C43 Amg

[londoner2001]

Anyone here been in a C43 AMG? I am a bit puzzled by the figures, 306BHP and 312 Lb/ft torque or something like that, the 0-60 time I have seen 5.8 quoted but 6.5 for british merc brochure and quarter mile of 14.4 at 98mph, now I know that it's a fairly heavy car having that monster V8 on board but I would expect with that 0-60mph and the power the quarter mile to be sub 14.

So can someone who has driven one tell me what they are like, is there a lack of power from 60-120mph? Whats the traffic light acceleration from standstill like? Bodyroll on aggressive cornering? Acceleration at over 100mph?

Would appreciate your views would be great if someone can compare it to C230K for me as have been in one of them a lot.

Cheers.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

The only C43 I've driven is the silver estate in the classifieds at the moment. It has got an E55 airbox but otherwise its standard. It feels outragiously fast compared with everthing I've driven except Brabus k8 which feels slightly quicker yet. It seems even faster because it looks like a normal big heavy merc but feels so quick and the noise is intoxicating! There is no comparison with any of the main stream cars. I driven C230k around Goodwood and they are quick but not C43 quick! The 0-60 time is dented by a slightly slow start to the torque curve but once its on song it just flies!

 

[londoner2001]

Sounds stunning, just what I am looking for, do you know if Merc dealerships still sell them I mean some must get traded in and I imagine they would just sell them off the forecourt but have been looking for couple of weeks and not seen anything.

 

[sym]

Sounds stunning, just what I am looking for, do you know if Merc dealerships still sell them I mean some must get traded in and I imagine they would just sell them off the forecourt but have been looking for couple of weeks and not seen anything.

Try www.directmercedes.co.uk

or the used search on www.mercedes-benz.co.uk

Those are the only two places you are likely to find one from MB. Otherwise, Autotrader has them from time to time - but make sure you get a good one - needless to say, some will be very well looked after, and others thrashed to pieces !!

S.

 

[RichieRuss2000]

I have a CLK500 which has a similar power output with 50lb/ft or so more... Its perhaps slightly heavier than the C43. I also can't understand the marketing as MB say the same engine in the SL500 which is upwards of 250kg heavier is 0.2 sec quicker to 62...

However believe me I have had drags with a 996, M3 and M5 all of which could not catch me... the other way round I could gain on them from 80+

I imagine the C43 would be a similar experience!

 

[londoner2001]

Been away for a while, how's your CLK500 to drive, I have looked at the stats when they released the model and they really are impressive, there is a hell of a lot of power and torque. Have you got the 7 speed autobox as well? If so what is it like does it feel like its never settled or the usual merc smoothness?

 

[Shude]

I know that it's a fairly heavy car having that monster V8 on board

It might surprise you to learn that the C43 engine weighs less than the C36 engine (and therefore less than the other I6 and possibly V6 engines!), it's an aluminium V8 IIRC, overall the C43 should weigh about 40 kilograms less than the C36

 

[McGreggor]

is there a lack of power from 60-120mph?

You ARE kidding, right?!

 

[Shude]

You ARE kidding, right?!

oh yeah I'm sure it's gutless!

 

[C240Sport97]

the V6 and the V8 are part of the same twin spark modular design so I suspect the V8 is heavier .. there are 2 more cylinders after all!

It might surprise you to learn that the C43 engine weighs less than the C36 engine (and therefore less than the other I6 and possibly V6 engines!), it's an aluminium V8 IIRC, overall the C43 should weigh about 40 kilograms less than the C36

 

[McGreggor]

the V6 and the V8 are part of the same twin spark modular design so I suspect the V8 is heavier .. there are 2 more cylinders after all!

I think shude is right, the V8 was a new generation engine, with 3 valves per cylinder. Fantasy Cars also has the curb weights as follows:

C36 (v6) 3550 lbs

C43 (v8) 3461 lbs

A difference of 89 lbs or 40.3Kgs. Just enough for the 0.1 advantage the C43 has on 0-62.

 

[Maff]

I thought the C36 was based on the I6 engine?

The 'new' V6 and V8 engines (soon to be replaced by 4 valve engines) are modular, so the V8 would be heavier than the V6, however they are both lighter than the straight 6 engines and 4 valve V8's they replace.

 

[Will]

I thought the C36 was based on the I6 engine?

The 'new' V6 and V8 engines (soon to be replaced by 4 valve engines) are modular, so the V8 would be heavier than the V6, however they are both lighter than the straight 6 engines and 4 valve V8's they replace.

Maff is correct - the C36 is a straight or 'In-Line' 6-cylinder.

IIRC, it is based on a bored-out C280 lump!

Obviously the V8 being aluminium has a weight advantage over the old-school steel 6 cylinder!

Cheers,

Will

 

[McGreggor]

oh yeah! I6, well done for spotting the deliberate mistake

 

[Shude]

I did say the C36 was an I6 in my original posting, dunno where the confusion came from

Also, is my reasoning correct when I say: bigger capacity == bigger holes therefore less overall weight, assuming the same original block?

 

[McGreggor]

I did say the C36 was an I6 in my original posting, dunno where the confusion came from

Also, is my reasoning correct when I say: bigger capacity == bigger holes therefore less overall weight, assuming the same original block?

It was the end of a very long day that started at 4:30am!

Your reasoning sounds good to be, though the difference in bore size would only mean a small difference in weight. The aluminium block is where the v8 saves its weight, speaking of which, anyone know if its all aluminium or does it still have steel linners?

 

[nfs_tgb]

does speed matter it looks better than 99% of bmws anyway.

id have thought its acel from 60 would be a lot quicker than the 0-60

if in dout why not get a c52 that were custom made or whatever it was.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

c55amg w202

 

[nfs_tgb]

i allways thought they called it the c52 so not to get confused with the other 55 amgs.

but your probably right sounded a very powerfull car. that c43 mclaren looks very nice though McGreggor whats insurance group ? out of intrest

 

[janner]

Bit of a fixer-upper