C43 AMG or Tesla M3 Long Range AWD

[dunc69]

Hey guys, I need help / advice!

I own a C43 2021 Wagon. Fabulous car - see photo.

But, it is pricey to run and feels a little old school these days (2014 design, 2019 FL).

However, the V6 BiTurbo 3.0L sounds unbelievable, especially as I have the AMG performance exhaust.

I have recently bought Mrs Dunc a Golf 8 GTI 2020 (early one) and it does feel very modern / up to date in comparison.

I helped a mate test drive a 2024 Tesla MY recently and I was pretty impressed with the tech and serious pace. It got me thinking……

So, I have been looking at Tesla M3 AWD LR cars. I can get a 2022 with <35k miles for <£25k and this would leave me with £2-3k in my pocket, a faster car than the Merc and significantly reduced running costs. And a decent tech upgrade!

I can’t decide what to do. I have even found the perfect Tesla from a dealer who is clearly a decent bloke, so need to make a call soon……..

I appreciate that this is PH - I have been on here a very long time since my Chimaera 4L HC days - but I feel I am slowly getting over the noisy car days. However, I still value power and pace.

PS, the teenage kids like the AMG thing and aren’t overly impressed with the idea of a Tesla!

So, I need help!!

[stevemcs]

Stick with the C43. At least it looks and sounds like a car.

[dunc69]

stevemcs said:

Stick with the C43. At least it looks and sounds like a car.

Fair enough. It definitely looks better than any of the Teslas too!

[nordboy]

It is a dilemma, I'm not in C43 land, I've gone smaller over the years and currently drive a 2018 Mini Cooper S. I bought my wife an EV, SUV type, and have recently considered doing the same as you, a M3 LR or performance, age, miles etc the same as you're considering.

But, when it comes to it I struggle with the decision, I only had the EV for a week while the wife was away and took my CS to the airport. And I missed it a bit. The EV was very competent, cost me pennies and was fine.

But, it didn't do anything for me, they are very sterile. I look at the M3, and the colours are boring, the inside is boring, the styling is boring, don't get me wrong, they're very good at what they do, but they're boring. I did drive a brand new MY performance in insane mode the other day and that was a huge giggle, but, it was still a bit boring.

So I'm in a similar predicament to you, thinking I want a newer, up to date car, but not sure I'm quite ready to have an EV? I probably will mind you, now I've said all that

[fflump]

Have you included depreciation of the Tesla vs your car in your running costs?

[Russet Grange]

I'd get the Tesla without a moment of hesitation, but then I like technology and have no interest in a loud exhaust note.

[dunc69]

fflump said:

Have you included depreciation of the Tesla vs your car in your running costs?

Yes, a very good point. I thought this last night. In three years the Tesla will be worth £10k at best, but the Merc will be closer to £20k, or at least mid £teens.

[dunc69]

Russet Grange said:

I'd get the Tesla without a moment of hesitation, but then I like technology and have no interest in a loud exhaust note.

Yep, the tech is very appealing. But, I do have Apple CarPlay, digital dash, Adaptive LED lights and Burmester sounds on the Merc.

Also, when I have used adaptive cruise in the past, it has irritated me as I prefer to decide how the car drives.

The pros / cons list is long……..

[dunc69]

Also, how much would I miss this noise?

https://youtube.com/shorts/Dyh3SZ5JCyU?si=_nrtGc-o...

[sneezer212]

The cheapest car is the one you already own. The £2-3k saving on change will quickly disappear on buy/sell spreads, new tyres earlier than you'd planned and so on.

Also, you have a very nice petrol performance estate. I'm not sure why you'd change this for very bland car that's made of an old ipad.

[Dave Hedgehog]

stevemcs said:

Stick with the C43. At least it looks and sounds like a car.

as a 6 year owner of a Model 3 keep the C43

i hate the control interface of Tesla's with a passion, its damn dangerous when driving trying to change settings

[fflump]

dunc69 said:

Russet Grange said:

I'd get the Tesla without a moment of hesitation, but then I like technology and have no interest in a loud exhaust note.

