RE: Mercedes C36/C43 AMG: PH Used Buying Guide
Discussion
Seen the c43 estate at over £14k, indeed the reds a non-metallic white one been lurking around the classified ads for months now.
Wrong price? Wrong colour?
I looked at the ad, looked again and couldn’t convince myself this wasn’t a car that had been toured around various police forces in the hope they might buy them instead of the ubiquitous T5 (we had a C280 estate with magnetic police stickers on trial at one point)
Wrong price? Wrong colour?
I looked at the ad, looked again and couldn’t convince myself this wasn’t a car that had been toured around various police forces in the hope they might buy them instead of the ubiquitous T5 (we had a C280 estate with magnetic police stickers on trial at one point)
Lewis Kingston said:
maxwellwd said:
Didn't they also make the C55 as well? Sure I remember these in the late 90s/early 00s. Quite rare I believe though. Sure I remember seeing one in the film 'Romeo must die' with Jet Li
They did indeed - but they don't appear to have been officially offered here (reports suggest, at least, that none were ever sold here). Reputedly, only 30-odd RHD W202 C55s were ever built, so they are a rare beast indeed. Autocar tested one, back in the day! 
If anyone knows more, though, do shout...
The C43 was a fair bit slower
Edited by s m on Thursday 5th July 21:57
maxwellwd said:
Lewis Kingston said:
maxwellwd said:
Didn't they also make the C55 as well? Sure I remember these in the late 90s/early 00s. Quite rare I believe though. Sure I remember seeing one in the film 'Romeo must die' with Jet Li
They did indeed - but they don't appear to have been officially offered here (reports suggest, at least, that none were ever sold here). Reputedly, only 30-odd RHD W202 C55s were ever built, so they are a rare beast indeed. Autocar tested one, back in the day! If anyone knows more, though, do shout...
J4CKO said:
6.5 to sixty sounds conservative for 306 bhp in a smallish saloon ?
Certainly my C43 felt quicker than that. There seems to be a wide range out there of 0-60 times from high 5s to high 6s. A bit under 6 is how it felt to me having come out of an Elise and into the C43.Great cars. They don't feel as numb as they did when new given that everything is numb and automatic these days.
MOTK said:
That's about right, one of my best friends went over to Affalterbach in '98 to pick his up. Still has it now 170,000 miles later. It is in my mind a wonderful car, understated menace like merc seem unable to carry off now. The motor is I believe rated around 370hp but it feels a lot stronger than that, and it's worth noting the rear floor plan is changed over a C43 to incorporate the CLK55 diff I believe. There were numerous other hardware changes over a 43 as well iirc. Very rare too, I believe there were something like 7 estates built, his I think appears to be one of 2 left in the uk. It rusts though, oh boy.... from the era mercedes would rather us forget about.
I would quite like one of these. Bit under rated and unknown to most. Love the classic Merc look.
Had a W202 in 2.2 litre sport form and was surprised how much I enjoyed, especially as it was my first automatic gearbox.A V8 engine would have really suited it.
My lower down the range car had an old school feel, felt tough and drove much better than the 190's in my opinion. Not as exciting as a Beemer maybe in the dynamics department, but the sports suspension/lowering was great and kept you in touch with the rear. I think the 15 inch alloys helped with feel. The "ball" type steering let it down a bit. Interior was AMG spec and lasted really well - I even liked the fake carbon trim.
Wings rusted of course, one annoying electrical glitch but that was it until I broke the diff/gearbox pulling away on gravel with a heavy right foot
Had a W202 in 2.2 litre sport form and was surprised how much I enjoyed, especially as it was my first automatic gearbox.A V8 engine would have really suited it.
My lower down the range car had an old school feel, felt tough and drove much better than the 190's in my opinion. Not as exciting as a Beemer maybe in the dynamics department, but the sports suspension/lowering was great and kept you in touch with the rear. I think the 15 inch alloys helped with feel. The "ball" type steering let it down a bit. Interior was AMG spec and lasted really well - I even liked the fake carbon trim.
Wings rusted of course, one annoying electrical glitch but that was it until I broke the diff/gearbox pulling away on gravel with a heavy right foot
braddo said:
J4CKO said:
6.5 to sixty sounds conservative for 306 bhp in a smallish saloon ?
