Test drove GLA 45, E90 M3, Macan, S4

RoshDawg · 01-20-2015, 12:31 AM

I'm looking to eventually trade in my Z for a 4 door that can take on DD duties but still be sporty. Here are my thoughts on the cars I drove:

Mercedes GLA 45 AMG
This is truly a fun car. In no way shape or form does it feel like you're driving a sporty crossover. It is in every way shape and form a hot hatch. Felt comparable to an STI with how tossable it was, as well as how juvenile you feel driving it. This is a car you can constantly mash on the throttle and have a fun time.
PROS:
Fun exhaust - by far the best sound to come from a 4 banger - although it's still a 4 banger. You'll laugh and smile when you hear the exhaust, but it doesn't get the same respect as you would from the Macan or M3)
Good size -this is not a family car, but it can be used as one. You will never feel the car is too big. The dimensions are perfect for everyday life - drive coworkers to lunch, make a trip to the mountains, ect. If you have more than 1 kid, you should look elsewhere.
Agile - you can take this car on canyon roads and have a blast. Hell you could have a great time doing autox with this car.
MPG - I'm impressed with the gas mileage I was getting on the first half of my test drive (the calm half). You can easily average 30mpg on the freeway.
CONS:
Cheap interior - it definitely does not feel like a Mercedes inside. I would put it on par with the new VW golf interior. You're definitely paying for performance, not luxury. The Z's interior feels nicer IMO.
Transmission and Lag - it's best to shift in manual mode to keep in the power band where the turbo will spool up. It has super high boost with a low compression ratio, so it has bad lag if you're in too low of a gear. This shouldn't be a reason to turn away though. Just keep it in S and you'll be fine.

E90 M3
Wow this was exciting. White knuckle experience to say the least. The sound from this car is just crazy, and when you're driving it, even at super low speeds (in m mode), it feels like you're driving a monster. I could not relax in this car! When driving fast over uneven terrain, the car really started fighting me and I had to constantly make adjustments and corrections to stay on course. I've never had to stay more focused driving a car fast than I did in this m3. It easily got upset if you weren't driving on perfect Tarmac. But man those 8400rpm shifts are awesome. By far the most memorable car I drove, but for the lack of confidence I had with it, and how unnerving the suspension was, I cant see myself using it as a DD.
Side note, the M4 in person with cloth seats looks fvcking amazing. Way better than pics. Those fenders from the back look awesome.

S4 wtf. The model I drove had a sticker price of 58K. For 4k more you can get a bare bones '15 M3. You have to be insane to spend that kind of money on an S4. The seats were awesome though and it was a very comfy car. I could easily drive cross country with this. to be honest though, I completely forgot the drive. This car is that forgettable. It does everything right, with no fuss, but it will not raise your testosterone. If there is someone out there though, who spent 58k on an S4, I would love to hear your reasoning.

Macan I'm biased. Porsche makes the best cars in the world imo. The Macan is quite simply the best crossover ever to be built. It is however very expensive, and I'm not that into crossovers. Perhaps in some time I will get a used one for the future wife. Perhaps. I prefer hatchbacks or sedans when it comes to needing 4 doors.
I cannot believe they made a crossover that sounds this good. I can't believe they made a turbo that sounds this good! Of course you could only really hear the exhaust note from the outside or with the windows down, but man it was great. And they're gonna make it even better with a sport exhaust option!
The transmission as everyone knows is the best. Handling is as good as you can get for a crossover (although it could be made better with Porsche's dynamic chassis control).
I didn't feel any lag. Everything felt great. Best interior also by far (although s4 wasn't too bad)

If I had to buy one of these, it would be the GLA. I love hot hatches, and unfortunately Subaru stopped making theirs, the golf R looks like a minivan, the future focus RS will probably be too hard core for DD. I will be waiting for a used one to show up on the market since I don't want to pay 60k for a 4 banger, but at that time I may want to save up a bit more for a used '15 m3?

What cars are you guys looking to eventually switch to?

Firebase99 · 01-21-2015, 01:04 PM

Great write up. I feel the same way about the S4 and E90. Driven both and you hit it spot on. Agree with you about Porsche too, except there isnt an SUV in the world Id ever buy. Dont care if it breaks records in the 1/4 and sets a record Ring time. If, big IF, I can afford it will be a Porsche, minimum Cayman S, hopefully a 911 Carrera S.

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-21-2015, 08:54 PM

My eyes are all over Benz with the GTS AMG, GLA45AMG and the C63AMG.
the GTS hydraulic steering gives me hope that companies like Nissan and Benz see the importance of hydraulic steering in a proper sports car.

DCNISMO · 01-21-2015, 10:28 PM

Thats why I like my 997 C4S…..no electric steering and a real stick!

