E430 Totaled (pics) Considering C32: Questions on supercharger life, etc...
10-28-2008, 11:38 PM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
E430 Totaled (pics) Considering C32: Questions on supercharger life, etc...
So a few weeks ago i was sitting at a redlight and was rear ended by an old lady in a Lexus SUV. The impact knocked me into another Lexus (in front of me) totalling my car. Pics below...
I have settled with their insurance company and am considering the following C32.
2002 Mercedes Benz C32 AMG
67K miles
Silver/Black interior
The car has navigation, but no xenon headlights. Also apparently the 02s didnt have the plate on the supercharger.
What I'm wanting to know is if there are any particular problems i should be on the lookout for. The car has a clean car fax, except for one rear ending which damaged only the bumper (i've seen the damage).
My questions are below:
How long does the supercharger last? Any problems noted with it?
I have heard that the radiator can leak, causing the transmission to break, any experience with this?
Any other major issues i should check for? Having the car inspected right now by a MB dealer.
Also, any must have mods i should check out?
Thanks for the help.
I have settled with their insurance company and am considering the following C32.
2002 Mercedes Benz C32 AMG
67K miles
Silver/Black interior
The car has navigation, but no xenon headlights. Also apparently the 02s didnt have the plate on the supercharger.
What I'm wanting to know is if there are any particular problems i should be on the lookout for. The car has a clean car fax, except for one rear ending which damaged only the bumper (i've seen the damage).
My questions are below:
How long does the supercharger last? Any problems noted with it?
I have heard that the radiator can leak, causing the transmission to break, any experience with this?
Any other major issues i should check for? Having the car inspected right now by a MB dealer.
Also, any must have mods i should check out?
Thanks for the help.
10-29-2008, 12:16 AM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
sorry to hear about your car. I hope your not suffering from any serious injuries. I would ask for the service records for that car.
Given the mileage of the car, most of the common problems probably have been taken care of already under warranty.
I think the most common is battery draining seat control modules and leaky radiators.
The seat control modules are expensive to replace, but you can fix it for $20. The fix is listed on my sig. The radiatior is relatively cheap to fix, you can buy one for $159 on ebay.
I'm at 82k with my 02 c32. Only real problems i've had was the seat control issue. The engines are built pretty well, one of amg's last hand built engines.
I would check out code3 super charger pulley and intake. The pulley adds around 25rwhp and another 13rhp if you add the code3 intake. All for less than $1k.
Then i would check out cooling mods like code3 heat exchanger and johnson pump.
Since you already have a m3, you might also want to look at some e55's.
Given the mileage of the car, most of the common problems probably have been taken care of already under warranty.
I think the most common is battery draining seat control modules and leaky radiators.
The seat control modules are expensive to replace, but you can fix it for $20. The fix is listed on my sig. The radiatior is relatively cheap to fix, you can buy one for $159 on ebay.
I'm at 82k with my 02 c32. Only real problems i've had was the seat control issue. The engines are built pretty well, one of amg's last hand built engines.
I would check out code3 super charger pulley and intake. The pulley adds around 25rwhp and another 13rhp if you add the code3 intake. All for less than $1k.
Then i would check out cooling mods like code3 heat exchanger and johnson pump.
Since you already have a m3, you might also want to look at some e55's.
10-29-2008, 01:03 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
sorry to hear about your car. I hope your not suffering from any serious injuries. I would ask for the service records for that car.
Given the mileage of the car, most of the common problems probably have been taken care of already under warranty.
I think the most common is battery draining seat control modules and leaky radiators.
The seat control modules are expensive to replace, but you can fix it for $20. The fix is listed on my sig. The radiatior is relatively cheap to fix, you can buy one for $159 on ebay.
I'm at 82k with my 02 c32. Only real problems i've had was the seat control issue. The engines are built pretty well, one of amg's last hand built engines.
I would check out code3 super charger pulley and intake. The pulley adds around 25rwhp and another 13rhp if you add the code3 intake. All for less than $1k.
Then i would check out cooling mods like code3 heat exchanger and johnson pump.
Since you already have a m3, you might also want to look at some e55's.
Given the mileage of the car, most of the common problems probably have been taken care of already under warranty.
I think the most common is battery draining seat control modules and leaky radiators.
The seat control modules are expensive to replace, but you can fix it for $20. The fix is listed on my sig. The radiatior is relatively cheap to fix, you can buy one for $159 on ebay.
I'm at 82k with my 02 c32. Only real problems i've had was the seat control issue. The engines are built pretty well, one of amg's last hand built engines.
I would check out code3 super charger pulley and intake. The pulley adds around 25rwhp and another 13rhp if you add the code3 intake. All for less than $1k.
Then i would check out cooling mods like code3 heat exchanger and johnson pump.
Since you already have a m3, you might also want to look at some e55's.
To clarify, i sold the M3. Havent had a chance to make a new sig. I've heard about botht the issues you mentioned and am glad to hear they are relatively easy to fix. Has anyone reported major problems like engine failure, SC failure, or transmission failure?
10-29-2008, 02:12 AM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Most of the mechancial problems are intercooler pump failures and leaky radiators.
Most of the problems in the c32 are electrical, like the seat control modules and such.
