Hi.

I've been lurking around the forums for a few years now and since C class is now becoming more affordable, I'm on the market for an AMG.
I've been looking at C63(S) wagon model from 2015-2017 and C43 model with 390 ponies, so facelift. Before you ban me. I know C43 isn't hand built by one engineer.
I know that 63 is only RWD option while C43 is AWD, but I would like to get some owners feedback on both models before I get one.

My "main concern" is regarding navigation unit. On pre facelift models it looks like navigation came from 2005, but I haven't had the change to see it in person yet. Second one is RWD on C63. We have 5 months of real winter and how does 467 ponies handle snow?
Is there anything particular I should be careful about on each model (ie recalls or any expensive replacements that should have been made by previous owners etc..). Should I just get '15-'17 C63S or 2019 C43 with digital tahos and "new" navigation unit? At the end of the day, they cost about the same. I guess it comes down to sound and running costs or is there something more to it?

 

Welcome to MBWorld. Most of us here obviously have a C63, so you might also wanna post in the C43 forum. There are some that had a C43 before or currently have both, so I'm sure they'll chime in. I've only briefly driven a C43 on the track at the AMG Driving Academy. Most obviously the C43 and the C63 are two very different animals, so largely this comes down to what you are looking for. The C63 wagon and sedan are easier to find winter tires for. The coupe has practically zero winter options. Obviously all that power going to the rear wheels means sliding around on the slippery parts if you are not easy on the throttle. The FL C63/S has a slippery mode now, which the PFL doesn't have, but the PFL starts off in second gear in Comfort mode, whereas the FL always starts in first gear. I live in a very dry climate with only about 60 wet days per year on average, and haven't had a need for the slippery mode, but I only face rain, no snow and I can drive on summer performance tires all year long.

As for the cabin tech, the fairly outdated system in the PFL is what partly made me pass on the 2018 C63 and I ended up with a 2019. While I have the car mostly to drive, the upgraded technology is nice. The nav system works very well, and it has Apple CarPlay/Android Auto standard. The FL also has many other improvements such as revised suspension that rides more comfortable, but also is more dynamic in S+, better chassis dynamics, much better traction control in the C63S (9-stage from the GT R), 9-speed much more responsive and better transmission, and nice interior upgrades such as the AMG Drive Unit which allows all the drive mode adjustments directly from the steering wheel. I love the digital instrument cluster and the configurability it has, and the upgraded Infotainment system with widescreen is just much better, faster and easier to use, but some of this is personal preference. There are several PFL vs FL discussion threads around here that at times got heated, so do some searching.

Mechanically, these cars are fairly rock solid. The engine is pretty much bullet proofed. It's the least troublesome performance car I've owned so far. There is always the occasional lemon or problem child, but for the most part these things just run and are a ton of fun to drive. They do require maintenance, though. Don't expect tires and brakes to last very long. The C43 is more every day friendly I suppose, although, there are lots of complaints about the suspension and transmission not being as well sorted as in the C63, and there's the infamous crabbing issue. I daily my C63S coupe, although since the pandemic I do a lot less driving and now mainly drive it on weekends, but it's an awesome grand tourer. They really improved the suspension in the FL. It's one of the highlights. Although, the coupe always rode better than the wagon and sedan and also has better traction due to the wider track, fatter tires and unique rear axle and specific suspension tuning to make it more of a grand tourer in the classic sense of a 2+2 GT.

 

I have had my c43 coupe for approximately 3 years and could not be happier. I test drove the c43 and c63s and picked the c43 due to the traction and AWD. Opinions differ and the cars are very different (but similar in some ways). I have had high horsepower non-AWD modified cars for years and the limiting issue on the street was always traction. However, I believe you cannot go wrong with either one car (the c63 is a beast). That said, the c43 will have traction in all weather conditions, whereas the c63s can lack traction in stock form and dry conditions (depending upon the drive mode and traction control setting). Mine has been tuned for almost all its life, and moderately modified for over two years without issue.

 

If you select the C63s and have 5 months of winter weather you will need Winter tires. I live in NYC area and have had no problems with winter conditions but have not driven in a major winter storm.
I suggest you get Winter tires in early Fall (if available)otherwise they can become unavailable or on backorder if you wait too long.
Some MB Dealership have a Tire Storage program where they will install and balance your Winter tires and then store your Summer tires until the swap happens again in the Spring.
I have my done at an Indy Tire shop but it a hassle.

