Should I consider the E43 AMG a real AMG?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Northern NJ
2015 E550 Coupe
i'm cross shopping leasing the Macan GTS, GLC43, E400 and E43. The car will be a daily driver for my wife and used to pick up boys from school and baseball practice.
My heart tells me GTS, but lack space, price and not familiar with Porsche reliability makes me think twice. I will have to rent a Macan S for a few days to give it a solid look.
The GLC43 has mixed reviews.. exhaust drone and suspension are not up getting high praise. For now, it provides the best bang for the buck and built on the W213 chassis not the C205.
The E400 wagon is the sleeper of the bunch.. and with a OE ECU tune.. it would be plenty of power.
The E43 sedan was my least favorite by a long shot.. but now MBFS has good lease package and makes a E43 appealing due to its nice interior, space and vanilla exterior. Its a daily driver afterall and I will still have my Coupe to provide sporty driving experience and plenty of power.
To me the issue with the AMG lites is that power output is not above the competition and in some case below lesser brands.
Kia GT, Genesis G80, Infi Q50, Lincoln, Ford, Lexus (new 3.5v6TT on LS) will have more power than C43, GLC43 and other AMG lite name plates. The E43 is just barely keeping up with cars costing $25k less.
In the days of C32 (my first AMG).. the power output compared to the competition was setting the bar and left pedestrian cars in the dust.
All the AMG lites should be packing at least 414 to 444 as the M3's.. to be even considered an AMG.
But packaging, lease deals and a simple piggy back or ECU might get me into a E43 for 30mos... hopefully E50 will be there to start the shopping all over.
My heart tells me GTS, but lack space, price and not familiar with Porsche reliability makes me think twice. I will have to rent a Macan S for a few days to give it a solid look.
The GLC43 has mixed reviews.. exhaust drone and suspension are not up getting high praise. For now, it provides the best bang for the buck and built on the W213 chassis not the C205.
The E400 wagon is the sleeper of the bunch.. and with a OE ECU tune.. it would be plenty of power.
The E43 sedan was my least favorite by a long shot.. but now MBFS has good lease package and makes a E43 appealing due to its nice interior, space and vanilla exterior. Its a daily driver afterall and I will still have my Coupe to provide sporty driving experience and plenty of power.
To me the issue with the AMG lites is that power output is not above the competition and in some case below lesser brands.
Kia GT, Genesis G80, Infi Q50, Lincoln, Ford, Lexus (new 3.5v6TT on LS) will have more power than C43, GLC43 and other AMG lite name plates. The E43 is just barely keeping up with cars costing $25k less.
In the days of C32 (my first AMG).. the power output compared to the competition was setting the bar and left pedestrian cars in the dust.
All the AMG lites should be packing at least 414 to 444 as the M3's.. to be even considered an AMG.
But packaging, lease deals and a simple piggy back or ECU might get me into a E43 for 30mos... hopefully E50 will be there to start the shopping all over.
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From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
When I bought my 14' E63s I didn't have my GT3 yet, so I was looking for a car that could do double duty as a luxury sedan but with the speed to satisfy my urge to go fast. Performance wise it is awesome, gobs of power, but the styling is just plain, the interior is boring and the infotainment is just horrible. My experience with the car is definitely mixed, and the depreciation is ridiculous(all AMG vehicles). Fast forward to now and I have my 16' GT3 to satisfy my speed/sport side and I just need a luxury car with a little oomph but want a nice interior with gadgets/ infotainment. This is where the E43 comes into play for me, I think it will fit the bill just fine and will be test driving this week since my salesman already ran some numbers for me. No, I don't think this is an actual AMG car, but it offers better styling and nicer interior than the other E versions and it will be plenty peppy for me since it is close to the same power as my 11' w212 E550 which was fine. The new w213 E63s is an awesome car and if I didn't have my GT3 I would be all over that car, but I just don't need all that anymore, and lets be honest, all the HP/TQ in a 4600lbs car doesn't really do much except make it go fast in a straight line.
Last edited by RobbieRob; Feb 5, 2017 at 04:20 PM.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
2018 GLC63
Actually, (for the W213) both the E300 and E400 wagon have better interior choices as both the E43 and E63s. The E63s gets carbon fiber trim, not available on any of the other three models, but the E300 and E400 wagon both get the two designo nappa leather choices (Black/Titanium Grey Pearl, and Macchiato Beige/Saddle Brown), which are not available on either the E43 or E63s 
...which really ticks me off.
...which really ticks me off.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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2017 Q7, 2016 Outback
I figure no one would get a E43 for it being an "AMG".
