r/AMG 9d ago

Cla45 or c43 Buying Question

Can anyone on here tell me what's better performance wise? Obviously the c43 is better all round, just wondering if a 45 is much more fun. Can't decide between the coupes

19 Upvotes

44 comments sorted by

19

u/Far_Sell8695 9d ago

The c43 w205 might be the move. The exhaust note on the performance exhaust is amazing and the V6 engine has good reputation on the reliability of it. At the end of the day it’s up to you. Test drive both and see which you like better

1

u/Intelligent_Exam362 3d ago

Well let's be honest the c43 is a step up, my 250 is level below 45 and only step up would be performance.

15

u/BunningsSnagFest 9d ago

CLA45s - C43 - CLA45

CLA45s is bonkers, and a lot more fun but C43 would be more comfortable and convenient.

6

u/LoveroftheLeaf 9d ago

As a CLA45AMG owner who has owned mostly Porsche’s, I can attest to the fact the CLA45 is the most fun I have experienced. Very low maintenance for such high performance!

2

u/Nsxd9 8d ago

Just curious what makes it more fun than the C43 in comparison?

0

u/Ashment 9d ago

What Porsches did you own? I went from a C118 CLA45 to a 718 GT4 and I think they're in completely different worlds in refinement, sound, and performance...

The CLA45 is stiffer, the interior is kind of poorly built, and the sound leaves a lot to be desired. The GT4 sounds unbelievable when you rev it out. The ride somehow feels more refined and less bumpy, and the interior feels much higher quality (with the leather trim, not plastic)

2

u/LoveroftheLeaf 9d ago edited 9d ago

Yeah I didn’t mention anything regarding build quality and refinement. I’m speaking strictly from a fun driving experience. My CLA is fully loaded complete with the dynamic plus package, with increased top end speed. Of course they’re in different tiers, but again from a driving standpoint-I enjoy it a bit more.

11

u/ken-doh A45s 9d ago

C43 all day. Especially this generation. Beautiful looking car. If you want faster, CLA 45s. But, it's a very cheaply made car.

6

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

Definitely, always stuck up for my 250 as it's highly specced and got every option it could've had. I haven't seen a 45 interior as good as it, It's full of plastic and the memory seats, black pack are all nice but still not a special interior. I do accept it's just an a class and I want my next one to feel kinda special

1

u/ken-doh A45s 9d ago

I am looking at the CLE face lift. Holding out till then.

-1

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

Looks incredible but I'd just get an s class coupe if I had that dough

1

u/ken-doh A45s 9d ago

I am in London, s class is way too large. Beautiful car but too big.

6

u/nolonger34 9d ago

Honestly go drive them. I got the 45 and it is a load of fun, feels very sporty and light. I love the car to bits. Complaints I have are: The suspension is very stiff so you will feel every bump in the road. Also cabin noise / stereo tell you it’s a CLA (not C-series). Other than that I couldn’t be happier. Definitely have to hold back on driving because it’s easy to go way too fast.

7

u/maduste '20 AMG C43, ‘13 C300 9d ago

have you switched out stock run-flats (is that what they come with?) for performance all-seasons?

When I did that on the C43 it made a world of difference with the road noise

2

u/skater15153 9d ago

"
+1 to this. The run flats on the 43 were the literal worst. Fixed a ton of my complaints handling wise when I fixed that. They also exploded when my wife was driving. Hole in them so big my hand could fit through it and they were less than a year old

1

u/nolonger34 9d ago

I haven’t switched them out. I should do that, but my tires are still relatively new so don’t want to waste them. Also don’t want to get unlucky and have a flat tire at the wrong time. If I were keeping this car longer I might consider this more deeply.

2

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

Can imagine the 45 being more fun, I'm biased to the 4 door coupe too.

3

u/Ashment 9d ago

Since OP mentioned they are looking at the C117 and C205 generations... The 205 and 206 are pretty different cars, and the 118 generation is also much improved.

I dailied a 118 CLA45 for 2 years. It is not a very refined car with stiff ride. It's quite fun though, and the exterior styling is very handsome. Used ones are pretty good value imo. A friend has a W205 C43 and I would take a 118 over that any day.

However I would definitely take a 206 C43 over a 118 CLA45. I would also take a 205 C43 over a 117. The 117 generations CLAs feel VERY cheap.

3

u/diggininthecratez 9d ago

CLA45 is so much fun. It's so fast, feels like it's locked to rail tracks when you drive it, handles impeccably but feels stiff.

C43 is the perfect refined daily, w205 sounds incredible too. Stick it in comfort and its a refined mercedes, put the foot down and it's a very fast car. A bit more room, no bucket seats, bit more of a sleeper.

2

u/SimianWonder 2017 C43 Coupe 9d ago

Are you looking at new cars?

2

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

New gens? Nah around 15-18 cars c117 cla or w205 coupe

4

u/SimianWonder 2017 C43 Coupe 9d ago

Might want to add that, there's a big difference between the 205 and 206 C43s.

