View Full Version : C43 AMG Any thoughts?
Anyone here driven one of these. Are there many problems areas as they get close to higher milage.
As you guys no from my 740 and 540 threads I am looking for a cheaper more comfortable cruiser for long hauls.
This seems to work nicely.
Should I start to worry with 80K on the clock? It is only 18K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-C43-AMG-ONE-OWNER-CALIF-FULL-BOOKS-AND-RECORDS_W0QQitemZ230037355039QQihZ013QQcategoryZ63 34QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
No stick.
True but think comfortable, cheap, some power and handling and long haul cruiser.
The 740 I was considering is also auto only.
Anyone here driven one of these. Are there many problems areas as they get close to higher milage.
As you guys no from my 740 and 540 threads I am looking for a cheaper more comfortable cruiser for long hauls.
This seems to work nicely.
Should I start to worry with 80K on the clock? It is only 18K
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-C43-AMG-ONE-OWNER-CALIF-FULL-BOOKS-AND-RECORDS_W0QQitemZ230037355039QQihZ013QQcategoryZ63 34QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Never driven one, but the CLK 430 I once drove left me vastly underwhelmed. Something about the gearing left even the V8 feeling tepid and underpowered--I remember thinking that the (then new) 330Ci felt much quicker in everyday driving.
Obviously, the C43 has a bit more power (though "only" 300 hp isn't really that impressive these days, and it's not really that much more than the contemporary 430), but I'd want to drive one before I committed to it.
Never driven one, but the CLK 430 I once drove left me vastly underwhelmed. Something about the gearing left even the V8 feeling tepid and underpowered--I remember thinking that the (then new) 330Ci felt much quicker in everyday driving.
Obviously, the C43 has a bit more power (though "only" 300 hp isn't really that impressive these days, and it's not really that much more than the contemporary 430), but I'd want to drive one before I committed to it.
I realize 300 hp is nothing in todays standards, but I am looking for a cheaper (Under $25K) cruiser that has some style, is nice inside (I really like the C43 interior. Really nice wheel and seats.) and has "some" power.
This still seems to fit nicely. Specs say 0-60 was 5.9. Not bad at all.
Nick M3
10-11-2006, 01:26 AM
Just get an E320. Better yet, find an E320 4Matic wagon. It's comfy, nicely sized, hugely practical, does 90 at 3,000 RPMs, and is very comfortable to cruise in.
Edit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-Mercedes-Benz-E320-Wagon-4-Matic-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ130034047536QQihZ003QQcategoryZ63 35QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Something like that. Seriously.
Back before I knew better, it was one of my favortie cars. Great-looking, very fast (it was one of, if not THE fastest slushie sedan available in America when it came out, FWIW), upgraded interior (Nappa, multicountour seats, and other goodies) and AMG hardware (suspension, brakes, exhaust, engine, tranny, wheels, body-kit). IIRC, I think it was the first "real" AMG.
All that said, never drove one. And because it had no stick, never seriously considered it.
On the E-Wagon, I'd try like hell to get a '00+ model if you go that route. But they are excellent vehicles and very practical for the money now that they are old. You just have to watch out of repairs on old MB's.
Nick M3
10-11-2006, 09:04 AM
Back before I knew better, it was one of my favortie cars. Great-looking, very fast (it was one of, if not THE fastest slushie sedan available in America when it came out, FWIW), upgraded interior (Nappa, multicountour seats, and other goodies) and AMG hardware (suspension, brakes, exhaust, engine, tranny, wheels, body-kit). IIRC, I think it was the first "real" AMG.
All that said, never drove one. And because it had no stick, never seriously considered it.
On the E-Wagon, I'd try like hell to get a '00+ model if you go that route. But they are excellent vehicles and very practical for the money now that they are old. You just have to watch out of repairs on old MB's.
What's the upside of an '00+ model?
lemming
10-11-2006, 09:24 AM
What's the upside of an '00+ model?
ha ha ha ha.
upside.
:lol:
i'm looking into a new or preowned E3504maticW now because my drive of a 328xi was okay. but not enough torque (don't care about HP in these things) to really get it moving with serious urgency.
Just get an E320. Better yet, find an E320 4Matic wagon. It's comfy, nicely sized, hugely practical, does 90 at 3,000 RPMs, and is very comfortable to cruise in.
Edit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-Mercedes-Benz-E320-Wagon-4-Matic-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ130034047536QQihZ003QQcategoryZ63 35QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Something like that. Seriously.
God man I said cruiser not wagon and the 320 has no guts.
Back before I knew better, it was one of my favortie cars. Great-looking, very fast (it was one of, if not THE fastest slushie sedan available in America when it came out, FWIW), upgraded interior (Nappa, multicountour seats, and other goodies) and AMG hardware (suspension, brakes, exhaust, engine, tranny, wheels, body-kit). IIRC, I think it was the first "real" AMG.
