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Mercedes C43 Coupe

Burt Levy
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 10:13:33 GMT

I have been reading a great deal about the C43 Mercedes Coupe. There seem to be two schools of thought. Some say it is not a real AMG car and others including Mercedes say it is a real AMG CAR. I’d like hear what our forum members think. My next question is, what country and assembly plant are the U.S. spec C43 coupes manufactured?

Peter Emslander
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 14:12:45 GMT

All coupes are made in Germany. Only the Sedans are made in Alabama. Unless its one man one engine, I do not think you could call it a "true" AMG. I think it's developed by AMG and then used in production is different than made by AMG by hand. Either way, i would still drive one.

Burt Levy
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 15:22:01 GMT

Thank you for your response Peter.

Peter Emslander
Tue, 09 Jan 2018 16:59:15 GMT

I also believe its the Bremen assy plant.

Burt Levy
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 05:00:06 GMT

After reading archived information about the C43 coupe on this site, it is my opinion that it is most definitely a true AMG product. Like everything in life you get what you pay for. The C43 is a midrange AMG product; lacking the one man one engine and the 8 cylinder engine. That being said the C43 is a formidable automobile; 362hp, 384 torque, AMG suspension, AMG transmission, 4 Matic tuned by AMG brakes by AMG. Today I took delivery of a C43 coupe. Wow what a kick in the pants ride. I traded in a 2015 E400 4Matic coupe with only 10,600 miles great luxury coupe; but I had a craving for performance and the C43 totally delivers. Bravo to Mercedes for delivering an affordable true AMG not just a car with AMG styling pieces added.

Alex
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:23:08 GMT

From luxury comfort to performance is not the usual route for older men. Normally it works the other way round. Let's hope your craving for performance doesn't get you into trouble. Please keep us posted on your experience.

alaskajen
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:17:58 GMT

I’ve had a C43 Cab (obsidian with cranberry and silver fiberglass interior, all the bells/whistles) since February 2017. Anyone who’s driven one will confirm, it may not have been made by one man but it’s unmistakably AMG. We also own a 2014 GL63 and my grandfather’s 1958 190SL roadster. Keep in mind, Road & Track and others have the C43 handling better than the C63. It’ll require less costly maintenance than the 63. It’ll get better gas mileage. The exhaust doesn’t sound quite as gnarly as the 63 but with the performance pipes option, the C43 still snaps, crackles, and pops enough to make a statement and turn heads. Punching the C43 will still put everything loose in the front in the backseat. Etc., etc. You may only really care about one or two of those things, but all are still worth noting! Bottom line, if you want something truly special, gorgeous and high performing and your ego (or wallet) can do without the twin turbo V8, you can’t go wrong with the C43. You will be thrilled with your ride. People want to talk to me about mine almost daily; it is a hands-down favorite everywhere I go. People call it AMG-Lite, and that’s fine with me!

Peter Emslander
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 18:39:38 GMT

I never said they weren't fun or an AMG, I was just simply explaining both schools of thought. They are both awesome cars, and worthy of the AMG tag.

Dolebludger
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:56:03 GMT

I don't know. I am 74 (is that old?) . I got my C 43 AMG last April with all options except parktronic, AMG (loud) exhaust, 19" wheels, and that "really fancy leather". It's very comfortable to me, and easy to drive on twisty roads with it's steering assist and distronic. I've set the adjustments on sport shifting and comfort ride and steering. Sport+ mode scares the heck out of me. MB Claims 0-60 in 4.6 seconds, But car mag tests have produced times of 4.1 seconds. The reason it handles better than the C 63 is that the C 43 has AWD and less weight in the front. In some areas (like mine) AWD is a necessity. The Alpha equivalent (as to displacement and turbos) claims 505 hp, but gets 0-60 in only .2 seconds quicker. Its additional 143 hp over the C 43 should get a quicker time IF both hp ratings are accurate. Plus, that .2 seconds costs an additional $30K. The only thing I don't like is the run-flat tires and no spare, and MB sells no compact spare in the USA that will fit. Where we live, we could get a flat more than the 50 mile "flat running" range away from any tire service. As no compact spare would likely fit in the trunk well, I think I'll just throw a full sized spare in the trunk, along with an electric jack and tire tool.

Burt Levy
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:19:40 GMT

God Bless You and to your health and happy motoring. I’m 67 and had many high performance cars all my life. But since I became disabled stayed away from the candy. I have some questions. Please tell me why the sports + setting scares you? Alex, what kind of trouble do you think I can get into? As I told my son when he got his first performance car, always obey the traffic laws and know the limitations of your ability and the cars.

Burt Levy
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 21:32:06 GMT

I just want to add. These are the types of conversations I use to enjoy so much. We had so many enjoyable ladies and gentlemen to communicate with. Not only for their tec knowledge but for the camaraderie. It was so much fun participating and reading about their motoring experiences. I miss it so much.

Dolebludger
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 22:11:08 GMT

Burt, The Sport+ setting doesn't actually scare me, That was just my way of saying it is very,very fast. It increases idle revs to 750 rpm and starts the car out in the lowest gear of its nine, the AWD grabs on, and you fly! Another thing is the handling and cornering is the best I've encountered. I also own a Honda S 2000 which is famous for its handling and cornering, and the C 43 sedan is better! And that is some pretty tough competition for the C 43.

