GLC43

Author
Discussion

Nickworld

Original Poster:

28 posts

228 months

Monday 20th June 2016
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Anybody seen any actual reviews of the GLC43 yet?

I know it's new, but has been available to spec on the MB website since I first started looking a couple of weeks back and I read somewhere that deliveries were due to start in June/July, so I'm surprised that there isn't more than launch stories around online. I haven't found any actual reviews/roadtests.

I'm moving house and debating the whole one-car option, binning my Z4 and C350 wagon, but struggling to settle on what I need (since my wife refuses to accept that a 911 and a roofbox would tick all the boxes).

Macans still seem to high-priced for me. I don't really like Audi (nothing rational) or the SQ5 would probably do it. The X3 isn't really lighting my fire, an E63 wagon is probably too much, but it seems like a GLC43 might hit the spot if it's a decent steer...

jcx964

85 posts

106 months

Monday 20th June 2016
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I have one on order. Will report more after delivery in 4-6 weeks. Bit of a leap of faith but its a handsome beast.

Doppelkupplung

185 posts

111 months

Monday 20th June 2016
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To my understanding it's the same as GLC450 just rebranded. Might be a couple of very minor updates but essentially the same machine. I love the engine but I'm still not convinced by the styling, bmw x6m is still tempting me

Nickworld

Original Poster:

28 posts

228 months

Monday 20th June 2016
quotequote all
Real ownership experience? Even better. Fascinated to hear how you get on. Did you manage to haggle anything off? Carwow seems to have 6% or so off, so I'm guessing that even as new as it is they're not wildly confident about their pricing.

Never heard of a GLC450. Will have a rummage, ta.

jcx964

85 posts

106 months

Monday 20th June 2016
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Nickworld said:
Real ownership experience? Even better. Fascinated to hear how you get on. Did you manage to haggle anything off? Carwow seems to have 6% or so off, so I'm guessing that even as new as it is they're not wildly confident about their pricing.

Never heard of a GLC450. Will have a rummage, ta.
I didn't see Car Wow offering that much but coast 2 coast was offering 6% which set the bar for negotiations. My dealer said they've sold one already for list price and they were amazed at the C2C price. Funny thing is that a slow 250d in AMG line trim with lots of toys is not a long way shy of the AMG 43 on price. An Evoque is similar money in top spec too. I think the AMG 43 is a bargain...

Nickworld

Original Poster:

28 posts

228 months

Monday 20th June 2016
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Yep - me too. It was the price compared to the 25CDI that caught my eye (after the performance etc).

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Sunday 3rd July 2016
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Just heard from dealer... Car should be here before the end of July.

StretchArmstrong

1 posts

92 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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Best Looking mid-size SUV at present, so for flash value they are great.

paulwirral

3,104 posts

134 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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jcx964 said:
I didn't see Car Wow offering that much but coast 2 coast was offering 6% which set the bar for negotiations. My dealer said they've sold one already for list price and they were amazed at the C2C price. Funny thing is that a slow 250d in AMG line trim with lots of toys is not a long way shy of the AMG 43 on price. An Evoque is similar money in top spec too. I think the AMG 43 is a bargain...
I noticed this trend when ordering a slc , spec a 300 up and it's not that different a price to the 43 amg , so you can guess which one I advised my wife to buy , i also said its a bargain , it comes end of the month

Nickworld

Original Poster:

28 posts

228 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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Nice one - interested to hear your experiences when they arrive. I had a call from MB Gatwick to go and try one, but haven't been able to find any time yet.

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Nickworld said:
Nice one - interested to hear your experiences when they arrive. I had a call from MB Gatwick to go and try one, but haven't been able to find any time yet.
I collect mine next weekend. Excited. Have you been to gatwick yet? Keen to hear your thoughts.

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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picked it up this morning :-) All good so far.

Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Premium Plus 4Matic










DKL

4,480 posts

221 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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Very smart. Nice option over c/e amg estate versions. Roll on 2-3 yr old ones!

JEA1K

2,485 posts

222 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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Very nice, congrats! Interested to know your thoughts once you've had a proper drive.

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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Thx folks. I'll be sure to share thoughts as I get used to it.

