Ten years with a C36
Discussion
Anyone who has been around here for a while with a passing interest in old AMGs has probably seen this little red car before. It's a shameless self-publicist!
As it's a regular topic of discussion in these parts, I thought I would add some facts and figures into the mix for the true cost of running an ageing performance car.
I bought this C36 in 2006, when the advent of number 2 son meant that the 924 Carrera GT I had been enjoying for a couple of years had to go. Cash was required, as was additional seating. My first Mercedes was a lovely 300TE S124, so the idea of a small, quick additional three-pointed star was appealing.
The car cost me £5000, and it was around ten years old with 83,000 miles when I first drove it. The test drive was eventful, not least because the water pump started to leak, but my eldest son (Edward, then aged 2) professed it to be a "happy car", and I decided to take it on.
Mechanically (water pump aside), the car was fit and healthy. It had a stamped up history and made a great noise. From 20 paces, it looked the part too, but the bodywork, whilst solid, bore testament to the car having spent much of its life trundling around Glasgow. There were a least three shades of Imperial Red across its flanks, and a small rust bleb was discovered on the driver's door.
To be honest, after the Porsche, which was pretty much perfect, the C36 was usable and enjoyable. There were no worries about car-park dings, and it was soon pressed into daily duties. The early weeks passed into months, and the car began to become part of the family.
Early on, I transformed the feel of the car by changing the steering shock absorber (really cheap and easy to do) and got rid of the Avon ZZ rubber replacing them with Continental Conti Sport 3's. The car didn't tramline any more, and became altogether a much better driver's car.
The rest, as they say, is (service) history.
My initial joy at driving a car with external flaws wore off. As my appreciation of the car increased, I felt that it could do with bringing back to standard.
So, dear reader, this I will go through some of the costs. Please bear in mind that some of this outlay was technically avoidable, but I subscribe to a theory of preventative maintenance and improvement. I suppose it didn't technically need a re-paint, or alloy wheel refurbishment, but that's the road I decided to go down, so here we go.
Service Costs.
Over the last ten years and 33,000 miles, the total bill comes to £4245.89. This includes nine services at my Independent Mercedes dealer, with another due at the end of August.
Highlights included in this are
Engine wiring loom repair £249.90
Immobiliser repair / replacement from Mercedes £866.08
6x new tyres ( new Conti Sport 5 on the front last year) £600.00
Bodywork.
In rectifying the initial rust, I paid £223.25 for a smart repair to the door and other tiny blebs.
In addition, I have replaced the front wings and re-painted the car which cost around £2700, and included a replacement windscreen as the original de-laminanted.
The total cost, excluding fuel, tax and insurance, stands at £7383.78, so an average of £738 per year.
The result of the expenditure is a car vastly superior to the one I bought. It continues to delight and enjoy regular summer use.
Highlights for me include a trip to the 'Ring back in 2009 9where does the time go?) and a top speed test on the autobahn of a GPS recorded 157mph.
The car has featured in a PH feature with the A45, and is a regular at local MB events.
I looked at another red one for sale approximately a year ago but recall it had two tone leather (IIRC) and was around £10k I think. My favourite Merc of all time. Yours is stunning and will be worth considerably more than the £5k you paid 10 years ago. In another ten years I bet you wouldn't get much change out of £20k for one, perhaps even more?
Lovely. Well done!
Lovely. Well done!
Thanks for the positive comments.
Ten years with a car leads to a little expertise, so feel free to ask questions.
The value of the car is a little academic, as it's not for sale. However, for insurance purposes, ithe market value has risen from the purchase price. I suppose it has most attributed to make it collectable in the future. It is rare and has some historical significance, in that the C36 was the first officially sanctioned AMG Mercedes model. I keep an eye on prices, but believe that there are only a handful of these left which haven't been thrashed and trashed.
It has been easy to run, and turn-key reliable.
The next job is to source a period Blaupunkt cassette player and Fischer C-box.
It shares garage space with my 129, so I am indeed a lucky chap....
Ten years with a car leads to a little expertise, so feel free to ask questions.
The value of the car is a little academic, as it's not for sale. However, for insurance purposes, ithe market value has risen from the purchase price. I suppose it has most attributed to make it collectable in the future. It is rare and has some historical significance, in that the C36 was the first officially sanctioned AMG Mercedes model. I keep an eye on prices, but believe that there are only a handful of these left which haven't been thrashed and trashed.
It has been easy to run, and turn-key reliable.
The next job is to source a period Blaupunkt cassette player and Fischer C-box.
It shares garage space with my 129, so I am indeed a lucky chap....
LordHaveMurci said:
Agree with both parts, finally convinced myself NOT to swap my 996 for a C55 estate but the want is still strong!
I test drove the c55, they don't feel fast as the delivery is so smooth, yet look down at the speedo and boy, it is fast !! Theres a black one for sale in Iver and im tempted to go look at it this weekend, 13495 and only 40k miles.. So so tempted !PorkRind said:
LordHaveMurci said:
Agree with both parts, finally convinced myself NOT to swap my 996 for a C55 estate but the want is still strong!
I test drove the c55, they don't feel fast as the delivery is so smooth, yet look down at the speedo and boy, it is fast !! Theres a black one for sale in Iver and im tempted to go look at it this weekend, 13495 and only 40k miles.. So so tempted !The '55 has the tastefulness, discretion and style which seems to be eluding the C63 at the moment.
irish boy said:
Ooo a 3.0 24v sl. I've always heard great things about that engine too....obviously not as powerful a the c36 but how would you compare them?
The SL 300-24 and the C36 represent either end of the 104 straight 6 engine evolutionary scale. The 300 is far happier to rev than the later 320, and sounds wonderfully raspy. The 36 is 50+ bhp up on the 300, and it shows in terms of performance, particularly above 4000 revs. The bigger engine, with the stainless exhaust is more "basso profundo" .
Overall, the SL is a proper comfy GT. It has a five-speed auto (C36 is a four speed) so it is relaxed and comfy. The AMG is jiggly and demands full attention. It has no traction control (which was an option) and reminds me a little of an early 90's 964 in the way it's front end darts around over a less than perfect surface.
The cars have really separate characters which fully justifies owning both!
That's fantastic, looks great OP
In terms of period stereo, I've usually found eBay.de a decent hunting ground for Blaupunkts and the like, prices are a little higher, some sellers won't ship abroad, but quality and range of the older stuff is generally pretty good I've found
I have a 90s Becker Grandprix if that would be of any interest. It's green backlit though (non-switchable AFAIK), and I can't remember if these C-classes are green or orange back-lit. PM me if of any use, my usual caveat of a few quid to the guide-dog charity if it would be
In terms of period stereo, I've usually found eBay.de a decent hunting ground for Blaupunkts and the like, prices are a little higher, some sellers won't ship abroad, but quality and range of the older stuff is generally pretty good I've found
I have a 90s Becker Grandprix if that would be of any interest. It's green backlit though (non-switchable AFAIK), and I can't remember if these C-classes are green or orange back-lit. PM me if of any use, my usual caveat of a few quid to the guide-dog charity if it would be
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