The Mercedes SLC43 AMG was launched back in 2016, on the 20th anniversary of the SLK. The SLC is essentially a re-badged facelift SLK Mercedes however, there were a lot more changes than just bumpers and badges.
The mad SLK55 with its 5.5 V8 was axed and in its place came the SLC43. The SLC43 is usually overlooked by most people, and it didn’t sell very well whatsoever. Most people instead purchased a Porsche Boxster S, Audi TT RS, or a BMW Z4. The SLK has always been the least sporty out of all of the sports roadsters. It’s more tamed to comfort rather than speed.
The SLC43 is powered by a 3 liter Biturbo V6 from the C43. It’s a very punchy engine with similar power figures to the crazy SLK55 AMG with its huge V8. That’s a huge benefit since the V6 is a tad more economical. The SLC43 has 362hp which is more than a Boxster S Porsche and an EU spec BMW Z4 M40i. It hits 60 in around 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
It’s a pretty fast car then. A lot faster than most people think it is. Unfortunately, it’s not the lightest car weighing in at over 1500 kg which is quite a lot for a small 2-seater sports car. The Boxster S Porsche weighs in at 1320kg which is a heck of a lot lighter than the SLC. This means that it’s a more nimble and faster car despite its slight lack of power.
The SLC43 isn’t rated by journalists that much. It gets average reviews of 3 to 4 stars but nothing crazy like the Porsche Boxster S which often gets a 4.5 to 5-star review on many car websites. So, should you buy an SLC43 AMG or should you be like everyone else and get something like a Boxster or F-Type. Let’s find out.
It’s Unique.
Mercedes-AMG makes some of the most popular performance cars in the world nowadays, and the SLC43 is not one of them. Hardly any were sold and that’s a real shame. The problem is in my opinion is that Mercedes did not put much effort into building the SLC43.
It should have been so much more. It could have been a proper sports car, much like the GT but instead, it just wasn’t sporty enough. The SLC was a balance of comfort and speed and this sounds great, but that’s not what the market wants. The Boxster is what the markets want. The Boxster has been a top seller since its launch back in 1996, and the reason why is because it’s a thrilling car.
The SLK was launched at a similar period to the original Boxster. It was a top-seller for years with its revolutionary folding metal roof but times have changed. By 2016 when the SLC was launched, the whole metal folding roof business was completely out of fashion. What was in fashion though was everything the Boxster did. Speed, fun, and style.
However, not everything about the Boxster is better than the SLC 43. The SLC 43 does sound a heck of a lot better than the Boxster. The V6 fitted to the SLC makes an aggressive sound that sounds soulful. The 4-cylinder turbo in the Boxster doesn’t sound too bad but it doesn’t sound very “expensive” if you get what I mean.
The noise from the Boxster S is something I would expect from a hot-hatchback or so, not a $75,950 sports car. The SLC 43 on the other hand is something I would expect from a sports car of this price. Oh forgot to mention, the SLC 43 is over $10,000 cheaper.
The SLC43 inside feels old-school. Interpret that as either something positive or negative. I love the fact that it’s packed full of knobs and dials. It may look dated but it’s all so easy to use. I also love the folding metal roof, since few cars have this nowadays. The looks too are very muscular and the design has stood the test of time.
It’s a Good Second Hand Buy.
The SLC43 is no longer produced nowadays. The SLC as a whole is not produced nowadays, and that’s a shame. As mentioned earlier, I feel as if Mercedes truly wasted an opportunity with the SLC. What Mercedes should have done in 2016, is re-design the SLC completely. It should have been sportier, more stylish and they should’ve let AMG build it (just like they’re doing with the new SL).
Mercedes-AMG is a proper Porsche rival. They’re the F1 champions and the Nurburgring production car title holders. They could have made a Boxster killer. They did so well with the GT which was a huge threat for the Porsche 911. Anyways, this is all a topic for a different day.
A 2016 SLC43 will set you back say $35,000 to $40,000. It will have say 30k, 40k, or even 50k on the clock. So long as the car has an FSH etc and it’s well maintained, the milage shouldn’t be as big of an issue as some may seem. The engine is pretty reliable though watch for them turbos.
The interior is dated though less to go wrong. The fit and finish are brilliant, far better than the likes of the F-Type. As good as a Boxster? Maybe not but for sure not far off.
The interior space is ok. You have to remember the SLC isn’t a large car so for larger people it may feel cramped. Boot space is small but again, it’s a small car.
The biggest practical issue I have is with the front of the car. It’s just way too long so it is harder to judge where the nose of the car is. Doesn’t sound like an issue on paper, but in real life it sure is. Plus that whole long nose sort of ruins the proportions of the car. It’s not a bad-looking car, but it just doesn’t sit right with me.
Anyhow, it is a fantastic car overall. driving wise it’s sporty and comfortable. However, it won’t deliver you the same raw driving experience a Boxster S does. But hey, not everyone wants that, right? Some people just want a comfortable convertible that can offer them a fun driving experience without the compromise of a good ride. Seems completely reasonable to me.