What's it like to drive one?...C43
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
What's it like to drive one?...C43
If there was one close to me I'd drive it, but I'm not getting a plane ticket just to test drive one.
So, I need to know from the people that have them, How do they drive? I had a 2000 E55, and now I'm thinking about getting into one again, but I'm also thinking of the C43's. My problem with the C43 is the size....I have a 2007 sentra and it feels like a tin can or a go cart....Does the C43 feel this way?
I would assume not since a Benz, but it is small nonetheless. I realize that they are a fast car, I just don't want to drive a go cart.
Right now I'm driving my 540i. I await your feedback...thanks
So, I need to know from the people that have them, How do they drive? I had a 2000 E55, and now I'm thinking about getting into one again, but I'm also thinking of the C43's. My problem with the C43 is the size....I have a 2007 sentra and it feels like a tin can or a go cart....Does the C43 feel this way?
I would assume not since a Benz, but it is small nonetheless. I realize that they are a fast car, I just don't want to drive a go cart.
Right now I'm driving my 540i. I await your feedback...thanks
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C43 AMG & E55 AMG
I drove both E55 w210 and C43 w202 before i chose to buy my c43
For me..E55 is faster, feels more like a monster. but too big for me.
C43 is still pretty fast, but you feel more in control for curves etc. depends on your driving too...and I like more interior of c43, more classic.
It's up to you really , I would go for C43
For me..E55 is faster, feels more like a monster. but too big for me.
C43 is still pretty fast, but you feel more in control for curves etc. depends on your driving too...and I like more interior of c43, more classic.
It's up to you really , I would go for C43
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Well, I loved my E55. Great torque, and highway speed. I love that. Seemed like it took a while for it to kick in but once it did, it flew. I drive fast, and love handling, but it seems to get this it has to be a small car that ends up feeling tiny.
Not to say that the 43 is tiny, I had a C230 and now that I think of it the size wasn't too bad. At the time, this was before the E55, I thought it was fast....so I can only imagine how awesome the C43 is.
But there's still the E55...it just won't go away.
Not to say that the 43 is tiny, I had a C230 and now that I think of it the size wasn't too bad. At the time, this was before the E55, I thought it was fast....so I can only imagine how awesome the C43 is.
But there's still the E55...it just won't go away.
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
tbh the ride is uncomfy 
Im 6 foot 4 and I dont have any problems in the car but you can feel almost every bump
car owns on highways tho, pulls really good, instant power at 70 mph and up
drivin in the city...........floor it at 30-40 and itll kick u back into ur seat, brakes are really good but also really expensive
never driven a 210 but Im sure c43 handles better
btw all mercs are lazy like that, Ive driven my friends 211 E55 and in low gears its just like any other mercedes
Im 6 foot 4 and I dont have any problems in the car but you can feel almost every bump
car owns on highways tho, pulls really good, instant power at 70 mph and up
drivin in the city...........floor it at 30-40 and itll kick u back into ur seat, brakes are really good but also really expensive
never driven a 210 but Im sure c43 handles better
btw all mercs are lazy like that, Ive driven my friends 211 E55 and in low gears its just like any other mercedes
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Obviously the 43 doesn't quite have the locomotive pull of the 55, but it is still pretty quick. The back seats are pretty small. My car pool partners always hated riding in the back seat of the C43, so I bought an accord to handle that duty. If you plan to carry passengers, I would go with the E55. I think the C43 is more of a drivers car though.
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Well, I just did a little research on the size of my 540 vs. the C43. There isn't much difference. The biggest was in leg room in the rear by about 5 inches. That's about it for size.
The trunk is pretty much the same size, and headroom is actually more in the C43. With that said, I'll have no problem with the size of the C43.
Plus, the 43 weighs about 400lbs less then my 540.
The trunk is pretty much the same size, and headroom is actually more in the C43. With that said, I'll have no problem with the size of the C43.
Plus, the 43 weighs about 400lbs less then my 540.
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
Yeah, the rear seat legroom is the shortfall. If I was carrying two people both were eating their knees. The trunk is good size and the fold down seats are nice.
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Oh, the rear seats fold down...that's a nice feature.
I won't be carrying too many people in the back. My daughter is almost 2 and she's pretty much the only one back there.
We'll see. I still have some time to think about it.
I won't be carrying too many people in the back. My daughter is almost 2 and she's pretty much the only one back there.
We'll see. I still have some time to think about it.
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
I dont think folding seats come on all c43s
anyway, I drove in the porsche cayenne for a lilbit and then went back into my c43, it felt so much smoother and nicer for some reason
anyway, I drove in the porsche cayenne for a lilbit and then went back into my c43, it felt so much smoother and nicer for some reason
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
I wish there was a way to drive one before I made a decision. They just aren't close enough to me to just test one out.
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300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
over priced
AT $9400 BUT THERE IS ONE IN NC .UNDER 100K MILES 1998
BLACK ON BLACK WITH THE WHITE INSERTS.
BLACK ON BLACK WITH THE WHITE INSERTS.
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From: Fort Worth, TX
2011 GL550, 2004 Audi S4 v8
Where is this one you speak of? Is it yours or something. If I do get one I want it to be black on black with white inserts. I love the two tone interior and black exterior.
