Audi S4 vs. MB C43 AMG?

[s4macs]

I'd like to hear from those who may have had a C43 and went to the S4 or the other way? Struggling to buying a new S4 (I've had a 2013 and 2016 S4) or going the AMG C43 sedan route. Thanks for any real world input you can offer.

[TheDon89]

From what I could gather when I was shopping for vehicles was that the C43 didn’t get the full AMG treatment. Meaning it’s not as hands on built as the other AMG’s and the aftermarket world for modifications and what not is no where near that of the S4.

[Microcap]

I was cross shopping C43/m340/S4. With that being said, all three of those vehicles are great and I am sure you won't be disappointed with any of them. I found that my S4 was a little more nimble even though it has less power than the other two. Also, the interior i felt was superior in the S4. My S4 is a prestige, when you price the C43 and M340 fully equipped, i found the S4 was the best bang for your buck. I personally also believe the S4 has the best appearance. I prefer less aggressive looking vehicles, the S4 i can drive around low key, and i love that. Good luck!

[grmnmusl]

Agreed from an insider (Mi Wife). Popped on brakes, fitted the engine and put it out the door. Old school American Muscle concept.

I would just ask what are your needs and desires as the cars are a polar opposite...!

[s4macs]

Thank you guys...I appreciate the quick responses. I am old school, and do not care for (actually REALLY dislike) the digital gauge clusters, and analog gauges are still available - if ordered that way - on the 2020 C43. I also like the fact that there are several seating options with more aggressive bolstering than what you can get on the S4....and still trying to get use to the diamond stitching. I don't care for the 'new' yacht type shifters on the Audis...loved the look and feel of what was on my 2016 S4 (and the analog gauges). Dislikes on the C43 are the staggered wheel sizes with run-flats which don't seem to have the best reputation. I agree that the S4 does have a nicer understated look. I put about 20K miles a year on my daily driver and loved the reliability of the S4 so that too is important. GRMNMUSI - when you say the cars are polar opposites please offer a bit more if you would...the S4, M340 and C43 seem to me about the same offerings, i.e. size, AWD, performance, etc. which is why they are typically compared to one another. Thank you

[oc cc]

The C43 is definitely more on the aggressive side personality wise, whereas Audi does the "understated" thing as its selling point. Basically, while performance metrics might be very close or identical, do you want something more sedate and comfortable or something more sporty and aggressive. I have a B9 S5 SB that I modded to be like the C43 (exhaust, suspension, etc.) but if you can't do that and prefer something more mature, S4 is the route.

[jonesey]

Thank you guys...I appreciate the quick responses. I am old school, and do not care for (actually REALLY dislike) the digital gauge clusters, and analog gauges are still available - if ordered that way - on the 2020 C43. I also like the fact that there are several seating options with more aggressive bolstering than what you can get on the S4....and still trying to get use to the diamond stitching. I don't care for the 'new' yacht type shifters on the Audis...loved the look and feel of what was on my 2016 S4 (and the analog gauges). Dislikes on the C43 are the staggered wheel sizes with run-flats which don't seem to have the best reputation. I agree that the S4 does have a nicer understated look. I put about 20K miles a year on my daily driver and loved the reliability of the S4 so that too is important. GRMNMUSI - when you say the cars are polar opposites please offer a bit more if you would...the S4, M340 and C43 seem to me about the same offerings, i.e. size, AWD, performance, etc. which is why they are typically compared to one another. Thank you

I crossed shopped all three as well..for it was between the s4/5 and C43. Came down to the AWD handling of the two and the overall feature set and interiors. in the end I felt the Audi was a little more of a dual purpose car, more understated so I went for it. I will say Benz also thinks highly of the c43 and the price was ridiculously off from the BMW and Audis.

[Okan509]

I crossed shopped all three as well..for it was between the s4/5 and C43. Came down to the AWD handling of the two and the overall feature set and interiors. in the end I felt the Audi was a little more of a dual purpose car, more understated so I went for it. I will say Benz also thinks highly of the c43 and the price was ridiculously off from the BMW and Audis.

found the exact opposite. pricing can't be beat on the c43 for leasing. huge MSRP discounts at 10%+ and decent residuals and MF. Would have been paying nearly 20%+ more for the s4 equivalent.

BMW can be good - but was basically between platforms when needing something.

[s4macs]

Thank you guys for your continued thoughts...I have several 911s including a 2019 GT3 Touring so perhaps the S4 is more in line and consistent with my daily needs, as the GT3 certainly covers any of the sporting/aggressive needs I have. Decisions, decisions...

