AMG C43 Coupe - good choice of car for Thailand?

[CrossBones]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone here has AMG C43 and what are your experiences of owning one in Thailand? Is this a good choice vs alternatives for same price and how about depreciation better buy second hand? thank you

[LarrySR]

If you got money to burn, I'd go for it. Beautiful car.

Depreciation begins the second you drive it off the lot of course. 20%-30% then around -30,000BT per month.

 

[pedro01]

2 hours ago, LarrySR said:

If you got money to burn, I'd go for it. Beautiful car.

Depreciation begins the second you drive it off the lot of course. 20%-30% then around -30,000BT per month.

 

Reason #2993 to not buy a Benz, from someone that can't afford one anyway.

[pedro01]

The C43 is a great car - had mine over a year.

 

Handling takes some getting used to with the AWD - because it sticks to the road and doesn't twitch, slip, spin or slide. RWD purists won't like that and you won't be able to drift it.

 

It's quick and it's pretty - especially from behind. BMW started to do 3L V6's too - with almost the same HP - so that's worth a look - but I don't think they have anything that comes close to the style of the C43.

 

You'll love it, if you get one - but expect to be buying lots of front tires if you have a heavy foot.

[wprime]

If you want a cheap performance coupe then there really isn't any other choice in Thailand. MB has really captured this segment well.

[guzzi850m2]

How about the Volvo S60 recharge?

 

2.2mill, over 400hp combined! That's more than the C43 at 60-65% the cost?

 

Okay you don't get the MB badge.

 

 

https://www.volvocars.com/en-th/v/cars/s60-hybrid

[LarrySR]

20 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

How about the Volvo S60 recharge?

 

2.2mill, over 400hp combined! That's more than the C43 at 60-65% the cost?

 

Okay you don't get the MB badge.

 

 

https://www.volvocars.com/en-th/v/cars/s60-hybrid

The new Subaru BRZ is more unique than a Benz in Thailand (and more fun to drive) and wont have the snobbish stigma of AMG owners that like to post here..

Edited September 28, 2021 by LarrySR

[david555]

14 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

The new Subaru BRZ is more unique than a Benz in Thailand (and more fun to drive) and wont have the snobbish stigma of AMG owners that like to post here..

Is that still a " joint venture" with Toyota GT86 ? ????

(Same car with different names )

[pedro01]

35 minutes ago, LarrySR said:

The new Subaru BRZ is more unique than a Benz in Thailand (and more fun to drive) and wont have the snobbish stigma of AMG owners that like to post here..

There is no stigma.

 

Have a read of this - it'll help you out: https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/hate-rich-people-4-signs-010119544.html 

[itsari]

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

[guzzi850m2]

15 minutes ago, itsari said:

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

Some people have the money to spend and they likely don't want to rattle around in a old pick-up truck.

 

My own truck is now almost 8 years old and I will never buy another one, just too big and unhandy.

[itsari]

4 minutes ago, guzzi850m2 said:

Some people have the money to spend and they likely don't want to rattle around in a old pick-up truck.

 

My own truck is now almost 8 years old and I will never buy another one, just too big and unhandy.

I had a Mercedes years ago and that car i enjoyed but caused many situations that I would of been happy to do without .

Pick ups are not desirable in the cities as they have a miserable steering radius .

[richard_smith237]

25 minutes ago, itsari said:

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

 

These threads always bring out the jealous reverse snobs... 

 

Merc’s are excellent cars to choose in Thailand if one is in the market for a premium brand car.

There is an excellent dealer network and they hold their value better than other premium brands. 

Obviously styling comes into, as does the engine etc. 

 

I think the Volvo suggestion is a great one - the T8 engines are excellent.

 

But, the Ops question is about experience of AMG C43 ownership - I suspect there is just one member who can answer the question accurately (who has already done so).

 

As far as road quality goes, the vast majority of roads in Thailand are better than the UK (IMO) until we get into the back-streets / side streets. 

Additionally, some fun ‘can’ be had on the expressways. 

 

 

A car like this (Merc AMG) is all about enjoyment, someone suggesting a pick-up will never understand this. 

 

That said: I’ve never had a pick up in Thailand, but now my Son is approaching an age where we are lugging more stuff about (bikes etc) the idea of a pickup becomes more attractive. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 28, 2021 by richard_smith237

[itsari]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

These threads always bring out the jealous reverse snobs... 

 

Merc’s are excellent cars to choose in Thailand if one is in the market for a premium brand car.

There is an excellent dealer network and they hold their value better than other premium brands. 

Obviously styling comes into, as does the engine etc. 

 

I think the Volvo suggestion is a great one - the T8 engines are excellent.

 

But, the Ops question is about experience of AMG C43 ownership - I suspect there is just one member who can answer the question accurately (who has already done so).

 

As far as road quality goes, the vast majority of roads in Thailand are better than the UK (IMO) until we get into the back-streets / side streets. 

Additionally, some fun ‘can’ be had on the expressways. 

