Used 2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Consumer Reviews
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Rock Solid Fun
I have owned a 1999 C43 for 10 years, have 94,000 miles on it. I had a 1992 Porsche-built MB 500 E before that. I have owned many very high performance cars (1973 Datsun 240Z re-manufactured into a Scarab, 1954 Austin Healy with a 350 Chevy etc. and this one is my favorite. It is a a comfortable, reliable, solid, fast, functional sleeper. It is known locally as my truck, since I use it mostly to haul building materials of all sort. I love this car. My wife has a 1997 E550 and it is good, but not C43 good.
C-leeper
I wanted a car that my wife could drive to work daily and that I could take out and still feel young after I get out of the company car (1997 Olds 88) What a gem! It's free. This is one of my top three most favorite cars I've owned out of 53 and still buying. Everey time I get in this car about 40 MPH I stomp on it and it sounds brings a smile to my face :-). I might just buy the wife something else to drive just so I can savor the fun.
Top of the line. True muscle
This was my dream car in 1999, very fast, sophisticated and stealthy! Fast forward to 2005 and its time to buy a new car. I was looking at the Volvo S60R, until a conversation with my wife arose. I told her I liked the Volvo R because it reminded me so much of the Benz C43 I drove back in 99'. She turned to me and said "if you keep comparing cars to the 99'Mercedes C43, why don't you get one?" I laughed and said they only made something like 550 of them in 99', I will never find one and if I do it will have high miles. The web search turned up 3 in the U.S. one was about 50 miles away. Oh, could this be real? 1999 C43 w/ 43,000 miles and perfect. It was the fastest purchase in history
The Q-Ship
The C43 is a true sleeper. A lightweight body, anonymous and quiet design, with a stonking engine and massive (E55) brakes. The combo gives excellent performance and very acceptable fuel economy (24 mpg). It has brought me through filthy weather such that I have many times thanked the car as I have walked into the house from the garage (don't tell my friends about this...). It's the last of the hand-built AMGs, built like a tank and full of character: speaks softly and carries a big stick, for when you give it wellie and cross 4,000 rpm, it puts on a Nascar soundtrack. I never tire of its dual nature, and I plan to keep it forever. It is a wonderful machine.
Amadeus ROCKS
I have owned several Mercedes-Benz from 280SE to a C240 4Matic (wife's car) and this is my favorite. Wonderful creature comforts and city driving manners, but that's NOT why you would buy this car. I just took it to High Plains Raceway to get acquainted in a controlled environment. This is a heavy car, but handles extremely well. Well-balanced, good turn-in, good feedback, controllable through the limits of adhesion, fun to throttle-steer (with traction control off). Though half a ton heavier, it held its own with M3s and 911s. Next trip is to the dyno to verify HP - this car is better than advertised, even with almost 100k miles!
Great fun, lotsa maintenance
This beast is a blast. 308HP, 0-60 in 5.8, & almost .9 Gs in the skidpad means nothing until you've had it through mtn curves or on the open rd. 130 feels like 60. Had the car for a yr and in the shop monthly. Small things usually. But, when it rains real hard and water pours in through the AC/heating vents shorting out motors & sensors, leaving 3" of standing water in the floorboard,, costing $7K it's time for something more reasonable. Don't know what it is with German cars. Great fun to drive but totally unreliable. If you have the time and $ to keep taking this car to the dealer, by all means, indulge yourself. I probably would.
Vault On Wheels
I have had my 1999 for 3 years and really enjoy it. The suspension is a bit firm for Wisconsin frost heave streets but that is my only complaint. I love the exhaust note and the power. I had the engine management computer reworked to eliminate the stumble under full power shifting. That was money well spent. I have also put after market wheels on it and feel that has improved the appearance. This is my first MB and I will own others. True class has no year of manufacture.
A True Q-Ship
This is the most interesting and characterful car I have ever owned, and they are becoming very affordable now - and so much more interesting (and rare) than the M3 competition. The formula of light body-shell and big engine gives great performance (160 mph, 0-60 in 5.5) and excellent economy (I get 24 mpg average). The body is stiff, the mechanicals are unstressed, it's very comfortable in supportive seats, and the AMG feature-set is very attractive. Dealers are expensive but parts are very available and affordable on the web. And the C43s have it all over the later supercharged C32s mechanically; why do you think AMG went back to the big engine C55/C63? I plan to keep it for a long time
NeDz C43 AMG
Take my word for it this car is simply amazing. It handles extremely well and out preforms many vechles on the road you come in contact with! You cannot go wrong with this car.
