A35

[Hertsman]

My time to select for changeover is in April and the reason looked at the A35 AMG was because was concerned the WLTP issues may mean that reelecting a Golf R may have been problematic. This seems to now be not such the issue as gates have opened on R being released to buyers and you can order the full range again on the VW website including the GTI TCR.

Have only sat in the 220 AMG Line at local Mercedes dealer and was quite impressed particularly given had such a dislike for the previous A series and most of the reviews that have seen have kept the A35 in thinking.

Given the spec of the A35 is by packs I came out with the £40630 price and that would have to be the price as think the car is underwhelming without the packs and that seems confirmed by the comments just seen here.

Noted the comment on leather actually be one of those not to option the leather as never liked and I would reset to the half leather option.

The monsoon grey with the Aerodynamic Kit would be #1 colour choice but think be happy with the zero cost red (£40035) as that contrast the feature quite well also.

The Golf R that would specify is £38,530 and though that £2100 (Monsoon grey) £1505 (Jupiter red)might seem not too much it might still be the difference to staying with the R

Really need to see one in the flesh and with some of the additions to be convinced as my R selection is safe, its an amazing car, and I can get my differentiation from my present by going for a more stealthier look in colour and wheels and there is some other bits and pieces in styling and tech that lift the 7.5 from my present 7

The Mercedes with that interior would obviously be a vast change, and do not say lift at this moment as still battle with the typical VW understated that personally like with the futuristic interior of the A35 - One moment I think wow, next I think of when played my PS 4 F1 game! Need to get in the cabin again and have proper acclimatization

Really like the look of the A35 with the Aerodynamic kit and darkened looks but out of the box standard does just look like any AMG line.

At present i am on the side of selecting the R again but am open to persuasion as they land in the UK and get to see more and see more comments here, which do value given you know the brand more than I

 

[Kirk88]

My time to select for changeover is in April and the reason looked at the A35 AMG was because was concerned the WLTP issues may mean that reelecting a Golf R may have been problematic. This seems to now be not such the issue as gates have opened on R being released to buyers and you can order the full range again on the VW website including the GTI TCR.

Have only sat in the 220 AMG Line at local Mercedes dealer and was quite impressed particularly given had such a dislike for the previous A series and most of the reviews that have seen have kept the A35 in thinking.

Given the spec of the A35 is by packs I came out with the £40630 price and that would have to be the price as think the car is underwhelming without the packs and that seems confirmed by the comments just seen here.

Noted the comment on leather actually be one of those not to option the leather as never liked and I would reset to the half leather option.

The monsoon grey with the Aerodynamic Kit would be #1 colour choice but think be happy with the zero cost red (£40035) as that contrast the feature quite well also.

The Golf R that would specify is £38,530 and though that £2100 (Monsoon grey) £1505 (Jupiter red)might seem not too much it might still be the difference to staying with the R

Really need to see one in the flesh and with some of the additions to be convinced as my R selection is safe, its an amazing car, and I can get my differentiation from my present by going for a more stealthier look in colour and wheels and there is some other bits and pieces in styling and tech that lift the 7.5 from my present 7

The Mercedes with that interior would obviously be a vast change, and do not say lift at this moment as still battle with the typical VW understated that personally like with the futuristic interior of the A35 - One moment I think wow, next I think of when played my PS 4 F1 game! Need to get in the cabin again and have proper acclimatization

Really like the look of the A35 with the Aerodynamic kit and darkened looks but out of the box standard does just look like any AMG line.

At present i am on the side of selecting the R again but am open to persuasion as they land in the UK and get to see more and see more comments here, which do value given you know the brand more than I

I was in the exact same situation as you back in December. Love my R and was set on another one until I saw the A35.
The thing is with the R it is essentially 5 years old despite the facelift i personally think it looks a little dated inside and out especially compared to the A35.
And although cars are now coming through the WLTP changes have basically made the car worse, loss of dual injection for example amongst other things so I find it hard to justify spending almost 40k on a model nearing the end of its life compared with something that is brand new and fresh.
And I think the A35 with the style pack looks great, with the aero it gives it something extra that the R was missing.
It’s a difficult decision though, you won’t go wrong with either but definitely go and see a well specced demo before you decide!

 

[Hertsman]

I was in the exact same situation as you back in December. Love my R and was set on another one until I saw the A35.
The thing is with the R it is essentially 5 years old despite the facelift i personally think it looks a little dated inside and out especially compared to the A35.
And although cars are now coming through the WLTP changes have basically made the car worse, loss of dual injection for example amongst other things so I find it hard to justify spending almost 40k on a model nearing the end of its life compared with something that is brand new and fresh.
And I think the A35 with the style pack looks great, with the aero it gives it something extra that the R was missing.
It’s a difficult decision though, you won’t go wrong with either but definitely go and see a well specced demo before you decide!

