Topic: First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 and CLA 45 AMG

[Threader]

" these engines use a single twin-scroll turbo that pumps up to 26.1 psi into the cylinders"

I am impressed! 26.1 psi turbo tune with a factory warranty to boot 

Subaru are you paying attention? 

[tazcubed]

Sorry, but I disagree about the looks of this car. The CLA45 AMG I saw yesterday looks purely boy-racer/aftermarket cheesy - the lesser model look nicer (sort of), but the droopiness of the ends really looks wrong to me. For the most part I think Mercedes has had a timeless element to their designs, but this one isn't one of them. Otherwise, I won't comment on the rest of the article since I've not had a test drive yet.

[JohnM]

Alright, I'm not a Mercedes fan generally but this thing has to look very attractive if you are in the market for a sedan in the high 20s or early 30s.  With Titanium Foci pushing over 30k, going MB would be an intriguing possibility for many people.

However, does this mean one is also enrolled in the school of insanely expensive maintenance programs?   Is there a stink beetle in this enticing bowl of soup?

Cheers,
John M.

[HeliDriver]

Sorry, but I disagree about the looks of this car. The CLA45 AMG I saw yesterday looks purely boy-racer/aftermarket cheesy - the lesser model look nicer (sort of), but the droopiness of the ends really looks wrong to me. For the most part I think Mercedes has had a timeless element to their designs, but this one isn't one of them. Otherwise, I won't comment on the rest of the article since I've not had a test drive yet.

 

Over styled, too flashy and kind of tacky, IMO. Don't think it will age well.

If I were in the market for a smaller sedan (which I'm not - where's my hatchback!?!) I'd be looking at the new A3/S3.

[Northernridge]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

[Fobroader]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

I wonder if people who paid ~$30K for their car will be happy about the $300 oil change when their buddy with a Ford/Kia...whatever, is paying $60-70 bucks.

[Northernridge]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

I wonder if people who paid ~$30K for their car will be happy about the $300 oil change when their buddy with a Ford/Kia...whatever, is paying $60-70 bucks.

I'm guessing no. I'm also guessing many CLA drivers will be delighted that they could stretch to Mercedes Benz ownership and then be completely floored by the service costs.

And, that I'll have to listen to them whine at the service desk. 

[Fobroader]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

I wonder if people who paid ~$30K for their car will be happy about the $300 oil change when their buddy with a Ford/Kia...whatever, is paying $60-70 bucks.

I'm guessing no. I'm also guessing many CLA drivers will be delighted that they could stretch to Mercedes Benz ownership and then be completely floored by the service costs.

And, that I'll have to listen to them whine at the service desk. 

Much like you I doubt Benz is going to have two tier service for the A and B class and then everything else, so I think there are going to be a bunch of very PO'd people when they finally get the full FGC experience 

[tpl]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

I wonder if people who paid ~$30K for their car will be happy about the $300 oil change when their buddy with a Ford/Kia...whatever, is paying $60-70 bucks.

I'm guessing no. I'm also guessing many CLA drivers will be delighted that they could stretch to Mercedes Benz ownership and then be completely floored by the service costs.

And, that I'll have to listen to them whine at the service desk. 

Much like you I doubt Benz is going to have two tier service for the A and B class and then everything else, so I think there are going to be a bunch of very PO'd people when they finally get the full FGC experience 

I think you are right.   I have owned enough FGCs that I have run out of whine.

I have just got a pair of the real bi-convex exterior mirrors ( just the glassware).   I can't see how to get the old ones off (without damaging them) so I'll be interested to see if they will charge to take the old glass out at the dealer and how much.   

I am also waiting to see of JohnGenX is still correct several years later about M-B service being very good.

[rrocket]

" these engines use a single twin-scroll turbo that pumps up to 26.1 psi into the cylinders"

I am impressed! 26.1 psi turbo tune with a factory warranty to boot 

Subaru are you paying attention? 

It's not that insane.  The EVOX was 22 psi box stock (some guys see 24).  Like the EVO, the CLA scales back boost as it approaches redline to keep things together.

The guys at Carlsson have already tuned an A45 and achieved 450HP...so it looks as though Mercedes has left some power on the table.

[philmcneal]

easily the best looking car for $33900

[Jp45654]

AMG version has 355hp but is barely quicker than a 335/435? I don't like this new trend of high output 4 bangers; plus they just don't sound as good as a 6 or 8. The new 328 is quick but sounds like crap especially at idle.

[mmret]

AMG version has 355hp but is barely quicker than a 335/435? I don't like this new trend of high output 4 bangers; plus they just don't sound as good as a 6 or 8. The new 328 is quick but sounds like crap especially at idle.

That extra power will get eaten up by the AWD gear.

Also, 0-100 times are a fairly narrow statistic as far as determining which car is "quicker" (whose definition of "quicker" are we using?)

[Ogie]

Love this car, love the color.  Give it 2 to 4 years to see how the motor holds up under all that boost.

[johngenx]

Chris Chase figured on a tight road, the A45 would outgun an M3 or C63.  I understand the chassis can really put the power own.

[Snowman]

Chris Chase figured on a tight road, the A45 would outgun an M3 or C63.  I understand the chassis can really put the power own.

Hard to beat AWD in getting the power down to the road.

[rrocket]

Chris Chase figured on a tight road, the A45 would outgun an M3 or C63.  I understand the chassis can really put the power own.

Hard to beat AWD in getting the power down to the road.

Yep....which is why EVOs and Sti is crazy fast too...

[Noto]

Good question. Mercedes dealership service departments do not have two rates…everyone pays $145/hour or more.

Welcome to the $300 oil change.

I wonder if people who paid ~$30K for their car will be happy about the $300 oil change when their buddy with a Ford/Kia...whatever, is paying $60-70 bucks.

My Forester XT's oil change is $68, tax-in.

I'll +1 on the AWD front; and these engines are all far over-engineered...they'll last forever.
Still, I wonder how the fuel economy will look when you're pushing 26.5psi into that 4-pot...........

[redman]

This vehicle may even stop heads/hands shaking negatively if and when it comes out in a AWD diesel model.
I see the FWD versions being consumed my new younger female buyers who want some flash in there driveway and the AMG by there brother.
Just can't see a diehard older fan being comfortable with this FWD over-styled variant.

[jamesautos]

with the pricing this good.... MB will most likely move the new C up market... these past years, MB has been giving the C away with discounts and rate cuts... a friend of mine got a C63 at around invoice

re: maintainance... not sure if MB offers free oil change like other german makers...coz most of these car are leased and the maintainance on them are very spotty...as in "leased car dont care" mentality