Dragula

Nice! Great combination

Dragula

General question:

Out of curiosity, what were the reasons for choosing this C43 as your next car? Most builds I assume will come in around $70K +/- $3K.

I was just doodling and you can build an M3 for around $76K. That's not a huge difference ...

I like the looks of both cars but for me the biggest differentiator is the interior and tech.... so much better than BMW. We have a 2022 X3 and the UI is frustrating. I prefer driving my 2014 CLA

Kinematic

I considered one as well after building it out. The 76k is still the entry level M3, if I was doing that I would go for the Comp as a minimum, realistically the xdrive one - so now we are talking 10-15k over the 43 I built, which I expect to be around 72ish.

That and I still can't get over the front end of the M3. I had a 2019 230i 6spd that I loved and wouldn't be against another bmw, but I really love the interior/overall package of my current '21 cla35 tech wise and expect the 43 to be a step above.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

Knowing I can get it without paying over MSRP was one of the factors. I built M3's and got quotes. They were, at best, 10k over MSRP and my car HAS to be AWD for my vehicle reimbursement plan I have with my company. So, same response to Kine. You're talking nearly 100k for the appropriate car.

A highly optioned car is always more enjoyable day to day then a base model IMO. You always end up regretting not having the nice wheels or the bucket seats or the good sound system, etc.

I'm sure you can snag an M3 for not much more, especially first quarter 2023. I'd wait for the new LCI dash that's already in the 340 LCI.

Everything wrong with the w205 seems to be solved in the w206 - my biggest issue is the understeer. w206 will have better weight distribution, rear axle steering, larger front section tire width and less engine over the front axle. It should seriously be in a different league in terms of dynamics and that's with gaining weight. I'm personally lost where the high regard to v6 motors even came from, although the m276 sounds good (for a v6 turbo) - it's nothing I will miss.

I started my car enthusiasm in the Audi world - and tuned 4 cylinder cars were faster around the track than the v6 supercharged cars simply because of the better dynamics. I don't need my daily to be faster than 4 seconds. It's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

I don't have any issues with the looks of the M3. I also think the new w206 looks amazing - it's probably the best the c class sedan has looked in 2 decades.

Zee$

For me, choosing the C43 was a process of elimination between other AMG’s. I was a huge fan of the C118 CLA45. I think they did a great job redesigning the car and it looks fantastic with the aerodynamics package. The performance numbers on the street exceeded my expectations as well (0-60 < 4 sec). Everything seemed great until I drove it. The car felt tiny, the backseats were not suitable for adults and I felt an overall decline in quality coming from the W205 C class. Sure some of these things are to be expected in an entry level Benz, but I just couldn’t justify paying 70k (incl options) for it.

I also love the facelifted E53, I think they really nailed it all around. My build of choice comes out to ~80k which is about 10k more than I’d like to spend but justifiable. The issue is the current generation E class is going into its 7th year of production. I don’t want to own the car at the end of its cycle for obvious reasons.

BMW’s were never really in the equation for the reasons stated above by other forum members, plus having owned two M cars before. Decent looking, great performing, but there is just something inherently boring about their character when compared to AMG’s. After about six months of ownership of the bimmers, I was ready to move on. Whereas after six years with AMG’s, they’re still amazing to look at, drive, feel and hear. My opinion of course.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

This is not a C43 but someone's modified 206

Dragula

So I contacted my dealer today to get a status on my car. He told me my build date is now January..... This is a shift of 2 months from the original date in November. Anyone else seeing delays as well?

He was able to give me a PO number but no VIN yet

Kinematic

Bummer. I am going to reach out to my rep after labor day as it'll be much closer to the Oct 1 I received last month. Curious if we can figure out the 'decade' everyone is in - I guess that is a 10 day period for builds that they use in factory. I would assume no VIN until its locked / production begins?

momo123

if it is true, I need to wait until March to get the car.

BTW, I changed some options last Friday, but only shift 1 decade. It becomes 10/3D/2022.

wetwillycf

Man I had a nice reply to this but I guess I never posted it... very long story short, I love my A35, have gotten a very nice promotion since I bought it nearly 2 years ago, and I have a 2 year old and a 10 month old. My wife can barely fit in the passenger seat with my son's seat in the back so might as well move up! Didn't really consider much else - I've been obsessed with the RS3, previous- and current-gen, but not only is its back seat not big enough, I won't get one around here without a markup. Plus, I leased my A35, and I'm still in the middle of it, so I'm kind of stuck with an AMG, but that works out as that's what I want.

