[MineralM]

Direct competition to the M340, what are you thoughts guys?

Rear steer is cool, I like the interior/exterior.

I don't I could go to a 4cyl.

The B58 2020 tune with Mperf exhaust is to die for.

[G-Mann]

looks good inside and out, I just can't get past the 4 cylinders. It would be more interesting if it were the best performer in its class but that does not look like that will be the case. I guess we shall see when it hits the streets

Key Highlights
New handcrafted AMG 2.0L inline-4 turbo engine.
402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque (+ 13 hp through electric starter-generator)
0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds (est.) ...
Top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited)
AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission.
AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

[wtwo3]

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...-drive-review/

Here's the Motortrend review. I found this especially noteworthy:

Does it work? Here's where the C43's less-is-more math starts to look less magical.

It's true there's no noticeable turbo lag anywhere in the rev range. The 2.0-liter four-banger responds promptly to throttle inputs, but that response is curiously muted. The C43 will effortlessly devour any road at a rapid pace thanks to its nicely sorted chassis, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, and impressive traction from the standard 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which features a fixed 31 percent front to 69 percent rear torque split. Yet it doesn't feel like it has just over 400 horses under the hood.

In truth the issue may have more to do with torque than power: The M139L not only makes 15 less lb-ft of torque than the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 of the previous C43, but its torque peak occurs 3,000 rpm higher in the rev range, at 5,000 rpm versus the V-6's 2,000. High-tech turbocharger notwithstanding, the four-cylinder engine simply doesn't have the low- to midrange grunt of the old V-6, and it shows, especially because the new C43 weighs within a few pounds of the old model, at a claimed 3,893 pounds.

The stopwatch tells the story: Mercedes-AMG claims a 0-60-mph acceleration time of 4.6 seconds for the new C43 on the way to its electronically limited top speed. The C43 we tested in 2017, which was powered by the original 362-hp version of the V-6 rather than the later 385-hp engine, recorded a 4.2 second 0-60 time.

[madpistol]

Mercedes has a 3.0l Inline 6 that would work wonderfully for this car. I wonder why they didn't use that.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by madpistol

Mercedes has a 3.0l Inline 6 that would work wonderfully for this car. I wonder why they didn't use that.

I'm assuming emissions related. Plus it sounds like they are doubling down on these electrified turbo 4 setups.

[Bmoney2K4]

This C-Class is kind of old-manish to me. The 330i seems like the most balanced car for the price and has decent value to me. Also, as a plus, it'a around 300 pounds lighter than the M340i, which may make drivers feel it is more nimble than the higher powered variant of the 3 series.

[Turkish Pickle]

I looked at the W206 a few weeks ago, and felt weird by the interior material quality. It feels a lot cheaper than the G20!

I'd be excited about the C43 but the car just didn't excite me or feel as upscale as the G20. I was in a regular Avantgarde one than the AMG one, but I doubt it would change drastically. I did not like how the buttons felt, the door cards were weird etc.

I am still looking to drive the C43 when it comes stateside but I have a feeling my next car won't be it. The door cards especially were horrendous, the Sonata has it better designed.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by Turkish Pickle

I looked at the W206 a few weeks ago, and felt weird by the interior material quality. It feels a lot cheaper than the G20!

I'd be excited about the C43 but the car just didn't excite me or feel as upscale as the G20. I was in a regular Avantgarde one than the AMG one, but I doubt it would change drastically. I did not like how the buttons felt, the door cards were weird etc.

I am still looking to drive the C43 when it comes stateside but I have a feeling my next car won't be it. The door cards especially were horrendous, the Sonata has it better designed.

That's my issue, too. I admit that Mercedes's design language is a lot more exciting, but their build quality recently is terrible. It just doesn't have the fit and finish that BMW currently has with their cars, and to me, that's a lot more important than exciting design.

[arentz07]

Originally Posted by madpistol

That's my issue, too. I admit that Mercedes's design language is a lot more exciting, but their build quality recently is terrible. It just doesn't have the fit and finish that BMW currently has with their cars, and to me, that's a lot more important than exciting design.

I just can't get past those capacitive buttons, especially the ones that are all one piece with multiple functions. I can't imagine those will age well. (Not specifically a C 43 problem, but still...)

The B58 engine seems like it is just more special, smoother and more fun than a hybridized four-cylinder. Combine that with the build quality and more ergonomic controls in the BMW, and I don't know why you'd choose the Merc... aside from maybe fuel economy? We don't know the MPG estimates yet as far as I know, and this car is still pretty heavy.

