A45 AMG Vs S3 Vs golf R.

[markymark34]

As per title really. Looking a 2017 / 2018 car. Driven them all. S3 and golf R obviously very similar. A45 was a bit of a surprise. A little more money but a lot more car. I feel like I know very little about it. What are general maintenance costs like? Mpg wise in assuming not massively worse than the golf/S3?

Thanks

Mark

[Dolf Stoppard]

What’s your budget? I only ask because the prices of A45s seem all over the shop, with MB dealers asking what look to me like very optimistic prices. So, if you were looking at the top end of the market (toward £30k) I’d probably say buy an A35. Almost as quick and current gen, while all the others (including the A45) have either been replaced or new models are imminent.

[markymark34]

25k is really my budget but spotted an a45 at just over 27k. Always something slightly out of budget. Lol

[anonymous-user]

Where do you live? S3 and Golf R are thief magnets 4/5 door version).

A35, as above, is current gen.

Why are worrying about MPG when spending £25k, it’ll be a minuscule cost in comparison to depreciation and the grand scheme, MPG all similar anyway 25 ish above on a run less when pressing on.

I’d take the A45, although the golf and s3 do nothing for me.

[ZX10R NIN]

A45/CLA45 everytime they're a bit more special than the other two or there's always the RS3 but you'll have to stretch the budget to get the newer model.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

RS3 in budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

CLA45

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

A45 Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[markymark34]

Thanks everyone. I've just looked up servicing costs on the Merc and nearly passed out. Guess that's to be expected.
As for mpg Vs depreciation. It's depressing visiting a petrol station every 5 days. I know I can average 30 mpg in the golf/S3 as I've had one before. 25 for the A45 I could handle. 20 is a no go.

[ZX10R NIN]

You'll see a real world 27-30mpg out of the A45.

[cerb4.5lee]

markymark34 said:

I've just looked up servicing costs on the Merc and nearly passed out. Guess that's to be expected.

Mercedes main dealer servicing is expensive for sure. I only have a GLC350d so not even a proper AMG model and my last service was £804(that was only oil/brake fluid change and a few filters!). I've resorted to taking out the monthly service plan now to help me keep up with the bills!

[Deep Thought]

markymark34 said:

Thanks everyone. I've just looked up servicing costs on the Merc and nearly passed out. Guess that's to be expected.
As for mpg Vs depreciation. It's depressing visiting a petrol station every 5 days. I know I can average 30 mpg in the golf/S3 as I've had one before. 25 for the A45 I could handle. 20 is a no go.

We ran one for three years.

Servicing was expensive - we had a servicing plan for ours. I'd have thought theres Merc / AMG specialists about who could service it for less.

Quite hard on tyres, especially front ones. I think we put 2 fronts on every 9K miles or so. Rears @ 18K. From memory they were around £360 a pair. By contract our M140i is on 14K miles and the fronts will be fine for another 2K easily.

We got around 28-30mpg in ours. Thats over 3 years running.

Definitely in the league above an S3 or an R.

[Deep Thought]

Dolf Stoppard said:

What’s your budget? I only ask because the prices of A45s seem all over the shop, with MB dealers asking what look to me like very optimistic prices. So, if you were looking at the top end of the market (toward £30k) I’d probably say buy an A35. Almost as quick and current gen, while all the others (including the A45) have either been replaced or new models are imminent.

Mercedes dealers will have the best of the cars, prepared to the best standard, with the best warranty also.

I'd definitely consider paying the extra for an AUC car.

[Deep Thought]

Oh, and get a facelift car (which would be in budget). I think they came in around 2016 MY.

This is easiest spotted with the flat bottomed steering wheel. Higher BHP but a stronger gearbox is the main appeal.

[Belle427]

Don't think I could ever stomach those maintenance costs.
I know an R/ S3 are a bit boring as standard but a stage 1 map will liven them up.

[Deep Thought]

Belle427 said:

Don't think I could ever stomach those maintenance costs.
I know an R/ S3 are a bit boring as standard but a stage 1 map will liven them up.

Any performance car running on decent quality 19s is going to be costly for tyres.

Servicing? I think it was around £400 a year for the service plan. That wasnt discounted it was just £35 a month in to a plan and they offset that against your (fixed price) bill. A good indy is bound to be cheaper.

It depends then how much you value that in the grand scheme of things, relatively small extra spend. The A45 is an RS3 / M2 competitor so a level above an S3 or R.

[bigenginesmallcar]

Have you considered an m140i? Glorious sound and rwd, yes traction aint as good but its probably a lot more involving and pretty fckin rapid on a roll.

[markymark34]

bigenginesmallcar said:

Have you considered an m140i? Glorious sound and rwd, yes traction aint as good but its probably a lot more involving and pretty fckin rapid on a roll.

Had an m140i. Cracking engine and gearbox combo. Crap handling and a serious lack of traction.

[bigenginesmallcar]

markymark34 said:

bigenginesmallcar said:

Have you considered an m140i? Glorious sound and rwd, yes traction aint as good but its probably a lot more involving and pretty fckin rapid on a roll.

Had an m140i. Cracking engine and gearbox combo. Crap handling and a serious lack of traction.

From what ive read, a set of coilovers from bilstein makes the ride a hell of a lot better, traction wise the ps4s are suppose to be leagues ahead of the mpss, but if you have had one you probably dont want to get one again.

I mean surely traction is equal to any other high powered rwd car with 350bhp and 370 ft lbs of torque, its all about throttle regulation.

[markymark34]

bigenginesmallcar said:

From what ive read, a set of coilovers from bilstein makes the ride a hell of a lot better, traction wise the ps4s are suppose to be leagues ahead of the mpss, but if you have had one you probably dont want to get one again.

I mean surely traction is equal to any other high powered rwd car with 350bhp and 370 ft lbs of torque, its all about throttle regulation.

The lack of a limited slip diff is the problem. Yes you can sort suspension and fit an lsd but then it's not exactly a bargain anymore.

[AyBee]

For me, it would have to be the A45 (currently own a R, albeit a Scirocco). I think it looks that bit more special than the Golf and Audi and the latter 2 both seem to get driven by too many idiots to want the comparison IMO.

[Deep Thought]

markymark34 said:

bigenginesmallcar said:

From what ive read, a set of coilovers from bilstein makes the ride a hell of a lot better, traction wise the ps4s are suppose to be leagues ahead of the mpss, but if you have had one you probably dont want to get one again.

I mean surely traction is equal to any other high powered rwd car with 350bhp and 370 ft lbs of torque, its all about throttle regulation.

The lack of a limited slip diff is the problem. Yes you can sort suspension and fit an lsd but then it's not exactly a bargain anymore.

Agreed. As an M140i owner, and former A45 owner, my feeling on the M140i is - its an absolute bargain but i wouldnt want to spend £,£££s on it making mods.

The A45 is a league ahead in the cross country sprint and feels amazingly composed at all times. Its quite manic compared to the M140i though.

[markymark34]

Deep Thought said:

Agreed. As an M140i owner, and former A45 owner, my feeling on the M140i is - its an absolute bargain but i wouldnt want to spend £,£££s on it making mods.

The A45 is a league ahead in the cross country sprint and feels amazingly composed at all times. Its quite manic compared to the M140i though.

How do the 2 compare running costs wise? Similar mpg? The a45 I've seen has 18s so tyres should be similar. Obviously the A45 is in the higher tax bracket.