C43

[Minnsy]

New to forum, and am looking for a bit of advice re the C43 saloon. Have searched the site, so aware that petrol, discs and pads are the C43's favourite food. I am considering purchase - however is it true that the traction control cannot be turned off - also are these available in manual as well as auto?

Also any other comments on general points to look for re purchase would be useful. I have seen a couple advertised for around 12k ish - with reasonable mileage (60k or thereabouts) seems like a good package..

Look forward to feedback..

Thanks

David

 

[pascal]

You can turn off 'ASR' or 'ESP' traction, but it still remains active between about 25 & 50mph. So you can do a wheel spin up to about 25mph. For my car anyway

 

[angus falconer]

Hi Minnsy,

Yes C43's like petrol and brakes. Also rear tyres - I am looking at new rears after about 12k.

Like any performance motor you want to know it's been well looked after. Not just engine oil but after 50k miles gearbox oil change a good idea and diff oil too. All oily bits get a good workout

Basically you also need a good specialist to look after one (and check one over for you if possible)

As far as switchable traction goes if you really want a sideways car get an M3 or something. The C43 is all about (fast) cruising not sideways heroics. Take one out for an extended road test and see if it suits. I spent 3 years going sideways in a tuned 200SX and I am very happy with the Merc.

You get a huge amount of car for not much outlay. I am hanging on to mine.

 

[Minnsy]

Thanks for replies - the question re traction is not re sideways action! Rather I want to be able to control what the car does, rather than the car controlling what I do - I currently have an S2 Avant - 4 wheel drive, and it is utterly predictable. I want the same progressive predictability with the Merc.

As to the other point - are they all auto - and if so, is this a 4 or 5 speed box...

Thanks...

 

[SLinKyjoe]

if you have an ESP switch you can reduce the influence of the traction control aids significantly. that will bring you the degree of control you are hoping for. altho with the ESP on you will have less chance of the car getting out of shape before you have to apply your infinately tuned skills. The traction never switches totally off to keep a degree of engine protection and down the risk of exploding gearboxs etc. switching it off just allows the levels it normally activates at to be over ridden for driving on snow or where the traction control would work over time in normal conditions....


as for the gearbox number of gears...i am gonna be silly here. Count them....set off and watch the revs drop every time it changes up....altho i wud guess its 4 or 5.....maybes someone knows for sure.

 

[angus falconer]

Yes you can cut the ESP back which makes a difference. Generally I am surprised at how unobtrusive the traction control is in day to day life. I though it would bug me but doesn't. I only turn if off for laugh very now and then.

It's a 5 speed auto. Fantastically smooth on upshifts, adjusts to your style, no need to overide on way up. Bit clunky if over-ridden on way down. Think some came with Speedshift buttons which improves override.

Generally, though, the massive torque and power everywhere means that gears become a bit irrelevant a lot of time. If you want a laugh in twisties just stick in in 3rd and blast it.

 

[angus falconer]

Hi Minnsy,

Just looked back at a Top Gear group test reprint from Dec 98 - Audi S4 vs Merc C43 vs Volvo V40.

Conclusion - Merc 2 secs faster to 100 with awesome stoppers. Audi handles much better especially in the wet.

So horses for courses - if you want an S2/S4 experience stick with AWD. If you want a slow in/fast out dragster get a C43.