Should I switch to a C43/C63?

[Davethaboss]

Hello all,

I own a 2017 S3 and was thinking about buying a C43 or even a base C63. I have always been a 4cyl/hot hatch kind of guy. I hate American muscle cars because they are the opposite of what I like.

The question is, is a stage 2+ S3 better 0-60 than a tuned C43 or even a C63? I have watched videos on youtube which somehow make my answer yes. I thought the S3 would get spanked but, it seems like it holds its own which is crazy because, people always talk shit about it being a VW and a 4cyl.

I have to ask. Is there any real performance gain you get upgrading? I do not care about sound at all. I am at a point where I could literally customize this car and make it one of a kind. Or I just buy a 2017 C43 or a 2016 C63 base model and work with that despite, them being a bit more money. The only reason I would want to upgrade is the interior but, even then I loose my beloved DSG and my beloved Virtual Cockpit and all the other special mods and retrofits I have done to my car.

Curious to see what everyone thinks, as everyone seems to be moving on to M3's, M2's, etc... When in reality the S3 does a provide a good bang for buck. Or does it?

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[2015S3]

I am in the same boat except I am stage-3, I think the S3 is getting a bit dated, there is some stiff competition out there now.

I was thinking A45 though, M3, Supra. I here the new M engines are a beast with a tune.

To be honest I love the ATS-V as well. But i don’t think I can leave German build.


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[djlittle21]

When I decided to get out of my S3, I test drove the C43 and wasn’t impressed. It went great in a straight line, but the ride was busy even in comfort mode, which didn’t inspire confidence. I haven’t driven the 63, as it was more than I was looking to spend. I ended up with an RS3 and have been very pleased with my purchase. The M cars are wild, and if I wanted to spend that much I’d definitely go drive one. It just depends on what you want...all of them are fun and fast.


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[Davethaboss]

I am in the same boat except I am stage-3, I think the S3 is getting a bit dated, there is some stiff competition out there now.

I was thinking A45 though, M3, Supra. I here the new M engines are a beast with a tune.

To be honest I love the ATS-V as well. But i don’t think I can leave German build.


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I was actually looking at a ATS-V before.
I am looking at some M3's, C63, and ATS-V. What really limits my options is the fact I need 4 doors because, I carry passengers frequently and I know what it feels like to drive a coupe and go through the same routine over and over again when you have to get out and let people in.

I agree though. It is weird but, not even Jaguar, Volvo, or American companies can not quite replicate the german sports car. Cadillac has come close but, still they are not there just yet.

The one thing I really do not want to happen is if I "upgrade" and I end up regretting the fact I sold my S3. I just drove my buddy's AMG and I walked away pretty underwhelmed. Probably because, I expected it to be like a Lamborghini. I played too much NFS as a kid it seems!

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[Davethaboss]

When I decided to get out of my S3, I test drove the C43 and wasn’t impressed. It went great in a straight line, but the ride was busy even in comfort mode, which didn’t inspire confidence. I haven’t driven the 63, as it was more than I was looking to spend. I ended up with an RS3 and have been very pleased with my purchase. The M cars are wild, and if I wanted to spend that much I’d definitely go drive one. It just depends on what you want...all of them are fun and fast.


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The problem is I wanted to stick with AWD and 4 doors. I know this sounds crazy but, I can get some better deals on an ATS-V, C63 (this particular one is not fully loaded), and I was wondering if buying a C43 and then tuning it, if it would make more power and accelerate faster than my current S3 does and rival RS3's of the world. It seems I am wrong. I just saw a S3 smoke a modified C63 a couple days ago.

Anyways, I was looking to upgrade the interior and get more room for passengers in the back. This was why the RS3 did not stick out for me because, I still have the same problem in the rear seats. People keep saying to check out the S4/S5 but, this time round I wanted to shop around and see what was the best bang for buck.

It also seems flash tuning like we do here, is not really a common thing according to some people on the forums over there for their C43's.
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[2015S3]

I think I might go ATs-V


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[Davethaboss]

I think I might go ATs-V


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Just checked one out and was disappointed with the interior. The performance was very good though. The rear space for passengers was bad though. Almost similar to my Audi. For that kind of money and similar space/acceptable practicality I would just buy an RS3. I am too used to German cars. Even the Japanese cars are doing it right compared to the Americans.

