Mercedes Benz CLA (please do not move from 4G TL community)
#1
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Thread Starter
Mercedes Benz CLA (please do not move from 4G TL community)
Thought I would restart the CLA thread again here in 4G TL land; the last one was merged into Cartalk and got lost. So mods, please don't move this thread.
Anyways, the wife and I had a chance to checkout and test drive the CLA yesterday. The stealership here had a basic FWD for test drive, so the wife drove it. It was a basic package, priced at $31.5k (which I'm surprised they had this basic setup b/c of the affluent location). But anyways below are some thoughts:
-Wife loved the exterior styling, enough said. The front styling seemed very SL like.
-I didn't get a chance to drive it, but the dual clutch transmission felt very smooth; the engine seemed to have plenty of torque
-Rated 38 MPG on the HWY!
-Front seats/legroom/headroom seemed OK, perhaps a bit snug, but OK for my 5'11" frame
-The ride was pretty smooth though over road bumps it had a fairly hard thump; this coming from my wife who is a Lexus snob and absolutely HATES the jittery ride of my TL.
-Rear headroom was poor due to the styling; the rear is definitely not for large adults, more for kids or small frame people
-Trunk size was impressive considering the size of the CLA. Plus the trunk space was flat and the rear seats 60/40 split fold back.
-We were at the stealership ~10:30am Sat, and there was a LOT of people checking out the CLA among other models.
-The interior seemed OK. I'm not sure I like the Garmin like screen on top of the dash; sales guy claimed the CLA's interior is designed with Gen Y in mind FWIW. The electronic speedometer is nice.
-The MB dealership here is an absolute knockout. The showroom was huge and bright and warm, had lots of free tasty muffins/bagels/cream, coffee, various drinks, etc. Lots of families there. You'd think you were at a 5 star hotel dining in. YMMV.
My brief impressions are that the CLA will sell on its styling (and badge) alone. Enough said. WRT to styling, the exterior styling on Acura's sedans CANNOT compete with Mercedes. The interior didn't do much for me, but the split folding rear seats are nice. So this small sized CLA has more utility and trunk space than the mid-sized 4G TL, wtf??
We'll probably go back again to check out the CLA again (plus get more free muffins lol). But I think MB has a knockout here with the CLA due to its styling and entry level price. I speced out a FWD CLA for ~$36k MSRP, and it seems that the CLA would easily steal customers who would normally shop for the G37/Q50/TSX/TL even though the dimensions of the CLA are smaller than the sedans I listed.
I also think the general public will think: At the mid $30k price point, I can get a Mercedes. Why get an Acura, Infiniti, or Cadillac if I can get a Benz?
Acura, you clearly need to step it up, esp wrt exterior design. The upcoming NSX is a great start, and that design language IMHO should have been trickled down to the RLX and TLX. But if the RLX and ILX are any indication of exterior design, I don't have much hopes for the TLX's exterior design... since exterior design and styling seems to be many people are looking for.
Anyways, the wife and I had a chance to checkout and test drive the CLA yesterday. The stealership here had a basic FWD for test drive, so the wife drove it. It was a basic package, priced at $31.5k (which I'm surprised they had this basic setup b/c of the affluent location). But anyways below are some thoughts:
-Wife loved the exterior styling, enough said. The front styling seemed very SL like.
-I didn't get a chance to drive it, but the dual clutch transmission felt very smooth; the engine seemed to have plenty of torque
-Rated 38 MPG on the HWY!
-Front seats/legroom/headroom seemed OK, perhaps a bit snug, but OK for my 5'11" frame
-The ride was pretty smooth though over road bumps it had a fairly hard thump; this coming from my wife who is a Lexus snob and absolutely HATES the jittery ride of my TL.
-Rear headroom was poor due to the styling; the rear is definitely not for large adults, more for kids or small frame people
-Trunk size was impressive considering the size of the CLA. Plus the trunk space was flat and the rear seats 60/40 split fold back.
-We were at the stealership ~10:30am Sat, and there was a LOT of people checking out the CLA among other models.
