[BMW269]

C450 AMG?

[WhollySmokes]

I was looking at similar options. I test drove the S3 and M235i back-to-back and I was extremely underwhelmed by the S3. Not a fan of the transmission or handling at all. It felt too slow to shift and too disconnected for my taste. I know it's been getting great reviews but I just don't see it.

Before I test drove the M235i, I'd been hearing rumors that new BMWs had fallen prey to the same issue of feeling, "disconnected". I got in the 2, and was just blown away by the car. Handling, acceleration, shift speed were all extremely impressive.

CLA45 was next on the list, but I never made that appointment.

Just go test drive each of these for yourself. I'm sure it will be clear which one best fits your particular taste/needs.

[WhollySmokes]

Originally Posted by improvius

What? These are no joke. Great performance and basically a jacked-up hatch. Should be a solid addition to OP's list.

I agree. They are funky looking, but I like 'em.

[Chefcg1]

I have a 2015 VW GTI and love the car, would have gotten the Golf R but it was 4 doors and I bought the car for my girlfriend and she wanted a 2 door....Love the hatch, so useful.

[Slow128i]

what about a cla45 amg.... all wheel drive... quick... dont see too many on the road... and for the GLA haters i guess a better look? Just no manual if thats a req, otherwise i would much rather a Amg over any Golf or Audi

[DocWeatherington]

M235xi.. I would also wait for the XE

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by Slow128i

what about a cla45 amg.... all wheel drive... quick... dont see too many on the road... and for the GLA haters i guess a better look? Just no manual if thats a req, otherwise i would much rather a Amg over any Golf or Audi

I really dislike the looks of the CLA, GLA has the CLA guts which I do like. Been leaning towards M235i and Golf R lately.

[Slow128i]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

I really dislike the looks of the CLA, GLA has the CLA guts which I do like. Been leaning towards M235i and Golf R lately.

Then m235i it is haha personally i can never justify spending that money on a golf regardless of which golf... and audi i can never justify as long as bmw and merc making cars. but i do agree with the looks of the cla being not so visually appealing.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Do you get the RS3 in the States?

That would be the one to go for personally.

http://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/rs/rs3-sportback.html

[freshwhite335]

Good luck getting a GLA45 lease in the 600's. They don't lease that well.

[ai388]

M235i all the way. the interior is much nicer than the merc. build quality is also better than the S3 I have driven. very solid

[bizzyqu]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Do you get the RS3 in the States?

That would be the one to go for personally.

http://www.audi.co.uk/new-cars/rs/rs3-sportback.html

I wish

and if we do get it they are saying it will be in sedan form

[psuibmw]

Forget all that, stick with the 3-series ... Get the new 340i ... I'm sure you will thank me later

[RM7]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

Pretty much this, though the RS3 hatch would be awesome if we got it in the US

Instead of the 428 GC I would have gone for an S3 or S4 Avant if offered in the US, no question. While we are at it, if a 335 wagon was offered those would have been my main contenders. Too much practicality. Volvo R-design was a possibility, but lost out due to crappy handling and scoring below regular 328 wagon.

Hatches are so practical, and the euro wagons and hatches look good for the most part IMO, the Golf seems to end up a little shorter/smaller than the S3 though, but still a hatch at least.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by bizzyqu

I really dislike the looks of the CLA, GLA has the CLA guts which I do like. Been leaning towards M235i and Golf R lately.

There's not much out there as ugly as the CLA IMO. It's looks like the 4-door econoboxes like chevy cruz and the like, styled to emulate the s-class. Mercedes is going kind of crazy with their styling IMO. The new C-class is worse than the last, but it doesn't make my eyes burn like the CLA at least. CLA isn't far removed from a beetle.

[bizzyqu]

So an update. I have managed to test drive the M235i xDrive, Golf R, and a GLA45 AMG. The M235i felt very familiar to the power and finish I am used to in my 335i but was happy to see it was a much nimbler car which I miss from my e90. The Golf R really impressed me, I could totally see myself owning own and living with it every day and definitely kept pace with the M235i in performance. The GLA was the one that disappointed me for a $60k+ car. The power was there but god was it awkward. The M235i has the ZF8 speed that is in my 335i, shifts are instant and power can be drawn from all over the rev range, the Golf's DSG shifted pretty much as quick as the ZF and felt fine (a little hesitation from a stand still, but manageable and avoidable once I got a better feel of it), the GLA's transmission was honestly a joke especially in manual mode where shifts felt like an eternity (as bad as the auto box in an old e46 330i we used to have), power was there but only at the top of the rev range, but the transmission doesn't like hanging out up there so it resulted in a very unpredictable and unnerving experience. So I can now cross the GLA off the list, its a neat car but no where near worth the price they are asking for it, especially when you factor in the car doesn't have push button start, keyless entry, and has what is quite possibly the worst application of an infotainment system known to mankind.

I now will have to wait and see what is going on with the 2016 R's and how realistic it will be to secure one for a March delivery compared to being able to get into a new M235i lease this fall.