Did I buy the wrong AMG? - C43 long-term REVIEW

Born from the 4th generation (W205) of Mercedes C-class, the AMG C43 has often copped negative criticism for being an AMG fake. But is that hatred misguided, or did Mercedes really drop the ball with this diet version of its C63 big brother?
After 12 months of ownership it's time for a full review, walkaround and drive to find out if the C43 is worth of those three revered letters.
P.S. Stick around for the bloopers!
P.P.S. Sorry for the wind and some dodgy camera focus - working on improving all that for your viewing pleasure.

[@knight2425]

Nice car, I’m an Audi person so I love my RS3 but I always loved the C63 also and wouldn’t say no to one. Surprised the had soft limiter back then it’s one of the things that annoys me with mine

[@user-pp8hz5tz3h]

This is at the top of my list for my next vehicle! In your year worth of experience, how costly would you say the mainentance was?

[@frax77]

Actually, servicing is not that bad as it is a high production engine. Some places still slap on the AMG tax, so shop around. 👍

[@grantsharp836]

Hey! 2017 c43 owner here, have you had any issues with the transmission? mine has been feeling sluggish, for example, when I get in and drive off, the gear change between 1-2-3 does not feel smooth, I dont hear anything bad, but it feels like the car is just barely up to speed to shift into the next gear.

[@frax77]

I did find the transmission doesn't really like being cold. I used the AMG screen to monitor the temps and let it warm up a bit before asking it to perform. From memory it's a fairly agricultural gearbox, so I'm not sure we should expect the refinement of some if the later Mercedes fleet. But to answer your question, I never had any issues with the transmission in terms of faults or breakages.

[@sorkpojken]

I'm a bit confused, i was sure the 2016 models were alll C450's(not c43) and had no option for performance exhaust as well as the 7 speed instead of the 9 speed. Is this really a 2016 and not 17/18?

[@frax77]

It's a 2016. Perhaps it's different for different markets.

[@deffinez9651]

how many miles? (in your case i think it'd be km) im looking at purchasing a 2017 C43 with about 40k miles as a daily driver. But its german, and i have a lead foot, so im worried about durability. Yours seem's to be lower mileage than that but im looking for a review @ like 75k miles (because id be driving it until it dies)

[@deffinez9651]

regardless of what's on your odometer, how many km does your car have? Any issues up to this point? If so id be interested to hear what.

[@frax77]

Actually, mine was sitting at around 90,000km at the time of this video (around 56,000 miles). During my ownership, I had no issues at all aside from wearables such as tyres and brake pads. I think mechanically these are pretty bulletproof.

[@ShortsCentral-mv4hb]

@@deffinez9651to make u feel better, I purchased a used 2017 C43 AMG with 55k miles on the dash, I’ve put over 10k miles on it in 2.5 months and it hasn’t given me a single issue, it’s tuned by DME, has intakes and I drive it in individual or sport + over half the time I’m in the car and it has never once given me an issue ( knock on wood) it’s a great car and in my opinion the best bang for ur buck 😊

[@CK-ct6eo]

I bought a 2018 c43 3 years ago and now have about 47k miles on it. I use it as my daily driver and no major issues. Tires only so far and I've changed the oil every 5k miles. Funest car I've ever owned... highly recommend it

[@robertwilliam5527]

C43/450 from 2015 to 2018 look astonishing, 2019 to 2021 look regular C class, but definitely better overall car than C63. btw tell those C63 owners that BMW M3 ain't "one man one engine" yet leave them in the dust.

[@ntartaris]

Nice review, Alex. Do you miss the RS3 or have any regrets letting it go?

[@frax77]

Thanks. I don't generally regret selling my cars, but lets say if you made me choose between them, I'd go the RS3. 🙂

[@thatguyfletch5019]

They didn’t make a c43AMG in 2016… Mercedez made the c450AMG in 2016 2017- present c43AMG

[@frax77]

Might be different in other countries, but my registration documents list it as a 2016 C43 (Australia)

[@dugarsaddy4523]

maybe it was made in 2016 but is the 2017 model.

[@frax77]

Would be nice for resale if that was the case haha 😄

[@gtstarwars]

Upgrade to CLE53 😅

[@jldp24]

Merc are just too expensive for what you get..and then their is the interior..smh

[@frax77]

Depreciation makes a second-hand purchase more viable. What's with the interiors? I would rate the Merc interior quite high 🤔