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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808   
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Mrs Grenadier (for it is she....), is in the market for a new motor vehicle. One she is considering is an Ewok, however a large part of her DNA is reserved for sporty cars. I have promised not to get involved, as I have my dream car, but ensuring no mistakes, what ownership feedback can anyone offer on current generation Audi S3 or Merc A45 AMG?
As a point of note, she is only small so prefers manageable compact cars. We're looking for 5-door, so usable with visiting friends, but she must have 4WD (because of where we live), leather interior and perhaps panoramic roof (her age demands luxury over sporty/basic interiors) and we shall likely look for mod-cons such as sound upgrades and SatNav. Hence narrowing it down to the two mentioned above. Before anyone says it, whilst the Golf R meets most of the criteria and is apparently a blast to drive, she hates the interior. Likewise on FocusST, Megane Sports, Nissans etc. So thoughts on a 2013> S3 or A45 would be much appreciated. I shall not sway you to which I think she should get. Honest user opinion please. Obviously I trust all Defender owners to have superior knowledge and taste when it comes to four wheeled machinery. 
Were I able to offer advice on (or choose) a new car, my money would be on the following. The soft top has just won International Car of the Year, and this drop-head looks simply stunning. Quick remap of the engine to maximise horses and I reckon this could be one of the nicest cars around. Has a little of the Jaguar F-Type about it, for half the money. Under 30 large, fully loaded. Simply stunning. 
http://www.mazda.co.uk/cars/coming-soon-mazda-mx-5-rf/ http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mazda/mx-5/94...n-new-york Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 10:26am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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Oh for God's sake Steve. I'd just fallen in love with and set my heart on the RF. Now look what's you've gone and done....
Not one for sounding like a teen, but OMG.... 
Might have to show Mrs Grenadier when home. However, the advantage of the RF is the hard top, so whilst not 4x4 nor having five doors, it's comfy, warm, leathery and has a good sound system. I might be able to convince her that the best covers the 4WD 5-door criteria with a hard top, but stunning though that Fiat is I cannot see her going for it until we move to Italy. And if they do a hard top, which I am sure they would make look amazing (is there any Pininfarina design shop involvement?) it begs the questions over Japanese vs Italian reliability. The RF might be just good looking enough to still done the 'sensible' hat if buying one or other... Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 10:38am |
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| LoveTheMud Member Since: 19 Feb 2015 Location: Weybridge Surrey & Pontefract West Yorkshire Posts: 411  
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I've never been a fan of the audi brand and in general, why by an audi when the golf does it cheaper... but as you say, Mrs G doesn't like the Golf - I agree.
Having done a fair few miles in a merc as a works car, I would say its a nice place to be! I really like it and I'm considering it for myself. Pricey though... Michael |
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1st Apr 2016 10:39am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3750
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I've been looking at stuff like this for my Mrs...
Something small, a bit different and when I want to use it a little nippy also. Room for the kids and shopping So at the Geneva show I quite like this A45 which I told my wife (which is true... its only a 2.0 and the extra spoilers help with the mpg) I have a friend with an S3 and its nice but my past history is with Merc so would stick with what I like  I would never buy one new, crazy money. I would want to check the the brakes are not the same as the older E class and floating calipers (as they cost an arm and a leg)
However a 2 / 3 year old one with Merc Warranty... This is high on my list for the Mrs
 Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge 4WD, 0-62 in 4.2, 167Mph (with AMG pack), yet still 40mpg (not all at the same time)
Gets my vote |
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1st Apr 2016 10:41am |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3750
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Fiat at Geneva show, very nice but we need 4 seats
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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1st Apr 2016 10:44am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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Yes, it's a shame about the golf interior (I know it shouldn't be priority, but given you spend more time in it than looking at it, it's a factor) but it's down right fugly. The seat design is almost a bit 80s. As for the Audi, not everyone's cup of tea, but solid enough for the money. Also, a lot of mags talk about the 'lack of feel' or 'driver involvement' of Audi, especially the Quattro, but in reality does Mrs Grenadier have access to enough cars, on an open track, to test a car to its limits or will she always be within 75% and therefore for a non pro driver or journo, will she spot the difference between a Merc, Audi, Golf, Beemer etc, day to day, in the real world? I don't think so. It's the one gripe I have with Magazine reviews, as most people have neither the skills, the experience or the access the cars and tracks to warrant terms such as driver involvement. They'll buy a car because it's fast, luxurious and they like the look of it, allied to a belief of what it is able to do for them, and then drive it in a straight line on a motorway. I suppose at least we have twisties to unleash some fun, and actually given the road conditions the dumbing down of the 4WD of the Merc and Audi can only be a safety net.
Sorry, rant over. As far as interiors go, she loves the Merc and felt at home when we popped to a showroom last week. Not cheap, but they're two to a penny in Germany and Italy and as always with Merc they lost 30% as soon as they lost the showroom. Further, with the facelift having just been released prices have dropped further. Quite a handful of sub 40k, fully loaded, low mileage versions available. And whilst she's choosing I am buying it through the business so get VAT back, plus 5000 rebate a year on expenses... Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey Last edited by Grenadier on 1st Apr 2016 10:53am. Edited 1 time in total |
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1st Apr 2016 10:51am |
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| pjb Member Since: 08 Apr 2009 Location: Sunny Oxford Posts: 1244 |
Go for the Audi RS3
Click image to enlarge Perfect for my wife & sounds superb 2020 P300 HSE |
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1st Apr 2016 10:51am |
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| Petronius4 Member Since: 07 Oct 2015 Location: Somerset Posts: 94 
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What about a Jag X-type. 4wd plus some great engines and cheap too! -------------------------------
👲🏻 1986 ex-Military 90 NAD 2.5 Soft Top. Sold 🇬🇧 2015 Defender 90 - Ripon Landrover Heritage 006 |
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1st Apr 2016 10:54am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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Stunning stats. This one has caught Mrs Gren's eye. Previous Gen but only a few months old and look at the mileage. Merc Italy shipped almost all their ex-demo cars to this dealer, so he has a bucket full from the changeover to the facelift demos. Bargain price of sound.... That Fiat is utterly, utterly stunning. http://ww3.autoscout24.it/classified/271375997?asrc=st|as Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 10:56am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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I like them, but Mrs Gren prefers hatches or coupes. Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 11:01am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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Interesting, quad tail pipe whereas the website has twins from a 1.4 turbo engine offering 140bhp. Best the question if there's a 2l in the offing? Edit. Just noticed the Abarth plate. Now that would be worth considering. Also, as an edit to my comments to Steve, with the success and reliability of their 500, I do wonder if Fiat have finally turned a corner on build quality. Now off to the Abarth site.... Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey Last edited by Grenadier on 1st Apr 2016 11:08am. Edited 1 time in total |
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1st Apr 2016 11:03am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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I do like them. And so did Mrs Gren until she saw an A45 a couple of days ago. Must say, I've always liked the sound of AMG Mercs, but have yet to hear the A45. Given it's not naturally aspirated but a 2l Turbo, I wonder what it will sound like? Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 11:06am |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5808
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Addendum. The Fiat will be built in Japan at the Mazda plant, so reliability sorted then.
Further, at least a 160bhp version is planned... Monsieur Le Grenadier I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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1st Apr 2016 11:12am |
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| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
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Ok A45 Good apart from it lifts at Speed
Focus RS Better If you want a Merc then the GLA45 is the pick of the pack Don't get the fragile Aero pack however the performance exhaust on any of the "A-AMG" platforms is a must
Wife refers to the A45 as the farty car it spits n sounds fab RACE start is faultless |
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1st Apr 2016 11:14am |
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