Buying Advice
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Newbie
Joined: May 2021
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C 280
Buying Advice
Hi, I'm hoping to buy a '17 or '18 C 43. I'm concerned after seeing some posts about blown engines that had tunes on them. If I dont buy certified pre owned, is there a way to tell if a car had a tune on it at some point? Should I only consider cpo? Is this something I shouldn't be too worried about? Thanks.
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C43
Hi, I'm hoping to buy a '17 or '18 C 43. I'm concerned after seeing some posts about blown engines that had tunes on them. If I dont buy certified pre owned, is there a way to tell if a car had a tune on it at some point? Should I only consider cpo? Is this something I shouldn't be too worried about? Thanks.
Super Member
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2018 C43
OP is worried about tunes and most piggyback tune don't even register on their inspections once removed and required thorough look at the ECU. Even then it's hard to tell. Now if OP bought a C43 that was tuned and removed and within 2 years of CPO warranty, engine blew up, do you think benz will go extensive length to prove there was a tune? I think they will and if they find there was a tune, I think they will blame the current owner of turning the car and removing it to have their car warrantied.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2019
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C43
You know, most used car dealer trades in, they hardly do any work or even give it a good inspection and stamp their CPO tag on it.
OP is worried about tunes and most piggyback tune don't even register on their inspections once removed and required thorough look at the ECU. Even then it's hard to tell. Now if OP bought a C43 that was tuned and removed and within 2 years of CPO warranty, engine blew up, do you think benz will go extensive length to prove there was a tune? I think they will and if they find there was a tune, I think they will blame the current owner of turning the car and removing it to have their car warrantied.
OP is worried about tunes and most piggyback tune don't even register on their inspections once removed and required thorough look at the ECU. Even then it's hard to tell. Now if OP bought a C43 that was tuned and removed and within 2 years of CPO warranty, engine blew up, do you think benz will go extensive length to prove there was a tune? I think they will and if they find there was a tune, I think they will blame the current owner of turning the car and removing it to have their car warrantied.
Newbie
Joined: May 2021
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C43
In Canada, the price was around 2000 more at the Merc dealer but you get the star certified or whatever they call their CPO warranty. I decided to go with Merc CPO only because when I considered how much I was spending, the $2000 extra to gain warranty was well worth it. I also managed to get free service for 2 years. I got that because they lowballed me on my trade in (which I expected them too) so I used that to my advantage to get some "free" stuff. They advised the car came with its original warranty up to December (as mine is a 2018) and as that expires my CPO warranty will kick in and I have an option to go there before it kicks in to pay and upgrade it to bumper-to-bumper just like a new lease which I will do most likely.
Hope this helps you and DO NOT BUY ONE WITH OUT THE PE. You will regret it. I was looking for 2 months before I found the one for me. It is really stupid that it was ever an option to be added. Easiest way to tell is to look for the AMG logo on the bottom of the steering wheel. The car is dull without it. (PE is part of the AMG Driver's Package).
Hope this helps you and DO NOT BUY ONE WITH OUT THE PE. You will regret it. I was looking for 2 months before I found the one for me. It is really stupid that it was ever an option to be added. Easiest way to tell is to look for the AMG logo on the bottom of the steering wheel. The car is dull without it. (PE is part of the AMG Driver's Package).
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MBWorld God!
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In Canada, the price was around 2000 more at the Merc dealer but you get the star certified or whatever they call their CPO warranty. I decided to go with Merc CPO only because when I considered how much I was spending, the $2000 extra to gain warranty was well worth it. I also managed to get free service for 2 years. I got that because they lowballed me on my trade in (which I expected them too) so I used that to my advantage to get some "free" stuff. They advised the car came with its original warranty up to December (as mine is a 2018) and as that expires my CPO warranty will kick in and I have an option to go there before it kicks in to pay and upgrade it to bumper-to-bumper just like a new lease which I will do most likely.
