Discussion
.I've got one - an estate. It really does shift (306bhp) (Sold my griff 500 to buy it - expanding family! and I doubt there is a lot in it from 0-100). They did make a few paddle shift ones at the end of the production but I've never seen one. The auto box is fine really for 99% of the time, although coming back from le mans through the twisties, It would have been nice to be able to hold onto a gear rather than it shift up as you slow into a bend. Still, left the Elise, 328 GTS and a Buell bike standing. Good fun for a big hearse!
pentoman said:
The C55 is now mainstream, but was available based on the old-shape C-class as well in very small numbers. I think they made something like 25 of them.
Power not far off today's C55, so it must have been all the more impressive a few years back.
Power not far off today's C55, so it must have been all the more impressive a few years back.
I read there are only 7 RHD examples....two recently came up for sale and around double the price of a good condition C43.
Apparently the W202 C55 wasn't as quick as the W208 CLK55
I'd still search for a W124 AMG Hammer
Re: the original post though.....The C43 is a fantastic car. As for manual convertions, I've never heard one, although all but the last C43's use manual shifting 'overdrive' (?) gears....the last C43s I believe used a tiptronic, although I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong
Darren
Thoroughly enjoyed mine (estate), and you will never feel the need to have a manual - the autobox is very very good! Great engine sound, reasonable MPG, and a very stealthy yet with just the right hint of menace, all in a fairly compact shape.
Just be aware, as on all E and C classes of the era, of rust...
Just be aware, as on all E and C classes of the era, of rust...
As most peolple have said , the w202 c43 amg is a solid car,just make sure you find a cared for example with lots of history,all AMGs should be running on mobil 1, and the good news now is that mercs have lowered the prices on the parts such as brakes ,which in the past were sky high.I have had my designo purple c43 for 2 years and love it ,lets just say that the cars of this period if cared for are built better than the new ones (lol).So if you can find a clean 1 join the club remember over the production time 1997-2000 approx 3000 C43s(lim/estate)were built,and only 15% for the UK.
I am thinking of one of these to replace my old 540 - rear cabin space is smaller than I would like but with the estate version the effect would be offset (the wife would be happy).
Is rust seriously an issue on the AMG cars? I am thinking of a 99/00 MY.
Any other known weak area's or model revisions to be aware of?
Is rust seriously an issue on the AMG cars? I am thinking of a 99/00 MY.
Any other known weak area's or model revisions to be aware of?
As a rule the AMGs are better ,but do look out for bad body repairs,un touch-in stone chips etc,if the car has got rust it will be on the very edge of the wheel arches and maybe around the boot key button area ,as long as the engine are serviced regurly there are very strong..If you are looking to buy 1 make sure i has good brakes (eg discs).
I read somewhere (a dangerous thing to do I know) that gearbox and exhaust/cat issues cost a remortgage to fix and on a 6/7 year old car the wear and tear factor will be becoming a factor.
Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
This is the one I am interested in currently. Seems a good price and although its not being maintained by main dealers we all know that may not be a bad thing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
This is the one I am interested in currently. Seems a good price and although its not being maintained by main dealers we all know that may not be a bad thing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Edited by jamesk on Tuesday 21st November 10:42
jamesk said:
I read somewhere (a dangerous thing to do I know) that gearbox and exhaust/cat issues cost a remortgage to fix and on a 6/7 year old car the wear and tear factor will be becoming a factor.
Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
This is the one I am interested in currently. Seems a good price and although its not being maintained by main dealers we all know that may not be a bad thing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Seem to be answering your questions at the moment James! Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
This is the one I am interested in currently. Seems a good price and although its not being maintained by main dealers we all know that may not be a bad thing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl
Edited by jamesk on Tuesday 21st November 10:42
Don't believe everything you read about the gearbox. Its mostly a result of poor marketing by MB. In short, they marketed the 7224.6 5 speeder as having tranny fluid "fit for life" of the gearbox. Which is bollox. So, as long as you change the slush every 60K you won't go far wrong.
Parktronic can be retro fitted, theres a dealer fit version that works quite well, with lights and buzzer.
OEM cats are expensive (over a grand a pair) but you can get replacements from GSF at a fraction of the cost. A good independant service history is as good as a main dealer history IMO.
HTH
Greg
jamesk said:
I read somewhere (a dangerous thing to do I know) that gearbox and exhaust/cat issues cost a remortgage to fix and on a 6/7 year old car the wear and tear factor will be becoming a factor.
Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
Other than that I need parktronic - is that something that can be retro-fitted or is it cost prohibitive? The wife would insist on it in an estate car....
The following is an extract from the December 2004 issue of Mercedes Enthusiast, where they had a buyer's guide for the C36 AMG and C43 AMG. I've omitted the C36 pieces in the "What to look for" part of the article.
Mercedes Enthusiast said:
The V8's catalytic converters were placed too close to the engine. The effect of this is that, when the engine is on overrun, pieces of the catalyst can be sucked back into the engine and damage it. The solution is a revised catalyst. It was made available, but not all examples have been fitted with it.
Odd as it may seem, a rattling at tickover on both engines isn't considered anything to worry about. Simply changing the engine oil to a more suitableviscosity, and Birds recommends a 15/50 grade synthetic, may reduce or even stop the noise.
Both four and five-speed gearboxes are generally reliable.
Look out for tracking problems, as the suspension can go out of alignment. The wish-bone bushes on the front wear prematurely, as can the anti-roll bar links at the rear. These problems aren't always apparent on driving the car, so the suspension should be properly checked out as part of the pre-purchase inspection.
It does not harm to check for corrosion around the wings, sills and doors.
One specific item on the body that can fail, however, is the assembly for the single wiper. These can just decide to stop working one day. It can break quite suddenly due to metal fatigue. As a repair, it can be aluminium-welded but it's better to be replaced. And bear in mind that if you're looking at one which had already been aluminium welded, it may tell you more about the attitude of the previous owner.
Odd as it may seem, a rattling at tickover on both engines isn't considered anything to worry about. Simply changing the engine oil to a more suitableviscosity, and Birds recommends a 15/50 grade synthetic, may reduce or even stop the noise.
Both four and five-speed gearboxes are generally reliable.
Look out for tracking problems, as the suspension can go out of alignment. The wish-bone bushes on the front wear prematurely, as can the anti-roll bar links at the rear. These problems aren't always apparent on driving the car, so the suspension should be properly checked out as part of the pre-purchase inspection.
It does not harm to check for corrosion around the wings, sills and doors.
One specific item on the body that can fail, however, is the assembly for the single wiper. These can just decide to stop working one day. It can break quite suddenly due to metal fatigue. As a repair, it can be aluminium-welded but it's better to be replaced. And bear in mind that if you're looking at one which had already been aluminium welded, it may tell you more about the attitude of the previous owner.
Hope this helps!
Darren
GregE240 said:
Typical Merc Enthusiast, good, but could do better 
C43 never fitted with a 4 speed box, don't even think the C36 was either....
C43 never fitted with a 4 speed box, don't even think the C36 was either....
Yes I know. The C43 had a 5 speed from day one, meant to omit that from the piece I typed
The C43 has a manual "over-drive" (I guess its called that) system on all bu the last ones, which had a tiptronic gearbox.
The C36 came with a 4 speed 'box until the 1996 model year, when they switched to the 5-speed
Darren
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