With the bright sun and crisp fall air, there is no better time than to take a convertible out for a drive, especially one with the Star on the steering wheel.
On a recent trip to Monticello Motor Club in the Catskills of New York State, there was a choice to test drive: an S550 designo Cabriolet, a C43 AMG 4MATIC Cabriolet, as well as a C63S AMG Coupe. After being impressed with the C300 Coupe earlier this year, I took out the C43 first.
The C43 4MATIC Cabriolet priced out at $66,965 with Premium 2 package and a few other goodies. My first impression behind the wheel was that it was very tight, especially on roughly paved roads. My only complaint was with the unbelted right passenger seat belt which flapped in the wind with the top down. Once that was taken care of, there was pure bliss in driving the topless coupe. Plenty of power, a very well appointed interior, and comfortable. For a C-Class, it seemed quite roomy inside, though the trunk did lose space compared to the C-300 Coupe.
S550 Cabriolet, which from a quick glance is hard to tell from the C-Class. Once inside you appreciate the larger cabin, no question this is the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz line with the appointments that only the S-Class offers. The being one of the exclusive design models it commands a $161,675 price tag, with optional Swarovski Crystal Headlamp accents a $1,750 option, as well as other more mundane ones like the Sport Package with lots of decorative body styling details, and warmth and comfort package featuring heated steering wheel and front center and door arm rests, something special to keep you warm on the crisp fall days.
While these two Cabiros are similarly styled, they are appointed differently, and behind the wheel, you feel the difference in their size. As expected the smaller C-Class handled nimbly, and the heavier S-Class, you felt the weight of a full size car. The S-Class is still quick to respond, both to steering and acceleration input, there was no question it is a heavier road car.
The C63 S AMG Coupe is a bit of both, the size of the C-Class, though the AMG’s muscular lines expand the C-Coupe in a good way. The bi-turbo 4.0 L V-8 engine puts a lot of power through the 7-speed automatic transmission with touch shift. This car has power that you hear through the growl of the exhaust and feel as you drive. And indeed it is heavier than the C300 or C43, though still as nimble as its lower powered cousins. The C63 S AMG Coupe starts at $75K, we did not have a sales sticker to see exactly how the one we drove was priced with options and destination fees.
C43 Cabrio was the best all-around car for the money out of the bunch, power, luxury, comfort and all the bells and whistles you could want at an affordable price. While there was not a price sticker on the C63S AMG Coupe, with the full race track ready AMG aspects of it, no doubt put the price higher than the $75K base price of that model. And a ONE hundred and sixty-six thousand-dollar S-Coupe Cabrio, seems excessive, as nice as it was, gp for the less costly C43 and bank the other hundred grand.
Words and images (unless otherwise noted) are by William West Hopper
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