[Zed 2.0]

Have owned a C43 and B9 S5. The C43 is more raucous--louder, a bit quicker, much stiffer. C43 had awful ride quality, especially with the RFTs that come with the car. Overall build quality on the C43 (as well as initial reliability) was poor. Mine went into the shop 3x in 6 months for rattles that were never fixed, and had constant electronic glitches like the backup camera failing to work about 10% of the time. It just did not feel like nearly as much of a premium product as the Audi does.

Other downsides on the C43 are a poor transmission compared to the ZF units from Audi and BMW (driving in M was dangerously jerky in traffic) and an AWD system that is less sophisticated than Audi's.

It's not a bad car if you want more of an aggressive edge, and the exhaust note with the performance exhaust is best in class. But it's a quite different ownership experience than the Audi.

[*Will*]

This isn't a comparison, but coming from someone who has just been through the process of shopping and ended up with an S4, you might like to know that there seem to be more on the lot than dealers are comfortable with so discounts seem large (to me at least). If you like the finish of one on the lot you can expect 15%+ off MSRP (for a cash buy, so no funnies).

[s4macs]

Have owned a C43 and B9 S5. The C43 is more raucous--louder, a bit quicker, much stiffer. C43 had awful ride quality, especially with the RFTs that come with the car. Overall build quality on the C43 (as well as initial reliability) was poor. Mine went into the shop 3x in 6 months for rattles that were never fixed, and had constant electronic glitches like the backup camera failing to work about 10% of the time. It just did not feel like nearly as much of a premium product as the Audi does.

Other downsides on the C43 are a poor transmission compared to the ZF units from Audi and BMW (driving in M was dangerously jerky in traffic) and an AWD system that is less sophisticated than Audi's.

It's not a bad car if you want more of an aggressive edge, and the exhaust note with the performance exhaust is best in class. But it's a quite different ownership experience than the Audi.

Zed 2.0 - thank you for your honest feedback...most helpful, and generally consistent with what I've heard and read - to include some disconcerting posts on this website. So far, the Audi is winning this comparison question that I've posted!

[SHCKR]

I would urge you to look at the b8 to b9 comparison threads. I think it's a very similar comparison. B8 (.5) was (felt)faster, louder, rougher, not as refined, sportier. B9 is luxurious, everything is extremely well thought out and put together, and a much nicer daily driver experience. Therefore if it's a daily driver you're looking for, definitely go with the S4. You won't be disappointed. And of course, test drive both, but ensure you test drive similarly optioned vehicles.

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[AA1]

I would urge you to look at the b8 to b9 comparison threads. I think it's a very similar comparison. B8 (.5) was (felt)faster, louder, rougher, not as refined, sportier. B9 is luxurious, everything is extremely well thought out and put together, and a much nicer daily driver experience. Therefore if it's a daily driver you're looking for, definitely go with the S4. You won't be disappointed. And of course, test drive both, but ensure you test drive similarly optioned vehicles.

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Perfect response. I am in the same boat. As much as everyone said, M340i and C43. Drove all of them, and in the real world, all are equally fast, at least from a seat of the pants feel, and even in the Throttle House video, the S4 and C43 are neck and neck, people tend to forget how weight also plays a part, and the Quattro system is just so good at getting the power down. I also pay little attention to drag races and quarter mile times as they really don’t apply to the real world of day to day driving and the odd back road. As much as I wanted to go the M340 or C43, due to all the press saying how good they were. However, I am a daily guy and even with the MB and BMW on their comfort settings, my 2018 golf R was more comfortable. And agree the interior of the Audi was the best. The BMW seemed old and weird digital dash, and the MB was just too much. Also as a 2022 I am getting, hard to say what the B10 will be, will it go to a turbo 4 like the the 2023 MB. i like the 6 so I’ll lease the S4 for three years, and avoid the first year pitfalls of a new platform. But you need to drive them all and see.

[SHCKR]

Also as a 2022 I am getting, hard to say what the B10 will be, will it go to a turbo 4 like the the 2023 MB.

Electric. It will be electric.

[will13k7]

ha. I did this comparison about a month ago. The cars' performance are all close enough it really comes down to personal aesthetic preferences. I used to like MB's C-class design language back in 2012, but the current model is too curvy, and the interior is gaudy. I've never been a fan of BMW's kidney grill, but with it blacked out, I can overlook it. The interior is getting better over time, but still not up to Audi's level. I thought it would be interesting to own all three German makes at some point to know what each is about (we had a MB C350 in the past). In the end, for what was available on the lots (no xDrive models available), Quattro sealed the deal for the wifie whom has similar tastes to me.

get your ICE cars while you can! haha. I do have a sneaky suspicion the push to all electric is still too soon and some companies will rethink. In CA we don't have enough power to run everyone's air conditioner, yet alone charge everyone's car. They also shut down power during high-fire-risk periods instead of maintaining the infrastructure. Will they fix that in 10 years? kind of doubt it.

