The Reason I Would Buy The Mercedes A35 AMG Over The A45s!

This week we got the key’s to the Mercedes A35. A 300hp 4wd hot hatchback. Which is a quite a common occurrence on modern day hot hatchback’s.
But it’s more muscular brother (A45s) has much more power but that comes at a cost. Meaning the A45s is in a total different category. The A35 however, sits in a nice position where it is attractive!
Tune in to see if there is much difference!

[@km4089]

Great honest review thanks, you picked up on something that holds me back..and that's the comfort of the seats especially for longer journeys it became abit of a deal breaker, Perhaps I need another test drive.

[@novasigma5964]

Set the seat to it's lowest setting , roll it the wheel forward and pull the chair extension out all the way , I've driven the length of the country like this with nomissue

[@asifmohammad2978]

I was of a similar mindset to urself until I purchased an a45s plus model. I’ve owned an a35 prem with aero pack too. A45 feels more premium and bespoke. Everywhere the a35 falls short the a45 fills it. Larger brakes 6 pot. Over 100bhp more, recaros, wider front track, adaptive suspension, forged wheels. The a35 is a great car for what it is but the a45 is a league above. I ran my m4 comp and a45s at the same time. In 1-3rd gear I haven’t driven anything faster than the a45s. I’ll be purchasing another one. Oh and with a miltek non res it sounds nuts

[@crocoman776]

The cylinder head issue is significant. Wouldn’t touch it. You can get a Facelift W176 A45 from 2017 for £25k with less than 30000 miles. That car is an absolute beast. I’m sorry but you’d only ‘decide’ to choose an A35 over an A45 purely for financial reasons. Which is fine btw, but let’s not kid ourselves.

[@markrhoden68]

My thoughts exactly

[@saigoneze4465]

whats the actual figures regarding how many sets have had to get the heads redone ?? is Mercedes on board with the problem as a known issue?

[@pricey78]

Don’t agree with that statement at all. I bought the new A35h ‘73 reg, this is after owning an M340, RSQ3, RS5’s, some of which £70k. Nothing to do with finances, not for me anyway, each to their own. I just refused to pay over £43k for a hot hatch with a spoiler! Plus they are a bit rattly, not the quality imo you should get when paying this kind of money.

[@novasigma5964]

The W177 interior wipes the floor with any hatchback atm , while said cylinder issue is fixed via a recall

[@ulysees321]

Cylinder head issue is only prominant on 2019-21 plate cars 22 plate had revised cylinder head a35h doesnt have a issue,

[@michaelslingsby2956]

Another great review, Max 👍

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Michael!

[@jazlafayette7059]

Another great review 👍🏽

[@DrivenPlus]

Thank you! 😎

[@x58evo2puma7]

Yes I driven one of these and I can say this will put a smile of your face then a bmw would in my eyes so both amg a35/45s great cars and the performance is amazing been the 35 is only 306hp feels like 330hp when u put your right down ❤

[@DrivenPlus]

Couldn't agree more!

[@tro3y]

Great car, great review❤

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Troy 😎

[@rossdonaldson5552]

I have just bought a new 2024 A35 Premium Plus saloon and let me tell you it has more than enough power, it hugs the road in all corners and has a great feel good factor.

[@adriansmith4685]

I’m sure the cylinder heads have regular problems, otherwise a good car

[@andyp8464]

For manual mode cant you just use the gear shift pedals to change gears in any mode...

[@paulgirling9927]

What a great video!! For many yrs I have been fond of VW starting with polo’s and working my way up the ladder to golf’s and a golf R. Then I saw this Mercedes A35 and wanted one. So I purchased a second hand A35 on a 20 plate from Mercedes and was so pleased with my purchase, as I have never owned such a car in my life. Beautiful interior although the side pillars are scratchy thin plastic, but that’s my only gripe. Although cars are getting quicker 306 HP for the A35 is respectable for sure. It’s pretty natural to want bigger and faster cars and I get it totally. But Mercedes have really made this car special with a good looking interior with beautiful dash and lighting. So although there are quicker cars out there, this car has a mix of performance and a stunning interior to go with it. 👍

[@DrivenPlus]

You have explained the A35 very well!

[@jamesclark9857]

The new Facelift A35 blows the old A35 out the water, way better gearbox(Same as A45s) and hybrid which gives you instant power and smoother.... meanwhile the FL A45s got.... Nothing

[@diggernick6515]

I also have this car and i can put it in manual mode with buttons on my steering wheel. You can choose what features those screens on the button show you.