[madpistol]

Originally Posted by arentz07

I just can't get past those capacitive buttons, especially the ones that are all one piece with multiple functions. I can't imagine those will age well. (Not specifically a C 43 problem, but still...)

The B58 engine seems like it is just more special, smoother and more fun than a hybridized four-cylinder. Combine that with the build quality and more ergonomic controls in the BMW, and I don't know why you'd choose the Merc... aside from maybe fuel economy? We don't know the MPG estimates yet as far as I know, and this car is still pretty heavy.

Yes. With Mercedes's engineering direction moving for 4-cyl turbo + electrification, they just can't compete with the B58 at the moment. BMW has a gem of a motor, and they know it. The B48 is also an excellent powerplant.

[Ugly Kar]

Yep, basically a tuned B48 engine for the price of a B58. And even with 1000 less cc it still weighs 3900 lbs. That doesn't go over well with me, along with the cheap ipad screens.

My C43 rattled a lot, this one probably will too.

[Portimao Blues]

I saw another YouTube review from "Remove Before Race" and the new C43's exhaust sounds better than my 2021 M340's! The new C43 is definitely more AMG than the previous generation.

[khearon23]

Sounds like an $85k 6-cylinder is on the way.

I can't knock it, but I don't think I would buy it.

[MineralM]

Originally Posted by Portimao Blues

I saw another YouTube review from "Remove Before Race" and the new C43's exhaust sounds better than my 2021 M340's! The new C43 is definitely more AMG than the previous generation.

Lol glad I have a 2020 US spec mperf exhuast, it's not even close

[Portimao Blues]

Originally Posted by MineralM

Lol glad I have a 2020 US spec mperf exhuast, it's not even close

We all know the M-Performance exhaust sounds good. We should not have to spend an additional $2,000 to make our M340s sound better. BMW should take a lesson from M-B with their new C43. The "M" in M340 should mean the exhaust has a sporty/performance oriented sound. At the very least, BMW should provide a setting to make the exhaust sound more aggressive.

[Cortexiphan]

It's frustrating to me that it seems BMW doesn't have any competition.
Nothing truly competes with M240i, M2, M3, M340i, M550i these days IMO. (Except for Porsche just in terms of driving experience. But when customer support, reliability, pricing are considered, even Porsche doesn’t really compete)

[TruthOne]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

It's frustrating to me that it seems BMW doesn't have any competition.
Nothing truly competes with M240i, M2, M3, M340i, M550i these days IMO. (Except for Porsche)

RS3/M2

M3/Quadrifoglio

That's about it

[EXE46]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

RS3/M2

M3/Quadrifoglio

That's about it

RS3 is not a true competitor to the M2, never has been and never will be.

[TruthOne]

Originally Posted by EXE46

RS3 is not a true competitor to the M2, never has been and never will be.

How are they not when they are constantly getting compared as rivals by nearly every auto magazine?

[clifftr]

Originally Posted by Portimao Blues

We all know the M-Performance exhaust sounds good. We should not have to spend an additional $2,000 to make our M340s sound better. BMW should take a lesson from M-B with their new C43. The "M" in M340 should mean the exhaust has a sporty/performance oriented sound. At the very least, BMW should provide a setting to make the exhaust sound more aggressive.

2022 M440 Grand coupe has a pretty good stock exhaust.

[Ugly Kar]

Originally Posted by TruthOne

How are they not when they are constantly getting compared as rivals by nearly every auto magazine?

I guess it depends on the definition of "True Competitor". In my mind they are as I've seriously looked at the RS3 for 3-4 years now and put it 2nd choice behind my M240.

The choice is pretty simple though, if you can get an RS3 it's a year wait and $20k more than the M240. M240 is a 5 month wait and I got a 2.5% discount.

And yes, lots of reviews comparing these two. Most have the RS3 only slightly better overall and slightly better does not equal $20k.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Ugly Kar

I guess it depends on the definition of "True Competitor". In my mind they are as I've seriously looked at the RS3 for 3-4 years now and put it 2nd choice behind my M240.

The choice is pretty simple though, if you can get an RS3 it's a year wait and $20k more than the M240. M240 is a 5 month wait and I got a 2.5% discount.

And yes, lots of reviews comparing these two. Most have the RS3 only slightly better overall and slightly better does not equal $20k.

I would gladly pay $20k more for the RS3 even if it may be closer to the M240 in performance than the M2. RS is more special in my mind than M Lite, and it will likely hold value better down the road. It has a far more interesting engine, and the M240i will be forgotten from a performance standpoint the moment the new M2 comes out (same thing happened with the last gen). Different strokes for different folks though.