Hello All, I'm looking for some sound advice. I'm looking to purchase a 2016 GLA250, matter of fact I test drove one yesterday...loved it. But, I also test drove the 2016 BMW X1, loved it as well. Except the GLA did feel like it was a heavier car but had less trunk space then the BMW. What are the pro's and con's to either? I'm a single mom that has a very active boy and I do a lot of driving yearly...23K. Also, I'm a avid cyclist (neither comes with a tow hitch-bikes go on roof) Therefore, I need a reliable car. Currently I have a Subaru Impreza, like it and yes it's reliable but I just hit 29yrs in the military and made it to E9, so it's time to treat myself. I've never owned a Mercedes or BMW... What do you think? I know this is a Mercedes forum but i'm sure someone has owned a BMW in the past. Thank you in advance.
Need advice, before I purchase
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Both cars fun to drive but find the BMW to be a little too difficult and busy to navigate in the computer department. Like changing the clock for example. Have had 3 BMW's and 4 Mercs. mercs have proved my favorite over and over again.
Welcome to the forum! I went through the same questions, with a bias as a longtime MB C-Class owner. Here are two internet articles that lay out some contrasts:
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs. 2015 BMW X1: Which Is Better? - Autotrader
2016 BMW X1 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA vs. Lexus NX vs. Acura RDX
There are some excellent threads here in the GLA Owners forum that will also give you some insight to the plusses and negatives of the GLA-class. It's encouraging that many of the issues found in the 2015 first model year have been hopefully addressed in 2016, based on reports from folks who already have their GLA and other information. I agree the BMW X-1 is roomier, but the GLA appealed to me as a better overall package, plus a long relationship with the MB brand. I formerly had a VW GTI as a second car that I loved; it was quite roomy on the backseat relative to even the MB C-Class.
Congratulations on your promotion Dennine and thank you for your service...which one? Air Force retiree here.
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class vs. 2015 BMW X1: Which Is Better? - Autotrader
2016 BMW X1 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLA vs. Lexus NX vs. Acura RDX
There are some excellent threads here in the GLA Owners forum that will also give you some insight to the plusses and negatives of the GLA-class. It's encouraging that many of the issues found in the 2015 first model year have been hopefully addressed in 2016, based on reports from folks who already have their GLA and other information. I agree the BMW X-1 is roomier, but the GLA appealed to me as a better overall package, plus a long relationship with the MB brand. I formerly had a VW GTI as a second car that I loved; it was quite roomy on the backseat relative to even the MB C-Class.
Congratulations on your promotion Dennine and thank you for your service...which one? Air Force retiree here.
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One little bit of advice if you choose the GLA and get the sunroof...the MB roof racks for your bike will prevent your sunroof from opening while they're on. You can get around this by simply clipping off the two little rubber nubs that stick out on the front mounts, or you can get the Thule racks that don't interfere with the sunroof.
As far as whether to get a GLA or BMW? Of course everyone here will say MB and everyone on the BMW forum will say the opposite. What I like about the GLA is that it's a fun to drive, all wheel drive, well built hatchback. I love mine.
Since you're early in the decision process, have you considered European delivery? You'll save an extra 8% off purchase, get a few other benefits, drive around EU for as long as you'd like to, then MB will ship your car over and deliver it to your dealer for no extra cost.
As far as whether to get a GLA or BMW? Of course everyone here will say MB and everyone on the BMW forum will say the opposite. What I like about the GLA is that it's a fun to drive, all wheel drive, well built hatchback. I love mine.
Since you're early in the decision process, have you considered European delivery? You'll save an extra 8% off purchase, get a few other benefits, drive around EU for as long as you'd like to, then MB will ship your car over and deliver it to your dealer for no extra cost.
@SPG43 Def plan on getting a sunroof. Thanks for the insight about the bike rack. Wish they had a tow hitch for one vice putting it on top. I'm short and def will need to bring a step stool with me haha. The GLA was fun to test drive, less interior room though. But, overall it felt like luxury compare to the BMW.
I never knew about the European delivery...so I purchase it there, then have it shipped? insight on how too would be great. I already get 2k+ for using USAA off the the sticker price. Not much but it pays for the sunroof
@turbolink thanks for the articles. Navy..... Plan on getting a vanity plate for it. haha MCPOBnz or MstrChf or E9Benz silly stuff I know, fun to think about.
I never knew about the European delivery...so I purchase it there, then have it shipped? insight on how too would be great. I already get 2k+ for using USAA off the the sticker price. Not much but it pays for the sunroof
@turbolink thanks for the articles. Navy..... Plan on getting a vanity plate for it. haha MCPOBnz or MstrChf or E9Benz silly stuff I know, fun to think about.