-The interior seemed OK. I'm not sure I like the Garmin like screen on top of the dash; sales guy claimed the CLA's interior is designed with Gen Y in mind FWIW. The electronic speedometer is nice.
-The MB dealership here is an absolute knockout. The showroom was huge and bright and warm, had lots of free tasty muffins/bagels/cream, coffee, various drinks, etc. Lots of families there. You'd think you were at a 5 star hotel dining in. YMMV.
My brief impressions are that the CLA will sell on its styling (and badge) alone. Enough said. WRT to styling, the exterior styling on Acura's sedans CANNOT compete with Mercedes. The interior didn't do much for me, but the split folding rear seats are nice. So this small sized CLA has more utility and trunk space than the mid-sized 4G TL, wtf??
We'll probably go back again to check out the CLA again (plus get more free muffins lol). But I think MB has a knockout here with the CLA due to its styling and entry level price. I speced out a FWD CLA for ~$36k MSRP, and it seems that the CLA would easily steal customers who would normally shop for the G37/Q50/TSX/TL even though the dimensions of the CLA are smaller than the sedans I listed.
I also think the general public will think: At the mid $30k price point, I can get a Mercedes. Why get an Acura, Infiniti, or Cadillac if I can get a Benz?
Acura, you clearly need to step it up, esp wrt exterior design. The upcoming NSX is a great start, and that design language IMHO should have been trickled down to the RLX and TLX. But if the RLX and ILX are any indication of exterior design, I don't have much hopes for the TLX's exterior design... since exterior design and styling seems to be many people are looking for.
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#2
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Thought I would restart the CLA thread again here in 4G TL land; the last one was merged into Cartalk and got lost. So mods, please don't move this thread.
Anyways, the wife and I had a chance to checkout and test drive the CLA yesterday. The stealership here had a basic FWD for test drive, so the wife drove it. It was a basic package, priced at $31.5k (which I'm surprised they had this basic setup b/c of the affluent location). But anyways below are some thoughts:
-Wife loved the exterior styling, enough said. The front styling seemed very SL like.
-I didn't get a chance to drive it, but the dual clutch transmission felt very smooth; the engine seemed to have plenty of torque
-Rated 38 MPG on the HWY!
-Front seats/legroom/headroom seemed OK, perhaps a bit snug, but OK for my 5'11" frame
-The ride was pretty smooth though over road bumps it had a fairly hard thump; this coming from my wife who is a Lexus snob and absolutely HATES the jittery ride of my TL.
-Rear headroom was poor due to the styling; the rear is definitely not for large adults, more for kids or small frame people
-Trunk size was impressive considering the size of the CLA. Plus the trunk space was flat and the rear seats 60/40 split fold back.
-We were at the stealership ~10:30am Sat, and there was a LOT of people checking out the CLA among other models.
-The interior seemed OK. I'm not sure I like the Garmin like screen on top of the dash; sales guy claimed the CLA's interior is designed with Gen Y in mind FWIW. The electronic speedometer is nice.
-The MB dealership here is an absolute knockout. The showroom was huge and bright and warm, had lots of free tasty muffins/bagels/cream, coffee, various drinks, etc. Lots of families there. You'd think you were at a 5 star hotel dining in. YMMV.
My brief impressions are that the CLA will sell on its styling (and badge) alone. Enough said. WRT to styling, the exterior styling on Acura's sedans CANNOT compete with Mercedes. The interior didn't do much for me, but the split folding rear seats are nice. So this small sized CLA has more utility and trunk space than the mid-sized 4G TL, wtf??
We'll probably go back again to check out the CLA again (plus get more free muffins lol). But I think MB has a knockout here with the CLA due to its styling and entry level price. I speced out a FWD CLA for ~$36k MSRP, and it seems that the CLA would easily steal customers who would normally shop for the G37/Q50/TSX/TL even though the dimensions of the CLA are smaller than the sedans I listed.