Yep, the tech is very appealing. But, I do have Apple CarPlay, digital dash, Adaptive LED lights and Burmester sounds on the Merc.

Also, when I have used adaptive cruise in the past, it has irritated me as I prefer to decide how the car drives.

The pros / cons list is long ..

From my perspective you have all the tech you need. I place more importance on cabinet ambience and build quality once a car has CarPlay.IMO you are in the sweet spot before intrusive safety warnings and measures became the norm.

[Chris_i8]

Depreciation would be my biggest sticking point on that age/value of Model3.

Why not buy an older/cheaper Model3 to see how you get on (and lessening the depreciation hit)?....you can always go back to something with an engine if living with an EV doesn't tick your boxes?!

Chris

[dunc69]

sneezer212 said:

The cheapest car is the one you already own. The £2-3k saving on change will quickly disappear on buy/sell spreads, new tyres earlier than you'd planned and so on.

Also, you have a very nice petrol performance estate. I'm not sure why you'd change this for very bland car that's made of an old ipad.

The cars are £10k apart retail. I would be taking a hit trade vs retail and therefore, I estimate ending up £2-3k up.

But, insurance is a possible issue I need to consider.

You are right that the C43 is a very nice car. I am wondering today if this is partly just the itch to try something new which tends to come along every 2-3 years for me.

And I do like tech.

[dunc69]

Dave Hedgehog said:

stevemcs said:

Stick with the C43. At least it looks and sounds like a car.

as a 6 year owner of a Model 3 keep the C43

i hate the control interface of Tesla's with a passion, its damn dangerous when driving trying to change settings

Interesting. Even with adaptive cruise / lane keep etc switched on?

[dunc69]

fflump said:

dunc69 said:

Russet Grange said:

I'd get the Tesla without a moment of hesitation, but then I like technology and have no interest in a loud exhaust note.

Yep, the tech is very appealing. But, I do have Apple CarPlay, digital dash, Adaptive LED lights and Burmester sounds on the Merc.

Also, when I have used adaptive cruise in the past, it has irritated me as I prefer to decide how the car drives.

The pros / cons list is long ..

From my perspective you have all the tech you need. I place more importance on cabinet ambience and build quality once a car has CarPlay.IMO you are in the sweet spot before intrusive safety warnings and measures became the norm.

This is a good point. Am I already at the right point tech / safety features-wise? You may be right here. I do like to drive myself rather than be driven (having used adaptive cruise / lane keep a few times).

[dunc69]

Chris_i8 said:

Depreciation would be my biggest sticking point on that age/value of Model3.

Why not buy an older/cheaper Model3 to see how you get on (and lessening the depreciation hit)?....you can always go back to something with an engine if living with an EV doesn't tick your boxes?!

Chris

Thanks Chris. I think a decent Model 3 test drive asap is the shout as a starting point.

[MrSpanky49]

I have a tesla 3. For daily driving, absolutely would not got back to an ICE car, the power/effortlessness and, for me the biggest difference is the lack of vibration. Makes it hugely easy to live with. Although you could say the same about any EV.

However, once my kids are both at school and I'm not forking out dosh for nursery, i will be buying something for ‘the weekend’.

I did have a cupra leon estate 4 drive, but i wasn't using it (due to the tesla being so much cheaper to run and more comfortable). We’re also thinking of moving house so I've got rid of it. Don't miss it.

[dunc69]

MrSpanky49 said:

I have a tesla 3. For daily driving, absolutely would not got back to an ICE car, the power/effortlessness and, for me the biggest difference is the lack of vibration. Makes it hugely easy to live with. Although you could say the same about any EV.

However, once my kids are both at school and I'm not forking out dosh for nursery, i will be buying something for the weekend .

I did have a cupra leon estate 4 drive, but i wasn't using it (due to the tesla being so much cheaper to run and more comfortable). We re also thinking of moving house so I've got rid of it. Don't miss it.

Thanks, interesting thoughts.

[georgeyboy12345]

If you want an EV don’t get an edgelord techbro nazi musk Tesla. Get something decent like a BMW i4 M50