Best AMG , Original AMG
Surge of speed like riding a motorbike.
C43 AMG
Not much to say, only that this car is very fun to drive and if you feel that it is to slow. You can supercharge (KLEEMANN SUPERCHARGER)it and up grade a few parts... 615hp 685t period.
Awsome
Suspension, handling and power. It may not be flashy but would be hard for any care to beat its combination of features. Very solid but not harsh. A car near perfection.
The German Beast from AMG
Unbelievable car - not bad off the line but when rolling on the highway , wow! The torque is unbelievable , 50mph to 70mph is like 3 seconds.You can get in or out of any kind of trouble you want with this vehicle.It is imperative that you stay up on the maintenance of this lady.
Highway wundercar
Ample HP and torque, good gas milage (26MPH highway new, 24.5 now) and a solid engine. After 165K miles and 10 yrs I still love this car. Replaced 2 wheels due to potholes, the front bumper loves to snag things and the stock toe setting cups the tires. Minor plastic bits inside have worked loose, but the interior is still quiet. Once the sunroof decided to start opening itself. Lower control arms up front do wear out, but that might be my driving. The gas gauge sensor in the tank would stick occasionally, but hasn't in over a year now. Using 1 quart oil every 1500-1800 miles now, but at 180K miles, that isn't surprising.
c43 bad ass
This car is mean and thrives on the highway. Interior gets endless comments. Fun to modify aswell.
Great car if you can find the right fuel
This car loses significant power with California RFG II gasoline. Avoid this car if you can't get other fuel. That said, when I can get federal RFG fuel or non-RFG fuel, the car's engine is hampered only by the lame transmission. This car is one of the last (and best) "old school" Mercedes out there. On the used market this car is bargain priced, but I hope you have a skilled and low-cost mechanic to work on it. I lost the transmission at 60k miles ($6000) and the crank shaft rotation sensor at 80k (not expensive, but left me stranded). Avoid this car if you are going to get service at a Mercedes dealer.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!
I only ever dreamed of owning an AMG. We found a very affordable C43, took it for a test drive and that was it! We had to have it. Incredible car to drive, sounds great, powerful, unreal handling and the brakes are unbelievable. Extremely comfortable interior. This car has it all. Only wish I could have afforded one years ago. We will never let this one go. Ultimate low key "sleeper" "super car".
Smile on my fac
Every time I drive, this car puts a smile on my face. Fantastic power combined with top-rate luxury.
This car is SUPER FUN!!!!!
I've owned my car for 4 years and it still makes me giggle when I step on the accelerator and I'm not tired of it yet. It's rougher than other high performance vehicles out there, but I am willing to accept that for the confidence this car gives you on the road. It is as solid as a rock in ANY situation (except ice) and I've never worried about it's performance in any maneuver. Having owned Porsche's, Audi's, & BMW's, this is the best all- around vehicle. You can take it to the store or the track. It is a sleeper - other C-class owners don't look at it, but I do get a lot of attention from the male S class owners :)
Find one if you can.
Just sitting in this car brings a smile from ear to ear. Put simply, you never stop smiling. Cornering feels better in my 92 SVX and it could use speed sensitive steering and a CD/MP3 player. Best value for the buck. I paid 17k out the door and later found out that I only had 8000 miles on a new that was installed by the dealer(because the old engine was using too much oil). Good daily driver lots of percs for the buck. Much older Benz drivers stop and stare. Young women have to be denied rides from the married man. But they still get the smile.
It Doesn't Get any Better than an AMG!
I'm a family guy in his thirties and needed a back seat for the kid. I couldn't imagine a better car on the market for a guy who's not ready to give up his sports car dreams just so he can strap in a car seat. My C43 is the best combination of ride comfort and performance I have ever driven. It corners like a well mannered sports car, and it doesn't beat you to death on the daily commute. My only gripe is that I'm barely getting 18 MPG. That's mostly because of my lead foot, and I knew that when I bought it. To all of you who bought a BMW M3: You should have given the C43 a try first.
Muscular Athletic Sleeper Tiger
Not a tech review. Fast? I can hit 50 in my driveway (it's only 220 feet long). 0-60 in about 6 seconds sure, but what it loves is when you're cruising about 80, you punch it, listen to that beautiful nasty growl (make sure there is nothing in front of you for a quarter mile) and hold on as it blasts past 100, 110, past 130 to my personal best of 145. This M3 came up beside me on the Mass Pike around 90, we exchanged a knowing glance. Risking a ticket the size of Fenway park, he finally backed off at 130. My secret weapon is a K40 system and laser scrambling plates. One last story. Had this baby 3 days and heading to the beach came around a corner about 110 staring right into a troopers radar gun and wide eyes. At first I thought he was going to arrest me, but he was a car guy and I ended up showing him the car. He smiled and told me to slow down. Everyone wants a ride. Women love it. Mercedes quality that drives and sounds like a GTO. Enough said.