I also think the general public will think: At the mid $30k price point, I can get a Mercedes. Why get an Acura, Infiniti, or Cadillac if I can get a Benz?
Acura, you clearly need to step it up, esp wrt exterior design. The upcoming NSX is a great start, and that design language IMHO should have been trickled down to the RLX and TLX. But if the RLX and ILX are any indication of exterior design, I don't have much hopes for the TLX's exterior design... since exterior design and styling seems to be many people are looking for.
Anyways, the wife and I had a chance to checkout and test drive the CLA yesterday. The stealership here had a basic FWD for test drive, so the wife drove it. It was a basic package, priced at $31.5k (which I'm surprised they had this basic setup b/c of the affluent location). But anyways below are some thoughts:
-Wife loved the exterior styling, enough said. The front styling seemed very SL like.
-I didn't get a chance to drive it, but the dual clutch transmission felt very smooth; the engine seemed to have plenty of torque
-Rated 38 MPG on the HWY!
-Front seats/legroom/headroom seemed OK, perhaps a bit snug, but OK for my 5'11" frame
-The ride was pretty smooth though over road bumps it had a fairly hard thump; this coming from my wife who is a Lexus snob and absolutely HATES the jittery ride of my TL.
-Rear headroom was poor due to the styling; the rear is definitely not for large adults, more for kids or small frame people
-Trunk size was impressive considering the size of the CLA. Plus the trunk space was flat and the rear seats 60/40 split fold back.
-We were at the stealership ~10:30am Sat, and there was a LOT of people checking out the CLA among other models.
-The interior seemed OK. I'm not sure I like the Garmin like screen on top of the dash; sales guy claimed the CLA's interior is designed with Gen Y in mind FWIW. The electronic speedometer is nice.
-The MB dealership here is an absolute knockout. The showroom was huge and bright and warm, had lots of free tasty muffins/bagels/cream, coffee, various drinks, etc. Lots of families there. You'd think you were at a 5 star hotel dining in. YMMV.
My brief impressions are that the CLA will sell on its styling (and badge) alone. Enough said. WRT to styling, the exterior styling on Acura's sedans CANNOT compete with Mercedes. The interior didn't do much for me, but the split folding rear seats are nice. So this small sized CLA has more utility and trunk space than the mid-sized 4G TL, wtf??
We'll probably go back again to check out the CLA again (plus get more free muffins lol). But I think MB has a knockout here with the CLA due to its styling and entry level price. I speced out a FWD CLA for ~$36k MSRP, and it seems that the CLA would easily steal customers who would normally shop for the G37/Q50/TSX/TL even though the dimensions of the CLA are smaller than the sedans I listed.
I also think the general public will think: At the mid $30k price point, I can get a Mercedes. Why get an Acura, Infiniti, or Cadillac if I can get a Benz?
Acura, you clearly need to step it up, esp wrt exterior design. The upcoming NSX is a great start, and that design language IMHO should have been trickled down to the RLX and TLX. But if the RLX and ILX are any indication of exterior design, I don't have much hopes for the TLX's exterior design... since exterior design and styling seems to be many people are looking for.
#5
Saw a review, actually pictured myself in the drivers seat. Then came to my senses and realized how much I dislike Merc's and their owners.
#6
Burning Brakes
I agree 100% with you on this. I also think that the Germans has already realized their break-n-butter cars have got expensive lately (3-series, C-class, A4) so they are building more entry level cars at cheaper prices like 2-series, 320i, CLA, A3, etc. Very smart move indeed.
#7
Pro
Our friends who have had 3 or 4 Lexus ES starting with a 1992 model just jumped ship to buy a new Merc C250. Nice outside but inside is clearly tacky and the total package is nowhere near the amount of car like ES350, Acura TL, or even Q50 but the thinking was "hey, for the same price as one of those Asian models we can have a Mercedes" so they now do.
From pictures I would certainly consider the CLA especially if it is in the low to mid-$30K range.
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#9
#10
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Thread Starter
The MDX and RDX are solid SUV performers. No worries there.
