Autocar test - Merc v BMW v GTI

[OF1]

The thing is, i'm getting a GTD. I would love a petrol hot hatch but it's not cost effective for me.

And despite the two cars it's up against - I really lust for that GTI in the test, and not the other two. Ironic isn't it?

I would much rather get the GTI with Performance Pack, and pretty much all the necessary toys and pocket nearly £10k change from the Merc.

There's also something about AMG that is synonymous with masses of raw engine power and size. I do actually like that about the bigger cars like the C Class Coupe with a monstrous 6,2 V8. Seeing this AMG with a Turbocharged 4 pot is..not right in some way. It suits the 'cheaper', smaller hot hatches, but I honestly can't see it being as mad as the BMW's engine.

Obviously i'm saying all this and i've only drove the 135i out of all three cars. But that's just my view from the outside.

[monkeyhanger]

Merc really have to do something about their build quality. Doesn't matter what their performance figures are, when you step inside one it feels cheap and nasty - pretty much on par with a Fiat. I had a look at the A-class Merc (seeing as it's a Scirocco clone) a while back and the tactile feel of the cabin felt so wrong I didn't even want a test drive.

[monkeyhanger]

Yep, sooner or later we'll all be stuck in electric cars that are computer controlled and limited to 50 - so best enjoy it now!!

Do you not think we are heading that way already with ADC? Mate the ADC with DSG and you pretty much just have to steer the car. If you could tie in the satnav with it all it probably wouldn't take much more tech for the MK7 Golf to drive itself (it would need to know to stop for traffic lights and what the speed limits were on any particular road, but that's pretty much it).

Some scary stories on other forums about false positives with the ADC jamming on the brakes when something big like a truck or bus passes by in the adjacent lane. I think mine will be permanently switched off.

[matchboy]

That's a good point you know. I've been thinking about this and have to say I'm not entirely comfortable with the ADC either. Call me old fashioned but I'm not happy with are 'driving' themselves. I just don't trust computers! Took me a year to trust the auto lights!! 

Sorry to hear about your cousin. You must have been tempted by the M5 though! Trouble is the running costs are ridiculous, you'd be lucky to get 15 mpg. It's an amazing car but you've got to be seriously flushed to run it.

[Gryzor]

That's a good point you know. I've been thinking about this and have to say I'm not entirely comfortable with the ADC either. Call me old fashioned but I'm not happy with are 'driving' themselves. I just don't trust computers! Took me a year to trust the auto lights!! 

I must admit, the idea of ADC appeals to me, up to a point.  There are times on the motorway when it would be nice to just set it to whatever and not worry about the vehicle in front slowing a bit.  But, with a DSG handling gear changes down to the very low speeds...that feels like too much control out of my hands!  Funny you say about the auto lights - I still sometimes turn around and wait to see if they really have gone off, and that's after 8 years of owning the car!

[monkeyhanger]

That's a good point you know. I've been thinking about this and have to say I'm not entirely comfortable with the ADC either. Call me old fashioned but I'm not happy with are 'driving' themselves. I just don't trust computers! Took me a year to trust the auto lights!! 

Sorry to hear about your cousin. You must have been tempted by the M5 though! Trouble is the running costs are ridiculous, you'd be lucky to get 15 mpg. It's an amazing car but you've got to be seriously flushed to run it.

It's my cousin's neighbour, my cousin is fine, and his neighbour still gets about fine. We all have a bit of a joke about how my cousin's neighbour is called Joe and looks like Joe out of Family Guy, with my cousin Bryan looking like Peter Griffin (would've been better if he looked like Brian the dog)..

The M5 is very tempting, but one huge out of warranty issue and i'd wish I hadn't bought it even without fuelling considerations.

There's a Porsche 911 GT2 I see on the road most mornings and pass it. The driver of it drives like a saint, and sometimes I can't help wondering  whether it's because his car will capture the immediate attention of any bobbies on the road, whether he drives that slow so everyone can get a good look at what he's driving, or whether he wants to try and squeeze 25mpg out of it instead of 18mpg on his commute to work.

[Jimble]

Merc really have to do something about their build quality. Doesn't matter what their performance figures are, when you step inside one it feels cheap and nasty - pretty much on par with a Fiat. I had a look at the A-class Merc (seeing as it's a Scirocco clone) a while back and the tactile feel of the cabin felt so wrong I didn't even want a test drive.

In what way is the Merc a Scirocco clone?

[monkeyhanger]

In what way is the Merc a Scirocco clone?

It looks a hell of a lot like one (apart from the back end which looks like it's off a Toyota Auris).

[am1w]

The question is this:
Could I live with a super hard ride of the A45 AMG (some call this planted) in everyday use on our terrible roads?
My answer is: No.

[mjh_056]

In what way is the Merc a Scirocco clone?

It looks a hell of a lot like one (apart from the back end which looks like it's off a Toyota Auris).

Really liked the A Class in photos and was quite eager to go see it in flesh and seriously add it to consideration so I was open minded and optimistic.

Did not mind the style too much maybe a bit OTT for me in it sport style but was still open to having it grow on me but once inside it was game over as hugely claustrophobic and the doors seemed so high and windows so small given letterbox visibility and the interior itself really did not grab me and any interest in that aspect was ended with that media screen.

Did read all the reviews to and hardly glowing anywhere with common theme of harsh ride and coming off an S Line suspension this was high up on my list to address as it wears on you more than think. - Chris Harris review on Comfort through to Sport ride options has me knowing my world is going to change quite dramatically in ride stakes - Did 300 miles yesterday and though fun when can push it or pull away easily in 6th on Motorway the UK roads shuddered through body one too many times really. 

If it was a serious contender I would have test drove self to understand ride and handling but to be honest there was an instant turn off of no return with the A class.

Looks is most subjective issue I would never criticise anyone on, where understated is perfect to some it is boring to others and in your face ostentatious styling is loved by some, yet hideous and garish to others.

Subtlety and understated as in there is a lot more car here than it is giving away for me and this GTI/GTD ticks that and so many other boxes.