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      06-25-2013, 12:16 PM   #1
jayb289
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a45 amg vs m135i vs golf gti

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Autocar tests all three, the results are below.

It may be known as 'the Beast', but can the 355bhp Mercedes A45 AMG overpower the BMW M135i and Volkswagen Golf GTI? Steve Sutcliffe finds out in the biggest hot hatch shootout of the year.


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      06-25-2013, 03:45 PM   #2
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Wow did not see that coming. I'm sick and tiered of people comparing the m135i (rwd) to the a45 amg. Again one is amg vs non m. It would be like comparing c350amg to a m3 sedan, it makes no sense. It doesn't mean if on paper they seem similar, on the road they are completely different. Another thing, if they had to make a test don't take the cars up some messed up road go on a drag see how all 3 compare and get the m135i xdrive and go on a circuit see how they all do based on laptime. Yes the Gti is the benchmark/icon when it comes to hatchbacks and they will always improve gradually, but Mercedes really? I sat in the a250 amg and I felt like a squashed bug in the rear seats, ac knobs are too low apart from the cheap plastic bits. Now that my rant is over sorry guys, all 3 cars are nice, lovely test, but my money would be on the bmw then Gti then Mercedes. Common bring on the mk7r vs rs3 vs a45 vs m2 now that would be a hell of a test.
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      06-25-2013, 04:25 PM   #3
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If money were no object, would I really buy the A45? No, I would buy an SLS.

Could the golf have kept up with the M135i? No, it couldn't, but we didn't see that. A45 interior, personally I think it is pretty garish a chavvy, seats do look good though. Golf sounded the best of the 3 cars, suggests it was the only one he was actually giving it the beans in?

Pretty awful review IMHO. Lets see some proper reviews on closed roads and see what the cars can actually do.....and consider the price.
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      06-25-2013, 04:31 PM   #4
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I think the BMW sounds far better with the six cylinder music. And the interior is a lot nicer than the Mercedes as well.

It didn't look like they were pushing the cars at all in the corners, so I don't think they could appreciate the nice balance and handling of the BMW.
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      06-25-2013, 05:44 PM   #5
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WOW!

It seems that Mercedes has done a magnificent job here! The M135i was the king until now, but it seems that the Merc frogg leaped it. And this while AMG never has been the preferred lover of the real car purist!?

What worries me is the negative comment on the excessive body composure and the underwhelming variable ratio sport steering of the bimmer. This is the first time I read such fundamental critique on the M135i. Until now, the M135i is lauded as being THE drivers machine in the stable, even put before some of the big M's.

The thing that makes it even more strange are the massive differences in appreciation for the A45 vs CLA45... has anybody noticed this? The CLA is NOT welcomed in any test, the A is endorsed everywhere as a new winner!
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      06-26-2013, 02:28 AM   #6
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I am definitely going to wait to test drive the Merc before I sign over to to the M-Lite. With CAR Magazine sometimes awarding road test victories for stupid reasons I figured the AMG victory in this months issue might of been a bit of a fluke. But after watching AutoCars little test there its certainly worth seeing what the fuss is all about first. Just means I'm waiting even longer than I planned. Tricky bit is going to be locating a dealer with one available to test drive.

I think BMW shot themselves in the foot with not having put a LSD in the M135i, it means in a test like this one it allowed the GTI to claw back some brownie points. Also it really allowed the AMG to make a mockery of the BMW, which may I add it absolutely did. I still remain confident the 6 cylinder would flaw the 4 pot in a long drag after 70-80mph, a bit like in the Chris Harris RS3 vs M135i video. But real life isnt about 1/4 and 1/2 mile drag races.

I'm still a bit reserved about that fake carbon dash and some of the inside bits on the AMG but where it matters on the road I have to say, all credit to Merc and AMG for this one.
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      06-26-2013, 02:48 AM   #7
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To be fair Sutcliffe did comment on the BM's vario steering weakness when he compared it to the Mini Paceman JCW. He stated "you never really know where the front wheels are pointing" But he didn't say anything about "body roll"

As good as the Merc might be. the three key factors why I wouldn't buy one.

(1) 4 doors only
(2) 4 cylinders only
(3) price
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      06-26-2013, 02:56 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
To be fair Sutcliffe did comment on the BM's vario steering weakness when he compared it to the Mini Paceman JCW. He stated "you never really know where the front wheels are pointing" But he didn't say anything about "body roll"

As good as the Merc might be. the three key factors why I wouldn't buy one.

