MarcusDubya77

I used to make fun of Mercedes when I was here (Germany) in the 90s as a young Joe, because they were all taxis...I was dead set on an RS3. I had decided to do a CLA 45 build through MAS here in Stuttgart to kill time.The salesman accidently sent me another person's C43 build. I went to the MB website, thought it was a great compromise, and this was when it was still the 18 model. I have owned a SCed E46 M3 and a SCed B7 RS4, so I thought it was time to try out AMGs offerings and placed my order for a 19. I went through some internal conflicts. Parking here is not condusive to low cars. My incline is 13 degrees, so I actually have to park backwards to avoid scraping. Plus, I am part of that camp that acknowledges the 35,43,53 series as AMG, but still want to have a full fat 45,63. I had thought of nixing and going with a GLC 63 Coupe. I decided to stay the course, and am glad I did. My "date" with Mercedes has been good so far.

munis

The depreciation on these Korean cars are enough to make it the worst purchase decision of your life. I used to think that they were great cars, why do they depreciate so much? Then I took my previous Sonata in for a rattling issue for warranty and quickly realized where they get their bad name from.

merlin3008

My car before the C43 was a 2016 M235xi. I loved that car. I even went down to the Performance Center in South Carolina to take delivery. All-in-all it was a great experience. However, after driving the C43 for just over four months now, I have no regrets in switching to MB. The interior is far superior and the power delivery is much more seamless. And oh that sound! Admittedly I havenot driven the new M340 which I hear is awesome.

Tirgoman

Was just trying to bring some levity to the discussion. Also drove a Caddy, there's no substance to them. They can't or won't even figure out who and what they are. They should shut everything else down but the Escalade, their one success and it's just a Chevy underneath.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

ATS-V coined with best chassis in the segment - you're probably just driving the wrong ones.

PFEAMG

Two good options...but for the money I think it was pretty pricy for the Caddy. I owned a 2004 G35 coupe which back in the day was a great and fun car. Sounded good as well. But the G50 Red, as good as it looks, reminded me too much of that car and I wanted something different. Never drove one so I can's speak to that, but I have read the same that is was kinda uninspiring.

PFEAMG

I have to admit, at the Philly car show this year two unexpected brands caught my eye which were the Genesis and Kia. I wanted a coupe, so I really didn't look that much into them, but at the show the Stinger and the G70 looked fantastic. They also used to have one of the best warranties in the business...not sure if they still do.

imj0257

S4 & Q50 Red Sport

xCharmCity

I came from a '16 Lexus IS300 and wanted something more sporty and luxurious. I test drove the Lexus RC350 F Sport, Audi S5, BMW 440i M Sport and C43 AMG.

The RC was nice to too look at. However I couldn't get over the Toyota Corolla interior since it was the big reason I wanted to get rid of the IS300. It was also the least dynamic of the 4. Steering was non-existent and it was quite slow.

The S5 was very nice. The interior quality was top-notch and honestly a lot better than the C43. The materials felt nicer and it was definitely put together better. The layout was very busy and not my cup of tea but I could see how it could appeal to some people. The exterior was very nice as well, sophisticated, elegant, low-key. The design will age well however on the other hand not many people will know the difference between a '17 S5 and a brand new one. The performance felt a little short of the C43 though. It was just as fast, however it was plagued by the weight on the front end as all audi's are. It also didn't make a very nice sound. Very fart-box-y.

The 440i was my least favorite. In pictures the 440i looks great. In person, not so much. The interior was a complete let down. The design was so boring and looked exactly like my X5 I had in 2003. The quality also felt very cheap and plasticy. The performance was good, the steering was probably the best and the car felt the lightest, but it didn't excite me with the non-existent exhaust.

At the end of the day it was very close between the S5 and C43. I liked the design of the S5s exterior more but it wasn't as flashy and head turning as the C43. The interior of the S5 was definitely nicer. No arguing with that. But what sold me the C43 was the PE. S5 sticker price was $61,900 and the best deal I had for it was 55K OTD. C43 sticker price was $64,990 and I got it for 59K OTD.

PFEAMG

I agree with most of what you stated. However I am surprised you liked the s5 interior that much better than the c43. It had nice materials and quality for the most part. But at least for me, I couldn't get past that black plastic air vent that runs the entire length of the dash. It just seemed to cheapen the whole interior.

I really wanted to like the S5, as I loved it when if first came out...thought it was one of the nicest looking coupes on the road. Today...eh not so much LOL.

Congrats on the C43 and enjoy!

PFEAMG

Anyone ever consider purchasing a pre-owned car when cross shopping? Specifically more high end sports cars, GTs or even supercars?

For about the same money as a c43/c63 you could own one of these:

Porsche 91 2-3 years old
BMW M6 2-3 yrs old
MB S63 AMG coupe -4 yrs

Aston Martin Vantage, DB9 or Virage (3-7 yrs old)
Ferrari 360 Modena 15 yrs old
Ferrari California 8-10 yrs old
Ferrari f430 10-13yrs old
Audi R8 7-10 yrs old

Of course, with maybe the exception of the first three, reliability issues, maintenance costs, lack of new safety and tech features may make you come to your senses. But still it’s fun to consider.

