C43 or C320 Head vs Heart

[chriswt]

This is a heart or head decision. C43 fuel consumption and possible repair costs (brakes especailly) are scary. That and the rust plus the out-of-date looks seem to work against the C43 so for the same money I could have a C320 with sat-nav and 38k on the clock. All for £12k!

The only problem is performance. I want to feel 300bhp under my right foot but know that in the real world 218bhp will be more than enough for 80% of driving.

Which one should win. Head or heart?

 

[GrahamC230K]

If it were me.....

It was to be my only car.
£12K was my sending limit
I was doing more than 8K miles a year
I wanted to keep the car more than 12 months

.......... I would get the w203 C320.

 

[Lazarus]

Which one should win. Head or heart?

Hmmm, tough one... I'd always say go for the C43 - but then I am totally biased ...

 

[chriswt]

I'll be doing about 12k or more per year, it is my only car BUT i might or might not keep it more than a year.

Only thing is that C43's on autotrader seem to stay there for months before being sold. A 2000 model C43 estate sat on ebay for ages even though the car was faultless (owned by a forum member now I beleive.)

Want a C32 AMG eventually but need to wait until they come down to £15K.

 

[Thmsshaun]

I'll be doing about 12k or more per year, it is my only car BUT i might or might not keep it more than a year.

Only thing is that C43's on autotrader seem to stay there for months before being sold. A 2000 model C43 estate sat on ebay for ages even though the car was faultless (owned by a forum member now I beleive.)

Want a C32 AMG eventually but need to wait until they come down to £15K.

Yeah that would be me

I would be tempted to say THE C43 but then that would be a biased opinion.

Go for the C320 and then get the 32 when they start coming down in price.

 

[imadoofus]

From my point of view, and looking at the C43 as more of a 'specialist' car; if you were to keep it less than a year, you'll potentially have more of a problem selling it on, as buyers can be suspicious of a quick turnover, and begin to worry about a sketchy past, high running costs and consequent poor maintenance.

I'd say 320. I would tend to view the C43 as a 'keeper'.

PJ

 

[chriswt]

Very good point. I want to experience big power but as its going to be a stop gap may be the C320 is a better bet. Probably lose a load of money on the C320 though when I come to sell it a year later.

Maybe I should get the C43 and keep it a couple of years instead.

 

[pentoman]

Well the C43 is still newish, but is older and probably likely to cost more to run as it gets older.

So if you actually WANT a C43, best to have one now while the costs & fuel are bearable. If you don't really want one and just feel like it, its probably the less sensible choice.?

Russell

 

[Maff]

Tough one really. I would love the C43 V8, but the C320 maybe the better choice for everyday use, and if you only want to keep it for a year.

If you were doing low mileage, and keeping for say two years, then the C43 maybe the better bet.

Also comes down to the personal preference RE styling of the two cars.

 

[996jimbo]

I go with the heart every time - but I pay for it!

You're right that C43's tend to hang around - that would suggest that the seller may be willing to haggle so you could get a bargain. Costs wise with a C43 you've no warranty to keep you to a dealer - independent servicing of a C43 probably (probably mind) won't be more than dealer servicing of a W203.

If you can find a decent low mileage C43 and bargain hard (saloon's on Autotrader with window price of £9.5k) depreciation with plus 12k miles in 1 year will be less than a C320 costing £12k.

It's a bargain! Get a C43 - you know it makes sense!

God, what am I talking about?

 

[mickl]

C43 everytime, nothing like having a sledgehammer to crack a nut

 

[Shude]

Well the C43 is still newish, but is older and probably likely to cost more to run as it gets older.

Don't you believe it! A late C43 is the pinnacle of W202 production and should prove to be a very reliable car, compared to an early W203. Ask Fuzzer how many times his early W203 had to be mobilo'd back to life. Several members have commented that they'd only keep their cars for as long as the warranty lasts. This is not the case with the W202.

A C43 is still about 90% the same as any other W202 and is therefore very similar for parts, the only expensive bits are the AMG parts which cost roughly between double and triple the usual price.

Dispite this if I had the choice myself I would probably go for the W203, the C43 is an excellent car but I would feel bad putting 25k/year mileage on it.

 

[mobeyone]

Want a C32 AMG eventually but need to wait until they come down to £15K.

Same here - and around my budget too so another year to two years before i will get my hands on one.

I would go for a c320 - reason if you buy now for £12k, you will still get good money on this in two years time whereas the c43 will be even older allbeit a better car.

C43 is iconic but expsensive - I would only buy one now to keep as a second car.

In terms of maintance - I would hazard a guess and say its even stevens - can anyone confirm?

mobe