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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum BMW 2 Series (F22) Forum 2 Series Photos and Videos CLA45 AMG vs. M235i (Autoguide)

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      05-12-2014, 04:57 PM   #1
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CLA45 AMG vs. M235i (Autoguide)

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      05-12-2014, 05:59 PM   #2
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      05-12-2014, 06:36 PM   #3
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first time I've heard anyone say the brakes on the bmw are better than the merc.
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      05-12-2014, 07:13 PM   #4
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Its possible that they liked the m235i better so things just felt better all around to them.
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      05-12-2014, 07:14 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///cpt View Post
first time I've heard anyone say the brakes on the bmw are better than the merc.
This is the second time you can hear it then. Test drove mercedes c350 and had to press on brake super hard just to fully stop vs. 335 mid way on brake. test drove e350 and 535 a year later and still same thing.

Now, CLA amg brakes are probably better than m235i since i (assume) its twin piston both rear and front but who knows.
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      05-12-2014, 07:22 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbbplanet View Post
This is the second time you can hear it then. Test drove mercedes c350 and had to press on brake super hard just to fully stop vs. 335 mid way on brake. test drove e350 and 535 a year later and still same thing.

Now, CLA amg brakes are probably better than m235i since i (assume) its twin piston both rear and front but who knows.
i should have been more specific, by bmw and merc, i meant specifically the M235i and the CLA45 AMG. i haven't driven many varieties of either bmw or merc to generalize on my own
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      05-12-2014, 09:08 PM   #7
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I didnt know twin piston brakes are better than the Msport/Brembo 4 piston front and 2 piston rear
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      05-12-2014, 11:41 PM   #8
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Nice, thx for sharing
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      05-13-2014, 12:19 PM   #9
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An interesting thing about this review is the duration. They had and lived with both cars for a week. Much better than all the comparisons done on a track in a single afternoon. Interesting that they made points about the back seat and trunk space that the the track reviewers are going to gloss over.

At the end of the day, there are 2 things that you can't get past when comparing these 2 cars:

1) If you don't like the look of the CLA (many don't) then you're somewhat stuck
2) There's no easy answer for improving that bad DCT tranny.

Conversely, an M235i owner can add a tune, an exhaust and some MP brakes and get a better all-around car for probably less money than the CLA.
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      05-13-2014, 02:06 PM   #10
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I like this review very much!
I found it odd in the previous reviews that the M235i actually stops faster in numbers, yet they gave the Merc more points for the brakes.
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      05-13-2014, 03:23 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bennu View Post
I like this review very much!
I found it odd in the previous reviews that the M235i actually stops faster in numbers, yet they gave the Merc more points for the brakes.
i think this has more to do with brake travel and feel, rather than stopping distance. i don't think i'll be disappointed either way
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      05-13-2014, 10:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///cpt
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bennu View Post
I like this review very much!
I found it odd in the previous reviews that the M235i actually stops faster in numbers, yet they gave the Merc more points for the brakes.
i think this has more to do with brake travel and feel, rather than stopping distance. i don't think i'll be disappointed either way
Same
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      05-14-2014, 08:53 AM   #13
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What's up with the wheels on the M235i?
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      05-14-2014, 10:19 AM   #14
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All season option maybe?
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      05-14-2014, 11:32 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ska325xi View Post
I didnt know twin piston brakes are better than the Msport/Brembo 4 piston front and 2 piston rear
just looked it up and actually amg is 4 piston rear and single piston front with a larger brake disc than m235. so idk.. hard to say.
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      05-15-2014, 09:43 AM   #16
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Mercs are more of a vanity in my opinion, BMW make the car for sport!
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      05-15-2014, 09:43 AM   #17
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Sorry, but honestly like the Merc AMG better ... The M235i is not truly an M car ... Just my opinion ...
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      05-15-2014, 10:02 AM   #18
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hmm looks like this was shot in Toronto...
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      05-15-2014, 10:20 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bladeomatic View Post
An interesting thing about this review is the duration. They had and lived with both cars for a week. Much better than all the comparisons done on a track in a single afternoon. Interesting that they made points about the back seat and trunk space that the the track reviewers are going to gloss over.

At the end of the day, there are 2 things that you can't get past when comparing these 2 cars:

1) If you don't like the look of the CLA (many don't) then you're somewhat stuck
2) There's no easy answer for improving that bad DCT tranny.

Conversely, an M235i owner can add a tune, an exhaust and some MP brakes and get a better all-around car for probably less money than the CLA.


The CLA, apparently, takes design cues from a slug.

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      05-15-2014, 10:22 AM   #20
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Really enjoyed this review. Of course, everyone is going to develop their own opinion of a car. These guys both clearly liked the M235i more. What I liked about the review was that these reviewers seemed a lot more relatable. They seem like a couple of "normal" guys, but not as annoying as those TFL Car clowns.

EDIT: I can't believe no one has commented on how FILTHY the cars were though. The engine bay shots of the Merc almost made me cry. And have a look at the wheels on the BMW. When he pulled out the thigh support in the BMW, I almost busted a gut laughing at all the crumbs in there. Hilarious that they didn't clean the cars up before filming all those great pan shots.
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      05-15-2014, 10:27 AM   #21
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I own both cars.
The m235i is an all around better car.
The BMW is very well balanced and easy to drive. This version of the n55 is also a very sweet engine. I think the m235i is one of the best cars you can get in this price range. A base Cayman can be had for a little more if you order a stripper. I had a base 2011 Cayman and even though it was low on power and torque. It was extremely fun car to drive at 10/10ths. I imagine the new body style Cayman is even better.
The CLA45 is rougher around the edges, has flaws, but is more fun than the m235i. The engine is amazing. The transmission is actually very fun in Manual mode. The other modes, not so much. When you drive spiritedly in manual mode, the CLA45 will pop, snort and fart like crazy, well I do have the AMG Performance exhaust on my car. It sounds stupid, but the noises that this car makes are just addictive. It is definitely an imperfect car though and that is part of its charm.

In my opinion, if you watch the video of Chris Harris comparing the A45 to the M135, that is the best explanation, even though they are different but similar cars.
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      05-15-2014, 10:32 AM   #22
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CLA45 AMG brakes bite very early. I like that.
M235i brakes are very, very good, once you adjust to giving them more input.
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