The 550i does blow it out of the park for performance (theoretically) but the interior of the new G30 is a shocking step down from the old F10. The Sensatec dash seems out of place with the Mocha interior, and the cheap plastic black trim on the dash and near the shifter just killed it for me. Of course this was from a 540i and I expect the 550i to be about the same. Steering feel is fixed and it does not feel as floaty but then the cabin is the place where I spend the most time.
A6 is due for a refresh, and the Q50 Red Sport was just so bad I would consider an RLX over it.
So that leaves the E class, and the base E300 is a no-go. Next up is the E43, due to the lack of the E550.
The 550i does blow it out of the park for performance (theoretically) but the interior of the new G30 is a shocking step down from the old F10. The Sensatec dash seems out of place with the Mocha interior, and the cheap plastic black trim on the dash and near the shifter just killed it for me. Of course this was from a 540i and I expect the 550i to be about the same. Steering feel is fixed and it does not feel as floaty but then the cabin is the place where I spend the most time.
A6 is due for a refresh, and the Q50 Red Sport was just so bad I would consider an RLX over it.
So that leaves the E class, and the base E300 is a no-go. Next up is the E43, due to the lack of the E550.
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From: PA
18'Porsche GT3, 16' Ram 3500 mega diesel,30' Model A Ratrod, 17' E43
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19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
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FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
The AMG logo is now plastered all over the place, even in rental cars. Here you go:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ar-rental.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ar-rental.html
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
Exactly. That's why non-AMG cars come with AMG wheels from the factory, since the 90s. Mercedes saw an opportunity in the enthusiast/aftermarket community where owners modify their non-AMG cars with OEM AMG parts. This is pretty much what Mercedes is offering with the 43 models and including a legit AMG enhanced engine. They're giving the people what they asked for, haha.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO1jZ7Ea0QA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO1jZ7Ea0QA
2016 e400 4-matic is not far behind with 7sp, older chassis.
speed is not everything, but its a large part of the AMG brand. M is for handling and RS for traction.
again, i will look at this car for my wife but only really will consider atleast 10% off msrp.
There are too mang options pitted against the e43 that all deserve solid looks
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13.1 @ 107 is not quite enough for luxury sport sedan with 80k tag.
2016 e400 4-matic is not far behind with 7sp, older chassis.
speed is not everything, but its a large part of the AMG brand. M is for handling and RS for traction.
again, i will look at this car for my wife but only really will consider atleast 10% off msrp.
There are too mang options pitted against the e43 that all deserve solid looks
2016 e400 4-matic is not far behind with 7sp, older chassis.
speed is not everything, but its a large part of the AMG brand. M is for handling and RS for traction.
again, i will look at this car for my wife but only really will consider atleast 10% off msrp.
There are too mang options pitted against the e43 that all deserve solid looks
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 394
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From: Bainbridge Island WA
?
I mean car, that MB makes can be an AMG. For the most part AMG means nothing anymore.
How "special" is a car that sits on a lot for over a year because nobody will buy it? Try to get a 911r-rs, or a 918.
4 heavens sake MB sells more AMG branded cars than Tesla.
How "special" is a car that sits on a lot for over a year because nobody will buy it? Try to get a 911r-rs, or a 918.
4 heavens sake MB sells more AMG branded cars than Tesla.
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19 E63s, ‘24SQ8, wanting another gas guzzling V8
Very true. Keep posting your pictures, aaa, uh, I mean remarks.
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2018 GLC63
They just released a list of new 50th anniversary edition models:
"The 50 Years of Driving Performance anniversary is being used by Mercedes-AMG as the ideal occasion on which to add the new Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50 as a further exclusive choice in the offering from the AMG GT family. Furthermore, Mercedes-AMG is offering the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition plus Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé and Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet Night Edition special models to provide even more variety for customers seeking that special something. All Editions combine extended ranges of equipment with special design features, thus making their own individual mark."
Private Lounge post: http://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatel...onsPAD_0221_en
"The 50 Years of Driving Performance anniversary is being used by Mercedes-AMG as the ideal occasion on which to add the new Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50 as a further exclusive choice in the offering from the AMG GT family. Furthermore, Mercedes-AMG is offering the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Cabriolet Ocean Blue Edition plus Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Coupé and Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC Cabriolet Night Edition special models to provide even more variety for customers seeking that special something. All Editions combine extended ranges of equipment with special design features, thus making their own individual mark."
Private Lounge post: http://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatel...onsPAD_0221_en
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Toronto
2022 E53 AMG
My sense is the E43 is not worth buying for several reasons:
1) It is underpowered and underperforming relative to its direct competitors the BMW M550i and Audi S6
2) Mercedes are saying they will have an E50 Coupe which I think means they will also have a E50 sedan to replace the E43 (my guess is in one model year they will switch to E50).
