I was extremely tempted last night to reply to the above line by line, but felt that wouldn't have aided diplomatic relationships. However, I do feel the urge in respect of my right of reply. None aggressive and 100% adult like.

Yes yours is quicker but it's very close. But mines comfy over a long distance, yours isn't.
"Close" is subjective, although I think I understand your context - so within context, agreed. I wouldn't dispute that the M135i is more "comfy" than the A45. However, for me I wasn't looking for a "comfy" car.

Yes it's generally preferred as an out and out hot hatch but some still favour the much cheaper BMW (including Evo).
Whether others favour one car over a n other is totally irrelevant to me. I bought the A45 because I liked it very much. Not because x,y,z said they liked it.

Yes yours is a "proper" AMG, mine is "only" an M-lite which makes the constant comparisons, some favouring the BMW, quite interesting.
As I've said previously, the reason for my quotes around the AMG thing was purely to highlight the "expectation" because of that.

Yes yours is the headline grabber but it's still only a four pot engine with a flawed gearbox.
The quoted "flawed gearbox" statement aside, I'm not sure why you seem to imply that a four pot is a lowly configuration. I've never owned anything other than a four pot, and quite frankly the A45 set-up is the best four pot configuration I've ever owned. I understand there is a subjective (and probably objective) thing about 4 pots vs 6 pots.... but to state "only" on a forum that is predominantly 4 pot owners.... you're probably asking for trouble. Personally I don't "get" the 6 pot thing, but then I wouldn't use that in any defence for comparison. I'm a 90's boy racer....... 2ltr screamer with a blower attached.

Yes your car on finance/lease has better bar bragging rights but you and other owners here seem obsessed with the latest remap/whatever rather than actually appreciating the car for what it is; very revealing.
What has the way I financed my car, have any relevance to any form of car comparison? Just to set the record straight though, I bought my car with a 40% deposit and the rest on interest free. I had no part ex, so this was all about the money. What would you have done (considering I will lose money, if I had paid for the vehicle outright, in interest on my capital)?

In respect of tuning..... I think you may need to do a bit of research as to the kind of person I am with cars. Tuning is in my blood.... always done it, and I suspect, always will. But that's just the way I roll.

Yes yours is a much shoutier, look-at-me car but many don't want that.
Agreed - but not sure why that's a negative in respect of the AMG. You can buy one without all the chav bits, but since I wanted all the chav bits..... it needed to be the full chavfest for me. Doesn't make either worse or better for it.

Yes I'll keep mine because I own it and really like it; you'll just move on to renting the next bar bragging rights car once your finance/lease term is over.
Will I really? Your making a statement - which is quite nice. Again you're bringing up things about owning and how something is financed. I normally keep my second car for around 4yrs, so yes, there is a high chance that come 4yrs time, I'll swap for something else..... I'm not really sure why that's an issue tbh.

Get the message?
You might have to spell it out to me, as I'm a bit puzzled myself now.

 

Fair answers to a slightly grumpy post. Respect.

 

Who'd have thought during WW2 that almost 70yrs later two Brits would be arguing about who's German sh1tbox is the best.

 

Irony at it's best.

 

You could always add to the irony by arguing about your jap car too?

 

As I technically still own the Scoob, I could say "Boys.... line em up and I'll smash em all a new backside against my 490bhp Hawkeye. And that goes for you as well, A45!!!".



I'm actually not that sure the outcome would be all that positive as a matter of fact. lol

 

Bet I can still do better doughnuts though

 

As before, in the real world on the road it would probably be a lot closer than the numbers suggest, the Hawk would pull a few car lengths on the long straights but could well get reeled in under braking and through the twisty bits.

Just been out to the shops in mine and we've had a fair bit of rain overnight and today so most of the slime has been washed away, finally had a chance to push mine a bit for the first time since fitting some new springs, roll bar brace and new geo settings, things are looking positive for when I do the alloy wishbones and get some more caster and a set of NS2R's even I might be able to give you boys a run for your money.

 

I'll have all your fat, bloated overweight barges in the twisties
(Well not me, I'm a $hit driver! but you know what I mean...)

