Mercedes Benz C43 (This Car is Not For Everyone)

I’ve been exploring different models of the Mercedes Benz C Class from the C200, C220d and I was supposed to have the C300 as well, but it got deflated before I had an opportunity. I gave Mercedes Benz a call to ask if I could have the C43 and I remember the day I had to pick it up in Bryanston, it looked hella mean, but I was ready for what the car had in store for me in the following seven days.

If there is anything that Mercedes Benz got right, it’s the C43, this car is not for everyone and I get why. It’s everything a car needs to be and so much more. When it comes to Mercedes Benz, I was really blown away by how the new A-Class drives, it’s smoother than most of the other models within the brand. Now the C43 unleashes a different animal in you and it doesn’t matter if you are aware of that animal inside you or not.

Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Limousine, Night Paket und AMG Carbon-Paket II, Exterieur:
Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC Sedan, Night package and AMG Carbon-package II, Exterior: Exterior paint: obsidian black metallic, Fuel consumption combined: 9.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 209 g/km

The drive is not as smooth and refined as the new A Class but you understand why, well the C43 connects more to the road and you can feel the roar of the beast. Now, I always take the cars to the hood to also see how people react to them and what is interesting is that people know the AMG C43/63 and how it roars inspires them to get to drive or own this beast of a car. What I found interesting was that the C43 has a button to make the car louder than normal which makes sense because you can’t have that sound as standard every day. One thing I was really impressed with was how the latest Mercedes Benz C Class handles the corners, it doesn’t seem as if it’s a big car, it doesn’t feel like it.

The W205 C43 boasted peak engine outputs of 270 kW and 520 Nm, and for this face-life updated version power comes from a revised version of the 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo unit. The C43 rides on 18-inch wheels, but you can opt for bigger 19-inch units. The Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic retails for R1 007 365, which includes a 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and a 6-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Consider the optional Driving Assistance Package (R36 100) and Parking Package (R12 850); they nicely modernize the C-Class experience.

Mercedes-AMG claims a fair 9.3 L/100 km but I’m sure its more than that, especially if you are always in the sports mode. Also if you can afford this car, you can also afford the petrol that comes with it. The other interesting thing I found with this car was the debate around what is the real AMG compared to the not so real AMG’s. People in the hood consider only the sedan is the real AMG and everything else is not so real and that includes the C63s coupe as well.

While this is not a cheap car, you get disappointed that the interior has not caught up with the newness of Mercedes Benz. The technology is still from three years ago and honestly, I can’t wait for the new C Class shape.