 

 

A car like this (Merc AMG) is all about enjoyment, someone suggesting a pick-up will never understand this. 

 

That said: I’ve never had a pick up in Thailand, but now my Son is approaching an age where we are lugging more stuff about (bikes etc) the idea of a pickup becomes more attractive. 

 

 

 

 

 

You miss the point totally , have a good day 

[pedro01]

BTW - to the OP - if you are in Bangkok - PM me - you are welcome to come over.

 

Got a Z4 M40i we can take out too - as that's a hoot. About 3hp difference between the two but the Z4 is 3/400kg lighter - RWD and if the C43 is Batman, the Z4 is definitely Joker. 

[KhunBENQ]

AMG C43 for Thailand? No. Currently you wouldn't get any further than 50 km out of town. Nice for Bangkok promenade posing.

My Benz for today:

 

[pedro01]

43 minutes ago, itsari said:

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

Reason #241 why "I wouldn't buy a Benz if I could ever afford one"

 

As for the roads - depends where you live. I presume you live in the past because roads here are fine now. I drove my C43 to Samui - fantastic roads on the way AND there's a road around Samui that is 50km long and empty at 1am - so doing laps of Samui is very cool. 

 

As for the unwanted attention - from who? It's a 4 million Baht car. Where I live - I know of at least 6 places that sell 30 million+ Baht cars within 10km of my house. 

 

Most of my Thai friends own Mercs/BMWs - although there seems to be an inverse correlation between the size of the female driver and the size of the car she drives. They sell 25,000 BMW/Mercs in Thailand each year - there is nothing special about owning one, nor do they bring unwanted attention. 

[pedro01]

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

AMG C43 for Thailand? No. Currently you wouldn't get any further than 50 km out of town. Nice for Bangkok promenade posing.

My Benz for today:

 

I regularly drive to Sakorn - it's about 900k - roads are great.

 

Same driving to Koh Chang.

Same driving to Pattaya.

Same driving to everywhere I go - I mean there are some <deleted> roads - but they are still roads. 

 

This is a C43 - not a Lambo with 3 inches of ground clearance. Always amazes me people driving these massive 4WD cars to Lotus and School runs - as if they might hit some Jungle on the way.

 

I mean - look @ that thing - it's got an elephant trunk on it - you know - just in case you have to cross a river - which we all know - is quite common on the way to 7-11 to pick up a new toothbrush.

[itsari]

5 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

Reason #241 why "I wouldn't buy a Benz if I could ever afford one"

 

As for the roads - depends where you live. I presume you live in the past because roads here are fine now. I drove my C43 to Samui - fantastic roads on the way AND there's a road around Samui that is 50km long and empty at 1am - so doing laps of Samui is very cool. 

 

As for the unwanted attention - from who? It's a 4 million Baht car. Where I live - I know of at least 6 places that sell 30 million+ Baht cars within 10km of my house. 

 

Most of my Thai friends own Mercs/BMWs - although there seems to be an inverse correlation between the size of the female driver and the size of the car she drives. They sell 25,000 BMW/Mercs in Thailand each year - there is nothing special about owning one, nor do they bring unwanted attention. 

They do attract unwanted attention . I had a Mercedes saloon myself so i speak from experience. 

The roads are better than the neighboring countries of Thailand , yet a long way from the roads where these cars are designed and made .

Nothing special about owning a Mercedes Car in Thailand ? Pull the other one .

[pedro01]

C43 - Sakorn Nakhon and Samui. 

 

In one piece - no worries at all.

 

BTW - Grandma is small - the car is not big.

[richard_smith237]

24 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

AMG C43 for Thailand? No. Currently you wouldn't get any further than 50 km out of town. Nice for Bangkok promenade posing.

My Benz for today:

 

 

 

Have you actually ever left Sukhumvit Road in central Bangkok ????

 

Roads are fine for anything other than an F1 car.

 

Now flooding may be a different matter - at times the streets have flooded and those with higher vehicle may be breathing a little easier - but that issue pops up once ever 5 years.

 

I think the last time I had to drive through 30cm of water was about 5 years ago.

 

Reports suggest there are fears of some floods in again Bangkok this week. 

 

We currently have a smaller SUV (CX-5) - the most its needed to go through is a puddle !

[KhunBENQ]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Have you actually ever left Sukhumvit Road in central Bangkok ????

Are you seriously asking ME???

I have been to Bangkok maybe six times in my life. I simply hate it.

I have almost ruined my new small car in 2011. Water in the footrest.

 

[G Rex]

13 minutes ago, pedro01 said:

C43 - Sakorn Nakhon and Samui. 

 

In one piece - no worries at all.

 

BTW - Grandma is small - the car is not big.

Very pretty car - and IMO quite well priced if you can get a 2-3 year old low mileage example.

Even new , it compares well against the 4mill I paid for my Cayman.

Coming from rural Australia, I think the roads in Thailand are generally quite good. (It is the other vehicles on the road that is the bigger problem - bikes, dilapidated old pick-ups etc - and so many people who have no idea how to drive).

