Out with the A45? In with the...
Discussion
I've got a 2017 FL A45, which is on a PCP that is finishing shortly, so I have the option of buying the car or going for something else. The A45 has been superb and ticks all of the boxes for me (it's a daily driver), and I'm looking at either a mk7 Golf R as everyone seems to rave about them or an M140i, both manual (probably) and with a budget of up to 22k ish. This is for daily driving duties and both seem to be fairly rapid and well equipped; I have a Boxster Spyder as a weekend fun car so I'm not looking at the replacement for the A45 to fulfill that sort of role. Has anyone moved from an A45 to either of these or similar hot hatch and have any comments? It's not much more power, but do you think I'll miss the A45 over these two? I'm tempted to just keep the A45, but I fancy a change...
I would stick with the A45. The Golf R is a step down in every aspect.
The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
Flying machine said:
I've got a 2017 FL A45, which is on a PCP that is finishing shortly, so I have the option of buying the car or going for something else. The A45 has been superb and ticks all of the boxes for me (it's a daily driver), and I'm looking at either a mk7 Golf R as everyone seems to rave about them or an M140i, both manual (probably) and with a budget of up to 22k ish. This is for daily driving duties and both seem to be fairly rapid and well equipped; I have a Boxster Spyder as a weekend fun car so I'm not looking at the replacement for the A45 to fulfill that sort of role. Has anyone moved from an A45 to either of these or similar hot hatch and have any comments? It's not much more power, but do you think I'll miss the A45 over these two? I'm tempted to just keep the A45, but I fancy a change...
We went from a 2016 FL A45 to a 2019 (new) M140i.Echoing pretty much what everyone else is saying, the M140i has its own charms - namely a 3.0 litre engine and RWD.
I'd say its as quick in every day use as the A45 and a lot easier driven. The A45 we found to be fairly manic as a DD, not helped by the fact it needed to be driven in Sport or Sport+ as Comfort let it get off the turbo which resulted in cheek clenching moments coming out of junctions.
The A45 would have been quicker cross country - better handling and AWD saw to that, but the M140i can make rapid progress. I'd say the M140i is easily as quick in a straight line, which is great for everyday overtaking etc.
Handling is a little softer and if you like to drive everywhere like a nutter then you'll want to get an LSD. If you're a normal car enthusiast who likes to drive fast you wont need it though.
Personally - i wouldnt want to run an A45 out of warranty. When we were selling ours, we talked to a dealer who'd just bought in a 28K miles FL A45 and the gearbox went within two weeks. He was very fortunate that it was just within warranty. The FL gearboxes are better than the originals, but they are still problematic.
I think A45 -> Golf R would be a step to far. A45 -> M140i is viable.
I wouldn't dismiss the Golf R at all. If you are looking for a quick, decent, daily driver then it ticks all the boxes - probably more so than the A45 or the 140. 140 has the best engine, A45 is the most fun, but as an all round proposition (particularly ride and all weather ability) the Golf is incredibly impressive. Having driven all three, they really do have different strengths - so just get an extended test drive in both to compare against yours.
Both will make your A45 feel more manic/hard edged - but that's also why the Golf might suit you to a tee if you've got the Spyder as well.
Both will make your A45 feel more manic/hard edged - but that's also why the Golf might suit you to a tee if you've got the Spyder as well.
Driver101 said:
I would stick with the A45. The Golf R is a step down in every aspect.
The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I would disagree, never had an A45, but had a CLA45.The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I think there is much more feel good factor from the M140 in everyday driving.
It does not feel so planted as the 45 and has a lot less grip, so you get to the point of interaction at much lower speeds.
I would also think that after 5 years or so it would be the 45 that has the ability to throw a huge bill. Don't get me wrong it never went wrong or had any kind of problem for me at all, but it felt quite highly stressed, the M140 does not. Obviously this is not based on anything other than a kind of gut feeling, so might be utter crap.
nikaiyo2 said:
Driver101 said:
I would stick with the A45. The Golf R is a step down in every aspect.
The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I would disagree, never had an A45, but had a CLA45.The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I think there is much more feel good factor from the M140 in everyday driving.
