Flypenfly

Thinking about picking up a C43 for just a daily driver, not planning to tune but might see a track day here and there.

Are there any major reliability updates or changes throughout 2018-2020?

From what I can tell, C43 seems to be pretty reliable with no major issues. Maybe some front diff leak from AWD but that seems to be common across all.

W205C43PFL

As always, for used vehicles, always get a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) and check the carfax.

Actually haven't heard of front diff leak on the C 43 (at least not aware of reported on the forums), the common issues are whining rear differential, driveshaft vibration, pressure transducer failure (that is very easy and cheap to replace however), some vehicles also have cam cover leak but a reseal isn't too bad and too difficult if you know what you are doing, jerky transmission (although transmission itself is reliable just badly programmed, I got used to it and I guess that jerkiness is part of the characteristics, software updates does help though), early model years (so 2016 C 450) also have the same cam adjuster start-up rattle M276 used in a variety of MBs used to have, if you are getting 2017 or 2018 and beyond, you less likely to have that issue.

I would immediately either downsize to 18s or get rid of run flats or just do both to avoid the nightmare of cracking, bubbling if you have 19s.

The rest of the car is reliable, the W205 is infamous for interior rattles and creaks but nothing felt tape won't solve. There are general issues that W205s in general had that I won't go and list here.

Here are the reasons why you might want the facelift, it is subjective, I personally prefer the pre-facelift looks... but if you do want to get the W205 C43 facelift then here are the things I notice from several test drive of the facelift that you might or might not like:
1. Rear-cross traffic alert in which when you backup the vehicle from a parking lot, it will warn you if a car is passing
2. Blind spot works at much lower speeds, whereas the pfl only activates at speeds of 20-30 km+
3. 84 individual LEDs (if you look closely, it actually says that inside the light) for the adaptive highbeam assist plus (which by the way is disabled in North America due to regulations, we only have highbeam assist not the plus in which it turns off when opposite traffic is in the field of view and then turn on when we clear them. As for the plus, it turns off individual LEDs that blind the driver on the opposite direction but keep the rest of the high beam on) if you have the fully loaded lights
4. Functional front bumper vents to cool the brakes
5. Raised lip on the wheels to improve aerodynamics
6. More horsepower 362 vs 385 (advertised) but same amount of torque.
7. More comfortable suspension due to the adjustments made to the damping.
8. Less jerky transmission on first gear and second. However, pfl downshifts to gear 2 in comfort mode and facelift downshifts to gear 1
9. Full digital driver display (if you optioned that)
10. Brighter rear taillights (it seems) but a different design
11. Obvious changes of the grille and front bumper
12. Obvious changes of the exhaust pipe design and the lower part such as the diffuser
13. The new steering wheel
14. The wider infotainment screen
15. Maybe they raised the volume of the pumped in audio as it is even more noticeable on the facelift
16. Better cooling? I noticed the normal operating temperature of the facelift is lower than the pfl
17. More sensitive radar sensors? (the sensitivity can finally be adjusted in the infotainment)
18. Updated versions of COMAND for the infotainment (it now has COMAND NTG5.5)
19. 64 ambient colour options compared to the 3 on the pfl
20. MY20+ only, optional AMG Drive Unit

I think that is pretty much it, if I missed something and have something to add I will reply again.
Hopefully it helps you : )

W205C43PFL

Adding something I just remembered: there are reports of leaking shocks on certain facelifted C 43 (factory defect)
The exhaust note is changed on the facelift and depending on how you like it, it is more quiet in North American facelifted vehicles and much more quiet in Europe due to OPF, but it is still very loud. The tone is also different to a certain degree compared to pre-facelift.

W205C43PFL

Adding this as well: https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...new-parts.html

chassis

C43 W205 uses the reliable M276 3.0TT V6. A 2021 C43 is the last MB model that uses the M276 and imo is one of the best preowned MBs on the market, because of M276 engine reliability. And because the 2020-2021 model years are the end of the W205 platform run, which are usually the most reliable and have the most bugs worked out of them.

The 9G-Tronic transmission seems at least as reliable as the 7G, which is to say about average reliability in transmission terms. Oil changes on schedule, or sooner, are a must for MB transmissions.

The 9G is reported on this site to have similar performance characteristics as the 7G, including both vague and hard or rough shifting. The shifting performance is less a reliability concern than it is a "can-I-live-with-it" concern.

