GLA AMG vs C 450 AMG 4MATIC

[cycosis]

Looking to upgrade this spring/summer and I have settled on these two models as an upgrade from my 230.

Both are wannabe AMGs in the eyes of an AMG purist but I dont give to shits.

Similar power, 375 HP from a turbo 4 banger from the GLA vs 367 from a turbo V6 on the C 450. Both have 4 wheel drive.

The upside for the GLA is the hand built engine. The C is a factory production line assembly.

But I think you get more bang for your buck in the C as the exhaust is included whereas its bundled into a $4500 package on the GLA which I would not add on. Nicer interior too. Not a big fan of the diamond grill though.

Most important, they both fit a car seat

I have loved my C but I was tempted to try a different body style. Curious as to everyone's thoughts.

[dj_rice]

rage2 will know best since he has the GLA45 and is a Benz expert, he will chime in.

[rage2]

The GLA is way roomier than the C in the back for child seats, and the occasional adult. The GLA sounds more badass too with the much louder shift farts. Don't get too worked up on the exhaust option. It's just slightly louder. With or without the option you'll get the farts and the burbles.

The C interior is way more baller than the GLA interior. Quieter, and a much more compliant ride (compared to my 15 GLA45 with the stiffer suspension).

They both drive similar when pushed to the limits. The C450 maybe even a tad more oversteer in the dry.

Both cars are a good choice. Good bang for the buck, if you don't go balls out with options.

[Xtrema]

I'm probably looking at the same time frame and I'm 80% sure on a C450, with B9 S4 being a year behind schedule. The other 20%? Jaguar XE or B9 A4 may surprised me if they show up in the flesh during auto show.

They improved interior of GLA/CLA but still C got the way better interior.

Althought CLA/GLA45 are the cheapest cars to get the performance seats as options if you like them.

[s2k_boi]

Hey Rage,

Would you say the GLA can fit a rear facing car seat easily?

[rage2]

Originally posted by s2k_boi
Hey Rage,

Would you say the GLA can fit a rear facing car seat easily?

Yup. That's the main reason why I got the GLA. I can even sit in the front without smashing my knees.

I'll get some pics if I get the chance.

[Redlyne_mr2]

You could close your eyes and it would be tough to tell if you're driving a C class, an a4 or a Lexus IS, it's a pretty generic feeling car. The GLA amg is so much fun!

[s2k_boi]

Originally posted by rage2

Yup. That's the main reason why I got the GLA. I can even sit in the front without smashing my knees.

I'll get some pics if I get the chance.

Good to know! haha. Got one on the way and planning for a possibility of a second. No hurry for the picture. Plus I remember you being a bit taller than me....

[rage2]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
You could close your eyes and it would be tough to tell if you're driving a C class, an a4 or a Lexus IS, it's a pretty generic feeling car. The GLA amg is so much fun!

The C450 is actually a lot better than the C400. Aside from the soft ride, it feels fairly AMG like in handling traits.

Originally posted by s2k_boi
Good to know! haha. Got one on the way and planning for a possibility of a second. No hurry for the picture. Plus I remember you being a bit taller than me....

I've got 3 kids in the back of mine, one rear facing, one fwd facing, and the 3rd sandwiched in the middle. You'll be fine haha.

[cycosis]

That dark ash open pore wood trim is so nice in the C... I have sat in the GLA, not the C yet cause I hated it when it initially came out but it has grown on me.

What infant seats do you have in the back of the gla rage?

[rage2]

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio for rear facing, Britax Marathon for forward facing.

[cycosis]

And you can fit a third kid in between those?

[rage2]

Yup. Slightly tight (the B has an extra 1.5 inches of width which is nicer), but it'll get better once we convert the front facing to a booster which will really open up lateral space. We've done trips to Edmonton like that with no complaints, other than the kids wanting to beat each other up haha.

[cycosis]

Oh good god I have so much to look forward to. Thats awesome to know. Tilt towards the GLA. Did you keep the goofy wing on the back or delete it? Wondering how itll work with my Thule rack.

[rage2]

I love the wing. Works great with the oem rails and cargo box.

[cycosis]

These posts are beyond helpful. No pun intended

[rage2]

Some pics as to how things fit in the GLA45. The drivers side is setup for my comfortable driving position, while the passenger side is setup as far back as possible to allow the rear facing seat to fit. Also showing my legroom in the front. I'm 6'2".

Front facing seat + legroom:

» Click image for larger version

Rear facing seat:

» Click image for larger version

Middle seat room:

» Click image for larger version

Driver's seat legroom:

» Click image for larger version

Passenger's seat legroom:

» Click image for larger version

I'm not sure if the standard non Recaro seats are thicker or not, so it might be different in how much room you have. The middle seat there is really only good for pre-puberty child in this configuration. I've tried sitting in there, and it hurts haha.

[speedog]

Infant/child/booster seats, good for you guys. A fading, distant memory for me as are the days of a stuffed vehicle.

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by speedog
Infant/child/booster seats, good for you guys. A fading, distant memory for me as are the days of a stuffed vehicle.

A very real foreshadowing for me... I mean... ... I

On topic, excellent practically from the GLA, I think the interior fit and finish/quality would really kill me though, is it better in the AMG models than the regular ones?

[rage2]

Originally posted by Neil4Speed
On topic, excellent practically from the GLA, I think the interior fit and finish/quality would really kill me though, is it better in the AMG models than the regular ones?

It is not. It's still an entry level MB, based off a $25k car platform. I mean, the AMG appointments sure make it nicer, but sit in a C class (even the old one) and the difference in level of quality is apparent.

The biggest issue with the "quality" is how much they skimped on moldings around the doors. If you order a car that's not black, you can see the paint in the door frames with the doors closed, which looks really cheap. Also with the lack of moldings, and this is something I just noticed with our cold spell, in -20C weather you can feel the cold around every door driving over 60km/h.

With that being said, I love the car. It's a great mix of versatile, practical, and fun. I'm probably going to go for another one once the lease is over, but I probably won't go as hardcore on the options (this one was optioned up to 74k).