@Bristle Hound @Audi Bairn @X3man @TYb @terminator x
Just thought I would let you Guys know that after 12 years of very happy Audi motoring I have finally defected to the dark side ... of Mercedes
I've had my RS3 for 4 years now so a change was pending any time.
I'm really unsure of the interior layout of the new Audi A3/S3/RS3 so that was making me nervous.
I've had my eye on the Merc A series for quite some time so that was always on my radar.
I finally bit the bullet at the weekend and went to see one first hand in a showroom.
Previously with the old A Class, that was as far as I ever got and I walked away and bought an Audi on the last 2 occasions.
This time though - there was a genuine sense of wow, this is light years from the last A class.
The cabin was very slick, the materials were high quality and it felt extremely high end ... dare I say it Audi-esque !
I also wanted to weigh up the differences between the A35 and the A45 as there is a big step change in cost.
But when you analyse it, it is exactly the same as the S3 v RS3.
Power is up from 300 bhp to a mighty 421 bhp
0 to 62mph is up from 4.7 seconds to 3.9 seconds.
The exterior styling is significant ... wider front and rear arches (50mm I think), the awesome pan america front grill, very purposeful creases on the bonnet, unique 19" alloys as standard, bucket seats, 4 exhausts, uprated brakes with red calipers, 10" dasj screens as standard, extra buttons and modes on the steering wheel, alcantara / leather steering wheel, other gadgets and gizmos ... you get the idea !
I have gone for the none aero model, as it is a bit more subtle and in keeping with the looks of my current RS3 and
I immediately loved it so the next stage was a test drive ... oh s*** they had an A45 outside good to go lol
What a sense of occasion ... the car just feels so special (as my RS3 did / still does tbf).
Whilst it does not match the sound of the RS3, it does have a very nice unique sound - a very racey sound which I liked.
But boy oh boy does it shift. My pre FL car hits 62 mph in around 4.4 seconds from memory, so another half a second pushes things on.
In reality I do not tear around, but I do like to punch it up to 70 mph where the roads and safety allows it.
Anyway, long story short, I very quickly knew this was the next car for me.
Deal done and I have fallen VERY lucky with a factory order which is due in 2 weesk to the Dealers so an early March plate and collection for me with no painful 6 month wait
So end of an era Guys, its off to AMG for me ... but I will of course still be frequenting ASN
I'll start a thread when I actually get the car.
@Bristle Hound @Audi Bairn @X3man @TYb @terminator x
Just thought I would let you Guys know that after 12 years of very happy Audi motoring I have finally defected to the dark side ... of Mercedes
I've had my RS3 for 4 years now so a change was pending any time.
I'm really unsure of the interior layout of the new Audi A3/S3/RS3 so that was making me nervous.
I've had my eye on the Merc A series for quite some time so that was always on my radar.
I finally bit the bullet at the weekend and went to see one first hand in a showroom.
Previously with the old A Class, that was as far as I ever got and I walked away and bought an Audi on the last 2 occasions.
This time though - there was a genuine sense of wow, this is light years from the last A class.
The cabin was very slick, the materials were high quality and it felt extremely high end ... dare I say it Audi-esque !
I also wanted to weigh up the differences between the A35 and the A45 as there is a big step change in cost.
But when you analyse it, it is exactly the same as the S3 v RS3.
Power is up from 300 bhp to a mighty 421 bhp
0 to 62mph is up from 4.7 seconds to 3.9 seconds.
The exterior styling is significant ... wider front and rear arches (50mm I think), the awesome pan america front grill, very purposeful creases on the bonnet, unique 19" alloys as standard, bucket seats, 4 exhausts, uprated brakes with red calipers, 10" dasj screens as standard, extra buttons and modes on the steering wheel, alcantara / leather steering wheel, other gadgets and gizmos ... you get the idea !
I have gone for the none aero model, as it is a bit more subtle and in keeping with the looks of my current RS3 and
I immediately loved it so the next stage was a test drive ... oh s*** they had an A45 outside good to go lol
What a sense of occasion ... the car just feels so special (as my RS3 did / still does tbf).
