Mercedes A35 or A45 AMG

[RIJKO]

Hi everyone, this is a tricky question. I am interested in one of the above to use as an everyday car with a bit of character, well made and interesting to look at too.

I have a sports car and I started by testing a A200 as a run about and all great until you put your foot down to overtake and nothing happens.

So I spent a lot of time researching the two cars above and although the A45 was praised it was almost always driven on a track. Those days for me are few and far between now but I do enjoy driving. My past cars, Saab 900 Turbo last of the old ones (individiual and well build, Audi S3 ( comfortable but a bit boring, the VW Golf would have been better but the mark 5 was a bit ugly), Mini Cooper S ( a go kart and fun at low speeds too) Mercedes 320 (not built like the old ones), Volvo C70 ( now my friends decided I was getting old, Subaru Impreza WRX Prodrive (amazing to drive, unbelievable road holding, fantastic gearbox, very reliable but expensive to run and although the chasis was like a piece on granite, it’s bodywork and interior were a bit flimsy). I now have an Aston Martin Vantage ( which is beautiful and timeless, with British niggles). no doubt a Porche 911 is a better car but the Aston timeless presence and a beautiful sound.

I have my dads 28 year old Mercedes C180 as my runabout (when they were well built but it is very underpowered). My dad looked after it like a baby and I simply would find it impossible to part with. however, I would like a fun everyday car, life is short and I have had several close calls

So back to the question of A35 or A45. Does anyone have experience of them. I’d be very interested in opinions from owners or those that have driven them. There is a significant price difference.

Thank you for listening to my rant if you have got this far.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

A45 has a unique 8 speed double clutch apparently and kicks the a35's **** out of the park ,when it's down to performance.

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[GeeJayW]

If you’re buying used, suggest reading this…

Thread 'Unable to engage Race Start in A35'

Nov 20, 2024

Hello everyone,

I recently just got a 2019 A35 and absolutely love it (first Mercedes, dream car is A45S but this is an excellent entry point). However, when I try and launch it by doing the left foot brake, aggressive full throttle, sport/sport+, correct engine temps etc, I don't get the little notification on the screen with 'race start release brake to start'. I should also mention, I only have the 7 inch screens compared to the 10 inch ones so maybe that is a factor but I didn't think it would be.

Thanks

• martiryu
• Replies: 16
• Forum: Performance Lounge

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The A 35 and A 45 S are both great cars, but I’d say the A 45 is more likely to be better suited based upon your opening paragraph. Both are very fast in real world conditions, but the A 45 S is noticeably quicker

I’ve never owned either but I have driven the A 45 S several times, and have spent a disproportionate amount of time on track in one. I say surprising because it’s not really suited to track driving - but better than I expected.

It comes into it’s own for (very) fast road driving, being 4matic, twin clutch and small footprint means that it covers ground as fast as anything - crushing almost anything else on the quintessential British B road on a miserable day.

I personally find it frustrating to drive normally though. Unless you’re really “driving it” it has a mix of lethargy and urgency which makes mundane drives frustrating. Best drive one on your intended routes before committing.

Great cars.

 

[liamt]

As someone who owns an A35 and has driven both cars on and off the track I personally would still go for the A35. If budget allows, get a facelift as you'll get the 8 speed box rather than the 7 in the pre-facelift. If you're going used,avoid the earlier 2019-21 A35 cars as there is well documented issues with cylinder heads.Whilst the A45s is much quicker on track and is more impressive in terms of track handling, if you're driving it normally every day on public roads,it is very firm. This may be impractical for everyday use. In my opinion the A35 gives that perfect balance of power and comfort when used on the road whilst still putting a smile on your face when giving it a little stick. This was the rationale behind my choice when I looked at both cars, I would never use the full range of the A45s on the road so couldn't justify the difference in price. I'm probably going to move the A35 on later in 2025 but the replacement won't be an A45S, I'm looking at the C43 to fill its shoes.

 

[SmartAmg]

A45s. nuff said, end of.