(1) 4 doors only
(2) 4 cylinders only
(3) price
I'd have to be absolutely blown away during a test drive to spend the extra 10k on one. Where it starts at just under 38k, it wont be anywhere near that once you add options tbh. Considering theres pretty well kitted used M135i's across the country now for 30k.

I could quite easily live with the 4 cylinders and 4 doors tbh. I'm not into engine modding tbh and I have a 2 year old. Price is the main one in all honesty. But once Audi and BMW come back fighting with the RS3 and M2, 38k might seem reasonable, and im sure kitted used A45s will be in abundance by next year
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      06-26-2013, 04:25 AM   #9
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The F20/F21 does indeed have a rather soft suspension, even with M Sport option. Even though there is some body roll during hard cornering, it still has the wheel angles fairly well in control, and it still bites. I find that I am able to stick with cars equipped with coilovers and R compound tires in corners. The car is leaning and the tires are screaming, but it is still balanced and happy. The journalists in the video above were not even close to pushing the car this far.

The advantage of the soft suspension comes on bumpy roads and cambered hairpins. Stiffly sprung cars are turned into 3-wheelers while the F20/F21 has all four wheels planted.

That said, the Mercedes is probably very well set up as well.
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      06-26-2013, 04:31 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ovekvam View Post

The advantage of the soft suspension comes on bumpy roads and cambered hairpins. Stiffly sprung cars are turned into 3-wheelers while the F20/F21 has all four wheels planted.

.
I'd be interested to see how the Merc does on a set of pothole ridden, shot too buggery, Kentish "A" Roads.
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      06-26-2013, 04:51 PM   #11
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Autocar: A45 AMG vs GTI vs M135i Review

another knock on the BWM steering
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      06-26-2013, 07:26 PM   #12
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Nice vid! Looks like Mercedes is doing the "iPad on the dash nav screen" thing too.
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      06-26-2013, 07:59 PM   #13
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kinda disspointed

I'm looking forward to getting the M235i but since the A45 amg is a lot faster off the line than the m135i which the engine will transcend up to the M235i it seems this will result in the same outcome with the new 2 series.

Oh well, I guess the true competitor for the A45 is the M2.
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      06-27-2013, 03:12 AM   #14
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I wonder who at BMW said...
"Hey everyone, we get such great reviews and so much praise for our steering... Let change it"

When you try to appeal to everyone, you end up appealing to no one.
BMW is on it's way if its not careful. I try and keep my faith but I don't know...
You can even see the lack of body control as mentioned when compared to the others in the short clips of them jumping the cars. The BMW moves around noticeably and the other two land solid.
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      06-27-2013, 10:14 AM   #15
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Love the M135i but they aren't available here in US. Own a GTI and it's one of best daily driving (4 dr, mpg & fun) I have ever had. Merc is big no to me just because of it's overpriced and lack of fun factor among the three cars.
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      06-27-2013, 10:19 AM   #16
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Definitely the first time I've ever seen a "negative" review of the M135i. I thought this was like the king of the hot hatches. I thought it strange that this review would give a polar opposite impression of the car vs. every other review I've read but I've never driven any of them so who am I to argue.
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      06-27-2013, 10:23 AM   #17
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I guess an M135i X-drive with a tuning kit would be rather even with the Mercedes in performance and price.
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      06-27-2013, 10:29 AM   #18
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Don't think the horsepower difference between the A45 and the M135i should make any difference in a decision.
I can't believe you can squeeze much more from the Merc.It might be on the verge of blowing up already.
In a n55 or n54 it's nearly effortless to achieve 360bhp...
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      06-27-2013, 10:40 AM   #19
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I will be looking forward to the cla45 amg vs m235i reviews but I think I'm most interested in the m2
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      06-27-2013, 11:03 AM   #20
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"the Mercedes is a little bit more expensive..."

Little bit? Its 19% more expensive than the BMW and 32% more expensive than the VW.
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      06-27-2013, 11:05 AM   #21
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Why did they use the GTI instead of a Golf R?
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      06-27-2013, 11:14 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kdiggz View Post
I will be looking forward to the cla45 amg vs m235i reviews but I think I'm most interested in the m2
My thoughts exactly. When the M135i went out it was the king of hot hatches. Now I want to see if BMW does change something in the M235i to keep up with the CLA45. I don't think they want to be second best
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