GLA45, M240i convertible or M140i? Which would you go for?
Discussion
Hello all,
I've had a right hotch potch of cars over the years with no real rhyme or reason for any of them, including 4.8i X5, i3, Golf R, new XC60 and a few others.
Our current Abarth 124 Spider's due to go back in a few months and whittled it down to what I'd like next but really can't decide between them. Can't put my finger on why I like the GLA45 but I really like the look of it, and well, the M240i and M140i are all about the engine.
Also got 2 kids, so definitely good to have four seats again, though our XC60 deals with the more practical side of things....Anyway any views would be brilliant. Ta.
PS, yes I will actually test drive them at some point...
I've had a right hotch potch of cars over the years with no real rhyme or reason for any of them, including 4.8i X5, i3, Golf R, new XC60 and a few others.
Our current Abarth 124 Spider's due to go back in a few months and whittled it down to what I'd like next but really can't decide between them. Can't put my finger on why I like the GLA45 but I really like the look of it, and well, the M240i and M140i are all about the engine.
Also got 2 kids, so definitely good to have four seats again, though our XC60 deals with the more practical side of things....Anyway any views would be brilliant. Ta.
PS, yes I will actually test drive them at some point...
Dave Hedgehog said:
as I just sold my GLA45 thats the one i would pick, its a fair bit bigger in the back and boot than the A45 and rides better
however I would only have one with race mode and the sports rear box
the XC60 is an amazing quality family barge
Thanks Dave, was Race mode introduced in a particular year or is it an option?however I would only have one with race mode and the sports rear box
the XC60 is an amazing quality family barge
Luke. said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
as I just sold my GLA45 thats the one i would pick, its a fair bit bigger in the back and boot than the A45 and rides better
however I would only have one with race mode and the sports rear box
the XC60 is an amazing quality family barge
Thanks Dave, was Race mode introduced in a particular year or is it an option?however I would only have one with race mode and the sports rear box
the XC60 is an amazing quality family barge
'amg dynamic plus pack'
https://www.la.mercedes-benz.com/en/passengercars/...
Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Tuesday 15th October 16:09
cerb4.5lee said:
It would be the M240i convertible out of those for me. I'm at the mid life crisis age and I have 2 kids so that would be ideal! 
I've always seen the M240i as an ideal all round car, and having the flexibility of roof down motoring makes it even more appealing I reckon.
Oh, I'm well into mid life crisis too.... I've always seen the M240i as an ideal all round car, and having the flexibility of roof down motoring makes it even more appealing I reckon.
Luke. said:
cerb4.5lee said:
It would be the M240i convertible out of those for me. I'm at the mid life crisis age and I have 2 kids so that would be ideal!
I've always seen the M240i as an ideal all round car, and having the flexibility of roof down motoring makes it even more appealing I reckon.
Oh, I'm well into mid life crisis too.... I've always seen the M240i as an ideal all round car, and having the flexibility of roof down motoring makes it even more appealing I reckon.
Love the GLA45 but for me it needs an Aero pack, the M cars are lovely but whereas the Merc is an AMG the BM’s aren’t really M cars as such.
Also not really that much to look at I personally don’t think and for me that’s a big part of a car, GLA with Aero looks particularly menacing to me but appreciate it’s quite a ‘Marmite’ car.
Si
Also not really that much to look at I personally don’t think and for me that’s a big part of a car, GLA with Aero looks particularly menacing to me but appreciate it’s quite a ‘Marmite’ car.
Si
SiT said:
Love the GLA45 but for me it needs an Aero pack, the M cars are lovely but whereas the Merc is an AMG the BM’s aren’t really M cars as such.
Also not really that much to look at I personally don’t think and for me that’s a big part of a car, GLA with Aero looks particularly menacing to me but appreciate it’s quite a ‘Marmite’ car.
Si
To be honest, I much prefer without the aero, but can see why you'd want it.Also not really that much to look at I personally don’t think and for me that’s a big part of a car, GLA with Aero looks particularly menacing to me but appreciate it’s quite a ‘Marmite’ car.
Si
I've had the m235i convertible for 2 1/2 years. Great all round car, fast and comfortable. Got bitten by the convertible bug a few years ago and would definitely miss it if I had to go tintop again. Lovely to have the roof down in 6 degree sunshine with the heated seats on! Not a massive amount of room in the back seats mind. 
STe_rsv4 said:
I've had the m235i convertible for 2 1/2 years. Great all round car, fast and comfortable. Got bitten by the convertible bug a few years ago and would definitely miss it if I had to go tintop again. Lovely to have the roof down in 6 degree sunshine with the heated seats on! Not a massive amount of room in the back seats mind.
Nice! I'm a big fan of the M235i/240i Convertible for sure.
Had a GLA45 for about 2.5 years, it was ok, been driving an M140 for about 2 years.
The M140 is the better car if you want a car that does day to day driving really well and can be a hooligan when you want it. The GLA is the other way round. the autobox on the M140 is night and day superior to the GLA.
They are both really good cars, but I much prefer the M140.
The M140 is the better car if you want a car that does day to day driving really well and can be a hooligan when you want it. The GLA is the other way round. the autobox on the M140 is night and day superior to the GLA.
They are both really good cars, but I much prefer the M140.
nikaiyo2 said:
Had a GLA45 for about 2.5 years, it was ok, been driving an M140 for about 2 years.
The M140 is the better car if you want a car that does day to day driving really well and can be a hooligan when you want it. The GLA is the other way round. the autobox on the M140 is night and day superior to the GLA.