RoshDawg · 01-22-2015, 10:53 AM

Nothing better than a 997 steering rack!
i never test drove a c63. How are those for DD?
Truth be told, if they offered one of these in the states, I'd pay 5k above MSRP for it:

That's the new 1 series they just revealed. I want it!

ImportConvert · 01-23-2015, 10:45 AM

I thought about a 4-door car, but just have no use for one, really, unless it's JUST for added people capacity. I think they are deceptive regarding "additional hauling capacity", compared to a sports coupe. Personally would go with an SUV (and did) for actual added hauling capacity, people, and a bit more ground-clearance. SUV's come in non-sporty (Forester) to semi-sporty (Forester XT, Explorer SPORT, Mercedes various models, etc.) to all-out performance (SRT-8, AMG, Range Rover Supercharged, etc.). and I would think would fit the need a lot better, unless it's JUST people you're filling the vehicle with.

Just my .02.

Dr. at my hospital has an S4, enjoys it. It's held up very well (older model, 2010?) That's my only input.

m4a1mustang · 01-23-2015, 10:57 AM

I'm all over the place, but if you pushed me to make a decision right now I'd order a M235i. Great balance of capability and daily driving comfort.

DCNISMO · 01-23-2015, 01:16 PM

I just saw a BMW X1 in DC the other day.

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-24-2015, 03:32 PM

2016.is my year and waiting on next gen...
GT-R
Z06

MIGHT stretch the bank and looking at
Mercedes Benz GT-S AMG?
Porsche GT-3

If I buy budget? I'll take a turbo Z n an alfa camaro dedicated to the track.

bvl · 01-25-2015, 11:49 AM

We just replaced our 2002 wagon with a e84.

The new gla is a very nice design from MB but it lacks a lot to me and the 4 banger for that much is just so meh.

I daily an e90 335d. 35 on the hwy and v8 torque. It's about perfect for what it's designed to do. Just needs a locking diff but bmw doesn't do that.

We found nothing to our liking in the hatch category and no more subaru wrx wagons.

The e84 X1 is just a e91 chassis with the x treatment. So sedan base non electric steering and a pretty fine turbo 6. I miss the manual a bit but we have the z and a cayman as the toys to my wife is getting used to not rowing and hitting the happy pedal.

Was only a few grand more then a same condition used sti hatch and the interior more then makes up the cost.

These type of vehicles are very much a dying breed in the US. Subaru not bringing the 5 door to me is just a bad bad sign...

- b

Magic Bus · 01-26-2015, 03:21 PM

Rosh, Nice write up. Will look to replace Z towards the end of next year. Thinking of going 4 seats so here's my picks. New Q60, new M2, M4 or possibly a used 15 GTR if a good deal can be found.

RoshDawg · 01-28-2015, 08:36 PM

I just did an extended test drive with a M235i. It was SUBLIME. Definitely a front runner now. Man everything was just so perfect, it sounded great too! I know it comes from the speakers but you could never tell. It was comfortable on the road, steering was perfect, iDrive is state of the art, and it looks great. So well proportioned and extremely fun. Felt faster than my Z, despite its underrated hp figures. I can't imagine how awesome the M2 is gonna be.

Funny thing about the speaker sounds in the M235i, I was reading on the forums that you can reprogram the soundtrack to that of the M4! Lol hilarious.

A part of me wants to get in the BMW game, maybe even wait a bit for a hardly used M3/M4, or save a bunch of money on a '15 Ford Mustang GT. I'll test drive that this weekend.

However, ford is revealing the Focus RS on February 3rd, and if it comes in auto (keep in mind LA traffic), I'm gonna get that for sure!

RoshDawg · 01-28-2015, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

2016.is my year and waiting on next gen...
GT-R
Z06

MIGHT stretch the bank and looking at
Mercedes Benz GT-S AMG?
Porsche GT-3

If I buy budget? I'll take a turbo Z n an alfa camaro dedicated to the track.

Damn those are some fine cars you're thinking about! Someone got a raise! Haha. Good for you man. Maybe also consider next gen R8? Should be great.

m4a1mustang · 01-28-2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoshDawg

I just did an extended test drive with a M235i. It was SUBLIME. Definitely a front runner now. Man everything was just so perfect, it sounded great too! I know it comes from the speakers but you could never tell. It was comfortable on the road, steering was perfect, iDrive is state of the art, and it looks great. So well proportioned and extremely fun. Felt faster than my Z, despite its underrated hp figures. I can't imagine how awesome the M2 is gonna be.

Funny thing about the speaker sounds in the M235i, I was reading on the forums that you can reprogram the soundtrack to that of the M4! Lol hilarious.