See the R slightly different in that the last version is the best of the run with improved media units, with most of the previous options now included as standard and with the Black Pretoria wheels giving more flexibility in the look - The 7.5 styling lift though typically VW just adds that little more to the front end than the 7 - my present is Lapiz with the sliver Pretoria and if stayed with the R would go Indium with the Black Pretoria the 90% tint which if add into the other tweak and options mentioned would mean a reasonable amount of differentiation from present ride and keep some freshness - so think there is benefit to being at the end of the run you basically get the finished version of the car

In terms of the dual injection to meet the WLTP, its a backward step IF keeping the car long term and it would play into my thinking if thats what intended to do, but I would be driving something else by time the coke issues started to manifest itself.

From what understand on the MK 8 they have ditched the hybrid, most of the innovation on the MQB platform came in the MK 7 and that aspect will be more an unnoticed evolution (given how great the present MQB chassis is accepted as) The MK 8 will likely have more tech and be more a gesture driven environment which may or may not be improvement depending on how functions in the day to day. There will be more BHP in the MK 8 of say 350 + but now the hybrid innovation has been backed away from the MK 8 might end up being more a 7.75 and the 7.5 will still seem pretty relevant.

I was an early adopter of the MK7 which is always nervous as you the guinea pig for others who follow and they sometimes benefit in later versions from your pain, but the MK 7 was great out of the box with very little issues which has been the theme throughout its life - The A35 looks well built and no reason to think it would not be same and so being an early adopter of an A35 is not a concern, if numbers stack up in being quite close it will all be about the feeling the A35 gives.

However, this A35 AMG + the packs (in native form, its not going to grab many, you will want the 12" screens, the wheels, the lighting options) does grab your attention, it has great flat lines, a lovely stance, and interior is wow (but I have also had the PS4 thoughts that worry me in terms of my long term appreciation of the tech)

There is also the cost, which even with staying with the Jupiter Red and avoiding some other nice to haves like the guided Sat Nav, comes out at £40035 and thats over £1500 more than the R. The Monsoon colour which is really my preferred takes that over £2000 and for a car that you suspect would drive quite similarly thats a lot of ££ for some increased tech.

Had a quick peek at the GTI TCR as like the styling but at only circa £700 difference to the R the style vs traction and likely harder ride had the R win that battle and its now down to just 2 choices, the R and the A35 AMG with decision needing to made in April when order.

First hurdle will be seeing how the prices matches up closer to the time, but if they do, its game on and I will see if can get a demonstrator for a day and just see how really feel about the AMG which have always wanted but as surf the £40k as a limit, its obviously been a non achievable marquee for me. think said previously, some of the hardcore AMG might look down onto the A35 but if you think from Mercedes perspective its super marketing as they have opened up a whole new demographic who would not look at the standard A series range and are about £10,000 off the A 45 and so stick with Audi, VW Ford and Honda for their hot hatch offering - thats a vast group of potential buyers.

Going to keep an eye out here, hopefully seeing some early adopters and just getting a feel for their experience and obviously do my own diligence and in April will let you know what decided and why.

 

[A35Kid]

I cant wait till I get my bog standard, uninspired A35. Roll on April.

 

[MarkP80]

Had a test drive in an A35 today whilst at the local MB dealership. Pretty basic spec , 18 inch alloys , no premium pack, aero pack etc in black so very understated did have adjustable suspension and HUD.

The good stuff , went well enough with + 300 bhp , nothing exceptional but quick enough for most of the time, felt well put together , dash and tech is very impressive. The not so good , the leather looked fake , felt fake and was just not nice. Sales guy promised it was real leather , but looked like it came off a rhino not a cow

- if it was the base model with no packs, then you are correct - it is fake leather.

 

[AndyRC]

- if it was the base model with no packs, then you are correct - it is fake leather.

Thank goodness for that, I did ask several times if it was real leather and was told that it was as the A35 only came with leather. If MB are going to fake it they could have based it on a cow not a rhino

 

[JBD]

Thank goodness for that, I did ask several times if it was real leather and was told that it was as the A35 only came with leather. If MB are going to fake it they could have based it on a cow not a rhino

The only material that is fake is the half and half dynamica/artico combination, which is on cars with no exec, premium or premium plus pack. The leather can be deselected though if you don’t want it, but still want one of those packs.


