GTI vs A45

[charv94]

My friend, only 2 years older than me at 23, has just acquired himself an A45 AMG.

He's the type to drive round all night just for fun and chatting with friends and just enjoying life.

Anyway, I thought i'd give my views on the car and how it compares in many areas to my GTI which i took him out in a few times before he got his AMG.

Looks
The AMG is very very understated, its hard to really tell that its an AMG over one of the normal A class, especialy an A250 engineered by AMG. Anyway, its new so naturally its very shiny, Black suits the car very well and he's left the standard wheels on it.

The GTI however, in my opinion looks a little more purposeful, its easier to spot what the car is about because it is more different from a non performance golf. I would say i like the look of the GTI more, but that is me just being Biased.

Driving
Obviously, the GTI is massively underpowered compared to the AMG. He's running it in still so tries to keep it under 4500 revs, and due to such the big jump from a 1.4 ibiza is yet to floor it fully (still a bit scared of it). Inside, despite what ive read in the press, its not very much dissimilar to the ride comfort of the GTI.

He's got the Performance exhaust which is sport creates a cacophony of pops and bangs. I really wish the GTI did this (i have a manual), the DSG may have done something to bridge to void, but i wish there was a way without aftermarket.

I followed him back to his briefly late last night, opened them both up onto the national speed limit b road near to his, i followed. He most definitely pulled away, however to say he has more than 50% more power and has a 30% quicker 0-60, he didn't blast off from me. An R would be close i suspect.

Interior
The quality of the interior in the AMG was a let down for me though, many people complain about the fake carbon in the GTI (i happen to like it) but the AMG has an even worse fake. There also seems to be a rattle under heavy acceleration, exhaust vibrating the dash is what i suspect to be the cause.

I also do not like the iPad'esc screen, but would prefer a Idrive style system in the GTI.

Sound system is harmon Kardon, Incredible to say the least, wish id got dynoaudio now.

Overall
Very jealous if I'm honest, it makes me wish more after something like an S3 or M135i for the closest performance due to being unable to stretch to an RS3.

Noise for a 4 cylinder is incredible and i like it very much.

[CraigW]

Mate, I think you should just be grateful that you've been given such an amazing car as a present at such a young age. There are very few people in such a privileged position. I was driving a ten year old 1ltr Fiesta when I was your age. Honestly, you've only had the car for a couple of months and your already complaining.

[charv94]

I don't mean to complain. I love my car, I just keep company that makes it seem less special. I feel the GTI is better is some aspects and as a whole feel the post shows a preferance to the GTI not the Amg I see now the overall section was weak in showing this so apologise.

I don't want to appear at all ungrateful. Apologies

[CraigW]

There's no need for apologies. All I'm trying to say is that you should try and enjoy the car you have which is a very fine car. At 21 you have loads of time to move up the car ladder and your already starting off in a brilliant position. 

[charv94]

Will certainly enjoy it. Quick question relating the GTI does an aftermarket exhaust system invalidate the warranty?

[RobS23GTI]

Wow wish I could've afforded a brand new GTI at 21!
I certainly wouldn't be comparing the 2 as the Merc is about £10k more expensive so it should be better at lots of things.
For info, I had an M135i and I actually prefer the GTI, it's a better all rounder by some distance. But the M135i is bloody quick if that's what your mainly after and they could be picked up on the cheap pre LCI (I got 18% discount off a new one).

[Booth11]

The AMG is very very understated, its hard to really tell that its an AMG over one of the normal A class, especialy an A250 engineered by AMG. Anyway, its new so naturally its very shiny, Black suits the car very well and he's left the standard wheels on it.

It's interesting you think it looks very understated.  My dentist has a silver AMG, and last time I was visiting the surfery, I admit to having a bit of a nose round his car in the car park.  I was interested as I briefly considered the AMG before settling on the R.  Purely aesthetically, from the front and rear, overall I thought it looked far too 'blingy'.  But then at the sides it looks very mundane, a strange combination of 'in yer face' and 'blah' at the same time.  Somebody on here once said it looked like an Astra from the side and I think that's an accurate description.  Maybe it looks less spangly in black, but I prefer the subtle but purposeful styling of the GTI, which gets the balance spot on IMO.

Anyway I didn't go so far as to test drive the AMG, but did spec one up, and spent the rest of the afternoon laughing at the ridiculous price it came out at     

Then I ordered an R 

[Snooze]

Be grateful for what you've got and enjoy it. Don't compare yourself to others as this will just make you miserable.

My first car was a 106 Gti and I felt very privileged to have that. I've just bought my first ever brand new car and I'm 32!

[am1w]

Before I settled on the R, I compared it with the A45 AMG and M135i.

The M135i was fab drive, a bit skitty in the wet due to RWD (such fun!). But its challenging looks really put me off. Those looks are now much improved with the latest version. It is still the only hatchback I would swop the R for.

The A45 AMG had a bone shaking ride IMO, was difficult to drive smoothly (it was either full-on or off due to the massive turbo lag), the Auto Box was a bit slow an the build quality was not to my liking. But it was the bone shaking ride that really put me off. It was pretty mental though which did put a smile on my face. Speccing it with some options gave a price which was laughable and OTT. It is still a great car but not the car for me.

The R felt just as fast to me as the A45 AMG, had a much better ride, felt more refined, had/has a much better gearbox, was easier to drive smoothly, felt on par with my BMW F30 in key aspects, had/has a nicer interior than the Merc to these eyes and was available at a rather tasty lease deal. So I chose it.

[Exonian]

Life's a b!tch unless you're rich.

A45's seem to be designed to appeal to 20 year olds but alas it mostly seems to be 50 year olds that you see driving them. Affordability.

As above, 99.9% of people don't get a £30k car for their 21st Birthday and I appreciate that private school kids have a superiority complex driven into them, but look around and see what most 21 year olds are driving whilst trying desperately to afford a deposit for somewhere to live or just out partying and enjoying being young.