A45 AMG Review after just under 3 months
1650 miles so nowhere near loose but I thought people may be interested in my views so far even though the mileage is low.
Engine/Performance
At only 1650 miles it is difficult to assess how much this engine will loosen but having driven one on a MB track day I know there is likely to be a lot more to come! Mine is great from about 4750 where it gets a second wind to the red line and simply flies where the BMW feels flatter, even in 35iS form. I love this but below that rev wise it is more than competent but not ‘exciting’ just yet. More to come I feel as the one on track was a lot quicker in the ‘mid range’ revs getting on with it a lot sooner - def down to the miles me feels!
It doesn’t feel especially quick but I know it does get on with it as my speeds on the straight on the MB track experience were the same as in a 450bhp C63 AMG - it just doesn’t feel it or sound it. It definitely feels quite a bit slower at the moment than my Z4 35iS but I do wonder how much of my view is affected by the lack of the wonderful noise the 35iS engine made !! I really miss the straight six sound with the BMW sports exhaust (I didn’t opt for the MB sports exhaust as theirs can never match the sound I was used to from the BMW!).
There is no real lag to speak of as the car is very well sorted but the throttle response is lazy off the mark and there is a pause before things start to happen. Once rolling it is very responsive. It has 2 types of launch control which I tried on the MB day ... I can't ever see me using either on the road but they do get it off the line very quickly compared to the C63 which just spun up no matter how I tried to pull away! The '4WD' does it's job really well. Interestingly the Z4 35iS has, IMO, just the right balance of power to control and is easy to launch, much as an M135i is.
Gearbox
7 speed DCT. Smooth, very smooth and very responsive to down changes. I read horror stories about the original versions of this on the A45 AMG but MB seem to have listened and the box is, IMO, in the facelift, better than my 35iS - not that the BMW box was bad at all! Both MB and BMW boxes are far better than the VAG DSG versions I have had/used. Very pleased with the gearbox though I love the 8 speed auto on the M135i more than any DCT box as I really do think that box is special.
Suspension
I find it softer than my Z4 and very compliant. I would take this ride any day over the Z4 on it’s run flats tbh. It is on 19” wheels the same as my Z4 and I do have the adaptive suspension which I find great. If in the mood the ‘sport’ setting for the suspension seems about the same as the ‘old’ pre facelift standard suspension. Maybe if I had of changed the RFT's to normal tyres on the 35iS the difference would not have been so great as it is probably in the main down to the tyres.
Steering
Now I love this as it is light and direct - but others don’t. I prefer it to my Z4 as that felt heavy in comparison. The Z4 was far from bad and was reassuringly solid but I do like the MB over it. Put the MB steering on the Z4 and it would feel wrong though - both types are good for the cars they are in with one a hot hatch and the other a refined GT car. Both Z4 and MB are a lot better than the M135i’s I tried - they were light and too twitchy for me.
Build
Brilliant ! I read a lot about rattles and poor trim - which worried me a fair bit prior to taking delivery. Having now got it I am satisfied the build is right up there and quality of materials used seems on par with BMW. I opted for the leather pack which does make the cabin feel classier. I also opted for the premium pack which gives me electric/memory seats, keyless go, a panoramic roof and Harmon Kardon sound. I do like the roof - it was the minimum I could put up with after 3 BMW Z4's.
Looks
I love them but some don't - always subjective. I did not opt for the roof spoiler as my reasons for wanting the A45 were stealth. Mine is black with privacy glass and silver 19" alloys. No black drug dealer alloys or attention attracting spoiler. The car is noticeable wider than my Z4 which surprised me. It sits low and I love the way it is squat. I looked at an RS3 but costs aside and the lovely engine that has I actually felt this was more subtle and not as showy.
Space/Practicality
Compared to a Z4 obviously better !! Compared to other hatches the space is hardly exceptional and the boot is not great. Adequate for me though
Space in the back is OK but other than putting my coat or a bag on it is hardly likely to be used. Practical is handy but was never a significant issue.
Controls
BMW win this hands down - but then after 5 BMW’s on the trot I am very used to their layout.
I only went for the base sat nav in the MB as opposed to the Pro Nav in my Beemers so that comparison is not fair … though interestingly the MB ‘base’ unit is a lot better than BMW’s. Having seen their ‘Command’ premium product though I feel the BMW Pro Nav is streets ahead and I much prefer it - thus the reason for not spending £1000 on MB Command system. Even MB base system has Tom Tom live traffic though which I don’t think BMW’s has, relying on TMC at most.
