CLA AMG, IS350 F-sport, S4, S5 Which one?

[Nitron88]

I would like some feedback figuring out which of these cars would be the best overall car to drive year round in Calgary.

If you can take all specs into consideration, bang for buck, overall performance, fun factor, most control in snow/ice, etc. Not looking to make any mods at all and hoping it's high enough to get into a steep declined garage parking lot.

2014:
CLA AMG 4matic coupe edition 1
IS 350 Executive Package F-Sport w/ TRD Kit
S4 - which tranny?
S5 - which tranny?

Which one would you pick?

[lilmira]

It would be between the CLA45 w/perf. exhaust and the S4 w/dsg & sport diff for me.

CLA45 for the exhaust

S4 for the larger back seat

Haven't driven the CLA but the S4 is so much fun.

[RX_EVOLV]

Those were all on my list when I was shopping for a car (but lower budget).

The S4 was soooo much fun to drive, but $72K off the lot was too much for me and the interior felt dated.

The IS350 F-sport was no where near as fun and felt way too small. I don't think it's anywhere near the same league as the S4/CLA45 (but the price is good)

The CLA45 AMG was my first pick, but they don't have any slot until 2015s and the Edition 1 seems too expensive for what it is($73k+).. rather get a 507 for that price..both out of my budget.

[vtec4life]

why not a 3 series or the new 4 series?

[gpomp]

Test drive them and then decide for yourself. :dunno:

[rage2]

Good luck test driving a CLA45.

With that being said, I've been lucky to drive one, and have spent time with the S4 and S5 with sport diff, and the CLA is much more fun to drive for an AWD car.

[turbotrip]

I would pick the S4 in terms of all round sensibility, and I own an S5

[killramos]

^ I was about to order an S5 until I found out how bad the back seats are. Now I don't run a limo service but always good to be able to throw a couple buddies in the back seat when needed. I worry that the cla would be short in the back. Might have to take a look at the auto show or take a cruise down to line star. Do they still have a display model on the floor?

I love the looks and idea of the cla though. Just a bit more practical than a CLS which is a complete gas!

[KRyn]

CLA45 or S4 for sure!

[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by vtec4life
why not a 3 series or the new 4 series?

The new M Sport 3 and 4 series look so good, but I am biased.

[faiz999]

out of those, id take the s4 all day. just a great overall pkg. id take the dct if given the choice

that being said, i havent driven a cla45, but if you want more low end torque, the s4 will be a better choice, imo.

the lexus is a nice car, but im not a fan of the styling of the new 14's myself and the interior is not as nice (IMO) as the audi.

[rage2]

Originally posted by faiz999
that being said, i havent driven a cla45, but if you want more low end torque, the s4 will be a better choice, imo.
I've only driven the CLA45 at sea level, vs the S4 in Calgary, and the CLA45 had more low end grunt than the S4. With that said, both in Calgary, you could be right that the S4 out torques the CLA45 in low rpm daily driving.

[Lex350]

The best answer is just to go drive as many of these cars yourself. Only you will know which one is best for you.

[T-Dubbs]

Originally posted by gpomp
Test drive them and then decide for yourself. :dunno:
+1

[rage2]

Originally posted by rotten42
The best answer is just to go drive as many of these cars yourself. Only you will know which one is best for you.

Originally posted by T-Dubbs
+1

Originally posted by rage2
Good luck test driving a CLA45.

[benyl]

Originally posted by rage2
Good luck test driving or even ordering a CLA45.


Fixed for you.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Another +1 for the S4. It should be revised for 2015 though, so you may want to hold off. It's more of a complete package than the others IMO, all things considered (size, interior, better power for every day driving, wet clutch DSG, etc.). It's one of the very best all-season daily drivers.

I am not a fan of the IS350 value proposition. They keep using a very ho-hum motor with no forced induction, but it's priced the same as everyone else. No DCT either. I don't see it as an equal to the S4/335i/C400 ,etc.

The CLA45 is going to be impossible to get a test drive in and is a class smaller than the other things you're looking at. I wouldn't be looking at it if I was shopping for a car sized like the S4/IS350, etc.

Not sure when the C400 is coming, but that would be a must-see for me as well, if I was shopping this segment.

[colinxx235]

No kids?

2014 S5, 7speed dsg, titanium package, Giac stage 2 tune + pulley kit, awe exhaust


:burnout:


(and I own an '11 S4 :rofl: , been looking at buying a 14 S5....)

[joker]

Originally posted by colinxx235
No kids?

2014 S5, 7speed dsg, titanium package, Giac stage 2 tune + pulley kit, awe exhaust


:burnout:


(and I own an '11 S4 :rofl: , been looking at buying a 14 S5....)

And no warranty with the tune

[colinxx235]

Originally posted by joker


And no warranty with the tune


oh well, still the fastest without a tune

mine is stasis but I believe that relationship isn't going very well between stasis/audi anymore... not sure if you can still do it under warranty


otherwise I guess bmw/dinan is the path :poosie:

[npham]

Originally posted by colinxx235

mine is stasis but I believe that relationship isn't going very well between stasis/audi anymore... not sure if you can still do it under warranty


I talked to Royal Oak about a month ago, and while they haven't completely scrapped it, they were hopefully it would be back in 2014. Audi didn't want to pay for failures that added power could/did cause, and neither did Stasis.

You could also get an APR flash, and revert to the stock programming when you take it in for servicing. I'm not sure if they programming switching yet(didn't in Dec/Nov) but everyone in town was willing to flash it back to stock before going to the dealer and flashing back once you are done your maintenance.

[colinxx235]

^

Yah the guys at tunerworks said if you did the Giac Stage 2 they would do the exact same thing for you. Hence not too worried about warranty, but some people really worry over compromising it. Simple flash can do wonders.


It would be smart for Audi to have a relationship with some aftermarket company, just because it is a very big draw to BMW with Dinan and having full support. Not to mention they charge an assload more for it

[joker]

Regardless of who does the tune and if its flashed back to stock, Audi will still know it was tuned and Td1 the car. I believe there is a flash counter or something that will tell Audi that the program has been modified.
My understandng is that it is not the dealerships give grief but rather Audi them selves since as soon as its plugged in the data goes straight to Audi.