First impressions:

- It is softer than the AMG-line C-Class saloon, even in the sportiest suspension setting.
- it is a handsome beast in the metal and inside.
- the engine is throaty in sport and more so when manually switching the gears (can this really be true?)
- there is acres of space in the back with my ideal 5'11" driving position

I have not really opened up the engine yet so it doesn't feel at all like it has 367bhp. I have a big drive to Carfest on Sunday so I'll know more after that :-)

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Saturday 30th July 2016
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I awoke early this morning, the sun was out so I thought I'd go and 'pleasure some cyclists' with the aural majesty of the AMG 43 engine. Pleasure is one word for it, frighten might be another. (Full disclosure: I do pedal myself so I was not in anyway out to harm my spinning brethren).

So, second impressions:

- the car sounds amazing in sport+ mode. Blipping and popping on downshifts and on overrun and blipping on up shifts. It's less artificial sounding than the GLA 45 and more natural.
- the engine accelerates nicely and is quick. The car's beautiful build and sound proofing separate you from the speed such that it doesn't feel 'hot hatch fast' even though it is quicker than most. You get a true sense of the acceleration when you see cars behind disappearing fast.
- My car will for 98% of the time stay in Sport+ setting for suspension. Everything else is just a bit too floaty for my liking. Sport+ could be stiffer still BUT when you press on and turn in to to a corner it all just firms up and grips with little roll. Believe and she will reward.
- the standard sports seats are nice but as a slim Jim they don't grip your ribs like a BMW M sport seat does. This allows for minor movement in the seat when pressing on hard and it accentuates the sense of 'roll' in the car.
- love the higher, commanding position in the car. Affords a great view of the area and I'm seeing things above hedges and walls that I never see in our other cars.

As ever, it will take me time to dial into the steering and personality of the car. But this morning I started to click with it and changing direction started to become more telepathic as is the case with all good and familiar cars.

My other car is a 997.2 Turbo so my reference point is set at a very very high level.


RussJ

66 posts

228 months

Sunday 31st July 2016
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Lovely car, exact same spec as I'm after so really interested to read your comments.
The local dealer won't have a demo until September so very frustrating to have to wait.
Whats the ride like over broken tarmac/potholes etc?
Up here in Norfolk we are blessed with an abundance of poorly maintained roads so a reasonably compliant ride is essential.
Russ

jcx911

85 posts

106 months

Sunday 31st July 2016
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RussJ said:
Lovely car, exact same spec as I'm after so really interested to read your comments.
The local dealer won't have a demo until September so very frustrating to have to wait.
Whats the ride like over broken tarmac/potholes etc?
Up here in Norfolk we are blessed with an abundance of poorly maintained roads so a reasonably compliant ride is essential.
Russ
Hi Russ. Is that Robinsons? I bet it is :-). I bought from them in Peterborough. Very good to deal with.

It corners very flat on sweeping bends in any suspension mode. In comfort mode it glides over everything. In sport+ mode it is much firmer and picks up the ruts. Can be a bit skittish but not terribly so. In sport mode it is a great balance of the two.

My brain tells me that it will under steer on corners at speed but the car whips around with great poise. As mentioned before, it's not a sports car. But after a 270 mile round trip today with 180 motorway miles and 90 A and B road miles I am very happy with it.

The engine is loosening up and when gunning it out of a t-junction it got a little tail happy which surprised me but it was easily tamed. Around corners it feels like it has torque vectoring, I don't know if it does or not, but the front end bites and the car tracks fabulously.

Try to get one to test for a day or two as it takes a while to dial into its personality.

Edited by jcx911 on Sunday 31st July 23:22

RussJ

66 posts

228 months

Monday 1st August 2016
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Many thanks for the update.
I bought our current XC60 R Design after a short test drive on smooth roads and have cursed the bloody thing ever since.
Once I got it on home turf I thought it had concrete tyres and cart springs! I changed out the standard suspension for Koni FSDs and progressive springs which have helped but its still no Rolls Royce.
This was a mistake I am not keen to repeat, so a decent test drive is a prerequisite before signing on the dotted line.
Russ


Edited by RussJ on Monday 1st August 23:22

se7ens

1 posts

91 months

Monday 1st August 2016
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Great looking car, thanks for sharing the photos, mine is on order and arrives in october...
I've got a few days left to finalise spec, any advice on options, recommend? not worth it?
Any pics of inside?
Cheers