Decisions, decisions...

cuke2u

cuke2u

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So my A4 is coming up to the end of it's PCP in October, the final settlement being just over £15000, of which I have access too. The A4 has only done 13600 miles though.

So I have commenced looking at different new cars, but this time I cannot see myself in another Audi, aside from the one I have if I end up keeping it. I have been offered a deal on the new CLA A250 Premium Plus, fully loaded, at monthly payments cheaper than I am paying at the moment for the A4, but the final payment is high at over £19000.

Thoughts on what you'd do please, I have to take into account the warranty will be up with the A4 and it will take all of my reserves to pay it off, when I could easily afford the CLA and still have enough for a deposit on my next car.
Cheers guys, but be gentle...
 
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Luckily for me, I have over 2 years to wait for that problem. Even so, I can't help wondering what I 'd do.

Helpful, not.

To be honest, I'd just buy the car, assuming the WBAC online valuation put its value at more than the final payment. In fact, I'm so happy with mine, that even if the WBAC value was less than the final payment, I'd probably find a reason to justify keeping the car!
 
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Well well well....Our resisident A4 fan boy is considering jumping ship ! Never thought id live to see this day hahaha!

Seriously though im not clued up when it comes to pcp matters but I can tell you the CLA (especially a fully loaded one) is a fine car, you could do a lot worse. If it makes sense for you financially then go for it.

Have you looked at the usual suspects (BMW Lexus Audi etc?)

What about something still in the VAG group, VW or Skoda for example? I went to look at a new Superb yesterday and was blown away to be honest the fit n finish both inside and out is very impressive.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
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audi upgrades
blackb9er said:
Well well well....Our resisident A4 fan boy is considering jumping ship ! Never thought id live to see this day hahaha!

Seriously though im not clued up when it comes to pcp matters but I can tell you the CLA (especially a fully loaded one) is a fine car, you could do a lot worse. If it makes sense for you financially then go for it.

Have you looked at the usual suspects (BMW Lexus Audi etc?)

What about something still in the VAG group, VW or Skoda for example? I went to look at a new Superb yesterday and was blown away to be honest the fit n finish both inside and out is very impressive.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Haha, but I have always said I never buy the same car twice and never had brand loyalty when it comes to a purchase. I love my A4 to bits but I see nothing in Audi that appeals to me as a replacement. The facelift just doesn't do it and I reckon the new A3 will have a dumbed down interior and I am certainly not ready for a SUV yet.
Hell I am adventurous too and will always try something else, but not Japanese. Yes looked at the new Superb but it is too big, the CLA is actually around 100mm shorter than the a4 but with a similar boot size. No VW suits my taste, Golf too common, Passat too large as well. I have been looking at anything and everything, believe me, even Peugeots lol...
 
I would imagine your local dealerships will be erecting the razor wire and machine gun nests as we speak lol .
Seriously though, I believe you’ve never really been too keen on Mercedes, citing inferior quality interiors as a major flaw.
You do seem to hold the Fiesta in high regard, why not give Ford a go.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
 
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Bellasdad said:
I would imagine your local dealerships will be erecting the razor wire and machine gun nests as we speak lol .
Seriously though, I believe you’ve never really been too keen on Mercedes, citing inferior quality interiors as a major flaw.
You do seem to hold the Fiesta in high regard, why not give Ford a go.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Click to expand...
We already have a fiesta, so I get to drive it occasionally, I also had a mk3 focus a few years back but got fed up with all the creaks, rattles and the clutch had started to not engage smoothly. Swapped it for an A3 saloon, have also owned a mk4 mondeo but the mk5 is too large.
I also don't want a hatchback but I appreciate your suggestions. I think I have pretty much narrowed it down to the CLA as it's a little bit different. Yes appreciate the interior will not have as good quality as the A4 but I am prepared to compromise on that for the technology and the more powerful engine, in standard tune of course.

As part of my recovery therapy from my illness I have been exploring many different cars and deals..
 
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cuke2u said:
I have been looking at anything and everything, believe me, even Peugeots lol...
Click to expand...