All that said, never drove one. And because it had no stick, never seriously considered it.
On the E-Wagon, I'd try like hell to get a '00+ model if you go that route. But they are excellent vehicles and very practical for the money now that they are old. You just have to watch out of repairs on old MB's.
All good to know. Slusie for this car does not bother me since I am also considering the 01 740. I need to find and drive one of these. It might be hard since I read somewhere only 500 were imported in 99. sigh
FC have you heard of any big long term issues with them?
All good to know. Slusie for this car does not bother me since I am also considering the 01 740. I need to find and drive one of these. It might be hard since I read somewhere only 500 were imported in 99. sigh
FC have you heard of any big long term issues with them?
Frankly I've read very little on them, but I don't remember any horror-stories. Sorry. I have a brochure I can scan for you if you want.
(Trivia: Renntech offered a $50K upgrade that would redo the whole engine and bore it to 6.0L putting out trully ridiculous numbers like 500+ HP and 500lb-ft).
Frankly I've read very little on them, but I don't remember any horror-stories. Sorry. I have a brochure I can scan for you if you want.
(Trivia: Renntech offered a $50K upgrade that would redo the whole engine and bore it to 6.0L putting out trully ridiculous numbers like 500+ HP and 500lb-ft).
Wow you are a brochure collector. That would be great. Thanks
Wow you are a brochure collector. That would be great. Thanks
I have a brochure/poster on the C36 too.:eeps:
Sharp11
10-11-2006, 12:01 PM
Just get an E320. Better yet, find an E320 4Matic wagon. It's comfy, nicely sized, hugely practical, does 90 at 3,000 RPMs, and is very comfortable to cruise in.
Edit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1998-Mercedes-Benz-E320-Wagon-4-Matic-LOW-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ130034047536QQihZ003QQcategoryZ63 35QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Something like that. Seriously.
Yes, and lousy resale value and a plethora of off-lease 03's make these the buy of the century (at least in sedan form).
Be prepared for potentially poor reliability, though.
Ed
armaq
10-13-2006, 11:55 PM
I have a brochure/poster on the C36 too.:eeps:
I have the original C36 brochure from 1994.:eeps: It's a folding poster of a silver C36 on a country road, right?
It was my favourite car back then. My aunt in CA has had one since 96, and it's been pretty reliable. I don't like the C43 though, IMO the C36 is better balanced. It's not much slower, has more than enough juice for highway cruising, and yet it's much cheaper to maintain than the C43 (it's basically a AMG modified C280, which is a tank with a bulletproof straight-6).
I'd get a 97 C36 with the updated interior and 5-speed slushie over a C43.
armaq
10-14-2006, 12:06 AM
IMO the C36 also looks better/meaner than the softer/more feminine C43.
http://www2.uol.com.br/bestcars/carros/mercedes/amg-brabus/c36-amg-1.jpghttp://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2000/Mercedes-Benz/1650/007222-396x249.jpg
http://xrefill.com/mercedes/pictures/c/c36/c36_2.jpghttp://images.autotrader.com/images/2006/10/13/210/648/1078482387.210648250.IM1.04.565x421_A.562x421.jpg
I have the original C36 brochure from 1994.:eeps: It's a folding poster of a silver C36 on a country road, right?
Yes. I've also heard of the C36 being almost as fast. But I will disagree in that I find the C43 to be better in and out - particularly in.
The scanner at work is B&W only (WTF?). It came out looking like crap. My scanner at home is a printer/scanner/fax, so it doesn't do brochures well. My parents have a nice flat scanner. I'll scan the C43 brochure there sometime soon.
You'd think AMG would have lowered it a little bit...
http://images.andale.com/f2/121/114/8032590/2006/10/9/DSC00723.JPG
I have the original C36 brochure from 1994.:eeps: It's a folding poster of a silver C36 on a country road, right?
It was my favourite car back then. My aunt in CA has had one since 96, and it's been pretty reliable. I don't like the C43 though, IMO the C36 is better balanced. It's not much slower, has more than enough juice for highway cruising, and yet it's much cheaper to maintain than the C43 (it's basically a AMG modified C280, which is a tank with a bulletproof straight-6).
I'd get a 97 C36 with the updated interior and 5-speed slushie over a C43.
Thanks for the input but think if I get a car with no stick I want it to be a V8. I am still trying to find one to drive.
You'd think AMG would have lowered it a little bit...
http://images.andale.com/f2/121/114/8032590/2006/10/9/DSC00723.JPG
Sadly, I beleive it IS lowered a bit vs a stock C-class.
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