New Merc A Class takes the fight to VW Golf

[alebonau]

well I dont buy into best price threads and I hope this doesnt turn into one. too many factors in what determines price. and as they say best price you will pay is the best one you can negotiate. it really is irelevant what someone else says they paid.

[rayw]

Good review al
I am surprise that the harmon kardon sound system actually meet your standard and got a big tick from you
How is this HK system compare to Dynaudio system in golf ?

thanks tunes

yes thought probably a few reviews around but you dont get much from owners perspective and rarely ever comparing back to last car you loved hehe



thanks rexjamo glad you like it. yeah the a250 is a great car as previous gti owner definitely one you'll enjoy I think

the command package is the only option I got on the car, I learnt a bit from previous cars not to option up too much as you never get your money back the command brings full iphone/ipod integration, an excellent harman kardon speaker system and plus sat nav and dab + digital radio. all those combined together well worth getting for the $3k extra merc charge for the option

[alebonau]

thanks Ray,

below is some info on the harman kardon system that comes with the command pack when option it
Harman Kardon Mercedes A-Class

and it does sound pretty excellent and good value for money I think when consider its bundled in with sat nav, digital radio etc.

sure you could go all out with a high end custom system. ie top end source, amp, speakers large subs etc, and something have done in my younger years when was pretty nuts into car audio. but look given the effort and cost youd have to go through I dont think is warranted given the level of performance you get wiht the harman system.

re the golf and the dynaudio system, I personally wasnt totally convinced with it to be honest in being enough of an upgrade on the stock system of the gti given dollars they ask. I know the passat for instance come with a more upmarket system and wish they offered that on the gtis as well. I actually for the duration of owning the gti held onto what was left of my high end car audio system in a hand made italian amplifier, sub and system integration unit to suit the golf. And had all intentions of fitting this to the car if was going to hold onto it if bought the car out of lease. but now since getting the merc am slowly selling all these off as dont really see myself fitting any of these to the car

[DoggieHowser]

Weird

Seems a bit late for a review

Drive - Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport Review

[whoalse]

Good info. Any chance you have the maintenance cost info for the next 3 years? Like standard and major service.

Was told the Evoque's is $600 and $1k every other year. Yes, you can 3 year free servicing if you are with some companies in their list.

[alebonau]

Good info. Any chance you have the maintenance cost info for the next 3 years? Like standard and major service.

Was told the Evoque's is $600 and $1k every other year. Yes, you can 3 year free servicing if you are with some companies in their list.

just ask your dealer, I was told typical services we circa $400, so looking at $1200 over 3 years max or 2 services at $800 if sell at 3 year mark like I did with my golf gti. Also ask re fixed price servicing, I did read something about $1500 fixed price for 3 years or 50k. I never inquired any further myself as soon as realised on their corporate program its free servicing for the 3 years my car is on lease

[DoggieHowser]

I popped by the Brisbane dealer off Fortitude Valley.

No stock of the A250 and any order would only be delivered in November, it seems.

They did have a base A180 that got the AMG treatment so it had the interior and exterior dress up parts of the A250, and that went for $45k driveaway I think. Didn't make sense to me but it does appear Merc are now not discounting the A class, at least not in Brisbane.

I've found my friends seem to get much better discounts down in Sydney.

[alebonau]

theyve never really discounted them, not been need to. they might throw something in but not much more than that. I had a friend mention that while can make an order for one they cant guarantee delivery now until next year ! I guess upcoming european summer holidays and christmas new year break at end of the year will be factors

[DoggieHowser]

Sutcliffe seems to be having genuine fun with the A45 AMG!

[Timlin]

Amazing car!

An absolute collectors piece!

Pound for pound, from a mass-produced, commercial perspective, this is the most powerful engine ever built!

I'm so jealous! Enjoy man, but watch out for the speeding tickets!!

AT

[lenojd]

Video: Mercedes A45 AMG vs Golf GTI vs BMW M135i Car Video | Autocar

[Tobes_WIR35]

theyve never really discounted them, not been need to. they might throw something in but not much more than that. I had a friend mention that while can make an order for one they cant guarantee delivery now until next year ! I guess upcoming european summer holidays and christmas new year break at end of the year will be factors

Sorry if you've already answered this elsewhere, but if you don't mind me asking, how much was the A250? I'm interested in looking at one when my lease is up on the GTI.

I especially like the interior. The exterior - not absolutely adoring it, but it's not bad (I'm sure it would grow on me). It seems that you're certain it's a better car than the mk6 (which it should be given that the mk6 is basically a mk5 which is basically 8 years old...). But is it better than a similarly priced, similarly optioned mk7? That will be the question I suppose...

[alebonau]

Sorry if you've already answered this elsewhere, but if you don't mind me asking, how much was the A250? I'm interested in looking at one when my lease is up on the GTI.

I especially like the interior. The exterior - not absolutely adoring it, but it's not bad (I'm sure it would grow on me). It seems that you're certain it's a better car than the mk6 (which it should be given that the mk6 is basically a mk5 which is basically 8 years old...). But is it better than a similarly priced, similarly optioned mk7? That will be the question I suppose...

Hi Tobes, I pre ordered nearly coming upto a year ago, and I got through my company so wouldnt compare. best have seen is probably $1k-$1.2k discount you cant expect more as they have not only sold all on the floor but also pre sold out till about jan feb next year it seems. So yeah be lucky if can negotiate a discount but given the demand and waiting list wouldnt expect to have much bargaining ground ! In regards leases. It was literally a straight swap for me from the golf gti to the a250 with command pack. infact my lease cost has gone down with the change in fbt rate and drop in interest rates from when I got the golf.

Yep the interior is miles better than the golf. there is absolutely no comparison. but yeah things like styling inside and out take it or leave it. these things come down to taste. some will like it others not and prefer something else. and your right tech wise the mk6 is/was getting on. In buying a new car I really didnt see much differnet in the mk7 sorry. seems feels like a golf gti. also unsure on styling. have seen a few mk7s and to me just dont have a wow factor. I get that wiht the merc. walking upto it. opening the door. sitting behind the wheel. cranking over the engine, accelerating off, going around corners, just cruising ...I just love it.

but yeah not to say the golf gti didnt have a lot of wow. its a fun car. Just when I get a new car I wanted to have that feeling of getting a new car and going from mk6 to mk7 I couldnt see that neither even if I went say for a pov pack golf R or something. the merc to me gives me that buzz of something new and special

[alebonau]

still in love of my a250 couple of shots from today

[Tobes_WIR35]

I'd also be leasing through my company. The GTI Adidas was about RRP $51,500 including on roads. I think I managed to get it for about $46,500. Could I expect an A250 sport DCT with bi-xenons, leather, satnav, bluetooth and ipod connectivity for that money? (I realise most of these items would be standard but I haven't really researched them a great deal yet).

If Toyota/Subaru bring out a turbocharged or supercharged version of the 86/BRZ then that will confuse the decision even more...