Hope this helps you and DO NOT BUY ONE WITH OUT THE PE. You will regret it. I was looking for 2 months before I found the one for me. It is really stupid that it was ever an option to be added. Easiest way to tell is to look for the AMG logo on the bottom of the steering wheel. The car is dull without it. (PE is part of the AMG Driver's Package).
Hope this helps you and DO NOT BUY ONE WITH OUT THE PE. You will regret it. I was looking for 2 months before I found the one for me. It is really stupid that it was ever an option to be added. Easiest way to tell is to look for the AMG logo on the bottom of the steering wheel. The car is dull without it. (PE is part of the AMG Driver's Package).
Edit: At least true for the Canadian market, other markets it depends on the red stitching on the dashboard vs regular stitching. I heard that Germany you can option the performance exhaust separately while not having the logo on the bottom of the steering wheel with regular 18 inch wheels.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; May 30, 2021 at 02:27 PM.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
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2018 C43 Sedan
I guess the PE sound really depends on your personal taste, I heard some C43's with the PE at my local track and the sound isn't for me. It is loud and raspy, but no depth to the sound, very hollow sounding in my opinion. Maybe it sounds better in the car? The standard "Sport" exhaust sounds fine to me. If it was a V8 C63 or something it would be a different story.
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nothing
I guess the PE sound really depends on your personal taste, I heard some C43's with the PE at my local track and the sound isn't for me. It is loud and raspy, but no depth to the sound, very hollow sounding in my opinion. Maybe it sounds better in the car? The standard "Sport" exhaust sounds fine to me. If it was a V8 C63 or something it would be a different story.
V8 however is a different story.
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C190
yeah I am in the same boat. the only reason I would get the PE is to make it more attractive when I want to sell it because it seems to be pretty popular but the sound itself is just way too loud and tacky. Standard exhaust for V6 is properly tuned.
V8 however is a different story.
V8 however is a different story.
Senior Member
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C43
I disagree. I've been to many meets with other C43 and the PE sounds more open to me. The Sport Exhaust sounds muffled and muted and I don't like that one bit. At below 4k rpm and at idle, the PE also sounds deeper and open as well. I don't think either exhaust option really makes a difference in terms of noticeable performance anyhow.
MBWorld God!
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yeah I am in the same boat. the only reason I would get the PE is to make it more attractive when I want to sell it because it seems to be pretty popular but the sound itself is just way too loud and tacky. Standard exhaust for V6 is properly tuned.
V8 however is a different story.
V8 however is a different story.
Senior Member
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nothing
pretty sure PE is standard on all AMG V8, aka the only option. what I meant was V8 low pitch rumble through PE sounds great but V6...? meh. I know I am in minority but for a V6 sport exhaust without valves is sufficient in my opinion. V6 is not a true AMG engine anyways.
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C43 W205
Speaking of the Driver's Package it comes with the 19 inch wheels so if you notice that it has the regular 18 inch 5 spoke star shape wheels, it doesn't have PE.
Edit: At least true for the Canadian market, other markets it depends on the red stitching on the dashboard vs regular stitching. I heard that Germany you can option the performance exhaust separately while not having the logo on the bottom of the steering wheel with regular 18 inch wheels.
Edit: At least true for the Canadian market, other markets it depends on the red stitching on the dashboard vs regular stitching. I heard that Germany you can option the performance exhaust separately while not having the logo on the bottom of the steering wheel with regular 18 inch wheels.
I have noticed the Australian delivered C43's come optioned to the hilt. it seems like the British and US versions from what I have seen come bare bones, then it's up to the buyer to option up. I think of the 4-45 cars i saw advertised, only one didn't have the PE option
MBWorld God!
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pretty sure PE is standard on all AMG V8, aka the only option. what I meant was V8 low pitch rumble through PE sounds great but V6...? meh. I know I am in minority but for a V6 sport exhaust without valves is sufficient in my opinion. V6 is not a true AMG engine anyways.
