Soo I Test Drove An A45amg

veeeight said:
Seems only right to compare apples with apples, so a Stage 1 vs Stage 1 :)

Interesting that the Revo Beta remap achieved 9.2 to 100, and Leo's tuning box 8.9. It must be boosting something chronic, what's that about all those blown turbos? ;)
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His logs show it handled it fine, I know tuned vs untuned is a little unfair but the reason I said that is because a stage 1 S3 and standard A45 put out around the same comparison so it seems fairer.
There is only 500 A45 in the country and 360 odd have been recalled one even needing full engine replacement.
They are very quick standard and even quicker in tuned format, a guy on babybmw swapped his 135i for one and got a rebellion tune then posted up some logs and if I remember it posted something like 0-60 in 3.6 secs and 0-100 in about 8.6 secs so not a million miles away from the tuned S3/GOLF R although I'd say the gap would widen from a roll and higher up the range. I'd say with the aero kit they also look better than the S3 which I think is crying out for a more aggressive front lip, geefunk is correct in that you cannot compare the two though as the A45 Is full on attack whereas Audi have obviously had to leave some room on the S3 for the RS3 but if your looking for a fun exciting car then the Audi wouldn't have been my first choice anyway, it is a great allrounder but not what's would call an adrenaline rush.
 
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Intresting thread this....

I tested three cars to replace my A1 being the S3, Golf R and A45 AMG.

To be honest I would have dearly loved the A45 AMG. It is a much more "special" car over the VAG products. But I could not get the figures to work and the Mrs would not sign off £600 a month finance payments.

The GFV was low on the A45 AMG (£17k) which meant on a £40k car I could not afford it with out putting £7k deposit down (I put £2k in to my S3).

There was no discount available from Swindon Mercedes but I could get one in 6 weeks which I did think told me a lot (they are not selling many).

The bangs, pops, cracks were courtesy of the optional exhaust. Not sure if it would have as much drama without that. The Mrs never gets excited about a car but she loved the A45 AMG. My spec at £41k included the interior and exterior upgrade, the exhaust, adaptive lights and heated seats. I thought it was a much lower quality product but one drive and you could forget all that.

I settled for the S3 as it was a better ownership prospect and it was much cheaper. I'm sorry to say if I could have dug in to my savings just that bit more (and lived with the guilt) I would have ordered the A45 AMG in a heartbeat.
 
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tankclark said:
His logs show it handled it fine
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Um, No.

VCDS logs show the spoofed boost value that is under-reported from the tuning box, so there is no correlation between VCDS log boost values, and the true boost value being experienced at the turbo itself, when a tuning box is in play.

Re your intent on scaremongering about the A45 turbo unit - the recall is down to 2 issues in a particular batch:
1. Debris left in the oil feed line to the turbo (manufacturing issue)
2. Undersized spindle/shaft (manufacturing issue)
This is a Borg (ex KKK) B03 twin scroll unit, used in many application including BMW, so is well proven.

The VW Group also have a batch of problematic IHI turbos used in S3, Golf R, Leon Cupra etc. that is also being swopped out on a campaign. But they haven't seen fit to issue a recall, just when a customer complains with specific symptoms, or when the turbo goes bang.



Edit:
Threads on this forum (and external) re S3 turbos having gone bang:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s-tronic-drivetrain-problem-in-new-s3.213731/#post-2200485
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/feedback-from-those-with-s3s-now.203206/page-8#post-2089336
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-turbo-issues-reported.224078/
http://www.rforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=5595
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2...on-cupra-developing-turbo-problems-84773.html
http://www.goapr.com/support/tsb/21e7.pdf
 
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I understand that not all cars have problems and merc have been responsible by issuing recalls but if you've paid 50k for your superior 'hand built' car i would like to think merc would take it very seriously aswell.
Dosent reflect well on them though that they are using a well proven turbo that works yet have messed up the manufacture process or design process enough to recall virtually 3/4 of all cars registered.
 
Doesn't reflect well on Borg Warner for supplying turbos into Mercedes with debris in the oil feed lines, and undersized shafts not machined to the correct tolerances :p

This is the bane of any motor manufacturer - ensuring quality upon delivery from suppliers :(

The car badge takes the hit, whilst the responsible supplier gets hit with financial penalties, but rarely reputational damage.
 
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Pulp84 said:
Intresting thread this....

I tested three cars to replace my A1 being the S3, Golf R and A45 AMG.

To be honest I would have dearly loved the A45 AMG. It is a much more "special" car over the VAG products. But I could not get the figures to work and the Mrs would not sign off £600 a month finance payments.

