C43 build quality

C43 build quality

Author
Discussion

LStitch

Original Poster:

9 posts

78 months

Thursday 7th September 2017
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Hello, this is my first post so please be nice!smile

I've arranged a test drive of a C43 coupe (Single and 21 so no need for a 5 door), this seems to be the sweet spot of something I want, the C63 is a little too powerful for what I'm looking for and I'm not too interested in the 300/250/220/200's.

I've owned a GLA 220D for the last 2 years and to be honest, the build quality is st. I got it new and within a week the dashboard rattled and squeaked randomly. Still does. Theres cheap plastic everywhere and overall, I've been pretty disappointed by the car.

I've been reading reviews online about the vehicle and there are a lot of complaints about the wipers and something called "crabbing"?

I will probably wait for the 2018 facelift but I'd really like to hear other owners first hand experience with the current/recent models.

Thanks

playalistic

2,269 posts

163 months

Thursday 7th September 2017
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The one I recently tested didn't exhibit any of those problems and seemed well screwed together. Though admittedly it was only a short 30 minute drive.

I bought a C63 instead but that's another story smile

craig1912

3,273 posts

111 months

Thursday 7th September 2017
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My son has one and no issues other than the "crabbing" which only happens in cold weather at low speed on full lock. Not a big issue to be honest but some people may get irritated by it.
I've driven it a few times and have been impressed by the interior quality

RudeDog

1,652 posts

173 months

Friday 8th September 2017
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I have had the C63 for about 16 months now (from new) and I'm guessing that the majority of the interior will be similar to that in the C43. My opinion of the car is that it's crap. The interior squeaks and creaks like mad and the brakes squeal incessantly.

Sounds like your experience was very similar in your previous Merc so I would say that you should not expect a new one to be much different.

zedstar

1,735 posts

175 months

Friday 8th September 2017
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Rudedog - just a q.

Does the engine/noise/driving experience etc make up for the rattles and poor build quality?

BigR

335 posts

161 months

Friday 8th September 2017
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Had the same rattling experience with my C63. Was in a number of times to cure the problems which always seemed to be a case of putting a bit of lube on it. Hence, 100miles down the road and its rattling again. Squeaky brakes were an intermittent problem for me.

The car's now gone - after 2 years - as I finally just got exasperated with it. The engineering of it, engine, suspension, brakes (apart from the squeaks)...etc...was sublime. But you can only put up with mediocre build quality for so long in a £60k+ car.

LStitch

Original Poster:

9 posts

78 months

Friday 8th September 2017
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Wow, thanks for all the responses! Some good and some not so good.

I'm still considering it as there aren't many other options. I like the RS5 but it's an audi... Same for BMW. I guess I could look at Jag, GTR, R8 (R8's where I live at super cheap, probably for a reason).

The S63 is a little too outta my range. Maybe I'll check the E class out.

RudeDog

1,652 posts

173 months

Friday 8th September 2017
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zedstar said:
Rudedog - just a q.

Does the engine/noise/driving experience etc make up for the rattles and poor build quality?
Not really. I feel very similar to BigR. I spend a lot of money on the car and I am always left feeling dissatisfied when I drive it. Yes its fast. Yes it feel nice when you are giving it some welly but the majority of the time I drive it, I'm commuting or driving at ordinary speeds and thats when it really wears you down.


Markaby

2 posts

77 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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I've had a C43 for 2 months now and it rattles and squeaks on anything but perfect roads
MB have replaced the command screen, the drivers seat and worked on the car for 3 visits and 7 days, guess what it still rattles and squeaks. i'm booked in for the 4th time tomorrow
The performance of the car is fantastic but the driving experience is totally spoiled by the constant rattling.

I'm probably going to trade it in shortly

RudeDog

1,652 posts

173 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Thats a real shame Markaby, I know just how frustrating it is and I too can't wait to get out of my car and into something else.

It appears that MB have dropped the ball a bit with the W205. I have lost all faith in the brand now because not only is the car very poor, the service guys can't seem to fix the issues.

On the brightside, it should make owning something a bit more exotic less of a compromise biggrin

Ian-27xza

217 posts

92 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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Just to balance things out a bit, I've now done 3000 miles in my new E220d AMG Line estate. No squeeks, no rattles - just perfect silence.

She glides along like a magic carpet. In fact, it's so quiet it's slightly unnerving!

