M-B CLA 250
BMW 320i
Audi A3

Experiences, thoughts on maintenance, or anything in regards to these vehicles would be helpful. If not these specific ones, then your thoughts on the brands. TIA.

Edited to 320i. Too many letters and numbers.

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BMW 280i

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I assume you mean 228?

BMWs require lots of repairs of non-maintenance items... I have heard numerous complaints from owners of used BMWs. One friend had a used 3 series for 8 months, traded it in for a Civic since the problems kept coming up. Says he will never own a BMW again. Many coworkers have complained of the problems with their BMWS as well, apparently the water pump is a big issue. It's not just that they aren't reliable vehicles, but the labor rates are high, and a $12 thermostat on my mustang cost a co-worker $100 for his BMW. Some cars of any make and model are duds, but seems every BMW owner I have ever encountered has had problems.

I don't know about if Audi or Mercedes is as bad as BMW, but I think German reliability is a myth.

I prefer the Audi. However I would not get any of them. For the reliability concerns above.

Id only own a BMW if I knew a certified BMW mechanic personally.

Thankfully I do if I decide to buy one.

In saying that, if go with the Audi. I think that they are the most trouble free of your 3 options. SpicewoodAg just bought an A3, hopefully he will be along soon to share as well.

Sat in an Audi A3 this weekend at the Dallas Auto Show. Great little car. Audi has some of the best interiors in the business. I'd go with the Audi.

Considered a cla250 or audi a3 for my new car.

Ended up buying a subaru wrx sti for around the same price. Not as nice inside, but way more fun to drive

320 can easily be remapped for 328 power.....cla is fwd. nothx.

CLA is a cheap FWD knock-off. Avoid.

I have 2200 miles on a new A3 Quattro.

I didn't drive a CLA. Honestly - I just didn't want one. I think the rear end is ugly.

I have an irrational objection to a 3 series that isn't an M3. So I just don't want one. And the BMW 2 series is 2 door only.

I ended with the A3 starting with the 2015 GTI.

I can't contrast the A3 with the BMW 3 or the CLA because I didn't drive them nor consider them. I have read reviews of the CLA vs. the A3.

I think the A3 with the 1.8 is a very different car than the 2,0 Quattro that I bought. Whether the A3 is the right choice or not depends on what you want.

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I have 2200 miles on a new A3 Quattro.

I didn't drive a CLA. Honestly - I just didn't want one. I think the rear end is ugly.

I have an irrational objection to a 3 series that isn't an M3. So I just don't want one. And the BMW 2 series is 2 door only.

I ended with the A3 starting with the 2015 GTI.

I can't contrast the A3 with the BMW 3 or the CLA because I didn't drive them nor consider them. I have read reviews of the CLA vs. the A3.

I think the A3 with the 1.8 is a very different car than the 2,0 Quattro that I bought. Whether the A3 is the right choice or not depends on what you want.

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Agreed with above.

VW/Audi has gotten their platform tuning down very well.

CLA is still new in the world and I think has some finessing to do before its taken very seriously.

Just my .02

I have a 2007 335i with 95k miles. I love and hate my car. I have had a ridiculously long list of **** break on my car. I have had it since 2011 and 45k miles. It was CPO for a while which helped.

However, I have 425hp at the wheels. I've done tons of mods. Things have probably broken due to mods but some things are completely unrelated.

I'm really not a BMW fan but I don't know how else to get 425hp for under $25k in a small four door sport sedan.

I enjoy cars a lot and enjoy working on my car. That helps with total cost of ownership. Though when things break that shouldn't break (rear window motor failure, DME resistors, etc) it is really pisses me off.

Good luck!

Audi. MB's just don't do it for me and BMW's are Bavarian Money Wasters.

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cla is fwd. nothx.

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No need to make Baby Jesus cry. Skip the Benz.

I'd get a Lexus of some sort before any of those.

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Audi. MB's just don't do it for me and BMW's are Bavarian Money Wasters.

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BAVARIAN MONEY WASTER. That.is.awesome.

