Repair-It

2015 things:
- AMG package is styling + 19" wheels
- Bixenon listed
- Power pass seat
- A bit higher mileage

2016 things:
- Factory Carplay (first year for Mercedes)
- Keyless go
- Halogen headlights standard? Or perhaps bi-xenon standard so no need to list option? A brochure would help.
- Standard 18s. Better ride.
- A bit lower mileage

Both had factory runflats which you would want to ditch next time around.

Brochures attached.

Bixenon was not standard in 2016 so it probably has halogen. Lame.
Keyless go was part of the Premium package in 2016 but I think it would appear as an option code so the car seems to be a base model with a few a la carte options.

Spare tire thread showing subwoofer relocation

https://www.glaowners.com/threads/harmo ... elp.28646/

A 40k mile 2019 is only $21k, which I guess is a big price increase, but 90k fewer miles:

https://www.newcountrymercedes.com/inve ... 8ku007579/

2016 with 50k for $16k. This is one of the many I sent on FBM.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1A5jm7wEX1/

15 with 98k for $11k
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BZnaUWeGF/

For future reference, here are the bi-xenon headlights:
And the poverty spec base headlights:
The two most obvious differences I see are 1) multi-element DRL eyebrows on the bi-xenons and 2) projectors on the bi-xenons vs what looks like a cheap parabolic reflector on the base ones.

Looks like the Waterbury Jim Jiuliani white 2015 and 2016 are getting closer in price:

$10970 for 2015 (w/ decent options), 131k mi
$11737 for 2016 (no options) 115k mi

https://www.jimjuliani.com/inventory.as ... s=6&sort=9

I'm going to steal this thread because the subject (and vehicles) seem to be about the same except the budget is probably larger and therefore the vehicles will be newer.

I am considering the GLA and GLC. So, here is some quick summary information about these:
GLA
Original gen X156 ran from 2014-2020 (or 2019?) with a facelift in 2018. All GLA250s of this gen will use the M270 and 7 speed DCT so that keeps things fairly simple.

Second gen H247 ran from 2020 (or 2021?) to present, with a facelift for 2024. These use the next gen M260 and GLA250s of this gen will use the updated 8 speed DCT. EDIT: I missed something. The 2024 facelift uses the M260 with 48V mild hybrid system. It adds a whopping 13 hp and the HP added at engine peak seems to be in the single digits. It probably does improve the start/stop stuff (it is a motor that runs on the accessory belt).

There are a number of features to keep track of through the generations and updates, of course. Some of which have been discussed in this thread.

GLC
First gen X253 platform started in 2016 and ran to 2022, with a facelift in 2020. They used the M274 (just a longitudinal M270) through 2019. With the facelift in 2020, they introduced the M264 to the GLC300. All GLC300s are going to use the 9 speed automatic.

The second gen X254 arrived for the 2023 model year. My understanding is ALL of these are electrified in some way due to the garbage EU requirements of the time. So even a GLC300 now uses the M254 which is a 4 cylinder turbo with 48V mild hybrid system. The front electric motor contributes only 23 hp to the powertrain (but 148 lb-ft for whatever that's worth).

I've seen some cylinder head failures on the M264 but also some piston issues on the M274 so right now I'm not quite sure what to recommend. The mileages that the M264 can experience cylinder head (it's a valve issue) failure seems to sometimes exceed the original warranty and my mom may well end up with one below that mileage, which concerns me. The M260 (transverse version) apparently has a cylinder head bulletin but the M264 does not. At least not as of this writing.

Depending on how widespread this is, I was thinking maybe the 2020-2022 GLC300 could be a sweet spot but I'm not sure now. For GLAs, maybe I have more confidence in the 2nd gen because the M260 is currently covered via bulletin for valve issues.

I have some information to report.

