If you’re seeking a deluxe performance automobile, the Mercedes C43 AMG and Audi S4 are two of the very best premium alternatives available. Can be found in right around a similar $60k price tag it is a close suit between the two on which is the better performance car. While the Mercedes badge may lug a little extra eminence, the Audi S-line has been a pinnacle of German efficiency for the last decade.
This write-up is going to cover the C43 AMG vs the S4 in regards to efficiency, dependability, as well as rate. We are mosting likely to consider not only efficiency from the factory yet also performance and also alteration capacity. We are primarily going to concentrate on the newer B9 S4’s and also the brand-new W206 C43, which changed the W205 for design year 2023.
C43 AMG vs Audi S4 Stock Performance
Mercedes changed instructions a little on the new W206 C43, altering from the previous 3.0 L V6 twin-turbo, to a smaller sized 2.0 L I4 integrated with an electrical starter system. The brand-new M139 engine includes the first ever electrical turbocharger which in fact causes a power increase over the previous bigger engine. The M139 creates 402hp and also 369lb-ft. of torque which suffices to obtain the heavy C43 from 0-60mph in simply 4.6 seconds with the 4Matic all-wheel drive configuration.
Audi stuck with the 3.0 L turbocharged V6 TFSI engine in their S4. Despite the larger engine it actually underproduces compared to the Mercedes, at 349hp as well as 369lb-ft. of torque. It also has an all-wheel drive arrangement however choose an 8-speed transmission vs a 9-speed in the C43. While the power numbers may look a bit dull compared to the 402hp from the C43 AMG, the S4 is actually 0.2 seconds much better from 0-60mp, clocking a 4.4 second time.
The difference in 0-60mph times is likely due to weight. The Audi S4 is about 3,850 lbs. whereas the C43 sedan has to do with 4,100 lbs. making a distinction of 250 pounds. Inevitably, the two are really equivalent in terms of stock efficiency, albeit we do agree that the S4 appears to be a bit underpowered from a horse power and torque output perspective. Keeping that being stated, since both engines are turbocharged there must be decent efficiency possibility through aftermarket alterations.
Audi S4 Power Potential
The largest benefit to the S4 is that it is utilizing the very same engine that the B9’s have actually been utilizing since 2017, which means there is already appropriate aftermarket assistance. A variety of fundamental bolt on mods like a consumption, exhaust, receiver, and also intercooler must have the ability to take the 3.0 L V6 from 349hp to 420-430hp pretty easily. These efficiency components can be purchased for simply a few thousand dollars which makes it rather affordable to press this engine closer to the power levels of the C43.
The supply turbo can manage concerning 500hp and 575lb-ft. of torque when strained. You can accomplish these power degrees with the above mentioned mods plus some turbo inlets and also electrical outlets. The supply turbo will lose a whole lot of reliability at these degrees. Turbo upgrades are quite easy on the B9 system as well as can in fact get the S4 down into the high-9’s in the quarter mile, as seen lately by Integrated Engineering’s S4.
C43 AMG Power Potential
With greater manufacturing facility outcome than the S4 the C43 has the benefit. Nevertheless, the M139 engine is more recent and as a result a little bit extra restricted in regards to aftermarket support. One great sign for the C43 is that the C63 AMG really utilizes the same engine and produces 469hp as well as 402lb-ft. of torque. Considering this is the same precise engine, the M139 is the C43 is likely just tuned down a little bit which indicates that some easy adjusting can probably press it to the very same power levels as the C63. This makes the C43 vs C63 and fascinating debate as you can buy a C43 for regarding $20k less and spend a couple thousand on efficiency components to obtain it to the same power levels as the C63.
Weistec currently has a receiver on the market that advertisers power levels up t 510hp and also 490lb-ft. of torque. With the enhancement of a couple of even more efficiency mods, the C43 AMG need to conveniently be able to manage over 500hp without shedding much dependability.
Efficiency Summary
Champion: Mercedes C43 AMG
While the Audi is slightly faster from a dig, the C43 generates a lot more power from the factory as well as has extra aftermarket possibility. While the S4 can navigate 500hp with some bolt-on mods pushing past that level will certainly call for some additional investment in an updated turbo. The C43 on the other hand can get to these power levels with just a song. I believe an upgraded turbo on the new M139 might be extra tough provided the electrical configuration, yet is likely capable of giving far better power gains contrasted to the S4.
