Mercedes A Class

shuffles03

I'm looking at a Mercedes A Class for the new year. I've seen a few on the road and loads on Carzone. However, last week an amazing one drove past me (see link for example):

https://www.google.ie/search?q=mercedes+a+class&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=l-AGVMSANuTy7Aav-oDgAg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=971#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=wG_bMwh5ARUTMM%253A%3B4ikBojvIPtjnmM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.skyfleetcarleasing.co.uk%252Fblog%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2012%252F04%252FNewMercedesAClass.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.skyfleetcarleasing.co.uk%252Fblog%252Fthe-new-mercedes-a-class-sport-lease-from-159-99-per-month%252F%3B712%3B400

What type is this? AMG?

ofcork

Could have been an A45 AMG or there is an amg sport version as well.

For Forks Sake

ofcork wrote: »

Could have been an A45 AMG or there is an amg sport version as well.

Doubt its A45AMG. Most likely an A180CDI with the AMG kit. Lovely looking car, but eye-wateringly expensive (new) for a car that's smaller than a Focus.

ofcork

Looks bigger than the focus to my eyes,as a merc is going to be priced accordingly,just checked there slightly shorter and slightly wider than the focus.

For Forks Sake

ofcork wrote: »

Looks bigger than the focus to my eyes,as a merc is going to be priced accordingly,just checked there slightly shorter and slightly wider than the focus.

Cheapest AMG-kitted version is the A160CDI AMG Sport, which gets you a 90hp 1.5 diesel for the low, low sum of €31,570.00. For same version with A/T is €34,940.00

A45AMG (the real deal) is €58,050.00 :eek:

shuffles03

What would you choose?......A Class or VW GTD? This is the conumdrum I'm currently in. What I like about the Golf is that it's very subtle i.e. I could get a really good car without it being flashy whereas the A Class would be a bit different I think.

My OH thinks Golfs are for 19 year olds and prefers the A Class. I disagree.

Golf GTD:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GTD-2.0T/74314097377694800/advert?channel=CARS

MuppetCheck

I'd chose the GTD. The engine options on the Merc for that sort of price are inferior.

The GTD is very expensive for what it is, but that one does have some nice extras such as the wheel upgrade, basic nav and xenons.

shuffles03

MuppetCheck wrote: »

I'd chose the GTD. The engine options on the Merc for that sort of price are inferior.

The GTD is very expensive for what it is, but that one does have some nice extras such as the wheel upgrade, basic nav and xenons.

It wouldn't be that GTD in particular but I was thinking of a GTD in general. Do any other Golf models offer similar spec in that price range? (excl the GTI).

MuppetCheck

shuffles03 wrote: »

It wouldn't be that GTD in particular but I was thinking of a GTD in general. Do any other Golf models offer similar spec in that price range? (excl the GTI).

What do you mean in terms of spec - performance or extras?

The GTD is the fastest diesel Golf, but Golf's tend to be missing one or two bits and pieces from the standard specs. The old side is you can add them but it will cost.

Other options if you're set on a diesel like that are the Octavia VRS and Leon FR which are the same car but a bit cheaper. You can also get an A3 with that engine too.

ofcork

43k for a golf an A220 amg sport with 170 bhp is just over 39k.

Munurty

I chose a GTD and love it.

The GTD starts at 37k but the extras don't be long about adding up.

Mine
http://instagram.com/p/tBE0i4m3sw/

George Dalton

The GTD is a nice car but the Leon FR is an impressive package for the money. I would find it very difficult to justify the extra outlay required for the Golf personally.

The Merc wouldn't get a look in if it was my money.

shuffles03

Saw a Citroen DS5 today. Amazing looking car! The exterior and interior spec is head and shoulders above anything I've seen so far.

That GTD you posted looks brilliant!

shuffles03

I thought it would be best to put my update in this thread than to create a new one.

Since my original post over 2 months ago about the A Class, my preference has changed quite a bit and would be interested to hear views based on the below.

I'm still on track to get a new car in Feb. It's a company car and my range will be €40K. These are what I've got my sights on:

Volvo V40 R-Design in rebel blue

VW Golf GTD

VW Scirocco

At the moment I'm steering towards the V40. My other half also thinks the Golf and Scirocco are a bit too young for me. My daily commute is Delgany to Blanchardstown (roughly 100KM per day).

bazz26

What about the new Mazda 3? You would have plenty of change left over from a top spec Mazda 3 2.2d Platinum.

noelf

shuffles03 wrote: »

What would you choose?......A Class or VW GTD? This is the conumdrum I'm currently in. What I like about the Golf is that it's very subtle i.e. I could get a really good car without it being flashy whereas the A Class would be a bit different I think.

My OH thinks Golfs are for 19 year olds and prefers the A Class. I disagree.

Golf GTD:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Golf/GTD-2.0T/74314097377694800/advert?channel=CARS

I only heard about this last week .. the golf edition-40 150 bhp tdi in addition to highline spec front sport seats in alcantara including nappa leather heated front seats black headliner 17 inch singapore alloy wheels nav system panoramic sunroof park distance control front and rear 2-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control .. 33755 for manual 35785 for dsg

Spark Plug

Was in similar position to your self a few weeks ago decided on an A3 saloon 2.0TDI S-line

chicorytip

Why did they change the design of the A class so dramatically. The original was highly innovative both stylistically and mechanically but the new version has none of those traits. The new C class is hideous looking to boot. Mercedes is a marque that has badly lost its way in design terms.

bazz26

They changed it because it was not what people who were looking for a compact premium hatchback wanted. The first two generations of A Class were outclassed and outsold by the likes of the A3 and 1 Series which drew a lot of younger buyers who were not attracted to the tall narrow and awkward styling of the A Class. The new generation A Class is quite a good car and more importantly it has a more youthful look and feel about it. And I think Mercedes is trying very hard to change it's "old man" image with it's new design language.

noelf

E

bazz26 wrote: »

They changed it because it was not what people who were looking for a compact premium hatchback wanted. The first two generations of A Class were outclassed and outsold by the likes of the A3 and 1 Series which drew a lot of younger buyers who were not attracted to the tall narrow and awkward styling of the A Class. The new generation A Class is quite a good car and more importantly it has a more youthful look and feel about it. And I think Mercedes is trying very hard to change it's "old man" image with it's new design language.

And for all their efforts they have only sold 210 here this year .. Audi A3 1013 and Bmw 1 series 371

bazz26

noelf wrote: »

E

And for all their efforts they have only sold 210 here this year .. Audi A3 1013 and Bmw 1 series 371

Brand image and perceptions don't change over night. The A3 has a massive advantage and broader appeal of also having an A3 saloon added now.

justinbellford

I know two people with A Classes, and both are terribly disappointed. The quality is sub-par at best. Extremely rough and bumpy ride. Terrible handling. Overall cheap quality.

chicorytip

justinbellford wrote: »

I know two people with A Classes, and both are terribly disappointed. The quality is sub-par at best. Extremely rough and bumpy ride. Terrible handling. Overall cheap quality.

Is that the latest model you're referring to?