[AUSf22]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

I'm likely ordering a CLA45 in the next week or so. Poor service from two dealerships (didn't get a test drive despite an appointment and hanging around looking for someone to talk to at the second dealership) lead me to go look at the AMG showroom and after a test drive I'm more than impressed.

The first dealership is bringing a car to my work this week for me to test. But only after someone with a bit of sway put a complaint in on my behalf (I was happy to walk away and not deal with them again). I'll give it a go but it will want to be a hell of a car for me to buy one.

Ah, hopefully the test drive will change your opinion! For me personally, the customer service doesn't matter but more so the drive away price. I couldn't care if they were rude or pushy, as long as I walk away with the car I want with the price I had in mind, I'll be happy. All the BMW dealerships here in Sydney that I went to have been very welcoming and friendly, unfortunate to hear it is not the same in Brisbane .

[dtcoff]

I tried to test drive a CLA45 before ordering my M235i last year. No dealer in Sydney had one, not even an A45. They just asked full price and wait for over 12 months. Since driven the CLA45 and glad I made the right choice.

I don't get the best service from my BMW dealer even though I've bought 6 cars from them, but don't really care. They give me a great price and that's it.

You have to live with the car for longer than the buying experience, go for the car that you want.

[BMWRX]

All good advice. The CLA45, as a total package, is an amazing car. The interior of the BMW looks second rate compared to it and the body shape is pure awesome (the M235i rear end is rather questionable).

I could certainly live with the AMG. And the 2016 has even more power (280kw), improved transmission, and 0-100 of 4.2!

I'll drive the M235i and see how it goes. If it's anything like my 135i (stock), then it'll be a great car.

[BMWRX]

I just test drove the M235i and to be honest, it's a step back from my 135i. Sure, it's unfair to compare it to a car with a JB4, etc, etc, but the steering is far too light, the brakes are substandard, and the interior plastics are on par with far cheaper cars. I think I'd kick myself if I dished out $100K on a newer, albeit lesser, version of the car I already owned, just because it had comfort access, navigation, and a few graphics (albeit pretty simple, clear, and unobtrusive) on the instrument panel.

The induction noise is intoxicating and the little burp on upshifts works well as it only happens when going hard and all but disappears when driving sedately (the CLA45 burps on every upshift in sport mode from what I can gather). The seats are comfy and overall it's a nice place to be, but it just didn't feel special.

I'm glad that I'm a little disappointed in the M235i as it helps make my decision easier. If it was $20K cheaper, then it really would be a coin toss, but in my eyes only one of the cars I'm looking at demands a pricetag of, and looks like, a $100K vehicle.

Perhaps I've been a little spoiled with my 135i, as it's a cracking drive. If I was jumping into the M235i from any normal car, I'd be drooling over it.

There are a few months until the 2016 CLA45 specs are confirmed, so there's still time left for my 135i change my mind.

[den525]

Cla45 is too boyracer for me... The fake carbon fibre trims etc just doesn't do it for me but each to their own.

I like the m235i a lot more, it has a much better engine.

[AUSf22]

Maybe give this video a watch, start it from 8:00 mins onwards! racecar driver Randy Pobst says the m235 is his favourite BMW in the last 10 years

[BMWRX]

I agree the M235i has the better engine but as a whole car I don't think it is as good. I just can't get over the lack of connection in the steering, less than impressive brakes, and lack of luxury in the cabin.

I've seen that video, along with many, many others that give the BMW the nod, and despite that, my opinion differs. Most videos focus on purely the driving experience. If that was the case, an Arial Atom would be the best car ever but, as we all know, there's a lot more to a car than just how it goes around a corner. If I was to choose, right now, based on driving alone, I'd happily keep my 135i (along with the squeaks, rattles, and bits failing).

