Mercedes Benz and AMG Owners

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 10:34

EddScott said:
Guy I race with just bought a yellow A35 for his "Mrs"

He also has an M2 which doesn't get nearly as much use as the A35.

I spec'd up a new C43 estate and got to £60K OTR. Essentially the dark blue with the bigger alloys, the full tech pack thing, the sporty seats and performance egg sauce.

Not keen on going brand spanking. Hopefully the spec I'd like will pop up in time on AUC.

I was looking at the A35 but it’s hard to ignore the A45S. I’m trying to get a test drive. Looking like end of the month before MK has one.

thewanted · 4 Oct 2019 at 10:49

LiE said:
I was looking at the A35 but it’s hard to ignore the A45S. I’m trying to get a test drive. Looking like end of the month before MK has one.

Have you been able to find out what the GMFV is for the A45S?

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 10:51

thewanted said:
Have you been able to find out what the GMFV is for the A45S?

not really. I spoke to Oracle and they said with 7k miles pa over 3 years about £28k but they caveat it saying this is a rough guide and they could improve it.

I think MB will have a better idea.

thewanted · 4 Oct 2019 at 10:54

LiE said:
not really. I spoke to Oracle and they said with 7k miles pa over 3 years about £28k but they caveat it saying this is a rough guide and they could improve it.

I think MB will have a better idea.

Cool, thanks. It's probably still a bit early for MB because I think they're not due to be delivered to customers until ~Jan 2020.

Hilly · 4 Oct 2019 at 11:40

Haven't yet managed a test drive in the A45s either; Looking forward to comparing it to my A45 and if the financials make sense pulling the trigger.

We'll see; I'm far too old for my heart to rule my head!

The better gear box and improved power delivery is what really has me interested. The A45 and A35 in their current guises can understeer a tad due to how good the 4wd system is; giving more power to the rear should counteract that somewhat.

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 11:49

As much as I want one now, I think realistically I'll wait for 1 year old AUC examples to appear. Even if I plan to have it as long term keeper, I cannot see the sense in buying brand new.

Hilly · 4 Oct 2019 at 11:51

LiE said:
As much as I want one now, I think realistically I'll wait for 1 year old AUC examples to appear. Even if I plan to have it as long term keeper, I cannot see the sense in buying brand new.

Financially you're right, but for me getting the spec right is important, which is why I went new for the A45.

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:02

Hilly said:
Financially you're right, but for me getting the spec right is important, which is why I went new for the A45.

I'd want the right spec, but looking at the configurator it doesn't look like there's much left out if you opt for the premium plus package?

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:13

Spoke to MB Milton Keynes. They are saying production doesn't start until December then it's a 12 week wait, so demo cars aren't going to appear until then at the earliest.

Price appears to be exactly as per the OTR price on the configurator. I haven't bought a new car before, but presumably there are ways to get the price down? Wait until someone like Carwow allows it to be specced?

Hilly · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:15

LiE said:
I'd want the right spec, but looking at the configurator it doesn't look like there's much left out if you opt for the premium plus package?

For the A45 (not the 'S') there were a number of changes I made. But you should always be able to find a car which would suit the spec you wanted.

LiE said:
Spoke to MB Milton Keynes. They are saying production doesn't start until December then it's a 12 week wait, so demo cars aren't going to appear until then at the earliest.

Price appears to be exactly as per the OTR price on the configurator. I haven't bought a new car before, but presumably there are ways to get the price down? Wait until someone like Carwow allows it to be specced?

Pretty much.

You can always ask nicely to the dealer. Generally new releases aren't going to be discounted, but you don't ask, you don't get.

Steedie · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:15

I think the A45S is going to be one of those cars that has enough demand to mean Mercedes don't have to do a thing for you in terms of price.

Hilly · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:16

Steedie said:
I think the A45S is going to be one of those cars that has enough demand to mean Mercedes don't have to do a thing for you in terms of price.

Agreed; the majority of AMG models don't tend to move much in price, especially when first released.

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:23

My current thinking is my car P/X + £400pm over 3 years PCP. Then pay off the balloon payment and continue to own it. @Steedie did make a good point about extended warranty on these cars though, being they are quite pricey!

[TW]Fox · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:27

The world has gone mad if there is that much demand for a small hatchback with pointless levels of performance.

I mean who looked at the last model and thought nice but a bit slow?!

RobHu · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:34

[TW]Fox said:
The world has gone mad if there is that much demand for a small hatchback with pointless levels of performance.

I mean who looked at the last model and thought nice but a bit slow?!

Well, logic doesn't tend to come into the equation with performance cars! For example I no longer drive daily due to a job change yet I'm still tempted to replace my M235i with one of these or an M2.

LiE · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:45

Certainly is more of a heart over head situation with these sorts of cars. Why does anyone buy expensive/luxury things at the end of day? I certainly isn't about being sensible that's for sure.

SDK^ · 4 Oct 2019 at 12:52

[TW]Fox said:
The world has gone mad if there is that much demand for a small hatchback with pointless levels of performance.

I mean who looked at the last model and thought nice but a bit slow?!

Who looked at a 1985 Ferrari Testarossa with 380 bhp and thought - This Ferrari needs more power, but here we are with F road cars now running 800hp+

Steedie · 4 Oct 2019 at 13:16

[TW]Fox said:
The world has gone mad if there is that much demand for a small hatchback with pointless levels of performance.

I mean who looked at the last model and thought nice but a bit slow?!

Really, Fox? I expect better from you than to question the rationale behind cars like this

Of course there's demand, you could put 1000BHP in a car this size and there would be demand, would be absolutely no point in it whatsoever but fast innit?

You could argue about putting an engine as big and powerful as is in a massive barge like the M760Li xDrive is pointless, a car like that is for being driven in or for driving through London to your big time London job, not driving to 60 in 3.8 seconds etc. Cars are funny things

[TW]Fox · 4 Oct 2019 at 13:39

By the time you're spending 55 grand on a car though you want something a little nicer than a really really fast version of an estate agents company car, no?

Steedie · 4 Oct 2019 at 13:40

[TW]Fox said:
By the time you're spending 55 grand on a car though you want something a little nicer than a really really fast version of an estate agents company car, no?

Again, to use my M760Li example, by the time you're spending that kind of money, you could get something a lot nicer than the fast version of a V6 base spec barge, no?