Sedan wise, IMHO the TL 6MT is still the best model of the sedan bunch; the exterior design is polarizing to the general public. I find its exterior styling still refreshing and aggressive, though IMHO its design needs to be tweaked (without being boring) for mainstream acceptance.
Otherwise the TSX is aging, the RLX has a boring design and does not scream exciting, and the ILX has an underwhelming powerplant. I'm rooting for the TLX to be a home run, but so far, no sneak peeks from Acura and no sneak info, aside from a few spy pics that doesn't tell much. Curious indeed.
#12
Burning Brakes
Reminds me of the lady I met at a party a while ago.
She is a middle class person very concerned about materialistic things.
She desperately wants a Mercedes.
When I asked her what model she likes, she said "a blue one"!
True story.
Sums up MB buyers for me.
She is a middle class person very concerned about materialistic things.
She desperately wants a Mercedes.
When I asked her what model she likes, she said "a blue one"!
True story.
Sums up MB buyers for me.
#13
#14
Suzuka Master
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I know its fashionable here & will get a lot of atta-boys when a Merc etc. gets beat up in a post. Thing is they are selling near 27,000 cars a month even though its a pretty pricy brand. Acura sold 11,600 cars that typically top out in the low $40’s, about where except for the new “C” the MB product line traditionally starts.
I can’t accept that all those people who bought a Mercedes are dumb a**es any more than I can accept the premise that all 11,000 odd who bought an Acura product are geniuses. Sometime the beating up on more expensive cars here really gets to sound like sour grapes.
Wonder how posts on a Honda site dinging Acura buyer as brand snobs whould go over. Once you get past a basic comfortable transportation module like Civic & Corolla you are getting into status buys. Above them no matter how its dressed up its just different levels of status. Just look at the heavy image oriented vids that are on the TV every night selling various car brands. The current TL one is a prime example.
I can’t accept that all those people who bought a Mercedes are dumb a**es any more than I can accept the premise that all 11,000 odd who bought an Acura product are geniuses. Sometime the beating up on more expensive cars here really gets to sound like sour grapes.
Wonder how posts on a Honda site dinging Acura buyer as brand snobs whould go over. Once you get past a basic comfortable transportation module like Civic & Corolla you are getting into status buys. Above them no matter how its dressed up its just different levels of status. Just look at the heavy image oriented vids that are on the TV every night selling various car brands. The current TL one is a prime example.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; 10-20-2013 at 08:49 PM.
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Howard's (11-06-2013)
#15
#16
I have car ADD
iTrader: (6)
i thought the CLA would be tiny and cheap-ish looking, but one neighbor got one, and my friend is looking at grabbing a CLA45.... its actually bigger than you think, it is probably a great buy for the $$
Audi/BMW/MB ride the best. (although i never liked MB steering)
Acura/Lexus/Infinti = most reliable/techy interiors
I just got my first Infiniti.... missing the German Ride, but not the price tag.
Audi/BMW/MB ride the best. (although i never liked MB steering)
Acura/Lexus/Infinti = most reliable/techy interiors
I just got my first Infiniti.... missing the German Ride, but not the price tag.
#17
Pro
i thought the CLA would be tiny and cheap-ish looking, but one neighbor got one, and my friend is looking at grabbing a CLA45.... its actually bigger than you think, it is probably a great buy for the $$
Audi/BMW/MB ride the best. (although i never liked MB steering)
Acura/Lexus/Infinti = most reliable/techy interiors
I just got my first Infiniti.... missing the German Ride, but not the price tag.
Audi/BMW/MB ride the best. (although i never liked MB steering)
Acura/Lexus/Infinti = most reliable/techy interiors
I just got my first Infiniti.... missing the German Ride, but not the price tag.
Yeah after about 10 minutes of panic back in about 1990 when Lexus and then Infiniti came out with their first upscale models (I owned a BMW at the time and stumbled on some BMW internal literature while in the service manager's office telling the reps how to counter against the Asian invasion into upscale territory), the Germans sucked it up and while it may have taken a number of years are now spanking the Asian upstarts on pretty much every front!