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Good "bang for the buck"
Bought a 1999 C43 in October with 129K on the odometer. So far I love it. I have a 1996 C220 and really liked the chassis, but disliked the lack of performance. Silver on the two-tone black and white interior. I am aware the official 0-60 time is something like 6 seconds, but it sure feels faster than that. I have previously owned a 1991 MR2 Turbo, with a 6.1 0-60, and a 1999 M3 with a 5.6 0-60, and this car feels like it pulls way harder than either of them. It can hit any speed limit on American roads with ease. Quickly. I feel the interior on this car is beautiful, better than any I have seen, personally. Gas mileage averages around 18.5 being driven mostly city and getting on the acceleration sometimes. Solid build quality. Harsh ride for sure, so things do rattle somewhat. Steering is nervous. Most reviews you read online are accurate. I've always driven manual transmissions, but for an auto, this one at least shifts where you would want it to. I spoke to my mechanic before I purchased it and he told me maintenance costs are more or less in line with other W202 Mercedes cars, save for the brakes, which will cost you $1500 or so to have done (double check that if you are concerned). But overall I love it. Right size, gobs of power, comfortable, and the first true AMG car. Cheap right now, but I have have to imagine the value will increase from here (see the E30 M3).
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i'm driving a "hot wheel"
it's like driving a "hot wheel". listening to the sound of the engine is half the experience. it handles as well as an e36 M3 and the V8 is awesome! i can't stop driving it.
2-Owner 98, 99, and 00 C43 AMG. 1,147 Imported US
The C43 AMG is simply amazing. It has power, comfort, style, sport, and is lightning fast. I have on numerous occasions gone 155 mph in this vehicle. I will sell mine!!!! So classic. Amazing exhaust sound!!! It is 3.5 inches.
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The Sleeper
I have owned this car for a year and 1 month. It is awesome. The car is light weight so it handles beautifully. And also a light weight car, coupled with an AMG tuned big 4.3L V8 engine = a pretty fast car. At higher speeds it feels poised and at ease. My car has 156,000 miles on it. So far, the car is very reliable and I have only had to do basic upkeep work on it. Nothing major. I have replaced the mass airflow sensor, evaporator temperature sensor, and my O2 sensors. So all in all, that's under $500 in repairs.
Mercedes C43 Jet
Love my C43! You'll most appreciate this car highway commuting. Engine is superb. In general MB lets their engines average higher revs than BMW giving the car a more responsive feel. Fuel economy is not bad at 22 m/gl with spirited, 60% highway driving. Transmission feels tough and has a sporty kick when pushed. Interior offers room for even the tallest people, is modern but not very techy. Climate control works great. So far I've had no major problems. Problems arising with the car sitting in heavy rain are a myth - I've had no electrical issues. If youre more of a BMW fan, do yourself a favor and try MB before deciding. You may be surprised like I was.
The Best of the W202 cars
Absouloutly love the car! I bought it with 110K mi on it, it now has 132K+ on it and no major repairs, just very minor maintnence. It has no squeaks or rattles, everything works perfect. And that cannot be said about my 2000 50K mi Corvette. In fact the 130K Mercedes feels tighter and newer than the Vette. German cars are built better and better engnerred than American cars and they don't rust either. Not even the hardware. I actually baught the Mercedes because the Vette kept breaking. Now the Vette's for sale and no more domestics for me. Parts are cheap for a Mercedes too. About half the price of the Vette's. If you buy a clean C43 that's been maintained you won't be disappointed!
Worthy
Plusses: Supersonic tank-ette. Excellent safety/handling features. Solid at higher speeds. Leaves the pack at the starting gate. Great sound system. Classic interior. Huge trunk. Minuses: Some cheap trim pieces. Fair FM antenna. Snow tires required. Tight rear seat. Fuel economy 18 mpg avg. Electronics can be iffy.
2000 C43 AMG
I got my car as a Christmas present from my wife and I love it more every time I drive it! The sound of the engine is fantastic and since I drive it using the transmission like it's a 5 speed, it really gets to roar! The fuel economy would be much better if I would just put in drive and leave it there, but 2nd gear sounds and feels so good when you punch it.