The GFV was low on the A45 AMG (£17k) which meant on a £40k car I could not afford it with out putting £7k deposit down (I put £2k in to my S3).

There was no discount available from Swindon Mercedes but I could get one in 6 weeks which I did think told me a lot (they are not selling many).

The bangs, pops, cracks were courtesy of the optional exhaust. Not sure if it would have as much drama without that. The Mrs never gets excited about a car but she loved the A45 AMG. My spec at £41k included the interior and exterior upgrade, the exhaust, adaptive lights and heated seats. I thought it was a much lower quality product but one drive and you could forget all that.

I settled for the S3 as it was a better ownership prospect and it was much cheaper. I'm sorry to say if I could have dug in to my savings just that bit more (and lived with the guilt) I would have ordered the A45 AMG in a heartbeat.
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pulp.. didn't you find the a45amg extremely laggy though for city driving? I get what you are saying in terms of when you sit in it.. something just feels more special... the chassis rigidity is pretty special and so is the driver positioning. What were your thoughts on the DCT though.. it was like a regular automatic.. if you take away that amg badge.. I wonder if we would really want the car this much.. and yes.. I do agree..it looks very very menacing.
 
To me I want a car that feels special even when you're sat in a traffic jam. The A45 does that for me where the S3 doesn't as you could be sat in an A3 S Line diesel really. Again everyone is different what they want out of a car, it helps that I got a good deal as my missus works for a company who own a Merc dealership.
I've not gone with aero as I thought it was a step too far, I don't want to turn up to companies and people think 'flash git'. But with the standard kit and black 19's it will still look extremely purposeful.
 
Messi_alli said:
pulp.. didn't you find the a45amg extremely laggy though for city driving? I get what you are saying in terms of when you sit in it.. something just feels more special... the chassis rigidity is pretty special and so is the driver positioning. What were your thoughts on the DCT though.. it was like a regular automatic.. if you take away that amg badge.. I wonder if we would really want the car this much.. and yes.. I do agree..it looks very very menacing.
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I thought the gearbox, interior quality, boot size and infotainment system were all very poor. Its odd about how is not a quality product but yet when you sit in it you just feel excited and all that stuff is soon forgotten.

The gearbox "felt" slower from memory and it did seem to labour some gears. Didn't drive it around town as the dealer is right by lots of duel carriage ways. It seemed fine at speed but seemed to have a fair bit of wind noise from around the wing mirrors.

I'm not sure after 6 months of ownership if you would still feel the same about it.....think something's would eventually get on your nerves.
 
One thing I forgot to mention that I had to consider which is probably specific to where I live is that the Merc only comes with a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty. The S3 comes with a sooner of 4years or 80,000km warranty. I know that mileage might sound low for you guys but on average because my country is so small I average about 1600km a month. I was therefore cautious about owning the merc outside of warranty period.
 
Good job on the 19's geefunk it's got to have them IMO, I agree there is alot of kudos to the image, in my case I needed something that ticked every base not just some exceptionally well like the AMG does, don't get me wrong if I'm sitting in the alps in summer and have two sets of keys in my hand one being the S3 the other being the AMG then I'm going merc all the time.
Merc dealer told me to expect details of an A45 black series to rival the golf R 400 and RS3 early next year, and the RS3 is due next year, have you not thought about waiting?
Also if it's pure fun and looks you want have you considered the upcoming type R? I saw this at goodwood and I'm sure it will give all hatches a ****** nose on track or on twistys in general and looks fantastic and will be about 15k cheaper.





 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1408710085753264

This is exactly what I've ordered.
I haven't considered waiting as the deal I got was right now. I think there'll be at least a £10k+ price difference for the black series, maybe more judging other models.
There'll be some amazing machines if they all come out together, 400bhp hatchbacks, I'm all for that!
I'm not a fan of the civic, looks a bit too chavtastic in my eyes! Although I can imagine it'll be a track weapon. Bet it's still £30k+ though if it has about 300bhp.
 
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Messi_alli said:
So you may wonder why? I recently paid down a pretty highly specd S3 SB. Other posts by me will explain that I originally wanted a sedan and its not available here etc and blah and I was even indecisive about going from a JCW to the S3. Long story short, I test drove the S3 sportback and loved it and then I later found out that we get the 280hp version here which was a kina bummer. I still have not gotten a build date from my dealer and I am told by other dealers that I can request my deposit back. Anyhoooo.. the local merc dealer is selling a pretty low spec A45amg and by low spec I mean the following: no amg suspension, exhaust. No dual zone AC, no pano roof, no upgraded leather dash. It did have HK sound system and AMG seats and steering wheel and the black 19 inch wheels. Here are my reviews and I cam comparing it to the S3 SB. Please not these are my personal reviews and are meant to help anyone who is in the same dilemma as I am.