A part of me wants to get in the BMW game, maybe even wait a bit for a hardly used M3/M4, or save a bunch of money on a '15 Ford Mustang GT. I'll test drive that this weekend.

However, ford is revealing the Focus RS on February 3rd, and if it comes in auto (keep in mind LA traffic), I'm gonna get that for sure!

Pretty much exactly how I feel about the M235. It was a HUGE surprise to me.

UNKNOWN_370 · 01-09-2017, 12:00 AM

https://youtu.be/zlbIOwDJQC0

Gla45 amg major refresh!!!!

Seems everybody is moving into bigger and better things except for???

01-20-2015, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	Test drove GLA 45, E90 M3, Macan, S4 I'm looking to eventually trade in my Z for a 4 door that can take on DD duties but still be sporty. Here are my thoughts on the cars I drove: Mercedes GLA 45 AMG This is truly a fun car. In no way shape or form does it feel like you're driving a sporty crossover. It is in every way shape and form a hot hatch. Felt comparable to an STI with how tossable it was, as well as how juvenile you feel driving it. This is a car you can constantly mash on the throttle and have a fun time. PROS: Fun exhaust - by far the best sound to come from a 4 banger - although it's still a 4 banger. You'll laugh and smile when you hear the exhaust, but it doesn't get the same respect as you would from the Macan or M3) Good size -this is not a family car, but it can be used as one. You will never feel the car is too big. The dimensions are perfect for everyday life - drive coworkers to lunch, make a trip to the mountains, ect. If you have more than 1 kid, you should look elsewhere. Agile - you can take this car on canyon roads and have a blast. Hell you could have a great time doing autox with this car. MPG - I'm impressed with the gas mileage I was getting on the first half of my test drive (the calm half). You can easily average 30mpg on the freeway. CONS: Cheap interior - it definitely does not feel like a Mercedes inside. I would put it on par with the new VW golf interior. You're definitely paying for performance, not luxury. The Z's interior feels nicer IMO. Transmission and Lag - it's best to shift in manual mode to keep in the power band where the turbo will spool up. It has super high boost with a low compression ratio, so it has bad lag if you're in too low of a gear. This shouldn't be a reason to turn away though. Just keep it in S and you'll be fine. E90 M3 Wow this was exciting. White knuckle experience to say the least. The sound from this car is just crazy, and when you're driving it, even at super low speeds (in m mode), it feels like you're driving a monster. I could not relax in this car! When driving fast over uneven terrain, the car really started fighting me and I had to constantly make adjustments and corrections to stay on course. I've never had to stay more focused driving a car fast than I did in this m3. It easily got upset if you weren't driving on perfect Tarmac. But man those 8400rpm shifts are awesome. By far the most memorable car I drove, but for the lack of confidence I had with it, and how unnerving the suspension was, I cant see myself using it as a DD. Side note, the M4 in person with cloth seats looks fvcking amazing. Way better than pics. Those fenders from the back look awesome. S4 wtf. The model I drove had a sticker price of 58K. For 4k more you can get a bare bones '15 M3. You have to be insane to spend that kind of money on an S4. The seats were awesome though and it was a very comfy car. I could easily drive cross country with this. to be honest though, I completely forgot the drive. This car is that forgettable. It does everything right, with no fuss, but it will not raise your testosterone. If there is someone out there though, who spent 58k on an S4, I would love to hear your reasoning. Macan I'm biased. Porsche makes the best cars in the world imo. The Macan is quite simply the best crossover ever to be built. It is however very expensive, and I'm not that into crossovers. Perhaps in some time I will get a used one for the future wife. Perhaps. I prefer hatchbacks or sedans when it comes to needing 4 doors. I cannot believe they made a crossover that sounds this good. I can't believe they made a turbo that sounds this good! Of course you could only really hear the exhaust note from the outside or with the windows down, but man it was great. And they're gonna make it even better with a sport exhaust option! The transmission as everyone knows is the best. Handling is as good as you can get for a crossover (although it could be made better with Porsche's dynamic chassis control). I didn't feel any lag. Everything felt great. Best interior also by far (although s4 wasn't too bad) If I had to buy one of these, it would be the GLA. I love hot hatches, and unfortunately Subaru stopped making theirs, the golf R looks like a minivan, the future focus RS will probably be too hard core for DD. I will be waiting for a used one to show up on the market since I don't want to pay 60k for a 4 banger, but at that time I may want to save up a bit more for a used '15 m3? What cars are you guys looking to eventually switch to? UNKNOWN_370 likes this. __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

01-21-2015, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	My eyes are all over Benz with the GTS AMG, GLA45AMG and the C63AMG. the GTS hydraulic steering gives me hope that companies like Nissan and Benz see the importance of hydraulic steering in a proper sports car. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

01-21-2015, 10:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 179	Thats why I like my 997 C4S…..no electric steering and a real stick! RoshDawg likes this.

