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I just have romped on 4matic vehicles and Quattro vehicles in all types of weather. The quattro with sports diff is better. Hell even regular 60r/40F split quattro felt better. Im just not a fan of the CLA45. Feels very non AMGish and cheap. But then again for a kid, its an awesome car. I would drive both if I were you/him.
True, the CLA45 is the baby AMG, though I really underestimated it. It has a gorgeous exhaust sound and it flies, surprising for a 2 liter 4-cyl.
How does the exhaust of the CLA45 compare to the S4? I've seen videos of the S4 with a gorgeous sound and some with nearly nothing so I don't know what to think until I check out a dealership. Do you have any insight on that though?
I put a Milltek exhaust on my S4 and it sounded glorious. I dont remember it stock. I would guess it wasnt up to par since I changed it haha.
Makes sense. Since the car would be kept for like 48 months on a lease it isn't good to put a different exhaust etc because of the lease terms and conditions. The CLA45 they have in stock has the AMG Performance Exhaust which is a must-have. The B8 Platform is already aged and the B9 will come out later and he'll be stuck with the old S4.
The CLA45 is more the kind of car that's obnoxious and loud with aggressive looks, whereas the S4 is more of a sleeper, but still very good performance numbers.
The CLA45 is obnoxious, smaller, more nimble and recent. And even with a 4cyl it deserves the AMG badge. Something I don't like about the A4/A5 series is that the interiors are getting outdated. Look at the RS5 for instance. The interior layout is identical but the RS5 is dead now because its competitors outperformed it and had newer materials. I do hope the B9 A4 doesn't have that pop-up screen like the A3, it looks ridiculous and when it's hidden the inside looks like a 2011 Fiat Uno.
I wouldnt buy anything but an S or RS badged Audi. As far as the RS5 its beautiful but yes it was outperformed. RS7 is a whole different beast.
As far as exhaust it never voided my warranty at all. Only thing that can is the tune. I was very highly modified. Even at stock levels I was able to beat CLA45s. But hey drive both. My S4 was white with red and black silk nappa leather. Newer ones have extended leather now.
I wouldnt buy anything but an S or RS badged Audi. As far as the RS5 its beautiful but yes it was outperformed. RS7 is a whole different beast.
As far as exhaust it never voided my warranty at all. Only thing that can is the tune. I was very highly modified. Even at stock levels I was able to beat CLA45s. But hey drive both. My S4 was white with red and black silk nappa leather. Newer ones have extended leather now.
Might not void the warranty, but they could fine me bad if they found out it was modded after I gave it back, even with everything stock.
I'm not sure the S4 can outperform the CLA45, but hey the point isn't who is faster. The point is what is the more fun, safe, wiser choice for a teenager.
I'll look into the S4.
Good luck and happy hunting. Also look into the S3. If I had a kid and was going to buy them a "premium" car. I would look into S3, S4, Golf R, CLA45 (even with bad reviews), and maybe a 335/435.
If you read some reviews on them all then go in to drive them all and see which the best deal is then you got a winner based on experience. I would seriously consider a Golf R or S3 for the kid as they are fantastic performers and decent interiors. But the S4 is a great total package.Happy Hunting. Let us know how it turns out.
Good luck and happy hunting. Also look into the S3. If I had a kid and was going to buy them a "premium" car. I would look into S3, S4, Golf R, CLA45 (even with bad reviews), and maybe a 335/435.
If you read some reviews on them all then go in to drive them all and see which the best deal is then you got a winner based on experience. I would seriously consider a Golf R or S3 for the kid as they are fantastic performers and decent interiors. But the S4 is a great total package.Happy Hunting. Let us know how it turns out.
Thanks. The S3 was in my mind but I think the S4 is what would suit him better in between the 2 Audis. I did see some reviews complaining about the "stiff ride" in the CLA45 but when I went for a drive it did not feel bumpy to me. I drove a W204 C63 on the same roads and I recall it being bumpier. The 335/435 have absolutely nothing that makes it look special (the S badge in Audi, the AMG from MB, etc) from its normal version (328/428) since the M Power is a step ahead. The S4 stock exhaust is a joke btw, sounds worse than the 335i. I can see why you got a modded one.
