Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - First Edition

[Dutch77]

It surprises me that Land Rover and Fiat are in the top 10...

A definite surprise.. I saw this online but it did get me thinking about the sample size and the fact it is a survey done by a firm that sells warranties.

I'm by no means suggesting its biased, but some makes may have a much smaller pool of cars to gain data from, or cars showing signs of issues or with reputations for issues (fairly or not) may have a higher frequency of warranties being purchased.

[Dutch77]

dutch they offered free 8 speed auto and business sat nav last month or so also free with the 1 series and kind of makes sense as most people want it. that was around $4-5k thrown in as well. suprised they arent doing the free M pack on the 1 series especially the 125i as effectively that would have put it in contention with the A250 with its AMG goodies. bmw was probably most dissapointing to be honest in my demoing around on golf gti options. finding the 125i overpriced to hilt compared to the a250 and also styling wise wasnt too sure at all with the bmw. if they did something to pricing they might get a lot more interest I think

Agree on all that, my experience with BMW was disappointing.. and never got a call back either. Haven't tried MBenz here in Adelaide yet, may do so at some point to at least test the A250.

Do not understand why the 125i doesn't get the M-Sport treatment (as standard or as part of this latest promo).. you're only buying this model because you're that type of buyer, and its a nice addition to the car.. the A250 kills it in value, they both carry the badge, they'd be close on performance and handling and I think it's safe to assume the A250 would win on interior space (as I don't think the Bimmer could beat anything in its class).

[alebonau]

another local review !

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Review | 2013 A 250 Sport Launch Review | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications

If the choice was between an A 250 Sport or a Golf GTI with a sunroof, sat-nav, bi-xenon headlamps, metallic paint and a reversing camera ($50,490 all up), we’d pick the former.

The $47,140 Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy is perhaps the best hot-hatch around, but to be honest we’d probably still shell out the extra for the A 250. Two more doors and a Benz badge on the front is well worth it, even though the Megane has 30kW more power.

cant believe how many reviews we had all of a sudden from the local press on the a250

ps and another
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257B0A00220268

[readerr0r]

Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

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Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

Yeh, and not only that, it doesn't even have a space saver wheel - just a can of goop and a compressor! You also have to see the interior, it looks like a cross between an i30 and an AC fiat 124 sport (not there's anything wrong with the fiat dash- just that it's 30 years old)! Then there's the fact that it takes so many styling cues from the GTI that we've all come to recognise as VW alone. Add to all that, a hard ride, noisy exhaust, tombstone seats (wtf?) poor rear vision, no centre console gear shifter - just a silly stalk behind the indicator stalk, I could go on. I'll be surprised if they sell any more than a handfull

[alebonau]

Is no one going to freak because the A250 has an elec parking brake too?

its an interesting thing, only tried it couple times in checking out the a200 and a250. just works. and intrestingly can come on / off automatically if you forget about it. which could be handy for the wife hehe

space saver is a $600 option, I'll stick with the can off goo

[alebonau]

Yeh, and not only that, it doesn't even have a space saver wheel - just a can of goop and a compressor! You also have to see the interior, it looks like a cross between an i30 and an AC fiat 124 sport (not there's anything wrong with the fiat dash- just that it's 30 years old)! Then there's the fact that it takes so many styling cues from the GTI that we've all come to recognise as VW alone. Add to all that, a hard ride, noisy exhaust, tombstone seats (wtf?) poor rear vision, no centre console gear shifter - just a silly stalk behind the indicator stalk, I could go on. I'll be surprised if they sell any more than a handfull

10 for effort

[goodfella]

Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

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Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

Not driven sorry, but have looked at one, and , well they have an interior only a mother could love!

They are priced well and get good raps, but the Megane is still leader in this class IMHO.

[Captain Courteous]

Off (Merc) topic... Has anyone had a serious good look at the Focus ST now that its been in country for 4 or so months?

I test drove the ST about 2 months ago. I do like the look of them and there's some good options that come as standard. Price is great too for the power it offers (was originally pinning it against the Scirocco).. I think they could have done a better job on the interior though.. the fit and finish of the plastics isn't so great IMO