Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

[THE_EGG]

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG from $74,900 |*CarAdvice

A45 price announced: $75k + OTR

"Standard equipment on the single, five-door hatchback variant includes 19-inch alloy wheels, an intelligent lighting system, panoramic glass roof, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot warning, lane-departure detection, leather-trimmed heated and electrically-adjustable seats, COMAND online interface and a Harman/Kardon stereo."

Considering what the car is and how much kit is on it, I think $75k + OTR is pretty great.

I spotted an A-class diesel on the road and thought it looked great except the back end. Still not a fan of the back, looks like a Hyundai or something.

[TuNeS]

I think that's probably a better question for a Mercedes Benz forum... (As is much of the discussion in this thread.)

Agree. Question to everyone - are there any MB forums in australia? I can only find UK and European ones. I have an A250 on order and looks like a few people in this thread have them too. What forums do you troll?

[alebonau]

no real aussie ones....why do you think we're here hehe

the best forum have found is german car forum. its not just MB
OFFICIAL - Official: 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Page 35 | German Car Forum

[Gusman]

There's always Mercedes Mutterings on this forum... you just need to populate it with your own musings

[Sharkie]

Well it seems the A250 will be less competition to the MK7 than everybody thought .... seems it cant cut it against the MK6 in a comparison test (See latest Wheels magazine - April 2013), so won't make it against the MK7 either I suspect ....

[cktsi]

Well it seems the A250 will be less competition to the MK7 than everybody thought .... seems it cant cut it against the MK6 in a comparison test (See latest Wheels magazine - April 2013), so won't make it against the MK7 either I suspect ....

I haven't read the article, but in what category was the Mk6 specifically superior?

btw to all those ex Golf & MB owners, isn't there the Mercedes Mutterings section of this website you can use? By definition you will be all like-minded... ex VW owners who just bought a MB.

[alebonau]

I haven't read the article, but in what category was the Mk6 specifically superior?

btw to all those ex Golf & MB owners, isn't there the Mercedes Mutterings section of this website you can use? By definition you will be all like-minded... ex VW owners who just bought a MB.

will read the article, but given own the mk6 gti myself and drove back to back with an a250 probably dont need a magazine to tell me what to think hehe

good to know of merc mutterings section. will have to come back and visit there once am an "Ex" hehe

[kaktusdigital]

The only thing I remember from the article was that the A250 didn't deliver the same 'feeling' in terms of getting to 100kph compared to the mk6. Something about the 7g-DCT not being quite as quick as the DSG as well I think.

alebonau: on your drive did you still get that great push back into your seat feeling that the VW's are so good at?

[clip]

A250 v gti is not comparing oranges to oranges. They are too different. The gti is a golf. Plain and simple. The MB is not a golf. It doesn't drive like a golf, it doesn't go like a golf and it doesn't look like a golf. While they both have 4 doors, a hatch and a 2ltr turbo engine, the similarities end there I think.

But not to answer for Alb, imho, the MB does not drive like a gti off the line and give you that same push back in your seat. But it is faster to 100k than a gti from the tests I've read, and I suspect it would be faster to 200k too. But I bet it would be slower to 70ks.

But they're such different cars I can't imagine buying one if I wanted a drive like a gti. They are just too different in too many ways. So forgetting value for money and boring considerations like that, which one is the better is probably a pointless question IMO.

[clip]

Wheels Feb 2013: That’s going to be a tough contest, because while Benz says its $49,990 price is line-ball with a GTI specced to the same level, we’re talking about shopping an uber prestige brand against a merely classy VW.

And the A-Class, with its red chin blade and matching interior flourishes, just about brains the GTI on looks.

But does the A250 get anywhere near the legendary loveability of the GTI?

Absolutely, yes.

The 2.0-litre turbo makes 155kW and 350Nm (up 70Nm on the Golf), hits 100km/h in 6.6sec, and feels quicker.
---------------------------------------------------

.....hmmm, doesn't feel quicker to me, even though it is, and that's probably the point of the comparison, for what it's worth.

[cktsi]

A250 v gti is not comparing oranges to oranges. They are too different. The gti is a golf. Plain and simple. The MB is not a golf. It doesn't drive like a golf, it doesn't go like a golf and it doesn't look like a golf. While they both have 4 doors, a hatch and a 2ltr turbo engine, the similarities end there I think.

But not to answer for Alb, imho, the MB does not drive like a gti off the line and give you that same push back in your seat. But it is faster to 100k than a gti from the tests I've read, and I suspect it would be faster to 200k too. But I bet it would be slower to 70ks.

But they're such different cars I can't imagine buying one if I wanted a drive like a gti. They are just too different in too many ways. So forgetting value for money and boring considerations like that, which one is the better is probably a pointless question IMO.

I was going to make the same point. I feel that the WRX and STI owners would be making the same statements abt the GTI and R respectively I.e. their cars are mechanically superior.... Just look at the numbers etc. but we all bought the golf as we want refinement

The same reason some will go to the A250. They don't want all out performance but refinement. If they wanted performance they would be buying an EVO or STI for the price.

However where I disagree is that I DO think the A250 and GTI loaded up occupy the same space. The buyer wants a sporty drive but with creature comforts.

A basic GTI is a different matter. Here it's about a value for money refined sporting drive (this statement is subject to final specs being released) with quite a few comforts

Btw the only let down in the A250 is the diamond grill. I wish it was the same as the A45 grill. I like my power ride being under stated.

[TuNeS]

The statement about the MK7 blitzing the Benz due to the fact that it 'feels' faster is a bit short sighted.

A spec'ed up GTI is a direct competitor to the A250. Both cars are unquestionably exceptionally engineered that have slightly different characteristics that suit different demographics.

I have always wanted a GTI which is why I have the Skoda (family duties). My wife now has a bigger car so when it came to renewing the family truckster I went shopping for the GTI I always wanted. For me, the wait on the MK7 was too long and I couldn't bare dropping 50k on a car that was about to be replaced by a superior model. So I started looking around and just happened to walk into the Benz dealership the day it was launched (fluke!).

Looks alone, the GTI isn't in the same league. I love the GTI as its subtle and not overdone, but the Benz isnt overdone (except for thge stupid red seat belts) like an Evo or an STI. The Benz is just class (my opinion - no flaming). The interior is just a nice place to be in and reminds me of the countless hours I have spent lapping the ring in the SLS on my PS3 Performance wise, they both seem to be closely on par. The GTI delivers a bit more push in the back of the seat due to it power delivery and DSG. The Benz is a little more 'old manish' but still plenty quick for a road car. If you are looking for outright performance, go and buy the Jap stuff. People come to the german cars for refinement.

I would have bought the MK7 GTI if it was available and I hadn't looked at the Benz. But I did look at the Benz and I couldn't be happier with my choice. If I want mega thrills, I hop into my Rotax DD2 go-kart.

Either way, I am know all MK7 and Benz owners will be smiling as they are awesome cars.

P.S. - I love the diamond grill! maybe I am getting old

[pologti18t]

The statement about the MK7 blitzing the Benz due to the fact that it 'feels' faster is a bit short sighted.

A spec'ed up GTI is a direct competitor to the A250. Both cars are unquestionably exceptionally engineered that have slightly different characteristics that suit different demographics.

Doesn't this months Wheels test the current GTi against the A250 and find the GTI comes up winner. What does that say about the MK7 GTI against the A250?

[TuNeS]

Doesn't this months Wheels test the current GTi against the A250 and find the GTI comes up winner. What does that say about the MK7 GTI against the A250?

I have not read the review. I am replying to comments made in this thread. I think the wheels magazine is available tomorrow so I will read it tomorrow

[Sharkie]

Doesn't this months Wheels test the current GTi against the A250 and find the GTI comes up winner. What does that say about the MK7 GTI against the A250?

Yes, current MK6 GTI bests the A250 ..... not only is it quicker in all tests than the A250 it also scores a 8.5/10 where the A250 scores a 8/10 overall. Both beaten by the Megane and Opel Astra OPC ..... Article says best A class ever but as a hot hatch not as good as a MK6 GTI. So what does that say for the upcoming MK7 GTI .... ?

However, with the A45AMG now confirmed at $75K in Australia, I think an A class that I may actually consider is within range and on its way . Waiting lists to be long with over a 100 pre-orders already .....

For $25K less I'd probably stick with a new MK7 R with 220kw though