Dolebludger
Wed, 10 Jan 2018 23:46:06 GMT

Another thing that should be brought out is the C 43 has several other performance modes, and the Eco mode is quite gentile. Good for "creeping around" in a downtown area or similar. And good for highway cruising for the best fuel efficiency. In other words, with the simple flick of a switch, this is several cars in one.

Alex
Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:26:48 GMT

Burt, Reading long ago that you had a disability I assumed you were lots older than 67, which is young compared to me. So I take back what I said earlier. Just goes to show about assuming. What I meant by getting into trouble is being caught speeding or getting into an accident due to over-enthusiastic driving - the kind I used to do when I was in my fifties, but no longer. In 2004 I went from a 1973 Porsche 911T to a 2004 M-B CL500, and had both of them until 2007, when I decided that I appreciated luxury and comfort more than performance, and simplification was needed. The 911T was sold after being enjoyed for 34 years and is not missed, except when I see one on the road. The CL500 is everything I ever wanted in a car. I would think that the 2015 E400 that you had was almost as nice, so I was surprised when you said that you traded it for a C43 which seems like a toy in comparison. But since you're still a young man I now understand your decision a little better. You have many more years left in which to get into trouble.

Dolebludger
Thu, 11 Jan 2018 02:39:44 GMT

Well. I have a few disabilities myself at age 74. Some are what you would expect and some are service-connected and otherwise. But I can still use my hands and my right foot to drive a car. That being said, the MB C 43 is the perfect car for people like me. With it, I can get as much or as little acceleration as I will ever need. I get assistance in keeping the car in its lane, and stopping or slowing for the car ahead of me. I get bright LED headlights that turn when I turn and dim automatically. I get a comfortable car (for me) that I can turn from a "cruiser" into something that will outrun most cars on the street, with the flick of a switch. And with "distronic" cruise control, I can set the speed on the speed limit and never "get in trouble". Of course, in areas where I am fairly sure there are no radar cops around, I can gun it. And where I live, there are a lot of two lane highways with many no passing zones, and some passing zones are up hill. With the C 43, I can quickly get around all those RV's pulling a car and going 20+ mph below the speed limit, even if it is uphill. And when it snows here in CO, the 4Matic lets me drive in all but the thickest snow on the roads. The C 43 (along with all the C Class) is no longer a toy. The 2015 E 400 coupe had 33 less hp. than the C 43. And according to performance figures in car mags, didn't have nearly the performance of the C 43. I think some of the improvement was due to transmission changes also. So before anybody dismisses the C 43 as a toy, or as a "poor man's C 63", go test drive one. You'll see what I mean.

Ed Schwab
Sun, 14 Jan 2018 06:33:57 GMT

Dolebludger, The last time I read one of your posts you were looking for a c400. I guess you decided on a C43 instead. How did you sell it to your wife? It's 4 wheel drive and needed for the snow? The car is great for those open roads in Colorado. Wyoming and Montana are probably even better. Do you go up there in the summer? I'm a few years older than you and am still driving my '98 diesel; I'll be 80 in a couple of months. I drive mainly in the Washington suburbs where there ae a lot of 35 and 40 mph roads. I sometimes look down at the speedometer and realize I'm going 30. That speed drives most of the other motorists nuts as 35 or 40 means 50 to them. Anyway, I get where I want to go and a few extra minutes mean I didn't run into anyone.

Burt Levy
Sun, 14 Jan 2018 10:33:52 GMT

I tell you the C43 is a time machine. Last night I went out to a local burger place ( All American). Put some 60’s rock on the radio and I was 20 again. The best part when I pulled into the lot all the kids in their Corvettes, Mopar Monsters could not believe the sound coming out of my pipes. It’s just amazing how cars transcend the generation gap. Fun evening talking to the younger generation. I was cool for a brief moment. Thank you Mercedes Benz.

syracusea
Tue, 16 Jan 2018 23:31:34 GMT

Burt, The C-Class coupe (and convertible I believe) are made in Germany. The engine is AMG tuned. But I question if it is truly an AMG or not. I think my latest verdict is that it IS an AMG. As it was said during this thread, the C-Class sedan is made state side. However, the 2 littler engine that goes with it is either made state side or is imported from Germany. I take it you have your C43. Congrats on the new toy.

Dolebludger
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 00:56:00 GMT

Ed, sorry for the late post. I was interested in the C 400 back in 2015. Takes me a while to decide to spend that much money, and then the C 400 was replaced by the C 450 for 2016. It was then replaced by the C 43 AMG for 2017. All were and are 4Matic. The 400 had 329 hp and a 7 speed auto. The 450 upped the hp to 362, and kept the trans. The C 43 went to a 9 speed trans for 20017 and 20018. I bought a 2017 in April of 17, and my wife demanded that I buy it! No “wife problems” here.

Dolebludger
Sat, 30 Jun 2018 01:53:14 GMT

Let me add that I don’t know if my 17 C 43 AMG is a true AMG or not, because nobody has given me a definition of “true AMG”. MBUSA says it is. Everybody who has driven mine says it is the best they have ever driven. All the sports car and sports sedan drivers I have encountered, who have only seen my tail lights would agree, I’m sure.