[dtcoff]

I just couldn't live with the rock hard ride and slow transmission on the CLA45 on a daily basis. Based on what I paid and hear what others paid for M235i, I'd say that it's at least $10k cheaper than the MB. If you're willing to pay 100k, wait for the M2 as that is the real competitor to the CLA45 as it's a real AMG and the M235i is not a full ///M.

[BMWRX]

All good points. An M235i with the same specs as a CLA45 is pretty much on par for price from what I've seen so far (I haven't really pushed dealers yet on price).

The M2 will be a fair chunk more expensive from what I understand.

As for the transmission, yes it's a bit ordinary in the CLA at the moment. The 2016 model is supposed to have fixed that and it's rumoured to have adaptive suspension (as yet confirmed if standard or option).

[den525]

There's a lot of moving room in terms of price for the m235i. My rrp was $99.6k and I only paid $81.8k.

Anyways not sure about now but when I was looking to buy 6 months ago, cla45 doesn't seem to have any moving room whatsoever. Maybe they do now, considering when I went to merc last week there was like 15+ cla45 and a45 sitting on the lot.

So yea different people have different opinions on which one is better. But 6 months ago a fully spec'd m235i being $20k cheaper than the cla45, it was a very easy decision, better overall package and much cheaper

[den525]

Ps on a side note of the cla45 and a45 a lot of people seem to be letting theirs go after a year or so... Heaps and heaps of them on carsales and at dealers

[BMWRX]

All good points. And a fully spec'd M235i at $80k makes it a totally different proposition. You're right, there are three parts of no movement on the CLA45 price.

On Carsales there are 34 CLA45's and 28 M235i's so not a huge difference (and I'm not noting that to start an argument - it actually surprised me how many of both are for sale). I wonder how many, on both sides, will appear once the M2 is released. I'm guessing a lot.

[im_dave]

Both good cars. I had a similar decision when I bought the 235. Both drive well for my purposes.

Things that turned me off the A45/CLA45: iPad looking nav, nav graphics and text font, the bonnet opening mechanism (no hydraulics), red highlights everywhere, and the stories of the cars catching fire.

Things that I didn't like about the 235: interior prob not as fresh as the MB, stock 18" wheels, exhaust not loud enough.

The last of which is subjective - I couldn't deal with the CLA rear end. ?AU falcon

[dtcoff]

First parking spot available was next to another M235i. Rare sighting of 2 together.

[WasabiJim]

surely that deserves a prize!

[david.orr]

I have seen more 2s these days, mostly white ones. Rare to find 2 parked next to each other, not even in the dealer lot

[BenWM]

andrew@southernBM installed my M Performance diffuser and chrome exhaust tips yesterday. Had the diffuser installed painted in gloss black, a little hesitant at first, but really happy with the results. Before and after pics below

[im_dave]

Originally Posted by BenWM

andrew@southernBM installed my M Performance diffuser and chrome exhaust tips yesterday. Had the diffuser installed painted in gloss black, a little hesitant at first, but really happy with the results. Before and after pics below

Nice! Did you get the MPE or just the tips?

Looks great though. I am still deciding on matt grey (stock finish) or gloss black for the MP rear diffuser. Do you have the MP front splitter too?

[im_dave]

My M performance twin

[BenWM]

Originally Posted by im_dave

Nice! Did you get the MPE or just the tips?

Looks great though. I am still deciding on matt grey (stock finish) or gloss black for the MP rear diffuser. Do you have the MP front splitter too?

No front splitter, it's just too low. Instead, I've had some vinyl wrap done at Grafico North Melbourne. SouthernBM also supplied and fitted the kidney grills.

[im_dave]

Originally Posted by BenWM

No front splitter, it's just too low. Instead, I've had some vinyl wrap done at Grafico North Melbourne. SouthernBM also supplied and fitted the kidney grills.

Nice one. My concern was the gloss black rear diffuser will not match the matte black front splitter? Do you notice that at all?

PS. I know what you mean about the splitter being low!

[Jamie88]

Put the new plates on next 30% tints and possibly exhaust