MB C43 or 440i MPPSK

[Autodad]

Hi all. I’ve an opportunity to buy a C43 AMG Coupe. I’d like to compare it to a BMW F36 440i with MPPSK which is louder and almost as fast.

Anyone have experience of both? Which is the better car as a long term keeper. Any advice would be great. B58 engine Vs the AMG tuned MB 376. Reliability etc all come in to it.

Thanks

[J1990]

I wouldn't be worried about reliability on either of these cars, I assume if you're looking at the F36 then you're also looking at an older C43 with a rather dated and bland interior (IMO). I'd lean towards the BMW with Pro Nav but I think it's hugely subjective, as nice as the C43 coupe is to look at from the outside, it really doesn't stand out from a normal C class, it's not a C63 and the I just couldn't love that interior view once sat in the driver's seat.

Whilst my comment of the C43 not being a C63 could also ring true for the 440i not being an M4, the saving grace is that this also means it doesn't have quite so much of an M tax on parts and servicing.

[Doug335D]

B58 is a cracking motor and pretty reliable too, depends which year but the only reported issue is very slight coolant loss which can be remedied pretty easily.

Only problem is it is RWD, depends where you are in the world obviously, but if you stay anywhere up north I would say the C43 would be a better bet. The 440i would be such a waste in most condition except dry sunny days. Before I got my 335D a while back I did test drive the M140i and the 440i (non mppk) before settling on the 335D.

The aural satisfaction from that inline 6 BMW petrol brings a smile to the face, and once it (or when it can I should say) hooks up it is an absolute blast. However, where I stay both are just a massive waste. Drive anything but docile in all but bone dry conditions and the traction control light is flashing like a Christmas tree. My 335D is SO MUCH more usable in every day situations.

If it were me (not that clued up with reliability of the C43, but a mate of mine has one and he isn't unimpressed with the reliability, more the interior build quality) I would go for the C43 as it is 4matic 4WD. It will allow you to enjoy the power in all conditions.

As I have gotten older I find myself wanting something that doesn't want to send me into a hedge on a country road if there is a drop of water on the ground. I am not a driving god but also not inexperienced, I get a RWD car is more fun, but I have had my fair share and having something that does everything well is more important at this stage than something fun as it is my daily car.

So I guess it also boils down to if this will be your daily or just a weekend car, if the weekend car I would highly recommend the 440i, stunning to look at and very good to drive!

[sunnyb13]

whats the remedy? new coolant cap?

[Panthro]

My last 8 cars were BMW (M3's, F15 X5, Z4 35i, 330d) but I've got a C43 estate. I drove a 340i back to back and I prefer the C43 in nearly every way except for some minor random MB vs BMW things. The interior build quality is fine, a couple of rattles that are easily fixed. The noise it makes is very satisfying and it's rapid. The adjustable damping is impressive too and if you get a premium plus model it will have every option you need.

[RonnieHotdogs]

Autodad said:

almost as fast.

I'd test drive one and see if you still think that.

I did, and the 4 series was quite noticeably faster, so that's the one I went with. Plus in 2018 the interior, tech and build quality of the BMW was far better.

They generally make far above 360bhp and 500NM with the MPPSK.

[MrCD]

I have a 440i GC with Mppsk. I've not driven a c43 so cannot compare performance but the 440i is for me plenty quick enough and the sound from the mpe is impressive. In comfort it has a nice tone and in sport or sport + it's aggressive but sounds good.

As a comparison I did nc500 a few summers ago with a mate who took an m4 Cs. In a straight line there wasn't much in it, which would support the assumption bmw are being conservative with the quoted mppsk figures. He now has a 718 gt4 and in a straight line similar story. Obviously once hitting a corner it's different story and that comparison is rolling performance, no doubt from a standing start both would be quicker.

[DT1975]

sunnyb13 said:

whats the remedy? new coolant cap?

For me it was a sliver of lithium grease around the seal on the cap. Nearly five years on and no further coolant loss.

[ZX10R NIN]

When you're down to two cars I'd suggest test driving both, be honest with both main dealers & tell them you want to compare the two, you'll make up your mind when you drive them.

For me the 43 just edges it but both are good cars.

[tem1tem1]

I'd go for the 440i with mppsk unless your going for the facelift c43

The interior and exterior of the facelift c43 is leaps and bounds ahead of the 440i and the pre facelift c43.
But they go for 35-40k which is nearly 10-15k more than a 440i.

440i with mppsk is quicker, looks better and sounds better but as others have said is RWD only.

C43 pre facelift is in no way a poor compromise as you have the 4matic (they are still RWD bias and tail happy) and also sound superb.

[Panthro]

tem1tem1 said:

I'd go for the 440i with mppsk unless your going for the facelift c43

The interior and exterior of the facelift c43 is leaps and bounds ahead of the 440i and the pre facelift c43.
But they go for 35-40k which is nearly 10-15k more than a 440i.

440i with mppsk is quicker, looks better and sounds better but as others have said is RWD only.

C43 pre facelift is in no way a poor compromise as you have the 4matic (they are still RWD bias and tail happy) and also sound superb.

I found the facelift C43 to be quicker than the 440i, and even the pre facelift has a better interior than the 4 series.

[sunnyb13]

Quite the opposite. the 440i mppsk pulls bus lengths on the c43.

[ro250]

Not much to add other than I got down to these 2 cars in my last search and settled on the 440i (no MPPSK but does have the catback exhaust).

I think I was looking at pre-facelift C43s and they did look a little dated. I also wasn't looking at the coupe and the 4 door didn't look as sporty as the BMW.

I doubt you'd go wrong with either!

[Autodad]

Thank you all for your responses. Very interesting reading and lots of points covered. Seems each have their respective plus points.

I’m booked in for some rest drives this weekend. Looking forward to it. 👍

[James-gbg1e]

I've a 2017 C43 Estate Premium Plus. Love the car and as a single motor it does everything I'd need.

People here are talking pre/post facelift? Are you talking the 2018 changes? The grill you can replace with a twin-bar, the grill fins you can also after market, exterior wise there's then just the rear exhaust tips/diffuser, which you could also update yourself. CS Styling I think it is do most of them.

Interior wise, the biggest change is the steering wheel. You can get replacements to update if you'd wish to. Also a Navifly if you wanted Android/Apple display in place of the OE.

Importantly, if you want the best sound from the sweet sounding V6 then the 2017 models don't have the OPF filters, 2018 all have OPF so sound dulled. Likewise the 2017 models map better with the less restrictive exhaust than any model since.

Take a trip to MSL in Birmingham and you'll be up at 410/420bhp for £500.

Personally I much prefer the MB interiors to anything BMW do, but that's personal choice. I bought an black ash wood centre console from eBay to replace the horrible and terrible piano black scratchfest it came with, 30 mins of work.