As for the haters, and naysayers here - don’t listen to them!  They will never understand that buying a car is often an emotional, rather than a ‘common sense’ decision. If you have the wherewithal to get one - do it!  

[pedro01]

17 minutes ago, G Rex said:

Very pretty car - and IMO quite well priced if you can get a 2-3 year old low mileage example.

Even new , it compares well against the 4mill I paid for my Cayman.

Coming from rural Australia, I think the roads in Thailand are generally quite good. (It is the other vehicles on the road that is the bigger problem - bikes, dilapidated old pick-ups etc - and so many people who have no idea how to drive).

As for the haters, and naysayers here - don’t listen to them!  They will never understand that buying a car is often an emotional, rather than a ‘common sense’ decision. If you have the wherewithal to get one - do it!  

I think people misread "Motor Forum" at the top and think it's the "lose your <deleted> at the mention of a German car forum".

 

This is the wife's Z4 M40i - it's faster by far than the C43 - it slips and slides and twitches every gear change. 

 

The C43 is 4.3M THB. The Z4 M40i is 5MTHB - not a huge difference - and not everyone's cuppa - but performance is said to be on par with the M2. It's imported, so no test drive - unless you come to my house for a spin.

 

 

[VocalNeal]

My vote goes to GR Yaris.

[pedro01]

4 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

My vote goes to GR Yaris.

lol - that is a wee beastie isn't it?

 

Mind you - 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds seems a bit slow for 257 bhp on such a small car.  Top speed 142mph must be pretty hair raising - as is the price tag at 2.7M!

 

This is good to see in Thailand - 5 years ago the "hot hatch" wasn't a thing here and the only small fast car was the GLA 2.0 AMG. Everything else was driving miss daisy.

 

But what a niche car, eh? Cool stuff

 

 

[wprime]

7 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

How about the Volvo S60 recharge?

 

2.2mill, over 400hp combined! That's more than the C43 at 60-65% the cost?

 

Okay you don't get the MB badge.

 

 

https://www.volvocars.com/en-th/v/cars/s60-hybrid

That's a sedan, if he's looking at the C43 coupe he wants a performance coupe.

 

5 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Merc’s are excellent cars to choose in Thailand if one is in the market for a premium brand car.

There is an excellent dealer network and they hold their value better than other premium brands. 

Obviously styling comes into, as does the engine etc. 

The locally made models are surprisingly good value these days too, same with BMW.

 

If you want a performance coupe the new low-end AMGs like the C43 are the cheapest on the market (though I think I read above BMW is entering this space, not sure on their pricing).

If you want a "four-door coupe", the CLS is by a long-shot the cheapest available in Thailand.

If you want a small roadster the SLC or the Z4 are again the cheapest on the market.

If you want a four-seater cabriolet Mercedes offers the C/E Cabriolet here and BMW the 4 series (6 & 8 series are imported last I checked) and they're the pretty much the cheapest cabriolets in Thailand. Even the low-end competitors like the VW turtle thing sell for similar prices and the MBs hold their value better so they end up cheaper in the long run.

 

People accuse MB owners of being attention seekers like the quote below, but for particular types of cars we're starved for choice here in Thailand so they end up being the cheapest.

 

6 hours ago, itsari said:

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

That being said, I understand your position. Driving a nice car in BKK is stressful. Just today a motorbike hit the wing mirror of my S class while we were stopped in traffic and as someone who likes to keep hits cars perfect, it annoys the hell out of me. I find the best combination is to have your nice cars but also have a big car for errands/lending out/letting the girlfriend drive. Pickups are great for that - I wanted a Hilux but my girlfriend insisted we get a Fortuner instead (she felt shy to drive a pickup for some reason).

[pedro01]

2 minutes ago, wprime said:

That's a sedan, if he's looking at the C43 coupe he wants a performance coupe.

 

The locally made models are surprisingly good value these days too, same with BMW.

If you want a performance coupe the new low-end AMGs like the C43 are the cheapest on the market (though I think I read above BMW is entering this space, not sure on their pricing).

Absolutely right. For the performance, they are the best value here.

 

The BMW range is anything with an M40i badge. The 3.0 v6 with 382 horses.

 

The 3 series M40i is well worth a look. It's bigger now and was on my list.

 

It's a massive step in price to the M3 for the extra horses. So yeah - value.

[thvima]

10 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

How about the Volvo S60 recharge?

 

2.2mill, over 400hp combined! That's more than the C43 at 60-65% the cost?

 

Okay you don't get the MB badge.

 

 

https://www.volvocars.com/en-th/v/cars/s60-hybrid

 

the badge is not the problem, the ugly style of any volvo is.

 

[thvima]

9 hours ago, itsari said:

The most ridiculous car to buy in Thailand . 

Over priced and just bring unwanted attention to your self without going into the quality of the roads .

Buy a used pickup truck and be one of the locals .

 

and look like a cheap charlie poor foreigner...

I wonder what life some people are living here !