[GusGecko]

Must be my lucky V40 year! I've won tickets to the Goodwood festival to test drive the new V40!! How cool!!

 

[GusGecko]

2 days to go before I get to drive the v40! Excited much!

 

[GusGecko]

Wow what a car! Very impressed. Got to drive the D4 which is what I wanted (automatic though :-( ) smooth, powerful, comfy... I was taken back briefly by the new A-Class which was opposite but... The interior is no match for the v40. I'm completely sold... Just got to wait for the R Design variant that's unleased in spetember!

 

[kmanmx]

Thanks, but would really appreciate it if you could give a bit more information!

Was this a regular automatic transmission, or a fancy double clutch automatic ?
How did you find the automatic to drive ?
How noisy was the D4 on startup/idle ? Any other opinions you could give on the D4 would be greatly appreciated such as power, sound, acceleration etc.

I really can't decide on what engine I want, and Volvo's website list no information about what type of Automatic gearbox it is which isn't helpful either.

 

[GusGecko]

Thanks, but would really appreciate it if you could give a bit more information!

Was this a regular automatic transmission, or a fancy double clutch automatic ?
How did you find the automatic to drive ?
How noisy was the D4 on startup/idle ? Any other opinions you could give on the D4 would be greatly appreciated such as power, sound, acceleration etc.

I really can't decide on what engine I want, and Volvo's website list no information about what type of Automatic gearbox it is which isn't helpful either.

Believe it was a standard auto, but it had powershift as well. Not being a fan of autos its hard to have an objective opinion...they all seem to lag when you change gear... I prefer manual

D4 - very quiet on idle, the start/stop function is great. Power is fantastic and very addictive, sound is quiet when sensible but has a nice growl when you give it some. Acceleration was good especially when the turbo kicks in... Couldn't work out if it was turbo lag or a slow auto reaction that made it have a slight pause... Coming from a petrol with no lag.

I'm definatley wanting to hold out for the D4 (manual) when my time comes. (Also during my heavy footed 'race' around good wood it STILL said 50mpg average on the display)

 

[London_2012]

Very good to hear the diesel was quiet at idle, because it's not a given these days. I recently drove the new Audi A1 1.6Tdi Sport, I had it for a couple of days. I was extremely surprised at how noisy it was when cold or idle, far more noisy than any diesel I have driven in the last 10 years... very disappointing.

I was interested in the A class too, don't understand why Merc can set pricing for the rest of Europe but not UK yet. If you do a basic sterling conversion from the french pricing, the entry level A-class 180cdi should be about £21,500. I've read somewhere it's got a Renault engine, doesn't sound very premium?!? With only a few extras it puts the car out of my budget.

With your observations of the V40 having a better quality interior than the Merc, it's just more evidence that the V40 is better value for money.

It's all very reassuring that I'm making the right decision going for the V40.

Thanks

 

[GusGecko]

Well the pretty girls at the stand said it was starting at around 18 so about the same as the v40. The only a-class' they had were the amg trim so had the sporty looks. Have to say though apart from the front end, its quite bland. Looks far too similar to an A1 for me. People will go after the badge so we can get a far better equiped v40

 

[London_2012]

Mmmm, how pretty were the pretty girls? I'm sure it was easy to be taken in by their charming personalities.
Just found this Autocar article on A class pricing in the UK, A class starts at £19k. But I'm going for the V40 D2 ES (list is £19.7k) the equiv entry level A class diesel is the A180 Cdi SE at £21.2k according to the article. Loads more goodies on the V40 as standard, plus the difference in price I can afford full leather and Driver Information System with Illuminated gear stick... cool!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mercedes-class-pricing-starts-%C2%A318945

 

[kmanmx]

I was considering the A Class too. From what i've read the quality isn't up to the usual Mercedes standards, and the V40 definitely has more standard features.

Thanks for the overview on the engine though GusGecko, that helps a lot.

 

[GusGecko]

Yeah cool no problem