2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Premium Plus Estate - The Perfect Car - Review and Test Drive

[@TheCarDiaries]

2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Premium Plus Estate Review Well... Craig is reviewing my own 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 Wagon (as the Americans say...). My views on this car are completely biased, I bought it because it's the best car for my personal situation. My wife uses it to commute in 5 days a week, we live in a village in Scotland so we get real winters with real snow where the 4matic system will be genuinely useful, it has all the space of an SUV with the driving dynamics of a sports saloon, the power of a Ferrari 360 Modena and a noise that sounds almost GTR like via the AMG Performance exhaust system (sadly drowned out by the road/tyre noise due to the exceptionally damp filming conditions...). If you are considering buying one, do it, you will not regret it. Furthermore, speak to the team at Mercedes-Benz Edinburgh (Eastern Western) as the best deal by far out of every dealership in the UK! If you have any questions at all then feel free to ask them in the comments below. Oh, and make sure to follow us on our instagrams because likes = prizes or something... @TheCarDiaries (Thats us, only cars) @CraigHandley5 (The one whom speaks in videos) @MrMattWheeler (The one whom films/edits the videos) @RegSwitch (The guys who have supplied a lot of the other cars on this channel, and sell/buy personalised registration plates) Autocar says - This is the practical, family-friendly estate version of the facelifted Mercedes-AMG C43, which in itself is the sensible, least aggressive version of all the AMG-fettled C-Class models. It sits beneath the unhinged C63 and C63 S in the Affalterbach hierarchy and makes use of a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine as opposed to the thunderous V8 found beneath its big brother’s snout. While that V6 is in essence the same 3.0-litre unit from the pre-facelift car, AMG’s engineers have turned its wick up ever so slightly. Where it previously developed 362bhp, there’s now 385bhp, and while the torque output of 384lb ft hasn’t changed, it’s now deployed to all four wheels from 2500rpm rather than 2000rpm. Elsewhere, the multi-link suspension architecture retains standard adaptive dampers, while newly developed, AMG-exclusive elastokinematics have been implemented with a view to improving the C43’s high camber stability when navigating corners at a fair lick. New visual tweaks include a more minimal front grille design, new, aerodynamically improved 18in and 19in alloy wheels and four delightfully cannon-like exhaust tips. Viewed as a comfortable, versatile family tourer that also happens to be devilishly quick, there’s plenty to like about the revised C43 Estate. However, as the sort of out-and-out driver’s car, the picture it paints isn’t quite as convincing. Let’s have a look at its strengths first, chief among which has to be the quality of its ride. The manner in which its suspension has been calibrated allows for an impressive amount of both pliancy and control, which translates to a nearly waft-like quality when travelling over undulating country roads at speed. It smooths out compressions with a cushioned confidence before exhibiting tight vertical control over the following crests. Compared with the previous C43 Estate, which we criticised for the unsettled manner in which it deals with these rolling road surfaces, it represents a solid improvement. You'd have little cause for the complaint at the prospect of driving one from London to Edinburgh, such is the civil nature of the ride. The engine is a bit of a peach, too. It gives the C43 a turn of pace that would be easily capable of landing you in hot water with the constabulary if you’re not careful, while the AMG Performance exhaust fitted to our test car amplifies its aggressively sonorous bark. At crank speeds above 4000rpm, it sounds deliciously ferocious. The interior, meanwhile, strikes an ideal balance between sporting intent and cultured, sophisticated refinement. The seats are cosseting and plenty supportive, while the brown leather they’re upholstered in (a £795 option) looks particularly smart - to our eyes, anyway. The technology offering is decent, too; the 10.3in infotainment screen is clear and easy to read, if a little slow on start up, while the 12.3in digital instrument cluster (part of the £4995 Premium Plus package alongside an excellent Burmester sound system) is even more graphically slick. So, the C43 impresses on the motorway and on faster country A-roads, and for many, its straight-line pace and refined dynamic manners will be enough of a selling point.

[@bowiesantiago518]

a tip: watch series at flixzone. I've been using them for watching a lot of movies these days.

[@roybradley2392]

@Bowie Santiago yea, have been watching on Flixzone} for months myself =)

[@raymondrobertson3869]

Nice one Craig, another first class review. Keep them coming. I just missed you when you passed me the other day, all the best to the channel. Have a good Christmas and a happy new year. Cheers Raymond

[@MartinK1991]

I took fully loaded c300d with all AMG bits. It is missing the sound, but great economy. I have air suspension on it and trust me you want it.

[@kriskellas1856]

I'm toying with the idea of buying one of these as I'm after a performance practical family car. Thank you for the review, enjoyed watching!

[@TheCarDiaries]

It’s a fantastic car, really feels something special with the performance exhaust. I’m now 4 months into ownership and still drive it everywhere in sports plus mode. Saying that we have had quite a bit of snow over the past week and I’ve felt very confident with it in snow mode (still with the exhaust turned on off course...). Definitely take one for a test drive, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good it is. - Matt

[@kriskellas1856]

@@TheCarDiaries Thanks for sharing your thoughts Matt. One of the biggest things making me a little hesitant was the fact I currently drive 2.0 Diesel with fantastic fuel economy. It does worry me a little it will be savage on fuel but the other side of me says well if you want performance you need to accept that. Plus I'd imagine this gives you smiles per gallon instead of miles! Just need to double check all the kids stuff fits in the back all ok. Will more or less be carting around the pram all the time and hopefully the rear has plenty toom for the car seat. Will probably check this on a normal C class estate first. That's good to hear it's been handy enough in the bad weather. I'm from scotland as well and know what like it can get 👍🏻

[@charliemc1227]

@@kriskellas1856 I just got one and you are correct it’s a savage on fuel. Having said that, I absolutely love the car. Good luck with the choice. 👍

[@doctorpaullemon]

Pick mine up in 2 days ... the wait is killing me ...

[@TheCarDiaries]

Great cars, I absolutely love mine! Such a perfect all rounder and it’s rear wheel drive biased so it’s genuinely great to drive with no understeer. Enjoy your new car! - Matt (the camera guy)

[@doctorpaullemon]

The Car Diaries ... thanks Matt the camera guy. I hope I got the correct spec ... black estate, black wheels ... none of this Coupé nonsense ;)

[@marktsui01]

We test drove one of these last week as we're thinking of replacing my wife's aging BMW E91 330i. It is undoubtedly a fast and agile car, with a beautiful interior. The particular example we tested did not have the AMG performance exhaust and I was a little underwhelmed by the sound (had high expectations). The road noise was louder than expected (some strange reverbration), maybe due to bad tires? (Dunlop Sport Maxx something, but 18 inch rims).. We will test another C43 with performance exhaust and hopefully it'll be more exciting :) Would you avoid 19 inch rims? We see some listed but they have 285 width rear tires, which seems totally unnecessary.

[@PhilipLever-s7h]

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