Whilst it does not match the sound of the RS3, it does have a very nice unique sound - a very racey sound which I liked.
But boy oh boy does it shift. My pre FL car hits 62 mph in around 4.4 seconds from memory, so another half a second pushes things on.
In reality I do not tear around, but I do like to punch it up to 70 mph where the roads and safety allows it.
Anyway, long story short, I very quickly knew this was the next car for me.
Deal done and I have fallen VERY lucky with a factory order which is due in 2 weesk to the Dealers so an early March plate and collection for me with no painful 6 month wait
So end of an era Guys, its off to AMG for me ... but I will of course still be frequenting ASN
I'll start a thread when I actually get the car.
Like @Snake Pliskin i test drove one for a short time this past weekend........
Wasn't blown away enough to 'want' one though, there were for me things missing from the 50k one i was offered.
No Merc adaptive dampers and no Pano roof, to get those they wanted 56k and i'm not entirely sure it's worth that.
The handling i was impressed with though, weirdly the A45s feels like a bigger car than it is, but boy is it nimble and i can only imagine the more you drive it the better you will be able to exploit it's chassis.
The engine tone i found lacking and it isn't in the same league as the 5 pot, interior is lovely, a little bit confusing at first as there is quite a bit to take in.
The AMG seats are very comfortable though and really look the business.
At 56K with no discount though i think I'll wait for 6-9 months and see how they sell before taking the plunge, or not.......
Yes mate - like most cars now it is not without compromise.
It definitely does not match the RS3 for sound .. but with these blasted new regulations - how will the new RS3 sound ?
I have enjoyed the sound of my RS3 but there are times now (getting older lol) where I sometimes wonder is it too loud lol
So I'm quite relaxed to have to have the Q car looks of the none aero A45 combined with a more subtle soundtrack .. albeit it does make a very nice sound in Sport + I thought - on start up and especially when you get to 4,000 rpm.
Certianly to keep me happy & entertained anyway
For some bizarre reason Merc only sell 'packs' on these cars so if you want specific options which are not listed, yes you have to go up a model and then may have to pay a premium for stuff you were not fussed about,
Luckily I was happy with the spec on the car and haven't had pano roof so I figure I won't miss what I haven't had.
Looks spot to me snake i personally think they look better without the aero kit
Isn't that down, not up?
The grille is called the Panamericana, too.
@Snake Pliskin - Dead chuffed for you my friend@Bristle Hound @Audi Bairn @X3man @TYb @terminator x
Just thought I would let you Guys know that after 12 years of very happy Audi motoring I have finally defected to the dark side ... of Mercedes
I've had my RS3 for 4 years now so a change was pending any time.
I'm really unsure of the interior layout of the new Audi A3/S3/RS3 so that was making me nervous.
I've had my eye on the Merc A series for quite some time so that was always on my radar.
I finally bit the bullet at the weekend and went to see one first hand in a showroom.
Previously with the old A Class, that was as far as I ever got and I walked away and bought an Audi on the last 2 occasions.
This time though - there was a genuine sense of wow, this is light years from the last A class.
The cabin was very slick, the materials were high quality and it felt extremely high end ... dare I say it Audi-esque !
I also wanted to weigh up the differences between the A35 and the A45 as there is a big step change in cost.
But when you analyse it, it is exactly the same as the S3 v RS3.
Power is up from 300 bhp to a mighty 421 bhp
0 to 62mph is up from 4.7 seconds to 3.9 seconds.
The exterior styling is significant ... wider front and rear arches (50mm I think), the awesome pan america front grill, very purposeful creases on the bonnet, unique 19" alloys as standard, bucket seats, 4 exhausts, uprated brakes with red calipers, 10" dasj screens as standard, extra buttons and modes on the steering wheel, alcantara / leather steering wheel, other gadgets and gizmos ... you get the idea !
I have gone for the none aero model, as it is a bit more subtle and in keeping with the looks of my current RS3 and
I immediately loved it so the next stage was a test drive ... oh s*** they had an A45 outside good to go lol
What a sense of occasion ... the car just feels so special (as my RS3 did / still does tbf).
