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5,500 km in my Mercedes-AMG A35: Booking, delivery, first service

6th December 2023, 16:00 by Brij Gawde

The other new car options I considered were BMW M340i, 330Li and the GLA 35 AMG.

BHPian Tvk1991 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am happy to share that I purchased an A35 AMG in the month of April 2023, the booking was done in Jan and I got the car delivered on April 2nd week.

The other new car options I considered were BMW M340i,330Li, and the GLA 35 AMG.
Used car options were C43 AMG, CLA/GLA 45 AMG, and BME 340I

M340i: I tried seeing the car twice in the showroom and both times was not successful. The OTR price was 25% higher and there were no discounts.

330Li: I was mainly considering the 330i and not the LI as the car will be used by my wife mostly. So I felt we won't be needing the longer wheelbase version. Took a test drive of the interiors and the drive feel was good but the car felt big for me.

A35 or GLA35: I personally loved sedans much when compared to hatches/SUVs. So decided to go ahead with the A35 AMG. There were many demo cars with multiple dealers for 20-30% less. But the Interest rate was calculated as a used car for these.

Used cars: I saw a white CLA 45 AMG in Hyderabad, a GLA 45 AMG in Bengaluru, and a C43 AMG in Delhi the cars were good and were within my budget. But obtaining a loan for a used car was a bit tricky particularly if I was in TN and I am planning to buy another state car.

We preferred to buy the car with finance and this was not a possible used car. Now I am saving some funds in FD's for my next car to go for a loan against FD and purchase my next used car.

The pre-booking and test drive experience were good but they continuously pushed the delivery dates and I paid off the whole amount on March 31st after getting confirmation car was ready to be shipped and delivered on April 2nd week.

Been using the car for 5.5k kms so far, I took the car for 1 1-month/1000kms checkup and was charged around 4k for a rodent protection sleeve for the steering wire.

Use it only for self-drives on weekends, weekday nights, and vacations.

Likes:

1) Like the performance and decent legroom for rear occupants.
2) 8-year warranty for turbo, engine, and gear box.

Dislikes:

1) The major one is GC. Have scrapped multiple times so far mainly in diversion from NH to side roads where the Speed breakers are mental.
The GC is so low 113mm only.
2) Due to GC have to take out only in places I know the road well.

Trips so far:

1) Chennai-Bengaluru
2) Chennai-Pondy
3) Chennai- Yercaud
4) Chennai-Kumbakonam
5) Chennai- Sivakasi

FE in all trips between 8.5-10.5 km/l based on how we drive.

Removed the speed chime 3 weeks back and enjoyed the car much better during highway runs.

Upgrades planned:

1) Plan to go for stage 1 or stage 2 with a Downpipe in the future.
2) Change tires from 235/40/18 to 235/45/18 to increase the GC by 11mm.
3) Planning to take the service package before the end of 1 year.
4) Thinking of changing colours of the alloys to Gold.

Some pics of the car: