CLA 250 "Launch Edition"

kowyzg0moo said:

Hey CLAJoe - anytime figured it would benefit more people if the word got out. All Edition ones were rerouted back to Corporate for the modifications just like you said - "recall before delivery". Dealers should have nothing to do in terms of getting parts installed.

The date should be "as early as Saturday, no later than Monday. I will personally be tracking this car's sale." - hah no pressure on my end. He makes it sound like he's giving it to me I wish!

I unfortunately don't have a Go Pro, but I just picked up a 5s so I can do some 120fps video recording for you all. Post it up to FB or something with a quick walk through. Whatever you guys want I'd be happy to do if I have time.

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I wonder if you could demand something for free because of it.. you could play up the whole "how do I know you got it right this time, what if it has issues, what if it's a lemon, etc, etc". Maybe get a free key chain or something

Edit: and yes, please, videos would be fantastic. I'd love to show your video off on the homepage.

Joe

CLAJoe said:

Don't think she wants to see you as much as she wants to see the car, but I won't speak for her

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haha I know i know. its the Mercedes effect as they say. Your friends are only friends with you because you drive a Mercedes

CLAJoe said:

I wonder if you could demand something for free because of it.. you could play up the whole "how do I know you got it right this time, what if it has issues, what if it's a lemon, etc, etc". Maybe get a free key chain or something

Edit: and yes, please, videos would be fantastic. I'd love to show your video off on the homepage.

Joe

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Joe - the moment I get the car in my hands. I'll have a picture posted up and follow up about my experience. Rumor has it that the Edition 1 actually feels different in the drive - at least thats what Simon implied without actually saying it.

kowyzg0moo said:

haha I know i know. its the Mercedes effect as they say. Your friends are only friends with you because you drive a Mercedes

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Hey hey hey.. I'm not that shallow!! I'd meet him if it meant he'd buy one of my houses that I have listed. Or the car. Ok, I AM that shallow!

~Lisa

kowyzg0moo said:

Joe - the moment I get the car in my hands. I'll have a picture posted up and follow up about my experience. Rumor has it that the Edition 1 actually feels different in the drive - at least thats what Simon implied without actually saying it.

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Ok now I'm really curious.. different how.. you couldn't have let him say that and not probed a bit. Faster? Tighter drive? Stiffer suspension?

Torture!!

CLAJoe said:

Ok now I'm really curious.. different how.. you couldn't have let him say that and not probed a bit. Faster? Tighter drive? Stiffer suspension?

Torture!!

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Well trust me, I pushed him. We talked for almost a half an hour. The only thing he was willing to tell me after nudging him was "This is something the dealer could not change if we just sent it to them. We had to individually test each Edition 1 to make sure its up to standard or else we'd be doing our customers an injustice."

I am extremely curious myself. Wouldn't be it nice if we got extra power out of it? haha!

kowyzg0moo said:

Well trust me, I pushed him. We talked for almost a half an hour. The only thing he was willing to tell me after nudging him was "This is something the dealer could not change if we just sent it to them. We had to individually test each Edition 1 to make sure its up to standard or else we'd be doing our customers an injustice."

I am extremely curious myself. Wouldn't be it nice if we got extra power out of it? haha!

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What are you planning to customize on it once you get it? New rims? Tint? Any aftermarket programming or anything of the sort?

Joe

CLAJoe said:

What are you planning to customize on it once you get it? New rims? Tint? Any aftermarket programming or anything of the sort?

Joe

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Right now I'm leasing it (tax purposes) but I want to see the Edition 1's changes in person. I know a lot of it is just cosmetic but who knows right now.

I've had a 2012 C250 Coupe where I had it tuned up. Increased the HP and what not but I didn't think it was worth the money.

My dealer said that the Edition 1 came pre-tinted...and since Factory tints are legal in CA - woot woot. I'd be happy with the stock blackened rims. Probably look into getting the illuminated star up front, maybe clock it up. But I'm getting the CLA for its gas savings too so not sure right now.

I JUST WANT THE CAR FIRST

CLAJoe said:

Completely understand

Star would look sick!! Very nice touch

What's your commute that you're thinking gas? How far?

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I only commute about 40 miles a day, but in LA traffic that's a good 35-50 minute drive. It's really important to me how the car feels and handles.

Right now my Audi A6 only gets 19 mpg combined. Highest I've ever gotten on the freeway was 27 mpg. If the EPA is anywhere right about the CLA a 10 mpg jump is huge for me. Esp with the Eco Start/Stop.

kowyzg0moo said:

I only commute about 15 miles a day, but in LA traffic that's a good 35-50 minute drive. It's really important to me how the car feels and handles.

