AMGCurious_702

Hello all. Little back story as to why I’m here, I rented a C43 AMG on Turo during our vacation in Orlando last summer. Fell in LOVE with that car and can’t stop thinking about it.

I’m currently looking at a few of them online. Prices ranging from $30k-$35k and mileage ranging from 36k-70k. I’ve heard the C43 is generally reliable. Truthfully I’ve never spent this much on a car before, but people I know say I should avoid one because of maintenance costs.

FWIW, if I do buy, it won’t be my daily driver as I already have a paid off Ford Fusion. But are there any common issues/problems to watch out for? Will this be worth it?

MaverickC43

Lots of info on this forum, but u drove one and know how much fun it is. It’s hard to say if it’s worth it for you. Depends on your situation.
If u can find one with the options u want and what’s important to u

Imo
PE exhaust a must
if ur a speed demon u want the higher speed limiter (155 instead of 130)
ambient lights are nice
carbon fiber interior is nice
night package is nice
full leather is nice
What Steering wheel options u want
upgraded sound system is nice.

all depends on u

lots of issues with stock rims cracking in areas with potholes

AMGCurious_702

Thank you for your reply I appreciate it. It was fun driving that car both to Disney world as well as the beach.

I supposed I should have clarified on what I meant by “worth it” I make just under $80k a year and my current daily driver (Ford Fusion) is paid off in full.

However I’m a bit leery of buying a 5-6 year old Mercedes priced between $30-$40k. A lot of my friends have told me “don’t do it” ringing alarm bells about maintenance costs (hence why I ask if it’s “worth it”)

My rent is $2000 a month (split between me and my fiance) I also have no credit card or student loan debt. Best deal I could find was one at a Toyota dealer coincidentally in Florida for $31.5k and 51k miles on it. Payment would be $500 a month for a 72 month loan. About $100 more than what my Fusion was

so more like “would buying a 6 year old car be worth it for my financial situation” if that makes sense

As for potholes, my location (Vegas) is 50/50 depends what part of town you’re in. My neighborhood is mostly new construction so it wouldn’t be a HUGE issue

MaverickC43

I had a ‘19 c43 that had issues, but it was cpo and i don’t think it was inspected well. Not maintenance issues.
mb gave me a good trade credit and now I have a ‘20 c43. I like to drive fast and this car is so fun, but it’s also a Mercedes so it’s very nice to drive when I have to drive “normal”
I came from Nissans and this car is miles and miles better!!
only u can decide ( and ur fiancé) if it’s “worth it”

BUT I would recommend 1000% get a PPI so u know what ur getting and what regular maintenance you will need to pay for soon

AMGCurious_702

Thats great you were able to get a good trade in credit for a 2020. I came from Nissans before my Ford and even Ford is miles better than Nissan (at least in my experience)

and wow, I never knew PPI services were a thing. Whatever AMG I decide to possibly buy, I’ll pay for a PPI 100% Thanks for your help

MaverickC43

For sure
most everyone hear wants to pass along what they know, and help out where they can.

if ur looking for an Indy shop to do the ppi
start a thread here & on the w205 c class page

PeterUbers

This car moved you - not just physically but emotionally - you're still thinking about the drive.

carpe diem - even if it's a problematic car and you have to dump $5000 into it - and you can still get over that and continue to enjoy the drive and the feelings it evokes in you - seems like a win

life is short and this is relatively low risk if you get the right PPI and are willing to gamble a bit

RichardCranium3

One advantage the C43 has is that shares a lot of the parts bin with the rest of the C-class. The M276 motor is probably in the top reliability tier. The rest of the suspension, and even common wear engine parts are not hard to get, nor impossible to install yourself if you're mechanically inclined. If you're not willing to do the work yourself, at least take advantage of aftermarket parts sources like FCPeuro to get what you need, then just pay a reputable mechanic/shop to do the work for you.

Oil changes and brakes are as easy as any other car on the road. It's a pretty soft learning/skill curve after that for any major services you'll run in to. If anything, I'd aim for a well serviced higher mileage unit as someone else has probably done a lot of the work for you. Just my two cents good luck on your hunt. Don't skip the performance exhaust.

