c200amgline

Basically a question of better comfort or better power. What would you choose and if you have anything to say, explain briefly why? My brother's in the market for these cars C63 (likely coupe) or E43. I personally like both equally but might slightly prefer the V8 in the C63 and will "compromise" the interior.

Mike5215

None of the above. The new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. $80k loaded, 505 hp, and damn sexy. Interior isn't as lavish. Nice comparo with the 63s, M3 and ATS:

Shadwell

Mike you likely selected the car which could achieve a higher defect rate and more internal rattles than even the C Class.


Better hope that motor is loud to hide ll the rattles..

NYbenzzz

i wouldn't jump on that alfa at $80k. specially with how scarce their dealer network will be.
i doubt they even have any well qualified technitians for them if they plan to sell them at fiat dealers. Alfas are not known for their reliability......

don't get me wrong, i love the design of every alfa. absolutelly drop dead gorgeous.

but i'd like to compare them to range rovers: "beautiful pieces of s-h-i-t-s"

removedCFGaccount

Not known for their reliability...remarkable restraint.

Mike5215

The C63s is a known quantity and a "safer" choice, but I'll bet the Alfa is a lot more fun. And all the 205s, up to and including the C63s, rattle like crazy.

MB dealer quality is generally good but often, as frequently evidenced on this forum, spotty or outright hostile. My dealer, who I like, gouged the f out of my door jamb replacing a seat (it's going to the body shop Tuesday) and totally forgot to balance a wheel, then blamed the wheel. Others have had much, much worse. My point is, MB doesn't have a lock on build quality or dealer competence.

Alfa has a typically Italian history...plenty of passion, not so much engineering discipline. But at this point it's a clean slate. They haven't had a car in this segment in decades. I'd drive the Quad, as well as the M3, before pulling the trigger on a C63.

Vipershade

I agree, the E-Class interior from the console standpoint looks better than the C-Class (across the entire line), mainly due to the integration of the consoles. You won't get the comments about it looking like someone mounted their iPad to the top of the dash. And "tech" is better in the E-Class vs the C-Class, but you really don't buy a C63 for it's tech.

I know this doesn't matter to too many people, but from the standpoint of available upholsteries, the E43 (and the E63 for that matter) are a serious let down, the C63 has far better upholstery choices. Even the E300 has better choices than the E43.

Personally, I would be hesitant of the E43. The MY18 E-Class sedan order guide doesn't even include it. I can see it being replaced by a 450hp I6 E50 in the MY19 time frame. If the E400 sedan was available in the U.S. (for $10K less than the E43), it would be a better value.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Not a fan of the e class saloon, the wagon does tickle my pickle though.

c200amgline

Price will likely increase for the E50 and will be out of budget for my brother. Currently (or at least where I'm from), the C63 and E43 are priced the same and within my brother's budget. My brother loves the interior of the E43 (including upholstery choices) - black (w or w/o red trimming), beige and brown nappa for the seats and carbon fiber (including other choices) for the trim. E400 is available here but my brother (and I) prefer the styling of the E43, tailored more towards younger people. Power is also plenty on the E43, although not quite as fast as the C63 but still great enough.

l3it3r

The C63 would be faster, but the E43 (and the entire E range) is my current 'crush'

c200amgline

Well, my brother went to the dealer a couple of days ago to book an E43. He's paying for his car but my parents and I weren't convinced as there is a similarly specced E400 for $27k less (no Drive Pilot & Airmatic, both E43 & E400 don't have Burmester) . Today we went to change the order to the E400 and on the way out we saw a verified dealer "used" fully loaded (blacked-out) C63S first edition for $19k more than the E400, meaning $8k less than the E43. "Used" because only driven for 1300km. Doesn't come with service but comes with 2 years warranty. I told him if I were in his place I'd get it in a heartbeat because the same specced C63S would cost around $55k more in my country. He's not convinced and wants to stick to the E400. Wish I were in his position!!

removedCFGaccount

Poor guy....

Mike5215

I say why choose? Get both.

MASSC450

Neither...

Get the C 63 S...

...or the BMW M3 that's featured in Mike5215's video.

c200amgline

Ha! That is not an option for him, he recently started working


Read my latest comment (#11). C63S is priced less than the new E43 he wanted but more than the E400.

MASSC450

You wanted opinions, you got mine.

I just drove a loner 2017 E300, too big for me. I don't care if it's a E43 or whatever flavor of E Class Mercedes comes out with...I think the car's too damn big.

But if you can't afford the C63 S or that new M3 featured in the video, then I'd get the C63.

c200amgline

I did not disregard your opinion. The 1300km fully-loaded 'used' C63S is priced lower than an almost-loaded new E43 but higher than an 80% loaded E400, and the C63S is within budget but E43 is above budget. Cars here are always priced much more than the US, for the C63S it's more than $23K. I agree that a C63S is a much better car but not sure why my brother isn't convinced. The C63S smells new and has the first edition package with the beautiful red carbon fiber center console and all carbon fiber packages. See photo for the exact car (just took this one photo):

MASSC450

^ Me like...a lot!

...and only 807 miles on it...hell it's not even broken in yet!

c200amgline

Same!!
Exactly, and for a bargain of a price. I'm sold 100% but my brother isn't. I sent him messages and he'll see them when he wakes up before going to work. He's driving my C-class to work tomorrow so hopefully that sells it for him.

yjchua

I wouldn't consider that E400 due to the lack of Driving Assistance Package Plus alone.

Personally I'd go for the E43, it's much more comfortable as a highway cruiser and long distance driver compared to the C63S, not to mention better build quality too.

The fake wood panel on the door of my C300 flexes and bends (feels plasticky too), but on my E400, the wood feels really excellent, solid and doesn't flex at all.

Besides, the E43 already has enough power most of the time. Assuming you're in the US, there aren't any autobahns to fully unleash the full power of the C63S.

sean1.8t

How is this a question of comparison? They're similar, but very different cars.

Does he want a smooth and luxurious 'grown-up' sedan with plenty of rear passenger room? E43.

Does he want a [scary] fast & fun, ever so slightly less luxurious, 'grown-up' toy? C63


Typically people narrow down their choices until they get to cars in one's desired segment that are made from different manufacturers. Not two cars made by the same manufacturer in totally different segments.

But apparently your brother has "Recently started working" and is in the market for an $80,000 car so it doesn't sound like you guy's adhere to the common way about things.

c200amgline

He's an engineer so his salary is quite high. He'll stick to the E400 as it's a $27.2k saving from the E43 and for a couple features, even if deemed important like @yjchua said. The car will have very minimal impact if he gets the E400 but a harder impact with the E43, but still not exaggerated. He decided to stick with the E400 due to comfortability versus the C63S and running costs (C63S doesn't include service package). My father did not really approve of him getting the E43 but finds the E400 perfectly priced and he's very happy about it. My father definitely knows best, so what my brother is doing is right.

yjchua

Personally speaking, I'd favor the E400 over the E43 as well (features aside) because it's just smoother to drive and more comfortable as a long distance cruiser.

I drive an E400 4matic myself as well in Australia, specced towards the luxury side instead of the sporty side (I went for Exclusive line).

In Australia, all W213s have Driving Assistance Package Plus with Drive Pilot as standard (even the E200 and E220d). Digital cockpit is also standard across the range, with hands-free access too.

c200amgline

In Dubai, Drive Pilot and Burmester are not standard nor do they come as paid options in cars they order. The salesman's reasoning behind this is to "reduce price", which I find absurd. The dealer is currently running an offer of $15k saving on E400's so it's a very good deal.

yjchua

That's a pretty daft reason, especially considering the wealth of the people who live there.