Older AMG's - worth my time?
Discussion
Afternoon,
I'm currently looking for a new car to replace my Impreza with. I'm in the middle of moving house and my new commute will be a 24 mile round trip, 90% of which will be on dual carriageways. As such, the Impreza doesn't seem to be the right car anymore, given that it was never meant to glide up and down long, straight roads.
I've been considering a lot of cars and I swing sometimes between ultimate luxury (LS400) and more 'purposeful' cars like Volvo T5's etc etc. The older AMG offerings like the C36 seem to occupy an interesting space of having good pace, decent handling mated with auto-box waft capability and a decent level of comfort inside.
Would buying one of these be a bad idea? I can stomach the fuel costs, they are not an issue. But is there a great deal to go wrong with them? Convention would suggest their engines are simple enough, being big, woofly N/A items without Milleniumj Falcon levels of computing power. Drivetrain seems simple enough. Could it be that an older AMG could be the thing for me?
I'm currently looking for a new car to replace my Impreza with. I'm in the middle of moving house and my new commute will be a 24 mile round trip, 90% of which will be on dual carriageways. As such, the Impreza doesn't seem to be the right car anymore, given that it was never meant to glide up and down long, straight roads.
I've been considering a lot of cars and I swing sometimes between ultimate luxury (LS400) and more 'purposeful' cars like Volvo T5's etc etc. The older AMG offerings like the C36 seem to occupy an interesting space of having good pace, decent handling mated with auto-box waft capability and a decent level of comfort inside.
Would buying one of these be a bad idea? I can stomach the fuel costs, they are not an issue. But is there a great deal to go wrong with them? Convention would suggest their engines are simple enough, being big, woofly N/A items without Milleniumj Falcon levels of computing power. Drivetrain seems simple enough. Could it be that an older AMG could be the thing for me?
I've got an E36 estate (w124) and think that it ( or C36) would fill your brief well. Great cars. Pretty simple to maintain and parts readily available. Rust is the main problem with this era of Merc. The 36 engine may not feel fast enough for you coming from a scooby. I think you might want to think about something with the 55 engine. Bombproof and fast. Alternatively the w124 e500/500e is a great car. LHD only but the ultimate Q car if you can live with that.
Biglips said:
I've got an E36 estate (w124) and think that it ( or C36) would fill your brief well. Great cars. Pretty simple to maintain and parts readily available. Rust is the main problem with this era of Merc. The 36 engine may not feel fast enough for you coming from a scooby. I think you might want to think about something with the 55 engine. Bombproof and fast. Alternatively the w124 e500/500e is a great car. LHD only but the ultimate Q car if you can live with that.
Check OPs profile, his Impreza is a GX, not a turbo so it will feel a step up after that, but he has had an MR2 Turbo and they are quick (240bhp and not a lot of weight!), but I think he is more after a comfy, stylish cruiser with a decent turn of pace rather than the ultimate bahn-burner. Providing running costs are not ridiculous, I think a C36 could fit the bill nicely if he can cope with the fuel costs.Biglips said:
I've got an E36 estate (w124) and think that it ( or C36) would fill your brief well. Great cars. Pretty simple to maintain and parts readily available. Rust is the main problem with this era of Merc. The 36 engine may not feel fast enough for you coming from a scooby. I think you might want to think about something with the 55 engine. Bombproof and fast. Alternatively the w124 e500/500e is a great car. LHD only but the ultimate Q car if you can live with that.
I think the C36 could be the one for me. My Impreza is quite slow, being the GX. I bought it as a cheap runner whilst I am ploughing cash into getting my new house renovated and decorated. After thats done, the Impreza will be sold off in due course and something a little more 'me' will be purchased. So pretty much anything will feel fast after the Impreza, though as Mastodon mentioned, I did have an MR2 Turbo previously which was incredibly quick and felt it!The 55 engine might be stretching it a little for me. I can stomach a pretty stiff fuel bill as I have no dependents but even that might be going a little far for me given that I have a friend with an R230 SL500 which likes the odd sip...but the C36 should be a nice balance between everyday commuter and 'fun' so I am leaning towards that. Classic looks too!
I have also given serious consideration to an R129 SL, most likely the 320 but the C36 seems like a good compromise.
C36's are great cars ; well made , good fun , old school manners and reasonably cheap to run , if you're lucky.
Fuel economy is good for the power output , reckon on 24 to 27 in daily running.
watch out for rusty wings and boot lock area , also misfires caused by degraded engine wiring looms.
The biggest challenge is finding a cherished car for your money , people are hanging onto the really good ones and many have fallen into unsympathetic hands over the years .
Good luck ..
Fuel economy is good for the power output , reckon on 24 to 27 in daily running.
watch out for rusty wings and boot lock area , also misfires caused by degraded engine wiring looms.
The biggest challenge is finding a cherished car for your money , people are hanging onto the really good ones and many have fallen into unsympathetic hands over the years .
Good luck ..
Former c36 owner here. Great car, loved it to bits. One common fault to watch out for. The wiring loom runs across the top of the engine, and can short out over time. If it does it will blow the ECU. Needless to say Mercedes will only sell a new Ecu. Repair is possible by specialist but if it is required you will need a new loom or a splice and cut fix from Mercedes.
An indicator that the loom may be on the way out is if it starts blowing coils.
The cost of this fix could well be the value of the car!
An indicator that the loom may be on the way out is if it starts blowing coils.
The cost of this fix could well be the value of the car!
Former C36 owner here too and I really liked mine. I think the C36 is more special than the C43 as as the C36 was the first 'jointly developed' model by AMG and MB. I also recall that C36's were put together by AMG whereas on the C43 that moved back in house at MB.
I found my C36 reliable, understated but with a nice turn of pace when required from the large 6 cylinder. Plenty of torque too.
Watch out for rust as that seems to be killing many off now, and also try and park safely - the bumpers are desirable to undesirables and VERY expensive to replace.
I found my C36 reliable, understated but with a nice turn of pace when required from the large 6 cylinder. Plenty of torque too.
Watch out for rust as that seems to be killing many off now, and also try and park safely - the bumpers are desirable to undesirables and VERY expensive to replace.
bolide said:
I'd go older and get a W124 E500 or go newer and buy one of the madder cars like a C32, C43 or E55
I don't think the C36 or E36 are really special enough. You can't say that about the E500 - it's one of a kind
Nick Froome
Bit harsh Nick, the W124s are all about straight 6`es and what could be more special than the ones breathed on by AMG!I don't think the C36 or E36 are really special enough. You can't say that about the E500 - it's one of a kind
Nick Froome
0-62 in about 7 with an auto and 155 mph on the straights will do me just fine! Happy days..
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff