Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - First Edition

[Lemonskin]

I know this is a bit off topic, but as we're looking at competition to our VW's, thought it might interest some. It's a bit scary, if you can believe it: (mods, if it's been posted elsewhere just delete it)

The UK’s leading supplier of direct consumer warranties studied data from live consumer policies which showed that the only engines to have failed more often than Audis in the past year were those from the now defunct MG Rover group, while the MINI finished a disappointing third from bottom. BMW and Volkswagen featured seventh and ninth respectively in the power plant scale of shame.

At the top end of the table, Japan took the plaudits as Honda and Toyota proved to be the manufacturers with the most reliable power units, while Mercedes-Benz upheld some German honour by taking the third best accolade.

1 in 13 MG Rover motors failed in the past year, while 1 in 27 Audi owners had issues with theirs. At the opposite end of the scale, just 1 in every 345 Honda owners had a problem with their power unit.

Engine Reliability – Bottom 10 Manufacturers

Manufacturer Failure Rate (%) Failure Rate (1 in x)
1 MG Rover 7.88% 1 in 13
2 Audi 3.71% 1 in 27
3 MINI 2.51% 1 in 40
4 Saab 2.49% 1 in 40
5 Vauxhall 2.46% 1 in 41
6 Peugeot 2.26% 1 in 44
7 BMW 2.20% 1 in 45
8 Renault 2.13% 1 in 46
9 Volkswagen 1.91% 1 in 52
10 Mitsubishi 1.70% 1 in 59

Engine Reliability – Top 10 Manufacturers

Manufacturer Failure Rate (%) Failure Rate (1 in x)
1 Honda 0.29% 1 in 344
2 Toyota 0.58% 1 in 171
3 Mercedes-Benz 0.84% 1 in 119
4 Volvo 0.90% 1 in 111
5 Jaguar 0.98% 1 in 103
6 Lexus 0.99% 1 in 101
7 Fiat 1.17% 1 in 85
8 Ford 1.25% 1 in 80
9 Nissan 1.32% 1 in 76
10 Land Rover 1.38% 1 in 72

It surprises me that Land Rover and Fiat are in the top 10...

[alebonau]

Man i am feeling that the A class is practically here already but I have already put my deposit on the 328i. This is absolutely one cracker of a car! Small, particularly well equipped, good looks (except the diamond grill)... Man what a package!

If i was cross shopping a featured GTI vs the A250 sport then this wins (subject to a test drive).

Admittedly those with a less accomodating budget will see affordability and value in the base GTI.

The caveat is that it's a new car, and like others have said it is worth waiting till they bed down the manufacturing process as i am sure quality will be an issue for early examples.

Phew... Ok... Feel slightly better. So the A250 sport with reliability one won't land in march 2013 but more likely march 2014 :p

After being bitten twice for buying too early in the VW product cycle... I say ppl should consider the purchase timing seriously! I believe the DCT is newer to the MB group on their lower powered cars than it is VAG.

Back on topic, in 12 months time A250 vs GTI will be one hell of a competition.

wouldnt fret the 328i would be an excellent car am sure would be downright pleased

was keen to see what the diamond grill would look like on the a250 as well. and fits the part I think am real pleased they brought that across from the original concept

the DCT they use across the Merc range and not heard of any issues, but yeah time will tell.

one thing loved was the exhaust note on the a250 glad AMG had a part to play on that

another cracker of a local review guys !

Mercedes-Benz A 250 Sport 2013: Launch Review

[alebonau]

Had to laugh at his last comment 'its a hot hatch for someone who's growning up, but hasn't completly grown up' - sounds like someone I know.

hehe too true !

[Dutch77]

So BMW are advertising 'complimentary' M sport packages till March.. effectively a $5k price cut on selected models; bizarrely they are not offering it on the 1 series hatch, the car that logically will be destroyed across the board by the A class but particularly the A250.

I assume it won't be long before there are some head to head tests on the A250, although I think its real test comes once the Mk7 GTI lands.

