A good time to buy?

[Blauweisser]

A couple of weeks ago, we sloped into Brisbane BMW to check out the 4-series. We knocked back a test drive, because we'd had some wine with lunch. The salesguy rang me yesterday, telling me this month was a good time to buy, talking about "skinny deals". His story is, BMW Brisbane is racing towards a target of 1200 cars for the year in order to get a bonus from BMW Oz. December could be too late, because if they don't look like they're going to make their target, there's no point in offering a discount.

Whether this story is credible, I don't know, but it seems strange that they're putting a just-released car in the discount bin with the rest of the range already.

Frankly, I'm not in the market at this stage. I'm happy to wait until the 2-series hits the showroom (the salesguy says May) and then do a compare and contrast. Even then, I'm more likely to wait for the first model refresh in the hope of getting more goodies as standard.

[Scoobs]

Given the rave reviews, I'd be ensuring I test drove the CLA 45 b4 making any decisions.

Would also be good to see the 235 in the flesh

[HecticX5]

I agree with Scoobs, i even cross shopped the CLA 45 with the new 435, it was a no brainer for me. Save 20k and get a car that out performs the 435 in every way. Honestly the aggressive product and pricing tactics of Mercedes is a damn good thing, BMW had it good for a long time. If BMW want to keep selling 435's for 120k (quoted driveaway from BMW Sydney) then more and more of there customers will look elsewhere.

[Alpine*]

Did look impressive in black under dealer lighting.

[05C4R]

front wheel drive though, so... enjoy the under steer its really fun

[Alpine*]

Then there's this, way cheaper and only marginally slower at traffic lights.... And you can have a manual at no cost lol

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by beemer

front wheel drive though, so... enjoy the under steer its really fun

That's a given I guess Bimmer. But until BM gets their products on the market there's not a lot of choice for the family who wants a 4 door 'sporty' machine.

[Scoobs]

At $20k cheaper, and a quicker 0 - 60, I'd put up with a little understeer. Not that any reviews I've read so far have noted anything to be concerned about. Sure it has less than my 135. And like most, I don't track my cars... ( I know... I mustn't be an enthusiast and my opinion doesn't count... But just sayin )

[VGR00]

There might be some credibility to what the sales person is saying. It's all about numbers. If salespeople are judged by them, so too dealerships. If the 435 is your thing and you are ready for the change then all power to you. I think it's tough times out there for all

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by beemer

front wheel drive though, so... enjoy the under steer its really fun

Long time reader, first time reply on A45/CLA45

I'm still in the run-in phase so I haven't gone WOT but have taken it quickly round many twisty bits over the last 3 weeks.

The steering on the 45 feels surprisingly heavy (and assuring) for a small hatch under low loads but more surprisingly, torque steer was nowhere close to what I had expected under heavier acceleration. Acid test when I use the launch control post run-in.

My recollection of the Haldex VWs is that of underlying understeer, due to the front biased Gen 1 and 2. However the 45 feels poised and balanced at good speed round the twisty bits, presumably due to the 50:50 Haldex split. As noted by other (more learned) media writers, the AWD seems to kick in earlier and more seamlessly in the 45.

Last Sunday I took it down Galston and Cattai at silly speeds at 4.30am, no Tour de France bike riders but slightly dewy roads. The turn-in was really good and precise and whilst I didn't feel any understeer issue, I couldn't induce any oversteer either no matter how hard I tried. I felt rather silly though after I've calmed and slowed down. On reflection, i could have slid off on all 4 paws into armco or rock face.

Compared to the 45, the M is definitely a better steer but the 45 doesn't understeer in the manner stereotyped for FWD cars.

Sorry for the long post. It's a good little thing

[1q2w3e4r]

A45 and CLA45 are 4WD using the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Same as in the S63s and E63s from what I understand

[Alpine*]

Another option, TT, AWD, Ceramic Brakes and only 9000ks on the odo.

[david.orr]

Originally Posted by 1q2w3e4r

A45 and CLA45 are 4WD using the AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. Same as in the S63s and E63s from what I understand

Ben, I know little about MB but understand 4Matic varies for different models. As you know, 4Matic in 45 is Haldex based and rear diff electronically controlled to give 50/50 v 100/0 splits. I understand the 4Matic in other RWD based cars has fixed splits, more rear than front

[05C4R]

Originally Posted by jaffa12

Long time reader, first time reply on A45/CLA45

I'm still in the run-in phase so I haven't gone WOT but have taken it quickly round many twisty bits over the last 3 weeks.

The steering on the 45 feels surprisingly heavy (and assuring) for a small hatch under low loads but more surprisingly, torque steer was nowhere close to what I had expected under heavier acceleration. Acid test when I use the launch control post run-in.

My recollection of the Haldex VWs is that of underlying understeer, due to the front biased Gen 1 and 2. However the 45 feels poised and balanced at good speed round the twisty bits, presumably due to the 50:50 Haldex split. As noted by other (more learned) media writers, the AWD seems to kick in earlier and more seamlessly in the 45.

Last Sunday I took it down Galston and Cattai at silly speeds at 4.30am, no Tour de France bike riders but slightly dewy roads. The turn-in was really good and precise and whilst I didn't feel any understeer issue, I couldn't induce any oversteer either no matter how hard I tried. I felt rather silly though after I've calmed and slowed down. On reflection, i could have slid off on all 4 paws into armco or rock face.

Compared to the 45, the M is definitely a better steer but the 45 doesn't understeer in the manner stereotyped for FWD cars.

Sorry for the long post. It's a good little thing

well that sounds alot better then my mates S4 which is just nose first around every corner, on this A45 do the rear wheels only get power when the front wheels slip?

[05C4R]

well i can't argue with this, with huge skill it can be done

[flinchy]

I thought i remembered reading something about the CLA45 being FWD only rather than AWD - guess i remembered/read it wrong - it sounds like it must be a cracker of a car

i just can't imagine moving from a nice I6 to a big power 4cyl, and take anyone's recommendations entirely seriously haha

[OzJustin]

Originally Posted by Alpine*

Another option, TT, AWD, Ceramic Brakes and only 9000ks on the odo.

The 996 Turbo would be my vote