2020 C43 Sedan - Worst Car I've Ever Owned
#1
2020 C43 Sedan - Worst Car I've Ever Owned
I consider myself to be a relatively patient individual, but I have absolutely lost patience with my 2020 C43. It is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned.
I have owned the car for about 1 year and decided to get rid of it last week. I have owned a 2010 Audi A6, 2015 BMW 428I, 2016 BMW 435I Xdrive and 2020 c43 Sedan. So I don't consider myself a newbie when it comes to luxury/premium brand vehicles.
Issues with this vehicle started almost right away:
1) Excessive orange peel on the paint (which I just decided to live with)
2) Rattling in the roofliner (which still hasnt been 100% resolved)
3) Exploding intercooler hose all over my garage floor (had hosed replaced)
4) Trunk stayed locked (brought it into dealership)
5) Center screen kept shutting off sporadically (had unit replaced)
6) Exhaust flaps stay open or closed (brought it into dealership)
7) Random humming sound in the cabin (brought it into dealership)
8) Peeling paint on inside of Black PFE
All of the above in 1 year of ownership.
In addition to the issues, and yes I will take full responsibility for the following as the onus is on me for not taking enough time with the car before purchase. The drive is extremely harsh, if you hit a bump (and I'm not talking some huge pothole), the jarring sensation in the cabin is nuts. It is an extremely uncomfortable car to be in for extended times. The cabin is extremely noisy, I'm not referring to the amazing sound of the performance exhaust (which I thoroughly appreciate), I'm talking about the general lack of cabin insulation.
I can understand how some may enjoy this car, its a great performance machine when its not in the garage. The acceleration, handling and exhaust notes are incredible. But in the end I just couldn't live with all the negatives of the car.
I have owned the car for about 1 year and decided to get rid of it last week. I have owned a 2010 Audi A6, 2015 BMW 428I, 2016 BMW 435I Xdrive and 2020 c43 Sedan. So I don't consider myself a newbie when it comes to luxury/premium brand vehicles.
Issues with this vehicle started almost right away:
1) Excessive orange peel on the paint (which I just decided to live with)
2) Rattling in the roofliner (which still hasnt been 100% resolved)
3) Exploding intercooler hose all over my garage floor (had hosed replaced)
4) Trunk stayed locked (brought it into dealership)
5) Center screen kept shutting off sporadically (had unit replaced)
6) Exhaust flaps stay open or closed (brought it into dealership)
7) Random humming sound in the cabin (brought it into dealership)
8) Peeling paint on inside of Black PFE
All of the above in 1 year of ownership.
In addition to the issues, and yes I will take full responsibility for the following as the onus is on me for not taking enough time with the car before purchase. The drive is extremely harsh, if you hit a bump (and I'm not talking some huge pothole), the jarring sensation in the cabin is nuts. It is an extremely uncomfortable car to be in for extended times. The cabin is extremely noisy, I'm not referring to the amazing sound of the performance exhaust (which I thoroughly appreciate), I'm talking about the general lack of cabin insulation.
I can understand how some may enjoy this car, its a great performance machine when its not in the garage. The acceleration, handling and exhaust notes are incredible. But in the end I just couldn't live with all the negatives of the car.
Last edited by soporcogitavi; 10-06-2021 at 09:41 AM.
#2
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Sorry to hear about all these issues. I love mine but it is a pre-facelift but I do have lots of those issues you listed (mostly rattles and squeaking, a common issue for W205), if it ends up being a lemon I hope MB buys it back from you so you can find a car that you truly love. The worse is to spend all this money for something that you are not happy about.
1) My car has the orange peel issue as well but it is rather common for water based paint
2) Rattling issue although mines is coming from the passenger headrest
3) Don't have this particular issue
4) Hmmm, never heard of this issue, I just want to make sure but did you accidentally turned on the valet lock in the glovebox?
5) Hmmm touchscreen? I don't think our cars (in your case the facelift has a touchscreen) I just want to make sure but are you referring to the infortainment screen?
6) Don't have this particular issue
7) Is the humming sound speed, humidity, temperature dependent?
