C43 vs CLA45s

[futchoi]

Hi All,

I know they are not directly comparable but given the price point which would you prefer to own and why?

C43 vs CLA45s

Any comments/opinions/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

[off_again]

futchoi said:

Hi All,

I know they are not directly comparable but given the price point which would you prefer to own and why?

C43 vs CLA45s

Any comments/opinions/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mmm, good question. Depends on budget and what you intend to do. Older CLA45's are stonkingly fast, but cheap. They will miss a lot of standard features you might expect and the interior feels low-rent. Also, the older dual clutch gearbox is a bit clunky. Later revised '45's were a lot better and small changes make a big difference though. But they are intense - which is probably the best way to explain them.

C43, more relaxed, bigger, nicer interior and likely to have a bunch more options that wont be on an CLA45. The interior space, while not a massive difference, will feel bigger due to the design and window line. The 43 engine is smooth, punchy and its quick, but its NOT intense. However, that engine can easily be tweaked and power is easily available. And while I am not too sure, I believe the 43's come with the 7 speed auto gearbox. The C63 mode has the upgraded and fast responding one, but I believe the 43's come with normal one. It will be smoother and nicer, but its not a sporty one. That dual clutch is fast, responsive and fits the personality of the '45.

Driven a 43 (nice and smooth and really impressed) but own a C63S. Sister has the mid-life upgraded A45 and its stunning. VERY different cars. Driven an early CLA45 (wife was considering a CPO one) but found it an on / off type car. Off the boil was a struggle. On the boil, pretty sure you need something very special to keep up. I am rambling, but hope this helps. VERY different characters.

[Ron240]

The CLA 45S is up to the minute technology engine wise and is currently the most powerful 4 cylinder engine in production.
Prices of both cars in Coupe form are broadly similar depending on trim spec, £52k - £58k.
The CLA 45S has an 8 speed gearbox, while the C43 has a 9 speed. The former is also 0.7 seconds quicker with the 0-62mph sprint.
The C43 is an old design now and cant be far off being replaced, but it still looks great and has the better interior.
It really just depends on personal choice......which one do you like more?

[futchoi]

Thanks for the replies.

I need to test drive the CLA45s but reading the reviews and seeing the performance figures it is impressive.

I think I am edging towards the 45s though.

[off_again]

Ron240 said:

The CLA 45S is up to the minute technology engine wise and is currently the most powerful 4 cylinder engine in production.
Prices of both cars in Coupe form are broadly similar depending on trim spec, £52k - £58k.
The CLA 45S has an 8 speed gearbox, while the C43 has a 9 speed. The former is also 0.7 seconds quicker with the 0-62mph sprint.
The C43 is an old design now and cant be far off being replaced, but it still looks great and has the better interior.
It really just depends on personal choice......which one do you like more?

W205 is due for replacement now! Currently in testing for the W206 model for what should be a 2021 product! Suspect its coming mid-year since Mercedes just announced the face-lift E class now, its a few months away. I believe its an evolution, but it will get the refreshed interior and infotainment systems (at LONG LAST).

Current A's get the latest system (or close to it) which is a way better infotainment system though. Early A45 were a bit crap, new model is good, very good.

[Webdunk]

C43. Better gearbox. Better noise.

[Ron240]

off_again said:

Early A45 were a bit crap, new model is good, very good.

I wouldn't say they were crap, unless you are speaking purely about the infotainment system. I still think the C Class interior is a nicer place to sit than an A Class.
It would appear from reading your first post that you were getting confused by exactly which model of A45 was being asked about.
A 45 S/CLA 45 S is the brand new model that has only just been released.

Edited by Ron240 on Thursday 5th March 19:47

[futchoi]

Yes to clarify was referring to the latest CLA45s as opposed to the earlier versions.

Still good to hear everyone's opinion though especially given the price of the older models.

[SteveC72]

I had a CLA45 which I changed for a C43. The 43 sounds much better than the 45 and it’s a nicer place to be, but, it doesn’t have the intense power delivery of the 45, although it’s atill plenty quick. The 43 feels more ‘grown up’ compared to the 45. I don’t like the gearbox in the 43 as much as the 45.

If I had to choose one today it’d be the 45.