Whilst gorgeously well made gear shift paddles on the little AMG are lovely they do little to help you use the stalks on the left of the steering wheel. I found BMW’s cruise and stalks really easy to use - MB, however, insist on putting everything on the left of the steering wheel which I find odd. The placement of the paddles means you can’t even see the cruise stalk and using the rear wiper means your hand fouls the gear shift paddle.
I do like the fact the MB has a combined cruise and speed limiter stalk - better than the BMW idea on the steering wheel for the M135i but ok either way I guess.
All the usual things are present I was used to on the BMW with HK sound and keyless go nice. I had the multi speaker system on my Z4 35iS and the HK seems clearer but not as powerful. At 50+ in age though I don’t need the car shaking apart with bass so not an issue and nicely refined in both cars IMO.
Phone and volume controls on the MB are on the right of the wheel - I hate this as the BMW’s were on the left and I prefer that - just my preference but I have to look at the wheel before taking a call as I just don’t remember yet where they are !!
Idrive is present on the MB but I don’t find it anywhere near as easy to navigate as the BMW. Nothing wrong with the MB but, again, I am not used to it.
Brake ‘hold’ - now this is a feature on the MB I love … when you come to a halt a slightly firmer and longer press on the brake pedal automatically activates brake hold - not the parking brake, just a brake hold feature until you press the accelerator when it releases and you pull away. I absolutely love this and BMW could learn and pinch this idea !!
Overall
Am I pleased - very ! Did I make the wrong decision - well, thankfully no, but my 35iS was a very nice place to be and I had to think long and hard before parting with what I knew was an excellent example - unlike my quick but unreliable first one ! For my location and commute the MB is better for me. If I lived further out the BMW would still be on my drive.
I miss the noise of the BMW engine massively but now have a quieter engine for my commute and one that feels a lot lighter up front. I also have 4wd which makes driving silly easy.
Most of the issues I am having with the MB are just me never having had one before - I have been so used to BMW’s it is going to take many months to adjust.
Build and everything about the little MB are excellent and is has been nice to see that MB, BMW and VAG products don’t seem that far apart despite what some people say. I have had cars from all 3 and the build is similar and all of them are a big step above the Japanese companies (oh, and Ford
)
Would I recommend it - oh yes, without hesitation ... but do try the new M140i as well as if they have sorted the steering and suspension compared to the M135i that will also be a lovely car.
1650 miles so nowhere near loose but I thought people may be interested in my views so far even though the mileage is low.
Engine/Performance
At only 1650 miles it is difficult to assess how much this engine will loosen but having driven one on a MB track day I know there is likely to be a lot more to come! Mine is great from about 4750 where it gets a second wind to the red line and simply flies where the BMW feels flatter, even in 35iS form. I love this but below that rev wise it is more than competent but not ‘exciting’ just yet. More to come I feel as the one on track was a lot quicker in the ‘mid range’ revs getting on with it a lot sooner - def down to the miles me feels!
It doesn’t feel especially quick but I know it does get on with it as my speeds on the straight on the MB track experience were the same as in a 450bhp C63 AMG - it just doesn’t feel it or sound it. It definitely feels quite a bit slower at the moment than my Z4 35iS but I do wonder how much of my view is affected by the lack of the wonderful noise the 35iS engine made !! I really miss the straight six sound with the BMW sports exhaust (I didn’t opt for the MB sports exhaust as theirs can never match the sound I was used to from the BMW!).
There is no real lag to speak of as the car is very well sorted but the throttle response is lazy off the mark and there is a pause before things start to happen. Once rolling it is very responsive. It has 2 types of launch control which I tried on the MB day ... I can't ever see me using either on the road but they do get it off the line very quickly compared to the C63 which just spun up no matter how I tried to pull away! The '4WD' does it's job really well. Interestingly the Z4 35iS has, IMO, just the right balance of power to control and is easy to launch, much as an M135i is.
Gearbox
7 speed DCT. Smooth, very smooth and very responsive to down changes. I read horror stories about the original versions of this on the A45 AMG but MB seem to have listened and the box is, IMO, in the facelift, better than my 35iS - not that the BMW box was bad at all! Both MB and BMW boxes are far better than the VAG DSG versions I have had/used. Very pleased with the gearbox though I love the 8 speed auto on the M135i more than any DCT box as I really do think that box is special.
Suspension
I find it softer than my Z4 and very compliant. I would take this ride any day over the Z4 on it’s run flats tbh. It is on 19” wheels the same as my Z4 and I do have the adaptive suspension which I find great. If in the mood the ‘sport’ setting for the suspension seems about the same as the ‘old’ pre facelift standard suspension. Maybe if I had of changed the RFT's to normal tyres on the 35iS the difference would not have been so great as it is probably in the main down to the tyres.
