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.
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....
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!
bigkeeko said:
157mph on the autobahn? Outstanding for an old bird. Realistically, how much performance do you need? It makes you wonder why people chase newer faster cars.
So true. And the car is exciting to drive at moderate speeds too, unlike, for example the A45. There is practice and acquired skill required to get one of these ( or similar rivals) down a twisty b-road at a brisk canter. Engine shot as below;
r129sl said:
Wonderful thread, wonderful car, very wonderful engine. I always enjoy your contributions MV and am looking forward to reading this thread as it develops.
I would find a C36 AMG special and satisfying every single day. Whereas I suspect the undoubted fun of the unremarkable, Audi S3, BMW 1M, Golf R, fast four cylinder turbo hatchback head-banger nut job-alike A45 AMG would wear off pretty quickly. That's the problem: these new fast cars have the quality of immediacy. The flip-side is true satisfaction can take longer to develop.
Thanks for the endorsement J. You are right. Acceleration without Perspiration is a recipe for boring motoring. I would find a C36 AMG special and satisfying every single day. Whereas I suspect the undoubted fun of the unremarkable, Audi S3, BMW 1M, Golf R, fast four cylinder turbo hatchback head-banger nut job-alike A45 AMG would wear off pretty quickly. That's the problem: these new fast cars have the quality of immediacy. The flip-side is true satisfaction can take longer to develop.
This car, devoid of traction control etc, is quite probably one of the last analogue performance saloons and whilst it may be an M3 with a classical education, it's massively rewarding to drive well.
Winter is no friend of a new paint job. Not much to report on the C36 front, other than a deep slumber under a blue cover. I'm a bit precious about it I guess.
Future planning includes replacing all the suspension bushes, and eventually sourcing a period Blaupunkt and Fischer c-box.
Time is certainly in short supply this year, but a trip to the Essen show is on the cards for 2018. I may just take this car.
Just realised I ought to update this a bit!
The car has been reliable and really enjoyable over the last few months.
It's currently having the suspension bushes renewed, and I sourced a period Becker cassette player too.
Another two rear tyres (Conti sport 5) going on too which should form up the rear end a bit.
The car has been reliable and really enjoyable over the last few months.
It's currently having the suspension bushes renewed, and I sourced a period Becker cassette player too.
Another two rear tyres (Conti sport 5) going on too which should form up the rear end a bit.
[quote=Resolutionary]Love this and the ownership story - I often wonder if we'll ever see more successful unisons of man and machine in the age of speculators, leases, and downright autonomous and uninvolving design / drivetrains. Shame really.
Really valid observation, and very well put. I'm fortunate enough to be able to sort any issues which arise, not least as I have a great mechanic, and other cars to bear the main brunt of family motoring.
I've owned this longer than two of my three sons, so it's here to stay. The fact that it's not worth (and won't be in the foreseeable future) mega bucks makes it easy to justify keeping. It's gentle appreciation though means justifying expenditure (to myself!) is also gratifying.
Anyway, all comments and observations are most welcome. It's good to know that a little piece of Mercedes-AMG history is appreciated.
Really valid observation, and very well put. I'm fortunate enough to be able to sort any issues which arise, not least as I have a great mechanic, and other cars to bear the main brunt of family motoring.
I've owned this longer than two of my three sons, so it's here to stay. The fact that it's not worth (and won't be in the foreseeable future) mega bucks makes it easy to justify keeping. It's gentle appreciation though means justifying expenditure (to myself!) is also gratifying.
Anyway, all comments and observations are most welcome. It's good to know that a little piece of Mercedes-AMG history is appreciated.
Well, another season over and the C36 is back in winter hibernation.
As well as preserving the paintwork, laying the car up until spring creates an aura of deferred gratification. By the time it starts up again, the novelty has returned.
Running costs have been pretty acceptable this year. I've fitted (another) pair of rear Continental Conti-sport 5s and had some suspension bushes changed.
I finally got round to ditching the Pioneer stereo and putting an original Mercedes cassette player in.
Reliability has continued to be first class.
There can't be many of these left now; a couple get regular mentions on the Mercedes Benz club website but I'd be interested to hear of any others on PH.
As well as preserving the paintwork, laying the car up until spring creates an aura of deferred gratification. By the time it starts up again, the novelty has returned.
Running costs have been pretty acceptable this year. I've fitted (another) pair of rear Continental Conti-sport 5s and had some suspension bushes changed.
I finally got round to ditching the Pioneer stereo and putting an original Mercedes cassette player in.
Reliability has continued to be first class.
There can't be many of these left now; a couple get regular mentions on the Mercedes Benz club website but I'd be interested to hear of any others on PH.
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