Jesus Peugeots?

I had a new 508 last week and (apologies to all the pug lovers for what im about to say) it was awful!! Looks nice on the outside but the cabins an absolute mess! Weird looking cheap to the touch buttons and hard plastics everywhere, a steering wheel that blocks the instrument panel and hands down the worst touch screen infotainment I've ever used in a car, forced to use it due to the lack of physical buttons for the air con. Sorry for the rant but I wouldn't go down that road just yet. lol

More suggestions: VW's Arteon? Octavia VRS? Volvos new S60? Jag XE?
 
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Agree with the Peugeot entirely, arteon also too large. Just to clarify, its not about the new car, but whether to keep the A4 or not really..
 
A4 to CLA will feel like a downgrade imo. I do like the CLA quite a bit myself, but A4 wins.. I work in, shall we say, 3-pointed star environment, and I'd still pick an Audi any day. I'd keep it and wait and see what the B10 A4 brings. That or maybe the BMW G20? I have it on the radar myself, for the distant future.
This is assuming you're wanting to keep in in the sedan range of things.
 
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I totally appreciate your advice but as I stated, it's not about which car I end up purchasing, and any decision will be based upon my own thorough research, but whether I keep the A4 and purchase a new car or not.
Any A4 sized car, or larger, no longer fits my requirements...
 
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If you're in the habit of changing every 3 years then its sometimes hard to take a conscious decision to stay in what you have now beyond the 3 year limit with the warranty running out etc. I shall also be in that boat come the autumn. In which case it sounds like you have found a good compact replacement, or may be even the A class saloon instead, as this would probably be less on the final payment for the future. Both look like tempting options...

I also can't see the point of changing to another A4 sized vehicle, as it does everything I want at the moment, and will also probably look to downsize to a more compact saloon, but I am looking a bit more long term and wondering what the next gen A3 saloon will be like.
 
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That is exactly where I am, I have looked at the A Class saloon and I was meant to road test it at the same time, but I didn't in the end. The saloon is slightly smaller than the CLA and also has a slightly smaller boot at 420l instead of the CLA's 460l.
From what I have seen of the new A3, the saloon just looks like a smaller A4, no bad thing, but the interior will probably be similar to the Q3. Touchscreen only where as the A class has a touchpad, steering wheel, voice or touchscreen operation.
I can't wait for the new A3 to come along either..
 
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How long is that 13600 over?
I’d suggest buying/leasing/pcp into anything with mileage that low is never going to be a financial choice. What model/engine is current car? And what’s driving you towards a different car?
 
Interesting to read this. I too have decided I wont replace the S5 with another Audi. Its BMW or Merc for me next. I dont like where Audi are going and very little appeals. A few years back I had about 3 Audis I wanted!
New CLA is much nicer than the old one especially with the two big screens. Definitely try a new 3 series too - I've never really been into Beemers and turned a bit of a page when I'd tried one.
Time for a change I think despite how much you like the A4.
 
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Yes, unfortunately decisions made by Audi have rather forced my hand....
 
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Sry interesting thread this one.

I was a little in this boat when the term on my 17 A6 black edition was coming to an end.

Praise the lord I really like the b9 and the timing was just right to get my current car, because (apologies in advance) lord have mercy the new A6 just doesn’t do it at all for me. All IMO of course and these are subjective: The rear end looks ugly and the lights and chrome stripe are random, the front looks too mondeo too, not to mention inside the two massive touch screens lose all of the tactility that I love about Audi fixtures.

Had to be the S4 as the exterior and interior just ticked every single box!
 
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2019 jag xe looks good now inside and out and with your low annual mileage the petrol is a good performer
 
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Also the Alfa Romeo Giulia is an attractive car, a little shorter than the A4, and a good non German alternative. Probably doesn’t have the interior quality of the Audi but is very comparable in most other areas.
 
