Bosnia1992

Hi All,

Im looking at purchasing a CPO C43 Or C450 as a daily to replace my 15’ S4. Would you guys recommend going this route or should I stick to the S4?

Are there any major issues I should look for? Is the AWD a Haldex system similar to the CLA45? Im choosing to go with a CPO vs Used primarily because I like the way MB implemented their certification process and it gives me a peace of mind at the end of the day. I love the S4 and the supercharged V6 however, the interior is lacking without spending 40K+ on a B9.

Any experience or insight would be helpful. I have NOT driven a C43/450 yet, however I own a 18’ C63s coupe.

Blenno

I think we're all a little baffled why you want a C450/43 if you already have a C63s?
I looked at all 3 German makes before I bought the C450, and it was a combination of style, interior quality, lowest price on the used market, and very importantly, insurance cost. The C450 is only a few dollars a year more than a Toyota Camry, whereas the BMW 3/440 and Audi S4/5 were 50% more for insurance. Go figure.
No turning back on the C450... love it, and by far the best car I've ever owned.
B.

brakingbad

Probably because the C43 is a great awd daily driver and the C63S isn't. It's why I'm daily driving one.

Mr. J

You already have a C63. I'd skip the C43 altogether. Either mod the S4 you have or try the facelift M340. If the Audi has been good to you why not add a tune and exhaust if you haven't played with them yet?

C450/43 4matic is most fundamentally different from a CLA45 in that the CLA/GLA45 is a FWD bias while the C43 is a rear bias. C450/C43 has an open center diff and I think the CLA/GLA is open diff too. CLA/GLA45 can have a LSD on the front driveshaft. C450/C43 doesn't get a true LSD. That and the suspension are the main drawbacks of the platform. The motor and both the interior and exterior styling are the main attractions in my opinion.

Bosnia1992

I appreciate the input! I live in the Midwest where driving a C63s in the winter time isn’t practical so I wanted something with a little power and an AWD system.

Bosnia1992

This ^

Bosnia1992

The S4 is great, however it lacks interior and the infotainment seems to be from 1972. If I do end up getting the S4, I definitely will mod/tune it. As far as the M340, they’re a little over my budget at the moment.


I looked into getting an S3/CLA45 but I was against the Haldex Based AWD system. Are you saying this is the same case with the C43/450 but it’s just reversed? I was under the impression that it was a true “Torsen” 4Matic. Which is partially why I went against getting the CLA45.

Mr. J

The modern 4-matic systems are more closely related to a torsen system. They are full-time AWD with a rear biased torque split. The 4-matic + systems found in the E63s is variable and can supply all power to the rear wheels if desired.

Ren Rosen

you claim the c63 isn’t practical for daily driving in winter , let me tell you getting a c43 isn’t going to be any better. I drive a 2018 sedan c43 and am not at al impressed with the winter driving a c63 would actually be more practical from experience driving both in winter

Bosnia1992

Given one is an AWD and the other RWD.. I think it’s safe to assume the AWD would be better. Chances are you still have your summer tires on your 43. Move along

Ren Rosen

actually I have winter tires on but thanks . New models including c63 will have AWD in the very near future. Go look online. Move along.

jim04clk

I drove in some ice and light snow here in NY. 18’ all season tires. No issue. It’s not the traction it’s the ground clearance. You will,be fine with the 450 or 43.

RichardCranium3

18 foot all-seasons?! You should have no traction issues with those! j/k

Fresh ice & snow yesterday here in Nebraska and had perfectly acceptable traction on my AS3+s, in and out of town.

Mr. J

Word! Snow is infrequent here and the roads just don't get plowed. I drive the GLC if the weather gets really bad but its not about traction. If I drove the sedan when it's deep the front splitter would turn into a plow.

OTOH, the GLC43 did very nice through last years snowstorms even on the OEM Goodyear AS tires.

Mr. J

How many miles on your tires. I'm running the same ones and they perform great but the fronts are toast at <20k mi. The rear tires are still north of 80%.

RichardCranium3

My stock front Conti RFs lasted 12k, rears lasted about 28k. Just rolled 40k on the odo last week, so 28k on the fronts, 12k on the rears. Front's will probably be toast again after this next summer.

mo11

How come?