Macan GTS or C43 AMG Estate

[HenrysDad]

Been a while since I posted, but I have a dilemma.

We need to buy a car to replace my wife’s company car and we are in a quandary.

Needs to have space for a wheelchair and accessible for her 85 year old Mother. Also capable of transporting a small drum kit for my son. Suitable for use as a daily driver and for occasional long trips - think Alps etc.

Currently torn between a 2016 Macan GTS and a 2021 C43 AMG Estate. Both similar prices.

Thoughts from the PH collective.

Edited by HenrysDad on Thursday 2nd March 19:48

[DonkeyApple]

Which is easier for an 85 year old lady to get in and out of?

[cerb4.5lee]

DonkeyApple said:

Which is easier for an 85 year old lady to get in and out of?

I'd go estate for that requirement I reckon.

[off_again]

I have a Macan S and it is a great drive, GTS more so. BUT, space in the rear isnt great and the boot space isnt massive either. It is practical and a do-it-all type of car, but for maximized space, it is not the best. We have a 3 series estate also, and that boot is bigger than the Macan.

Just flagging that. You might find the C43 is more practical on interior space. From what I understand the C43 is a nice car to drive too and the engine has plenty go.

[andy43]

The higher the better. Especially if she’s carrying the drum kit. Macan probably?

[cerb4.5lee]

off_again said:

I have a Macan S and it is a great drive, GTS more so. BUT, space in the rear isnt great and the boot space isnt massive either. It is practical and a do-it-all type of car, but for maximized space, it is not the best. We have a 3 series estate also, and that boot is bigger than the Macan.

Just flagging that. You might find the C43 is more practical on interior space. From what I understand the C43 is a nice car to drive too and the engine has plenty go.

Yes and I've read a few times before that the Macan isn't the most spacious of things. Such a lovely car though I reckon.

[Easternlight]

Credit to the 85 year old still playing the drums!

[Spleen]

Test drove a GTS a few years ago, cracking drive but as already said space isn't that great. My 3 Series Touring beat it on practicality so suspect C43 might be the one to have if that's the main consideration. Mind you, a crone and a drum kit might be a bit of a squeeze. Not sure you'd manage it in a C43. E43 maybe?

[Portofino]

Macan too small for that. C43 would be better.

[Brett748]

Does it have to be a performance car? An E350 estate would be ideal.

[HenrysDad]

Brett748 said:

Does it have to be a performance car? An E350 estate would be ideal.

Doesn’t have to be…

[911Spanker]

Easternlight said:

Credit to the 85 year old still playing the drums!

Don't think she is the one playing the drums...

How about a Toyota Vellfire?

[Portofino]

HenrysDad said:

Brett748 said:

Does it have to be a performance car? An E350 estate would be ideal.

Doesn’t have to be…

Good suggestion, an E350 is a great car, E400d also.

Edit to add the E350 goes well & is very smooth. Torque is huge. I expect the 400 is even better.

Edited by Portofino on Thursday 2nd March 19:58

[cerb4.5lee]

Portofino said:

HenrysDad said:

Brett748 said:

Does it have to be a performance car? An E350 estate would be ideal.

Doesn’t have to be…

Good suggestion, an E350 is a great car, E400d also.

Edit to add the E350 goes well & is very smooth. Torque is huge. I expect the 400 is even better.

Edited by Portofino on Thursday 2nd March 19:58

I have a GLE400d and the engine is lovely in it(especially for a diesel). It is very punchy and it even sounds decent enough inside the cabin too. I'd expect it to be amazing performance wise in the E400d, because that is around 500kgs lighter than the GLE400d is.

[EdmondDantes]

Estate sounds a lot better for your needs.

[Sheepshanks]

I used to have a more ordinary C Class estate and it seemed to catch everyone out how low the seats where so it seemed a long way down into it, and a big haul for people to get out.

OTOH was out in wife's Tiguan yesterday and picked a friend of hers up who has mobility issues - I thought being higher up Tiguan would be fine but she really struggled, the step up and over the door sill was awkward, even going in backside first, she basically fell in and had to wriggle out, and I parked next to decent kerb thinking that would help.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the C43 but considering your requirements the E class in 43/53/400d form would be the pick.

E43:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301313...

E53:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209169...

400d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121...

[Martyn76]

I would imagine the SUV platform would be better for access if you're 85, the Mercedes GLC also comes in the 43 version and the boot is larger than the C Class (550L plays 490L according to AT).

example - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302274...

[Hants PHer]

I had a 2017 Macan GTS. Lovely car in some ways, but the boot isn't huge and you might struggle to get a wheelchair in it. Another thing: everyone says to get one with a panoramic roof, and mine had one. It leaked pools of water into the boot whenever it rained, and no amount of clearing of drains from below and above could fix that. The Porsche main dealer's attitude was, essentially "They all do that, Sir." Ditto for the transfer box.