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Kind of in the same boat: PCP is up (very) soon on my 2016 A4, was all set to get a facelift S4 but then it went diesel and is only a bit quicker 0-60 than my current 272 diesel so I don't think justifies the money to upgrade to it (plus you can't actually order one yet and I quite fancy trying petrol again). RS4 can't be ordered at the moment, there aren't any used ones about in the spec I would want and realistically it's probably more money than I want to spend anyway, current A4 petrols are all slower than my current car so don't tempt me to change to them. Think I'm just going to pay off the balloon on mine and keep it for a bit, see what the M340i Touring looks like when it comes out (don't like the BMW virtual cockpit display though) or maybe look at a RS4 again in a year or two (assuming they ever release a facelift one). Annoying as the timing has just not worked out well for me at all, luckily I can pay off the balloon otherwise I'd probably be stuck getting something I really am not keen on. I guess I could have refinanced the current car but think as I can pay off the balloon I might as well and not be paying any more interest.

p.s. on the warranty front I looked at the Audi extended warranty for mine in case I keep it, £372 for another year's cover. Good value or cash down the drain? Still debating that one...
 
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Good plan, will bear that in mind, however I took a deep breath and went ahead and ordered the CLA. Delivery in September, or so they say....
 
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I'm not really a Mercedes fan but that CLA is gorgeous. I think you've definitely made the right choice
 
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Lovely motor, I'm sure you'll not regret it.
Does it still have the dual clutch transmission?
 
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I was facing a similar decision. I looked at the A6, Skoda superb, bmw 5 and Mercedes e class as would like a bit more boot space but settled on just buying my a4.

I would be buying my next car used and only a a6 appealed but from a dealer you end up paying say £20k for a car with a trade in value a few k below that but my final payment on my a4 is actually what the car is worth so I would lose less in future depreciation. The previous gen a6 is also quick poor on tech.

Not sure I explained that well but the main thing is that my a4 just does everything i want from a car so nothing else appeals. 2-3 years I plan to trade it in for a a6 by which time the latest model should be affordable used.
 
cuke2u said:
Good plan, will bear that in mind, however I took a deep breath and went ahead and ordered the CLA. Delivery in September, or so they say....
Click to expand...
Good for you mate. Send us pics when you get it.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk
 
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@cuke2u - Good news! I've been following this thread with interest. Like you, I've gone A3 --> A4 and not sure where to go next (I have around 11 months left on my PCP). Have also been looking at the CLA250. Lovely looking car, especially with the pano roof. Did you have a test drive? Would be really keen to hear your thoughts. The Shooting Brake should also be out by the time I come to change......decisions decisions...

Would you also mind sharing what Spec/Colour you went for please?
 
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I went for the Premium Plus and the Drivers Assistance Packages, more or less maxed out, in Mountain Grey.

Yes I had a good road test in the CLA, having turned up to test the saloon also but I didn't bother with that version in the end, however it was the 200 version which has the 1.3 engine. So it is a risk choosing the 250 but from what I've seen and read that engine is better.
I had already tested the hatchback but that was awful, jarring poor quality urban ride, nasty raspy engine and a gearbox that couldn't work out what gear it should be in.

The CLA was a revelation compared to the hatchback, smooth, refined, gearbox that worked perfectly, and seemed as quiet as the A4 inside. Also, unlike the A4, I was able to get my seating position right first time, but bigger people might have an issue with the narrower seats. Compared to the hatchback the CLA has the multi-link rear suspension and a wider track with beefier anti roll bars which helps the driving dynamics. I guess if was working to a lower budget then the 200 might well have suited my needs however I am used to to the output of my A4 now plus the deal I've negotiated is slightly cheaper than the A4 is currently costing in terms of monthly payments...
 
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I must admit to having looked at the old CLA before getting the A4 and would probably do so again
cuke2u said:
I went for the Premium Plus and the Drivers Assistance Packages, more or less maxed out, in Mountain Grey.
Click to expand...

I was looking at the same spec earlier (is it wrong to think the 2 tone black/red seats look nice?), even though I'm miles away from a change. It does look good. I was disappointed with the wheel options (like, there are no choices) though.
 
Yes I agree there aren't many choices, even the exterior colours are a bit wanting. The colour choice of leather is very much a personal things, as an old man ;-) I'm not that adventurous...
 