[Ron240]

SteveC72 said:

I had a CLA45 which I changed for a C43.

We are still getting hung up on the older model Steve.
The CLA 45 S is a different beast to the one you owned.
The C43 hasn't changed though.

To my mind the CLA 45 S is the hooligan new kid on the block looking for a fight, while the C43 is the more mature been there/done that laid back attitude....knowing its getting old but still has plenty in the tank.

To be honest if I was offered either one for free it would be a hard decision to make.

Edited by Ron240 on Friday 6th March 15:06

[off_again]

Ron240 said:

off_again said:

Early A45 were a bit crap, new model is good, very good.

I wouldn't say they were crap, unless you are speaking purely about the infotainment system. I still think the C Class interior is a nicer place to sit than an A Class.
It would appear from reading your first post that you were getting confused by exactly which model of A45 was being asked about.
A 45 S/CLA 45 S is the brand new model that has only just been released.

Edited by Ron240 on Thursday 5th March 19:47

Yeah, sorry - infotainment system - its a bit crap. The new A's have the latest, or nearly the latest, version - which is waaaaay better than anything fitted to the W205.

[mrright]

if I wanted a real AMG performance, handling and braking, then it would be the cla45s or a used c63.

The C43 is great but isnt a full fat AMG The handling/chassis, transmission and brakes aren't quite there but are close. Probably close enough for most ?

I've never driven the new cla but drove a few outgoing 45 models , they have real attitude and this one is meant to be quite a step up so that is compelling.

I would say : practicality, c43
performance and enjoyment : cla45a

[Ron240]

mrright said:

The C43 is great but isnt a full fat AMG

It used to popular to say anything A Class/4 cylinder isn't full fat AMG.
Times have changed now.

[mrright]

exactly! soon the mighty 63 might go that route. I'm future planning !
to be perfectly honest if they cut the next one to 4 cylinders they should be obliged to call it the C31.5

[Tim bo]

The CLA 45S is tempting me out of my C63, let alone compared to a C43. Very impressive machinery.

Will be looking to test drive one at some point.

[off_again]

Tim bo said:

The CLA 45S is tempting me out of my C63, let alone compared to a C43. Very impressive machinery.

Will be looking to test drive one at some point.

I have a C63S and my sister has a A45 (not the latest S model). The A45 is fast, seriously fast, but I would say it does seem very different in personality. Get it on the boil and the gearbox is great to react, but it does lack the torque and response compared to the C63S. I used the word above, and its definately applicable - intense. The A45 is intense when you are on it, the C63S is easier to 'roll into'. Not sure that makes sense, but VERY different personalities and its quite amazing how AMG can do something so different.

Given that the new A45S is even more powerful, I guess that the difference is less, but I pretty sure the 4 cylinder turbo engine will always be peaky in comparison to the 4.0v8TT. There is so much performance with the C63S up to say 4500 RPM and its so different to the A45. Makes me wonder what the new W206 AMG model will be though - rumors are that it is supposed to be a 4 cylinder turbo hybrid with 4WD and more power than the V8. I am not going to say that its the death of AMG (as some forums have said), but I wonder what it will 'feel' like. Seen a few reviews of the AMG '53 engine and it seems impressive, but lacking in character. Lets see.

[mrright]

I certainly think the c63s is more grown up and chilled in comfort mode. compared to the old A45, it is more comfortable, better ride quality etc. it then also has bags more torque and far more wild very than the 45. it is more wild than the NA c63 and well. Other than the muscle v8 and loudness of pops in sport plus / race, the A45 at least from late 2016 owns the c63 in terms of pops , crackles and crazy upshifts. also because the cabin lacked insulation, it was so much louder than the 63 feels. Lastly because the engine has less power, it revs faster and the soundtrack is more satisfying. not sure I can say the same for the new 45s which seem to have quite a subdued sound track. even the facelift c63s which I drove around track was also slightly behind the pre facelift in terms of sound experience.

in late 2016 I needed a car and chose a gla 45 over a c43 but then I was happy to have a small compact car. the new cla45 is not bad from a space perspective . would I buy a CLA45s or a second hand C63s... probably not if the 63 comes with warranty. if I wanted a bang spanking new pcp and had a choice of CLA45s or C43 facelift ... hmmm, probably the CLA45s...