MitchB

Here's my dilemma:

I currently own a '98 NSX and a full size '02 Dodge pick up. Love my NSX, but the lowered ride and six speed make it inconvenient for daily use, and the truck just uses to much gas (14-ish MPG) to drive all the time. So I think I need a used performance sedan.

I need a daily driver, so it needs to be pretty damn reliable. I generally turn my own wrenches for normal maint. It has to have an automatic trans (LA traffic), and might as well have four doors. I won't be happy with "normal sedan" performance - so on this board that means AMG only - however MPG is definitely a factor as I drive 4-5 hour trips about 1-2 times a month. It will likely get driven 8K per year, mixed City / Hwy. I'm thinking $12K-ish budget, but flexible. I usually keep my vehicles for a long time, so "try" to buy smart with my brain, not my lust...

Cars I've looked at / driven / considered:
'97 Volvo 850R - very nice inside, not slow. Rare, but some oomph for little money. Great reliability (my brother has one from new).
'03 Audi RS6 - great torque, great sound. Maint issues scared me off.
E55 - wife has an E350, so I'm familiar and like her car. Still a little pricey for my needs.
C55 - thoughts?
C43 AMG - I love the old school styling, and having V-8. This may be the sweet spot for me. I'd like more than 300 HP, but doubt I need it - it's all abt HP per $$$.

An older AMG looks to be my target - performance / price / quality / reliabilty...
Is there a AMG I'm missing? I've read a lot of posts, but most are several years old. Are there new thoughts since prices have fallen the last few years..?

TIA

jmg1848

c43 can get 25mpg on HWY

Sulaco

Dude if you're in the LA area you can find C43's DIRT cheap.

w203 C55 is great car. I much prefer the w202 styling.
w210 E55 is every bit of a classic as the C43. w211 E55 is the supercharged 470hp monster I'd love to have
finding a C43 that's had the 55 engine swap = 345 hp with no modifications needed.

I do my own wrenching, my w202 is not difficult to work on. the C43 is a bullet proof piece of solid iron. At this age it WILL need some maintenance (suspension, bushings, tie rods, ball joints) but it is a very rewarding car to own. Mine has 275k miles and my wife's has 200k miles, neither has ever had any kind of big failure.

jmg1848 has a thread started where he's hunting one, and there are plenty of pointers in there for you to review.

MitchB

Dirt cheap would fill the bill. The C43 looks to be a good fit, and all I've read say they are well built.

Just started looking, not seeing any today.

I think with my needs (MPG), a motor swap wouldn't be feasible. I'd just spend for a E55 instead. 300 HP should be OK for this, so only light mods for this. If I need a speed fix, the NSX is there.

I saw the thread. I'm on the hunt.

Thx for your help.

Sulaco

Well, every C43 left the factory with just over 300 hp. I think the 98's had 302 and the 99/2000 had 307. So, the only mod you'll need for 300 hp is handing cash to the previous owner

Dziner82

just for clarification you are missing the c32 shich is the supercharged c class that came between the c43 and C55. i considered one when i bought my C43, the is much bigger aftermarket for more power and it is a fair amount faster than the c43, albeit less 'rare' than a c43.

also the looks of the C32/C55 are so different from the C43, it was the looks of the C43 that i eventually went with, plus the fact that i didnt want to be doing tons of mods to it, i just wanted a great car to drive. that being said i still am doing some modding to my C43 as i autocross and take it to track days but not much.

hard to find low mileage c43's though since there were so few of them, not that you need the low mileage for it to be a reliable car, but it helps in terms of how good of shape the leather/interior might be in or just random small things in the car that may not have been upkept.

MitchB

This.

Something about the old school look. I generally like tech in the interior, but these are nice. Plus - lower prices, V-8 with no blower simplicity. I could probably swing a E55, but gawd... There're everywhere out here.

I like something a little unique when I own.

Sulaco

I can personally attest to how amazingly well these interiors hold up over many miles and use. My 99 with 275k miles has an absolutely outstanding interior, and I can post pics for those in doubt.

there's an article at pistonheads comparing the C43, E36 M3, and Audi S4 as old school euro sport sedans with the writer implying reliability, build quality, and rust issues on the C43. blows my mind. I dare you to find an M3 with more than 150k miles on it. I then double dare you to look at the interior. Appalling.

Sorry, side tracked!

PJmak

C43 is what you need my friend.

Super reliable and more than enough punch for a car with 300 hp. Youll be surprised as long as you test drive a healthy one...

JohnnyRock

I'll tell you a big reason I bought my C43 (besides the style) was all of my euro-mechanic friends (professionals with shops in LA/OC) told me that the 80's and 90's Mercedes were built like tanks. Moreso with the C43.

My '98 looks and drives beautifully. I've got right about 125K on the odometer and everything feels nice and tight. What I love about this car is that it feels like a manual tranny. When you step on the gas, it just goes. No lag like other auto-tranny cars, especially sedans.

On my highway commutes I get 26mpg at 80 mph.

Super B

Plus I have a friend that owns a c32. The upkeep on is car is substantially more than a 202. His has headers, super charger pulley, larger intercooler.. So it's been modded a bit and it's a beautiful car. But just over all just more expensive to operate.

Have you ruled out a 540i with a 6 speed? you'll most likely have to fix the seats and timing chain guides but they are dirt cheap anymore and parts for the e39 are everywhere but The 202 is a better built car all around.