If you’re trying to find a deluxe performance lorry, the Mercedes C43 AMG and also Audi S4 are two of the very best premium options readily available. Coming in ideal around a comparable $60k cost it is a close match between the two on which is the better performance car. While the Mercedes badge could carry a little extra status, the Audi S-line has been a peak of German efficiency for the last years.
This write-up is going to cover the C43 AMG vs the S4 in terms of performance, dependability, and also rate. We are mosting likely to consider not only performance from the factory but additionally performance as well as alteration possibility. We are primarily going to concentrate on the more recent B9 S4’s and also the all new W206 C43, which changed the W205 for model year 2023.
C43 AMG vs Audi S4 Stock Performance
Mercedes shifted directions slightly on the brand-new W206 C43, changing from the previous 3.0 L V6 twin-turbo, to a smaller 2.0 L I4 combined with an electrical starter system. The new M139 engine includes the very first electrical turbocharger which really causes a power increase over the previous bigger engine. The M139 creates 402hp as well as 369lb-ft. of torque which is good enough to get the heavy C43 from 0-60mph in just 4.6 secs with the 4Matic all-wheel drive setup.
Audi stuck with the 3.0 L turbocharged V6 TFSI engine in their S4. Regardless of the larger engine it in fact underproduces compared to the Mercedes, at 349hp and 369lb-ft. of torque. It additionally has an all-wheel drive setup however choose an 8-speed transmission vs a 9-speed in the C43. While the power numbers may look a little bit dull contrasted to the 402hp from the C43 AMG, the S4 is in fact 0.2 seconds better from 0-60mp, clocking a 4.4 2nd time.
The difference in 0-60mph times is likely because of weight. The Audi S4 is roughly 3,850 pounds. whereas the C43 car is about 4,100 lbs. making a distinction of 250 pounds. Ultimately, the two are really comparable in regards to supply efficiency, albeit we do agree that the S4 appears to be a little bit underpowered from a horsepower as well as torque outcome perspective. With that being claimed, since both engines are turbocharged there need to be suitable performance possibility using aftermarket adjustments.
Audi S4 Power Potential
The biggest benefit to the S4 is that it is making use of the exact same engine that the B9’s have been utilizing considering that 2017, which indicates there is currently sufficient aftermarket support. A variety of fundamental screw on mods like a consumption, exhaust, receiver, and intercooler should have the ability to take the 3.0 L V6 from 349hp to 420-430hp rather quickly. These performance components can be bought for just a couple of thousand dollars that makes it rather budget friendly to push this engine closer to the power degrees of the C43.
The supply turbo can deal with regarding 500hp and 575lb-ft. of torque when strained. You can achieve these power levels with the above mentioned mods plus some turbo inlets as well as outlets. The supply turbo will shed a whole lot of integrity at these levels. Turbo upgrades are pretty very easy on the B9 platform and also can really obtain the S4 down into the high-9’s in the quarter mile, as seen recently by Integrated Engineering’s S4.
C43 AMG Power Potential
With higher manufacturing facility outcome than the S4 the C43 has the advantage. The M139 engine is more recent and also consequently a bit much more minimal in terms of aftermarket assistance. One good sign for the C43 is that the C63 AMG really utilizes the very same engine and also creates 469hp and also 402lb-ft. of torque. Considering this coincides precise engine, the M139 is the C43 is most likely simply tuned down a little which means that some easy tuning can possibly press it to the exact same power levels as the C63. This makes the C43 vs C63 and intriguing argument as you can buy a C43 for about $20k less as well as spend a pair thousand on efficiency components to obtain it to the exact same power degrees as the C63.
Weistec currently has a tuner on the market that advertisers power degrees up t 510hp and also 490lb-ft. of torque. With the enhancement of a couple of even more efficiency mods, the C43 AMG must conveniently have the ability to manage over 500hp without losing much dependability.
Efficiency Summary
Champion: Mercedes C43 AMG
While the Audi is slightly quicker from a dig, the C43 produces a lot even more power from the manufacturing facility and also has extra aftermarket potential. While the S4 can navigate 500hp with some bolt-on mods pressing past that degree will certainly require some additional investment in an upgraded turbo. The C43 on the other hand can get to these power levels with just a tune. I presume an upgraded turbo on the brand-new M139 might be extra tough provided the electric arrangement, however is likely capable of giving better power gains compared to the S4.