3) Having read some reviews I get the impression it is pretty tame (something I would not say of the competing cars named above).
BTW if you wait a year you may get a used E63 for the price of a fully loaded new E43.
1) It is underpowered and underperforming relative to its direct competitors the BMW M550i and Audi S6
2) Mercedes are saying they will have an E50 Coupe which I think means they will also have a E50 sedan to replace the E43 (my guess is in one model year they will switch to E50).
3) Having read some reviews I get the impression it is pretty tame (something I would not say of the competing cars named above).
BTW if you wait a year you may get a used E63 for the price of a fully loaded new E43.
I don't agree that the new 43 AMG lines are "fake" just because the engine is not built by hand. The 450/43 Models have more AMG parts on them than just an engine tune. The AMG v6 engines also have Nano Bonding in the cylinders which means they are more than just a tune from say the C400 or E400 models. They also have bigger turbos installed to help with the boost of power and torque (one the E43).
Mercedes will still build the one man, one engine for all full AMG's but they are just lining up with BMW and Audi when it comes to them matching the M lines and S Lines.
Matching v8 to v8, the E63 and E63s will kill both the M550i or the Audi A6 or S6.
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First thought is to note is that both the BMW and the Audi are both v8 engines. BMW M550i = 456hp and Audi A6 = 450hp where as the new E43 has the twin-turbo v6 modified by AMG to create 403hp.
I don't agree that the new 43 AMG lines are "fake" just because the engine is not built by hand. The 450/43 Models have more AMG parts on them than just an engine tune. The AMG v6 engines also have Nano Bonding in the cylinders which means they are more than just a tune from say the C400 or E400 models. They also have bigger turbos installed to help with the boost of power and torque (one the E43).
Mercedes will still build the one man, one engine for all full AMG's but they are just lining up with BMW and Audi when it comes to them matching the M lines and S Lines.
Matching v8 to v8, the E63 and E63s will kill both the M550i or the Audi A6 or S6.
I don't agree that the new 43 AMG lines are "fake" just because the engine is not built by hand. The 450/43 Models have more AMG parts on them than just an engine tune. The AMG v6 engines also have Nano Bonding in the cylinders which means they are more than just a tune from say the C400 or E400 models. They also have bigger turbos installed to help with the boost of power and torque (one the E43).
Mercedes will still build the one man, one engine for all full AMG's but they are just lining up with BMW and Audi when it comes to them matching the M lines and S Lines.
Matching v8 to v8, the E63 and E63s will kill both the M550i or the Audi A6 or S6.
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CLS63s
In my view, its all about the AMG badge.
If the 43's had been labelled sport or tuned by AMG under the Mercedes-AMG brand, I think many of us would of been fine with this sport line up. Its the fact they blended the 43's with the real blooded 45-63-65 OMOE products that killed what AMG performance branding was all about.
On a marketing sales angle, a 43 sport model owner would of been left yearning for a real blooded AMG. Now that the 43 owner has had his real AMG brand fix, he will probably move on to another brand. Besides, the C43 he's owned looks just like the E63, so not much of a change.
We all know if we see a Mustang Shelby at the light, we expect it to be the elite killer Mustang. If Ford was to badge every Mustang as a Shelby, from a 4 cylinder to the mega V8, where would the distinction be for the King of the Road monster model?
I don't believe its an issue about the product, its about the perception.
I'm sure the guy with a 43 feels he got a heck of a deal on a performance car image. Its the guy who spent $100k on an E63s that feels he got screwed big time as his car looks and is badged like the sport model.
If the 43's had been labelled sport or tuned by AMG under the Mercedes-AMG brand, I think many of us would of been fine with this sport line up. Its the fact they blended the 43's with the real blooded 45-63-65 OMOE products that killed what AMG performance branding was all about.
On a marketing sales angle, a 43 sport model owner would of been left yearning for a real blooded AMG. Now that the 43 owner has had his real AMG brand fix, he will probably move on to another brand. Besides, the C43 he's owned looks just like the E63, so not much of a change.
We all know if we see a Mustang Shelby at the light, we expect it to be the elite killer Mustang. If Ford was to badge every Mustang as a Shelby, from a 4 cylinder to the mega V8, where would the distinction be for the King of the Road monster model?
I don't believe its an issue about the product, its about the perception.
I'm sure the guy with a 43 feels he got a heck of a deal on a performance car image. Its the guy who spent $100k on an E63s that feels he got screwed big time as his car looks and is badged like the sport model.
