Sad goodbye
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
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From: JHB South Africa
C32 AMG, 2007 Chev Lumina SS, 2006 ML 320cdi
Sad goodbye
After all the drama of 2 blown engines (still don't know why), I have to say farewell to my C32. Trying to re-sleeve the second motor turned out to be too expensive - turns out I would have to fork out for a new set of pistons, rings, bearings, etc plus the labour cost and that would seriously set me back after I had just coughed up for the second engine 3 months ago (which died). I managed to find a used engine from a wreck for $ 4500 which excludes labour and will have to sell the car because 3 engines in 1 car costs too much. This is besides the complete set of mods, seat/battery drain issues, 3 sets of engine mounts, satnav screen replacement, valeo radiator replacement, cam shaft re-alignment, starter motor replacement, cylinder head reconditioning, labour, labour, labour and a bucket load of spark plugs. The only things that didn't break were the supercharger and gearbox, but I am not going to find out. I could have bought 2 cars for the amount I spent on 1, but I love my car to bits and it gave me my best 2 years of motoring ever (when it wasn't in the workshop). I looked at replacing it with an E55 AMG, but when I saw a guy get hit $ 6500 to replace all 4 discs and pads I ran away. I have already bought a 6L V8 Australian muscle car which is available here in South Africa, but you can't come close to comparing it with my modded C32. I will start saving for the C whatever 5.5L V8 twin turbo, if it gets made - by then I would have forgotten about this lesson. Cheers.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
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From: JHB South Africa
C32 AMG, 2007 Chev Lumina SS, 2006 ML 320cdi
Thanks - I will be back in a year or so when I can afford a real car again. The price on unleaded 95 octane is just under R 10-00/liter which is $ 1-50/liter. Strangely all our C32's run better on 93, even after ECU software upgrades with a tank full of 95.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
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From: JHB South Africa
C32 AMG, 2007 Chev Lumina SS, 2006 ML 320cdi
After 1 year of looking we still have no idea yet why I have blown 2 engines. 185mm pulley, K&N filters, ECU software upgrade, longtube headers and complete free flow pipe. Pretty standard stuff. I followed the thread on 2002 camshaft problems, but I have had my cams checked, re-aligned and welded into place, complete cylinder head and valve overhaul and the whole lot rechecked again - no clue. Both times I had a piston break from the compression ring all the way to the oil ring. Changed injectors, plugs, coil packs, throttle bodies. Checked for vaccuum leaks, gasket leaks, etc - nothing. Both engines were 2002 though. I have given up and put it down to a bad batch of pistons supplied to SA. Another guy with his 32 in at AMG the same time as mine also lost 2 engines within 2 months and eventually bought a Vito!
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
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From: JHB South Africa
C32 AMG, 2007 Chev Lumina SS, 2006 ML 320cdi
AMG here in South Africa did my software upgrade along with my 185mm pulley which they supplied. My car has only been worked on by AMG since the day I bought it and they have done all the mods and repairs. They have been incredible with helping me out and even sourced this 3rd engine for me.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 369
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From: SO CAL
AMG
AMG here in South Africa did my software upgrade along with my 185mm pulley which they supplied. My car has only been worked on by AMG since the day I bought it and they have done all the mods and repairs. They have been incredible with helping me out and even sourced this 3rd engine for me.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Seattle
w203 m112
AMG here in South Africa did my software upgrade along with my 185mm pulley which they supplied. My car has only been worked on by AMG since the day I bought it and they have done all the mods and repairs. They have been incredible with helping me out and even sourced this 3rd engine for me.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 68
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From: JHB South Africa
C32 AMG, 2007 Chev Lumina SS, 2006 ML 320cdi
Let me set the record straight. I bought my 2002 C32 with 78 000 on the clock and it was bone stock. It has been modified and looked after by AMG ever since then. I have blown 2 motors and the third is going into my car as we speak. Both replacement motors have been taken from wrecks with approx. 60 000 - 70 000 on the clock so who knows how they were treated. AMG do supply the 185mm pulley which they have made by an outside engineering firm, but AMG will guarantee it. AMG supply the software upgrade themselves for the ECU. AMG also do exhausts for any type of Merc, but that is also outsourced to the most reputable custom builders in the country. Basically you drop your bone stock C32 off on a Monday morning at AMG and collect it on Friday, pay $4500-00 and your car has had the works done to it taking it from 191kw on the wheels to 270kw on the wheels with the dyno test sheet to prove it. They carry other name brands like Pagani Zonda and Koennigseg and are also the only authorised dealership to do Brabus conversions in South Africa. They will do anything you can think of to your Merc if you have the money. There is an SLK 350 sitting on the floor with an E55 kompressor motor and gearbox fitted (the only one in the world).
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Let me set the record straight. I bought my 2002 C32 with 78 000 on the clock and it was bone stock. It has been modified and looked after by AMG ever since then. I have blown 2 motors and the third is going into my car as we speak. Both replacement motors have been taken from wrecks with approx. 60 000 - 70 000 on the clock so who knows how they were treated. AMG do supply the 185mm pulley which they have made by an outside engineering firm, but AMG will guarantee it. AMG supply the software upgrade themselves for the ECU. AMG also do exhausts for any type of Merc, but that is also outsourced to the most reputable custom builders in the country. Basically you drop your bone stock C32 off on a Monday morning at AMG and collect it on Friday, pay $4500-00 and your car has had the works done to it taking it from 191kw on the wheels to 270kw on the wheels with the dyno test sheet to prove it. They carry other name brands like Pagani Zonda and Koennigseg and are also the only authorised dealership to do Brabus conversions in South Africa. They will do anything you can think of to your Merc if you have the money. There is an SLK 350 sitting on the floor with an E55 kompressor motor and gearbox fitted (the only one in the world).