For the ride, if you do end up keeping the car I suggest getting rid of those run-flats and probably downsize the tires. The ride of the facelift of which you have improved a lot compared to my pfl. The suspension is much more comfortable compared to pre-facelift.
Either way, I am sorry to hear about your experience, good luck getting things resolved and if not good luck finding another car you actually appreciate, please keep us posted.
1) My car has the orange peel issue as well but it is rather common for water based paint
2) Rattling issue although mines is coming from the passenger headrest
3) Don't have this particular issue
4) Hmmm, never heard of this issue, I just want to make sure but did you accidentally turned on the valet lock in the glovebox?
5) Hmmm touchscreen? I don't think our cars (in your case the facelift has a touchscreen) I just want to make sure but are you referring to the infortainment screen?
6) Don't have this particular issue
7) Is the humming sound speed, humidity, temperature dependent?
For the ride, if you do end up keeping the car I suggest getting rid of those run-flats and probably downsize the tires. The ride of the facelift of which you have improved a lot compared to my pfl. The suspension is much more comfortable compared to pre-facelift.
Either way, I am sorry to hear about your experience, good luck getting things resolved and if not good luck finding another car you actually appreciate, please keep us posted.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; 10-05-2021 at 07:40 PM.
#3
Sorry to hear about all these issues. I love mine but it is a pre-facelift but I do have lots of those issues you listed (mostly rattles and squeaking, a common issue for W205), if it ends up being a lemon I hope MB buys it back from you so you can find a car that you truly love. The worse is to spend all this money for something that you are not happy about.
1) My car has the orange peel issue as well but it is rather common for water based paint
2) Rattling issue although mines is coming from the passenger headrest
3) Don't have this particular issue
4) Hmmm, never heard of this issue, I just want to make sure but did you accidentally turned on the valet lock in the glovebox?
5) Hmmm touchscreen? I don't think our cars (in your case the facelift has a touchscreen) I just want to make sure but are you referring to the infortainment screen?
6) Don't have this particular issue
7) Is the humming sound speed, humidity, temperature dependent?
For the ride, if you do end up keeping the car I suggest getting rid of those run-flats and probably downsize the tires. The ride of the facelift of which you have improved a lot compared to my pfl. The suspension is much more comfortable compared to pre-facelift.
Either way, I am sorry to hear about your experience, good luck getting things resolved and if not good luck finding another car you actually appreciate, please keep us posted.
1) My car has the orange peel issue as well but it is rather common for water based paint
2) Rattling issue although mines is coming from the passenger headrest
3) Don't have this particular issue
4) Hmmm, never heard of this issue, I just want to make sure but did you accidentally turned on the valet lock in the glovebox?
5) Hmmm touchscreen? I don't think our cars (in your case the facelift has a touchscreen) I just want to make sure but are you referring to the infortainment screen?
6) Don't have this particular issue
7) Is the humming sound speed, humidity, temperature dependent?
For the ride, if you do end up keeping the car I suggest getting rid of those run-flats and probably downsize the tires. The ride of the facelift of which you have improved a lot compared to my pfl. The suspension is much more comfortable compared to pre-facelift.
Either way, I am sorry to hear about your experience, good luck getting things resolved and if not good luck finding another car you actually appreciate, please keep us posted.
Not sure why I wrote touch screen but meant the center screen on the dash, was probably thinking touch because I use the the steering wheel touch to control it
The humming sound is the newest issue that just randomly happens on startup.
Its unfortunate because I had high hopes for the car after initial test drives and research.
#4
I echo the above sentiment, sorry to hear this was your experience with the c43. I have a PFL coupe and have none of your negative experience besides minor creaking sounds in the cabin from time-to-time. Sounds like you got a lemon vehicle.
#5
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Definitely not the valet lock, unfortunately. They actually had to crawl in through the rear seats to fix it.
Not sure why I wrote touch screen but meant the center screen on the dash, was probably thinking touch because I use the the steering wheel touch to control it
The humming sound is the newest issue that just randomly happens on startup.
Its unfortunate because I had high hopes for the car after initial test drives and research.