 

I own a pfl c43 and fl c63s and can say both are quite different cars. Definitely get the fl if you want the newer tech, although its not as good as some other manufacturers tech but its still a major upgrade over the pfl. Have never used the navigation on both models since using my phones navi is alot more convenient. I can say the newer system on the fl is smoother to use than the old.
43 with PE sounds quite nice aswell (still can't compare to a 63's rumble though) and for me atleast the car doesn't feel like it has the amount of power and torque it has. Feels very tame even on WOT for me. 63 is alot better but still not what I would expect from 510hp and 700nm torque but I have read its due to the new 9 speed tranny and software related compared to pfl 63.
Service costs both are quite similar with the 43 only being slightly cheaper. Only thing I have had issues with is misfire on the 63 as many other members have also had and it effects both pfl and fl models.
Can't comment on traction/winter conditions as we don't get snow here, though my thoughts on that is even 4wd/low powered cars can lose traction/control in winter conditions if you can't manage the throttle and have proper tires.

 

agreed, dont move away from the c63s just because you have 5 months of winter. im in toronto and have been daily driving my c63s for 4 years now in all kinds of weather. just need a good set of winter tires and you are good to go except for the odd day or two when snow gets real intense.

 

I’m in NY and have all season tires on my PFL C63s and drive all year long. Been doing so for almost 4 years. I just don’t drive on days there are a lot of snow because even with winter tires probably not a good idea to drive this car in heavy snow.
As far as tech, I personally don’t use or need the tech I.e nav, park assist, etc. The difference between PFL and FL is not that much different after you have the car a while. What really matters is engine and sound on a daily basis. Go c63 if you can.

 

I also live in NYC and I switch to snow and ice tires around November, I had no problem this winter getting around. The only time the 63 struggles is from a stop on an uphill slope, but what can one really ask for. Put a few bricks/bags of sand/whatever in the trunk for extra weight and I'm sure it would be better. I run Bridgestone viking contact 7 winter and ps4s summer.

 

This is why I can't decide. I have done lots of reading in past week on C43 and C63. The only benefit of C43 for me right now is AWD and lower running costs. And that I might get FL model with digital cockpit for the price of PFL c63 . Everything else is in favor of C63. I'm only afraid of how power delivery is in not ideal conditions. I'm assuming tires must be top of the line.
Since, this is the last V8 in C series, I'll probably end up with V8. Buy once. Cry once. Models in my budget range are up to 2017. Which means 7 speed shifter and ****ty navigation unit. Is there anything I have to be really careful of when buying one?

 

As for C63s quality snow tires. MB Dealership installed Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 for my 2019 C63s coupe.
This is the 3rd year with these same tires and feel stable and very safe in winter conditions. Have not driven in a major snow storm.
Initially ( believe early October 2019) I called Tire Rack and another Indy tire shop and they said ( Pirelli Winter Sottozero 2 or 3 were not available or were on backorder. Then I called the Dealership and was fortunate that were in stock and purchased them that day over the phone. The Dealership stored them for me till I had them installed in late November 2019.
Cons: having to bag each tire, take them out of storage, stuff all 4 into the car and wait at Indy Tire shop to do the swap. Then take out of the car and back into storage. The first 2 years I added the extra step of having the tires washed and dried at a Hand car wash before being stored. This is done 2x a year, a pain for sure.
Some MB Dealership have a Program that will install, balance and store your tires for the seasons. It's $300 for this Service each time. Initially I wish I did this as the 4 tires never have to get stuffed into the car again plus it free up my storage space at home.
This year I paid about $130 for the swap at an Indy Tire shop.

 

Quick update on the topic. After much debate, pros, cons and all the in between, I went ahead and pulled the trigger on E43. It was the "rational" decision. C63(S) had V8 and 510 ponnies, everything else was in favour of E43 wagon (air suspension, 4matic, 9g, digital cockpit,...). Since we have aprox 5 months of winter and my better half will also drive the car, C63S was a bit of a gamble in the winter time.

Thank you all who chipped in.