The market for entry level entry level executive cars is not the same as the market for performance luxury or luxury coupes. I bought an S5 for my fiancée's upcoming birthday last month and the segment of cars I was looking for didn't include anything but coupe's and mid-end roadsters. On a question of which of the big three luxury automakers entry level car is the best, the A4 gives you the best mix. It has the best interior, a sleek exterior and strong performance. Also the cheapest; you don't need to make a lot of money to afford one. The 3-Series has pretty good performance but a pretty sub-par interior and the entry level C-Class has a nice interior but pretty poor performance.

This post was edited by Caedus on Aug 27 2014 04:03pm

this guy said it all! like i been saying....

Audis lacks the prestige that a Benz or BMW carries

Also, I've been inside the 2014 audi a4, what makes you think it's so much better than a Benz'? I'll agree that BMW interior kind of sucks, but I feel like audi's are a mix of both master of none. There's a reason they don't sell as well as the other 2 bad boys.

Think of Polo Ralph Lauren, it might not be the best in terms of quality, but it sure as hell sends a signal. Tell people u drive a bmw, people think "ahh this guy likes speed." Tell them you drive a benz, people think "ahh this guy is loaded." Audi? Are you the transporter?

This post was edited by Azn Masta on Aug 27 2014 08:25pm

Audi is definitely viewed as a prestige brand. Even in America where Volkswagen Group doesn't have the best image, Audi isn't associated by VW with the general public, rather it's viewed as it's own luxury brand. In America Cadillac, Licoln, Acura and Lexus are viewed with prestige yet Audi easily puts out more luxurious and better performing cars then these marques. Audi is one of the big three luxury automakers and their production is ever growing. BMW and Mercedes have a longer pedigree, Audi has only been a really great luxury maker for the past two decades or so, which makes their position today even more impressive.

In the rest of the world (Europe, China and to a lesser extent Canada and Australia) Audi is definitely viewed with prestige.

I would vehemently disagree with the statement Audi is a master of none. Their interiors are amazing, better than anything BMW puts out and on par or better than much of Daimler's. Design wise their cars are simply beautiful, the A5, A7, R8 are great examples of this. The other two big German luxury automakers make butt-ugly SUVs (X6 is one of the ugliest cars on the market right now), Audi has three beautiful ones. Many Audi's are best in class, some by significant margines. Also, the Audi DCT (S-Tronic, based on VW and Porsche DSG) is 100x better than Mercedes currently awful dual-clutch transmissions.

Audi makes beautiful, well-performing cars with excellent transmissions well deserving of a prestige brand.

And I really don't know how you can knock Audi while driving a CLA. A CLA isn't a real Mercedes, any Daimler purist will tell you that. It's an attempt to compete with the 3-Series (the performance entry level lux on the cheap) and the A4 (beauty with strong performance) with younger drivers who flock to the two other big three automakers because entry level C-Class' are underpowered and too conservative. And it's one that does none of that good. Even the 45 AMG doesn't compare with the M3 or an S4.

Obviously the 45 amg doesnt compare to an m3.... the m3 starting is 62k. As for S4, pretty bold statement there claiming that it isnt a real mercedes/doesnt compare. I'd have you know that an s4's MSRP is 1.5k more and runs about .5 sec slower on the clock in a 0-60, has a lower top speed, but worst of all, doesnt have automatic mode (most americans cant drive stick for shit - now women drive bad enough as is, we dont need them to drive stick as well). Did I mention the cla has better mpg... Sure my cla45 amg isnt the "best" car in the world, but for 50k and the way i turn heads, i aint complaining. Not sure what you value in a car, but car folks on the website below has a 20/80 vote for the amg, now thats making a statement.

http://cars.findthebest.com/compare/4507-5350/2014-Audi-S4-Premium-plus-vs-2014-Mercedes-Benz-CLA45-AMG

Now to be less biased: The S4 is a great daily driver. It does everything well. 3 kids will fit no problem. Honestly there is not a bad thing I can think of off the top of my head. The 45 wins in the aggressive looks category, S4 has a sleeper look to it.

S4 pros
1. Sleeper looks
2. Supercharger, even better with a tune.
3. Size
4. Spare tire
5. Audicare $820 prepaid maintenance covers maintenance up to 45k miles and if you get DSG , it pays for that service which is over $700 just for that. Also if you lease you gain 1% on your residual which pays for the audicare itself.
6. There are more but you could PM me if you want.

45 pros
1. Aggressive looks
2. Exhaust
3. 3500lb vs 4000lb
4. AMG electromechanical steering is just as good as hydraulic steering. Per professional reviews.
5. Braking. Per professional review
6. Boost
7. Very fun car to drive. Per professional review.