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[Spinnetti]

ATS handles great, but don't love the interior or the quality. Make a switch - otherwise you'll never know but will probably be back ;)

[Kevin quattro]

I do like the new C63s. Don't really care about the c43. As far as bang for your buck, 4 door awd, I don't think there's a better car out there than the S3. M3s are rwd and more money but amazing, ats-vs are good but rwd and not attractive and not great interiors. I am personally waiting for the 2021 m3s to be 2-3 years old so I can have an awd M3 for a good price. MIGHT, make the switch then. I live in Michigan so rwd is not an option. If you live in a warm climate the other cars sound fun. The real comparison would be the S3 to c43 and RS3 to c63. I might go with the C63 just to get that v8. I think we have a better tuning community than Mercedes does, but get a good exhaust on the back of that turbo 8 and I can't imagine you'll be unhappy. I haven't driven the c63, but I did drive the 2017 c43 and wasn't impressed. It's not nearly as good looking as the audis, both inside and out, and it doesn't handle as well. It was as good as an s3 in a straight line and had a little deeper exhaust note. Mercedes does have great tech and build quality, but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything since I have the virtual cockpit, prestige pkg, super sport seats, etc. I have never bought a car with the intention of keeping it for a long time until I got my S3. For me it's everything I love. A 4 cylinder making crazy power smoking v8s with ease, handsome sporty looks, light weight, high tech, easy to squeeze power out, the list goes on. Go drive a c43 and remind yourself how good your own car is. The c63 I don't think is a fair comparison as it'll cost as much as an rs3 and I would take an rs3 over just about anything on the road.

[Davethaboss]

I do like the new C63s. Don't really care about the c43. As far as bang for your buck, 4 door awd, I don't think there's a better car out there than the S3. M3s are rwd and more money but amazing, ats-vs are good but rwd and not attractive and not great interiors. I am personally waiting for the 2021 m3s to be 2-3 years old so I can have an awd M3 for a good price. MIGHT, make the switch then. I live in Michigan so rwd is not an option. If you live in a warm climate the other cars sound fun. The real comparison would be the S3 to c43 and RS3 to c63. I might go with the C63 just to get that v8. I think we have a better tuning community than Mercedes does, but get a good exhaust on the back of that turbo 8 and I can't imagine you'll be unhappy. I haven't driven the c63, but I did drive the 2017 c43 and wasn't impressed. It's not nearly as good looking as the audis, both inside and out, and it doesn't handle as well. It was as good as an s3 in a straight line and had a little deeper exhaust note. Mercedes does have great tech and build quality, but I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything since I have the virtual cockpit, prestige pkg, super sport seats, etc. I have never bought a car with the intention of keeping it for a long time until I got my S3. For me it's everything I love. A 4 cylinder making crazy power smoking v8s with ease, handsome sporty looks, light weight, high tech, easy to squeeze power out, the list goes on. Go drive a c43 and remind yourself how good your own car is. The c63 I don't think is a fair comparison as it'll cost as much as an rs3 and I would take an rs3 over just about anything on the road.

Some guy wanted to do a trade + cash for my car. I told him the mods and work I had done to it including OBD11 and retrofits.
(I used to have a secondary video connection into virtual cockpit. You could get waze/your phone to show up hell some guy on youtube got his PS4 to show up lol. All it is, is a video connection.) The guy has not gotten back to me yet, but he made me an offer out of the blue that made me question selling the car or not. You are right. There is literally nothing better than the S3 than the RS3. The CLA 45 and GLA45 do not impress me, I was in a showroom once and the interior was a joke. The one in the S3 blows the Mercedes out of the water which I am amazed I am even saying this lol.

I live in Tri state NYC/NJ/PA Area where RWD is not really a good option, however most of the time roads are plowed but, I can not count on my fingers the amount of people I see stuck during a snow storm with a sports car. Audi's? None LOL.

I drove my buddy's E55 and his C63 and I was not impressed. I even told him how I missed my car's novelty of feeling nimble and lightweight at lower speeds. His felt like a fucking slug and once you got up into higher RPM's then you felt it kick in. At that point though, I am just asking to get arrested.

Everyone keeps saying the C43 is not that good coming from a tuned S3. I did notice the tuning and aftermarket support for that car is not as good or actice as the S3 which is a bit of disappointment. I mean fuck it, I can always get a hybrid turbo or spend 1 year building a hybrid system if I get bored.

I need to schedule a test drive on the C43 soon.

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[S3DUDE]

I am in the same boat except I am stage-3, I think the S3 is getting a bit dated, there is some stiff competition out there now.

I was thinking A45 though, M3, Supra. I here the new M engines are a beast with a tune.

To be honest I love the ATS-V as well. But i don’t think I can leave German build.



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The ATS-V are nice but they stopped production so expect the value to drop.

