Simply brilliant video Adam and very glad you finally did this comparison. Quality of video was amazing too - so a huge “well done” mate! As a current C43 owner, I think you did both cars proud and, I for one, loved better understanding the differences. Best vid yet!!!
Thanks Scott, Make sure It’s the new model year released in 2020. The older 45 model is still a good car but the 2020 is leaps ahead and pretty much an entirely different car. If I were choosing between the older CLA45 and the C43, I would go for the C43.
Love both. If you have a family c43 is better, more space, comfier ride. If you will always drive alone or with one passenger and need peak performance without a lot of comfort CLA45S takes the cake.
Nice comparison vid from an owner’s perspective. The CLA45s does look to be more fun and offers more drama and coolness. But for a daily it’s nice to have the C43 with a more sleeper look in comparison.
I owned C43 and switched to CLA45S. I started to watch your channel after switching my car to learn about new Mercedes features. Downsides of CLA45S are lower headroom of rear seats, too simple interior and small fuel tank. Hey, but still feel much more fun to drive and looks so good.
The interior on a Cla45s is miles ahead of a c class. The c class is dated and really looking it’s age regardless of the materials used. Without long screens it’s not a Mercedes’ these days
@@fayahmad9063 I mean with the CLA 45 you are comparing Mercedes’ next gen interior to the last gen interior in the c43. A more fair comparison would be to compare the interior when the c43 gets the refresh for this coming model year.
Both rides are nice. CLA45S is heavily tuned from factory. C43 can be heavily tuned to be a S level AMG or better. I like 6cyc or more for long trips the 4cyc for daily.
you should made the comparison of that C43 with previous CLA45 or the new CLA45s with the new C43... the quality, the look, etc with different generation are always very different...
C43 is more reliable….never had any single issue with my c43 (2019)… where I had gearbox and turbo issues with my cla45s…sold it and got a STI and keeping the c43
Great video bro 👍. Been waiting for this comparison. I recently moved from a w204 c300, to a 2021 cla45(no s version in Canada). Was actual about to get a used 2019 c43, wanted a 6cyl, but figured the interior would soon be outdated, and MB put all the exterior goodies on the cla45 that would have cost extra to put aftermarket. My only complaint is that I find the dct quite jerky in the low gears, in stop and go traffic. Have you experienced any of that? Thx, and keep those videos coming 👍👍.
Thanks Lincoln! Hope you are enjoying your 45, even without the s version they are still amazing. The dct can be a little jerky at times in slow driving. Be sure to turn off the stop-start feature also because this can add jerks thinking you are stopping at very low speeds. The C43 was the same, prefacelift was worse for this but they improved it after 2019. After spending the weekend with an EQE I really noticed the gears at low speeds. The CLA45s felt amazing though driving after the EQE. Every time I drive another car I love the CLA45s even more! :)
@@ABAUTOAMG thanks for replying. Glad to hear it's a characteristic of the car, and not mine alone. Keep up the great work.. Need more videos of the family in the car, and all the cars you review. To hear more of their thoughts. 👍👍
@@ABAUTOAMG I've had the stop/start 'thing' coded out on my A35 so it's always off as opposed to having to turn it off each time you start the car. I'll do the same when I get my 45S as well as removing the annoying rear seat belt notification. It was done online from the UK to Australia so you don't need to take the car anywhere.
Did you have the newer CLA45s or the previous generation CLA45 out of interest? Curious since there’s a huge difference and I’m quite surprised you’d pick the C43 over the new CLA45s. Don’t get my wrong I love both the 43 and 45s. I actually don’t like the older 45 as much though there’s a huge difference between generations.
I think you got the facts wrong about the 45. It can't send 100% of the power to the rear. It can send up to 50% to the rear and of that 50 can send up to 100% to either wheel.
Ah! sorry about that I think you are right. It’s easy to get muddled up with the details 4matic+ sometimes. I still haven’t taken my car to the track yet to properly test drift mode. Hopefully coming soon!