This post was edited by Azn Masta on Aug 27 2014 09:58pm

MSRP doesn't mean much when the options start piling up. Yes the S4 does have an automatic mode (and significantly better automatic than Daimler's DCT), it comes with two choices of transmission, manual or a DCT (S-Tronic), which functions are an automatic unless you wish to shift yourself. I know for a fact it functions as an automatic because I just bought an S-Tronic S5.The 45 AMG has slightly better city mileage (17 versus 19) but slightly worse highway (25 versus 27). Regardless of the AMG performance upgrades, a 45 AMG is still a CLA. It's a significantly better car then a CLA, but it's not comparable to any other AMG's.

I will say one thing, when it comes to performance, RWD is the way to go. I have driven many awd audis (mostly S and RS models) and they feel like pigs (yes even an R8, granted it was the V8). I havent not been in a CLA personally but I never really cared to get into one. The only thing I like about the CLA is the clean look profile of not having a B pillar.

Not sure who made these statements but I read them:

Electromechanical steering: this is a joke, there is no feel in this what-so-ever. Reviews just sugar coat this.

S-Tronic--->Pcars Dual clutch (PDK?) is garbage. Drive a DCT M car and tell me you like S tronic. (there is dual clutch 911 guys making the switch to DCT M cars and think they are in heaven.

Weight: you guys are bringing this up- there is no point in comparing audi to Merc when bmw outhandles them both. So that is wasted effort.

Looks is subjective. While I like the up-to-date looks of an Audi (S and RS models even more) BMW had timeless designs. mercedes to me are too busy, but personally like a handfull of them, (C63 AMG is one, was looking at picking one up)

Interior: personally BMW was slacking in this department for most of the 2000's and AUDI and even some Mercedes outshined them. But during the last 10-15 years I think audi won with BMW making a huge comback (personally feel like this) Mercedes still has this very busy interior.

THE CLA was brought into this world to compete with the 3-er and A4/5 thus a 45 AMG is an M competitor. 1M or M2 or M235i or even an M3. its just cheaper so it can cut into that market, and to do so they need to use less quality somewhere. It also competes with S3/4 segment.

IMHO if you First value, refinement, handling, balance and performance (overall) look at BMW.

if you first want AWD, comfort, and modern (subjective) look at audi

If you first want a Freight train (most V8 mercs) comfort and least DIY friendly look at mercedes.

All of the above is mostly of their performance marque (M3/4, S4/5, C63AMG)

I don't know what you're smoking, VW makes the best DCTs in the business. They set the benchmark for DCTs that everyone else tries to get to. There is a reason DSG is near synonymous with DCT. The world has DCTs thanks to VW and Porsche. BMW has a very good alternative, Mercedes doesn't.

Mw 13' VW GTI has the DSG (Yes its FWD but its far from stock and I know how to drive this thing perfect)... shifts faster and smoother than any other car ive driven.. And I've driven M cars, AMG's etc... A GTI for having a dual clutch trans is amazing.. and once i get my DSG tune by APR.. its bar none, hands down the best out there.

And this whole S4 is a pig to the CLA45.. So wrong. I'd pick the S4 over a CLA anyday.. Looks better, Sounds better (It is an AMG but c'mon.. AMG are known for big, RAW engines..) and with simple mods it can turn into a monster of a car running 11's.

APR S/C Pulley+ Stage 2+ Tune = That car goes up to 370~ ish AWHP.. Add on an Intake, AWE-Tuning Downpipes+catback.. you're now at a 400 WHP sports sedan that not only sounds amazing but is fast as hell for it being so called ''heavy'' (3850 lbs S-Tronic) AND the VAG has the biggest aftermarket for their cars vs BMW/Benz anyday..

Don't get me wrong I love BMW and Benz.. But I'd never buy a Benz unless at least a C63 AMG... And for BMW would have to be at least a 335i M Sport.. But in terms of real M cars.. F80 M3.. Which is a monster and my favorite. But the new M2 is coming out soon and I'm curious to see on that.. But the thing about BMW is their interiors suck on all the non M cars (M3/4 this gen stepped it up a notch..Not sure how M2 will be) and I'm big on interiors.. Which is why IMO Audi is the best overall.. Style, looks, performance, AWD, high end quality interior, prestige..Cheapest of the 3 to maintain.

Benz... Just dull and boring, lifeless, handle like crap.. unless you spend a ton for a AMG (Not a glorified CLA) and CLA45 AMG has turbo lag just like the CLA250..Which is kind of sad.

Bumped.