C43 vs S4 Reliability
The B9 S4 has been around for a variety of years so we have a respectable concept of its integrity. With the C43, this is the first year of a new engine for this car. While the M139 has actually been used in a few other lorries since 2019 it is new to the C-series as well as initial year models have a tendency to always have the best variety of issues. Nevertheless, we can gather a respectable concept of integrity based on the other lorries that make use of the M139.
C43 M139 Reliability
Mercedes asserts that the M139 must have the ability to last 155,000 miles, or 250k kilometers, without needing an engine restore. While this does not sound awful in a new car, it will certainly have a considerable impact on reliability in later years which will certainly additionally influence resale value as well as maintenance costs. There are numerous performance engines on the marketplace that can exceed this gas mileage without the need for a restore. One additional caveat is that this is for a stock engine. Reliability and engine life will reduce as soon as you tune and modify it which gives us problems over engine durability on customized C43’s.
Thus far the M139 has verified to be quite reputable– nonetheless, every one of these vehicles are still under guarantee for the most part that makes it a bit more tough to uncover common troubles. With that being claimed, we do not have any kind of dependability worries with the M139 at reduced miles. The reconstruct life-span provides us problem over greater mileage and modified M139’s.
S4 3.0 L V6 Reliability
Part of the issue with the M139 is it creates 201hp per litre, which is rather impressive. At 3.0 L and also just 349hp the S4 just creates concerning 150hp per liter which eventually implies there is less anxiety being put on the engine. Problems with the B9 S4 thus far seem pretty marginal with typical issues like injectors and also ignition coils. Furthermore, the water pump and PCV shutoff are understood to stop working. Inevitably, these are all reasonably minor troubles as well as extra so basic upkeep products.
We haven’t seen any kind of material or disastrous issues with these engines and also there are a lot of instances of them surpassing 150,000 miles. Eventually, the S4 has a boost on the C43 in regards to reliability as its engine has actually been in use for 5+ years currently and also has confirmed trustworthy.
Cost
The S4 has a reduced beginning MSRP, around $52k. Nonetheless, to obtain the S sport package with the updated rear diff, you have to pick a minimum of the Premium Plus package and also choose the $2,500 S sport pack which brings the beginning cost to appropriate around $60k. The C43 AMG starts right around $61k yet does not have any kind of must-have performance plans, unless you intend to update the appearances with the $3,700 performance studio plan.
The starting price for both of the vehicles is virtually the exact same. The one caution is that for the S4 you aren’t simply obtaining the base design at $60k. You are obtaining the Premium Plus bundle which has a variety of upgrades over the base model. With the C43 you are obtaining the base package as well as will certainly require to include some added packages to obtain the fancier navigating displays and also all of that good things that features the Premium Plus S4.
Mercedes, in our point of view, is a bit much more premium of a brand name than Audi therefore it’s easy to understand that developing a relatively packaged C43 is mosting likely to land you a bit above the S4 in terms of rate.
C43 vs S4 Summary
The C43 AMG and also Audi S4 are two vehicles that complete head to head when it pertains to performance, luxury, as well as price. The S4 is a little bit underpowered contrasted to the C43, with only 349hp contrasted to 402hp, however it is a smaller as well as lighter framework which offers it a quicker 0-60mph time. However, the M139 engine in the C43 leaves a great deal of potential open for raised power and also efficiency with modifications. While the S4 additionally has excellent efficiency capacity, it is a bit extra limited than the C43 unless you are intending on updating turbos.
The S4 is going to get a better reliability ranking from us because the engine has been around for a number of years and also has actually until now shown quite trustworthy. The M139 engine itself is quite new, having actually been introduced in 2019, and also 2023 will be its first year in the C43 AMG which offers us issues that there might be some first-year troubles related to it. In addition, the 155,000 mile reconstruct solution on the M139 provides concern that higher gas mileage engines will confirm to be costly to preserve.
On the whole, these are two fantastic luxury performance attributes. Which one is much better actually relies on your preference for brand and also desire for efficiency.
For GREAT deals on a new or used INFINITI check out INFINITI of Ontario TODAY!