Dang, that really sucks. I just confirmed my decade got pushed back from 10/11-10/21 to 10/21-10/31, thankfully, not as bad. My guy also told me to expect my VIN to be assigned about 30 or so days from production.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

my decade shifted early october to late october when talking to MBFS about my lease extension last month around this time.

Calling back in today it moved to First in November. Best case scenario is still middle of December - but again, we will likely see more delays in manufacturing, shipping, US cert, etc.

MBFS has all access view to my build and time frame which is a nice loophole lol. She told he 4 - 6 weeks to ship from South Africa after the build is done. Ports I've been following have been in Europe - have no clue what's going on in Africa right now with shipping and ports.

Zee$

Join the club, I’m scheduled for production second week of January. I found this out on the 25th of July and posted accordingly. I should have asked the other forum members to check their build date status as well. I had a feeling some Oct/Nov production dates would be pushed back.

Dmj958

Would I just call MBFS and ask about my build? All i’ve done is give my deposit and got my build date but I don’t think it’s connected to my account yet lol

Kinematic

Maybe I will give my guy a call today to see. I didn't realize these would be built in South Africa, curious how that compares time wise to having shipped from EU. Are all of the W206 built there? Curious how the logistics of building engine in Germany / building in SA works. My current car was financed with MBFS but I no longer have a loan - curious if they would be able to give me updates as well if I plan on using them again?

Eaton

To those wanting the performance seats, they are are now limited in availability (CY means calendar year):

08/16/2022

• C43: AMG Performance Seat packages are limited in availability in CY22, and TBD availability in CY23.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I had a feeling when they were removed from the German configurator. TY.

Sometimes reading into these things actually has some merit.

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't recommend bothering MBFS with those build date questions. I am just extending month by month on my current lease. Not that you couldn't with a PO just don't tell them I sent you

Get in touch with your SA's. Make 'em work for your money

Kinematic

Yeah I wasn't sure if that was something I could work with if I plan on financing some of it again through them ahead of time.

My SA unfortunately seems to see this as an extremely low priority, which I semi don't blame as it's months away and it's not like I am going to go somewhere else at this point.... but still, it's not that hard to quickly send an update... hence looking for other alternative update options. I wonder if there is someone else I can speak with at the dealership who handles orders without having to wait for the SA?

alexasa

iTrader: (1)

If it makes you feel any better. We have a fleet of over 50 vehicles with MB and my SA still reluctantly answers my emails (we buy mostly Sprinters from him but he also sells us our personal cars). There's always a tinge of it being a burden. lol

Kinematic

Quick update on this - have called twice. Still no call back in a week. I will happen to be up by the dealer this Friday so I will just pop in instead to find out any new updates on estimated dates.

Dragula

Why do SAs not care about us :/

Kinematic

I will make sure to ask that very question in person on Friday and let you know

SADDLEE

I have questions for C43 w206.

I have seen many of you spec 19 inch over 20 inch wheel. May I know why you like to have 19 inch ?

Also What is the Optic package??? Is it same as night packages?

What does this mean? Decade Scheduled : 22/11-2 , Prod. date : 11/2D/2022??

Thanks!

SADDLEE

What is your original build date? What does decade say?

Kinematic

I chose the 19" because I simply do not like the way the 20" wheels look, mainly because of the 3 rings. I like to see more of the rotor/caliper from the outside as well.. I currently have the 19" Multispoke wheels which are a pain to clean, so the 19s on the c43 will also be a bit better for me in that aspect. Lastly, I wanted the best mix of ride comfort vs looks, and I think 20s will make it a bit rougher of a ride.

Optic package includes Night Package I along with a few other additions to the way the bumpers/sides look (and a must add in my opinion).

As to the decade, I am not positive but believe a decade is a run of 10 days at the factory, so I would guess that is most likely around the 10th-20th of Nov. estimated build start date.

My last update from my SA was Oct 1, but I will be finding out tomorrow if/what that has updated to and let everyone know here.