Exterior - The a45amg was in cirrus white and had basic black night package bits on the front bumper and side skirt. The a45amg is a more aggressive and better looking IMHO. The leds daytime lights are barely visible in the day from certain angles. To me the S3 that I am ordering with full LED headlights are wayyy nicer other than that, the front of the Merc is nicer. I also prefer the back of the Merc as well.

Interior- The Merch I drove had the basic dash and the faux carbon fiber finish with the upgraded AMG alcantara steering and fancy shiftknob. The merc feels more sports car driver oriented and the red seatbelts and red designs do make the car feel more sporty. The materials though appear to be a lot cheaper feeling an looking. The seats are very well bolstered and remind me of the recaros of old Evo's I the past. The SS seats in the audi are softer an less bolstered. The MMI in the merc is terrible. Its interface is almost Atari like and pales in appearance and graphics to the S3. It feels very econo box. I would give the s3 a clear winner here. It does not feel as sporty as the A45 but definitely more premium.

Exhaust - Bear in mind the model I drove did not have the amg exhaust. There is almost zero engine noise. Its all exhaust and the farts on upshifts are super loud and you only get them in sports mode or manual mode. I honeslty was disappointed. I really honestly do find the fake intake sound in the s3 and the exhaust sounds in the S3 are far more refined and more premium sounding.

The transmission - Listen, if you didn't know this was a DCT, you would think its a regular auto. The car shifts faster when you leave in manual mode. The DCT in the S3 shifts much faster and feels better geared in 1, 2, 3, 4. The Amg comes alive in 4-5-6. I didn't reach 7 but for some reason the first couple gears felt really long that I think that hurt the acceleration. The stronic feels so much more responsive in manual mode.

Suspension - this car did not have the optional amg suspension. The sports suspension is firm but it s not bone jarring as the journalists seem to have described it as. The non amg is liveable for daily driving.

Engine/performance- Ok so bear in mind that this was a limited test drive. I have owned and driven modified Evos with bigger stock frame turbos etc plus I own a MINI JCW so I have a pretty good appreciation for different typs of power delivery. I found the a45amg to feel less responsive especially when not not under heavy of full throttle. To me that makes for a very anemic drive when you don't feel like beating on it. IN other words this is a car that need to be driven on the boil at all times. Again, this car shines from 4th gear and at full throttle. Car does not feel like a 355bhp car at partial throttle in 1,2,3 gears. In fact it feel s very underpowered. This is where the S3 shines. There is more useable power for every day use on the streets.

Conclusion

Did it feel more special to drive the a45amg. yes it id. Maybe its because I knew it was an amg car and it looked so much more menacing. Is it a better car than the S3. that you would have to experience for yourself. I feel a bit torn as well. Interested to see I anyone had similar experiences.
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good review. ive driven an a class diesel and the a3 diesel 180. the a3 won hands down, the exterior of the a class with its amg makeover looked a bit nicer. however the interior of the a class was gloomy and the bucket seats were truly awful with NO back or head adjustment- ridiculous. Manual gearbox was terrible as was the gutless engine - I think it was 150bhp and may have been a Renault engine. didn't like the rather tacky looking dash and dials - looked and felt cheap - as for the fisher price mmi type screen - lol!
 
Lets all face it we are on here because we've bought an Audi. We looked at all the cars on the market (well some of them) and picked the Audi so I'm unsure that another make would get an unbiased review.

I'm pretty certain that on an A45 forum the views would be totally opposite.
 
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Just so it's out there - and I know this evokes strong opinions ....

The "iPad stuck on look" is actually by intent - the design team looked at a retracting screen, but after many customer clinics etc. the conclusion was that the screen was pretty much integral to the functions of the car, so there was little demand from the customer clinic to make it retractable, along with all the associated costs and complexity.

The result is something called the "floating (tablet) screen" concept :)

It's likely to feature in more MB models in the future.

850466_1579808_3779_2560_11C788_02.jpg

http://500sec.com/the-interior-design-of-the-new-mercedes-b-class/


(Yes yes, I know, lots of people think its ugly)
 
Lol - it is ugly. Think part of the the reason for the general hate is the cheapness of the standard screen and it's housing. It doesn't make it look premium - contrast that to the A3.....

I will add the new Merc C-class even with its stuck on screen has a cabin that's (almost) Audi quality in places. Very impressed - certainly better than my BMW F30 3-series cabin. Was very impressed indeed.

Merc making some nice cars at the moment.
 
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I must admit I'm tempted by the new c class in amg premium plus trim....looks fantastic and good kit levels.
 