#18
Drifting
I know people who have deserted Acura/Infiniti/Lexus for some of these "downmarket" models, especially MBs. All it takes is one foray along that path for people to come to their senses and stop, as one neighbor said, "paying thousands every time it goes to the shop, which is often." As I write this, I see my next door neighbor still has his BMW loaner in his drive (for multiple weeks now) as his 2013 6 is evidently still receiving some German engineering tweaks at the shop.
#19
Pro
I know people who have deserted Acura/Infiniti/Lexus for some of these "downmarket" models, especially MBs. All it takes is one foray along that path for people to come to their senses and stop, as one neighbor said, "paying thousands every time it goes to the shop, which is often." As I write this, I see my next door neighbor still has his BMW loaner in his drive (for multiple weeks now) as his 2013 6 is evidently still receiving some German engineering tweaks at the shop.
#20
Suzuka Master
While nothing major I already had a few "fit and finish" issues with my A6 that for a car in its 3rd year just seems odd. At the 3rd year they should be near perfection, especially with things like build quality. I had trim not properly secure, missing vent, mis-aligned backup camera, and a few others things that I have never seen on any Asian car I have owned, including several year 1 cars. I do love the tech and ride in this car, but something tells me I will be back to Japanese next round as Audi can not figure out how to do electric power steering.
#23
I can never wait that long. Want the "New and Hotness" as soon as it comes out. If people don't have to walk around the back of the car to see WTF model it is, I don't feel cool enough.
#24
Burning Brakes
Just for the record (and for Kevin, lol) my comment above really is not a criticism of the cars, just the buyers. I am happy to state that I'm sure the MBs and Audis and Beemers are very fine cars. But I still believe that a vast majority of the buyers are buying them because they are overly status oriented. Whereas a high proportion of buyers of the "Japanese" brands are buying because they bought in the past and the reliability of the vehicles is superior. MHO.
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SeismicGuy (10-21-2013)
#25
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If you mean more business owners, senior managers, professionals buy these cars you are correct. Either through company cars, company car allowances, higher than average salaries or tax write offs for the professionals they are cars that they can afford. They also tend to have larger houses than average with multi-car garages to park them in.
I would expect most people here buy an Acura over a Honda because they can afford the extra freight.
The "I would not spend that much for X" cuts both ways. I am sure there are tens of millions of Americans who would not spend that much for an Acura.
I would expect most people here buy an Acura over a Honda because they can afford the extra freight.
The "I would not spend that much for X" cuts both ways. I am sure there are tens of millions of Americans who would not spend that much for an Acura.
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dcdriver (10-24-2013)
#26
I think the MB looks better on the outside, but when you factor in the looks of the interior and lack of features compared to the TL, I think the TL comes out the winner. And if you factor in the cost of maintaining the car, the TL comes out even further ahead. Right now if you found a 2013 TL on the lot with the tech package and FWD, you would probably pay less for that that you would a FWD MB and that wouldn't have all of the features the TL Tech would have. That would be a no brainer for me.
#28
Suzuka Master
I have year 1 04 TL and 09 AWD TL and both had less minor issues that my A6. I hope this is it for the minor stuff, but as others have said this sis a German car. I went in knowing it would likely have more repairs.
#29
I am going to watch how you are doing with your Audi because as you know, I am very itchy to get an Audi too. I like the fact that you are not a fanboy and can relate the facts as they are.
#30
2010 TL AWD 6MT: New King
Thread Starter
Just for the record (and for Kevin, lol) my comment above really is not a criticism of the cars, just the buyers. I am happy to state that I'm sure the MBs and Audis and Beemers are very fine cars. But I still believe that a vast majority of the buyers are buying them because they are overly status oriented. Whereas a high proportion of buyers of the "Japanese" brands are buying because they bought in the past and the reliability of the vehicles is superior. MHO.
