Piero

Hi - this is my first post here, I joined to discuss the CLA45 AMG, (more specifically the options and the build) which I just ordered this afternoon. I am a prior BMW owner (bought 3 BMW's previously, we currently have an X3 and a 135i). I was considering the new BMW235i and the Audi S5, and after talking things over with the wife (who wants a 4 door) the CLA45 seemed like a great way for us to both get what we wanted... I always wanted a C63 AMG, but those are just a bit out of reach financially for a few more years while the CLA45 is right about what we can afford at this time, and the timing is right...
So, after sending an email through the website I set up an appointment via email and went in this afternoon and did the specs for my order. My appointment was with a salesman who actually left the BMW dealership (and now works at the local Mercedes dealership here in Las Vegas) here locally about a month ago - the same one my wife & bought our 3BMW's at. Not the same salesperson but I do remember him, and he is real cool... I got there about 20 minutes early but he came right out greeted me... He tells me that there is high demand for these and they have a limited allocation (I think) but I will have the car probably in late March.

Here are my choices with respect to options (I have until sometime in mid January to change them) and although obviously I will get what I want , I still wanted to get some feedback on my choices because a couple things I am on the fence about:

Model: CLA45 $ 47,450
Paint 1: Cosmos Black $ 720
Uph.: Black MB-Tex w/ DINAMICA
***** OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES *****
320 Multimedia Package $ 2,370
P01 Premium Package $ 2,300
281 AMG Performance Steering Wheel $ 500
555 AMG Performance Seats $ 2,250
H79 Aluminum trim
P60 AMG Exterior Night Styling $ 750
U21 AMG Performance Exhaust $ 450
U70 Red Brake Calipers $ 300
Y05 Red Seat Belts
Subtotal $ 57,090
Destination & Delivery $ 925
Total $ 58,015

I did not opt for the drivers package as I do not want a harsh ride, and my salesman (also, the AMG tech were there recently discussing the cla45amg) suggested that I not get it (unless I was going to track the car, which I am not)... This confirmed what I suspected, so I decided against the drivers package.... Same wih the driver assistance package - in the 20yrs I have lived in Las Vegas I have rarely, if ever done any parallel parking so this did not interest me, I think there are better things to spend 2500 on, like the premium & multimedia packages....

also I did not opt for the sunroof... in general I don't like them, have one currently on my 135i and I used it maybe once, but the one on my wife's X3 is nice but it is very large and opens up a large area of the roof, but for me I am just not that into moonroofs....

As far as exterior color I had it narrowed down to Mountain Grey or Black... In the end I decided to go with cosmos black (with the night styling package).... my current 135i is graphite metallic and I am just not into the other colors, I like grey/slate colors but I need something different and I think the cla45 looks great in black...

Interior trim color is my other area of confusion, I am currently leaning toward Aluminum (the current choice).

Wheels - Initially at the dealership I had the 18" 5 spoke but when I got back to my office I emailed him that I want the 19" 16 spoke silver wheels, so that's what I am leaning toward right now.

The biggest issue I am grappling with is the performance exhaust option... I have it in the build but I am concerned about the sound -- I love the sound of Merc's larger motors but I what I don't want is to sound like a boy racer 4banger -- I am a professional in my mid 40's ! but I also want my car to sound powerful. I have listened to several vids on youtube but I am still on the fence. Salesperson told me it is decent with no drone and only gets loud when it should (like in the vids).... I think I may need to hear one in person before actually deciding for sure on this, they had one at the dealership earlier in the week but it was not there for too long (it sold quickly).

Thoughts????

P3T3

Stick with the performance exhaust. It's not ricey, and supposedly only noticeable when you're on it. If you want complete stealth then delete that option.

Consider adding blind spot assist. From what I've read a lot of people seriously regret not having it and claim that the car has a larger than normal blind spot.

Those that do have it rave about it.

I recently added that to my order. January build date.

And welcome to the forum!