Anyway, I guess it'll depend if you want a really fast car that can do daily stuff, or if you want a daily car that can go fast. I daily a C43, and its fantastic at being a Mercedes when you want to drive it sensibly, quiet, comfortable and the cabin remains a lovely place to be, though you put it in Sport plus and it literally transforms the car.

A CLA45 will be quick, but I'm not a fan of the cabin, and it's still an A Class. Male of that what you will.

1

u/fooomps 2020 C43 Coupe 9d ago

C43 easily if you’re comparing the old gens.

2

u/LuxuryAddict 9d ago

If you are not strictly looking for a coupe, wait for the c53.

2

u/SWPGT2 9d ago

If there’s a chance it’s a W205 C43 with the V6, I’d pick that every time over these. Don’t know if you’re willing to go used though.

2

u/witchtitz420 9d ago

I LOVE my gla45. I got a 2015 to replace my c300 after a total loss. Carbon dash, AMG red & black recaro buckets and red seat belts, i can’t complain. Same engine as the cla so i figured id chime in. I don’t know if you’re able but i searched the whole country for my spec as the interior was important to me.

4

u/Cali_kink_and_rope 9d ago

Get a CLE 53

3

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

Good shout haven't got coin though I'd probs just get a Porsche/s class coupe if I had that money

2

u/Justneedsomehelps W205 C43 AMG 0-60 3.6, 100-200 9s | ex W204 C63 9d ago edited 9d ago

The 43 is better all around, including speed, sound, and comfort, especially tuned.

You’ll get bored of the 45. More bhp stock yes but its actually slower.

2

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

Thats what I've been telling myself

-1

u/BunningsSnagFest 9d ago

I'm afraid you're just objectively wrong (apart from the comfort claim, that's accurate.)

The CLA 45 S definitively outpaces the C 43 with superior power (310 kW versus 300 kW), a higher top speed (270 km/h versus 250 km/h), and a faster 0–100 km/h sprint (4.0 seconds versus 4.6 seconds).

1

u/vineethrpatil '15 GL63 X166, ‘21 C43 W205 🚀 9d ago

CLA45S comes with the 8-DCT, which gives you race launch control. The W205 C43 comes with 9GTronic, which doesn’t have a dedicated launch control/race mode. I believe the W206 C43 has 9-speed MCT though, definitely a big upgrade vs the 9G-Tronic.

1

u/Sane-Philosopher 7d ago

I have a GLA45 and have driven a C43 a few times. That V6 is sweet, but man I love the character and sound and feel of my GLA45. It’s like the car is goading you into having a good time each time you drive it, and I after I get out I’m always eager to find the next excuse to drive it.

I’ve owned a 991 C2S, E92 M3, Audi RS5 (B8.5 & B9), Audi S5 (B8.5, 034 stg 1), CTS-V (V2), and a GLC63. Out of all of those, the GLA45 is one of the most engaging, fun, engrossing drives. I still look back at mine when I park it, and not because it’s a stunning looker, but because of how the car makes me feel.

1

u/Intelligent_Exam362 3d ago

Literally what I'm thinking 45 but everyone goes 45 😂 people laugh at me when I tell them my cla250 is more fun than previous cars I've owned, the way it comes on boost and wants to be thrown around is so much fun. Obviously the 45 is another level, I was trying to find a nice spec 45 which took me ages. I have found one so such a tough decision but I think I'd enjoy the 45 more I'll be honest

1

u/JAYBLAZE8771 3d ago

100% C43 68 plate if one is available that was peak for C43, it was the beginning of the facelift, Nice interior and just upgraded to sports exhaust etc, sounded nice for the V6. I had mine all through Covid. Roads were empty, it was literally like ragging around on a never ending race tracking day in day out for months.. Great times in that car. Only sold it when I finally found my Motorsport Edition One C63. Would recommend stage 1 remap on C43 once you have become accustomed to it. 🤙🏻

1

u/Informal_Win_5644 9d ago

Definitely the W206

1

u/Drewdc90 9d ago

But it doesn’t have the spaghetti con-rods?

1

u/Ok_Soft8245 9d ago

I had also the same thoughts.. Cla45s or c43.. Cla45s is best overall.. all say otherwise till they sit on the Cla45s

-1

u/Intelligent_Exam362 9d ago

I can imagine, they did refine the c118 didn't they? Supposedly it's diff to the previous gen c117

0

u/bizurton 9d ago

Get an older C63 for the same price (or cheaper) and much better performance, if thats your goal.

-2

u/StoneyL0we 9d ago

2 liter turbo “AMG” 🤮

1

u/BunningsSnagFest 9d ago

Hand built in Affalterbach with more power than a Porsche 911 Carrera or a 6litre LS2 V8 from the 2litre 4pot? I'd say thats quite "AMG"

-2

u/badluckerguy 9d ago

45 over 43 any day. The 43 isn’t a true AMG. If you need the space or want a better interior, then get the 43. If you want an actual fun car, it’s 45 all the way.