Personally I love my 1-series (aka 2-series). Small and fast as **** (135is). Only has 15k miles on it in 2 years so far, but I regret nothing related to this purchase so far. I had a 328i prior to this that had a couple issues, but nothing significant until it was 7 years old and out of warranty. Then sold it before it got expensive. BMWs are meant to be owned for about 6 years then pawned onto silly unsuspecting people that don't know any better. Along those lines, I have no hesitation to keep buying them as long as they're new. Never used and never high mileage.
Yes, they're definitely love-hate. Hate the headaches, but the love outweighs it and makes it worth it IMO. I would consider Audi, but don't think I can ever go back to japanese.

M4 or i8 might be next for me after my 7 year warranty expires on this one.

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I'd get a Lexus of some sort before any of those.

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The problem is that the Lexus IS is just so lame now (I liked the previous gen). It might be a bit more reliable, but I would get mad every time I looked at the front end of the car.

The IS 250 is as slow as a 4 cylinder Accord with a CVT but gets worse MPG.

The IS 350 has appropriate power, but is no quicker than my 2.0 Quattro.

The F Sport adds 2 more gears, but no power.

It is just as expensive as the Germans, has less interior space, and weighs more.

Thoughts on new Lexus RCF that is replacing the IS line up?



5.0L NA V8

The RCF has potential.

All 3 brands come with free vehicle maintenance for some period of time and miles if buying new. After that good luck, it is going to cost you. if you believe the Consumer Reports data the Audi will be the best in long term reliability, the BMW is in the middle and the Mercedes will be wayyyy at the back. I'd personally go with the 320i among those choices and flash the computer to give it some pep. Now if you could step up to an A4 go that route. Beautiful car imho.

My boss is about to pick up an RC 350 F Sport. I'll let y'all know how it drives

RC F has not been getting good reviews. Doesn't compete well with its peers (M3/M4, RS5) except it's a bit cheaper.

CLA is new to the US but based on MB A class which has been around a while. Doesn't do much for me and I think fit and finish is probably a step down from the rest of the MB lineup.

A3 would probably be pretty fun, but I'd definitely test drive it vs the bimmer.

320 would probably be my frontrunner before sitting in/test driving them. Since you're buying new the warranty would definitely ease my mind and I'd probably get an extended warranty if you plan to keep for a long time.

RC F is a pig. Way too heavy.

Thanks all. After both the wife and I driving all we are down to the A3 and 320i. Today is pricing day. We arrive to the dealer this evening with the best offer.

Which A3 are you looking at?

2.0 Quattro

So what is the benefit of buying a base model luxury vehicle? Do they come with features not available when spending the same coin on a Volkswagen?

I'm not sure what VW does as far as customer service, but when my mom went from a Jeep Cherokee-son to a Cadillac, the customer service was heads and shoulders above what she ever had with Jeep (or Nissan with her previous 2 vehicles). I'm not sure how long it lasts, but when she was due for her first oil change, the dealership drove out to my mom's work to pick up her vehicle, left a loaner of the exact vehicle, and took it back to do the oil change. When she got it back, they had washed and detailed it for her. Now, I'm sure this is built into the price of the vehicle when buying a Cadillac, but it's things like that are some perks.

Yup. Product of it being a frankencar I think:

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Lexus combined the front clip of the GS sedan, the center section of the old IS C convertible, and the rear end of the IS sedan, using adhesives and welding and a fancy technique called laser screw welding, which allows for more frequent tacks and thus greater rigidity.

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http://www.caranddriver.com/lexus/rc-f

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2.0 Quattro

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Good choice!

MIne is a Premium Plus, with B&O audio, Sport package, Convenience package, 19 in. wheels, stainless pedal caps.

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All 3 brands come with free vehicle maintenance for some period of time and miles if buying new. After that good luck, it is going to cost you. if you believe the Consumer Reports data the Audi will be the best in long term reliability, the BMW is in the middle and the Mercedes will be wayyyy at the back. I'd personally go with the 320i among those choices and flash the computer to give it some pep. Now if you could step up to an A4 go that route. Beautiful car imho.

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The A4 is not a step up unless a bit more size is important.

Non-Quattro A4 models are CVT.

Otherwise same engine as the A3, more weight, slower, more $$.

That's crazy Garland...

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Non-Quattro A4 models are CVT.

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orly?