Right now my Audi A6 only gets 19 mpg combined. Highest I've ever gotten on the freeway was 27 mpg. If the EPA is anywhere right about the CLA a 10 mpg jump is huge for me. Esp with the Eco Start/Stop.

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Ah, got it, idling time. That would definitely cover some of your costs, plus gas out there probably costs a lot more than here in NY. Plus I'm mostly on freeways that are against traffic.

Did you test drive anything before you ordered or was this a sight unseen order?

Joe

CLAJoe said:

Ah, got it, idling time. That would definitely cover some of your costs, plus gas out there probably costs a lot more than here in NY. Plus I'm mostly on freeways that are against traffic.

Did you test drive anything before you ordered or was this a sight unseen order?

Joe

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Yeah we're looking at about $4.50 a gallon Premium here...stupid "California blend".

I actually just got my Audi in May and I hate it so much that I'm trading it in at a loss to get the CLA. If you know anyone who might want it, it's a lease haha

I test drove the 1 and 3 series BMW, Infiniti G50, Mercedes E, C among others. I've been able to get inside a base model CLA but nothing loaded and I wasn't able to test drive since the car was sold. None of the dealers here are able to have stock longer than a day. They're literally flying off the shelves.

P.S. Sorry to everyone for threadjacking. Promise I'll make it up with pictures and videos when I get the car haha

kowyzg0moo said:

Yeah we're looking at about $4.50 a gallon Premium here...stupid "California blend".

I actually just got my Audi in May and I hate it so much that I'm trading it in at a loss to get the CLA. If you know anyone who might want it, it's a lease haha

I test drove the 1 and 3 series BMW, Infiniti G50, Mercedes E, C among others. I've been able to get inside a base model CLA but nothing loaded and I wasn't able to test drive since the car was sold. None of the dealers here are able to have stock longer than a day. They're literally flying off the shelves.

P.S. Sorry to everyone for threadjacking. Promise I'll make it up with pictures and videos when I get the car haha

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No worries, it's definitely on topic.

What kind of Audi are you selling, maybe someone wants it -- that said, why do you hate it?

I've heard that definitely that Cali's inventory is very low. Really based on population density plus the car was expected to be far more popular out there, climate, etc. We have some EU members that have CLA's in hand but they are a bit different, and a few that have accepted delivery of other CLA's that you could probe if you want some info, although sounds like you're only a few days away from your new pride and joy anyway.

Did the CLA cost you more in insurance than the Audi did?

Joe

CLAJoe said:

No worries, it's definitely on topic.

What kind of Audi are you selling, maybe someone wants it -- that said, why do you hate it?

I've heard that definitely that Cali's inventory is very low. Really based on population density plus the car was expected to be far more popular out there, climate, etc. We have some EU members that have CLA's in hand but they are a bit different, and a few that have accepted delivery of other CLA's that you could probe if you want some info, although sounds like you're only a few days away from your new pride and joy anyway.

Did the CLA cost you more in insurance than the Audi did?

Joe

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Hey Joe, so its a 2013 Audi A6 2.0T Premium Plus. Almost all the bells and whistles, MSRP of $52,250. It's only got 5k miles on it and there's 35 months left on the lease. Oolong Grey outside, limited production Titanium Grey inside (had to custom order that).

I dont like it because it's counterintuitive. The MMI system is a disaster, especially coming from a 2012 C250. The drive is louder than my C class...which is strange going "up" in the luxury segment. That being said, it drives well. It's just...not for me. The car's gorgeous - shame that it didn't meet my expectations.

For insurance, I told State Farm that I was switching cars this weekend. They weren't able to give me a quote, but it should be around the same as a C class they said.

I've never liked the audi drive. It's also the sound of the engine for me. I'm not a fan of VW or Audi engines. They just don't purr right for me.

That said, you have nice taste in cars

I wouldn't be surprised if insurance rate goes up on the CLA over time since it's one of those cars likely to be targeted by thieves.

BenzFan said:

I wouldn't be surprised if insurance rate goes up on the CLA over time since it's one of those cars likely to be targeted by thieves.

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Don't think his Audi is also a thief target?

CLAJoe said:

Don't think his Audi is also a thief target?

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Good point, never seen much stats on thefts of Audi A4's though.

Most newer cars, especially German are lower on thefts. I've left my A6 out on Skid Row and in "the hood" many times with no problems. But the Honda Accord in front of me got its wheels jacked. Just do your due diligence by locking up your car and using wheel locks too. I think that's what it really boils down to.

Third most popular stolen car:
Audi A4 - In Photos: New Cars With The Highest Theft Rates - Forbes

Claim frequency: 0.4 units per 1,000 insured vehicle years; average loss payment per claim: $13,803.