[AA1]

Electric. It will be electric.

I think it won’t be just yet. The B10 will still have ICE as an option, the B10.5 or 11 will be all electric

[SHCKR]

I think it won’t be just yet. The B10 will still have ICE as an option, the B10.5 or 11 will be all electric

Either way, I feel like my ICE hobby is about to be ripped out of my world lol

[BrisAudi]

When I was looking around back 3 years ago, the C43 seem to sound the best and that is about it. Performance is very close but it is the B58 that really had the better engine (I own both B58 and EA839 3.0t). C43 interior was dated (even the A class interior look more modern), squeaks, and it like the camry of luxury cars so its every where. Tech wise, B9 with the Virtual Cockpit was a win for me but I would have liked a touch screen though (my is a pre-facelift). One thing I must say Audi is a little understated so you might find this a good or a bad depending on ur taste.

[ssanderson1]

The C43 is the pretty girl with a great rack....but the absolute flattest ass you've ever seen. So bad in fact, that from behind, you'd think it might be an 85 year old lady.

One uuuuuugly ass car from behind. Build quality sucks and ride quality sucks.

[oc cc]

The winner this generation is the M340i in my opinion. Last gen was the B8 with the darling SC V6 and DCT (the N54/N55 were not as good powertrains), but this gen I think BMW nailed it - way better quality/tech than the C43, but much sportier and more aggressive than the B9s.

[Eric_C]

The newest C43 is quite a bit quicker than the S4, it got quite a HP bump in the last year or so. Mine with the JB4 and E40 is still quicker but not by much. The sports exhaust borders on the obnoxious when fully open and that is from inside the car.

The design interior is stunning but after driving a new Merc with the new infotainment setup it is much nicer than the current C43 but the next gen is going to be 4 cylinder only.

I personally like the infotainment over the Audi setup after spending sometime in a B series SUV.

The B10 is going to be ICE, Audi has said as much, but that is going to be it although they did say they would go out with a bang whatever that ends up meaning.

[oc cc]

The newest C43 is quite a bit quicker than the S4, it got quite a HP bump in the last year or so. Mine with the JB4 and E40 is still quicker but not by much. The sports exhaust borders on the obnoxious when fully open and that is from inside the car.

The design interior is stunning but after driving a new Merc with the new infotainment setup it is much nicer than the current C43 but the next gen is going to be 4 cylinder only.

I personally like the infotainment over the Audi setup after spending sometime in a B series SUV.

The B10 is going to be ICE, Audi has said as much, but that is going to be it although they did say they would go out with a bang whatever that ends up meaning.

To further elaborate, I believe the B10 will be Hybrid ICE and EV powertrains specifically. Which will end up similar to cars like the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63S E Performance - a car that will cost as much as a hypercar to maintain due to the enormous amount of tech packed under the hood. Just for reference:

"The new model uses a familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 630 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, with a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor and a 4.8-kWh battery pack incorporated in the rear axle. Through a two-speed gearbox, the motor adds an additional 201 horsepower for up to 10 seconds, or 94 horses continuously. The lithium-ion battery pack is charged via the 3.7-kW onboard AC charger.
Together, they make 831 horsepower and 1082 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission handles the gear exchanges, and AMG's 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system delivers torque to all four corners. Additionally, the electrified rear axle has an electronically controlled limited-slip differential."


Overengineered hot V TT V8. Batteries and motors. AWD. Differentials. And two transmissions. That's a major yikes down the road for pre-owned buyers. And I am not sure if you guys noticed across ALL platforms, from Mazda, to BMW, to a bunch more, but the ECUs are becoming harder and harder to crack. So for me this is the last huzzah - I gotta complete my temple of ICE as soon as possible: Cayman GTS 4.0, M8 Gran Coupe, RS3, Nissan Z and depending on if the next gen Miata even comes out that will be added to the list. I'd consider the Emira but talked to a few Lotus owners and they talked me out of it.

[gpm24780]

Agree… definitely the end of days for the ICE… I intend the max out the B9 platform before I ultimately end up going EV… who knows… maybe I keep my S5 as a relic of the past