C43 AMG...talk to me

[HM-2]

Afternoon all

We've got a new arrival in the family due near the beginning of next year, so I'm potentially looking to up-size my M140i to some kind of "compact executive" saloon/estate in preparation. Criteria at the moment are:

1) Bigger than an M140i
2) Good (enough) fun to hustle on UK roads
3) Nice and comfy over long distances
4) Makes a nice noise.

Not too sold vis-a-vis RWD versus AWD, but I've never had an AWD car so kind of interested to try one.
Considering the usual suspects- BMW 340i, Audi S4, but neither excite me much. The 340i is just a bigger version of my current car, and the S4 seems a bit anodyne. Anyone got experience of the C43 AMG? This seems like it fits the criteria best; I like the look of them and all the reviews suggest they toe a great middle line between the "proper" AMG and the rest of the range. Is there a substantial change between the earlier (pre mid-2018-facelift) cars and the older ones? The price difference seems to be fairly marked.

What are the recommended options? Obviously, I'm really keen on the AMG Performance exhaust but the C43 seems to have disappeared off the UK configuration so it's kind of hard to gauge what's available...

[PixelpeepS3]

RS3 saloon ?

[PixelpeepS3]

Also, what about the Glc43 amg ?

[HM-2]

PixelpeepS3 said:

RS3 saloon ?

Unfortunately gopping IMO. Plus FWD biased AWD system.

PixelpeepS3 said:

Also, what about the Glc43 amg ?

Isn't this just a C43 that's taller, heavier and otherwise not quite as good?
I think if I wanted to go more towards the GLC I'd be looking at the Porsche Macan. Which isn't to say I'm averse to trying one of course...

[rs4al]

I test drove a C43, my 340i touring with the Mperformance exhaust and remap is faster and sounds better.

C43 did have a nice interior though.

[NoTreadLeft]

Have had my C43 Estate 18 months now (from new) and still really like it. Very competent in all conditions, quick, comfortable and a nice place to be. Mine is the older generation car so I think the infotainment & screen aren't quite up to the newest model and the power is down slightly. As for spec, these are the choices I made and which I'd make again:

• 18" Wheels: personally I think these look better than 19"s on the Estate, plus the ride is better based on the test drives I had
• Apple CarPlay: this was available but not many cars have it as it was mutually exclusive with the Burmester audio package. I went for it and upgraded my speakers a few months later. Definitely worth it if you're an iPhone person as you can use TomTom/Waze/Google Maps on the screen instead of the rubbish Mercedes satnav.

My main regret is not going for the switchable AMG sports exhaust. Apparently the standard AMG exhaust sounds good from outside but it's hard to hear if you're inside. Oh, one more minor niggle: you only have to breathe on the standard shiny black finish on the console for it to get scratched. I'd definitely choose a different finish next time around.

But overall I think it's a great car and I can see myself keeping mine for quite a while.

[Aquanaut]

Just bought this C43 to replace my 2012 C63 and so far so good. Still in running in phase but seems quick...got the exhaust option but still feels a bit flat to my 63. However one week with the car and I don’t miss my c63 at all

[NoTreadLeft]

Since we’re doing pics, here’s mine:

[Ron240]

C43 has THE best interior of any car in its class.
It is a "proper" AMG.....its the 4 cylinder models that are not generally considered to be.
I would have a new C43 Coupe in a heartbeat, if only I had a slightly larger disposable income.

[Dave350]

I came from a BMW 440i into a C43 Coupe with a new job, and have had 3 x C43 Coupes and much much much prefer them to my old 440i.

Ensure it has Prem Plus on it as a pack, makes a huge difference to the overall experience of the car, as it was sorely missed on the one that didn't have it.

[chazd]

Love our C43!

Had an s5 beforehand and it’s better in every sense.

First Mercedes and not regretting it !

