Ari Burkes

Hey everyone - new member and first-time poster. I'm a long-time BMW driver considering my first MB, so go easy on me please! I'm looking at used C43s and one of my must-haves is the AMG Driver's Package. Unfortunately, not all dealers are able to provide accurate info, and it's not entirely clear from the VIN lookup.

What I know - the most obvious external feature is the 19" wheels, but I'm not altogether certain that that feature alone is a 100% guarantee that the vehicle is equipped with the AMG Driver's Package.

What I think - in a VIN lookup, the line item "U78 - Switchable Exhaust System" = AMG Performance Exhaust = AMG Driver's Package.

Do I have all my info right? Is there anything else I should be looking for? And while we're all here, is there any other advice that you folks can provide a MB newbie on buying a used C43?

Thanks everyone!

superswiss

I'm pretty sure the AMG Driver's Package isn't actually a thing that exists outside Canada for the C43 and doesn't have an official order code. It seems to be something that MB Canada made up to bundle options that are technically standalone options. The AMG Driver's Package is something that exists on 63 models and what it does is increase the top speed limiter from 155 mph to 180 mph. For example it shows up if I decode the VIN for my C63S Coupe. In the USA the AMG Driver's Package is standard on the C63S. They all come with the 180 mph top speed.

I've just decoded the VIN for a 2020 C43 Coupe w/ the AMG Driver's package sitting at MB Toronto, and the AMG Driver's package is not listed under equipment, but the individual options that make up the package are. For example the AMG Drive Unit, PE, Track Pace etc. so I think you gonna have to look for individual options from the package to determine if it has it.

https://www.mbdecoder.com/decode/W1KWJ6EB3LG004968

GWSHARK

@Ari Burkes Are you located in Canada ? Ontario? If interested my lease is coming due on my 2017 C43 Ana am considering selling it. Let me know and I can share details.

Ari Burkes

This matches up with what I more or less suspected, and with the information that I was seeing in the VINs that I decoded.

Thanks so much for the reply and the info, really appreciated!

Ari Burkes

Hi GWSHARK, 2017 is about as far back as I'm willing to go for a couple or reasons, but your build sounds really interesting. Let's talk.

jerhu

As explained the AMG Driver's Package in Canada were basically options bundled together, and you could not have AMG Drivers Package without having Premium Package

For example and i'm basing this off of Sedans for the Canadian Market.

MY17 and MY18 AMG Driver's Package Included the following:
19" AMG Multi-Spoke Wheel (Titanium Grey)
Summer Performance Tires
AMG Performance Steering Wheel
AMG Performance Exhaust System

MY19
19" AMG 5-Twin Spoke Wheel (Titanium Grey)
Summer Performance Tires
AMG Performance Steering Wheel in black nappa/DINAMICA
AMG Performance Exhaust System
AMG Track Pace

MY20
AMG Track Pace
Top Speed raised to 250km/h
AMG Drive Unit
AMG Performance Exhaust
19" AMG 5-twin spole wheel
AMG Performance Steering wheel in black nappa/DINAMICA

Egghaus

As stated above, in Canada just look at the wheels, if it has 19" wheels it has the "Drivers Package" and therefore has Performance Exhaust. If you look at the CPO cars from the MB Canada website, the option is listed out in the details as "AMG Performance Exhaust". Without the Drivers Package it will be called out as "Sports Exhaust System".

Ari Burkes

Thanks Jerhu & Egghaus for your replies and the information. Much appreciated!

Egghaus

I'll give me my contrarian opinion here, I bought a 2018 sedan without the Performance Exhaust and I think it still sounds great. It was the cleanest, lowest mileage car I could find in my price range, and I did not want the 19's due to the numerous reports of bent wheels on this forum. Obviously you can change the wheels and tires far easier and cheaper than trying to add the exhaust, but I couldn't be bothered with that extra expense. From others on this forum it seems like sound level may be lower on the 2019+. I can easily still hear loud pops on up-shifts, and crackles on over-run with my 2018.