We showed up at the dealer and sat in a GLA250. Good so far. Then we compared to a GLC300. The GLC300 had a more awkward stepover (problematic for shorter people) but what's worse is the center console was so high and the foot well so cramped that it actually felt less spacious than the GLA. I blame the 9G stuff for hogging so much space. We compared for a while but eventually completely wrote off the GLC300. It had a fighter jet cockpit sort of feel which I guess some people might like but for someone just looking for a vehicle it seems to be completely compromised. Maybe the giant tablet on the dash also influenced the front row situation. We only sat in the 2025 in the showroom.

We ended up test driving two used GLA250s.

First one was this:
https://www.mercedesbenzofsarasota.com/ ... 59a6d9.htm
https://www.carfax.com/vehiclehistory/a ... 8TR6Bvr2FE

To refresh this is a 2nd gen GLA250. This was a one owner, recent lease return. NJ dual residency so 4Matic, heated seats and heated steering wheel. Also has the AMG package which looks nice. The interior is black with alcantara inserts on the seats and door panels. Black I suppose is a slight liability but white exterior probably the most important. No sunroof but this seems fine. It is a CPO car with bumper to bumper for the next 24 months or so.

The test drive wasn't very long but I drove first and then my mom drove.

The A/C was pretty good. And I like the 8 speed DCT. It does have MBUX but not widescreen and wireless Carplay/Android Auto. Not a huge deal though decidedly less premium than 2024+.

Overall it was smooth and had the light, tossable feel that I liked in the first gen 2019 that I drove. I think this one is not necessarily more sporty but more well rounded as a car. Plenty of power. The M260 makes 221 hp and 258 lb-ft but keep in mind these are fairly light. Maybe not as light as the first gen...

Amazing turning radius.

When we first walked out to it the guy said there was a noise. It sounded like either a squeaky cooling fan or a pulley (or the belt). I guess the old couple let it sit so I'm not super worried.

There were also some kind of sloppy front plate holes in the bumper. He thought they would bondo them and repaint the bumper. I guess that's OK. It will also get a B service. It had a 10,000 mile service at like 6,000 and will probably get a 20,000 mile at 10,xxx. So that's decent.

Based on a quick autotrader comp check this is priced fairly for the year/miles.

Then he pulled around a 2025 ex-courtesy vehicle. I believe this was the one:
https://www.mercedesbenzofsarasota.com/ ... 917c8f.htm

I remember the mileage being higher though but the rest seems accurate. So what was the difference? No AMG package, next gen MBUX (but similar overall design, minus the touchpad), FWD. I thought the A/C was worse and I do know the 2025s use 1234yf. It would be hilarious if the 2022 used R134a, but I'll verify that. The 2025 didn't drive any better but it wasn't supposed to. In such a short drive I didn't notice anything between the 18s on the 2025 and 19s on the 2022.

At first it seems like a "no brainer" to get a 2025 but then you realize you are paying $5k for an extra 3 years of warranty and a few thousand less miles. I liked the way the 2022 was equipped better and it is still at least CPO, and cheaper anyway. The salesman was pushing the 2025. They had 5 ex-courtesy vehicles so it was hard to feel pressured to buy one. To be fair I think this is the time of year these will get sold to make way for the 2026s but still I felt no urgency.

Also, I was turned off by the idea of 100+ people abusing these while their Mercedes is getting service...I'd rather buy the ex lease car from the elderly owner.

In short I still really like the GLA and I think the 2nd gen is even better than the first. I also think the GLA is the perfect size for non-large family uses. Though I will say the backseat was totally usable. I sat behind myself and still had knee room. It probably has more knee room than my E63 in the back.

Tomorrow we will bring the Fusion in for appraisal and see if we can come to a deal on the 2022. If we can squeeze $2k out of it I think that'll do.
2025 on left, 2022 on right. Be sure to click and load larger photos. The difference between the AMG and non-AMG facia is apparent. I like the AMG styling and wheels better and I think it'll stay fresher longer as a result.