[HM-2]

Dave350 said:

Ensure it has Prem Plus on it as a pack, makes a huge difference to the overall experience of the car, as it was sorely missed on the one that didn't have it.

This comprises most of the techy options like the Bermeister hi-fi, right? Most of the cars I've seen advertised have it, but I'd probably look at getting the keyless disabled immediately.

I looked at an A45 before I bought my M140i and the spec was very strange. Can you (or anyone else) tell me if the following are standard, part of one of the Premier packs, or separate/independent options (as they were all absent or partially-absent from the A45)

PDC (either camera or sensors)
Heated front seats
Cruise Control
Nav

I assume they'd all be standard or at the worst the lowest of the premier packs, but with Merc I've found you can never pre-judge what options come as standard

[Zoon]

[quote=Ron240]C43 has THE best interior of any car in its class.

Have they changed it from the crap iPad stuck on the dash setup?

[HM-2]

The FL interiors look like this:



From that the screen looks vastly less intrusive that the one in, say, the pre-FL A45.
Low and wide is definitely a better shape than square and tablet-y.

[Zoon]

Yes looks much better than the one I'm thinking of.

[jimPH]

Just done something very similar. Out third arrived, so sold the wife's M135i and my GTR, bought a 2019 C63s estate. Still a bit tight, but easily doable.

I've noticed the GLC is a bit bigger in the back seats.

We ruled out BMW due to the large rear arch pillars that squash the back seat.

Problem is, it's not a special feeling car, so not sure how long we'll have it. I'll get the wife something else and myself an AMG, GT.

S5 sportback is surprisingly roomy in the back as the seat is very flat, unlike the BMW, so that's a contender, however, likely a GLC43, you'll be glad of that extra inch.

[NoTreadLeft]

HM-2 said:

This comprises most of the techy options like the Bermeister hi-fi, right? Most of the cars I've seen advertised have it, but I'd probably look at getting the keyless disabled immediately.

I looked at an A45 before I bought my M140i and the spec was very strange. Can you (or anyone else) tell me if the following are standard, part of one of the Premier packs, or separate/independent options (as they were all absent or partially-absent from the A45)

PDC (either camera or sensors)
Heated front seats
Cruise Control
Nav

I assume they'd all be standard or at the worst the lowest of the premier packs, but with Merc I've found you can never pre-judge what options come as standard

My car has the basic "premium" pack. No idea if it has PDC (have never used it if so) but has the other 3. Fyi...if you want CarPlay or Android Auto you need to look for the additional "Smart Phone Integration" option.

Disabling keyless just requires you to double-click the lock button on the key fob. I now do this without thinking whenever I park the car at home.

[aliwtsn]

HM-2 said:

Isn't this just a C43 that's taller, heavier and otherwise not quite as good?
I think if I wanted to go more towards the GLC I'd be looking at the Porsche Macan. Which isn't to say I'm averse to trying one of course...

Which engine Porsche Macan are you comparing against the GLC43? I am considering the new 2020 GLC43 Coupe, coming from an M6 coupe then S5 sportback I want a little more power and space and a louder exhaust .....

[HM-2]

aliwtsn said:

HM-2 said:

Isn't this just a C43 that's taller, heavier and otherwise not quite as good?
I think if I wanted to go more towards the GLC I'd be looking at the Porsche Macan. Which isn't to say I'm averse to trying one of course...

Which engine Porsche Macan are you comparing against the GLC43? I am considering the new 2020 GLC43 Coupe, coming from an M6 coupe then S5 sportback I want a little more power and space and a louder exhaust .....

Probably the Turbo, though it would likely be a bit older than a C43.

[ocd]

I’ve had my P+ ex-demo C43 estate since April and it’s fab. It’s got the exhaust, leather interior and black 19” alloys. I had a 2015 C63 estate a couple of years ago and do miss the brutality of the V8 but the 43 is a great car. It is a bit hesitant on occasion but the handling and all round competence under all conditions are very impressive. No regrets.