AMGCurious_702

A PPI would definitely happen. Just want to be sure I’m getting the best deal for my money.

AMGCurious_702

There’s currently a high miles C43 here in Las Vegas that is listed for $27k and 94k ish miles. The car has already had 4 owners and was in NY, NJ, and WI before making its was to Las Vegas. Service records seem to check out. I MAY go look at it today

CincyMBGuy

Car purchases are never "worth it" financially but we only live once.

As others have said, the C43 is relatively low-risk as far as performance luxury cars go. The M276 engine has a strong reputation and is shared among other platforms.

RichardCranium3

I'll roll 80k this week probably. I've done cam timing magnets, spark plugs, all oil changes, and all brake services. Only used an indy shop for dif, trans and brake fluid exchanges. Run 65k of those miles with E85/91 octane blended to E30 and a JB4 with custom boost map. I'm finally jumping in to an aftermarket intake. Never had an issue.

Go take a look, drive it, and maybe invest in a PPI. Carfax shows all the typical day-to-day hurdles - the factory wheels suck and crack easily. Only downside to that one is it doesn't have PE and only has basic Audio20 system, if the stereo matters much to you. Otherwise identically spec'd to mine and many others here.

MaverickC43

Car fax is helpful to show u problems that they are admitting.
but there can a ton not on the car fax
if it’s there it happened, but it’s not the whole story
PPI FOR SURE!!
I wish I had. It would have gotten me a better price or things corrected

MaverickC43

Brain Man U getting the FAI?

Speed2K

I bought a C450 last fall, it had around 90k kms (60k miles) on it. I'm using it as a winter vehicle; so far so good! I love the car, quiet, good on gas, quick when it needs to be, handles decently well. No idea as to maintenance, although I'll likely change the oil myself.

AMGCurious_702

On car gurus I’ve seen some AMGs in the NYC metro area priced in the mid 20ks with decent mileage. Carfax’s seem to check out, but I feel suspicious if they are priced that low

AMGCurious_702

I’ll at least go look at it, but I probably won’t buy this one. Mileage is too high imo

RichardCranium3

LEM

MaverickC43

They do sound great

speedlaw

Do it. Unlike whatever is in the w206 the current c43 is made from reliable bits of the benz parts bin. I've done 107k in mine, still love it.
Check engine mounts, some go around 70k.
Make sure there is no transient vibration at 70 mph-it is the drive line, a few cars had balance issues (not all).
Strongly suggest multibeam LED lights, because you can get them re programmed to full euro active beam mode-not nerfed USDOT mode.
Unpopular opinion-I have PE, but it doesn't make any more power than non PE, per benz. Great noises tho..and no fakey speaker noise from the w205s.
The stock wheels are soft, the runflats don't do justice to the car. Expect and budget to replace them. Only flaw from the factory, the "starter cartridge" wheels.
0-60 in 4.5 and 23 mpg driven sanely. The AMG suspension is Bilstein DampTronic, and if you get the Multibeams your headlights and shocks will be state of the art. I drove Porsches at the Porsche Experience, and they felt a lot like the c43-yup, same Bilsteins.
Mine is stock, I've done the recommended maint, with oil changes a bit more often.

joeshannon095

Welcome over from reddit haha! 2019 was the facelift, so take that into consideration. Received a mild facelift, updated COMMAND software, updated screen, and the awesome updated steering wheel.

brliuy

C43 AMG is Very comfortable,if you like ,please dont think too much about buying him

M Kompact

I picked up a CPO 2020 C43 in December; it has most every option save the AMG sport seats, Drive Unit, and HUD. I absolutely love the car. I've oened BMWs since 1983 and I picked the C43 over a CPO M340i xDrive and a 2022 M240i xDrive..

AMGCurious_702

guess you saw my posts over there? Lmao

joeshannon095

Yes. I told you to come here. You won't be disappointed with the car, just make sure to budget around it.