Piero

Thanks, I looked at it again and I have to agree (on the blind spot assist), it's definitely worth the $. I am adding it. That's good to hear about the exhaust.

jonnyrt

Congrats! You will love this car! I second the Performance exhaust, was worried it would sound like a tuner civic as week, no offence to civics, but it sounds amazing on the CLA 45. It definitely adds a rumble to the car, I have no idea how the Engineers at AMG did it!!

HockeyPlayer

Congrats on your order, I have one on order for March delivery.

I'm like you, this is my first Mercedes I come from lots of BMW's most recently a 2008 M3 sedan and before that a 2003 M3. I need all wheel drive this time around so its either this of an S4.

I'm in my early 40's and I ordered the performance exhaust. I heard nothing but good things, its not ricey.

I'm not big on sunroofs either so I didn't order one. My dealer said I'm the only order they have without the sunroof.

I see you ordered the stand MB-tex with Recaros. I have the base interior for now. I have been flip flopping between keep MB-tex with Recaros, going with just leather and no Recaros or skip both and get black 19 inch wheels.

I don't want a harsh ride and I'm afraid 19 inch wheels with low profile tires will last a day here in pot hole filled New Jersey.

I am thinking of staying with the 18's and just powder coating them black.

Congrats again on your order and I hope you take delivery soon.

Glenn

JasonVogt

Same here. I'm 41. Got the perf exhaust as well. Our builds are similar.

CLA45 $47,450
787 Mountain Grey $720
801 Black Leather $1,500
H79 Aluminum trim
P01 P01 Premium Package: SiriusXM® Radio w/ $2,300
049 : iPod/MP3 Media Interface Cable
232 : Garage Door Opener
249 : Driver's Side & Interior Auto-Dimming Mi
518 : Media Interface
536 : SIRIUS Satellite Radio
581 : Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control
810 : harman/kardon Sound System w/Dolby 5.1
873 : Heated Front Seats
P34 Exclusive Package
U21 AMG Performance Exhaust $450
U70 Red Brake Calipers $300
U71 DVD Coding
V94 Speed load index
104 Rear Deck Spoiler $300
234 Blind Spot Assist $550
281 AMG Performance Steering Wheel $500
320 320 Multimedia Package: COMAND® System $2,370
218 : Rearview Camera
512 : COMAND System w/ Hard-Drive Navigation
413 Panorama Sunroof $1,480
555 AMG Performance Seats $2,250
787 AMG 19" Multi-Spoke Black Wheels $850
880 IR Summer Open/Close in Driver Door

jonnyrt

awesome build guys! You will love it!!!

Piero

I made some minor changes to my build, this is what I currently have. Only changes I am currently considering is switching to black wheels instead of silver.
Salesperson says that I am the next inline to have a CLA45 built, there is no one ahead of me in town (I am in Las Vegas, NV). Mercedes explanation was world wide high demand, it launched in other markets and they can't keep up. Production will be ramped up by March... Salesperson has been great, his name is Sebastian Matyjaszczyk and I highly recommend him, he has been real cool....

My build:
Model: CLA45 $ 47,450
Paint 1: Night Black
Uph.: Black MB-Tex w/ DINAMICA
***** OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES *****
320 Multimedia Package $ 2,370
218 : Rearview Camera
512 : COMAND System w/ Hard-Drive Navigation

P01 Premium Package $ 2,300
232 : Garage Door Opener
249 : Driver's Side & Interior Auto-Dimming Mirrors

518 : Media Interface
536 : SIRIUS Satellite Radio
581 : Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control

810 : harman/kardon Sound System w/Dolby 5.1

873 : Heated Front Seats
049 : Media Interface Cable
234 Blind Spot Assist $ 550
281 AMG Performance Steering Wheel $ 500
555 AMG Performance Seats $ 2,250
780 AMG 19" Multi-Spoke Silver Alloy Wheel $ 850
H79 Aluminum trim
P60 AMG Exterior Night Styling $ 750
U21 AMG Performance Exhaust $ 450
U70 Red Brake Calipers $ 300
Y05 Red Seat Belts
Subtotal $ 57,770
Destination & Delivery $ 925
Total

Thoughts? Constructive criticisms are welcome (I want to do this right and be happy with it!!!)

thanks!