[@DrivenPlus]

Ah okay! Good point 👍

[@AMGB35]

i think the head cylinder issue was fixed on the 2022 models

[@saigoneze4465]

im currently looking at buying the A35 AMG edition 1 model. i was thinking its basically the same as the 45 just 100ish hp less . Bu t a downpioe and tune and it would be close ! imo the updated model doesnt look as good the stingray looking front bumper look awful

[@jezavison663]

These are great cars but there is one major day to day issue that lets them down and led to me getting rid of mine, and that’s their ground clearance… I dreaded speed bumps / sleeping policeman / ramps. I lost count of the times I grounded mine and that’s driving over them slowly! In the end it was a deal breaker and I got rid…

[@DrivenPlus]

Not the first time I’ve heard this

[@jezavison663]

@@DrivenPlus any idea whether the a45 suffers from the same problem? I assume it does.

[@DrivenPlus]

No idea but I would’ve thought so

[@keithronson2624]

Max. This is the only Merc to buy! An absolute gem! Yes better than the A45S. It is a real 'Q' car. An everyday, 'disappear' into the background. Perhaps a Golf R? Great review as always. Fantastic roads featured too. To conclude, [in my opinion!] the Only car in the entire Mercedes range that i[you] would buy. By Merc standards, subtle! Thanks Max. And 10k + subscribers! Soon be half a million!

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks Keith, definitely a Q car! You’ll happy to know that I’m reviewing a M135i on Tuesday

[@keithronson2624]

@@DrivenPlus Thank You! Another hidden gem! Only better! It's a BMW!! 👍💪👌

[@MrMattCalifornia]

Hi! I'm owner of AMG35 sedan 2023 facelift. How can I join to your Eurotrip? 😊 I've got a plan to go to Nurburgring, than Switzerland and Tuscany in 09.24 ;)

[@DrivenPlus]

Hi Matt, that’s great you should join us on this years euro trip. Drop me an email on [e-mail] for some event information

[@hondacar]

There would be no way I would buy an A45s, for the same price I would rather buy an M2, even with AWD it cannot match the M2 in acceleration. Echoing a previous comment the A35 received a mild hybrid system and the same 8sp transmission as the A45s yet the new A45s received nothing in terms of performance. I've also been sceptical of the power figures for the A45s. There have been instances where dyno readings for power were disappointingly underwhelming. The M240i has achieved higher performance figures and is capable of outperforming the A45s in a quarter-mile acceleration test.

[@robprior1246]

New hybrid a35 cars have been dyno tested and most are pushing 330/340 Bhp according to tuners

[@missingrider4551]

Engine bay needs cleaning

[@OK-mb7zb]

Don’t these have cylinder head issues

[@Whiponized]

yeah the heads of the cylinders

[@deanlaw6033]

Hi I am the owner of the A35, around about 20% of cars have the cylinder head issue. It’s not quite as common as you think but as long as you have Mercedes warranty the cylinder isn’t an issue

[@markrhoden68]

Can we just be clear here, all these 300hp + four wheel drive cars are pretty much the same. A35 interiors look great but can have build quality issues and those seats are just pants. If you could afford a a45s would anyone seriously say "no i prefer the a35" said nobody ever

[@DrivenPlus]

You are right Mark, they are all pretty similar. But the A35 is the better looking. As I said in the video, if I was to buy the A45s I wouldn’t be buying it due to its competitors being better.

[@Ok-jf3nr]

Just say Merc

[@sv-rh4dz]

How can you say the a35 is better looking. The a45s looks better

[@DrivenPlus]

I would like to know the point where I said it looked better?

[@hazzam82]

they look almost the same?

[@jason-si4mq]

Had 2 a35 both cylinder head gone one at 13k other at 19k there shit guys go a45s better engine

[@nbb6609]

Pre facelift?

[@jason-si4mq]

@@nbb6609 both

[@jason-si4mq]

Trust me a45 is a different engine a35 are shit go golf r all day

[@jason-si4mq]

Both pfl and fl

[@nbb6609]

@@jason-si4mq crikey! I have the pre facelift and an extended the warranty on it. No issues touchwood. I need to change it soon due to age, but honestly not really liking much on the market. M340, RS3, A45, CLA45 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@thenurbguy2023]

don't need to watch the video, so just let me guess.. BECAUSE YOU ARE POOR?

[@DrivenPlus]

Wtf 🤣🤣🤣

[@BobK5]

Ugly looking car and the interior is a mess