Should you’re searching for a luxurious efficiency automobile, the Mercedes C43 AMG and Audi S4 are two of one of the best premium choices accessible. Coming in proper round an identical $60k price ticket it’s a shut match between the 2 on which is the higher efficiency sedan. Whereas the Mercedes badge may carry a little bit extra status, the Audi S-line has been a pinnacle of German efficiency for the final decade.
This text goes to cowl the C43 AMG vs the S4 by way of efficiency, reliability, and value. We’re going to think about not solely efficiency from the manufacturing facility but in addition efficiency and modification potential. We’re largely going to deal with the newer B9 S4’s and the model new W206 C43, which changed the W205 for mannequin 12 months 2023.
C43 AMG vs Audi S4 Inventory Efficiency
Mercedes shifted instructions barely on the brand new W206 C43, altering from the earlier 3.0L V6 twin-turbo, to a smaller 2.0L I4 mixed with an electrical starter system. The brand new M139 engine options the primary ever electrical turbocharger which really ends in an influence increase over the earlier bigger engine. The M139 produces 402hp and 369lb-ft. of torque which is sweet sufficient to get the heavy C43 from 0-60mph in simply 4.6 seconds with the 4Matic all-wheel drive configuration.
Audi caught with the three.0L turbocharged V6 TFSI engine of their S4. Regardless of the bigger engine it really underproduces in comparison with the Mercedes, at 349hp and 369lb-ft. of torque. It additionally has an all-wheel drive configuration however opts for an 8-speed transmission vs a 9-speed within the C43. Whereas the facility numbers may look a bit uninteresting in comparison with the 402hp from the C43 AMG, the S4 is definitely 0.2 seconds higher from 0-60mp, clocking a 4.4 second time.
The distinction in 0-60mph occasions is probably going because of weight. The Audi S4 is roughly 3,850lbs. whereas the C43 sedan is about 4,100lbs. making a distinction of 250 kilos. In the end, the 2 are very comparable by way of inventory efficiency, albeit we do agree that the S4 appears to be a bit underpowered from a horsepower and torque output perspective. With that being stated, since each engines are turbocharged there needs to be first rate efficiency potential through aftermarket modifications.
Audi S4 Energy Potential
The largest profit to the S4 is that it’s utilizing the identical engine that the B9’s have been utilizing since 2017, which implies there’s already ample aftermarket assist. Various fundamental bolt on mods like an consumption, exhaust, tuner, and intercooler ought to be capable of take the three.0L V6 from 349hp to 420-430hp fairly simply. These efficiency components could be purchased for only a few thousand {dollars} which makes it fairly reasonably priced to push this engine nearer to the facility ranges of the C43.
The inventory turbo can deal with about 500hp and 575lb-ft. of torque when pushed to the restrict. You possibly can obtain these energy ranges with the above talked about mods plus some turbo inlets and shops. Nevertheless, the inventory turbo will lose plenty of reliability at these ranges. Turbo upgrades are fairly simple on the B9 platform and may really get the S4 down into the high-9’s within the quarter mile, as seen lately by Built-in Engineering’s S4.
C43 AMG Energy Potential
With larger manufacturing facility output than the S4 the C43 has the benefit. Nevertheless, the M139 engine is newer and subsequently a bit extra restricted by way of aftermarket assist. One good signal for the C43 is that the C63 AMG really makes use of the identical engine and produces 469hp and 402lb-ft. of torque. Contemplating this is similar precise engine, the M139 is the C43 is probably going simply tuned down a little bit bit which signifies that some easy tuning can in all probability push it to the identical energy ranges because the C63. This makes the C43 vs C63 and attention-grabbing debate as you should purchase a C43 for about $20k much less and spend a pair thousand on efficiency components to get it to the identical energy ranges because the C63.
Weistec already has a tuner available on the market that advertisers energy ranges up t 510hp and 490lb-ft. of torque. With the addition of some extra efficiency mods, the C43 AMG ought to simply be capable of deal with over 500hp with out dropping a lot reliability.