 

[c63chris]

I had an A45 from new and loved it. Stupid fast when you want it to be but really easy to drive around town. Only thing I found was quite noisy and bouncy at high motorway speeds which was tiring so not a car for long distances 70+ if you know what I mean. No problems other than turbo started whistling and replaced on warranty.

 

[TrueSpirit]

I had a GLA 45 and what a glorious thing it was . It was only a 2017 so pre OPF and the sound track was out of this world. Personally if my budget permitted, it would be an A45 with active dampers etc. It will have that X factor and will be worth it I imagine

 

[f17ant]

Which S3 did you have ? I only ask as the A35 might feel a bit slow compared to it (nothing wrong with its performance but the A45S is a much quicker car).

If your not really bothered with high performance the A35 will have less running costs

Both great cars

 

[SamW]

I found the A35 far more useable and fun as you could ring its neck without going *too* fast. The A45s was a monster - sound track could've been more inspiring but loved the widebody and look of it.

Both are great.

 

[dbm]

I haven’t driven an A35, I have a CLA45S however. Having driven a lot of fast Audis over the years (and an Impreza too - see my sig for the full list) the CLA45S is an amazing car - far more dynamic than any of my Audis. The 4Matic+ AWD system is incredible and the car’s agility is up there with anything else I have driven (including the Mini Cooper S my wife had). The A35 lacks this more advanced system and so will feel less dynamic than an A45S.

I personally find the car perfectly usable as a daily and fairly regularly do 200+ motorway journeys in the car. The sport seats in the 45S cars also make it feel much more special just by sitting in it.

 

[Bigun37]

Very happy with my FL 2024 A35. I have owned seriously more powerful cars than both the 35 and 45. Unless you are are tracking the car every week , which would be crazy! The A35 , especially the FL, which isn't 305bhp , trust me its not, it's more than enough .
One complaint from me is the suspension, it's too soft , I found the 45 soft . Saying that my previous car would rattle my teeth out with the sports dampers set in normal or sport ! Looking forward to my day out at the MB track in April !
The only reason I nearly purcahsed the 45s was the M139 engine , its a masterpiece

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I have owned seriously more powerful cars than both the 35 and 45.

 

[Bigun37]

991 GTS , more bhp, more torque, quicker to 60. No photos of the A35 , I don't really take any photos of my cars. I have some nice shots of my 924 I restored , don't own anymore. . Porsches on the prom at Prestatyn. Sold this and went old school , far too quick for the UK roads. Went backwards , bought a 997 c2s , loved that car , lots smaller , steering sublime! You can see i have a thing for open top driving and blue . That's why my A35 is grey and the touring edition so the sun roof was deleted

 

[Bigun37]

When I was looking through my photos , I came across a photo of the AMG 1 from Goodwood. I have never noticed before , but the FL front bumper has taken some design inspiration from the one. Not the only thing , I believe the mild hybrid system is also there , it shares the same key and the info system is very similar.
What do you think can you see the similar lines on the front bumper?

 

[dbm]

I can see a family link there

 

[SmartAmg]

I can see a family link there

Well, they've both got 4 wheels.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

When I was looking through my photos , I came across a photo of the AMG 1 from Goodwood. I have never noticed before , but the FL front bumper has taken some design inspiration from the one. Not the only thing , I believe the mild hybrid system is also there , it shares the same key and the info system is very similar.
What do you think can you see the similar lines on the front bumper? View attachment 166024

Sort of. The AMG One and A 35 both have front bumpers (and headlights) which are an evolution of the the styling applied to all AMGs for the last ten years or so, the earliest of which was maybe the W212 E 63 facelift. It’s the house style of AMG.

 

[Bigun37]

Sort of. The AMG One and A 35 both have front bumpers (and headlights) which are an evolution of the the styling applied to all AMGs for the last ten years or so, the earliest of which was maybe the W212 E 63 facelift. It’s the house style of AMG.


View attachment 166025

I wonder who they pinched that idea from then

 

[ALFAitalia]

I bet there are quite a few people with A35 models that lust after an A45.....and as good as they probably are I cant imagine it happens much the other way around!....so there's your answer!!!