W205_AMG

The writing is on the wall with my car. I've had nothing but intermittent electrical issues with my car since I got it a year ago, yet Mercedes can't seem to pinpoint why and claims no fault.

What would you go to if you were giving up your C43 today?

MrBane

What issues are you having?

W205_AMG

• Driver side blind spot monitor will illuminate without cars around and stay on. Constantly beeping if I change lanes or turn.
• HUD generated a large black circle in the center which then slowly faded back in to normal viewing.
• Auto stop-start no longer works.
• On at least 3 occasions, the car has though I was about to read end or back up into a non-existent object and started applying auto braking. The first time was while cruising at low speeds and was pretty frightening the first time it happened. Second and third times were in parking lots at less than 5mph.

So far Mercedes keeps saying everything checks fine. However here is what they have done to remedy so far:

• Initially did a cable swap (as they lightly explained) in my rear bumper to address the blind spot issue. No positive effect.
• Second trip for blind spot issue and they claimed "no fault found" on a 10-15 minute drive. They also claimed "it's the warm weather that does it." This is also when they replaced the drive shaft for insane vibration at highway speeds.
• Third trip in for first year service:
  • Replaced the HUD - So far no issues since replacement.
  • Replaced the rear-driver side sensor - Blind spot monitor actually seems to be worse now.
    • Bumper now creaks when you touch it.

The car is in for the 4th time as I write this. Apparently they were "able to get the starter battery to fail a test" so thats at least being replaced. I'm so disappointed in this car and I truthfully feel at this point its a lemon and will be having my second discussion with MBUSA after I get the car back if there are still issues. However after my first discussion with them (after the 3rd trip to service) they didn't seem like they were going to be very helpful.

mcschan86

• Auto stop-start no longer works.

Can I please have this? Teach me how please.

mcschan86

Seems like a bunch of sensor issue. The likelihood for so many sensors going bad at the same time is unlikely. Maybe the module that receives signals from the sensors is miscalibrated? Maybe software?

Ramsino

I'd go for an RS7, or M4, or F-Type R. I don't trust Mercedes to have nice and smooth shifting transmission anymore. I still my car a lot, but every time it downshifts from 2nd to 1st just makes me question why they designed it this way.

PortC43

Odd
I absolutely love my C43 and havent had any issues with nit whatsoever. Sounds like you got a lemon ! I would definitely get into another and your opinion should change.

W205_AMG

Yeah I definitely love the car and it's why i'm having such a hard time deciding on a different car. Unless MB buys the car back (unlikely) i'm going to take a huge loss on the car seeing as it's only a year old. Last I checked dealers are offering 46k on a trade-in when it was $70k new just over a year ago!

W205_AMG

Yeah the transmission is..interesting in this car for sure. Upshifts are pretty responsive but 2nd to 3rd is pretty harsh. Downshifts though have quite a bit of lag when using the paddles and I was quite surprised.

CAMC43

If I had to give up my 2019 C43 sedan...I would go for a BMW M340i X-Drive. I already have a 2019 X3 M40i (which my wife mostly drives--except I take it out for fun on the weekends :-) and both the C43 and X3 M40i are truly magnificent cars. The 6 cylinder options by both Mercedes and BMW are in a class by themselves. I know Audi is very close...but having owned a B8.5 S4...I just think the B9 is a tad short. Especially on power. The B9 is reserved like the M340i...but lacks the power of the M340i's B58 engine. The B9 also lacks the raw excitement of the AMG C43. I'm hoping that when it comes to the B10 S4/S5 Audi does not play it so safe. The B8 S4 was a HUGE leap forward for Audi...but the boring B9 a step back.

jyli19

Alpha Romeo Quadrifolio, just be sure to get extended warranty

TModelle

C63, E53 or E63. RS4, RS5 or RS6. New M3 or M4 when it’s out. Anything but another C43!

Hungalow

Agree++ gotta go up... not sideways... like the wife she better be hotter than what I already got. Quirky car the c43 is and it is not for everybody but I bang her good. A supercharged Camaro 650hp will run ya 73k so lots of options. Question is what you looking for.? Hp ..a tire burner..corner carver...or somewhere between. Many brands and models fit the script so enjoy the process of squeezing all the *******..lol

W205_AMG

I'm going to check out a 2020 M340i in a little bit. Interior just seems so bleh compared to anything MB is offering right now.

Update on the situation - The service manager called me and said he's opened up a case with Mercedes USA on the car... but especially with Thanksgiving next week not to expect my car or much action until the first week of December.

AMGiggity

yeah it's a shame that engine is paired with such trash transmission.

TModelle

The same engine and transmission does well in an S400, so it’s just that Mercedes chooses to do it this way in a C43 - that’s the real shame.

AMGiggity

I agree. I am not an expert but IMO problem with transmission is mostly software which is apparently different in S400.

tyga11

I'm probably going to get the new M3 (when my lease is up in 2 years)

Howyalivin

He has a warranty on his current car, he just dislikes having to visit the dealer for fixing it. An Alpha would just make his problems worse. Not only are they less reliable, but the techs know even less about how to fix them.

AhEmGee

Probably an E63S Wagon.

W205_AMG

While true, it's a bit beyond simply "not liking have to go to the dealership to get things fixed" that makes me sound like an entitled snob! The reality of my situation is that I have a $70k vehicle that is riddled with electronics issues that after multiple attempts cannot appear to be solved. It just lowers my trust in the car itself (not brand) and my willingness to want to continue down this path with it, especially when the warranty would expire!

Howyalivin

That's what I meant when I noted that the Alpha techs know even less about fixing their cars. It's bad enough that you have to go to the dealership over and over, but having technicians that can't find or fix the issue is ridiculous. I definitely didn't think you were being a snob, because anyone that buys a new or nearly new car has the right to expect that the dealer doesn't see more of their car than they do. Especially when they drop 60k+ on a "luxury car". There's nothing luxurious about having your car break, again and again. That experience can be had in a $500 clunker.

hyperion667

I'd go for an Aston Martin or a Lamborghini

W205_AMG

Yep glad you feel the same! All I know is my GF's Rav4 with blind spot monitoring and parking cameras has had zero issues. It's truly unacceptable and i'm hoping MB does whats "right" one way or another.

eatmydust

You got a lemon. Everyone i know with a c43 or even a c300 has none of those issues. Lemons happen.

My next car, would be a E63s.