Vs Autoexpress: BMW 125iM vs MB A250 AMG sport vs Audi A3

[Zafiro]

[image no longer available]sites/autoexpress.co.uk/files/styles/article_main_image/public/header_29.jpg
Audi: The Audi A3 is a model of restraint that aims for refinement over thrills.
BMW: The 1 Series mixes practicality and performance to brilliant effect.
Mercedes: The new Mercedes A-Class looks the part, but does it deliver on the road?

Full story: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/a-class/60770/mercedes-a-class-vs-rivals

 

[klier]

Perfectly said.

Verdict

By pushing the A-Class upmarket, Mercedes has set its newest addition on a risky collision course with some of the best models in the business. So has the gamble paid off?
Well, if you value style above everything else, the Mercedes scores a direct hit. And although some of the cabin quality is a little below par, the interior is eye-catching and packed with clever hi-tech equipment.
Yet there’s no escaping the fact the all-new A-Class isn’t quite as roomy as its rivals, and it doesn’t feel as composed on the road. It also costs more to fuel and service. As a result, it finishes a disappointing third in this test.
Separating the BMW and Audi is tougher. The A3 is beautifully built, handsome and features a keen engine, but ultimately it can’t quite match the brilliant 1 Series. Fast, fun, practical and cost effective to run, the BMW is still the champ.

Nice try by Audi of course, but you can't honestly expect a remodelled Golf to win over the magical F20.
Did I say magical? Yes, that's what I said indeed.

They should put the A class against a Citroen DS. See how that works out for them.

 

[Wolfgang]

No surprise really, as they should have compared with the A250 SPORT.

It's coming, though.

We'll be doing another test with the A-Class in Sport spec in the coming weeks to see if it's better.
Thanks again
Dean Gibson
Deputy road test editor

 

[Wunderkind]

The 1 series is as ugly as sin to my eyes.

According to a number of reviews, the A Class' ride and refinement is very tyre-sensitive.

Also, Mercedes needs to do something about the shift quality of the DCT gearbox. It might be the algorithm and the how various electronic engine and gearbox control modules interact. It just needs to be better.

 

[Wolfgang]

Mr. Mercedes explained it recently. Suspect the A250 SPORT may shift differently?

Problem is, the vehicle he is test driving is not the real AMG Sport. It's just an AMG package. The A250 Sport Engineered by AMG has a different suspension set up, transmission set up as well as engine characteristics.

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...2013-first-drives-reviews-thread.44033/page-4
http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...rcedes-benz-a-class.43509/page-14#post-604844

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

It's Mercedes own fault for creating this confusion with the A250. The AMG sport pack should have been left exclusively to the lower end models. If you wanted an AMG fitted A250, the ONLY choice should have been the A250 Sport Engineered by AMG. As far as I understand the suspension on the engineered by AMG A250 is quite different to a regular vehicle fitted with the AMG kit.

Wunderkind also raises a valid point regarding tires. What's interesting is the fitment of runflats for some markets and tire fit for others. MB probably doesn't have BMW's long running expertise when it comes to tuning suspensions for run flats as they have adopted the technology relatively late. I think as such the ride quality suffers considerably when they are fitted. For the Australian market the A250 Sport engineered by AMG will be running regular tires and NOT runflats. A wise move I believe.

It would be good if reviews specified what tires and what suspension was being tested.

 

[mini_cooper4]

The F20 is the best driver's car BMW has to offer excl. M models and most probably the best BMW overall
It's DAMN GOOD and it's a pity it's so ugly!

 

[Wolfgang]

Ola Källenius and Tobias Moers talk about the A250 SPORT at the end of this vid.

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http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/official-2013-mercedes-benz-a-class.43509/page-5

GASOLINE

A250 BlueEfficiency .... EU33498.50
A250 AMG Sport ........ EU35890.40
A250 SPORT ............. EU36860.25 <---- This one is "Engineered by AMG". Expected December 2012.

DIESEL

A220 CDI ................. EU33736.50
A220 CDI AMG Sport .. EU36128.40
A220 CDI SPORT ....... TBD <---- This one is "Engineered by AMG". Expected spring 2013.

 

[Zafiro]

Its a hefty price you pay to get A250 Sport by AMG. A BMW M135i cost 'only' 3500 euro more and you get 320hp/450nm. In fact both 125iM and A250 are quite expensive compare to M135i.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ola Källenius and Tobias Moers talk about the A250 SPORT at the end of this vid.

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http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/official-2013-mercedes-benz-a-class.43509/page-5

GASOLINE

A250 BlueEfficiency .... EU33498.50
A250 AMG Sport ........ EU35890.40
A250 SPORT ............. EU36860.25 <---- This one is "Engineered by AMG". Expected December 2012.

DIESEL

A220 CDI ................. EU33736.50
A220 CDI AMG Sport .. EU36128.40
A220 CDI SPORT ....... TBD <---- This one is "Engineered by AMG". Expected spring 2013.

WHY are they calling it an an A250AMG sport, and the true AMG model an A250 Sport. It makes abosolutely no sense.

 

[Wolfgang]

Agreed, can be confusing. The AMG Sport in the A250 AMG Sport just indicates the name of the package. MB Germany
offers the six packages listed below. MB Australia may offer a different selection optimised for Australian tastes.

STYLE
URBAN
AMG Sport
NIGHT
Exclusive
AMG Exclusive

http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-0-1-1504044-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

PS. The article mentions the red highlight rings in the lights of the A250 SPORT:

Hints of red on the AMG front and rear aprons also serve to emphasise the expressive positioning of the new model. In conjunction with Intelligent Light System or bi-xenon lights, the headlamps also have red highlight rings. The contrast between black trim and additional accents in red continues in the interior: the contrasting decorative topstitching on the steering wheel and seats is in this same bright shade, as are the seat belts. The highlight rings of the air vents are similarly finished in red.

Here's a picture someone posted on MB Passion:
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MB Passion -- The Black Falcon Eyes