 so I guess you get the best of both. Better looking than the A45 but with similar performance.
Good choice on the 133 by the way, I have had mine for the last 6 1/2 years
I'm aware that the CLA is essentially based on the A Class so in most guises, is a front wheel drive car but I'd imagine the CLA45 is 4WD like the A45 so I guess you get the best of both. Better looking than the A45 but with similar performance.
Good choice on the 133 by the way, I have had mine for the last 6 1/2 years
I took the CLA45SB out for a test drive and it is a seriously quick car albeit with catchy brakes. I ended up buying the slightly more cooking 217bhp version - CLA250SB 4matic Sport by AMG or some such catchy name...
I had a Caterham for fun and my wife a 500c Abarth so we have a similarish collection. I also have two kids (10 & 7) and a cocker spaniel. So with all that in mind, my decision process went something like this:
Existing c class estate. The default option was to go for E class estate, but after driving it realised that I just didn't need such a pointlessly huge car. So I looked at a 6 series BMW, along with a 135 but couldn't get away with the interiors on either. The 3 and 5 series just look terrible to me, inside and out. I took out the S6 engined S7 but that left me completely cold albeit with a lovely interior.
There was a CLA45SB demo at the Merc garage. I've always loved the look (they are marmite however) and in the flesh it looked fantastic. I decided that the difference between the 45 and the 250 wasn't big enough to justify the £15k premium, so went for the 250 (which is to all intents and purposes the same car but with different engine). In hindsight, I should have gone with the 45. I do know that after I've had this one for 18 months I'll be looking to swap into a 45.
Things I love:
You don't see many around
The noise. The 250 comes with the amg exhaust. Yes it's a 4 pot and has manufactured pops, bangs (on overrun) and farts (on upshift), but it's great fun
The seats and interior. Very comfortable alcantara seats. Interior generally good, although switchgear is too plasticky
Ride is firm, but you drive an exige so this is relative. Certainly not uncomfortable by any stretch and nobody has commented on it
The 250/45 rear lights look great as well
Handling and grip are both very good on public road. Whilst it is not quite as chuckable as a hot hatch, you can certainly hustle it along a back lane and stand it on its nose when you need to. The 45 would be a whole different league of fun, but more in a hyperspace out of the corners kind of a way.
Things I don't love:
22mpg around town. I have hit 30/31mpg on a motorway on cruise control. 26mpg is my average. It will drop to 17mpg on a spirited journey
Stock stereo system is very poor so I would spec that up if you get the chance.
Required options:
Panoramic sunroof is the only 'must have' in my view and I use it all the time.
Comes with LED lights as standard and are as good as you'll need
Mine has the reversing camera which works well if you fancy it.
Other options are all self explanatory
You'd get away with 3 cocker spaniels in the boot, with maybe a small bag/boots/wellies. You'd struggle with 3 black labs.
People seem to struggle with adults in the back of the non SB cla, however I've had no problem with two decent sized adults in the back of the SB
I really like it and as I say, will be looking at the 45 in another 12 months or so. Different from the dreary C/E/3/5/A4/A6.
I had a Caterham for fun and my wife a 500c Abarth so we have a similarish collection. I also have two kids (10 & 7) and a cocker spaniel. So with all that in mind, my decision process went something like this:
Existing c class estate. The default option was to go for E class estate, but after driving it realised that I just didn't need such a pointlessly huge car. So I looked at a 6 series BMW, along with a 135 but couldn't get away with the interiors on either. The 3 and 5 series just look terrible to me, inside and out. I took out the S6 engined S7 but that left me completely cold albeit with a lovely interior.
There was a CLA45SB demo at the Merc garage. I've always loved the look (they are marmite however) and in the flesh it looked fantastic. I decided that the difference between the 45 and the 250 wasn't big enough to justify the £15k premium, so went for the 250 (which is to all intents and purposes the same car but with different engine). In hindsight, I should have gone with the 45. I do know that after I've had this one for 18 months I'll be looking to swap into a 45.
Things I love:
You don't see many around
The noise. The 250 comes with the amg exhaust. Yes it's a 4 pot and has manufactured pops, bangs (on overrun) and farts (on upshift), but it's great fun
The seats and interior. Very comfortable alcantara seats. Interior generally good, although switchgear is too plasticky
Ride is firm, but you drive an exige so this is relative. Certainly not uncomfortable by any stretch and nobody has commented on it
The 250/45 rear lights look great as well
Handling and grip are both very good on public road. Whilst it is not quite as chuckable as a hot hatch, you can certainly hustle it along a back lane and stand it on its nose when you need to. The 45 would be a whole different league of fun, but more in a hyperspace out of the corners kind of a way.