W205C43PFL

Since you mentioned tracking, here are some threads posted by other forum members to get you started:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...king-c450.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...es-wheels.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...iscussion.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...day-track.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-hans-etc.html

Wheel fitment guide another forum member posted:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ispreloading=1

C43HeartBoost

I have put almost 60,000 miles on my pre-facelift c43 coupe and it has been rock solid (stage 2 tunes for 50,000 miles or so). The car eats through tires, which is typical for an MB. Swap out the run flats for some Michelin PS4s - better traction and it will smooth out the ride.

Flypenfly

Thanks everyone for your input. Will be difficult to decide between a C43 and the wild card option of a new Giulia Veloce.

W205C43PFL

Ah that is quite a different option... FWIW, a forum member chose the latter: https://mbworld.org/forums/other-car...ia-vs-c43.html

Flypenfly

Yeah, I already have a fast fun car but test driving the C43 Coupe facelift version definitely left an impression on me that I want one. However, I also want a Giulia Veloce with a red interior lol. The famously good handling and RWD with a traditional LSD is also appealing... while it's down power I think it weighs about 400lbs less as well and it will be a new vehicle.

W205C43PFL

The Italian aspect of it might be added value too.

Prodbyjr

Great rundown of the reliability, I can confirm I have ran into some of these problems myself on my 2019 C43 Sedan (bought it at 27,000km's, currently at 62,000km's).

- I replaced the pressure transducer myself and the part was only around $70 CAD I believe (My car was under warranty and the dealership wanted me to pay for them to diagnose it when I showed them proof it's a common problem, so I just replaced it myself).
- The cam cover leak can be done under warranty or by yourself but it does take quite some time. I had my dealer do it under warranty and all they do is re apply silicone.
- The cam adjuster start-up rattle goes away eventually when the car warms up I believe.
- Run flats are just a rough drive and too stiff for the rims leading to cracks. I'm running firehawk indy 500's and they do handle nice.
- 19" wheel option itself are weak and brittle so even running regular tires could lead to a crack. It is best to just ditch them overall unless you have roads smooth as butter. I live in Toronto where smooth roads don't exist.
- There is a lot of cabin noise and I am still working on diagnosing that. My front panoramic roof panel leaks/squeals at high speeds and colder temps but it is backordered (going to be replaced under warranty).
- My transmission is also jerky in the 1st,2nd gear and I have not done the software update due to being tuned. I'm sure I can tune the car back to stock and get them to update it.


I have not ran into the following:

- whining rear differential
- driveshaft vibration
- leaking shocks

W205C43PFL

Mines a 2017, purchased new. Had my rear differential replaced 4 times before it was finally fixed. So 5 (all from dealership, all Remans, plus the original one that came with the car) differential in the car total.

Driveshaft vibration is a pulsating one above 80 kph.

Leaking shocks not common for facelifts in general so not surprised you don't have it, it was a small bad batch.

Edit: My new car warranty expired back a few years ago so I am not actively looking for issues now . Especially ones like rattles but mechanical issues I will address right away.

Prodbyjr

Well damn I hope the differential issue was fixed with the facelift. Where do you feel the driveshaft vibration? In the steering wheel or does the whole car vibrate?

Prodbyjr

Also is this the cam adjuster start-up rattle M276 you were referring to?

W205C43PFL

Sorry for the delay, I don't frequent the forums nowadays. To answer your question, my experience is pretty much identical with how some forum members experienced in these threads, for me it does vibrate the whole steering wheel, it is pulsing, like going on freshly paved roads and suddenly on milled roads. Rinse and Repeat.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...-thoughts.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ispreloading=1
https://mbworld.org/forums/c450-c43-...ispreloading=1
To answer your question, the whining is also present on facelift, not all vehicles have it but a huge amount does. Same goes with the driveshaft vibration. It is not really broken per say but misbalanced from the factory.
The whining rear differential I experienced on several facelift during test drives myself. I have a friend that has a facelift which does not have the whining though. So luck of the draw...

W205C43PFL

nope and sorry in advance: unless I am not hearing what you are talking about?

Prodbyjr

No worries I appreciate the response. I don't feel any vibration in my steering wheel really unless its a rough road. I don't hear any whining as well but it would be hard to diagnose anyways as my cabin is very noise to begin with. As for the ticking I hear in my engine bay it is very quiet but you can definitely hear it with the hood opened. My friend recently bought a c43 and he was concerned about the noise. That is what brought it to my attention but I guess it is nothing to worry about.

W205C43PFL

If you mean noisy injectors ticking, that is normal, just the nature of the beast. They are high pressure after all.

Flypenfly

Looking at these again, a cpo version.

does anyone know how much it costs to upgrade the cpo for an additional 2 years?

Flypenfly

nvmd