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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

what did you get? what are you driving now?

 

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!

 

Sounds like your expectations were too high for a C-class, and not even a real AMG at that.

 

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.

 

Oh thanks for reminding me about the peeling exhaust paint on the black exhaust tips, I almost forgot about that. Same issue here. Paint started peeling on the inside a couple months ago.

 

I have a 2022 M440I GC on order

 

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.

 

I doubt MB will do anything. I have called head office in Canada and they just told me to contact the dealer, told me "that's what warranties are for"

 

Funny because i feel the exact opposite ! In 3.5 years,i havent had a single issue with mine.

 

The exhaust peeling issue is rather common, I have that on my 2017 pfl as well, despite having different exhaust tips. It even started rusting. Apologize for the dirt, construction near me and can never keep it clean.



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

 

I see so you are in Canada, ya I understand your pain, MB Canada is a nightmare to deal with and it doesn't help that we don't have the lemon law.

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.

 

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.

 

Maybe some type of lemon? 1 year into my c43 2020, zero issues. Other than bending a rim.

 

Had 40 KM on it when I picked it up.

 

So you buying another car without test driving? bold strategy.

But seriously, I am coming from BMW as well and I am definitely going back. Either M3 or X3M. Nothing beats that buttery i6.

 

wait. You bought a car without driving it? Oh man.

 

.

 

I sure did. The GC is the Coupe with a slightly higher roofline and a few inches longer. I drove the coupe, amazing car.

 

I test drove the M440I Coupe multiple times and the M340I. I also owned a 2016 435I GC for 4 years. Never brought the car in once to the dealer, didn't even have to change the brakes. Was an amazing car.

 

Yeah my sister ended up not liking her 2021 440i. I drove it, beautiful car for the most part! Hate the super touchy brakes, you cant brake smoothly. Gets annoying as heck. That's her biggest complaint. Also the interior was nice but felt dated for some reason? Interior trim quality has fell a bit, the real wood looks different now, like an odd plastic effect of some sort. The sound the car makes is uninspiring unfortunately the ride quality is ok, but with the upgraded wheels it's stiff and bumpy.

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.