C43 AMG...talk to me

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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...

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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...

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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

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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.

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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.