Last edited by PT63s; Feb 24, 2017 at 10:51 PM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 220
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From: Illinois
C63 Edition-507
Hello PT63s,
Very well stated, eloquently articulated.
Drive safe-PORSCHE Lover
amgfan1
Very well stated, eloquently articulated.
Drive safe-PORSCHE Lover
amgfan1
In my view, its all about the AMG badge.
If the 43's had been labelled sport or tuned by AMG under the Mercedes-AMG brand, I think many of us would of been fine with this sport line up. Its the fact they blended the 43's with the real blooded 45-63-65 OMOE products that killed what AMG performance branding was all about.
On a marketing sales angle, a 43 sport model owner would of been left yearning for a real blooded AMG. Now that the 43 owner has had his real AMG brand fix, he will probably move on to another brand. Besides, the C43 he's owned looks just like the E63, so not much of a change.
We all know if we see a Mustang Shelby at the light, we expect it to be the elite killer Mustang. If Ford was to badge every Mustang as a Shelby, from a 4 cylinder to the mega V8, where would the distinction be for the King of the Road monster model?
I don't believe its an issue about the product, its about the perception.
I'm sure the guy with a 43 feels he got a heck of a deal on a performance car image. Its the guy who spent $100k on an E63s that feels he got screwed big time as his car looks and is badged like the sport model.
If the 43's had been labelled sport or tuned by AMG under the Mercedes-AMG brand, I think many of us would of been fine with this sport line up. Its the fact they blended the 43's with the real blooded 45-63-65 OMOE products that killed what AMG performance branding was all about.
On a marketing sales angle, a 43 sport model owner would of been left yearning for a real blooded AMG. Now that the 43 owner has had his real AMG brand fix, he will probably move on to another brand. Besides, the C43 he's owned looks just like the E63, so not much of a change.
We all know if we see a Mustang Shelby at the light, we expect it to be the elite killer Mustang. If Ford was to badge every Mustang as a Shelby, from a 4 cylinder to the mega V8, where would the distinction be for the King of the Road monster model?
I don't believe its an issue about the product, its about the perception.
I'm sure the guy with a 43 feels he got a heck of a deal on a performance car image. Its the guy who spent $100k on an E63s that feels he got screwed big time as his car looks and is badged like the sport model.
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Florida
Lexus GS F
I don't consider the E43 a "real" AMG.....
The "AMG" is not the reason I am interested in the car.....
I am just looking for a nice car, with some decent power.....
400hp for me is fine.....
I will actually be driving a C63 also.....
So I will have some comparing to do.....
The E series has a terrific interior, and lots of high tech stuff....and I would think a pretty nice 6 cylinder engine.....
I just don't want the 4 cylinder engine, in such a nice car...
And I don't want to spend the kind of $$$ the E63 will be....Although I would love to have it..... just can't spend over 100G on a car at this point....
So we shall see......
Shelly
The "AMG" is not the reason I am interested in the car.....
I am just looking for a nice car, with some decent power.....
400hp for me is fine.....
I will actually be driving a C63 also.....
So I will have some comparing to do.....
The E series has a terrific interior, and lots of high tech stuff....and I would think a pretty nice 6 cylinder engine.....
I just don't want the 4 cylinder engine, in such a nice car...
And I don't want to spend the kind of $$$ the E63 will be....Although I would love to have it..... just can't spend over 100G on a car at this point....
So we shall see......
Shelly
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E63 AMG, E60 M5
His point is for sales and to make an "amg" more available to everyone, they have diluted the brand/image/sport version of whatever an AMG used to be by offering everything they make in an "amg" version and now an "amg light" version. Not as special as it used to be
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E63 AMG, E60 M5
You should cross shop the F80 m3 if you're looking for performance in a sedan at that price. . . I don't really think you'll get more in any sedan at that budget. I'm currently driving one as my DD, through the winter and all in NY with snow tires. It's a great car - I did ED and got a full 10% off MSRP at the time. . . Without European Delivery 10% off is very, very steep in my opinion without some serious inside connections for any of the higher end lower production models. 63K for a well loaded F80 after discount, and it is a blast to drive. You can lease one in the $900 per month range too if you prefer that route, BMW lease rates are way better than MB due to residuals.
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2015 BMW F80 M3 Sakhir Orange
Have you actually spent time in one? It doesn't sound like a v8, or a v6 for that matter (because it isn't one) but it definitely doesn't sound horrid. I get compliments all the time and people ask me if I have an aftermarket exhaust at gas stations etc. I don't.
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CLS63 AMG
I like the m5, I think it's got a nice v8 sound. I guess I'm just more used to v8s sound.