[S3DUDE]

To the OP,


I am familiar with this topic. I had a Stage 2 APR S3 and it was fast and very responsive(12.2@114 at a 3100ft altitude drag strip). Also owned a C63 AMG when they first came out although not the twinturbo but at one point I read tons of reviews when I was a MB forum member. I also put a C450 AMG on order in 2014 but I cancelled last minute because I was going to be out of the country for a year (ended up with a CLS55 twin turbo).

Back to your topic, keep the S3, I am serious. mercedes is ultra expensive when shit breaks, AMG is even more expensive. If you open the hood of a Twinturbo V8 benz there is no room to work. The S3 is a very compact engine, the car itself it much lighter than the other two cars and gas mileage is also excellent. If I were you I would care two craps about what people think if the engine on the Audi is a VW. The EA888 gen 3 is a leading class engine, as a matter of fact, the EA888 Gen 3 on the S3 runs faster than the A45 AMG do on their 2.0 and YES, I know you are talking about the C43.

The C63 is crazy torquey and very fast from a roll. It is a very fast car and a great engine power plant specially if you tune it but the S3 can be fast with a couple of silly mods and it is more functional with the AWD. The new 6 inline engine on the C43 is a beast specially with the 4 matic and the 9 speed, it runs close to what the C63 AMG runs stock.


Overall I am echoing what others are telling you, keep your S3, it is a heck of a bang for the buck car. It is proven and durable, deep maintenance should be much cheaper than a AMG.

[VR1]

Having driven the C43 I wouldn't waste your time on one. It wont feel like much if any of an upgrade. C63 with a tune is the way to go.

[wrager]

I have a tuned A3 cabriolet that I drive daily. It's surprising how powerful it is. On the other hand, my tuned '19 GLA 45 is in another world.

[myrder]

Be aware the ATS-V has a weak engine, people tune them and pop all the time.

[S3DUDE]

I have a tuned A3 cabriolet that I drive daily. It's surprising how powerful it is. On the other hand, my tuned '19 GLA 45 is in another world.

They did something to the 2019 models that made a world of difference, I think they re-teweaked the sluggish transmission. I think Car and driver got 3.9 sec 0-60 out go the GLA which is very impressive.

[wrager]

I got lucky when I found this one with 900 miles for $45k.

[Jadar]

Be aware the ATS-V has a weak engine, people tune them and pop all the time.

And they have waste gate issues which requires new turbos. The car was promising when it came out but just another GM cheap interior junk mobile that lasted only a few years in production. I’d skip that shit...stay in the S3 man! Or go RS3. M cars are awesome I came over here to Audi after 6 BMW’s and BMW gets old too. Can’t put the power down and if going sideways is your think in an f80 by all means do that. It’s a totally awesome car and capable but get the later LCI models like the M3 Comp pack with the revised bed plate and way better differential it made a huge difference.

But of it were me I’d go rs3 all day.


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[Davethaboss]

I got lucky when I found this one with 900 miles for $45k.

Why not get an RS3 at that point?

I have difficulty justifying spending more than 35k on a car.
(2017 S3 last year during novembor, was 38k! It has now dropped this year to 28-32k!)
Depreciation on S3's are bad yet, the RS3 is still holding some value. Maybe I made a mistake not buying one...

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[S3NICK]

What about an M340i? Like a new one.

[billk1967]

Funny, I went from a 2016 ATS-V to my current car (stage 2 S3), only because I couldnt take getting my a$$ handed to me at the lights (especially here in Vancouver with the excessive rainy season). I went through the C63/M3/Guilia when doing my research and finally chose the ATS-V. I had absolutely no issues with it and to be honest if it were AWD I would still own it as the power is fantastic, and mine was stock!

If you are in a place that is dry and run good sticky tires then I would not hesitate recommending it as it is great value for the price they are going for these days.

[Davethaboss]

What about an M340i? Like a new one.

Too much money at that price point for me right now, plus I can not deal woth the fact those things depreciate like crazy.

Even if I could I would buy an S4 or S5 at that point.

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[Davethaboss]

Funny, I went from a 2016 ATS-V to my current car (stage 2 S3), only because I couldnt take getting my a$$ handed to me at the lights (especially here in Vancouver with the excessive rainy season). I went through the C63/M3/Guilia when doing my research and finally chose the ATS-V. I had absolutely no issues with it and to be honest if it were AWD I would still own it as the power is fantastic, and mine was stock!

If you are in a place that is dry and run good sticky tires then I would not hesitate recommending it as it is great value for the price they are going for these days.

I live in the North East so RWD is not really ideal, but it snows and rains here way too often for me to justify buying a RWD car even with snow tires. Driving a RWD with snow tires just feels weird.

I think I may in fact just stick with the Audi in the end. I wish the B9 Audi S4's were cheaper. A C43 is cheaper than an S4 for some reason. Makes no sense to me.

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