I know it's not an AMG and probably has softer suspension but I can confirm that MBZ are still perfectly capable of building a fantastic car that meets the design brief.

sundance002

1,304 posts

163 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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craig1912 said:
My son has one and no issues other than the "crabbing" which only happens in cold weather at low speed on full lock. Not a big issue to be honest but some people may get irritated by it.
I've driven it a few times and have been impressed by the interior quality
By craving, do you mean the front Tyres drag on full Locke driving into or out of parking on very cold or damp roads? Like overstear at crawling speed on full kick?

craig1912

3,273 posts

111 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
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sundance002 said:
By craving, do you mean the front Tyres drag on full Locke driving into or out of parking on very cold or damp roads? Like overstear at crawling speed on full kick?
Essentially yes- google “mercedes crabbing” apparently worse on GLCs but not really a big issue. Oh and my sons has 6000 mile on the clock and no rattles or squeaks

sundance002

1,304 posts

163 months

Wednesday 15th November 2017
quotequote all
craig1912 said:
Essentially yes- google “mercedes crabbing” apparently worse on GLCs but not really a big issue. Oh and my sons has 6000 mile on the clock and no rattles or squeaks
I have found that, on a lot of rear wheel driven Cars, that have wide low profile tyres,
Especially when the tyre is larger on the rear, And the Car has a fair amount of steering lock.
I wouldn't call that a fault, it's common and will not affect the handling of the Car.
I was looking at a C43 cab, but have had to go for the saloon, it seems impossible to find a convertible that has 3 rear seat belts.
And with 3 kids, it's a real shame Manufacturers don't give the option

Markaby

2 posts

77 months

Thursday 16th November 2017
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Update on my squeaks and rattles,
Another visit to the main dealer today, the technician came out with me for a test drive to listen to the squeaks, rattles and flutters.

Thankfully he heard them loud and clear so the car is booked in for visit number 5 next week for 2 days ( been at the dealer for a total of 8days so far)

He confirmed flutters/ squeaks in the rear of car, drivers door, centre console, glove compartment , passenger footwell and the instrument cluster
How on earth did this pass quality control !!!!!



Edited by Markaby on Thursday 16th November 21:05

LStitch

Original Poster:

9 posts

78 months

Friday 17th November 2017
quotequote all
Markaby said:
Update on my squeaks and rattles,
Another visit to the main dealer today, the technician came out with me for a test drive to listen to the squeaks, rattles and flutters.

Thankfully he heard them loud and clear so the car is booked in for visit number 5 next week for 2 days ( been at the dealer for a total of 8days so far)

He confirmed flutters/ squeaks in the rear of car, drivers door, centre console, glove compartment , passenger footwell and the instrument cluster
How on earth did this pass quality control !!!!!



Edited by Markaby on Thursday 16th November 21:05
Confirms what I first thought. I took one for a test drive and loved it, the engine may not be a "real AMG" but the sound is very nice and the 4matic really sells it but this problem isn't just on the W205, my GLA gas it and so does my friends A class.

Im thinking of just going all in and getting an E63s but I'm gonn wait and see if the issues have been fixed in the upcoming facelift.

Ilovejapcrap

3,274 posts

111 months

Friday 17th November 2017
quotequote all
LStitch said:
Hello, this is my first post so please be nice!smile

I've owned a GLA 220D for the last 2 years and to be honest, the build quality is st. I got it new and within a week the dashboard rattled and squeaked randomly. Still does. Theres cheap plastic everywhere and overall, I've been pretty disappointed by the car.

Thanks
So you've had a Mercedes car and found the quality not what you expect for the brand / money.

But you are going to buy another one. Wow branding / advertising really does have more of an impact than I realised.

Ian-27xza

217 posts

92 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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ilovejapcrap,

That's a bit harsh and narrow minded, IMO.

Some manufacturers build 'dud's - that's not to say all their products are poor. The GLA often gets slated, I don't know if this is fair criticism as I've not driven one, nor have I done any quantative analysis on the facts.

I remember back in around 2003/4 when Honda introduced the 2.0 diesel engine for the Accord. It was truely shocking and there were many reported cases of engines imploding and eating themsleves. It was a 'hush-hush' customer service issue which Honda, at the time, were very keen to keep as quiet as possible.

At the same time, Honda also made the engine for the S2000 - a real screaming peach and probably one of the best engines produced at the time!

So, I believe the OP is correct in carrying out his due diligence on a specific model - a sound investment of his time, would you not agree?

Stone Cold

1,543 posts

172 months

Friday 17th November 2017
quotequote all
Ian-27xza said:
Just to balance things out a bit, I've now done 3000 miles in my new E220d AMG Line estate. No squeeks, no rattles - just perfect silence.

She glides along like a magic carpet. In fact, it's so quiet it's slightly unnerving!

I know it's not an AMG and probably has softer suspension but I can confirm that MBZ are still perfectly capable of building a fantastic car that meets the design brief.
Likewise........I’ve just bought a 2014 E250 CDI AMG Sport and for the first 1000 miles my experience has been the same, I’ve just come out of an XF which really was poor build quality with constant squeaks/rattles and a myriad of unsolvable electrical gremlins

Piha

7,150 posts

91 months

Friday 17th November 2017
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I recently sold my C43 and I can honestly say that I had no issues with build quality and I felt the interior was great too. I thought it was a fine car with strong performance that was well suited to the 4matic. The noise was great and did everything really rather well.