Test drove an AMG 45 yesterday....

[guffy]

I test drove the new AMG 45 yesterday and was blown away enough to put a deposit down!

Getting back in the old RS4 felt more like a battle worn warrior compared to the new kid on the block.

Trying to figure out how I can keep the old girl, more from a practical viewpoint than financial, hate the thought of her not being used.

It might be considered a downward step if I do sell up for a hot hatch, but the AMG really is a beast (it's no beauty!). It is expensive for a hatch (£38k, £42k with options), but worth it to me, plus it should be reasonably uncommon.

355bhp, 332lb-ft, 4-matic drive and a very impressive suspension set-up, a rorty exhaust and a fantastic interior tick all the boxes for me. Would have preferred a manual option, but never had an auto before, so may enjoy a change, although it is the one reservation I have about the car.

It really is quite a B road weapon, a standard RS4 would not get past it, it's composure round the corners is rock solid and the steering is pin sharp.

Will try and at least keep the RS4 for a bit after I have the AMG in case I've made a horrendous mistake

[Spaceman_RS4]

Nice one iv been looking and reading a lot bout these. Look great might be a plan in a year or two. You'll need to post some pics up to. How long for build?

[Noyjatat]

Sounds good buddy, was it wet when you took it out? If not might be worth booking a second test drive hopefully on a wet day. Known a few guys change their minds on Jags/Mercs/Beemers once they took them out in the wet. I'm not saying they are bad in the wet just that you need two driving styles weather dependent.

[PJC]

It's four wheel drive.

[PJC]

Saw one at Mercedes World about two months ago, left hand drive and sorry you can't open the door to get a better look.

Did look good though, not sure about the IPad stuck on the dash though.

[535dboy]

Did look good though, no sure about the IPad stuck on the dash though.

Agree that looks awful but the car is on our radar to replace the Porsche in a few years

[guffy]

I had the same reservations about the dash mounted ipad thingy, it's not the clean-line look I normally like, but when you're sat in the car, it suddenly makes sense. The rest of the layout is clean and functional, but stylish too.

I should get the car at the end of September/beginning of October. ALl 20 build slots that the dealer had allocated are gone now, so might be into next year for the next batch. This is Aberdeen though, paradise for car salesman!

I've ordered white with 19in spoke Matt Black wheels, panoramic sunroof, sports exhaust and heated seats/washers. There's actually very few options to choose from, although the salesman tried really hard to sell me the driving experience event which includes removing the top-speed limiter for £2k, almost suggesting I was mad not to take it. Either I was missing something or it's the biggest waste of wonga since I purchased £2k of dot-com shares in 1999.

[mark758]

Its horses for courses, one man's bread etc.... but I felt the interior build quality was terrible. The carbon body add-ons look very halfords.
Realistically they are very few cars that (without a professional race driver) would 'drive round' any well driven 4WD 400bhp car on public B road imho
There are a few companies that produce much better 4wd system then the 4matic and it's not difficult to squeeze 400 bhp put of 2 litres.
Gut feel is there are quite a few more attractive, better performing auto solutions to 400bhp 2L turbo 4wd than the A45.
I'd keep my powder dry and see if a saloon RS3 appears, but a second hand RS3 sportback with a 410bhp remap feels a better buy....or anything with a V8 lol

[Graeme4130]

I've heard mixed opinions from those that have driven one.
I've only had a limited peak at it, and it's certainly a purposeful looking car

Out of interest, how did you find the firmness of the suspension ? Evo mag seemed to think it was too tough, whereas a 991 C2S owning friend of mine said it was fine after a test drive.

I might have to pop over the dealership for a good look this week

[Noyjatat]

Hehe I obviously haven't read the brochure four wheel drive

What would be the other German alternatives then in the same price/model region?

[Nickyboy]

Hehe I obviously haven't read the brochure four wheel drive

What would be the other German alternatives then in the same price/model region?

Nothing being built at the moment. We await the new 1M and RS3.

[guffy]

Out of interest, how did you find the firmness of the suspension ? Evo mag seemed to think it was too tough, whereas a 991 C2S owning friend of mine said it was fine after a test drive.

The ride is firm, but not choppy IMO, just feels so solid with very little body roll and superb cornering grip.

It will have it's haters as it does try and make a fairly bold statement which can often result in some polarised opinions

[Dec369]

I think they look nice from the front but then all falls apart at the back, looks like a squashed CLS lol

[sakimano]

I think they look nice from the front but then all falls apart at the back, looks like a squashed CLS lol

Are you referring to the new four door saloon CLA?

I thought OP bought an A45 (below) not a CLA45 (farther down) .



Vs

[Surrey Sam]

Chirs Harris has just done a written review on the AMG A45, he states that a video against the M135 will be forth coming in a couple of weeks.

When it comes to looks though, I thought my fall from the ugly tree was bad...but that thing has me trumped

http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/do ... 10&i=28045