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[AndyRC]

The only material that is fake is the half and half dynamica/artico combination, which is on cars with no exec, premium or premium plus pack. The leather can be deselected though if you don’t want it, but still want one of those packs.


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Ok. I’ve said enough on this, at that price point the leather is shocking. I’m just waiting for the usual “It’s an A Class what do you expect” responses. Probably won’t have to wait long

 

[A35Kid]

I'm concerned. Is this fake leather, like faux leather? or leather not up to people's upturned nose standards?

 

[JBD]

I'm concerned. Is this fake leather, like faux leather? or leather not up to people's upturned nose standards?

The leather is leather. If you have the dynamica microfibre/ artico mix, it’s half fake leather


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[Alex]

Ok. I’ve said enough on this, at that price point the leather is shocking. I’m just waiting for the usual “It’s an A Class what do you expect” responses. Probably won’t have to wait long

It's a fake AMG, what do you expect? Fake leather is a must with these.

 

[A35Kid]

The leather is leather. If you have the dynamica microfibre/ artico mix, it’s half fake leather


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I just want to confirm its faux leather, rather then a leather not up to snobs standards.

It's half faux half material ?

 

[JBD]

I just want to confirm its faux leather, rather then a leather not up to snobs standards.

It's half faux half material ?

What interior have you ordered?


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[Hertsman]

Took drive over to Stevenage Sat as they are an AMG seller and knew they had a new AMG A35 in - Monsoon Grey, full specification including sunroof.

The grey is lovely and complements perfectly the many black features (noticed the trim was a finger print magnet) But with the Aerodynamic kit the A35 is a looker.

The interior tech was not switched on but seen enough videos to the visuals to understand what getting and more concerned to the quality, how put together and how feel in the cabin. The cabin is impressive, a nice place to be, but little concerned at the feel of the chrome switching as dare say it, feels a little plastic coated and not heavy and solid as would associate with metal - like others not impressed with the leather material and would likely specify the fabric/leather option. Seats themselves were very comfortable.

Adjustment for me coming from the R is the cabin feels more closed, definitely a completely different cabin experience as jumped straight back into the R which is bright and spacious by comparison and mainly due to larger windows maybe? Another adjustment for me would be the rear spoiler as quite like the Q nature of the R, and that Spoiler just draws attention and maybe attention when its parked? All performance hatches are targets think thats accepted but the R can silhouette and hide in a row of cars not sure the A35 does that with its features. - If had preference I would option wheels and not spoiler as think wheels are more the must have feature.

Cost is another aspect that could be the breaker as its £2000 more than the R would specify (as think would have to have the monsoon grey)

Questions have, is would the tech sustain with me? imagine so, and could I relax about the A35 being more visual in its intent? undecided.

Think it would drive very similar to the R from what established

The only other minor observation being on the switch quality.

Final verdict just on seeing and not driving is that its a real looker and a much improved cabin that is a great place to be (opposed to outgoing A Series) and if prices match up that actually have to pay come April its still in direct battle with the R

Did take images but do not run a hosting platform as likely hardly use but its definitely there at Stevenage to go see.

 

[AndyRC]

It's a fake AMG, what do you expect? Fake leather is a must with these.

Mercedes driver wins £850 payout over leather seats which were made partly from plastic | Daily Mail Online

If sold as leather and not real you could get a payout , could be the next PPI for the lawyers

 

[A35Kid]

What interior have you ordered?


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I've added nothing, just the bog standard uninspiring A35.

 

[A35Kid]

It's a fake AMG, what do you expect? Fake leather is a must with these.

If Thomas Majchrzak says its a true AMG, then that's good enough for me, and anyone else for that matter.

 

[SmartAmg]

Why would it not be a true AMG? Course it is!

 

[A35Kid]

Why would it not be a true AMG? Course it is!

I quite often hear and read that kind of reaction, I think crying fake when not warranted, I can only imagine puts up a mental barrier which blocks out the envy of anyone getting anything new that they don't have, don't want anyone else to be happy etc etc. You know, the kind of person you avoid at all costs at a party or a 'friend' you have that everyone sighs when you see them coming.

 

[Alex]

I quite often hear and read that kind of reaction, I think crying fake when not warranted, I can only imagine puts up a mental barrier which blocks out the envy of anyone getting anything new that they don't have, don't want anyone else to be happy etc etc. You know, the kind of person you avoid at all costs at a party or a 'friend' you have that everyone sighs when you see them coming.

You should stick around for a bit longer. We like all AMGs in this section. Even the fake ones ;-)