I am driving a Golf GTI TCR now because I successfully rejected an AMG A35, build quality was awful. In fact it was the most poorly built car I have driven in 20 years.
*Hopefully* aside from build quality issues how do you find the TCR compares to the A35?
Obviously the interior is the A35’s tour de force subject to how heavily optioned it is, but how does a 7 plus year old Golf design feel after ultra modern AMG?
How do the two compare in driving dynamics and performance (seat of pants)?
Chance to do your own mini review here Chris!
Reason I ask is a colleague of mine is very interested in leasing or PCPing an A35.
The A35 was (in my chosen spec Sun Yellow/Full Aero Pack) a fantastic looking, attention grabbing car. I loved driving it and the tech (when it worked) was outstanding.
The diff in the TCR is great, however it doesn't give you the levels of grip and confidence that the A35 did, in fact the A35 felt like it was stuck to the road, mine only had the passive dampers/suspension and TBH it was crying out of the active setup (the ride was very hard). If I were to buy another one the active dampers would be the first option I would select.
The interior in the A35 was fantastic, however the quality of some of the materials were very questionable. Also I wasn't happy that it had the same seats as normal A class's. I know the Golf in real terms has an "old" interior but I think it still looks good, and its certainly put together better than the A35's was.
Overall I would still get another A35, however I think I would wait until they are about a year old (or mid life cycle) when hopefully Mercedes will have fixed all the issues with them.
If there is anything specific you would like to know, let me know.