Efficiency Abstract
Winner: Mercedes C43 AMG
Whereas the Audi is barely sooner from a dig, the C43 produces much more energy from the manufacturing facility and has extra aftermarket potential. Whereas the S4 can get round 500hp with some bolt-on mods pushing previous that stage would require some extra funding in an upgraded turbo. The C43 then again can get to those energy ranges with only a tune. I think an upgraded turbo on the brand new M139 could be tougher given the electrical configuration, however is probably going able to offering higher energy features in comparison with the S4.
C43 vs S4 Reliability
The B9 S4 has been round for plenty of years so now we have a reasonably good thought of its reliability. With the C43, that is the primary 12 months of a brand new engine for this automotive. Whereas the M139 has been utilized in a number of different autos since 2019 it’s new to the C-series and first 12 months fashions are likely to at all times have the best variety of issues. Nevertheless, we will collect an honest thought of reliability based mostly on the opposite autos that use the M139.
C43 M139 Reliability
Mercedes claims that the M139 ought to be capable of final 155,000 miles, or 250k kilometers, without having an engine rebuild. Whereas this doesn’t sound horrible in a model new automobile, it would have a major impression on reliability in later years which can even impression resale worth and upkeep prices. There are quite a few efficiency engines available on the market that may surpass this mileage with out the necessity for a rebuild. One extra caveat is that that is for a inventory engine. Reliability and engine life will lower when you tune and modify it which provides us considerations over engine longevity on modified C43’s.
Thus far the M139 has confirmed to be fairly dependable – nevertheless, all of those autos are nonetheless beneath guarantee for probably the most half which makes it a bit tougher to find widespread issues. However with that being stated, we don’t have any reliability considerations with the M139 at low miles. Nevertheless, the rebuild lifespan offers us concern over larger mileage and modified M139’s.
S4 3.0L V6 Reliability
A part of the problem with the M139 is it produces 201hp per liter, which is fairly spectacular. At 3.0L and solely 349hp the S4 solely produces about 150hp per liter which finally means there’s much less stress being positioned on the engine. Issues with the B9 S4 thus far appear fairly minimal with typical points like injectors and ignition coils. Moreover, the water pump and PCV valve are identified to fail. In the end, these are all comparatively minor issues and extra so common upkeep objects.
We haven’t seen any materials or catastrophic points with these engines and there are many examples of them surpassing 150,000 miles. In the end, the S4 has a leg up on the C43 by way of reliability as its engine has been in use for five+ years now and has proved dependable.
Worth
The S4 has a decrease beginning MSRP, round $52k. Nevertheless, to get the S sport package deal with the upgraded rear diff, it’s a must to select at the very least the Premium Plus package deal and go for the $2,500 S sport pack which brings the beginning value to proper round $60k. The C43 AMG begins proper round $61k however doesn’t have any must-have efficiency packages, until you wish to improve the seems with the $3,700 efficiency studio package deal.
So, the beginning value for each of the automobiles is just about the identical. The one caveat is that for the S4 you aren’t simply getting the bottom mannequin at $60k. You’re getting the Premium Plus package deal which has plenty of upgrades over the bottom mannequin. With the C43 you’re getting the bottom package deal and might want to add some extra packages to get the fancier navigation shows and all of that great things that comes with the Premium Plus S4.
Mercedes, in our opinion, is a little more premium of a model than Audi and so it’s comprehensible that constructing a relatively packaged C43 goes to land you a bit above the S4 by way of value.
C43 vs S4 Abstract
The C43 AMG and Audi S4 are two automobiles that compete face to face relating to efficiency, luxurious, and value. The S4 is a bit underpowered in comparison with the C43, with solely 349hp in comparison with 402hp, however it’s a smaller and lighter chassis which provides it a faster 0-60mph time. Nevertheless, the M139 engine within the C43 leaves plenty of potential open for elevated energy and efficiency with modifications. Whereas the S4 additionally has good efficiency potential, it is a little more restricted than the C43 until you’re planning on upgrading turbos.
The S4 goes to get a greater reliability score from us for the reason that engine has been round for plenty of years and has thus far proved fairly dependable. The M139 engine itself is fairly new, having been launched in 2019, and 2023 might be its first 12 months within the C43 AMG which provides us considerations that there could be some first-year issues related to it. Moreover, the 155,000 mile rebuild service on the M139 offers concern that larger mileage engines will show to be costly to take care of.
Total, these are two nice luxurious efficiency options. Which one is best actually is dependent upon your desire for model and want for efficiency.