For example, last week during lunch with a friend of mine: He has a 2010 335xi coupe w/28k miles, and he's thinking about trading it before the warranty expires. He bought it b/c "he liked the way it looked and handles." He's had the following issues so far: Replace all 4 RFT tires out of pocket b/c they could not be repaired, replace HPFP pump more than once, electrical issue that caused his entire dashboard to go out, and his driver's side window motor went out. He's worried about the expenses after the warranty expires; he had a G35 prior to the 335, and is thinking of getting a Japanese vehicle next.
But... reliability alone does not sell; other factors come into play. MB really seems to have a knockout in the CLA wrt style and price. I bought the TL b/c I weighted reliability as a large factor into my equation (among AWD and 6MT); had the TL not have AWD and 6MT, I would not have bought it, and would have likely bought an S4 or admittedly 335xi instead.
Status or not, Acura has a problem in their hands, and I suspect it has to do with their design language, poor marketing strategy, and lack of "excitement" trims. Again, look at the CLA; even this entry level model has an 355HP AMG option, whose engine specs is close to that of the RLX's 370HP top model (which is FAR from exciting). What's wrong with that picture?
IMHO.
#31
I have car ADD
iTrader: (6)
While nothing major I already had a few "fit and finish" issues with my A6 that for a car in its 3rd year just seems odd. At the 3rd year they should be near perfection, especially with things like build quality. I had trim not properly secure, missing vent, mis-aligned backup camera, and a few others things that I have never seen on any Asian car I have owned, including several year 1 cars. I do love the tech and ride in this car, but something tells me I will be back to Japanese next round as Audi can not figure out how to do electric power steering.
Japanese cant figure it out yet either.... The Q50S has DAS (Direct Adaptive Steering) and its all electric... and odd.... didn't like it at first, but finally "adapted"... no pun intended
I miss my Audi every day....only people who've driven that car can understand how perfectly and smooth it rides.
#32
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Seems like every one has their favorite German car horror story. Unfortunately I don’t & feel so left out. Not counting tires, no RFT failures, I have about $1500 out of pocket on all 4 since 2004. BMW has not had to pick-up an major expenses on any of the all in 48/50 warranties. The 335is has had 1 recall for a battery cable, the other 3 none. My TL had 3 or 4 recalls & a TSB transmission rebuild. The exact sequence & timing of the TL fails is in my threads on the 3G forum.
On the tires I changed the 335is tires @ 1500 miles because they were not suited to what I wanted the car for. The X3 & 135is still have their original RFT. The 330ci did not come with RFT so that’s a non-issue.
One of my kids has one & she also has not made the horror highlight list. Not saying they have never had problems the early 335 HPFP was dodgy but that issue was pretty much cleared up in 2010. Will a fuel pump never again fail? nope but its not a major issue in the newer cars. A quick look at the recall lists shows Honda in first place with Toyota in second. BMW is number 10 on the list. Of course they sell more cars than BMW so its obvious they would have more cars recalled. The list pretty much says that the more cars you sell the more will be recalled. It also says that no brand is immune to issues regardless of what someone's brother in laws cousin says.
On the tires I changed the 335is tires @ 1500 miles because they were not suited to what I wanted the car for. The X3 & 135is still have their original RFT. The 330ci did not come with RFT so that’s a non-issue.
One of my kids has one & she also has not made the horror highlight list. Not saying they have never had problems the early 335 HPFP was dodgy but that issue was pretty much cleared up in 2010. Will a fuel pump never again fail? nope but its not a major issue in the newer cars. A quick look at the recall lists shows Honda in first place with Toyota in second. BMW is number 10 on the list. Of course they sell more cars than BMW so its obvious they would have more cars recalled. The list pretty much says that the more cars you sell the more will be recalled. It also says that no brand is immune to issues regardless of what someone's brother in laws cousin says.
#33
Drifting
docboy, I actually have been looking into the CLA as well, as a potential replacement for my TL which is about to expire in a few months! I am pleased to hear that it does have split folding rear seats.