Sounds very nice, just hope there's a decent owners forum for you!
 
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alFR said:
Kind of in the same boat: PCP is up (very) soon on my 2016 A4, was all set to get a facelift S4 but then it went diesel and is only a bit quicker 0-60 than my current 272 diesel so I don't think justifies the money to upgrade to it (plus you can't actually order one yet and I quite fancy trying petrol again). RS4 can't be ordered at the moment, there aren't any used ones about in the spec I would want and realistically it's probably more money than I want to spend anyway, current A4 petrols are all slower than my current car so don't tempt me to change to them. Think I'm just going to pay off the balloon on mine and keep it for a bit, see what the M340i Touring looks like when it comes out (don't like the BMW virtual cockpit display though) or maybe look at a RS4 again in a year or two (assuming they ever release a facelift one). Annoying as the timing has just not worked out well for me at all, luckily I can pay off the balloon otherwise I'd probably be stuck getting something I really am not keen on. I guess I could have refinanced the current car but think as I can pay off the balloon I might as well and not be paying any more interest.

p.s. on the warranty front I looked at the Audi extended warranty for mine in case I keep it, £372 for another year's cover. Good value or cash down the drain? Still debating that one...
Click to expand...

There is a new RS4 FL in Misano Red that came in from the factory about 3 weeks ago in the showroom of Wimbledon Audi, had a look at it when I was ordering my A6, so looks like there’s some production going on.
 
Congrats on the choice! I dont think you made a bad choice at all.
Are you keeping the A4 as well, or is the plan to completely ditch it now?
 
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DaveW said:
Sounds very nice, just hope there's a decent owners forum for you!
Click to expand...
Haha, yes indeed, need to keep up rtfm replies ;-) I have been looking but none of them compare to AS at all...
 
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LukeHawk said:
Congrats on the choice! I dont think you made a bad choice at all.
Are you keeping the A4 as well, or is the plan to completely ditch it now?
Click to expand...
It'll go, either back to Audi, or, possibly sell it if I want the hassle, or the Mercedes might be interested. They've not made contact with me yet as the deal was struck through DTD...
 
I have looked at some BH, however I have usually always used my vehicles as equity, however little that might be. This A4 could have some too so I will see if the Mercedes dealership is interested...
 
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MCarda said:
There is a new RS4 FL in Misano Red that came in from the factory about 3 weeks ago in the showroom of Wimbledon Audi, had a look at it when I was ordering my A6, so looks like there’s some production going on.
Click to expand...
Not a facelift: it’ll be one of the 250 pre-configured “sport edition” cars Audi released for the UK market a few weeks ago. They have some additional options as standard (black pack, sport exhaust, pano roof, 5-arm milled alloys IIRC) but you can’t add any other options, pick colour etc.: you basically take what you get from dealer stock. Rumour is that the MY 2020 FL cars will be announced in the autumn then on sale from the start of next year: I’m pretty sure there will be a FL as it’s been seen road testing, but based on recent evidence Audi might do something daft like cancel it or not sell it in the UK...
 
alFR said:
p.s. on the warranty front I looked at the Audi extended warranty for mine in case I keep it, £372 for another year's cover. Good value or cash down the drain? Still debating that one...
Click to expand...

If you are keeping it, get the warranty. For peace of mind, especially if it has a auto box. People also have thermostat issues in the 3.0 so it’s definitely good value if anything should crop up. I sorted mine for peace of mind.
 
I think this is the right decision at this moment in time. If you replaced your current car with another A4, or even an A3 as you don't need a big car, it wouldn't feel like a big enough change. The MMI would still be the same, no touch screen etc. The Mercedes interiors are really nice and the screens etc feel much nicer than what we have in the current A4 B9 or 9.5 if that's what it is. Its too late now but i'd have considered a lease rather than a PCP as they are often cheaper. I leased my A4 in Feb and i wish i'd gone for a 2 year deal instead of 3 as i'm not that happy with my A4. My next car will be a 2 year lease, with a 1 month deposit so I can change more often.

Enjoy the Merc :)
 
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