I was told the screen was there because of Eu regs dictating sat navs having to be a certain angle and height to the driver, I know this to be bull crap or all sat navs would be in the same place. It does look horrifically placed though
 
Never tested the A45 but when I heard about it and saw one I was interested, Merc interiors are a nice place to be, however price wise...just couldn't justify it. I like the 4wd concept on it, not seen how it performs against the S3s yet.
 
the question we need to ask ourselves if a reasonably specd A45amg was the same price as the higher specd S3 what car would we choose? How much of our love for the S3 is because it was the smart money decision?
 
If they were the same money I'd still have to stop and think, the raw performance of the A45 or the extra quality of the S3 interior?
Then there needs to be another question, is it an everyday family mile cruncher or is it solely driven by me on b road blasts.
For me the price wasn't necessarily the stumbling block, my S3 ordered is costing £39,000 which is only 2-3 k away from the A45 but getting the A45 to how I felt it equalled the S3 brought it to around 47k and that wasn't worth it.
 
audi upgrades
Guys.. i went back to test drive the AMG... i am torn again.. but worst yet. .i am leaning towards the AMG more now. It just feels so special.
 
Go for it then.
Hard to find that "special" feel in a car and the S3 definitely doesn't have it IMO.
 
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Messi_alli said:
Guys.. i went back to test drive the AMG... i am torn again.. but worst yet. .i am leaning towards the AMG more now. It just feels so special.
Click to expand...
This was the main reason I ordered one. It feels very special. Mine will be at the dealership Wednesday!
Still not sold my S3 yet, hopefully it'll go about the same time I'm picking the A45 up.
 
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Definitely feels more alive and unique than the S3, my concern would be once the initial excitement wears off that you might find faults and regret it as a daily driver
 
I know i know.. chances are I will.. remember i have the detuned version of 280 hp here. whereas the merc is the full 360hp!!. That car pulls like a freight train up top!!
 
So it seems you prefer the S3 in almost all ways except performance, why not get the S3 and get it tuned?
 
I have been trying to convince myself that performance does not matter as much as specs.. but i have been lying to myself.. i am performance nut and the chance to own an AMG vehicle for a slightly higher price than the current S3 I have on order ( not built) is very compelling. I know I will want to tinker with this car later on.. i can just imagine a mild tune on this machine.. might be pushing like what? 380-400hp?
 
If it's a battle between heart vs head, go with what your heart wants.

As you know, you will be constantly regretting it if you didn't go down that path in the first place.

I did that between the A3 Quattro vs S3, could I live with just the A3, most definitely, but what put more of a smile on your face, it was definitely the S3, so if the $ figure isn't a consideration, then go with what makes you happy.

The MB CLA 45 AMG in Australia is closer to $90k vs $70k for S3 sedan with a few options ticked.
 
Guys.. i am sorry.. but i made up my mind.. the A45amg was re-specd to my liking with Pano and HK sound system. As indicated, the S3 i was getting here was the detuned version at 280hp. The A45amg has 360hp. The marginal price increase is negligible here for me. I know my initial review was negative on the Amg but i did say that there was just something compelling about the AMG and i went back for another test drive yesterday and I realised this was just a very special car despite all the drawbacks. Better yet, i dont have to wait 4 months. I only have to wait 2 months.
 
audi upgrades
It's all about your choices. Sounds like you've made the right choice for you.
Let us know how ownership goes.
 
2 months is pretty good, they did the same with mine, re specced an A220 to an A45 so I only had a 2 month wait aswell. I could've had it sooner but thought I may aswell wait til the beginning of Sept for the new reg. is there still a 5 month wait for an S3?
 
Yep. my dealer had no more allocations for A classes locally. If i didnt take this one, I would probably have to wait till next year to even be given a production schedule with no guarantee of this price that I was quoted. Regarding the S3.. made a deposit almost a 4 weeks ago and still no production date so thats why I could get back my deposit. Dealer seems to think I would have gotten it before year end but there was no guarantee. I still have to sell my JCW so the two months gives me some breathing room. So @geefunk.. it seems we are two of the confessed prodigal sons. I would never bad talk the S3.. it is probably the best at what it is meant to do as the A45amg.. what i realise is that they are different cars and it comes down to what the owner wants out of a car.. the this car is better than this car debate to me is a moot point
 
Nope I'd never slate the new S3's either. I've had 8L, 8P and 8V and apart from the 8L which I kept 2 months because it was dull as dishwater and used hideous amounts of fuel for a car that wasn't even very quick, I've liked owning the others. The 8V is just not for me at this time in my life. Maybe if I had ordered a SB I may feel a bit different, but it seems like the A45 is built just for me right now.
 
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