01-22-2015, 10:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	Nothing better than a 997 steering rack! i never test drove a c63. How are those for DD? Truth be told, if they offered one of these in the states, I'd pay 5k above MSRP for it: That's the new 1 series they just revealed. I want it! m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

01-23-2015, 10:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	I'm all over the place, but if you pushed me to make a decision right now I'd order a M235i. Great balance of capability and daily driving comfort. RoshDawg likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

01-21-2015, 01:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Firebase99 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fl Posts: 1,372 Drives: 14 3.8 Gen Coupe GT Rep Power: 14034	Great write up. I feel the same way about the S4 and E90. Driven both and you hit it spot on. Agree with you about Porsche too, except there isnt an SUV in the world Id ever buy. Dont care if it breaks records in the 1/4 and sets a record Ring time. If, big IF, I can afford it will be a Porsche, minimum Cayman S, hopefully a 911 Carrera S.

01-23-2015, 10:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
ImportConvert A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SWMO Posts: 4,454 Drives: 2019 CX5 GT Reserve Rep Power: 7627	I thought about a 4-door car, but just have no use for one, really, unless it's JUST for added people capacity. I think they are deceptive regarding "additional hauling capacity", compared to a sports coupe. Personally would go with an SUV (and did) for actual added hauling capacity, people, and a bit more ground-clearance. SUV's come in non-sporty (Forester) to semi-sporty (Forester XT, Explorer SPORT, Mercedes various models, etc.) to all-out performance (SRT-8, AMG, Range Rover Supercharged, etc.). and I would think would fit the need a lot better, unless it's JUST people you're filling the vehicle with. Just my .02. Dr. at my hospital has an S4, enjoys it. It's held up very well (older model, 2010?) That's my only input.

01-23-2015, 01:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 179	I just saw a BMW X1 in DC the other day.

01-24-2015, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	2016.is my year and waiting on next gen... GT-R Z06 MIGHT stretch the bank and looking at Mercedes Benz GT-S AMG? Porsche GT-3 If I buy budget? I'll take a turbo Z n an alfa camaro dedicated to the track. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

01-25-2015, 11:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
bvl Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA Posts: 362 Drives: MB Roadster (sold) Rep Power: 14	We just replaced our 2002 wagon with a e84. The new gla is a very nice design from MB but it lacks a lot to me and the 4 banger for that much is just so meh. I daily an e90 335d. 35 on the hwy and v8 torque. It's about perfect for what it's designed to do. Just needs a locking diff but bmw doesn't do that. We found nothing to our liking in the hatch category and no more subaru wrx wagons. The e84 X1 is just a e91 chassis with the x treatment. So sedan base non electric steering and a pretty fine turbo 6. I miss the manual a bit but we have the z and a cayman as the toys to my wife is getting used to not rowing and hitting the happy pedal. Was only a few grand more then a same condition used sti hatch and the interior more then makes up the cost. These type of vehicles are very much a dying breed in the US. Subaru not bringing the 5 door to me is just a bad bad sign... - b RoshDawg likes this.

01-26-2015, 03:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Magic Bus A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Honolulu Posts: 1,427 Drives: 17 6MT M2 Rep Power: 18754	Rosh, Nice write up. Will look to replace Z towards the end of next year. Thinking of going 4 seats so here's my picks. New Q60, new M2, M4 or possibly a used 15 GTR if a good deal can be found. RoshDawg likes this.

01-28-2015, 08:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	I just did an extended test drive with a M235i. It was SUBLIME. Definitely a front runner now. Man everything was just so perfect, it sounded great too! I know it comes from the speakers but you could never tell. It was comfortable on the road, steering was perfect, iDrive is state of the art, and it looks great. So well proportioned and extremely fun. Felt faster than my Z, despite its underrated hp figures. I can't imagine how awesome the M2 is gonna be. Funny thing about the speaker sounds in the M235i, I was reading on the forums that you can reprogram the soundtrack to that of the M4! Lol hilarious. A part of me wants to get in the BMW game, maybe even wait a bit for a hardly used M3/M4, or save a bunch of money on a '15 Ford Mustang GT. I'll test drive that this weekend. However, ford is revealing the Focus RS on February 3rd, and if it comes in auto (keep in mind LA traffic), I'm gonna get that for sure! m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

01-09-2017, 12:00 AM	#15 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	https://youtu.be/zlbIOwDJQC0 Gla45 amg major refresh!!!! Seems everybody is moving into bigger and better things except for??? __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

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