Anyway I will keep you all posted on everything. Thanks
Really, seriously! You're gettin the shaft dude. MB of Albuquerque has a C63 AMG for around $87K out the door. Talk to Stuart the Sales manager.
Lol
The C63 is a 507 edition completely configured I believe with a 4 grand designo matte paint job, totals a5 92k.. with sales tax and all the bureaucracy the total got to 97.. the one in NM is probably after all the state taxes would get to a 93-94
Looks like you got some good advice. One thing about the CLA45 that bothered me on my test drive was rear visibility. Was horrible, but car was awesome and agree nice exhaust note. Tough decision lotta choices!
Lol
The C63 is a 507 edition completely configured I believe with a 4 grand designo matte paint job, totals a5 92k.. with sales tax and all the bureaucracy the total got to 97.. the one in NM is probably after all the state taxes would get to a 93-94
See that's what you get for thinking. It's tag priced at $84K with the complete 507 package and will sell to me @ $74K before tax.
Don't worry, you don't pay NM State Tax only your home state tax.
But hey, if you want to pay $23K more for the same C63 507 be my guest.
There's an ole saying,"you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." Same applies here. Only thing is, you'll have to mention my name to him, to get the price I quoted. The sales manager and I are long time friends. I've bought many an Audi, Porsche and Mercedes from him.
Of course you wouldn't be interested in saving $23K, so there's no need for you to be concerned about it. At least check out the their website, before you start making arbitrary statements with no basis of factual information.
I spotted this thread and it peaked my interest after going through the same evaluation process. I had my heart set on a CLA45...
I started the discussion with my sales rep (they actually had a fully loaded 2015 in the showroom that was pretty much exactly what I wanted), and some how I got separated from the sales rep and found myself in a conversation with my mechanic (who also happens to be a good friend). I explained what my plans were (knowing that I would get the best possible advice, even at the expense of the company - if the information conflicted), and the advice that I got completely changed my vision. Talking to someone that had the experience with all Mercedes models and having him tell me from a build quality stand point that a W205 was light years ahead of a C117, was deflating but eye opening.
When you take things down to the build quality level, there are very few places to find satisfaction, and I wanted to find a reason to stay with the CLA45.
I then proceeded to do what I always do...research... to the point that most people would have thrown in the towel months ago (I didn't mention that I started this parade last year).
To make a long story short, I am thankful that I didn't pull the trigger... The W205 far exceeds the C117... it far exceeds the interior of a W204. Here are some of my comparisons:
CLA45
C450
C63 S
(Yes, the C63 S' interior is virtually identical to the C450's)
My suggestion would be to test drive the W205 (C450 and C63 S). The first C450 builds completed last week and should start showing up in showrooms this month.
The C63 S is too much car.. and the C450 isn't as sporty as the CLA45, I just didn't like it. I don't think it deserves the AMG badge, all it has is AMG tuning but that's about it compared to the C400.
Guys, I'm seriously considering the Cadillac ATS-V or the CTS-VSport (not the CTS-V, the VSport is a notch down). They both look WAY better than the CLA and they have some impressive numbers. Is it worth giving it a look? I think it looks completely badass.
The C63 S is too much car.. and the C450 isn't as sporty as the CLA45, I just didn't like it. I don't think it deserves the AMG badge, all it has is AMG tuning but that's about it compared to the C400.
Guys, I'm seriously considering the Cadillac ATS-V or the CTS-VSport (not the CTS-V, the VSport is a notch down). They both look WAY better than the CLA and they have some impressive numbers. Is it worth giving it a look? I think it looks completely badass.
Give your kid your ML and buy yourself something nice. Dont put him in a deathtrap. See what hulk hogan's son did.
See that's what you get for thinking. It's tag priced at $84K with the complete 507 package and will sell to me @ $74K before tax.
Don't worry, you don't pay NM State Tax only your home state tax.
But hey, if you want to pay $23K more for the same C63 507 be my guest.
