2014 Mercedes CLA 250 vs. 2013 BMW 320i

18763 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by brianch, Jun 27, 2013

fastlane

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2013 (Edited)

Pricing on both cars come very close to each other which will make it harder to justify buying one over the other. But there are still many other things to factor; gas mileage, horsepower & torque, design, features, options, cabin space, cargo space & more!

2014 Mercedes CLA 250 Price: $29,900
2013 BMW 320i Price: $32,550

Why would you buy the Mercedes CLA over the BMW 320i or vise-versa?

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

cordovan

· #2 · Feb 5, 2013

I'm going to list the reasons I would buy a 320i in no particular order

1. Rear wheel drive
2. 6 speed manual or 8 speed auto
3. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds
4. 40mpg combined
5. $32,550 starting price

Here are the pros of the CLA 250 to me
1. Looks better (debatable)
2. 0-60 in 6.7 seconds
3. More than $32,550 starting price

The CLA250 will actually be more expensive. The $29k starting price is likely for the CLA 180. There are a few cons to the CLA (no manual transmission, mileage isnt as good, no RWD)

But I do prefer AWD so I will likely only be looking at the CLA 250 4Matic. I do wish it came in manual but I do have my doubts. Of course the CLA 250 4Matic is probably going to cost close to 40k.. Performance wise the CLA250 is the winner. And the specs are based on the FWD model... The 4MATIC will be even better.

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BenzinoXL

· #3 · Feb 5, 2013

I can't say one is better because its RWD or vice versa. I like RWD for its handling but consumers feel safer with an awd for all weather conditions. To me i think the CLA looks better but its really a personal opinion. I wouldnt even bother with the CLA 180, I guess that could be catered to those who just want to have a "Mercedes" and have bragging rights.

Mike T

· #4 · Feb 6, 2013

cordovan said:
The CLA250 will actually be more expensive. The $29k starting price is likely for the CLA 180.

Nope! Once again, the CLA will only becoming in the 250 guise in North America, until the AMG appears.

AMG4Matic

· #5 · Feb 6, 2013

So I'm assuming the CLA 250 start price will be $29,900. So the CLA 250 4Matic should be $34,900?

Good guess?

Mike T

· #6 · Feb 6, 2013

I figure a premium of $2500 to $3000 for the 4MATIC is about right (based on other models in the MB range).

4Matic

· #7 · Feb 7, 2013

fastlane said:
Why would you buy the Mercedes CLA over the BMW 320i or vise-versa?

I didn't realize the 320i was so cheap. German quality and RWD. This has made me rethink things a bit regarding the CLA.

fastlane

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 7, 2013

Mike T said:
Nope! Once again, the CLA will only becoming in the 250 guise in North America, until the AMG appears.

so you're saying eventually we'll be able to see the 1.6-liter engine CLA 180 in north america after the CLA 45 AMG appears?

so far it seems to be just a Europe only model.

brianch

· #9 · Feb 7, 2013

I think he meant to say we will only be getting the CLA 250 and the CLA 45 AMG.

fastlane

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 7, 2013

cfrp said:
I think he meant to say we will only be getting the CLA 250 and the CLA 45 AMG.

that's what I sort of thought. if they do bring the cla 180 to north america i wonder how well it will sell. being a 1.6-liter engine I think some car nuts and reviewers/journalists will find it to be sluggish. But it can bring the CLA price down further than it's current $30k mark (CLA 250) and give it a bit of an edge over the BMW 320i

DaMastah

· #11 · Feb 8, 2013

the bmw 3 series being rwd gives it extra points, even though you can get a 4matic cla, getting a vehicle in it's most basic form with RWD means a lot.

Mike T

· #12 · Feb 8, 2013

FWD cars can be more fun to drive hard than a RWD...Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 comes to mind, as does the 405 that I used to own. Neutral handling with mild lift-off oversteer, it was just brilliant.

AMG4Matic

· #13 · Feb 8, 2013

The AWD vs RWD vs FWD debate will never be settled.

For putting the power to the ground nothing beats AWD.

RWD and FWD can both get sideways depending on the setup. The biggest problem with FWD is understeer and the problem with RWD is oversteer.

You can be much more aggressive with the throttle in a FWD and you might be able to get on the power earlier out of the turn. In a RWD throttle control must be done carefully or you will risk spinning out.

I think AWD stands out as the best of both worlds in racing and real world conditions.

With todays snow storm. There will be many BMWs stuck on a curb.

chancelperry

· #14 · Jun 26, 2013

cordovan said:
I'm going to list the reasons I would buy a 320i in no particular order

1. Rear wheel drive
2. 6 speed manual or 8 speed auto
3. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds
4. 40mpg combined
5. $32,550 starting price

Here are the pros of the CLA 250 to me
1. Looks better (debatable)
2. 0-60 in 6.7 seconds
3. More than $32,550 starting price

The CLA250 will actually be more expensive. The $29k starting price is likely for the CLA 180. There are a few cons to the CLA (no manual transmission, mileage isnt as good, no RWD)

But I do prefer AWD so I will likely only be looking at the CLA 250 4Matic. I do wish it came in manual but I do have my doubts. Of course the CLA 250 4Matic is probably going to cost close to 40k.. Performance wise the CLA250 is the winner. And the specs are based on the FWD model... The 4MATIC will be even better.

I would like to add the the pros of the 320i.
1. Keyless Entry & Go
2. Cool the car from BMW's mobile app.
3. All BMW's come with 4yr/50,000 mile free maintenance on everything.
Cons of the 320i.
1. No option to add blind spot assist, lane departure, or forward collision warning.
2. No option to upgrade the sound system.

CLAJoe

· #15 · Jun 27, 2013

I've test driven the 320 in previous model years. You don't find it to be a bit too weak power wise?

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benz

· #16 · Jun 27, 2013

What year did you try Joe, the recent ones are pretty slick.

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CLAJoe

· #17 · Jun 27, 2013

I think it was a 2012 it was a used one though. Seemed boring plain and slow.

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brianch

· #18 · Jun 27, 2013

The free maintenance is sweet.

FWD fun is a different kind vs RWD.

I'd say RWD is def more exciting. Not that you can't have fun in a FWD. I've had tons of fun before driving FWD cars.

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