Trading C43 for an E53?

Has anyone traded or contemplating trading their C43 for an E53?

Our 2017 C43 lease is coming due this year and we are wondering what our next car should be.

The E53 is enticing us....

Thoughts, impressions, suggestions....?

 

I’ve never owned an actual c43 nor e53, but the e class is going to be a lot more refined. There have been a few threads discussing the c compared to the e, just maybe not c43 to e53 specifically. But like most have said, you will probably be much happier with the E if you want comfort and performance. I have driven both very briefly and of course the e is just a more “grown up” car. So if you can do it, go for the e, it just has......more. Good luck.

 

I went from a C43 to an E53 and am very happy. The E53 is bit more mature and much nicer inside. It is a clear step up from the C43. The C is quicker, shifts way faster and is louder (both had the sport exhaust option) but I believe the E handles better. It corners flatter and the steering is more direct.

If you would like to hear more of the exhaust on the E, skip the acoustic glass option. I selected that option and it seems to have neutered the exhaust note a bit.

I think it's a great step up.

 

E53 is a lot more car. I never liked the 43s and the 63s are too hard core for me, but the 53s hit my sweet spot. Going from a C to E class is also a step up in size and refinement.
I went for a trciked out E53 Cabrio but w/o adding the leaky muffler to make it splurt and sputter. A lot of poeple want the exhaust noise add-in though. I am happy with the thumming.
The hybrid technology is fun and I suspect is the wave of the future for their most powerful cars.

 

I went from a 2014 SL550 to my E53 just a couple of months ago. The SL was fun at times but the ride was too harsh for me and Wasn’t really enjoying it as a daily driver. Also the technology was pretty outdated (and amazingly still is on the new SL, which I looked at briefly). The E53 hit my sweet spot balance also for sport and luxury. The E450 needed a little more oomph, the E63 ride was stiffer than what I wanted and the S was too big So far, the 53 has been a kick to drive and I find myself looking for reasons to take her out for a spin ! Really enjoying the cockpit too ! Good luck in your hunt !

 

I went from a 2019 SL550 to the 2020 E53. The Sl550 was nice but the interior was dated. Liked the V8
but wow that car was thirsty even though I drove it very easy. Had only 2400 miles on it. The E53 is a
great car, smooth quiet and very luxurious inside. Mileage is much much better than the Sl500 V8.
I have a convertible. Ride is a tad harsher than the SL550 is my only complaint.

 

My wife has a 2017 C43 and I have a 2019 E63s. While I do not have, nor have I ridden in a E53, the following comparison may be helpful. I love the C43-the driving position is much more sport-car-like than in the E and the fact that the car is significantly lighter than an E-class makes it more nimble, more chuckable. The C43 is quick but not super fast. It clearly has a more sports-car like feel than the E63s. I love the C43 but the steering is just a bit too light and it has a harsh ride (as does the E63)--when you hit bumps there is a sharp edge to the way the suspension transmits the impact through the car--similar to the E63s but not as bad as the E63s. The E63s has way more power and torque and will absolutely walk away from a C43 in any situation-from a full stop to rolling on a highway from any speed. The C43 doesn't have LC which it should--the E63s does.The E63s is a much more luxury oriented vehicle with amazing handling for a 4,500lb 4-door car. I find the C43s infotainment system much more user friendly--the E63s menu screen options are infuriating. The Burmeister sound system in the C43 is very good but the E63s upgraded Burmeister system is spectacular.

As noted above the E63s suspension is very harsh (harsher than the C43) and does not like pot-holes or any pavement imperfection at all. Now that said, in Nov I fit the car with the Mercedes winter tire package which consists of 19 inch wheels with 295x35R and 265x40F Michelin Alpin 4As--this tire setup has transformed the car into a proper luxury ride type vehicle and has given up little in the way of day-to-day on-road performance--I am sure the difference on a track or in the canyons/twisty back roads will be quite noticeable compared to the stock Michelin PS4s on the 20 inch cross forged rims. I mention the winter tire package setup because my guess is that with this wheel tire setup the E63s rides much more like the stock E53 but the E63s with this tire/wheel setup will still be a much better handling car--. the E53 and the C43 have similar 0-60 times but the C43 from what I have read is quicker to react and is likely more fun on back twisty type roads due to the significant weight difference. For long highway slogs I am sure the E53 is much more comfortable than the C43 and the rear seats and cargo capacity of the E53 beat the C43 hands down.

As for my final note--I think the C43 and E63 and E53 are all great cars--just different animals but all spectacular.

 

Great comments above! Thank you for taking the time to share first hand thoughts!
The main reason we are considering the E53 for my wife is the added size and comfort it offers, while still offering the safety of 4 matic grip for our Canadian winter driving. But at the same time also offering a sporty spirit to the drive when I get behind the wheel. The C43 has done this perfectly fine, albeit just a bit cramped driving with 4 adults onboard.
I daily a '19 F150 Platinum and for true sport driving pleasures I grab the GT3 Touring keys.

 

Given your articulated needs I think that the E53 is a great choice. I am assuming you are considering the 4-door sedan and not the 2-door coupe but the E53 coupe is stunning. I think the c43 coupe is beautiful (my wife's car) but the E53 coupe is even nicer--one of the nicest looking cars on the road--definitely nicer looking than the 4 door.

 

Would anyone have first hand knowledge as to whether the winter wheels from a C43 would fit the E53?

 

Winter wheels from an e43 will fit a e53 (were recommended by Mercedes last year) but I’m pretty sure the c43 uses smaller wheels that will be a problem

 

Edit - deleted

 

The E53s have lots and lots of issues. If you buy one keep it stock...

 

I second this, the electrical gremlins that have popped up just on this forum are a little alarming.