There's an ole saying,"you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." Same applies here. Only thing is, you'll have to mention my name to him, to get the price I quoted. The sales manager and I are long time friends. I've bought many an Audi, Porsche and Mercedes from him.
Of course you wouldn't be interested in saving $23K, so there's no need for you to be concerned about it. At least check out the their website, before you start making arbitrary statements with no basis of factual information.
Stan, read the rest of the thread. The 507 is off. And no I am not buying a car from your beloved sales manager. I couldn't care less how good he is to you or how many cars you've bought from him, because both me and you know that your suggestion is useless and we both know it would not happen under ANY circumstance. Also, I'd appreciate if you were to not come to this thread which you barely read and begin criticizing me and my financial decisions. Last time I checked, the money is mine and I'll spend 23k more on a car if I want to.
Give your kid your ML and buy yourself something nice. Dont put him in a deathtrap. See what hulk hogan's son did.
We both hate the ML, I can't wait to get the lease done (13 months left). Then I'll get myself something nice, I'm thinking CLS63
But for him I'd like for him to get a car that will give him driving pleasure without it being a deathwish. And we've come to a conclusion that cars in the ballpark of the CLA45 won't be a deathwish. He's a responsible kid, too. It's not like he'll go to some party, get drunk, high on LSD and speed his way across the interstate expy until a cop pulls him over and ruins my insurance rates. He is not like that and will not be. If he were, I'd give him a 2002 Passat with a breathalyzer attached to the ignition.
Your sales man was way off on his C450 assessment. Here is the difference:
The C400 will always be handcuffed with the torque split of an SUV.
Thanks for the info. I was explained it was a C400 with AMG tuning to the motor, suspension, braking, etc. That we would of course feel a big difference in performance but seemed like it just wasn't quite there. So that's why I leaned to the CLA45. Now that I see there is a HUD available I will ask my salesman for the C450s coming next month and I'll see if there are any with a HUD.
Thanks for the info. I was explained it was a C400 with AMG tuning to the motor, suspension, braking, etc. That we would of course feel a big difference in performance but seemed like it just wasn't quite there. So that's why I leaned to the CLA45. Now that I see there is a HUD available I will ask my salesman for the C450s coming next month and I'll see if there are any with a HUD.
But also, what is your opinion on the ATS-V?
I don't know that much about it, but from what I read, it looks nice, the stats (hp, 0-60) look great, and the price looks very competitive. I would say, that it would be well worth giving this a test drive.
We both hate the ML, I can't wait to get the lease done (13 months left). Then I'll get myself something nice, I'm thinking CLS63
But for him I'd like for him to get a car that will give him driving pleasure without it being a deathwish. And we've come to a conclusion that cars in the ballpark of the CLA45 won't be a deathwish. He's a responsible kid, too. It's not like he'll go to some party, get drunk, high on LSD and speed his way across the interstate expy until a cop pulls him over and ruins my insurance rates. He is not like that and will not be. If he were, I'd give him a 2002 Passat with a breathalyzer attached to the ignition.
Should have bought or leased yourself an ML63 sporty and silly fast:
I don't know that much about it, but from what I read, it looks nice, the stats (hp, 0-60) look great, and the price looks very competitive. I would say, that it would be well worth giving this a test drive.
Yeah it seems great but I think I'll call that one off as they don't want to get a good deal on one with me. Plus I've been talking to my MB salesman for so long it'd be a dick move to say no deal to him after all the help he's got me and I'd probably burn my reputation over at that dealership which has given me the best deals around.
So I'm really down to the CLA45 or wait until next month for a C450 AMG. The C450 is heavier, slower, more calm on the road but a lot more luxurious on the inside. It's 0-60 is 4.8s while the CLA45 can make it in 4-4.1. Also I really want to hear the exhaust note on the C450 because I never heard one and the reviews I find online are pretty bad and useless and most picture the wagon version from Germany.
What do you guys think is best: CLA45 or C450 AMG?
Does anyone have an exhaust video for the C450?
08-23-2015, 07:43 PM
At least check out the their website, before you start making arbitrary statements with no basis of factual information.