 

Yours are both RWD and therefore useless on anything but a bone dry race track. Didn't you know?

 

Bugger... Forgot about that

 

BMW are currently offering contract hire for business users £1494+vat up front and £259+vat for 24 months including all maintenance, tyres etc.

That's £7710, surely cheaper than the depreciation if buying outright?

 

4 pot, 6 pot, 4 pot, 6pot... FFS grow up!!!!!





















And get a V8

 

That's perfectly acceptable.... as it's two 4 pots stuffed together!

 

 

Plus the vat = £9252, even with depreciation and maintenance/servicing surely owning the car as an asset is better than contract hire!

 

Yeah the gearbox quote was a bit bab, the updates sorted it, just a pity when Harris and the rest reviewed it MB hadn't nailed it. If they tested now it would be a differing story.

As for comfort I'll disagree ok the rides hard but not bad, I had an E350 and that's was a barge yeah comfy but I do Leeds london a lot and I can't honestly tell much difference. I just glide along....

Now the M2 could be a differing story

 

What do you think a £30k bimmer will be worth after 2yrs then. You'd lose the VAT as an absolute minimum, without even thinking about the other side of depreciation. Also those figures include maintenance. Based on the info provided, it surely wouldn't be worth owning the car financially would it?

I'd suspect the car would be worth £20k.

 

Ted,
It's not the ride quality as in chassis and suspension per se. It's the seats.... There as hard as nails to me. But then I haven't much rump, so I notice the lack padding on the backside. lol

In comparison my Focus feels like a limo, which is hardly that in reality.

 

Yea ok but you never own it, what about your future options as far as selling and/or trade in is concerned to move onto your next car? The maintenance costs over 2yrs isn't going to be a lot in the scheme of things is it? I've always thought of contract hire as being a bit of a mugs game financially. The cynic in me sees contract hire as being to good to be true.

 

IMO it works (leasing etc) if you simply must have a new car - showroom fresh

Personally it does not bother me, plus you miss the thrill of finding a used condom behind the rear seats

 

I'm lost in respect of the trade in/part ex element. Buying in to a lease scheme doesn't mean you'll be worse off when getting the next car. It's surely about the financial figures overall.

 

Company car or buy one that's my choice work pay me an allowance so I'm kinda ok, company cars these days you just get bummed if you have anything nice, so I used the cash for pcp.

I could've boght a shed and kept the cash, but naa I like the new car smell. But smells of farts now lol

 

I'm vat registered

So how much is a 2 year old m135 worth then?

 

I dunno lol but more than 20K surely?

 

I would be surprised if it is.

 

They are apparently worth around 51% at 3 yrs, so is pretty much say that my estimation of £20k is about **** on.

 

The trouble is, add a few essential options and those prices are blown out of the water.
Plus you're committed, restricted on mileage and have the horrible drop drip drip of monthly payments.
It appeals to many but not us even if the numbers appear to be better.
We got £6k off ours too; makes a difference.

And for business, you get killed with BIK tax.

I haven't seen any for less than £20k yet but I suspect some px deals would have dipped under that mark.

That's partly why we sold the van (held its money well) rather than the car.

 

that Van Matte will always hold its money, there mega. Mates got a 10 year old renault camper cost him 47K its still worth 30+.

my Balloon on the 45 after 4 years is just shy of 18k im guessing itll be worth more, but time will tell...

 

Its horses for courses Matt

Mileage is only really an issue if you hand it back at the end of the term (which many won't)

Monthly drip? Don't tell me you pay your rent yealy in advance? I bet even you have regular monthly outgoings.

I've always negotiated price with discount before even discussing payment terms or part ex. Dealers don't like it but its easy to do.

If you're a sole trader or a partner in a partnership there's no benefit in kind tax. If you're also VAT registered then you've won a watch.

BIK tax is hardly a killer either. "Your" car would cost a PAYE employee paying tax at the higher rate appx £285 a month in tax. That's a cheap car fro the employee.

The employer gets tax relief on the lease costs or deprciation (depending on whether financed or bought outright).

I get that its not for you but sometimes I do wonder if you just spout forth without actually knowing the reality of the situation