The only concern I had was that it did not have AWD.... that was until I realized that it will have an AMG version with AWD!!!!!!! And it was affordable too!!!!!!! WOW!
Now, I am even more confused as to what I may want to get next.... LOL
The only concern I had was that it did not have AWD.... that was until I realized that it will have an AMG version with AWD!!!!!!! And it was affordable too!!!!!!! WOW!
Now, I am even more confused as to what I may want to get next.... LOL
#34
Drifting
Seriously, if it were not for the horrendous dealership experience that I have had with Audi, I would have got into one a long time ago already.
#35
Seems like every one has their favorite German car horror story. Unfortunately I don’t & feel so left out. Not counting tires, no RFT failures, I have about $1500 out of pocket on all 4 since 2004. BMW has not had to pick-up an major expenses on any of the all in 48/50 warranties. The 335is has had 1 recall for a battery cable, the other 3 none. My TL had 3 or 4 recalls & a TSB transmission rebuild. The exact sequence & timing of the TL fails is in my threads on the 3G forum.
On the tires I changed the 335is tires @ 1500 miles because they were not suited to what I wanted the car for. The X3 & 135is still have their original RFT. The 330ci did not come with RFT so that’s a non-issue.
One of my kids has one & she also has not made the horror highlight list. Not saying they have never had problems the early 335 HPFP was dodgy but that issue was pretty much cleared up in 2010. Will a fuel pump never again fail? nope but its not a major issue in the newer cars. A quick look at the recall lists shows Honda in first place with Toyota in second. BMW is number 10 on the list. Of course they sell more cars than BMW so its obvious they would have more cars recalled. The list pretty much says that the more cars you sell the more will be recalled. It also says that no brand is immune to issues regardless of what someone's brother in laws cousin says.
On the tires I changed the 335is tires @ 1500 miles because they were not suited to what I wanted the car for. The X3 & 135is still have their original RFT. The 330ci did not come with RFT so that’s a non-issue.
One of my kids has one & she also has not made the horror highlight list. Not saying they have never had problems the early 335 HPFP was dodgy but that issue was pretty much cleared up in 2010. Will a fuel pump never again fail? nope but its not a major issue in the newer cars. A quick look at the recall lists shows Honda in first place with Toyota in second. BMW is number 10 on the list. Of course they sell more cars than BMW so its obvious they would have more cars recalled. The list pretty much says that the more cars you sell the more will be recalled. It also says that no brand is immune to issues regardless of what someone's brother in laws cousin says.
I have a TL and had that driveshaft issue fixed under warranty so I do agree that Acura is not immune. However, my good buddy had a 2 year old 335xi die on him on the highway - needed a tow from Red Deer to Edmonton which is about 150 km away and had to drive a loaner for a couple of weeks. He has choice words about German reliability but still enjoys his car for what it is.
I agree the CLA is being marketed aggressively and am looking at the AMG 4matic as my wife's possible next car (she has a 2011 BMW 328 xi). Here's the main point, I think German cars still sell on the basis of past reputation and cutting edge design. To be completely honest, a large number of people still buy cars because it looks nice and another segment will buy it because of status symbol. Not very people care about reliability anymore for luxury vehicles because of the ability to lease and dump the car back to the dealer after a few years. My wife still thinks my car is ugly and liked her car because it looked pretty... Lol
Bottom line: Acura better sure as hell step up its game in the design department or their sedan department (ie. TLX) may be rendered obsolete no matter how robust or reliable they are.
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BEAR-AvHistory (10-22-2013)
#36
Suzuka Master
You again, eh? You're on every forum!!
Japanese cant figure it out yet either.... The Q50S has DAS (Direct Adaptive Steering) and its all electric... and odd.... didn't like it at first, but finally "adapted"... no pun intended
I miss my Audi every day....only people who've driven that car can understand how perfectly and smooth it rides.
Japanese cant figure it out yet either.... The Q50S has DAS (Direct Adaptive Steering) and its all electric... and odd.... didn't like it at first, but finally "adapted"... no pun intended
I miss my Audi every day....only people who've driven that car can understand how perfectly and smooth it rides.