Trending Topics
10-29-2008, 05:14 AM
#10
MBworld Guru
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 22,007
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
white and whiter
to add to what temjin said,
the M112 or M112k some have problems with oil leak from the valve cover gasket. easy fix.
i think i've only heard few isolated cases of supercharger cracked, but that's usually due to extreme use on track and then using some extreme method like ice to cool it down.
personally with you coming from the e46 M3 I think you will be much happier with a 05-06 C55. unless you are really looking for a car that you can go happy with mods.
sorry to hear about your E-class btw. I was rear ended in my E46 328ci back in 2000. It's the scariest feeling that you can get because you have no controls of it. to this day I'm still scared of people tailing me too close.
the M112 or M112k some have problems with oil leak from the valve cover gasket. easy fix.
i think i've only heard few isolated cases of supercharger cracked, but that's usually due to extreme use on track and then using some extreme method like ice to cool it down.
personally with you coming from the e46 M3 I think you will be much happier with a 05-06 C55. unless you are really looking for a car that you can go happy with mods.
sorry to hear about your E-class btw. I was rear ended in my E46 328ci back in 2000. It's the scariest feeling that you can get because you have no controls of it. to this day I'm still scared of people tailing me too close.
Last edited by FrankW; 10-29-2008 at 05:16 AM.
10-29-2008, 05:31 AM
#11
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Its all done by machine and the engineer bolts the final assembly together.
They went from selling 5000 amgs a yr in 1999 to selling 20,000 amgs in 2004. They couldn't make them the way as they did before just because of the lack of economies of scale unless they were going to hire a fleet of engineers.
10-29-2008, 05:45 AM
#12
MBworld Guru
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 22,007
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
white and whiter
yeah thats what i'm saying though. All the major components are assembled by machine and the final assembly is done by one engineer. Its not like theres a single engineer installing the rods,pistons cam..etc.
Its all done by machine and the engineer bolts the final assembly together.
They went from selling 5000 amgs a yr in 1999 to selling 20,000 amgs in 2004. They couldn't make them the way as they did before just because of the lack of economies of scale unless they were going to hire a fleet of engineers.
Its all done by machine and the engineer bolts the final assembly together.
They went from selling 5000 amgs a yr in 1999 to selling 20,000 amgs in 2004. They couldn't make them the way as they did before just because of the lack of economies of scale unless they were going to hire a fleet of engineers.
They could've easily done the C55 with the supercharger, but they didn't to make the car handle better. The C63 IMO is a good car, but not a great car. not when it weights in at 4000lbs. Why would any one buy a $70k 4000lbs C-class when they can buy a $80-85k 4200lbs E63 is beyond me. The E90 M3 sedan only weight in at 3600lbs.
10-29-2008, 10:40 AM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: nj
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Glycol contamination is only on 02 and 03 model years right?
If so, does that mean 04's have no leaks from the radiator?
If so, does that mean 04's have no leaks from the radiator?
Last edited by pointman; 10-29-2008 at 10:48 AM.
10-29-2008, 02:46 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Oakland, California
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
Yeah the C63 isn't even assembled in affalterbach anymore I heard. It goes right on the normal line, but supposedly the engines still have the one-man final assembly before getting shipped out.
10-29-2008, 03:36 PM
#15
10-29-2008, 03:39 PM
#16
I think AMG did increase the number of their engineers, but still compare to when the C32/SLK32 and the SL55 first came out...it feels like now they're just throwing the 63 engine into anything they can find. There's no more ..."we engineered the car this way because it suits the platform better...etc etc." what happened to the commitment of making the AMGs handle better like they did with the C55 coming from the C32.
They could've easily done the C55 with the supercharger, but they didn't to make the car handle better. The C63 IMO is a good car, but not a great car. not when it weights in at 4000lbs.[B] Why would any one buy a $70k 4000lbs C-class when they can buy a $80-85k 4200lbs E63 is beyond me. The E90 M3 sedan only weight in at 3600lbs.
They could've easily done the C55 with the supercharger, but they didn't to make the car handle better. The C63 IMO is a good car, but not a great car. not when it weights in at 4000lbs.[B] Why would any one buy a $70k 4000lbs C-class when they can buy a $80-85k 4200lbs E63 is beyond me. The E90 M3 sedan only weight in at 3600lbs.
Frank, for me the real question is, why would anyone buy an E63 when you can get the best of the best, an 06 Beast for about 30 K with decently low mileage and modifiable to the max. Not much you can do to the 63 engine without spending tons of $$$. For a couple of grand, you can have a mid-high 11 second street car (pulley, pump etc.)
10-29-2008, 03:42 PM
#17
10-29-2008, 03:47 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
they went through a couple of revisions of the radiator, so yes the majority of the radiator leaks occurs in the 02-03 models, but i would still check just to make sure.
10-29-2008, 03:54 PM
#19
I have the 04 and according to the service writer at Westmont, he's seen few , if any, 04s. He says they caught it in mid-late 03 production models.
10-29-2008, 04:00 PM
#20
MBworld Guru
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 22,007
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
white and whiter
[/B]
Frank, for me the real question is, why would anyone buy an E63 when you can get the best of the best, an 06 Beast for about 30 K with decently low mileage and modifiable to the max. Not much you can do to the 63 engine without spending tons of $$$. For a couple of grand, you can have a mid-high 11 second street car (pulley, pump etc.)
Frank, for me the real question is, why would anyone buy an E63 when you can get the best of the best, an 06 Beast for about 30 K with decently low mileage and modifiable to the max. Not much you can do to the 63 engine without spending tons of $$$. For a couple of grand, you can have a mid-high 11 second street car (pulley, pump etc.)
I'd get one used anyway if it's me.
10-29-2008, 10:43 PM
#22
I would have never thought it, with your stalking obsession with Stevie Nicks and all.
10-30-2008, 12:32 AM
#24
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: nj
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
a car that can't do the throttle reset.
04 here as well. Same thing from my dealership. C32's are rare... 04 even more so. He didn't even know about the glycol situation though. Its my biggest fear about this car. I LOVE it... but fear a burnt tranny cause of the glycol contamination possibility.
