Are there any good AMG's around the £5k - £7k mark?
Discussion
Just curious. Looking ahead to next year when I may move on from the MR2 Turbo. Caught in a quandry at the moment though. I know a performance saloon isn't going to drive anything like the 2, but I have a bit of an itch that needs scratching.
So, being that I'm almost 30 now, I have really found myself starting to appreciate the AMG Mercs. If I don't go down the modified MR2 MK3 or Porsche Boxster route, and I do decide to go performance saloon/coupe route, what is there to consider int he AMG Merc range? I've never been that clued up on Mercs, and an Autotrader search for AMG's brings back a load of crap with AMG wheels being their only relation to AMG models!
Guie me some guidance AMG affecianados
Are there any manuals, or any decent paddle shift cars that actually respond straightaway when you tell it to shift??
So, being that I'm almost 30 now, I have really found myself starting to appreciate the AMG Mercs. If I don't go down the modified MR2 MK3 or Porsche Boxster route, and I do decide to go performance saloon/coupe route, what is there to consider int he AMG Merc range? I've never been that clued up on Mercs, and an Autotrader search for AMG's brings back a load of crap with AMG wheels being their only relation to AMG models!
Guie me some guidance AMG affecianados
Are there any manuals, or any decent paddle shift cars that actually respond straightaway when you tell it to shift??
ound The low 7k's get you into C32's. S/C V6's. Pretty quick. Tip g/box - think you get buttons on the steering wheel.
You can get a good c43 for 4-5k. Only the very last ones had tip. Barrel chested V8 so arguably no need for a fast shifter. I used to manually override from time to time but generally let the box do its thing.
Or a CLK 55.
You could also get one of the very best W210 E55's. I personally love them.
BUT you need to watch the E55's, CLK 55's and C43's for rust. The C32 less so.
Loads of threads (and owners) on mbclub.co.uk
You can get a good c43 for 4-5k. Only the very last ones had tip. Barrel chested V8 so arguably no need for a fast shifter. I used to manually override from time to time but generally let the box do its thing.
Or a CLK 55.
You could also get one of the very best W210 E55's. I personally love them.
BUT you need to watch the E55's, CLK 55's and C43's for rust. The C32 less so.
Loads of threads (and owners) on mbclub.co.uk
The models that will be in that price range (stick them into autotrader/pistonheads classifieds if you're unsure of what they look like):
C36
C43
CLK55
E55
There might be some C32s around too, but at the lower end of the scale.
They're all autos, but the gearbox is very responsive and you get some proper, connected acceleration.
C36
C43
CLK55
E55
There might be some C32s around too, but at the lower end of the scale.
They're all autos, but the gearbox is very responsive and you get some proper, connected acceleration.
warp9 said:
Be warned of electrical gremlins with AMG's of this ilk. When they start going wrong, they carry on going wrong and will cost you much moolah.
I never had much go wrong with electrics in my two C43's over a seven year period - a couple of crank sensors, a brake light switch and a couple of MAF's. They are realtively simple beasts - the CLK too.Don't have any experience of 210 E55's but I am running a high mileage W211 E500 with just about every option known to man and it's all working fine.
C32's have some known faults, but again I haven't run one.
There are seriously rusty C34's CLK 55's and W210 E55's out there, though. And gearboxes can go pop if fluid not changed.
Where the electrics would worry me much more would be in the uber-complex CL's (and maybe SL's). They are cheap for a reason and can cost £1000's to sort.
angusc43 said:
I never had much go wrong with electrics in my two C43's over a seven year period - a couple of crank sensors, a brake light switch and a couple of MAF's. They are realtively simple beasts - the CLK too.
I'll second that, my C43 never had any electrical gremlins in 3 years. Previous owners had kept all their receipts too, as far as I recall only a MAF got changed at some point.I had the rust sorted out and that's all it needed above normal maintenance of cars that age. Gearbox is the biggest worry on those but mine was fine, did a precautionary oil change on it though.
BlueTwo2 said:
I like the C43 but it might just be a little too dated for me......
The C43 won't be any more or less dated than a W210 of similar vintage. Both Mercs of this era are potentially very rusty. A friend of mine has a W210 and the rust is beyond a joke. Tyre bills are silly as are service costs but the car is still very quick even with 'only' 354BHP.I'll go out on a limb and say that a good E36 M3 or possibly a B10 Alpina would both be superior cars at this kind of money. Check the Alpina register, I know this guy personally and although I haven't seen the car it'll be a decent one
http://thealpinaregister.com/forums/viewtopic.php?...
£7k you say? 
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2383036.htm
Not so fond of the wood trim though and the front seats look particularly well-worn; other than that, it's a lot of car for the money!
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2383036.htmNot so fond of the wood trim though and the front seats look particularly well-worn; other than that, it's a lot of car for the money!
Edited by boomboompow on Monday 18th April 22:22
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