Not sure why I wrote touch screen but meant the center screen on the dash, was probably thinking touch because I use the the steering wheel touch to control it
The humming sound is the newest issue that just randomly happens on startup.
Its unfortunate because I had high hopes for the car after initial test drives and research.
I see, thanks for confirming, so the unit was faulty...
Hmmm, the humming sound is super new to me (especially if it happens right after startup), can you please describe it further... something similar I heard is a whining noise (my car also still has but does not affect the vehicle other than being annoying but that is when the vehicle is in motion and at certain speeds)
Yup, I am sorry to hear how disappointed you are with the vehicle despite how satisfied you were during the test drives. Hopefully it doesn't actually end up being a lemon but if it does hopefully MB takes care of you and do the right thing.
#7
Senior Member
Nobody wants to experience what you have been through! That's harsh!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
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#9
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Present: 2019 C43 Estate
To echo others, I'm sorry to hear about your experience. My 2019 C43 wagon has been great. In 2 years of ownership I haven't experienced any of the issues you're reporting. Regarding ride quality specifically, even with 20" rims, H&R springs and driving predominantly with suspension in sport +, I don't find this car harsh at all. Mind you, I've driven track cars on the street, however, so my frame of reference may be skewed.
#10
Nobody wants to experience what you have been through! That's harsh!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
#12
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Toronto
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Present: 2019 C43 Estate
The build quality of my C63 507 was fantastic. Different generation of c-class, granted, but the build quality of my C43 wagon isn't far off. "Real AMG" or not, I suspect a current gen C63 and C43 would have similar, if not identical build quality.
#13
Sorry to hear that, that sure is annoying. Was there something wrong with the wires or general electrical issue (or glitch) ?
I see, thanks for confirming, so the unit was faulty...
Hmmm, the humming sound is super new to me (especially if it happens right after startup), can you please describe it further... something similar I heard is a whining noise (my car also still has but does not affect the vehicle other than being annoying but that is when the vehicle is in motion and at certain speeds)
Yup, I am sorry to hear how disappointed you are with the vehicle despite how satisfied you were during the test drives. Hopefully it doesn't actually end up being a lemon but if it does hopefully MB takes care of you and do the right thing.
I see, thanks for confirming, so the unit was faulty...
Hmmm, the humming sound is super new to me (especially if it happens right after startup), can you please describe it further... something similar I heard is a whining noise (my car also still has but does not affect the vehicle other than being annoying but that is when the vehicle is in motion and at certain speeds)
Yup, I am sorry to hear how disappointed you are with the vehicle despite how satisfied you were during the test drives. Hopefully it doesn't actually end up being a lemon but if it does hopefully MB takes care of you and do the right thing.
Last edited by soporcogitavi; 10-06-2021 at 09:32 AM.
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#15
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Nobody wants to experience what you have been through! That's harsh!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
On the other hand I'm on my second C43 since 2017. Both ordered new. The newest 2020 is a definite step above the 2017 IMO. Neither car has been in the dealership for anything other than an initial service, after which I maintain the cars.
Ooops, the 2020 was returned to exchange peeling paint inside sport exhaust tips under warranty, but that's it!
Someone just suggested to use lacquer thinner and remove it altogether like so if it happens again after warranty expires:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ml#post7977603
Last edited by W205C43PFL; 10-06-2021 at 04:14 PM.
#16
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PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
We do have this inferior version though: https://www.camvap.ca/
Since you already have a BMW ordered I guess it wouldn't worth your time at all trying to repair this vehicle, simply enjoy the positives it has and look forward to your new vehicle.
#17
Junior Member
Ohh man, sorry to hear what you gone through...Are you sure you got brand new car? Sounds like it was floated and sold to you...I am pretty happy with mine so far. No issues.
#18
Senior Member
Maybe some type of lemon? 1 year into my c43 2020, zero issues. Other than bending a rim.
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Senior Member
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#25
Senior Member
As far as opinion the new front grille is ugly. In person and in pictures. Word is that they will be moving on from that grille at next facelift. Thank god.