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Talk me in/out of trading my brand new and perfect C43 for a 25k mi 2021 C63S
The S2000 I'd been dailying for a decade needs an engine rebuild. Time to make it a weekender
Recently bought a C43. It's perfect, as far as a C43. Selenite grey magno, red top (my S2000 is grand prix white with red top), and gorgeous porcelain interior, which I love and is great for the southern heat. Initially thought wood trim, but thus carbon fiber is pretty sick. The lines of the C43 are so sharp and crisp in this color, it's really an amazing car. <400mi on it
On paper, the ideal daily driver. Smooth, responsive, loud when you want it to be, and fairly exciting when you wring it out to overtake or on a bit of windy road.
But I really had logicked my way into it the C43 thinking it would be good to have an AWD daily next to the RWD (and notoriously tail happy) S2000. But really, it never snows here, just the occasional hurricane. And I'm no novice, I used to take my S2000 out to the track regularly (back before I got married lol). Now that I'm thinking Slippery mode is probably fine for the rain, I'm getting that insidious voice in the back of my head saying I should have looked harder at the C63...
Test drove a couple, and that V8 rumble is timeless, and the wide body really does make a difference. Every time someone asks about the new car, I find myself saying "I didn't get the C63 because..." Even when I have fun in the C43, the voice in my head is saying "see, you don't need the C63... right?"
Issue is, I need a cabriolet. It's non-negotiable. The S2000 has broken me in this way. And there are like no new C63 Cabriolets in the US right now, and I am *very* particular about aesthetics. (Part of why i love the magno-red-porcelain setup of the C43 so much.) The few new C63 Cabs I see available are all either plain black or white on black rims, which I've never been a fan of. So I have to go used, which really limits the market. I've decided on FL over PFL, and really love matte. Can't find a metallic grey FL with the digital cluster anywhere.
BUT I did find a cashmere white magno 2021 with 25k miles on it. However, I'm not a huge fan of the all-black interior with dull grey wood trim. And it all looks a little faded/worn, maybe? Am taking an hour flight to check it out in person on Saturday (also to see if I like the matte white as much as the matte grey), but attached a pic in the meantime
Doing this basically loses me $10k value on the C43, plus the $4k PPF and $4k prepaid maintenance. Which is real tough, but these decisions are all heart to me, so the money, while really painful, isn't really the issue.
I'm more concerned about missing the aesthetics of the C43. I lovelovelove sitting in that porcelain interior everyday. So refreshing coming from a 2007 Honda. Will I be disappointed sitting in the plain black interior of the C63? Will it feel old and worn, with its 25k miles? Will I miss the gorgeous matte grey and clean, executive lines of the C43? Will I lament that I had literally the perfect C43? And will I regret the wasted money?
Or will I always be telling myself that "yeah, I don't need a V8" every time I redline the C43? Will I always be looking for the tail to come out a bit? Will I actually care that it's not handbuilt? Will I always be thinking I settled for less than the dream (even if an imperfect example)?
Wouldn't call this "buyers remorse" as I really do love this I really do love this C43. And on paper, a C43 daily + S2000 weekender combo sounds perfect. But the 43 is not the legend I dreamed about back in high school (which was actually more of the M3, don't kill me) Selenite grey magno Red soft top Porcelain interior -- so fresh and clean! Carbon fiber Cashmere white magno Black soft top All black interior -- bland and/or worn, or just bad lightning? Beast
It's a win no matter what I choose... But I do still have to choose.
Since you don't need AWD, get the 63 if you want a V8 -- it will be more fun. But with an S2000, I reckon it would be even more enjoyable than a C63 on track or street.
In the end, the C43 has enough power (which you can easily tune for 70+ np) and the spec with the red top is killer. Would love to see it on the driveway with the S2000 beside it.
Unless you will seriously regret getting the last generation C class with a V8, I would stick with your brand new 43 that you specced out yourself. Save the money and get a Porsche next.
I currently have a C43, I think you should keep the 43 simply because it’s the spec you want. While yes the 63 is supposedly “the” amg, I still believe that the V6 is plenty to offer especially sitting next to your similar spec s2000. For me it’s spec over power.
Hope this helped!
I have driven both. The c 63 slides around a lot. It does have a more powerful engine but you don't get the power down. Mercedes purposefully has the 0-60 and quarter mile times off on the c43 because they want to upsell you the 8. However they stopped making anything with a v6 or v8 as of 2024 and 2023 are almost all hybrids or mild hybrids. Enjoy your c43 the car is much faster than you realize race a c63 and if they don't get side ways and can hold the road they will nudge you by a bumper. I specifically picked the 43 cause I could get what I wanted took some hunting and it wasn't a hybrid or 4cyl amd it was brand new. Now if you really want a change a new gt w a twin turbo v8 comes out in 2024. However as far as the 63 and 43 go the 43 will always launch better and have more control for me it's not worth some slightly nicer seats and a tenth or two on 0-60 and quarter mile times. The car you bought handles so so much better than the 63.
If the that matters you can also always flash the cpu add cold air induction and down pipes. I've seen 43s with over 500hp with these three mods.
There is a substitute for displacement it's called turbos and 4 Matic trans
I had buyers remorse for a bit as well as I have a Cuda w a 440 magnum and am use to that big block sound honestly the only way I would upgrade from the 43 would be into a 2024 GT
Last edited by Houstonchiro; Jun 28, 2023 at 01:00 AM.
HBD! I have an S2K as well! I also have a C450 (essentially the same as a 43, except 7 vs 9spd transmission), I find the car plenty fast, I’ll be installing a JB4 soon, so it will be even quicker. A C63 is definitely nice though, the V8 just hits differently, whether or not it’s special ebough, only you can decide that.
Perhaps you should be looking at an E92 M3 convertible
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