2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Review
Price Estimate: $2,766 - $4,180





+1
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Speed, power, handling, safety features, TeleAid system, free scheduled service.
Cons
- Stupendous price tag for a baby Benz, tight interior accommodations, rough ride.
What’s new
TeleAid, which can assist in summoning help if you're ill or involved in a crash, is a new standard feature. A Touch Shift automanual transmission is added to simulate the thrill of shifting gears manually. Free scheduled service for the duration of the warranty period has been added to the lengthy standard equipment list.
Edmunds says
An incredible sport sedan whose performance is matched by its price.
For sale nationwide
Vehicle overview
Two years ago, high-performance tuner AMG, long associated with Mercedes-Benz products, dropped a 302-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 engine into the engine bay of the tidy little C-Class sedan. The result was nothing short of sensational, so Mercedes, long considered BMW's sullen stepsister, decided to create a limited-production run of the muscular model to generate interest in the aging C-Class lineup.
The C43 AMG, now entering its third and final year in current guise, accelerates from zero to 60 in less than six seconds. Other go-fast goodies include a special two-stage resonance intake manifold, a Touch Shift automanual transmission pilfered from the SL500 roadster for its higher torque capacity, and performance-tuned gear ratios for maximum acceleration capability.
Underneath the sedate bodywork, the four-wheel independent suspension gets higher-rate springs, solid 27mm stabilizer bars and degressive-action Bilstein shocks front and rear. Full-range traction control uses the braking system and throttle to keep power to the ground, while Brake Assist and upgraded vented discs front and rear haul the C43 AMG down from triple-digit speeds swiftly and surely.
Electronic Stability Programming (ESP), otherwise known as stability control, keeps the C43 AMG in line if the driver manages to exceed the lofty adhesion limits of the wide 17-inch tires mounted to five-spoke AMG rims. Quicker-ratio power recirculating ball steering gear and a high-performance exhaust system complete the hardware changes that make a C43 AMG a C43 AMG.
Don't expect a smooth ride from this bad boy. It rides stiffly, but the trade-off is astounding grip and minimal body roll in smoothly paved corners. The steering feels a little lifeless, but responds well off center. The brakes are ridiculously competent, and ESP works as advertised. We haven't tried the Touch Shift tranny yet, but in a sport sedan, psuedo-gearchanging is better than automatic gearchanging any day of the week. Still, a manual would be ideal.
Inside, the C43 AMG gets multi-adjustable sport seats with pneumatic bolstering, exclusive two-tone leather appointments, and special ivory-colored gauges. Additionally, the C43 AMG's steep $53,000 price tag includes a power sunroof, Bose audio system, automatic climate control and a manually telescoping steering column. TeleAid is newly standard for 2000, and it automatically summons assistance if your airbags have deployed in an accident. TeleAid also helps in medical emergencies with an SOS feature, and allows the C43 AMG owner to query live operators about specific features of the car or call upon Mercedes-Benz roadside assistance. Because TeleAid contains a GPS unit, the car can also be tracked easily if it is stolen.
But, is this limited-production car worth the premium? Can a monster engine, tight suspension, superb performance and exclusivity be valued so highly? Enough people think so to keep the C43 AMG in the lineup for 2000.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$218/mo for C43 AMG Base
C43 AMG Base
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
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Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Rock Solid Fun
5 out of 5 starsdave22244, 07/12/2011
1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG C43 4dr Sedan
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
4.75 out of 5 stars1funv8, 03/03/2004
1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG C43 4dr Sedan
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.
The Q-Ship
4.75 out of 5 starsJeremy, 02/27/2007
1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG C43 4dr Sedan
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.
Top of the line. True muscle
4.88 out of 5 starseczachly, 10/11/2005
1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG C43 4dr Sedan
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
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, so we've included reviews for other years of the C43 AMG since its last redesign.
2000 C43 AMG Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $218/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 12.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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