Hi all!

I am a newbie here so please forgive my ignorance.

I am want to buy a C280 (W202) but I am concerned that it wont be fast enough for my liking. I beleive the factory 0-60 time is 8.2 secs.
Is there any way you can trim this to around 5.5/6.0 secs?

I cant afford a C36/43!!!


Also, is the walnut trim a showroom option with the C280 or did you have to specially order it?


Many thanks!

 

Not unless you buy a twin turbo from Mosselman... The only way you will be able to trim significant 0-60 time like the way you want, will be force induction. If a NA C36/C43 is not in your price range, your SOL.


Dave

 

I'd have to agree. Mosselman does have a T/C for the C280, they also lay out the HP improvements, etc. Even still that's a pretty significant slice of time.

I saw a C43 today at the airport and I really started thinking how I could 'sneak' it out of the parking garage.

 

A good C36 (96-97) is about 25K to 30K range, and C43 (98+) would have cost you more than 30K nowaday. I would get a C43 instead of putting T/C in C280.

After you have done so many upgrades in your C280, it is still a C280 not an AMG.

The best way to do this is keep saving money until your savings and the price of the C43 meets.

I am planning to get my first AMG this winter, even though I like the power of C43, but I prefer the body work of C36. No matter which one I get, it's a AMG!

 

Super3day,
If I were you I would go for a 99 C43. They can be had for under $30k if you are patient enough. The C43 has more power and also has other amenities and upgrades that the 97 C36 doesn't (traction control, ASR, 5 speed tranny). Plus, it's more rare (less were produced and imported to the states).

True, a TT C280 will never be a C36/C43... But with the right tweaks and mods, it can be just as good or even better. After all, the C36 is an AMG modded C280.


Dave

 

I think the last year of the C36 had a 5 speed tranny right? In the long run though, i think engine repair on a C36 will cost a little more since it's a specially tuned motor, whereas the C43 is just the motor from the CLK430/E430 shoehorned in.

Personally, i love the curved shape of the C43. Hey, dwang, isn't that C55 still for sale?

 

Eventhough C43 has the same motor as CLK430/S430/E430. But AMG tuned it so it produced more HP than the MB ones.

The maint. cost of the C43 motor will be higher than the rest of 4.3L engine that in the rest of models.

 

Mercedes tests their cars with 2 passengers and 150 lbs of luggage... 8.3 seconds to 60 is conservative.

I get 7.1 seconds to 60 in my 95 C280... it's faster than you'd think. Take one for a test drive!

 

I'd have to say that the C43 is a much smoother looking car, the body kit really sets it apart from every other w202 out there. Don't get me wrong, the C36 is a great AMG model, but the AMG kit on it is so plain, just like the interior. The C43 can be best described as "Beauty and the Beast," has the beauty of the classic streamlined lines of Mercedes-Benz, coupled with the brute force of and AMG motor. If I would've known more about Benz's before I got my C230k, I definitely would've waited and found a C43. But thats just my .02...

-Faheem

 

C36 or C43, this is a good discussion topic. Whether you like it or not, they are AMGs.

C43's lower body work does not incorporate with the upper body portion. The top portion of W202 has lots of edges and the lower body AMG treatment for C43 intergrates lots of curve and rounded pieces that you don't see these on the upper portion of body. By looking at C43, the first thing grab your attention is the body kits, you can instantly identify these pieces from the rest of the body parts. Because they just do not look naturally. Maybe lots people like it this way to get all the attention they can on the road.

I think when MB designed W202, they already have the C36 style in mind. That's why the lower body treatment blends in so naturally you hardly can tell MB has revised the lower body work. That is called the beauty of art.

Just my personal opinion, nothing offensive

 

Wasn't the C36 the first car every produced by the Mercedes-Benz and AMG collaboration? The first one is always the best...just like the original Viper vs. the 2003 Viper. But I still like the C43 much better.

 

I believe that Werner Aufrect(A) and Erhard Melcher(M) opened shop in Grobaspach(G) in 1967 to work on racing engines. The Mercedes 300 SEL 6.9 tweaked by AMG wins the '71 24 hour race at Spa and puts them on the map. The first 'production' non-racing specific development(production) between Daimler-Benz and AMG is the '93 C36 AMG.

I could be wrong.. it wouldn't be nearly the first time.

 

Im selling mine 1997 C280, chiped,body kit, xenon lights, 2 sets of wheels 18' 2pc chrome ans 15' factory AMG. Asking 18.500,
Its a sport pacage o and almost fogot SuperSprint cat back system.
Hubert.

 

i just inherited my stepmoms c220 which is in pristine condition, and has alot of extras but not the stuff i want, she is getting a new 5 series BMW *shutter* and so i got the old hand me down, but to tell you the truth i dont mind it, however if you guys have any ideas for some good mods to do to a 95 c220 lemme know, keep in mind im 16 year old guy with a job that doesnt pay as well as some of yalls do

 

I agree with Faheem!!! Seriously though, both the AMG cars are wonderful to drive and have awesome engine performance. It really depends on what you want and can afford. I looked at both the C36 and C43 and the determining factor for me was the test drive. I took out the C43 and I didn't even want to bother with the C36. No offense to the C36, but the V8 roar is worth the extra money. If what you can afford is the C36, then try and get the later models or one with really low miles. Dont forget, you can tune the C36 to get as much power as the C43. With the C43 you can tune it even more to run faster than the stock C43. Either way you win. AMG model cars are beautiful and have the engine to back them up. You will not be disappointed. Take your time and have fun.

Regards,

DLS

 

So you want to go fast.....
Go to a little used car lot, Buy a 1988 Honda civic...take everything out of it except for the steering wheel and front driver's seat....drop in an Acura RSX engine.....$300 Nitrous system and viola!!! 0-60 in 4.7 seconds for less than $3,000 dollars. I'm not kidding, I know a guy who did this. Let's face it, for the price of making a C280 go 0-60 in 5 seconds you might as well get a used C43. My C280 can make it in about 6.5 seconds but I've already spent thousands of dollars on just making it do that.