As for how smooth the Audi is I agree, it is the most amazing silky smooth power train I have ever driven. I think that's why it is disappointing on the steering on how that can engineer such an amazing drive train and screw up the steering so badly.
If Audi can fix the steering and provide more comfortable seats that have damn near the perfect car IMO.
#38
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
Having just tested the CLA250 recently, I have to say, it is an attractive car from the outside and the interior is no better or worse than similarly priced cars, but the driving dynamics are terrible. The steering is limp and lifeless, the throttle has about 3-inches of dead space before it begins to provide any kind of resistance, and the engine runs out of breath long before the redline.
If you care at all about the driving experience, the current iteration of the CLA is not going to satisfy even one bit. That swoopy, sporty look is completely let down by a driving experience that is typical Mercedes - wooden, aloof, and isolated. I have asked the dealer to give me a call when they get a CLA45 in that I can test because my experience with MBs has always been that the AMG cars are tuned completely differently. Hoping that the CLA45 continues that tradition.
If you care at all about the driving experience, the current iteration of the CLA is not going to satisfy even one bit. That swoopy, sporty look is completely let down by a driving experience that is typical Mercedes - wooden, aloof, and isolated. I have asked the dealer to give me a call when they get a CLA45 in that I can test because my experience with MBs has always been that the AMG cars are tuned completely differently. Hoping that the CLA45 continues that tradition.
#39
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC - USA
Age: 82
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I love how everyone is essentially ignoring you. What do you expect? This is the Acura forum. You would be naive to argue that German reliability is better than that of the Japanese. I agree that no brand is immune, but if you look at probabilities, a BMW or Audi is way more likely to incur a costly repair bill compared to a Lexus or Acura. Read all the reliability charts from JD Power and Consumer Reports and they would all agree with that. German reliability outright sucks. That's not to say you haven't been fortunate.
I have a TL and had that driveshaft issue fixed under warranty so I do agree that Acura is not immune. However, my good buddy had a 2 year old 335xi die on him on the highway - needed a tow from Red Deer to Edmonton which is about 150 km away and had to drive a loaner for a couple of weeks. He has choice words about German reliability but still enjoys his car for what it is.
I agree the CLA is being marketed aggressively and am looking at the AMG 4matic as my wife's possible next car (she has a 2011 BMW 328 xi). Here's the main point, I think German cars still sell on the basis of past reputation and cutting edge design. To be completely honest, a large number of people still buy cars because it looks nice and another segment will buy it because of status symbol. Not very people care about reliability anymore for luxury vehicles because of the ability to lease and dump the car back to the dealer after a few years. My wife still thinks my car is ugly and liked her car because it looked pretty... Lol
Bottom line: Acura better sure as hell step up its game in the design department or their sedan department (ie. TLX) may be rendered obsolete no matter how robust or reliable they are.
I have a TL and had that driveshaft issue fixed under warranty so I do agree that Acura is not immune. However, my good buddy had a 2 year old 335xi die on him on the highway - needed a tow from Red Deer to Edmonton which is about 150 km away and had to drive a loaner for a couple of weeks. He has choice words about German reliability but still enjoys his car for what it is.
I agree the CLA is being marketed aggressively and am looking at the AMG 4matic as my wife's possible next car (she has a 2011 BMW 328 xi). Here's the main point, I think German cars still sell on the basis of past reputation and cutting edge design. To be completely honest, a large number of people still buy cars because it looks nice and another segment will buy it because of status symbol. Not very people care about reliability anymore for luxury vehicles because of the ability to lease and dump the car back to the dealer after a few years. My wife still thinks my car is ugly and liked her car because it looked pretty... Lol
Bottom line: Acura better sure as hell step up its game in the design department or their sedan department (ie. TLX) may be rendered obsolete no matter how robust or reliable they are.
BTW on JD powers if the responded does not like your cup holders or push buttons you get dinged
#40