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From: Iowa
98 C43, 86 Porsche 951, 98 Volvo S70 T5M
I went from an S70 to a C43 and it is smaller. I was dissapointed for about 5 minutes. 
The mid and high range make up for it. In fact the 4.3L engine in the C43 is one of the nicest engines I've ever driven. It has good torque and hp while being fairly refined.
It has good low end torque, great mid range and flies when wound up. It isn't the fastest ever, but the engine dynamics are superb. It really is a drivers car. Handling is great, but you do feel all the bumps. It isn't as bad as a slammed civic, but for a luxury car its pretty bumpy. Brakes are top notch. They are $800 for a set of front rotors, but they will stop you on a dime.
The C43 pretty much hit on what it was supposed to do. Be a luxury muscle car that lets you have performance and style. The only place it really comes close to being average is with its relatively bumpy ride.
If you want to not have to wait to kick down and get the power leave the gear shifter in 3rd around town. That way you get instant power when you need it from 35-50 mph.
The mid and high range make up for it. In fact the 4.3L engine in the C43 is one of the nicest engines I've ever driven. It has good torque and hp while being fairly refined.It has good low end torque, great mid range and flies when wound up. It isn't the fastest ever, but the engine dynamics are superb. It really is a drivers car. Handling is great, but you do feel all the bumps. It isn't as bad as a slammed civic, but for a luxury car its pretty bumpy. Brakes are top notch. They are $800 for a set of front rotors, but they will stop you on a dime.
The C43 pretty much hit on what it was supposed to do. Be a luxury muscle car that lets you have performance and style. The only place it really comes close to being average is with its relatively bumpy ride.
If you want to not have to wait to kick down and get the power leave the gear shifter in 3rd around town. That way you get instant power when you need it from 35-50 mph.
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From: Stockholm Sweden
A190 500E C43 CLK430
but it shrinks on you the more you drive it. I mean you feel what you
do and what the car is up to, if you press on make shure to go both
hands on the wheel,turn off the radio/cd and concentrate and treat yourself.
In town 2:nd or 3:rd is just fine with instant bite you will be smiling and your
heart will be throbbing off its mounts almost scaring I'd say.
The other day you can go strolling around nice and quiet and let the beast
have its day off, its up to you how you press the loud peddal. Roger
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From: Merryland.
E55 C43 993C2S
Is the reliability as good as the older E55?
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1998 c43
yup yup!!! its all that!!! talking about reliability..hmmm, i think with any cars as long as you do the maintenance on time to avoid future problems should be ok...just keep up with the maintenance, like oil change, under carriage bushings etc, shocks and most important is the transmission i heard it will cost you an arm and a leg to get that fixed...some people say that the tranny is sealed and you can't change the fluid etc etc, a good MBZ mechanic can do it for less than $200 instead of the whole tranny for like $3500...
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From: Merryland.
E55 C43 993C2S
yup yup!!! its all that!!! talking about reliability..hmmm, i think with any cars as long as you do the maintenance on time to avoid future problems should be ok...just keep up with the maintenance, like oil change, under carriage bushings etc, shocks and most important is the transmission i heard it will cost you an arm and a leg to get that fixed...some people say that the tranny is sealed and you can't change the fluid etc etc, a good MBZ mechanic can do it for less than $200 instead of the whole tranny for like $3500...
What you guys think about this one? http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...004603623.html
Is he asking too much?
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From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
I hate to say it, but I would say yes, that price is a little high for the mileage. I would say a fair value would be about 8700 on that car.
However, with that in mind, I don't know whether a C43 is a good commuter car. I don't commute in mine, I have an Accord to handle that. At close to $100 for an oil change and 23 mpg, I wouldn't call it the most commuter friendly car unless your commute is relatively short.
However, with that in mind, I don't know whether a C43 is a good commuter car. I don't commute in mine, I have an Accord to handle that. At close to $100 for an oil change and 23 mpg, I wouldn't call it the most commuter friendly car unless your commute is relatively short.
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From: Merryland.
E55 C43 993C2S
I hate to say it, but I would say yes, that price is a little high for the mileage. I would say a fair value would be about 8700 on that car.
However, with that in mind, I don't know whether a C43 is a good commuter car. I don't commute in mine, I have an Accord to handle that. At close to $100 for an oil change and 23 mpg, I wouldn't call it the most commuter friendly car unless your commute is relatively short.
However, with that in mind, I don't know whether a C43 is a good commuter car. I don't commute in mine, I have an Accord to handle that. At close to $100 for an oil change and 23 mpg, I wouldn't call it the most commuter friendly car unless your commute is relatively short.
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From: Rochester, MN
sounds like airplane
if you look at the cost of the C43 used vs. a lot of newer "just as nice sort of" used cars (for example our G35x) even with maint. it isn't that bad of a commuting prospect.
Of course it would be cheaper to commute in a civic, but who wants to do that?
I used to drive mine 95 miles round trip for the 1st year I owned it and loved every minute of it.
Of course it would be cheaper to commute in a civic, but who wants to do that?
I used to drive mine 95 miles round trip for the 1st year I owned it and loved every minute of it.
