GLC 43 Coupe vs. Porsche Macan vs. BMW X4M40i
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GLC 43 Coupe vs. Porsche Macan vs. BMW X4M40i
Hey all--
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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Hey all--
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
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Reliability wise macan will probably win (although I personally dislike the Macan, my personal nitpicks and being very petty), the MB will have a lot of tech especially if you have it close to fully loaded, more tech and in this case will mean it is the least reliable of the three, the bmw will sound better because of the inline-6, the 3D Burmester (the base stereo however, the bmw might be better) in mb might sound better though than the Harmon Kardon in the bmw.
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I see, then I will avoid the MB altogether, I kept hearing about reported problems with the X254 C 43 and some on the X254 GLC 43, I would wait until facelift before getting the MB, this is despite me being an MB fan, I can't recommend it.
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OP, your main concern is reliability right? Reliability wise you shouldn't buy the X254 GLC 43, however if your main focus is technology, the X254 GLC 43 have the most technology, second place is the bmw and the last place is the macan.
The main concern with the X254 GLC 43 is the not reliable enough e-turbo, and a bunch of other powertrain technology that still requires fine tuning. The main issue I seen reported are very random check engine lights, that are caused by mainly software but occasionally hardware as well. For example casting material remaining on the pistons causing issues. Software issues is mainly MBUX and all sorts of glitches.
The M139 engine is relatively reliable if without all the technology, such as the system used in the A-Class and CLA.
The main concern with the X254 GLC 43 is the not reliable enough e-turbo, and a bunch of other powertrain technology that still requires fine tuning. The main issue I seen reported are very random check engine lights, that are caused by mainly software but occasionally hardware as well. For example casting material remaining on the pistons causing issues. Software issues is mainly MBUX and all sorts of glitches.
The M139 engine is relatively reliable if without all the technology, such as the system used in the A-Class and CLA.
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Driving experience wise, I think you will prefer the inline-6 in the bmw and especially if doing lots of city driving, the jerky transmission in the form of the MCT in the X254 GLC 43 will be annoying, it was way worse a year or two ago but many software updates improved it but it is still noticeablly more jerky than the ZF in the bmw and the DCT in the macan.
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Driving experience wise, I think you will prefer the inline-6 in the bmw and especially if doing lots of city driving, the jerky transmission in the form of the MCT in the X254 GLC 43 will be annoying, it was way worse a year or two ago but many software updates improved it but it is still noticeablly more jerky than the ZF in the bmw and the DCT in the macan.
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MBWorld God!
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MBWorld God!
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Think the main way to solve it is through lots of software improvements, that is the main issue I seen on these cars. It will take probably until facelift time for most of them to be resolved, I am hoping at least important ones especially safety and performance ones to reach you shortly.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Hey all--
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
New here. I'm cross shopping these three cars. I need to find one that fits in my garage with 93" doors (so the BMW X6 is out). I'm attracted to the gorgeous interior of the GLC 43; the Macan and X4 have very dated interiors.
Any input as to this? Do people like their cars? Reliability?
Thanks!
No MB 4-banger is ownable or leasable because the engine is a grenade waiting to detonate. Transmissions are clunky and no good - read this site extensively. Good interior space. Nice aesthetics. Terrible dealers and dealer experience. AMG suspension gets criticized for harshness.
Macan base with EA888 2.0 4-banger is an anemically slow dog with a tiny rear seating area. Macan S with EA839 3.0TV6 is peppy, not fast, with a tiny rear seating area. Both engines are generally reliable. Macan air suspension is by far the best suspension in this segment. Water pumps last 50k miles or less. You couldn't give me a PDK - I don’t like how they drive and they are appallingly expensive to repair out of warranty. Good dealer experience. Trustworthy CPO warranty.
X3M40i is a great all rounder. It is the lowest brow model in this comparison. Good engine and transmission. Roomy front and rear seating. Suspension gets criticized for harshness and exhaust for loud droniness. Interior nice but not the nicest in the segment. Good dealer experience.
As mentioned earlier go with the lowest mileage GLC43 with M276 3.0TTV6 from the prior model generation and own it as long as possible.
Last edited by chassis; Mar 5, 2025 at 07:13 AM.
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Macan S is the relevant comparison model.
No MB 4-banger is ownable or leasable because the engine is a grenade waiting to detonate. Transmissions are clunky and no good - read this site extensively. Good interior space. Nice aesthetics. Terrible dealers and dealer experience. AMG suspension gets criticized for harshness.
Macan base with EA888 2.0 4-banger is an anemically slow dog with a tiny rear seating area. Macan S with EA839 3.0TV6 is peppy, not fast, with a tiny rear seating area. Both engines are generally reliable. Macan air suspension is by far the best suspension in this segment. Water pumps last 50k miles or less. You couldn't give me a PDK - I don’t like how they drive and they are appallingly expensive to repair out of warranty. Good dealer experience. Trustworthy CPO warranty.
X3M40i is a great all rounder. It is the lowest brow model in this comparison. Good engine and transmission. Roomy front and rear seating. Suspension gets criticized for harshness and exhaust for loud droniness. Interior nice but not the nicest in the segment. Good dealer experience.
As mentioned earlier go with the lowest mileage GLC43 with M276 3.0TTV6 from the prior model generation and own it as long as possible.
No MB 4-banger is ownable or leasable because the engine is a grenade waiting to detonate. Transmissions are clunky and no good - read this site extensively. Good interior space. Nice aesthetics. Terrible dealers and dealer experience. AMG suspension gets criticized for harshness.
Macan base with EA888 2.0 4-banger is an anemically slow dog with a tiny rear seating area. Macan S with EA839 3.0TV6 is peppy, not fast, with a tiny rear seating area. Both engines are generally reliable. Macan air suspension is by far the best suspension in this segment. Water pumps last 50k miles or less. You couldn't give me a PDK - I don’t like how they drive and they are appallingly expensive to repair out of warranty. Good dealer experience. Trustworthy CPO warranty.
X3M40i is a great all rounder. It is the lowest brow model in this comparison. Good engine and transmission. Roomy front and rear seating. Suspension gets criticized for harshness and exhaust for loud droniness. Interior nice but not the nicest in the segment. Good dealer experience.
As mentioned earlier go with the lowest mileage GLC43 with M276 3.0TTV6 from the prior model generation and own it as long as possible.
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The cayenne also probably have a smoother transmission for daily use unlike the DCT in the Macan but as much as I hate the Macan, the thing I do find great is the DCT, yes it is a "fake" PDK but my experience with it is more enjoyable than even ZF in the bmw.