They are both really good cars, but I much prefer the M140.
That's really helpful, thank you. How do the running costs compare? Still totally undecided The M140 is the better car if you want a car that does day to day driving really well and can be a hooligan when you want it. The GLA is the other way round. the autobox on the M140 is night and day superior to the GLA.
They are both really good cars, but I much prefer the M140.
Luke. said:
That's really helpful, thank you. How do the running costs compare? Still totally undecided
I average 25mpg on the trip computer on the M140, my commute is about 3.5 miles through a city centre, on a motorway cruise it’s over 35. I don’t remember what the GLA did tbh, but gut feeling is the M140 is better on fuel... but not by that much.The GLA was a company car so no idea what other costs were.
I can’t imagine one having way lower costs than the other. Are you buying new or used? I never had any problems with mine, but I would imagine the GLA has the potential to throw a massive bill with very little warning. I feel, and it is just my feeling, not based on anything tangible that the M140 is less highly stressed so less likely to do this.
The M140 is great to drive everyday, it has so much torque, it can waft about with ease. The GLA can’t, it’s weird, I don’t know if it’s the gearbox or maps or what, but it seems to be all or nothing. It’s almost like an old modified car, in comfort mode, where there is a big laggy gap then ALL the power (a bit like the M140 in utterly pointless and horrid eco mode) So you put it into sports mode and it’s less laggy, but very stiff and sharp.
If I was driving up that road in Romania from Top Gear I would want the GLA, no question. Point to point over a twisty turny road the GLA will demolish the M140. In the wet.. GLA, but in general I am not sure how often I drive close to the limit on the road.
Unfortunately for me I drive 90% of the time round the southeast of England with speed cameras and traffic and Honda jazz drivers
Both are great cars
Have you driven both?I would have another M140 in a heartbeat... I would not have another GLA.
Edited by nikaiyo2 on Thursday 17th October 19:16
nikaiyo2 said:
I average 25mpg on the trip computer on the M140, my commute is about 3.5 miles through a city centre, on a motorway cruise it’s over 35. I don’t remember what the GLA did tbh, but gut feeling is the M140 is better on fuel... but not by that much.
The GLA was a company car so no idea what other costs were.
I can’t imagine one having way lower costs than the other. Are you buying new or used? I never had any problems with mine, but I would imagine the GLA has the potential to throw a massive bill with very little warning. I feel, and it is just my feeling, not based on anything tangible that the M140 is less highly stressed so less likely to do this.
The M140 is great to drive everyday, it has so much torque, it can waft about with ease. The GLA can’t, it’s weird, I don’t know if it’s the gearbox or maps or what, but it seems to be all or nothing. It’s almost like an old modified car, in comfort mode, where there is a big laggy gap then ALL the power (a bit like the M140 in utterly pointless and horrid eco mode) So you put it into sports mode and it’s less laggy, but very stiff and sharp.
If I was driving up that road in Romania from Top Gear I would want the GLA, no question. Point to point over a twisty turny road the GLA will demolish the M140. In the wet.. GLA, but in general I am not sure how often I drive close to the limit on the road.
Unfortunately for me I drive 90% of the time round the southeast of England with speed cameras and traffic and Honda jazz drivers
Both are great cars Have you driven both?
I would have another M140 in a heartbeat... I would not have another GLA.
Thanks so much for the reply. Not driven either yet, but got a test drive for the GLA on Sunday. Though I have to say my heads saying M140i or M240i convetible if I'm honest. But a nice dilemma to have and looking forward to trying them all out.The GLA was a company car so no idea what other costs were.
I can’t imagine one having way lower costs than the other. Are you buying new or used? I never had any problems with mine, but I would imagine the GLA has the potential to throw a massive bill with very little warning. I feel, and it is just my feeling, not based on anything tangible that the M140 is less highly stressed so less likely to do this.
The M140 is great to drive everyday, it has so much torque, it can waft about with ease. The GLA can’t, it’s weird, I don’t know if it’s the gearbox or maps or what, but it seems to be all or nothing. It’s almost like an old modified car, in comfort mode, where there is a big laggy gap then ALL the power (a bit like the M140 in utterly pointless and horrid eco mode) So you put it into sports mode and it’s less laggy, but very stiff and sharp.
If I was driving up that road in Romania from Top Gear I would want the GLA, no question. Point to point over a twisty turny road the GLA will demolish the M140. In the wet.. GLA, but in general I am not sure how often I drive close to the limit on the road.
Unfortunately for me I drive 90% of the time round the southeast of England with speed cameras and traffic and Honda jazz drivers
Both are great cars
Have you driven both?I would have another M140 in a heartbeat... I would not have another GLA.
Edited by nikaiyo2 on Thursday 17th October 19:16
nikaiyo2 said:
The M140 is great to drive everyday, it has so much torque, it can waft about with ease. The GLA can’t, it’s weird, I don’t know if it’s the gearbox or maps or what, but it seems to be all or nothing. It’s almost like an old modified car, in comfort mode, where there is a big laggy gap then ALL the power (a bit like the M140 in utterly pointless and horrid eco mode) So you put it into sports mode and it’s less laggy, but very stiff and sharp.
I'd echo this.Edited by nikaiyo2 on Thursday 17th October 19:16
Before buying my current 440i I was ready to pull the trigger on a A45 but the test drive really disappointed. The all or nothing and lag you describe was very noticeable and I just couldn't live with it.
The 440i is so much 'easier' to drive, yes the gearbox helps but it really feels like the engine is much more usable and so much smoother.
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