The 1.35i came too late for me this time, but from all seen there would not have been enough to sway me towards it, the A35 AMG for example had me really wanting to go see it, have no feeling for the 1.35i to do the same.
I agree with you - I did like the Merc very much. Right up to the point where I looked at the prices.
For me I'm looking at a Golf sized car from a German maker in mid 2020. Therefore it looked like this:
VW - I'd love one but looks like my timing is wrong.
Audi A3 - too expensive for the spec I want and the new A3 is what, late 2020?
Merc - too expensive for the spec I'd want and even the basic high powered ones are too much IMHO.
BMW - previously too small and ugly.... now it at least fixes those points, whether the price is too much remains to be seen.
My issue is that whatever I choose I am absolutely refusing to pay the extra road tax hike for a car with a RRP over £40k.
Of course there is one thing that could utterly crap on all of my quest for a German car, but I guess we'll have to wait and see how that shapes up.
I can't move any earlier on this unfortunately.
I was open to looking at something different but as you say the Mercedes to get anywhere near the car you want pushed me to £42,000 and that was leaving somethings out, like media pack with the Apple play, surely should be a standard function!
Liked what was seeing on the new A3 to the point realised its not even being released till 2020 - Audi always cost that bit more to take the option to the VW standard fit level, still charging for folding mirrors for example!
Do think the BMW is viable, saw a review with Joe Achilles and he 6ft 4 in and he got readily into the rear which was previously shocking with that strange bulge killing the opening. - He was quite complimentary of it.
My initial feeling for the 1.35i is that have none, but that might just be down to my previous apathy and so I think I would go and see for myself in flesh if was looking to order today as it does tick all the boxes I have, my concern is more about the feeling it gives than its functional capability as 300 BHP, AWD, nice cabin etc, are all ticks - Also price is a concern as last BMW priced up started off ok, but by time I went through the exhaustive list of options the end price was off the scale
Mercedes are other way around, you have to have to choose packs but you might not want half of 2, and want half of the most expensive pack 3
Sure there will be plenty of MK 7.5 stock at really keen pricing when MK 8 rolls out, is that not an option? as could get a real bargain.
Reason stayed with the run out TCR was felt it was the best the MK 7 series could be, and with the TCR bits and bobs adding enough to make it feel new still.
