Thoughts on this GLC43 AMG!

[Srdl]

First impressions of the car are that the M276 3.0l V6 AMG engine is a gem it pulls the 2.5 ton GLC well even in comfort mode and the V6 sport exhaust emits that sonorous sound of a V engine nicely. I don’t expect many problems from the drivetrain (hopefully) we all know this engine has been around a long time and if well maintained presents few problems. Oh! It has a dipstick how novel is that the selling dealer serviced the car and the MB229.51 oil looks very clean.

The air suspension gives a better ride than the E53 mainly I suspect because the struts have a bigger range of movement so you can really feel the benefits on our harsh roads. Road noise isn’t bad at all considering the car runs on 255 and 285 section rubber so MB have done a good soundproofing job there.

The finish inside and outside the car is impressive to match it’s size when it sits on the drive lol to my surprise the chrome and polished aluminium looks well with Selenite grey probably not to everyone’s taste as the night pack tends to be quite popular at the moment. The seats are well bolstered and the electric driven extending seat base a welcome addition. I really can’t fault the car other than blind spot assist isn’t fitted I thought it was part of the Premium Plus package but alas not it must be offered separately I did look into the cost of retrofitting but the cost is prohibitively high at >£2k.

So all in all I’m very pleased with the purchase and I rate the seller Smiths Sports Performance at Melton Mowbray highly they prepare their cars well and it came with a full service (added to the MB data base) and MOT for the year. Oh! and they have an interesting array of sports cars to look at on the premises what more could you want.

The only thing I would disagree with is the weight. Mine is specified as a kerb weight of 1865Kg.

Edit… but Revenue Weight on my V5 is 2460Kg

 

[ALFAitalia]

Kerb and revenue weights are different things.

Kerb weight

Definition: The total mass of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating fluids (like coolant and brake oil), and a full tank of fuel, but without any passengers or cargo.

Revenue weight.

Definition: The maximum operating or design weight assigned to or registered for a vehicle (often recorded by the DVLA on the V5 logbook in the UK).

 

[Srdl]

Kerb and revenue weights are different things.

Kerb weight

Definition: The total mass of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating fluids (like coolant and brake oil), and a full tank of fuel, but without any passengers or cargo.

Revenue weight.

Definition: The maximum operating or design weight assigned to or registered for a vehicle (often recorded by the DVLA on the V5 logbook in the UK).

Depends on what you read! My 2018 GLC brochure has a footnote to the kerb weight figure which says:
“³Figures according to Directive 92/21/EC (kerb weight with fuel tank 90% full, driver, 68 kg, and luggage, 7 kg) for standard-specification vehicles.”

Whatever the weight, as Malcolm says the M276 pulls it all along very well. I’m also surprised sometimes at just how well a such a heavy vehicle handles due to the standard air suspension with the AMG treatment.

 

[Dean Fletcher]

Wife got a GLC 220d as a courtesy car other day she quite liked it.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Wife got a GLC 220d as a courtesy car other day she quite liked it.

So does mine!

She would like the 220d even more lol

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’ve always liked the GLC for me the GLE is a bit of a tank

 

[Dean Fletcher]

I’ve always liked the GLC for me the GLE is a bit of a tank

I seen a nice GLE coupe 63 AMG the other day for sale, I did think about it. but don't think im at that SUV stage in my life yet.
(sitting here with a bad back currently)

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The GLC53 is the one for me an absolute peach of an engine but it’s taken too long for MB to wake-up to what people want unfortunately.

Hope your back soon improves.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My thoughts on ownership after two weeks are good and I’d certainly make the purchase again, no regrets and I can’t think of any other SUV in its class I’d sooner have. I particularly like the fact that the car is a combination of the old and new, the M276 has been around for 15 years and has proven reliability and the interior is one of the best MB currently produce in quality and tech including MBUX.

I’d say the mpg economy is 10% less efficient than the E53 and the power delivery is not as linear and can be a bit on and off occasionally when the twin turbo spools up which requires a bit more care with the throttle at times but that’s not a complaint just a characteristic.

I think I’ve just about got the car where I want it by buying a steel spacesaver spare with a set shortened of wheel bolts, a set of MB rubber winter car mats and stainless steel rear bumper protection trim, which I can thoroughly recommend it’s a perfect fit and well finished.

So, it had it’s first wash in my hands yesterday (doesn’t feel mine until I’ve washed it) the wax that the dealer used to prep the car is amazing I thought it was ceramic coated but alas not and washing the roof was just possible for a 6’1” individual the car does sit high.