@@ABAUTOAMG after typing that I started second guessing myself. I did some reading and different articles say different percentages. I do know mine doesn't feel nearly as rear wheel driven in drift mode as my m2 did. Much easier to control, but that may just be the torque vectoring helping me out.
It's not really fair to compare two different generations, but it makes sense since you own both. By the way, you decided to keep the C43? How is it used since it's so similar from the CLA? Cheers
Ah yep! I’m really interested to see how the new C43 does against the CLA45s when production models arrive il be jumping right in to get some videos! I don’t have the C43 sadly anymore since like you say they are very similar but I made sure to film lots with it before selling so it can stay a part of the channel.
Show off is the right word here. The CLA is for showing off Exterieur/interior which I definitely don’t like and as you said it’s on A class base so the same car a bit bigger. And hand craft made are not usually the best things as well as there is more human issues than machinery 🤣
Forgot to tie in the Drift Mode hidden under race mode focusing on RWD. "North America doesn't get the AMG CLA45S model option, but come with all the goodies minus the extra horse.. But nice to see the drift mode is also there."
The CLA 45 in the USDM market gets everything (from what I know) that the S version gets except a detuned engine. From 421 hp to 382 hp. I’m getting one myself and I hope I can just flash tune it to a S model
Ah yes! The non S is still an amazing car. I think outside the UK you get some type of AMG pack option that gives racemode etc so should all be do-able.
in my opinion I knew the hand built engine car would win, thats amg flagship mark and can't take second place to the more beautiful c43 factory manufactured engine, just my 2*
yall need to talk about maintenance cost and more detail thing on owning a car like this I own a 2014 mercedes cla 45 amg and over the past 2 years that ive had it the maintenance cost for me has been: 9,500ish
Hey, I am just working on a video for the total cost of the CLA45s for the first year. In terms of maintenance both cars have been from new and under warranty so I’ve only really spent money on tyres and servicing. First service on the CLA45s came free with the car so Its not cost anything yet. C43 had 2 services both covered by a service plan that was £35 a month. I am planning on picking up an older C63 this year which won’t be under warranty so that may be more expensive to run.
Can’t wait for my opportunity to experience this AMG M139 motor in the USA bound 2023-2024 First Edition i4 Lotus Emira ! Especially after either Lotus enhances its standard ECU, or Brabus jail-brakes it - here in the USA - to reliably deliver the 420hp + with the appropriate turbo cooling system- after my factory warranty expires !!! Haha !!! I can’t wait !
Thanks Nils, You really can't go wrong with either of those 3 cars. The CLS 53 will be the most comfortable, the C43 The C43 sits in the middle then the 45 the most sporty but least comfortable.
Mate I have watched your videos for a while. I am in a predicament currently, CLA35 AMG or C43 facelift, what are your thoughts? Aside from my own preference what would you say is a better car for value for money.
Hey Andy, my gut would say you will get a lot more from the C43 over a CLA35 but il be honest I’ve not driven a 35 yet. Hoping to drive one very soon though so I can compare it against the 45s and the C43.
@@ABAUTOAMG Thanks for your reply mate, also did you notice a huge change in comfort/luxury going from a C Class to CLA? I know you mentioned some of this in the video
At 11:16 u shift in first gear while driving. This hurts my heart as a mechanic. Never ever switch in first gear while driving, it's just here to drive off from stopping.😵💫😵💫
Ah sorry this was pulled from my first drive in manual mode video where I was testing the gearbox out. It’s not something I do often just every now and then for some fun. Please don’t imagine me taking every turn and bend in 1st gear 😂
Thanks Marc and sorry to hear your car has been postponed :( MPG is surprising. First I was a bit disappointed averaging around 24 (still amazing for 420hp) but it blew me away on a long drive last week getting 44mpg.
Hey Kai, Great car very comfortable and an amazing interior. Not as sporty as the C43 and CLA45s but still very quick and fun to drive. It would be a great daily driver.
@@davedoja7998 So? the CLA is FWD so the engine mounted 90° different then the C class and in front of the front axle vs behind for the C class. gives you a complete different driving dynamics and feel.