Certainly my C43 felt quicker than that. There seems to be a wide range out there of 0-60 times from high 5s to high 6s. A bit under 6 is how it felt to me having come out of an Elise and into the C43.Merc really cracked the autobox shifting thing with the C32 AMG though....on another level again for acceleration
I have a 99' C43 since late March 2010 with currently close to 300k km. It has run and runs perfectly with no major problems. I do all the maintenance by myself. My 43 is a keeper and the rust spots in the usual places will be addressed next winter, as it's not driven during the winter months. It was by the previous owner, which is probably one reason why the metal bugs have attacked in the usual places.
Upgrades include lowering with a KW Variant II suspension kit. The secondary cats and central resonator have been deleted and replaced with a stainless Y pipe. The sound now is what it should have sounded when leaving the factory. Stainless Goodridge brake lines front and rear have been installed. The engine has an enlarged air-box together with a reworked and free flowing elbow between the air-box and throttle body. 18" Monos from the W210 E55 is a nice upgrade, even if the 18" on the W202 never received official factory approval.
A very popular upgrade is installing a 55 engine (M113) in replacement of the 43. I've not done it yet, but it certainly is on my wish list. From comments by those who have done this upgrade, they say that the vehicle really goes like stink after, and with some little upgrades goes even better.
BTW, the 43 was NOT constructed at Affalterbach (this was confirmed when I visited Mother Ship in 2014), but on the regular MB production lines (mine was built at Bremen), using AMG parts when needed. The engine was hand built at Affalterbach, but it unfortunately doesn't have the signature plaque as those were first introduced with the W203 C32.
Upgrades include lowering with a KW Variant II suspension kit. The secondary cats and central resonator have been deleted and replaced with a stainless Y pipe. The sound now is what it should have sounded when leaving the factory. Stainless Goodridge brake lines front and rear have been installed. The engine has an enlarged air-box together with a reworked and free flowing elbow between the air-box and throttle body. 18" Monos from the W210 E55 is a nice upgrade, even if the 18" on the W202 never received official factory approval.
A very popular upgrade is installing a 55 engine (M113) in replacement of the 43. I've not done it yet, but it certainly is on my wish list. From comments by those who have done this upgrade, they say that the vehicle really goes like stink after, and with some little upgrades goes even better.
BTW, the 43 was NOT constructed at Affalterbach (this was confirmed when I visited Mother Ship in 2014), but on the regular MB production lines (mine was built at Bremen), using AMG parts when needed. The engine was hand built at Affalterbach, but it unfortunately doesn't have the signature plaque as those were first introduced with the W203 C32.
Edited by UltimaCH on Tuesday 23 June 17:15
braddo said:
Great cars. They don't feel as numb as they did when new given that everything is numb and automatic these days.
I think this is one of the big reasons why I've never been into Mercs because of the enjoyment sapping Auto gearboxes. As you say nowadays though all manufacturers have joined the enjoyment sapping two pedal way. Merc were ahead of the game!
davidc1 said:
Better off getting a 190 cosworth.
Seriously?I have an E55 and have driven a 190 Cosworth.
The 190 is not in the same performance bracket. Not even close.
The standard non Kompressor 55 puts out 350 brake and doesnt gain speed at over 100. It genuinely accelerates ( so I've been told!!!)
Had a C36 as well. Decently rapid too. Impreza turbo quick, so again a big step up from 190
I believe (but happy to be corrected) that these models have an inclination to leak their coolant in to the auto box?
It is therefore important to establish the state of the transmission fluid through a glycol test or at least find out whether the cooler has been replaced in the recent past.
It is therefore important to establish the state of the transmission fluid through a glycol test or at least find out whether the cooler has been replaced in the recent past.
ArmaghMan said:
davidc1 said:
Better off getting a 190 cosworth.
Seriously?I have an E55 and have driven a 190 Cosworth.
The 190 is not in the same performance bracket. Not even close.
The standard non Kompressor 55 puts out 350 brake and doesnt gain speed at over 100. It genuinely accelerates ( so I've been told!!!)
Had a C36 as well. Decently rapid too. Impreza turbo quick, so again a big step up from 190
Reading between the lines I would guess that a C43 is preferred over a 36. Is this correct?
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff