Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

[DoggieHowser]

Put a 2k deposit yesterday on a CLA45 AMG. Giddy up! Now I have to wait 11 months

Nice how much is it? And what's standard?

[backdoc]

Nice how much is it? And what's standard?

They are claiming same standard spec as the A45:

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

Price is not confirmed. Various articles have suggested a 5k premium on the A45, so about 80k before options and on roads.

TBH the only options are likely to be carbon fibre upgrade, metallic paint and maybe some AMG tweaks.

I went into it thinking it would be 85 to 90k on the road. I've asked specifically for a 2014 build, so delivery is for March. First cars arrive December.

At my dealership they already had close to 20 per-orders.

[TuNeS]

Put a 2k deposit yesterday on a CLA45 AMG. Giddy up! Now I have to wait 11 months

very, very.....nice!

[zoomda]

Well over the last week I've test driven an A250, Golf GTI, Focus ST, Megane 265 and even a Veloster Turbo. I was going to take an Opel Astra for a spin as well but have decided not to as it is manual only and after driving the others I really want an auto/dual clutcher.

I'm going to wait for the Golf VII. I have a Golf VI 118TSI (and the Mrs has a Polo GTI) and the current model Golf GTI while quicker isn't going to feel like a new car really. The GTI was the smoothest and nicest out of all the cars I tested. Yes the A250 has a very classy interior and a less boring exterior than the GTI but I found it too slow. The engine note wasn't great and the sound on the downshifts was more embarrassing than cool. I'll take the GTI's DSG fart instead any day. The boot size on the A250 is way too small. Golf wins again in that comparison.

The 250 is also pretty darn expensive. The base model comes with lots of things but they are things I just don't want (sunroof for example). The car I drove had the comand pack and the driver assist. Stereo upgrade in the comand pack wasn't as good as the DynAudio I've heard in a skoda. The driver assist is very cool and a worthy add on but I was surprised when I couldn't get the car to park itself at the dealership (sales guys said it doesn't work near the building for some reason).

Dual Zone aircon is an addon. The comand screen is an eye sore(such a beautiful interior wrecked by a non integrated screen!), hard to see in direct sunlight and isn't touch screen.

I can see the appeal of the A250 but for me it isn't the right car. I look forward to seeing the Golf VII later this month as that will give me an indication of what to expect of the GTI in October.

Megane was fun but not comfortable enough, Veloster was surprisingly good but the doors don't work for me.

I've ended up having a new found appreciation of the twin-charger. You just don't get that near instant surge that you do from the supercharger in the other cars. For day to day drive I'm not revving the engine hard but I am stopping and starting a lot which is when the appreciation of the twin charger is really noticeable.

It's a shame it hasn't been overly reliable. A twincharged 2.0 Golf GTI would be awesome.

[cktsi]

Well over the last week I've test driven an A250, Golf GTI, Megane 265 and even a Veloster Turbo. I was going to take an Opel Astra for a spin as well but have decided not to as it is manual only and after driving the others I really want an auto/dual clutcher.

I'm going to wait for the Golf VII. I have a Golf VI 118TSI (and the Mrs has a Polo GTI) and the current model Golf GTI while quicker isn't going to feel like a new car really. The GTI was the smoothest and nicest out of all the cars I tested. Yes the A250 has a very classy interior and a less boring exterior than the GTI but I found it too slow. The engine note wasn't great and the sound on the downshifts was more embarrassing than cool. I'll take the GTI's DSG fart instead any day. The boot size on the A250 is way too small. Golf wins again in that comparison.

The 250 is also pretty darn expensive. The base model comes with lots of things but they are things I just don't want (sunroof for example). The car I drove had the comand pack and the driver assist. Stereo upgrade in the comand pack wasn't as good as the DynAudio I've heard in a skoda. The driver assist is very cool and a worthy add on but I was surprised when I couldn't get the car to park itself at the dealership (sales guys said it doesn't work near the building for some reason).

Dual Zone aircon is an addon. The comand screen is an eye sore(such a beautiful interior wrecked by a non integrated screen!), hard to see in direct sunlight and isn't touch screen.

I can see the appeal of the A250 but for me it isn't the right car. I look forward to seeing the Golf VII later this month as that will give me an indication of what to expect of the GTI in October.

Megane was fun but not comfortable enough, Veloster was surprisingly good but the doors don't work for me.

I've ended up having a new found appreciation of the twin-charger. You just don't get that near instant surge that you do from the supercharger in the other cars. For day to day drive I'm not revving the engine hard but I am stopping and starting a lot which is when the appreciation of the twin charger is really noticeable.

It's a shame it hasn't been overly reliable. A twincharged 2.0 Golf GTI would be awesome.

Nice write up. Totally agree with you on the twincharger! In theory my 328i is faster but isn't as satisfying as my twincharger. That car puts a smile every time I drive!

Yes, the a250 panel does look out of place but my eyes don't have to wander as far away for viewing as the golf nav.

For me the a250 class means more than the performance so I am prepared to forgive it for that

[zoomda]

Nice write up. Totally agree with you on the twincharger! In theory my 328i is faster but isn't as satisfying as my twincharger. That car puts a smile every time I drive!

Yes, the a250 panel does look out of place but my eyes don't have to wander as far away for viewing as the golf nav.

For me the a250 class means more than the performance so I am prepared to forgive it for that

It's a lovely car. No doubt about it. Just not right for me.

Who knows though, by the time the new GTI lands I might be singing a different tune!

There is a lot of choice out there at the moment. The Focus was a lot of fun as well but again, no auto. I drive around a lot for work and not always with both hands on the wheel which means I don't have a spare hand to be changing gears

[cktsi]

Interesting article comparing A class to golf and A3

VW Golf vs Audi A3 vs Mercedes A-class (2013) CAR review | Road Testing Reviews | Car Magazine Online

[alebonau]

not really the cooking gti level models those. in australia the audi a3 is probably the most disappointing for price I must say !

[clip]

I give up reading reviews! They are so contradictory. Here's another review, not comparing a vag vehicle, so my appologies as not really relevant in this forum, but as the mb A series has taken up so much of this thread, thought it might be interesting, but also highlights the contrary reviews. BTW, eventhough this is supposidly an Aust review, the reporter states that the A250 is on runflats! My understanding is that they don't.
Mercedes Benz A250 Sport vs BMW 125i | carsguide.com.au

VERDICT (from the review)
It has to be the Benz. Only in its transmission does the BMW assert a clear advantage and there's rather more to prestige car ownership than gear shifting. In all other respects the Benz is a deeply desirable device and an infinitely pleasant place to spend time.

[backdoc]

From America, but thoughts.......


So the new CLA250 is no C Sport Coupe. Instead, it really reminds me of the original kinderBenz, the 190e. Like that car, this one represents a genuine high-stakes investment in Mercedes-Benz’s future, and I’m willing to bet the CLA will pay off as handsomely in the U.S. as the 190 did everywhere else. Its running gear seems capable of cashing the checks written by its bold, aggressive styling. And if Volkswagen isn’t careful, I suspect this could end up being the car GTI owners want to graduate into…


2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250
BASE PRICE $30,000-$32,500 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD/AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
ENGINE 2.0L/208-hp/258-lb-ft turbocharged DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch auto
CURB WEIGHT 3250-3300 lb (mfr)
WHEELBASE 106.3 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 182.3 x 70.0 x 56.6 in
0-60 MPH 6.5-7.0 sec (MT est)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON Not yet rated
ON SALE IN U.S. Fall 2013 (Spring 2014, 4Matic)


Read more: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 First Drive - Motor Trend

[clip]

Just reflecting on these reviews, if one review puts the gti ahead of the a250, and another puts the a250 ahead of the 125i by 4.5 to 3.5 points out of 5, then that puts the gti way ahead of the 125i - with what could only be a perfect score of 5/5 Go the gti!

[jrgti]

I think it will be same old excuse that it is not as fun to drive as the others. It is such an awesome car, they just have to find any excuse for it.

[alebonau]

the golf gti is a lot of fun to drive. the thing is all these cars are not rubbish. all with aspects that are going to appeal. particular aspects will appeal more to some than others will have people choosing one over the other. isnt it great the options out there. we sure are spoilt for choice in the hot hatch segment these days

[alebonau]

incase a lover of things of french persuasion, there is more golf gti competition coming in the peugeot 308 gti

Peugeot 308 GTi on the cards | Auto Express

the 208gti to soon launch should be a good pre cursor

http://www.caradvice.com.au/226693/peugeot-208-gti-review/

red lip and all

hopefully they do indeed bring 5 door versions and dont just get stuck in 2 doors only like the 208 gti.

[Mac135]

Personally I'm liking the look of the s3 saloon. My roc R is 12 months old next week and at this stage I be looking at a 2015 swap. Might know what the next Roc might be like by then but for the moment the S3 saloon has my attention.