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I got a call from my salesman a couple of days ago that an AMG rep would be available to meet with me yesterday. I showed up at the appointed hour, and there he was to meet with ME. I expected to see 20-30 people there asking question about colors & door gaps. 
(I did actually ask that question - after all others had been discussed.)
It turns out that AMG has a small number of reps who circulate around the AMG Performance Centers to meet with staff, and an occasional customer. Bug your salesman; If your store is a Performance Center, someone like this should be available 'sometime'. This guy's background is technical, and he waxed ecstatic about the engine and tranny. It is a very different tranny from the base CLA. The engineering that has gone into upgrading the '45 makes the car seem like a bargain.
Everything below is my faulty memory &/or interpretation of what we talked about.
Torque steer: MB 'effectively' lengthened the transfer case across the width of the car to put equal length half shafts on the front. (I had been thinking that it was some kind of magical computer controlled electronic intervention.)
Stiff/harsh ride: This has been my big fear. I have had an M3, and tested the AMG versions of the C Coupe, and little roadster (whatever the hell they call that). In my opinion they have been good, not great, track cars and poor cars on everyday city streets. He said, "Unless you want a 100% track car, do NOT get the the performance suspension". The performance exhaust is 'flip a coin'; it can be added or subtracted later. (Bolt on) The car makes the little 'braps' on down shift without it in Sport Mode. We went for a short test drive; unfortunately 400 #s of sales people climbed in the back (nobody's ever seen this car) so the sprung/unsprung weight ratio approached that of a Lincoln Town car. That noted, I did not find the ride harsh. (Hooray!) Firm and settled, but not objectionable.
The car had 19" wheels.
I'm not 100% convinced, but he said that the 250 sport suspension is the same as that on the '45.
The car was cold, and it has a program to prevent it reaching down to pull out all 355 (+?) hp until it is warmed.
The car was red, with 'titanium colored' splitter and 'rocker panel add-ons'. He suggested that the black trim package looks a lot better.
Door Gaps: Yes, Viginia -They exist. And will until MB decides to make a longer interior door panel.
YMMV
(I did actually ask that question - after all others had been discussed.) It turns out that AMG has a small number of reps who circulate around the AMG Performance Centers to meet with staff, and an occasional customer. Bug your salesman; If your store is a Performance Center, someone like this should be available 'sometime'. This guy's background is technical, and he waxed ecstatic about the engine and tranny. It is a very different tranny from the base CLA. The engineering that has gone into upgrading the '45 makes the car seem like a bargain.
Everything below is my faulty memory &/or interpretation of what we talked about.
Torque steer: MB 'effectively' lengthened the transfer case across the width of the car to put equal length half shafts on the front. (I had been thinking that it was some kind of magical computer controlled electronic intervention.)
Stiff/harsh ride: This has been my big fear. I have had an M3, and tested the AMG versions of the C Coupe, and little roadster (whatever the hell they call that). In my opinion they have been good, not great, track cars and poor cars on everyday city streets. He said, "Unless you want a 100% track car, do NOT get the the performance suspension". The performance exhaust is 'flip a coin'; it can be added or subtracted later. (Bolt on) The car makes the little 'braps' on down shift without it in Sport Mode. We went for a short test drive; unfortunately 400 #s of sales people climbed in the back (nobody's ever seen this car) so the sprung/unsprung weight ratio approached that of a Lincoln Town car. That noted, I did not find the ride harsh. (Hooray!) Firm and settled, but not objectionable.
The car had 19" wheels.
I'm not 100% convinced, but he said that the 250 sport suspension is the same as that on the '45.
The car was cold, and it has a program to prevent it reaching down to pull out all 355 (+?) hp until it is warmed.
The car was red, with 'titanium colored' splitter and 'rocker panel add-ons'. He suggested that the black trim package looks a lot better.
Door Gaps: Yes, Viginia -They exist. And will until MB decides to make a longer interior door panel.
YMMV