It does not feel so planted as the 45 and has a lot less grip, so you get to the point of interaction at much lower speeds.
I would also think that after 5 years or so it would be the 45 that has the ability to throw a huge bill. Don't get me wrong it never went wrong or had any kind of problem for me at all, but it felt quite highly stressed, the M140 does not. Obviously this is not based on anything other than a kind of gut feeling, so might be utter crap.
Totally agree.
We found there was only a feel good factor with the A45 when you were attempting to drive it to its capabilities.
The M140i makes you feel good even when just tootling about (something the A45 wasnt very good at)
I was looking at these for a daily. I found the A45 amazing, but a bit too manic for every day. M140 was nice, but I struggled to find one with a decent spec.
In the end, I went for an XE s. Very well equipped as standard, supercharged v6, good blend of comfort and performance. I love it.
In the end, I went for an XE s. Very well equipped as standard, supercharged v6, good blend of comfort and performance. I love it.
nikaiyo2 said:
Driver101 said:
I would stick with the A45. The Golf R is a step down in every aspect.
The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I would disagree, never had an A45, but had a CLA45.The M140i is a good daily drive and 6 cylinder engines are much sweeter. The handling is a bit soft and there is a real need for a LSD.
The M140i won't have the same feel good factor of the A45. The image of the M140i is being badly hit as they have way too many idiot owners.
Far too many M140i and Golf R are used and abused. At least you know your car.
I think there is much more feel good factor from the M140 in everyday driving.
It does not feel so planted as the 45 and has a lot less grip, so you get to the point of interaction at much lower speeds.
I would also think that after 5 years or so it would be the 45 that has the ability to throw a huge bill. Don't get me wrong it never went wrong or had any kind of problem for me at all, but it felt quite highly stressed, the M140 does not. Obviously this is not based on anything other than a kind of gut feeling, so might be utter crap.
I didn't have any bills with mine. The interior trim quality was a bit poor in bits, but mechanically it felt solid.
The N55 has proved to be really reliable and I'm sure the B58 will be the same. There has been loads of ZF gearboxes replaced and they aren't cheap.
I do agree in most aspects that the M140i is probably the better daily driver. They are easier to live with and idrive is vastly better. Cheaper for general running too.
The little A45 just has something the M140i doesn't though. You can tell that by the way people react to one.
Driver101 said:
Is the fears of the A45 throwing bills founded? Apart from early turbos and the facelift gearbox issues I hardly see any issues. They seem reliable.
I was totally with you on this - until i was talking to a dealer who'd just bought in a 2016 one with 28K miles (or thereabouts) and the gearbox went on it within a month. My gut feeling after ownership of ours was i wouldnt want to run one out of warranty.
Driver101 said:
The N55 has proved to be really reliable and I'm sure the B58 will be the same. There has been loads of ZF gearboxes replaced and they aren't cheap.
I do agree in most aspects that the M140i is probably the better daily driver. They are easier to live with and idrive is vastly better. Cheaper for general running too.
The little A45 just has something the M140i doesn't though. You can tell that by the way people react to one.
Yes, totally agree. The A45 is in the league above the M140i for that, but then it should be, given the price difference both new and used.I do agree in most aspects that the M140i is probably the better daily driver. They are easier to live with and idrive is vastly better. Cheaper for general running too.
The little A45 just has something the M140i doesn't though. You can tell that by the way people react to one.
Driver101 said:
Is the fears of the A45 throwing bills founded? Apart from early turbos and the facelift gearbox issues I hardly see any issues. They seem reliable.
I didn't have any bills with mine. The interior trim quality was a bit poor in bits, but mechanically it felt solid.
Simple answer... no, it is completely unfounded.I didn't have any bills with mine. The interior trim quality was a bit poor in bits, but mechanically it felt solid.
Like I said, nothing ever went wrong on mine. Other than a Bluetooth issue, but I think that was s
tty Samsung phone more than anything.I just had the feeling that the 45 was at the limit. The 140 feels less “stressed.” I would feel comfortable driving a 140 outside the manufacture warranty, really not sure I would with the 45. Like I said this is not based on anything other than a feeling!
Deep Thought said:
rustyuk said:
The answer is obvious, in with the new A45 !
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