C43 VS Jaguar XE Motortrend Head2Head
06-23-2017, 05:55 PM
#29
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I have done some diabolical things in the C450. Yes in Comfort mode its an SUV bouncing around. But in S+ its REALLY stiff, and yes on a turn the car does slightly bounce on a bump in the road, its that stiff. 
07-04-2017, 08:08 PM
#30
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C43 AMG
Thank you for posting up a summary of this comparo. I can see why the reviewers are hard on the AMG, because it is so good you want it to be perfect. It is the closest car in this segment to being perfect. I have a C43 and test drove both the XE and the C43, as well as the Giulia, 340i, etc. I've seen Kia's with nicer interiors than the XE, which has this annoying hard piece of plastic that juts out into your leg. Also, no headroom and the leather and other materials seemed low rent.
The C43 has the best blend of performance, luxury, and drivability, with the added bonus of being BY FAR the fastest. I am not surprised at the 4.2s 0-60. This thing seems quicker than 4.5s and MB seems to have underrated the power of the engine to ensure distinction between the C43 and C63. It is not perfect, the transmission can be finnicky when cold and anything but Sport and Sport+ understeers, but the experience in Sport + is visceral and worthy of the AMG badge. This is a daily driver for an attorney, it doesn't need to be fancy. I have other cars for that.
I am leasing the C43 for now as I did not want to purchase a new model right off the bat. I will be keeping it stock, but things are looking good for purchasing it at the end of the lease.
The C43 has the best blend of performance, luxury, and drivability, with the added bonus of being BY FAR the fastest. I am not surprised at the 4.2s 0-60. This thing seems quicker than 4.5s and MB seems to have underrated the power of the engine to ensure distinction between the C43 and C63. It is not perfect, the transmission can be finnicky when cold and anything but Sport and Sport+ understeers, but the experience in Sport + is visceral and worthy of the AMG badge. This is a daily driver for an attorney, it doesn't need to be fancy. I have other cars for that.
I am leasing the C43 for now as I did not want to purchase a new model right off the bat. I will be keeping it stock, but things are looking good for purchasing it at the end of the lease.
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2017C43 (07-28-2017)
07-28-2017, 05:59 AM
#34
Feels floaty/bouncy and harsh all at the same time, instead of grounded and compliant.
Last edited by alexasa; 07-28-2017 at 06:27 AM.
07-28-2017, 07:07 AM
#35
07-28-2017, 09:42 AM
#36
It definitely is an attention grabber
Last edited by unr1; 07-28-2017 at 09:45 AM.
08-02-2017, 09:03 AM
#37
Member
So, just as I suspected, their test car does not have an AMG PE. Opened an account just to check that frigging thing out. I have said it before and I will say it again, without the AMG PE the C43 is just a performance sedan with 362hp. There is nothing from the AMG's skunkworks dept. in it. Can't even count the number of debates I have come across of this car being a real 'AMG' or not.
Now this is what I think, 'AMG', the three lettered word to me, means hooliganism. It means a car whose sole purpose is to be nonsensical in some way or the other. The AMG PE gives the C43 just that. It makes an obscene amount of racket, to the point, that every-time I go into the Sports + mode, people stop walking to check what is going on. And that is pretty much it, that is why they called it an AMG, because of whoever tuned this exhaust knew that it is the very part that will end up making the C43 worthy of the AMG badge.
Hence they did not call the C450 an AMG. A C43 without the PE is a C450. Mercedes knows that. They stuck the badge on the C43 only after they were sure that they have given it something that makes it nonsensical. And then they chose to make it optional. Because there are a lot of people who likes it quiet and fast.
Mercedes knew exactly what they were doing. People are just too prejudiced to see it.
08-02-2017, 02:19 PM
#39
Member
08-03-2017, 02:46 PM
#41
Isn't this the section for C43/C450 owners?
Have you ever owned or leased a W205 C450 or C43 or a Jaguar XE 35t? If not, your "opinion" means what exactly?
I for instance actually has something to add to this conversation since my wife and I own both of the cars mentioned in this thread (the C450 being close to the C43).
Have you ever owned or leased a W205 C450 or C43 or a Jaguar XE 35t? If not, your "opinion" means what exactly?
I for instance actually has something to add to this conversation since my wife and I own both of the cars mentioned in this thread (the C450 being close to the C43).
Last edited by alexasa; 08-03-2017 at 10:05 PM.
08-04-2017, 11:44 AM
#44
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2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
The upshifts in the C43 with PE are way nastier. My two friends who had C450s before agrees as well. And this is not even considering the endless crackles and burbles on lift off.
Last edited by munis; 08-04-2017 at 11:46 AM.
08-04-2017, 11:48 AM
#45
I DON'T like the PE upshift noise. It's annoying and raspy. I meant Nasty in a bad way - you know, the true definition of the word.
We all know you are obsessed with the PE.
Quantity is not greater than quality in my books. And the quality of sound coming from the old c450 is better, IMO. (oh and btw, the crackles and burbles get annoying too - the cars personality/sound/engine does not match the annoyingness of the loud exhaust.)
08-04-2017, 12:29 PM
#47
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2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
You again? It's an opinion. Get over it.
I DON'T like the PE upshift noise. It's annoying and raspy. I meant Nasty in a bad way - you know, the true definition of the word.
We all know you are obsessed with the PE.
Quantity is not greater than quality in my books. And the quality of sound coming from the old c450 is better, IMO. (oh and btw, the crackles and burbles get annoying too - the cars personality/sound/engine does not match the annoyingness of the loud exhaust.)
I DON'T like the PE upshift noise. It's annoying and raspy. I meant Nasty in a bad way - you know, the true definition of the word.
We all know you are obsessed with the PE.
Quantity is not greater than quality in my books. And the quality of sound coming from the old c450 is better, IMO. (oh and btw, the crackles and burbles get annoying too - the cars personality/sound/engine does not match the annoyingness of the loud exhaust.)
Last edited by munis; 08-04-2017 at 12:32 PM.
08-04-2017, 01:21 PM
#48
Junior Member
I'm glad to see that the C43 won. I cross-shopped with the Jag because you see don't as many of them around town and I like the idea of SC vs. TT. But the Jag is a bit plain looking (inside and out) and didn't live up to the performance expectations for me. It's crazy how much the C43 was criticized for having an AMG badge on it. People need to get over that. The manufacturer put the badge on the car, it's different from when a poser slaps a badge on the back of their car. I really don't care if they call it a C450 or C43 AMG. I wanted a car to compete with the 340, S4, XE, etc. People don't get so upset when BMW calls a car M235 or M550 which is basically the same concept.