I think he means the ban for combustion engines to be produced in 2030. There will be loads of amgs left on used market though so combustion engines will be around for a very long time.
Hey Craig, I completely agree. I said exactly that at the end of the video. I can’t wait to put the CLA45s up against the new w206 C43 once I get my hands on one.
Thanks Thomas. Working on hopefully getting a airstrip so can do timed 60’s and drag races of every Mercedes. 🤞this can happen in the near future. Exciting times!
@@ABAUTOAMG I just love Mercedes Coupes, I bought a 2018 C43 Coupe recently and I am having so much fun! I went to the Texas hill country (west of Austin) and had a blast in the car! Great videos BTW!
4 cylinder... It should be illegal for AMG to bring out a 4 cylinder. If those things had a V8 or atleast a I6 they would be desirable. But like this...
@@ABAUTOAMG I watched the video and sure it sounds better, but still nowhere near as nice as a proper V6 - also I’d question if the mods made to the back box / exhaust now mean you fail your MOT emissions tests - I’m guessing the guy is drilling out the OPF or something similar… which would mean yes
Ah no it’s a actually a really simple mod. The car still has the opf and meets emissions. It’s when you remove the cat mots are failed. If sound is everything you should look into a w204 C63. That naturally aspirated V8 sounds so good :)
@@ABAUTOAMG I really don't see how it could pass emissions mate, he's modifying the exhaust in a way that increases sound. If you know about the OPF filters you know this isn't really possible to do, unless you modify them in a way which then fails emissions tests. Have you got any documentation from others that it definitely passes emissions tests with this mod? It would be interesting to see... Particularly as 'Paul' doesn't give us any insight into what he is doing...
Although a 4cyl AMG is a "true" AMG. Doesn't change the fact that those turbo 4 cilinders sound like shit. It's just a budget amg for knobs that don't know how to drive and that like flashy plastic trim and badges. They are both not rear wheel driven V8's and that is why they both suck.
I agree the coupe looks nicer. But I think it’s fair to compare these two since both have 4 doors 👍. My favourite would be the looks of the facelift C63s coupe with the wider body.
Hey Calvin, thanks for checking out the video. My thoughts are comparing the old models to the new models is really interesting and this has been one of my most requested videos since I moved from the C43 to the CLA45s since many are considering if they should too. especially how much things are changing with AMG’s. The new C43 is not out yet but as soon as it arrives I am going to be comparing it directly to the CLA45s, especially since they will both share the same engine :)
The cla45s looks better have to admit that, but they really ruined the sound on this new one so as a c43 owner id rather keep mine. Rather go for the c63s if u got the cash
People cry hard about how cheap the interieur of the CLA is, cheap materials, very noisy ... im driving a CLA for over 2 years now and its the most beautil interieur ive ever seen in a caar.. if cours its not as perfect as in the new E or C Class, but i think its better than in the old C class...
I think people just believe too much of what they read online and haven't had the chance to try it themselves sometimes. The Burmester sound system has had a similar reception online and I just filmed and reviewed it and It was great and lots of owners have agreed in the comments of the video. Glad you are enjoying your CLA, The interior is such a great place to be :)
Nope sounds in the new c43 is worse, all fake noises inside the car and also down on power and slower. You can argue better interior perhaps but that new steering wheel is way over the top ugly imo
You missed to talk about reliability. The amg45 engine requires special gasoline,much more attention, and sure this engine will last shorter than a 3liter engine. And this for me is a big plus to c43side.
Reliability has been fine with the 45. What do you mean by special gasoline? The car accepts ron 95 or Ron 98 which is exactly the same as the C43. No special required.
@@massimilianocampana3951 Ah that’s interesting here in the UK it has a sticker saying 95 or 98. It must be due to what’s in your regular fuel in Switzerland, gotta be different to ours.
@@ABAUTOAMG i wanted to buy an A45 but, because of this point ,I didn't. I'm Italian and often go back home by car.and is not so easy to find 100gasoline there
You can’t get 100 here in the uk either. 99 is the highest but premium fuel is often 98. Technically speaking it says on my cla45s it does not take 100 but that might be because we don’t have it.