Steering
Now I love this as it is light and direct - but others don’t. I prefer it to my Z4 as that felt heavy in comparison. The Z4 was far from bad and was reassuringly solid but I do like the MB over it. Put the MB steering on the Z4 and it would feel wrong though - both types are good for the cars they are in with one a hot hatch and the other a refined GT car. Both Z4 and MB are a lot better than the M135i’s I tried - they were light and too twitchy for me.
Build
Brilliant ! I read a lot about rattles and poor trim - which worried me a fair bit prior to taking delivery. Having now got it I am satisfied the build is right up there and quality of materials used seems on par with BMW. I opted for the leather pack which does make the cabin feel classier. I also opted for the premium pack which gives me electric/memory seats, keyless go, a panoramic roof and Harmon Kardon sound. I do like the roof - it was the minimum I could put up with after 3 BMW Z4's.
Looks
I love them but some don't - always subjective. I did not opt for the roof spoiler as my reasons for wanting the A45 were stealth. Mine is black with privacy glass and silver 19" alloys. No black drug dealer alloys or attention attracting spoiler. The car is noticeable wider than my Z4 which surprised me. It sits low and I love the way it is squat. I looked at an RS3 but costs aside and the lovely engine that has I actually felt this was more subtle and not as showy.
Space/Practicality
Compared to a Z4 obviously better !! Compared to other hatches the space is hardly exceptional and the boot is not great. Adequate for me though
Space in the back is OK but other than putting my coat or a bag on it is hardly likely to be used. Practical is handy but was never a significant issue.Controls
BMW win this hands down - but then after 5 BMW’s on the trot I am very used to their layout.
I only went for the base sat nav in the MB as opposed to the Pro Nav in my Beemers so that comparison is not fair … though interestingly the MB ‘base’ unit is a lot better than BMW’s. Having seen their ‘Command’ premium product though I feel the BMW Pro Nav is streets ahead and I much prefer it - thus the reason for not spending £1000 on MB Command system. Even MB base system has Tom Tom live traffic though which I don’t think BMW’s has, relying on TMC at most.
Whilst gorgeously well made gear shift paddles on the little AMG are lovely they do little to help you use the stalks on the left of the steering wheel. I found BMW’s cruise and stalks really easy to use - MB, however, insist on putting everything on the left of the steering wheel which I find odd. The placement of the paddles means you can’t even see the cruise stalk and using the rear wiper means your hand fouls the gear shift paddle.
I do like the fact the MB has a combined cruise and speed limiter stalk - better than the BMW idea on the steering wheel for the M135i but ok either way I guess.
All the usual things are present I was used to on the BMW with HK sound and keyless go nice. I had the multi speaker system on my Z4 35iS and the HK seems clearer but not as powerful. At 50+ in age though I don’t need the car shaking apart with bass so not an issue and nicely refined in both cars IMO.
Phone and volume controls on the MB are on the right of the wheel - I hate this as the BMW’s were on the left and I prefer that - just my preference but I have to look at the wheel before taking a call as I just don’t remember yet where they are !!
Idrive is present on the MB but I don’t find it anywhere near as easy to navigate as the BMW. Nothing wrong with the MB but, again, I am not used to it.
Brake ‘hold’ - now this is a feature on the MB I love … when you come to a halt a slightly firmer and longer press on the brake pedal automatically activates brake hold - not the parking brake, just a brake hold feature until you press the accelerator when it releases and you pull away. I absolutely love this and BMW could learn and pinch this idea !!
Overall
Am I pleased - very ! Did I make the wrong decision - well, thankfully no, but my 35iS was a very nice place to be and I had to think long and hard before parting with what I knew was an excellent example - unlike my quick but unreliable first one ! For my location and commute the MB is better for me. If I lived further out the BMW would still be on my drive.
I miss the noise of the BMW engine massively but now have a quieter engine for my commute and one that feels a lot lighter up front. I also have 4wd which makes driving silly easy.
Most of the issues I am having with the MB are just me never having had one before - I have been so used to BMW’s it is going to take many months to adjust.
Build and everything about the little MB are excellent and is has been nice to see that MB, BMW and VAG products don’t seem that far apart despite what some people say. I have had cars from all 3 and the build is similar and all of them are a big step above the Japanese companies (oh, and Ford
)Would I recommend it - oh yes, without hesitation ... but do try the new M140i as well as if they have sorted the steering and suspension compared to the M135i that will also be a lovely car.