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A little more info here: European Delivery Program - Mercedes Vehicle Shipping - Mercedes-Benz
It's really simple. You order a car just like you normally would. They give you a delivery date and you fly over to Stuttgart to pick it up. Drive around for a few days or weeks in EU. Then you drop it off and they ship it back here. Then the worst part...you have to wait a month while it crosses the atlantic!
There are some little perks too, like a tour of the factory, a night's stay at a nice hotel, taxi from hotel to MB, lunch at the MB center, admission to the MB museum, and they'll loan you a GPS if you ask in advance.
The shipping cost is free since they'd have to ship it anyway if you just bought it for US delivery. Your car goes on the boat along with all the other brand new ones.
The experience itself is really fun. The delivery center in Sindelfingen is pretty nice, and when your car is ready it's presented at the bottom of a big staircase making the experience feel a little more special. They treat you like royalty even if you're just getting a GLA and not a Maybach.
That photo in my avatar is from right in front of the delivery center.
Oh yeah, you get to drive your own car on the Autobahn! That alone is worth the trip.
Hi Dennine,
I too have been considering both the BMW X1 and MB GLA 250.
Currently I own an Audi A3 TDI (my second) previous to the I had a BMW 323 Convertible for 12 years.
I am incredible upset about the VW/Audi Diesel Scandal but a week or two before that story broke I was looking into what my next car would be.
Personally I love to drive a smaller, sportier car and as am planning to spend more time in the mountains skiing in the next few years I wanted to get 4WD.
The GLA caught my eye due to the styling and then after I read the specs and drove it I was sold.
Know that I have researched (this forum has been very helpful) and driving and researched some more and I have found my GLA and now am dealing with returning my TDI to the dealer.
I loved my BMW but am looking forward to my first Benz.
Congrats on the promotion and good luck with the car decision.
I too have been considering both the BMW X1 and MB GLA 250.
Currently I own an Audi A3 TDI (my second) previous to the I had a BMW 323 Convertible for 12 years.
I am incredible upset about the VW/Audi Diesel Scandal but a week or two before that story broke I was looking into what my next car would be.
Personally I love to drive a smaller, sportier car and as am planning to spend more time in the mountains skiing in the next few years I wanted to get 4WD.
The GLA caught my eye due to the styling and then after I read the specs and drove it I was sold.
Know that I have researched (this forum has been very helpful) and driving and researched some more and I have found my GLA and now am dealing with returning my TDI to the dealer.
I loved my BMW but am looking forward to my first Benz.
Congrats on the promotion and good luck with the car decision.
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47 Posts
Hi Dennine
I'm in the same...er...boat. After test-driving both, I've placed an order for the X1; there's just a bit more room, performance and efficiency. There's also a rear mount bike rack accessory available, so it became cut and dried for me.....
....or did it? There's a wild card, and that's the just released M-B GLC. It's just slightly bigger again than the X1, and has lots of safety gear standard (at least in my market). It's also only about $2.5k more expensive for the "base" GLC (which is, as said, well specified) over the X1. As I don't need delivery until end March 2016, I can afford to be patient.
Good luck with your decision-making. One thing is you can rest assured whatever you choose, you'll have a great car.
I'm in the same...er...boat. After test-driving both, I've placed an order for the X1; there's just a bit more room, performance and efficiency. There's also a rear mount bike rack accessory available, so it became cut and dried for me.....
....or did it? There's a wild card, and that's the just released M-B GLC. It's just slightly bigger again than the X1, and has lots of safety gear standard (at least in my market). It's also only about $2.5k more expensive for the "base" GLC (which is, as said, well specified) over the X1. As I don't need delivery until end March 2016, I can afford to be patient.
Good luck with your decision-making. One thing is you can rest assured whatever you choose, you'll have a great car.
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172 Posts
For the GLA I believe that the European Delivery discount is 5% off and for other models its 7% off.
Thank you Dennine for that prompt on USAA. I had forgotten that benefit and printed out a certificate for $1000 (the current USAA contribution) toward the purchase price (am not financing or anything but insurance through USAA). My 2016 GLA250 was delivered today, and happily, instead of worrying if the dealer would honor it, they asked me if I had it, and pleasantly added it to the credits. However, since our car was a special order, I also paid MSRP (but was happy with our C-Class trade-in).
So allow me to thank you in a different way on Veterans Day, you helped on our final price...SAA-LUTTTE!!! I always liked the Navy better than the Army or Marines.
(Note: I also like soldiers and Marines!)1 - 11 of 11 Posts
