Mercedes C36 AMG

[pvapour]

>>> Edited by pvapour on Monday 17th November 13:23

[whitechimp500]

Remember reading somewhere (EVO ?) that brake pads and discs were VERY expensive on the C36 (AMG part).
Worth checking out

[Badapple]

There's one in the classifieds for similar money

www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=13577&s=249&sc=WAFZ

[james]

It depends what you call expensive. I had new discs on my E55 (they might be bigger than the C36, as it's a heavier car). IIRC, they cost £400 the pair. Plus about £125 for the pads. Not a huge amount when you look at how long they last (this was the first new set of discs the car needed in 117,000 miles).

Still a bit of a pain if you happen to be buying the car just when it needs them though

[pdV6]

Daz's brother has one - he might have some comments.

[dazren]

These cars now make superb value for money. My brother drives one as his sensible car. He bought it with 14k miles, it now has 60k on the clock 5 years later. He quite literally will not be selling this car ever, even though he does juggle his fun car funds from one car to the next.

The only bills he has had is annual servicing plus discs pads and tyres. Being a heavy performance car it can go through tyres if "enjoyed", after haggling expect to pay about £600 for 4 corners.

He has replaced one rear alloy following a drift/kerb experience, I think the bill for the replacement alloy including fitting was £350. I have been told that a complete exhaust system should you ever need it can run to over £2k, although at that sort of money you'd probably look at aftermarket stuff at half the price with a little more leaning to accoustic

Be warned Mercedes never offered this vehicle with a manual transmission, the auto is good though it may put you of if you are into trackdays where a manual would be preferable.

DAZ

>> Edited by dazren on Monday 20th October 12:43

[Guy Humpage]

pvapour said:

it was actually owned by Wyn Percy, a racing car driver apparently, anyone know who he is? I'm sure I've heard of him.

He the man , it's Win BTW, multiple BTCC champ, raced the Jag grp-C cars for TWR, has since done plenty of historics making the gentlemen drivers look like amateurs.

My brother and I used to store our Mini with him, so I've spoken with him a couple of times. A True Gent, full of stories. One of which was that the AMG in question was de-limited and he'd got it up to 175 on the M5.

[james]

I've used my auto E55 on a couple of track days (when the race car wasn't ready). It's great fun. none of that messing around with the clutch. As you come into the braking area, you pre-select the correct gear for the corner just before braking. When the speed drops sufficiently, it just snicks into the gear you want. As you get back on the power, you just slap the gearshift all the way forward and mash your foot to the floor.

I was timed round Snetterton at 1:28. To put it in perspective, most of the TVR Cerberas there were doing 1:35, and I was having to back off (and even brake) in some of the corners to stay behind some of the Griffs and Chimeares.

Fantastic fun. And of course, you have full climate control, and some great tunes coming out of the Bose as well

[pvapour]

Daz - Cheers for that info, got the car and the brakes are now done & only 600 in the end, better than I thought, love the car to bits and the auto is no problem as I have the TVR for screamin around tracks, and now there's no unwanted attention from Max brigade.


Guy - so my car is derestricted eh, coooool, autobahn here I come. Win certainly looked after the car service wise, he probably gave it a hard time on the road but it's stood up realy well, I'm afraid to say tho m8 that the reason Win got rid of the car is because he's paralised form the waist down and can no longer drive due to a hospital up, apparently it might not be permanant so fingers crossed, according to the salesman who knows him quite well he was the driver of the Silk Cut Jag at Le Mans that fliped at 200+mph back in the 90's and escaped with scratches!! and then this happens, it's a bloody cruel world sometimes.

Nik

[craigw]

sa story. Congrats on the car though. been thinking about getting one or a c43 for ages as a 2nd car, would be interested to know how you get on with it.

Boring question but whats the luggage space like?

[adl]

Nice C43 for sale in windlesham, am going to look it again! I cannot test it or I will most probably buy it. I wonder what the company policy on a fuel card for a 4.3l V8

[Guy Humpage]

pvapour said:

I'm afraid to say tho m8 that the reason Win got rid of the car is because he's paralised form the waist down and can no longer drive due to a hospital up, apparently it might not be permanant so fingers crossed

I had heard the news, but hadn't seen it posted anywhere by the time of my post, so didn't like to say anything.

pvapour said:

according to the salesman who knows him quite well he was the driver of the Silk Cut Jag at Le Mans that fliped at 200+mph back in the 90's and escaped with scratches!! and then this happens, it's a bloody cruel world sometimes.

I'm guessing you got in from Paul @ Dorchester Collection .

[pvapour]

Guy Humpage said:

pvapour said: I'm afraid to say tho m8 that the reason Win got rid of the car is because he's paralised form the waist down and can no longer drive due to a hospital up, apparently it might not be permanant so fingers crossed I had heard the news, but hadn't seen it posted anywhere by the time of my post, so didn't like to say anything. pvapour said: according to the salesman who knows him quite well he was the driver of the Silk Cut Jag at Le Mans that fliped at 200+mph back in the 90's and escaped with scratches!! and then this happens, it's a bloody cruel world sometimes. I'm guessing you got in from Paul @ Dorchester Collection .

sure did Guy, seemed like a nice chap too, think he must be quite close to Win as he realy did need to talk about it,sometimes it helps just to talk about it, never met the guy myself but from all I was told and read (brochure on his racing career at D. Collection) seems a top bloke, theres been to much tragedy surrounding motorsport this year, I hope Win and his family conquer this and they're all the stronger for it.

Nik

[jgreenwell]

Just joined folks, so hi to all.

Just after a bit of advice on the C36 AMG really for my old man. Have driven a C36 on many an occasion when I was 19!! dur to my boss having one, but that was when it was new, back in 1997. Just wondering how they have stood up to the test of time, any major probs with them, and what they are like compared to an M3 of similar year. (apart from being much cheeper!!) Any advice would be great thanks.