C43 vs S4 Reliability
The B9 S4 has been around for a number of years so we have a respectable suggestion of its dependability. With the C43, this is the first year of a new engine for this automobile. While the M139 has actually been used in a few other automobiles because 2019 it is brand-new to the C-series and initial year versions tend to always have the best number of problems. Nevertheless, we can gather a respectable idea of dependability based upon the various other cars that make use of the M139.
C43 M139 Reliability
Mercedes declares that the M139 must be able to last 155,000 miles, or 250k kilometers, without needing an engine restore. While this does not seem terrible in an all new automobile, it will have a significant impact on dependability in later years which will certainly additionally affect resale worth and also maintenance expenses. There are numerous performance engines on the marketplace that can surpass this gas mileage without the demand for a restore. One additional caution is that this is for a supply engine. Integrity as well as engine life will decrease once you tune and change it which provides us issues over engine long life on customized C43’s.
Much the M139 has actually confirmed to be rather trustworthy– nevertheless, all of these lorries are still under service warranty for the a lot of part which makes it a bit much more tough to discover typical troubles. With that being stated, we don’t have any integrity concerns with the M139 at low miles. Nonetheless, the restore life expectancy gives us worry over greater gas mileage and also changed M139’s.
S4 3.0 L V6 Reliability
Component of the issue with the M139 is it generates 201hp per litre, which is rather excellent. At 3.0 L and also just 349hp the S4 just produces regarding 150hp per litre which ultimately indicates there is less stress and anxiety being positioned on the engine. Troubles with the B9 S4 so far appear pretty very little with regular issues like injectors and ignition coils. Additionally, the water pump and PCV valve are known to fail. Ultimately, these are all reasonably small problems and more so basic maintenance things.
We haven’t seen any kind of material or disastrous concerns with these engines as well as there are lots of examples of them surpassing 150,000 miles. Inevitably, the S4 has a boost on the C43 in terms of dependability as its engine has actually been in usage for 5+ years currently and also has verified reliable.
Rate
The S4 has a reduced beginning MSRP, around $52k. However, to get the S sport package with the updated back diff, you have to select at the very least the Premium Plus package and also go with the $2,500 S sport pack which brings the starting price to appropriate around $60k. The C43 AMG starts right around $61k yet doesn’t have any kind of must-have performance plans, unless you want to update the looks with the $3,700 performance workshop package.
The starting price for both of the autos is basically the same. The one caveat is that for the S4 you aren’t simply getting the base model at $60k. You are getting the Premium Plus bundle which has a variety of upgrades over the base design. With the C43 you are obtaining the base bundle and also will certainly need to add some added bundles to get the fancier navigation display screens and all of that excellent things that features the Premium Plus S4.
Mercedes, in our viewpoint, is a bit extra premium of a brand name than Audi therefore it’s understandable that developing a fairly packaged C43 is going to land you a little bit over the S4 in regards to rate.
C43 vs S4 Summary
The C43 AMG as well as Audi S4 are two vehicles that complete head to head when it comes to performance, deluxe, and cost. The S4 is a bit underpowered compared to the C43, with only 349hp compared to 402hp, but it is a smaller as well as lighter chassis which offers it a quicker 0-60mph time. However, the M139 engine in the C43 leaves a lot of possible open for increased power as well as performance with adjustments. While the S4 additionally has good efficiency capacity, it is a bit extra limited than the C43 unless you are intending on upgrading turbos.
The S4 is going to obtain a better dependability ranking from us considering that the engine has actually been around for a variety of years and has actually so far verified fairly reputable. The M139 engine itself is rather brand-new, having been released in 2019, and also 2023 will certainly be its initial year in the C43 AMG which offers us worries that there might be some first-year troubles related to it. In addition, the 155,000 mile restore service on the M139 offers worry that higher gas mileage engines will verify to be costly to keep.
On the whole, these are two terrific luxury efficiency attributes. Which one is better really depends on your choice for brand and also desire for performance.
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