For gearheads, one of the most entertaining performance battles over the last several decades has been the battle for potent sports sedan supremacy between the main German brands. Audi has its S range of machines, BMW has the M department, and Mercedes-Benz relies on its AMG subsidiary to handle factory performance requests. AMG has turned the brand’s C-Class executive sedan into a true weapon on multiple occasions. However, many folks were disappointed when the C43 AMG switched from using six- to four-cylinder engines.
That said, perhaps depreciation has now turned this once-shunned performance machine into a rather tantalizing one.
The Updated C43 Turned Many Drivers Off
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Front ViewMercedes-Benz
The C43 proved to be a controversial machine when it was unleashed for the 2023 model year. It personified the concern many had that Mercedes’ legendary AMG arm would be switching to using more efficient and environmentally friendly four-cylinder engines. AMG had crafted a reputation off the back of squeezing huge six-, eight-, and sometimes 12-cylinder engines beneath the hood of whatever model it was tasked with upgrading next.
Dropping the six-cylinder engine from the C43 model was seen as throwing away some of that intoxicating AMG DNA, and essentially taking away a big portion of its remaining personality. While performance wasn’t affected negatively by the change, quite the contrary. However, the rather muted soundtrack produced by a four-pot just made it sound like a hot hatch, rather than a brutish muscle car like AMGs of old. This sentiment was further emphasized by the fact that while older AMG engines had that special touch due to being handbuilt by the department’s renowned engineers, the M139 engine in the updated C43 would be mass-produced on a conventional production line by robots.
The C43 Was Also Expensive
2023 – 2026 Mercedes-AMG C 43 exteriorMercedes
Of course, if the model were pretty affordable, perhaps the switch to the new four-cylinder engine would be somewhat forgiven. But the car retailed for just shy of $60,000 when it first reached showrooms in 2023, which was pretty costly for a car that now had a run-of-the-mill engine that could be found in a wide range of Mercedes’ other offerings. There was even a detuned variant of the powerplant under the hood of Mercedes’ small European-supplied A45 hot hatch, which further eroded any sense of you buying something that was built to provide a unique experience.
It may have helped to improve the efficiency of Mercedes’ operation, but gearheads around the world were critical of Mercedes’ decision to move the C43 towards such an engine. These attitudes were further soured once it was confirmed the mighty C63 AMG would lose its V8 in favor of the M139 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, though heightened backlash led to the brand partially reversing this decision very recently.
For Less Cash, The AMG C43 Could Make Sense
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Side ViewMercedes-Benz
While dropping $60k on a relatively soulless sports sedan could sound a little unappealing, getting one for closer to $45,000 may pique your interest a little more. The model is still a very fast vehicle at the end of the day, and it provides enough practicality to excel as a versatile everyday driver so that a C43 could make sense. Plus, for those who don’t want to be spending a fortune keeping fuel in the tank of a thirstier six- or eight-cylinder example, the more frugal four-pot C43 holds great appeal.
According to The CarBuzz Marketplace, the average used value of the 2023 C43 has plunged to just shy of $45,000, which is a considerable drop of $15,000 in just three years. The beauty of it is that you’ll be able to net yourself a specimen with relatively low miles on the clock, since most cars haven’t had the chance to be driven over ridiculous distances in that short time frame. Finding cars with under 25,000 miles on the odometer is easily doable at that price range, which means they look and feel practically brand new as long as they have been properly looked after.
Since this $45,000 figure is comfortably below the average cost of a new car in the US, it should prove significantly more attainable for those with stricter budgets.
Mercedes’ Four-Cylinder Sports Sedan Is Still Quicker Than Its Predecessor
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43 Engine BayMercedes-Benz
While the updated C43 lacks the drama and meatier engine note of the previous model’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, it provides some extra pace. The 2.0-liter inline-four engine may only come packing a single turbo, but it kicks out a useful 402 horsepower, which is 17 hp clear of its forerunner. Granted, it does give away 15 lb-ft of torque to the V6, but thanks to a small electric motor that spins up the turbo to prevent turbo lag, the newer car is noticeably quicker to 60 mph.
While the V6-powered C43 could make the sprint in 4.1 seconds, the later car achieves it in a rapid 3.9 seconds. This is especially impressive considering the four-pot machine weighs over 250 pounds more, too. Part of the extra pace comes from the electric motor setup, which can also add an extra 17 hp to the car’s power output at low revs, alongside eliminating turbo lag. As if the news couldn’t get any better, thanks to the engine being smaller and more efficient than the old V6, it’ll allow the C43 to achieve an average of 23 miles per gallon, two better than the V6 version could muster.
Alongside the more powerful powerplant, the car also retains adaptive damping and four-wheel steering, which ensures it brings sharp handling to the party, too. Whichever way you look at it, being able to drop $45k on a practical sports sedan that is faster and more economical than its predecessor, while also coming with a solid range of creature comforts, is a pretty handy deal.
Those After A Full-Fat AMG Can Spend The Same Money On A V8 Hammer
2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 Front Three Quarter AngleMercedes-AMG
Should the whole four-cylinder thing leave you uncomfortable, then perhaps spending the same sort of money a used C43 demands on a pre-loved C63 sounds more appealing. After all, you could net yourself a later example of the W205-generation C63, which comes packing a commanding twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. With 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque left at your disposal, as well as a much throatier exhaust note, expect to be treated to some extra adrenaline through your veins when you send the throttle to the floor.
It doesn’t come with the same level of handling tech as more modern AMG models, but who cares when you’ve got a V8 to entertain you. If this sounds more up your street, then you’ll be thrilled to learn that you can secure yourself a tidy 2017-2018 C63 with comfortably under 40,000 miles on the clock for the same $45k that’ll net you a three-year-old C43. If you’re happy to deal with some higher mileage, there are plenty of options of tidy machines at well under $40,000.
For those who still can’t accept the existence of a sensible AMG sports sedan, a used C63 is the ideal tonic. However, should the benefits of switching to a smaller but more efficient engine interest you at a smaller outlay, then early examples of the four-cylinder C43 could be the perfect compromise. You won’t have to throw $60k at it, and at $45k you’ll have a truly rapid sports sedan that could give many older supercars something to think about off the lights. That $15k discount may just be enough to make you forget about the lack of a six-cylinder harmony.
Sources: Mercedes-AMG.
