Benz43new

Hello, I have been browsing the forums for quite a while now trying to determine what car I should get. Originally was looking at a 190e 2.3-16v but they are very rare in Canada and could only find a couple with 300k kms. I then was looking at the c36 c43 and c32 models. I have come to the decision to pursue a c43 after browsing these forums and have found a decent one for sale.
The guy said he bought the lease off someone and has owned it for 12 years for his wife to drive and is selling because she wants an SUV. It is a 1999 C43 AMG white with white/black interior and 200k kms for $5000. The condition looks very good in the pictures I am just worried about the mechanical condition due to the high kms (mostly tranny).
I am going to go look at the car this week when available. If the milage is too high for the tranny let me know, i am going to ask the guy if its been redone or replaced in any way. I really want a c43 but they are very rare and this one was just posted and seems like a good opportunity for me to get one.
If anyone has any advise on buying a C43 it would be much appreciated as this will be my first car ever .

pedrobenz

Good luck on your C43 buying. I personally love these cars as in my opinion, these are one of the best AMGs ever made. In fact, I have 2 of these. I bought a really low mileage thinking I can just sell the other one I have. But then, I ended up keeping both. I could not let go of my other C43. I have not had any major problems so far since I owned it when it had 117k miles on it. It is 150k miles now and still runs strong. These are the work I did to it:
1. A/C Pressure switch - the A/C was acting up when I got it. It was working intermittently so I finally diagnosed it with the A/C Pressure switch being faulty.
2. Brake switch - the BAS/ESP and ABS would light up occasionally and I found out that the brake switch is a common fault. The part was not that expensive an it was easy to replace.
3. The oil cooler seals and the oil test port seal - these are pretty common on these engines. They will leak oil but the seals are pretty cheap. If you are mechanically inclined, you can change these seals yourself.
4. Electronic connector on the tranny - it was leaking so I replaced it.
5. Valve cover gasket - this is typical on M113 engines. The valve cover will leak and it is a common problem.
6. Typical maintenance such as spark plugs and wires, cabin filter, air filter, tires... brakes are still good so i am not replacing them anytime soon.

Other than these, I have not done anything to the car and it is still running great.

I hope you find your C43...

Sulaco

Hah! I also own 2. One has 300k miles, the other 210k miles. Rock solid!

KJI3jflarryfe93

make sure your tranny was serviced regularly with fresh blood every 5-60000km's

if this car has service records that's even better for you, then you know it was well maintained.

harmonic balancer is a weak part, if it goes bad and screws up the engine you're ***-ed!
belt tensioner might go bad on high mileage.
conductor plate goes bad and it will also leak tranny oil into the wireloom killing the TCU
rust is another big issue, Kanada has some salty wintery roads, if you buy this car make sure it's not covered in brown poo.
o2 sensors goes bad when you don't know it, you'll know this when CEL illuminates, we don't have CEL in europe as we only have 2x o2 sensors.
bootlock can be screwed up if metal blade key wasn't used regularly.
paint peeling happened to some cars
ac LCD display is another weak parts fading digits.

front rotors are very expensive.
people upgrade with c32/c55 rotors and calipers for less money,
buying used calips and new rotors is a good idea

some small oil leaks from engine do happen, from oil cooler 3x gaskets, oil testport and valve covers

other than that the c43 is a great car

i have some special options in my car which makes me like my car even more than only having stock factory options, europe had more options to offer than north american imports

dancheever

[QUOTE=kowalski;6461561]make sure your tranny was serviced regularly with fresh blood every 5-60000km's



Ok just bought a high mileage C43. About to meet the Guys mechanic but Im sure Ill get the same story.

Goes like this.

A flush costs $900 as the fluid is $21/liter. So just drain and refill, for approx $300. " I was about to do it "

My query is relevant as many of us do not have the service records...and if we choose not to believe any word from the seller my instinct is do to tranny service as top top priority.

Folks agree??

MarcusF

Nine bills to flush the transmission? Wow. I think the 1999's have a torque converter drain plug. I'm not sure how much fresher the fluid will be for 9 bills versus simply draining the fluid and installing a new filter. I know the fluid in both the radiator and the lines leading to the radiator won't get changed, but man, if it's got suspended particles in it, won't the new filter catch it? It would be cheaper to change the fluid, drive it a week, and pay to have it changed again. That actually sounds like a better “flush” and that’s only $600. If it shifts normally now, what on earth makes this mechanic feel nine bills worth of fluid is needed in a $2500 transmission?

Even $300 sounds high to me. My local Mercedes-Benz dealer has serviced the transmission in my CLK several times. Each time the price has been between $275 and $350 – out the door. And Indy HAS to slash the dealer rate. Not shave a little, but SLASH. For nine bills, I'd do it myself - and I HATE transmission fluid changes......hence the dealer, his loaner, and my clean car when I pick it up.

nkctb7

There were a total of 65 1999 AMG C43's that were shipped to CANADA. I contacted MB CANADA and they forwarded me the info. Forget about importing one from the U.S. as only the 2000 model year is admissible into CANADA. RIV CANADA won't allow 1999 and earlier C Class models into CANADA due to the child tether anchoring system not meeting Canadian safety standards. Pretty ridiculous as none of the C Class vehicles that were exported into CANADA meet these safety standards. Finding a 2000 C43 is almost impossible. If the car you're deciding on has been well maintained, I'd say buy it. Good luck!

andy.

Hi guys ,

I am new to this forum . What do you all think about c43 1999 with 118.000 km milage ? Should i buy this car for 5500 ? . This is Japan import sky blue.

Many thanks for advise

andy.

.

eFifty5AMG

I dig that color! How does the maintenance history look?

andy.

not shure , i am going to see this car on tuesday , will ask seller about service history

KJI3jflarryfe93

at 118000 km's car is almost like new!!
if it's not flooded, had a Fukushima power plant contamination, have all service records, not being molested, buy dat frikkin' car.
low mileage is hard to find

graysc43

I hope you bought this

Sulaco

holy **** that is such a rare, rare C43! Custom ordered special color and tuxedo interior!?!?

and it has almost no miles on it? buy it now!