Is a used Mercedes-AMG C-Class a good car?

There are a few badges that get the heart of a petrolhead racing; M, GTI, RS and of course, AMG. South Africans have an amazing affinity for performance vehicles, so much so that we're regarded as one of the largest consumers of performance vehicles as a percentage of our population. That makes South Africa rather important to these high-performance firms.

Related: Is the Mercedes-AMG C43 and C63 good for new drivers?

Not all of us are able to splash out on the latest and greatest Mercedes-AMG C-Class but we've all wondered if a used one is within our grasp. You've possibly toyed with the idea and are probably toying with it right now and that's why you'd like to know whether it's a bad idea or not.

 

Mercedes-AMG C-Class

AMG was not always a part of Mercedes-Benz. They were a tuning firm that engineered high-performance versions of regular Mercedes-Benz products for both racing and later, the road. So successful were their developments that in 1999 Mercedes-Benz bought a controlling share in the company and later bought them outright in 2005. Since then, there has been a clear distinction between Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG products, the latter going on to craft some of the most desirable Mercedes-badged products on the roads.

The C-Class story starts in 1995 when the W202 Mercedes-Benz was taken and settled by AMG to create the C36 AMG of 1995 and then the C43 AMG C-Class of 1998. These were modified versions of the regular Mercedes-Benz C-Class offerings to help improve handling, braking and engine performance.

In 2001 we saw the W203 Mercedes-Benz C32 with a supercharged V6 and this was followed by the C55, with a stonking great 5.4-litre V8 under the hood. This model ran up until 2007 when the W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was unveiled.

 

2008 was when the battle of the high-performance compact sedans truly took off. In response to the onslaught from Audi with their V8 8E RS4 and BMW with the V8 E90 M3, Mercedes-Benz gave us the 6.2-litre W204 C63. It carried the largest displacement but was lamented for having slightly wayward handling characteristics despite being blisteringly fast in a straight line.

When the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-class rolled around, it was time for Mercedes-AMG to shine. Now a separate and dedicated performance division, Mercedes-AMG dived even deeper into the development of the C63, giving it bespoke suspension and a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. These models came in C63 and C63 S trims along with a slew of special editions. It was joined later on in its life by the V6 C43, a milder version and arguably the sweet spot for daily-driven AMG ownership.

 

Buying a used Mercedes-AMG C-Class

When it comes to buying a performance car it's always a case of "pay-to-play". The high initial cost is one thing but the maintenance and upkeep also require a cash flow, especially if you're looking to buy an older one that is out of its warranty and service/maintenance plan. Vehicles of this nature are inherently more expensive to repair as well as many wearing parts are unique to this model. Items such as shock absorbers, brakes, and tyres will cost more to replace than those of the regular Mercedes-Benz models.

 

Common faults

W204 C63

The W204 C63 from 2008 to 2015 was plagued with a few problems, mostly early on its life. Many of these would have since been resolved but are worth enquiring about if you're looking at one of these older models.

Early models suffered with head bolt issues and cam concerns. These could result in blown head gaskets or noisy startups, so check that the car you're buying has had these issues addressed and when test driving the car, make sure that it's cold so that you can listen for the cam noises which present as noisy lifters in the first few seconds of idle.

 

W205 C63

The W205 C63 is a fairly reliable and trouble-free machine but owners have concerns over the rapid tyre wear as a result of the suspension design and noisy brakes. While these are simple fixes, they can prove to be expensive in the long run. The M177 engine is prone to a misfire and this can easily be remedied with replacement ignition coil packs.

The interior trims seem to be the next concern for W205 owners with a few issues presenting in the way of sagging roof liners, faulty LED lights and the odd infotainment system glitch that is often remedied with a software upgrade. The interior of the W205 has not worn well over the years so don't be surprised to find visible signs of wear on the switchgear.

 

W205 C43

Faults appear to be less common with the C43 but those that have experienced issues report that they're of the expensive kind. A few owners have complained that the gearbox develops issues, causing erratic shifts and unpleasant jerks when changing gears. Be watchful of this when test driving a C43 version.

 

Verdict

Overall, the Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG C-Classes are solid vehicles with few issues to be concerned about. The C-Class offers a host of tech, ample seating for 4 adults and a sizeable boot for storage. The running costs are high and one must be well aware of this when buying a used model. Services will cost more than your average car and one must be prepared to replace wear items more frequently and ensure that only high-quality components are used. If you're able and willing to do this, then there's no reason for you not to enjoy a Mercedes-AMG C-Class.