Things I don't love:
22mpg around town. I have hit 30/31mpg on a motorway on cruise control. 26mpg is my average. It will drop to 17mpg on a spirited journey
Stock stereo system is very poor so I would spec that up if you get the chance.
Required options:
Panoramic sunroof is the only 'must have' in my view and I use it all the time.
Comes with LED lights as standard and are as good as you'll need
Mine has the reversing camera which works well if you fancy it.
Other options are all self explanatory
You'd get away with 3 cocker spaniels in the boot, with maybe a small bag/boots/wellies. You'd struggle with 3 black labs.
People seem to struggle with adults in the back of the non SB cla, however I've had no problem with two decent sized adults in the back of the SB
I really like it and as I say, will be looking at the 45 in another 12 months or so. Different from the dreary C/E/3/5/A4/A6.
Sorry, forgot to say that the gearbox really is as woeful as is generally reported, but this appears to be the case in the C63s as well.
It's a software thing, in eco mode it will change up a gear mid overtake and mid rev range whilst your foot is on the floor, then inexplicably hold onto 2nd gear at 6000 rpm whilst gently accelerating out of a junction at 20mph in a village.
It also thinks it knows better than you in 'manual' mode, occasionally refusing to shift up or down when you tell it to.
Oh and the automatic windscreen wipers that switch from not enough to turbo mode when it rains. This is a mercedes problem though and not unique to the CLA.
It's a software thing, in eco mode it will change up a gear mid overtake and mid rev range whilst your foot is on the floor, then inexplicably hold onto 2nd gear at 6000 rpm whilst gently accelerating out of a junction at 20mph in a village.
It also thinks it knows better than you in 'manual' mode, occasionally refusing to shift up or down when you tell it to.
Oh and the automatic windscreen wipers that switch from not enough to turbo mode when it rains. This is a mercedes problem though and not unique to the CLA.
Wow thanks that's a really useful write up, lots of food for thought. I'm looking at used so pan roof and upgraded wheels are my first choice- prefer white or red.
I won't test drive any until I sell the Exige, I was in the position of having two cars at the same time last time and its not too clever juggling finances where cars are concerned!
Thanks to all
Matt
I won't test drive any until I sell the Exige, I was in the position of having two cars at the same time last time and its not too clever juggling finances where cars are concerned!
Thanks to all
Matt
I have an A45 for last 20 months
No major issues except is to keep an eye on the speedo because it is ballistic
MPG 22 for last 22,000 miles but I get 36 MPG on the motorway
I would check the boot space because dog may not be happy
I pay £36 per month service plan
Front pads £385 and rear disc &pads £850
tyres £270 a pair fronts replaced at an average 10,000 and rears at 19,000
But it is great fun and great all weather car
The gearbox the facelift version should be better but older version was a bit dippy
I like the idea of shooting brake a bit leftfield and bonkers
No major issues except is to keep an eye on the speedo because it is ballistic
MPG 22 for last 22,000 miles but I get 36 MPG on the motorway
I would check the boot space because dog may not be happy
I pay £36 per month service plan
Front pads £385 and rear disc &pads £850
tyres £270 a pair fronts replaced at an average 10,000 and rears at 19,000
But it is great fun and great all weather car
The gearbox the facelift version should be better but older version was a bit dippy
I like the idea of shooting brake a bit leftfield and bonkers
I've been running a facelift GLA45AMG for 3k miles or so now. Thoughts probably in line with the previous poster's A45 :
Keep an eye on the speedo because it is ballistic
Average MPG is WAY off manufacturer claims even granted we know they are all generated in mythical test land. I am managing nearer 28MPG so far.
With all the modes and gadgetry it's difficult to think of it as one car. It's so configurable. 'C' is great for bimbling around, gearbox is very well behaved with everything predicatably slowed and smoothed. 'S' 'S+' and 'R' for me are silly in Auto - does all sorts of odd things with gear change and rev choices - but very usable in manual. So I generally run in 'C' and then switch to 'I*' (the driver configurable setting) when more oomph is needed. This effectively turns the car from a bimbling Merc about town into an angry, rabid thing which is awfully keen to reach the horizon in a hurry.
Keep an eye on the speedo because it is ballistic
Average MPG is WAY off manufacturer claims even granted we know they are all generated in mythical test land. I am managing nearer 28MPG so far.
With all the modes and gadgetry it's difficult to think of it as one car. It's so configurable. 'C' is great for bimbling around, gearbox is very well behaved with everything predicatably slowed and smoothed. 'S' 'S+' and 'R' for me are silly in Auto - does all sorts of odd things with gear change and rev choices - but very usable in manual. So I generally run in 'C' and then switch to 'I*' (the driver configurable setting) when more oomph is needed. This effectively turns the car from a bimbling Merc about town into an angry, rabid thing which is awfully keen to reach the horizon in a hurry.
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