Stiff competition for the Mk7 Golf GTI - Second Edition

[alebonau]

finally drove the a250,

I am very pleased. my worries was ride, but I have to say have no idea what some press are on about. because I found it just right. firm enough you do feel the road. and so you should on a hot hatch. but not harsh not hard. with comments read I was expecting it to be crashing and banging, my teeth chattering and a sore back after it. but nothing like that. Didnt find it that different in comfort to my mk6 golf gti. ride was well controlled and took it on a nice drive on a back road and felt great.

few things really noticed. you sit low in this car. vs the golf gti where sit higher. Got comfortable pretty easily and quickly in the merc. Its a more refined car than the golf. the gti is more gruff which some might like ?

definitely a difference in eco, sport and manual modes. eco for just cruising, sport for all the upshifts downshifts it does and manual if want more control.

I liked that there is an ECO button just to switch the start stop system on/off. excellent unlike the alfa guilietta which there is no way to switch off. works well too.

the self park is an absolute beauty. very impressed and wife is going to love that !

didnt find huge difference in rear view vs the golf. the rear window is tinted so a bit darker looking through but because both golf and merc have large rear head rests didnt find hugely different looking in the rear mirror of the merc. Perhaps something get more handle off in more extended use. but the rear camera of the merc is a pretty handy thing too I must say.

the electric park is a very smart thing. like how it self over rides.

one thing realy found myself missing is looking for the gear selector hehe and that have to use the stalk on the steering wheel instead. will definitely take some getting used to

iphone no probs works through bluetooth am told. also a connector in centre console for an ipod so can plug one in there for music permanently as I do now.

the large sunroof gives a nice airy feel. with powered shade blind if needed

one thing for sure driving this car is really feels technology wise to be a step forward from my golf gti even though that car only 3 years old. its a great driving environment overall where feel comfortable and secure. and yet I think fits the mould well of the golf gti of everyday daily drive that can add a bit of fun factor when needed

ps my car has just landed at the dealership as well. great to see in the flesh ! the red lip of the a250 am very pleased blends in well with the red duco. now the wait for my lease on the golf gti to finish !

[kaktusdigital]

Thanks alebonau for the in depth analysis of the ride and comfort. I too was scratching my head with the many reports of the ride being ultra harsh.. ?

What I wanted to ask is - which dealership did you do the test drive at and whether or not you were allowed to go it alone (just like at VW)

Secondly, how did you find the 7G-DCT compared to your current GTI? I hear that its not quite as refined as the DSG, but I'd like to hear what a real consumer thinks.

Thanks!

[alebonau]

hi kaktus was at berwick mb , I was accompanied which I dont mind really being an unfamiliar neighbourhood was handy for directions and finding my way around. you could ask I guess if want to go it alone.

re the 7 speed dual clutch on the merc. to be honest I didnt notice any strange actions. I know the dsg on the golf is often criticised for stop start and gear changes etc. but in use I think its something get used to once understand its behaviour. the merc transmission seemed smooth and didnt mis behave. but maybe something with extended use perhaps notice some oddity but nothing unusual that would call unrefined or anything. more unusual was lack of gear selector on the centre console ! is going to throw a few people I think hehe

[kaktusdigital]

Re: the gear selector, that sure is going to get some getting used to.. I'm just so used to reversing out of the drive way, and while rolling backwards a little engage D and drive off slowly.. somethings perhaps not possible with merc?

The dealer I went to said to me 3000 cars were allotted this 'special' price for the A250 ($49,990) and that 2400 of them had sold already, once the deal is over, it would cost roughly $2500 more... I call B.S.. but perhaps someone has heard some truth to this? I was quoted 55K in the end, standard A250 with metallic paint.

I'm looking forward to getting a drive in one and seeing what its all about, having only the TSI 118 to compare, i'm hoping it packs a punch in comparison!

[jjjones]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the review. Regarding the gear selector being on the right stalk, i have always owned Japanese cars where the right stalk is the indicator.

With the new A-Class having the right stalk as the gear selector, im worried that if i get the car i would accidentally put the car in neutral or some other gear when wanting to indicate. Did you see/feel anything that would prevent this?

Or am i thinking too much about this.

[TuNeS]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the review. Regarding the gear selector being on the right stalk, i have always owned Japanese cars where the right stalk is the indicator.

With the new A-Class having the right stalk as the gear selector, im worried that if i get the car i would accidentally put the car in neutral or some other gear when wanting to indicate. Did you see/feel anything that would prevent this?

Or am i thinking too much about this.

You might turn the wipers on It has been a while since I drove it, but I pretty sure the gear selector stalk is a third stalk further back.....although I could be wrong. Even if you could access it while driving, I am pretty sure there would be some fancy electronics to stop you engaging P or R Never fear.

[alebonau]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for the review. Regarding the gear selector being on the right stalk, i have always owned Japanese cars where the right stalk is the indicator.

With the new A-Class having the right stalk as the gear selector, im worried that if i get the car i would accidentally put the car in neutral or some other gear when wanting to indicate. Did you see/feel anything that would prevent this?

Or am i thinking too much about this.

hehe thinking too much about it !

while driving if used to euro cars you always go for indicator stalk on the left. if going for stuff on the right youd go for windscreen wipers instead hehe as been mentioned.

the gear selector stalk is really only D or R. park is a push button on end of it. in my driving not once did I accidentally select something via the stalk so not something to worry I dont think. you do instinctively go looking for the gear stick selector on the main console though which is habit to change

in some ways I think what benz is doing here is keeping your hands on or close to the steering wheel so everything want to select eg gear selection or paddle flaps can do so with easy reach from the steering wheel

[pologti18t]

in some ways I think what benz is doing here is keeping your hands on or close to the steering wheel so everything want to select eg gear selection or paddle flaps can do so with easy reach from the steering wheel

It also frees up alot of centre console space

[sheckster]

For those who have checked-out/ordere the a 250, did you ask about the 'drive kit plus for iphone'? I was reading before launch that it will be offered but have read recently that it won't be. In fact it's not in the brochure (although i found it on the website in the news section). I wonder if it can be retrofitted when they do decide to bringt it in?

[AdamD]

For those who have checked-out/ordere the a 250, did you ask about the 'drive kit plus for iphone'? I was reading before launch that it will be offered but have read recently that it won't be. In fact it's not in the brochure (although i found it on the website in the news section). I wonder if it can be retrofitted when they do decide to bringt it in?

I think that's probably a better question for a Mercedes Benz forum... (As is much of the discussion in this thread.)