C43 or C32
#26
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...anyways that's all I have to say about that.
#27
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That being what exactly? Aside from the classic brutish styling and build quality, of course. I love 202's as much as anyone here, but for 17k, a 480hp supercharged E class has quite a bit more to offer in every aspect except for the iconic looks and build quality.
That being said, I think the C43 offers a number of advantages over the W211 E55, and it is mainly the result of the E55 being a more advanced car in the technology field which also opens it up to more failure modes. I would avoid an 03 or 04 model and stick with the updated 05 or 06. The early 2000's were not a good time frame for Mercedes quality. The SBC system results in a brake pedal that provides virtually no tactile feedback. The C43 is bad enough, the E55 is way worse. Mercedes ended up recalling over 1 million vehicles due to defective SBC and in 2006 they started moving back to conventional hydraulic brakes. That is just one example of the issues that came along with the technology push that accompanied the W211. ABC pump failure is also common and very expensive. Other than a transmission failure or an accident that tears up that very rare front bumper, there isn't a lot on the C43 that is going to absolutely bend you over and take all of your money. And while it isn't light, the C43 is definitely lighter and more toss-able than the W211 E55. They really are different cars though. If you want to be madly fast in a straight line, have good leg room both front and back, and get your back massaged while you drive (until it breaks), than I suppose the W211 E55 is a good route to take. If you want something a little more classic, decently quick (but definitely not fast) in a straight line, and a little more light on its feet, then C43. Easy, right?
By the way, W209 CLK55 (specifically 2005 coupe) and R171 SLK55 (specifically 2007 Performance Package) are on my personal radar long before a W211 E55, but that's just me.
#28
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to the OP...
I was in the EXACT same position as you when i bought my C43 almost 3 years ago now. search my threads and you will find the discussion.
to help more really need to know what you intend to do with the car: daily driver? weekend cruiser? motorsports? long commute? etc. but here are my general thoughts
C43: best looking by far, most rare, seems to be best build quality. lowest prices of the 3 if comparing really good condition cars. also the slowest of the 3. virtually no aftermarket for this car, but it really doesn't need much, depending on what you intend to do with it. it is an older car though so although it was ahead of most cars in technology at the time the interior features are less than what a decent chevy has now., lets face it the car is 15 years old!
C32: looks pretty much same as C55 obviously. big aftermarket for this car, its almost as fast as the C55 but with $1000- $2000 in mods the C32s can get crazy fast due to the s/c. My previous car i modded the crap out of and after a while it was just a PITA to maintain, basically i ruined the car. i decided not to go with a C32 because of this reason, i knew i wouldn't be able to resist modding it.
C55: newest, more low mileage versions available. most modern features, most expensive. fastest from the factory. I really thought about the C55 but just didnt want to spend 18-20k for low mileage versions. i still want one as a 2nd car in my stable but would never trade my C43 for a C55.
I was in the EXACT same position as you when i bought my C43 almost 3 years ago now. search my threads and you will find the discussion.
to help more really need to know what you intend to do with the car: daily driver? weekend cruiser? motorsports? long commute? etc. but here are my general thoughts
C43: best looking by far, most rare, seems to be best build quality. lowest prices of the 3 if comparing really good condition cars. also the slowest of the 3. virtually no aftermarket for this car, but it really doesn't need much, depending on what you intend to do with it. it is an older car though so although it was ahead of most cars in technology at the time the interior features are less than what a decent chevy has now., lets face it the car is 15 years old!
C32: looks pretty much same as C55 obviously. big aftermarket for this car, its almost as fast as the C55 but with $1000- $2000 in mods the C32s can get crazy fast due to the s/c. My previous car i modded the crap out of and after a while it was just a PITA to maintain, basically i ruined the car. i decided not to go with a C32 because of this reason, i knew i wouldn't be able to resist modding it.
C55: newest, more low mileage versions available. most modern features, most expensive. fastest from the factory. I really thought about the C55 but just didnt want to spend 18-20k for low mileage versions. i still want one as a 2nd car in my stable but would never trade my C43 for a C55.
#30
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
There was one in Phoenix with only 70K miles for $7K. And that was almost 4 years ago...UGH, I shoulda grabbed it when I had the chance!
#31
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
On that note...I also coulda had a beautiful black '97 C36 with only 63K miles for only $7K (although its tranny was acting up) about 3 years ago. OK, I'm gonna go cry now...
Well actually, in my defense, I was unemployed at the time, so that probably wouldn't have been such a wise decision.
Well actually, in my defense, I was unemployed at the time, so that probably wouldn't have been such a wise decision.
#32
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Lowest miles that I have seen recently, but highest price that I have seen recently too:
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4779012532.html
77k miles for $10.9k OBO:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4844611985.html
Black on black with 96k in the middle of the country for $7k:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/ctd/4833216398.html
**Drum roll** And the award for the most ridiculously overpriced C43 on Craigslist goes too... The 98 with 191k miles and a decent list of issues for $16k!!
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...835453807.html
I know some of these a decent distance (life full country) away from you (Idaho, correct?), but you could always have a little adventure
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4779012532.html
77k miles for $10.9k OBO:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4844611985.html
Black on black with 96k in the middle of the country for $7k:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/ctd/4833216398.html
**Drum roll** And the award for the most ridiculously overpriced C43 on Craigslist goes too... The 98 with 191k miles and a decent list of issues for $16k!!
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...835453807.html
I know some of these a decent distance (life full country) away from you (Idaho, correct?), but you could always have a little adventure
#33
Depends if you prefer performance over "asthetics". A properly running C32 will outperform a C43 in every possible way...stock. Add a SC pulley, exhaust, intake, tune and it'll drag a 43 up/down the street at half throttle.
#34
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Lowest miles that I have seen recently, but highest price that I have seen recently too:
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4779012532.html
77k miles for $10.9k OBO:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4844611985.html
Black on black with 96k in the middle of the country for $7k:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/ctd/4833216398.html
**Drum roll** And the award for the most ridiculously overpriced C43 on Craigslist goes too... The 98 with 191k miles and a decent list of issues for $16k!!
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...835453807.html
I know some of these a decent distance (life full country) away from you (Idaho, correct?), but you could always have a little adventure
http://roanoke.craigslist.org/cto/4779012532.html
77k miles for $10.9k OBO:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4844611985.html
Black on black with 96k in the middle of the country for $7k:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/ctd/4833216398.html
**Drum roll** And the award for the most ridiculously overpriced C43 on Craigslist goes too... The 98 with 191k miles and a decent list of issues for $16k!!
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/la...835453807.html
I know some of these a decent distance (life full country) away from you (Idaho, correct?), but you could always have a little adventure
Nothing like a cross-country road trip in a new to me AMG Visit the Roanoke post again.. I'm not sure if my eyes are blurry, but does that say 18k?! Even for a perfect example.. jeeze. Thank you for putting in the time to search these up for me.
#35
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Do you know if it's still for sale? Might be a good reason for me to take a trip to the Bay this weekend
#37
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No prob. I bought mine 10 hours away. Flew out to get it, drove it back, had a tire blow out at about 6 PM on a Sunday evening with a second one showing cords and not looking to be too far behind. Do you know how hard it is to find a place to get new tires put on when it is 6 PM on a Sunday? It builds character though
#38
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No prob. I bought mine 10 hours away. Flew out to get it, drove it back, had a tire blow out at about 6 PM on a Sunday evening with a second one showing cords and not looking to be too far behind. Do you know how hard it is to find a place to get new tires put on when it is 6 PM on a Sunday? It builds character though