@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.