[alebonau]

dutch they offered free 8 speed auto and business sat nav last month or so also free with the 1 series and kind of makes sense as most people want it. that was around $4-5k thrown in as well. suprised they arent doing the free M pack on the 1 series especially the 125i as effectively that would have put it in contention with the A250 with its AMG goodies. bmw was probably most dissapointing to be honest in my demoing around on golf gti options. finding the 125i overpriced to hilt compared to the a250 and also styling wise wasnt too sure at all with the bmw. if they did something to pricing they might get a lot more interest I think

[Dutch77]

It surprises me that Land Rover and Fiat are in the top 10...

A definite surprise.. I saw this online but it did get me thinking about the sample size and the fact it is a survey done by a firm that sells warranties.

I'm by no means suggesting its biased, but some makes may have a much smaller pool of cars to gain data from, or cars showing signs of issues or with reputations for issues (fairly or not) may have a higher frequency of warranties being purchased.

[Dutch77]

dutch they offered free 8 speed auto and business sat nav last month or so also free with the 1 series and kind of makes sense as most people want it. that was around $4-5k thrown in as well. suprised they arent doing the free M pack on the 1 series especially the 125i as effectively that would have put it in contention with the A250 with its AMG goodies. bmw was probably most dissapointing to be honest in my demoing around on golf gti options. finding the 125i overpriced to hilt compared to the a250 and also styling wise wasnt too sure at all with the bmw. if they did something to pricing they might get a lot more interest I think

Agree on all that, my experience with BMW was disappointing.. and never got a call back either. Haven't tried MBenz here in Adelaide yet, may do so at some point to at least test the A250.

Do not understand why the 125i doesn't get the M-Sport treatment (as standard or as part of this latest promo).. you're only buying this model because you're that type of buyer, and its a nice addition to the car.. the A250 kills it in value, they both carry the badge, they'd be close on performance and handling and I think it's safe to assume the A250 would win on interior space (as I don't think the Bimmer could beat anything in its class).

[alebonau]

another local review !

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Review | 2013 A 250 Sport Launch Review | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

If the choice was between an A 250 Sport or a Golf GTI with a sunroof, sat-nav, bi-xenon headlamps, metallic paint and a reversing camera ($50,490 all up), we’d pick the former.

The $47,140 Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy is perhaps the best hot-hatch around, but to be honest we’d probably still shell out the extra for the A 250. Two more doors and a Benz badge on the front is well worth it, even though the Megane has 30kW more power.

cant believe how many reviews we had all of a sudden from the local press on the a250

ps and another

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2A778D0F93A1B7AECA257B0A00220268

[readerr0r]

Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

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Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

Yeh, and not only that, it doesn't even have a space saver wheel - just a can of goop and a compressor! You also have to see the interior, it looks like a cross between an i30 and an AC fiat 124 sport (not there's anything wrong with the fiat dash- just that it's 30 years old)! Then there's the fact that it takes so many styling cues from the GTI that we've all come to recognise as VW alone. Add to all that, a hard ride, noisy exhaust, tombstone seats (wtf?) poor rear vision, no centre console gear shifter - just a silly stalk behind the indicator stalk, I could go on. I'll be surprised if they sell any more than a handfull

[alebonau]

Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

its an interesting thing, only tried it couple times in checking out the a200 and a250. just works. and intrestingly can come on / off automatically if you forget about it. which could be handy for the wife hehe

space saver is a $600 option, I'll stick with the can off goo

[alebonau]

Yeh, and not only that, it doesn't even have a space saver wheel - just a can of goop and a compressor! You also have to see the interior, it looks like a cross between an i30 and an AC fiat 124 sport (not there's anything wrong with the fiat dash- just that it's 30 years old)! Then there's the fact that it takes so many styling cues from the GTI that we've all come to recognise as VW alone. Add to all that, a hard ride, noisy exhaust, tombstone seats (wtf?) poor rear vision, no centre console gear shifter - just a silly stalk behind the indicator stalk, I could go on. I'll be surprised if they sell any more than a handfull

10 for effort

[goodfella]

Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

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Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

Not driven sorry, but have looked at one, and , well they have an interior only a mother could love!

They are priced well and get good raps, but the Megane is still leader in this class IMHO.

[Captain Courteous]

Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

I test drove the ST about 2 months ago. I do like the look of them and there's some good options that come as standard. Price is great too for the power it offers (was originally pinning it against the Scirocco).. I think they could have done a better job on the interior though.. the fit and finish of the plastics isn't so great IMO