MarcusDubya77

I think the maintenance costs alone would be a killer. Even if, like myself, you do most of the maintenance yourself.

PFEAMG

True, and that’s just one of the many reasons to not even consider a car like these.

On the other hand I would think these cars are pretty much done depreciating...especially the Ferrari. You could drive the the thing for another 30, 40, 50k miles and when you’re done after a few years conceptually sell it for what you purchased it (if not more).

Awesome btw, that you have the skill set to work on your own cars especially newer ones!

andyberger87

The M340i is aiming to go head-to-head with the C43 now. Pricing is similar, but BMW also offers RWD so a cheaper entry point. Can BMW's more aggressive leasing cause people to head over that direction?

MarcusDubya77

Hardly, a skill set...Hahaha.. It would be awesome to pickup one of those cars listed, but OEM replacement parts would be a killer for me...Shoot, I had to buy all types of one off tools for my European high-ish end cars.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I found that I can get better deals on mercedes - I do have a fleet with them but it's always easier and lower monthly.

BMW used to be a lot more competitive - but lately if you want an M Sport anything it seems you get charged quite a bit for it. Their maintenance programs stopped offering brakes, etc. as a covered item in 2016 too, which was a huge selling point for someone like me who uses the car for business travel.

I have also heard the new 340 pricing is going to be high until the MY matures a bit.

PFEAMG

I would think any new BMW or Audi that comes out on the market would get MB owners attention, regardless of lease deals.

But you raise a good point andyberger87! At this time of year and the end of the 2019's...does it make sense to wait and see what cool new 2020 MY cars are coming out before buying a C43 (or any car for that matter)?

Cars like the m340 is one, and good one at that, which is directly being designed and built to compete with the c43. But what about some of the other new rides such as the 2020 Caddy CT5, 2020 Lexus RC-F Track Edition, Shelby GT500, Toyota Supra, Corvette C8, Mazda RX-9....or even the new 2020 MB CLA that will have MBUX?

If I didn't already order one of the last 2019 c43 coupes, I may have been more inclined to wait and see what these new cars that are coming out are all about before ordering a 2020 c43.

Clint Westwood

I test drove the V-Sport. It's hand down the best driving car mentioned on this thread, and it isn't even close. There were a few things that turned me off though. Lackluster interior, doesn't hold value and Cadillac forcing you into expensive option packages just to get a couple of little things making it $12k more than a C43. If Cadillac did options the same way as MB I may be driving one.

Also drove:
Guilia - 4 banger underpowered and 6 is way to expensive and questionable quality, but nice ride & drive.
S4/5 - drove nice and nice interior, but exterior looks like a KIA.
BMW - came from one, was a money pit, won't buy another.
Q60 red - felt cheap and unrefined
Jag - have owned one, not the same level of refinement as the Germans
Macan - it IS NOT and SUV that handles like a sports car.

Never considered a Lexus, they're all too ugly and underpowered.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I would/could recommend checking out the Macan. Unfortunately the base model comes with a standard 4 cylinder so you'll be paying close to C63 money for even the S model - which I'd say is NECESSARY for it to be relative to the C43..

navalos

Couldn't agree more. Can't help but think if they had a v6 a step down from the Quadrifoglio I might be in one. But there's just way too much of a gap there.

patgilm

The new M340 lease terms are terrible as would be expected for a new model. I just test drove the M340ix and I really liked it. I test drove the S4 and the C43 the same day and probably would pick the M340 but they lease so poorly that it’s probably out of the running for my next lease in a couple months. As a result I will be picking either the S4 and the C43. I’m bringing my wife tomorrow to test drive them to see which one she likes.

PFEAMG

Cool choices! Will be interesting to see what you finally go with.

How was the interior in the M430?

PFEAMG

Also wonder if anyone has test driven the new z4? I believe they’ve started to arrive at dealers? I personally wouldn’t choose it over a c43, but just curious what folks think of it.

Hungalow

No tesla 3 love? 3.4 secs to 100 with 450 hp and 471 tq just plug and play the only downfall...no soundtrack but otherwise very appealing.

sieglo

Wanted an F-type but sat in it and realized that at 6’4” it wasn’t going to happen. Thought the BMW interiors suck and since I’m sitting IN the car all the time I want a nice interior.

Wanted a coupe because I’ve been driving sedans my whole life and I’m on a minor midlife crisis (plus they just look so much better....).

Drove an S5 and was just unimpressed. Not as solid feeling or as fast as the C43, and I thought the interior was a step down too (I seem to be in the minority on that assessment).

So it was down to E400 and C43. Really thought I would get the E400 (same engine, not much more weight, figured I would tune it) but then I sort of drove the C43 on a whim and was sold.

In retrospect it might have been interesting to drive a Macan. Next year will probably be looking at Macan S, E53 coupe, 911, AMG GT53, GLC63s. Weird bunch but it is what it is.