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      07-01-2012, 07:59 PM   #1
dubman
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125i vs A250

My german isn't nearly good enough to understand this:
http://www.autobild.de/videos/video-...0-3509997.html

Anyone want to translate?
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      07-01-2012, 11:45 PM   #2
AusF20/F48
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My german is not that good
It is hard to compare a diesel front wheel drive (Mercedes) with a rear wheel drive petrol (benzene) (BMW).
In essence, the important thing he says that the BMW being rear wheel drive, has better dynamics and it shines through for its driving ability.
The Merc has its features and looks like a mini version of a CLS so it will appeal to people who want compact car with the 3 point star badge at a price.

I couldn't help but notice that the bonnet on A250 had one of those cheap steel rod to hold it up and it looks like the motor is on one side of the engine bay.

I wonder how that will effect the driving dymanics in hard steering situations.

I am not being bias towards BMW here. I have both brands in my garage.
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      07-02-2012, 12:45 AM   #3
ovekvam
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The Mercedes is not a diesel, and he says it is the most sporty Mercedes so far. It equals the one series in most respects, but is clearly behind on steering, sound and gearbox. The driving experience is better in the BMW, but he says Mercedes has never been this close before.

It comes down to RWD vs FWD, I guess.
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      07-02-2012, 06:04 AM   #4
AusF20/F48
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Sorry Dubman,
I did say my German was not that good
Appologies ovekvam, thanks for the traslation
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      07-02-2012, 06:08 AM   #5
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I'm gonna watch it at home later and will see whats what. I'd say my german is ok-ish .
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      07-02-2012, 06:17 AM   #6
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Really, 1thomas, I would have never guessed that
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      07-02-2012, 12:18 PM   #7
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Design:
- personal preferance

Dynamics:
- both are good, but when you're driving more sporty/aggressive, you notice torquesteering
- all in all its again personal preferance

Driving experience:
- BMWs engine is superb, sounds good, revs far and fast, 8-speed is spot on, adaptive ride is doing its job very well, better than the old 25i (r6),
- Mercs engine is just on papers alike, in reality it revs not as far and not as willing, it sounds more boring, steering is precise but suffers torquesteer, only 3 fixed rides available (medium sport ride best option),

- Merc promised the A will deliver "heartbeat", but the engine lacks the neccessary punch, so does the 7-speed dct, the BMW delivers that way better
- Concerning steering, sound and shifting the BMW delivers the "joy of driving noticably better".

Conclusion:
- Merc: The looks promise what the car can't deliver, its "too much mercedes inside"
- BMW: From the sporty aspect, no doubt, the better car
- The Merc delivers a very good overall package that can compete with the F20
- Prices nearly identical, Merc got some more options available (some assists) and more space on the rear seats
-> The merc is very close to the BMW.

Eventually it comes down to personal preferance again.


-edit-

Oh and this is not a proper test/review, thats just first impressions of a quick comparison.
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Last edited by 1thomas; 07-02-2012 at 12:27 PM..
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      07-03-2012, 11:42 PM   #8
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Thanks.

No surprises re torque steer in the Merc as it's FWD....
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      07-04-2012, 02:58 PM   #9
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Thanks for taking the time to find the review and also translate guys.

Really useful and quite a relief, as I was really tempted to wait for the A250 before ordering the 125i M Sport :-)
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      02-14-2013, 11:27 PM   #10
washout04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1thomas View Post
Design:
- personal preferance

Dynamics:
- both are good, but when you're driving more sporty/aggressive, you notice torquesteering
- all in all its again personal preferance

Driving experience:
- BMWs engine is superb, sounds good, revs far and fast, 8-speed is spot on, adaptive ride is doing its job very well, better than the old 25i (r6),
- Mercs engine is just on papers alike, in reality it revs not as far and not as willing, it sounds more boring, steering is precise but suffers torquesteer, only 3 fixed rides available (medium sport ride best option),

- Merc promised the A will deliver "heartbeat", but the engine lacks the neccessary punch, so does the 7-speed dct, the BMW delivers that way better
- Concerning steering, sound and shifting the BMW delivers the "joy of driving noticably better".

Conclusion:
- Merc: The looks promise what the car can't deliver, its "too much mercedes inside"
- BMW: From the sporty aspect, no doubt, the better car
- The Merc delivers a very good overall package that can compete with the F20
- Prices nearly identical, Merc got some more options available (some assists) and more space on the rear seats
-> The merc is very close to the BMW.

Eventually it comes down to personal preferance again.


-edit-

Oh and this is not a proper test/review, thats just first impressions of a quick comparison.
Interesting that they note that the 125i sounds good and the Merc "sounds more boring". I thought the 125i was supposed to sound boring and the Merc has the back box delete to improve sound.

So many mixed and contradictory reviews.
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      02-15-2013, 02:55 AM   #11
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German's Sport Auto Magazine (famous for their Supertests) has compared 125i against the A250 Sport too.
Suprisingly (for SA too) the A250 was quicker on Hockenheim Circuit. 1.8 seconds quicker on a ~1:15 Lap. :|

But they also wrote that this was caused by the dynamic suspension of the 125i (and not the M suspension) and the standard RFT tyres of the 125i, whereas the A250 was running on sport tyres.
(A250 Sport: 235er Conti SportContact 5p / 125i: 225 / 245 Bridgestone Potenza S001).

But they also mentioned and covered in great detail that the A250 had to stop after two laps on Hockenheim with terrible brake fading including smoke from the fornt axle!
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      02-15-2013, 04:21 AM   #12
Bradbury
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I am yet to see a review of the A-250, where the transmission hasn't been trashed. Same goes for reviews of the other new As with AT.
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