Whilst it does not match the sound of the RS3, it does have a very nice unique sound - a very racey sound which I liked.
But boy oh boy does it shift. My pre FL car hits 62 mph in around 4.4 seconds from memory, so another half a second pushes things on.
In reality I do not tear around, but I do like to punch it up to 70 mph where the roads and safety allows it.
Anyway, long story short, I very quickly knew this was the next car for me.
Deal done and I have fallen VERY lucky with a factory order which is due in 2 weesk to the Dealers so an early March plate and collection for me with no painful 6 month wait
So end of an era Guys, its off to AMG for me ... but I will of course still be frequenting ASN
I'll start a thread when I actually get the car.
Personally I love my white cars. Sooooo easy to keep clean
@Snake Pliskin - Dead chuffed for you my friend
Looking foreword to your collection pic's & thoughts
Another Audi 'jump shipper' ...
Congrats again
Personally I love my white cars. Sooooo easy to keep clean
Looks a real sleeper in white IMHO
Can't criticise you for going to the dark side buddy, as I've done the same........ just a different dark side
Seriously, congratulations mate and I very much look forward to seeing many pics and hearing about it on here.
It sounds like a great car
Edit: Sorry, just seen pics further down the thread - looks immense !!
Cheers mate ... yes I’m pretty excited now especially with such a short wait
Yes a fair few of us jumped ship now ... I’m sure we will all be back in an Audi at some point.
@Snake Pliskin - You can get a great finish on whitesCheers mate ... yes I’m pretty excited now especially with such a short wait
Yes a fair few of us jumped ship now ... I’m sure we will all be back in an Audi at some point.
@Snake Pliskin - You can get a great finish on whites
I'm using Gyeon Cure at the mo on the X3
I've always found sealants give sharper finish on white's, where as waxes give a softer, warmer finish. Depends what type of finish your after
Even had great results using 'neat' Sonax BSD on whites, but don't tell @jassyo06 as he's never used it lol
Looks very nice, understated but very nice. Look forward to the pics and the new thread buddy.
You've too much time on your hands mate@Snake Pliskin - You can get a great finish on whites
I'm using Gyeon Cure at the mo on the X3
I've always found sealants give sharper finish on white's, where as waxes give a softer, warmer finish. Depends what type of finish your after
Even had great results using 'neat' Sonax BSD on whites, but don't tell @jassyo06 as he's never used it lol
I don’t know if our site sponsor has this, check it out though. https://www.in2detailing.co.uk/
It's just a quick Detailer mate...nowt special like bh would like to make out ...anyway you've eventually come out of the closet....and pronounced your love for Mercedes ...lol cant say am surprised...they do nowt for me at all as you well know ...but all the same have fun ...oh a white one ***...again not my bag...but then again it's not that bad considering most of if not all Mercedes Benz paints are rather bland
@Snake Pliskin - Yes that is the stuff
@Snake Pliskin - Yes that is the stuff
I love it, but then some on here don't think its special, but thats probably because I've recommended it
I think the finish I'm getting on white says it all TBH
Pictures not words count in my book
@Snake Pliskin - Yes that is the stuff
I love it, but then some on here don't think its special, but thats probably because I've recommended it
I think the finish I'm getting on white says it all TBH
Pictures not words count in my book
@Snake Pliskin - I'm a big fan of Planet Polish wheel seal & shine
I was using Cure before then my friend
@Snake Pliskin - I'm a big fan of Planet Polish wheel seal & shine
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wheel-Se...711081?hash=item1cd53e40a9:g:Z~oAAOSwjgZdLGUk
3 coats 2o mins apart will give you around 6 months of durability even in the winter
Ceramics are very popular for wheels but I haven't got the time to mess around with
I was using Cure before then my friend
Don't think you and I have ever agreed on anything Detailing have we?
Oh hang on. You do/did like the recommend for the Microfiber Madness Increditmitt, or have you changed your mind lol
Not washed my car in 3 weeks mate....due to weather and mostly lack of time.....Cool that sounds up my street ... quick & easy to apply & lasts ages
Is that what you’re using atm too then @jassyo06 ?
