M3 to a Benz CLA45 AMG?

[nivek311]

There's not too much to know right now about the CLA, but the little information that has been leaked online. I live higher up in elevation and it would be great to have the boost. Crazy to even consider moving from an M3 to this car?

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/i...45_AMG#landing

[soniczoom5]

more info here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/2...the-big-apple/

[bsmack]

It looks pretty sweet, and boost is always fun. It should also get better mileage. I've never driven an AWD Merc though, would be curious to see the handling characteristics!

Completely unrelated cars, but I will say that my dad had a 740i for years and bought an s500. He always regretted that decision.

edit: Pretty competitive price given the specs!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

I have both a ///M3 and the Benz is a AWD with the AMG package ... I like the Benz in the winter months, however, nothing to compare to the ///M3 handling or performance wise.

[visvim_m3]

Not as handsome as the M3 or as quick as the Audi S3...

[W///]

Not a fan of this car at all (the CLA in general). Profile just looks extremely strange to me. I think A3 and hopefully 2GC looks much better IMO.

As for trading M3 for this? I'd never in a million years do it.

[roddyc]

I'm giving a little consideration to this too...the price point is right although I'm not a huge fan of the aesthetics (profile kind of looks like a G37 and the the interior looks a little too busy). Fuel economy from what I've heard sounds pretty promising, especially coming from the M (I heard somewhere around 34 mpg). I'm kind of excited to see how the DCT performs and I would assume extra power would be fairly easy to come by too for relatively cheap. I am not expecting it to be as much fun as the M (especially given the front biased AWD), but maybe a little more practical for someone who never tracks their car.

[e1000]

Originally Posted by Mr. ///M3 RD

I have both a ///M3 and the Benz is a AWD with the AMG package ... I like the Benz in the winter months, however, nothing to compare to the ///M3 handling or performance wise.

But this is like saying a "BMW with M-sport package", it's still nothing near a real AMG, which the CLA45 would be.

[sensi09]

I think it may make a better daily in terms of gas and comfort....and always fun to have the new thing out. I'd totally rather have the M3, but if it's a daily and you change cars often, why not.

Not awd, but the CLA250 doesn't seem to impress http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evoc..._pictures.html

[brava09]

So from a V8 you want to go to 4 inline? And from RWD you want to go to a FWD platform that from time to time will send some power to the rears? And pay a lot of money for that?

[mdosu]

downgrade from a M3, but slight upgrade if you're coming from an Evo or STi or TTRS

[M3PO]

They took a CLS and managed to make it look even more strange. Do not want.

[nivek311]

Originally Posted by visvim_m3

Not as handsome as the M3 or as quick as the Audi S3...

True on the first point, but the AMG CLA should spank the S3.

[Brucewonder]

car looks like utter trash. Seems as if they took a toyota corolla and slapped on a body kit.

[nivek311]

Appreciate the responses all have valid points and are pragmatic. My buddy here has an S4 and is thinking of moving to the new S3 at some point. Here's a little comparo:

[badazzm]

It's cute. Will not leave M3 for this thing.

[LemonOne]

Leaving M3 behind for this crap? Hell no for me.

[nivek311]

It's definitely not a coincidence that all of the replies about not leaving the M3 are from CA. The elevation just sucks the power out of her. Another option is to go ESS. Probably doesn't help that I just drove a co-workers 2014 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 yesterday too.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by nivek311

Appreciate the responses all have valid points and are pragmatic. My buddy here has an S4 and is thinking of moving to the new S3 at some point. Here's a little comparo:

So 8k...for about 50 HP?

Why not just mod the car and get that much power with a tune and some parts?

[dreamspeed]

I really like the CLA but i don't really think i would cross shop a M3 and a CLA AMG

[happos2]

I think a better comparison for the CLA is the RS3 (has this come out yet), not the S3. Just like the S4 competes with the 335 and the RS4 competes with the C63 and M3.

[W///]

Originally Posted by nivek311

Appreciate the responses all have valid points and are pragmatic. My buddy here has an S4 and is thinking of moving to the new S3 at some point. Here's a little comparo:

Says it all for me. That CLA still looks completely awful from the profile vs S3 which IMO looks great.