[sxygtr]

Bit harsh in the BMW I thought....

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...rt_vs_bmw_125i

[kab_m2]

The fact that he thought the merc interior looks $150k makes me realise this guy is full of crap.

[AussieSimon]

Agreed! The A250 is astonishingly ugly -- I'd even go so far as to say tacky. With the fake carbon fibre and red-edged vents, I just can't take it seriously.

[Spikey]

Right...

"With the crown of the 3 Series slipping, this has become the brand's default driver's car."

Seems like it's another "paid/bmw bashing" review. All bias & no actual journalism/reviewing invovled

[AusF20/F48]

I find it amusing that these motoring writers never find too much wrong with Merc or Toyota. Funny how both brands are BIG add spenders in their mags.
Ask anyone who likes to 'drive' whether they prefer a plush interior or true drivability of the car. That is what BMW is about 'driving pleasure'
The Merc A Klass will out sell BMW's 1er because most of the buyers who are looking to buy, will buy it as a 'luxury' car not as a drivers car.
Give me the drivers car everytime

[Spikey]

Originally Posted by AusF20

The Merc A Klass will out sell BMW's 1er because most of the buyers who are looking to buy, will buy it as a 'luxury' car not as a drivers car.

^ this

it will outsell because Mercedes puts out so much ads into these motoring mags who "review" and writeup reviews about how will the car presents itself.....

+1 - Gimme a drivers car anyday over "luxury"

[AussieSimon]

Will be interesting to see if they publish comments. I posted one.

[mowflow]

Originally Posted by AusF20

Ask anyone who likes to 'drive' whether they prefer a plush interior or true drivability of the car. That is what BMW is about 'driving pleasure'
The Merc A Klass will out sell BMW's 1er because most of the buyers who are looking to buy, will buy it as a 'luxury' car not as a drivers car.
Give me the drivers car everytime

^ This

I test drove both back to back. I thought the Merc looked much nicer, the interior was less cluttered, standard level of kit was good but it just drove like any other hatchback apart from the gearbox which stood out as being the worst i'd ever experienced.

By contrast, the BMW had that involving feeling like it was an extension of me.

So I can kind of agree with the review in principal. The Merc is better if you aren't the kind of person that actually enjoys driving and purely see it as a necessity. I'm one of those other people who enjoys driving.

[ant234]

Was going to post the article from the papers this morning but work got in the way...
I know this is a BMW forum, thus it will be biased towards the 1er (I assume most of us purchased one)...

I do agree that the BMW is poor in value compared to the Merc... design wise, beauty is subjective to the individual (that's why the writer thinks the Merc looks like a $150k car)... but what I don't understand is that they rank those 2 things to be more important then the drive. The 125i and A250 are drivers car and that criteria, to me, is more important then value and 'design'.

The article was so one sided that its a joke... if they compared the lowest model (116i) then the drive will probably lower in the priority compared to value.

[macar]

The journalist almost said the 1er had a bad interior quality. That's really too harsh. When I look at the Merc's GPS, despite the quality, it gives me a bad impression.
Here another test about an A3 against 116D (in french). There they say that the 1er as good interior quality, even better that the audi and against Audi, it can only be a good thing.
http://www.turbo.fr/actualite-automo...s-bmw-116d-ed/

[vladberca]

The back of the A Class is so ugly!
I'd like to see more track times between these two models...

[elstoof]

http://www.driving.co.uk/clarkson/me...z/a-class/5554

[BMW_M2]

Another A250 vs 125i review, remember to put on the English Subs.

I personally its hard to give a true review, as each country has different pricing and different specs / option prices.

If in HK, I would buy the A250 only because 125i M Pack is US$10,000 more than A250 Sport.

[Brenyaman]

Originally Posted by vladberca

The back of the A Class is so ugly!
I'd like to see more track times between these two models...

+1

[Bilgal]

I honestly don't understand how some serious car magazines can rate the A-class in front of the 1-series... The only reason I can think of if you're into bling and exterior design is your one and only priority.

Before ordering my 1-series, I had a look at the A-class (among others). The interior quality was not impressive at all. The plastic panels in the Merc felt cheap compared to the rock solid feeling I got in the Golf and 1-series. The really poor visibility and offensive "iPad" also put me off. Entering the 1-class instantly made me feel at home, although I've never owned a BMW before. Then I drove it, and was totally sold...!

[ant234]

Originally Posted by elstoof

http://www.driving.co.uk/clarkson/me...z/a-class/5554

Not often do I agree with clarkson

But seriously another one sided article and to give where merit is due the A250 is certainly a better car then the 2 stars suggested.

[elstoof]

Ride quality and power to weight ratio are pretty much the only 2 things that Clarkson cares about.

[Spec83]

The A-Class infotainment screen is the most horrible piece of interior design I have seen - it's almost like they finished and went 'oh f%^k, were ist de screen' and just bluetacked an ipad to the dash

[ant234]

Another local AU review... much more balanced and I agree with most of it.
http://m.theage.com.au/drive/new-car...424-2idi8.html

Summary:
* value for $ and better 'look' - Merc A250
* drivers car - BMW 125i M sport

[frashed]

Originally Posted by ant234

Another local AU review... much more balanced and I agree with most of it.
http://m.theage.com.au/drive/new-car...424-2idi8.html

Summary:
* value for $ and better 'look' - Merc A250
* drivers car - BMW 125i M sport

... 'carbon fibre-look plastics', a class above... really? lol

Non-mobile format
http://theage.drive.com.au/new-car-c...424-2idi8.html

[ant234]

Originally Posted by frashed

... 'carbon fibre-look plastics', a class above... really? lol

Non-mobile format
http://theage.drive.com.au/new-car-c...424-2idi8.html

I did say I agree only to most of it
Looks and beauty is subjective, and while some hates the look of the f20, I actually like it especially with the M sport kit