ruzhkata

Hi,
I'll be looking at a c32 AMG tomorrow afternoon, and I'm really curious what to look for. What are the weak spots. I've owned a c240 and I've had lots of troubles with the transmission and ECU giving faulty codes. How's the C32? Anything identifyable before taking it to the mechanic to check it out? Please help me get my dream car . Btw I'm not new to Mercedes

Lenin

What year and what mileage? Any mods?

Capn

C240 > C32 = More moving parts and expensive parts but you already knew this right?

Plus what Lenin said you need to provide details. or you won't go very far with answers from the forum.

ruzhkata

I'm sorry I was excited as typing it up and therefore missed the most important. It is a 2002 with 108,xxx miles. No comand. Looks pretty stock. Haven't seen it under the hood yet, but will be going tomorrow. I understand it will be more expensive, it says Mercedes-Benz and AMG on the back, right? lol anyways. Helpful hints with common problems will be a great start

firstshadow

Helpful hints? Stay away from the 02s, they were the first model year and plagued with problems from bad radiators to camshafts and intercoolers.

Lenin

+1. 2004 model is the best choice. Early 2003 have the same problems as 2002. Look for a "transmission jerk" problem. There is plenty written up about it. Check air condition and heating. BTW, there are only two versions of the intercoolers and they are pretty much the same.

Capn

Don't let the fact that it's an 02' high mileage C32 scare you but instead take the time to learn the history of the car. My 115K miles SLK32 was pristine inside/out compared to several privately owned lower mileage SLK32 many of them didn't have the intercooler pump replaced or any differential/tranny/supercharger fluids replaced.

If the service record shows most of the car's life was trouble-free meaning there were no major parts replaced like the supercharger, motor, tranny, differential, etc then it should be fine, just make sure you get a PPI before you throw a stack of cash on the table.

firstshadow

There are exceptions, and I 100% agree about getting a ppi!

Lenin

Capn, I can not agree with your logic. If a car had supercharger, motor, tranny, differential, etc replaced, it is not necessarily a bad thing. You will be getting a car with new parts. What is wrong with that? Unless the car was in a accident and the replacement of parts was as a result of that accident. Then there may be other things that may have been overlooked.
The main issue with 2002 and early 2003 are the cams and a possible transmission damage due to the defected radiator. These two potential issues can be expensive to repair. The cams may be less of an issue if you are not planning to mod your car and drive it harder than was originally designed by MB. But a transmission problem can happen to any car with a bad radiator. So, if the car already has a transmission jerk, avoid it. Otherwise inspect the radiator and replace it if needed. Again, late 2003 or 2004 is a better choice.

Capn

Lenin, I only suggested that a C32 without major components being replaced was a plus (at least in my book) and I never said to stay away from cars that had parts replaced.

My original point being that just because a car has high miles doesn't mean finding one with lower miles guarantee it's in better mechanical condition.

Also not all tranny jerks are related to the glycol contamination, several members on here found that the torque converter was locking up prematurely between 1500-2000 RPMs and that replacing TCC PWM solenoid fixed the issue.

Something I never knew about was the camshaft failures in the 02' C32s, does this also affect the 02' SLK32?

durableswedish

I looked for one for 6 months and bought the nicest low mileage one that I could find. I still have put over $6k into it in the last 2 years fixing little problems (bought it for $13k with 90k miles). Whichever one you buy, keep in mind that it was a 60-70k car new and parts are expensive. $10k and you can buy mine if you are up in the PNW/Oregon area. :-)

Lenin

No problem. To me it is a plus (components being replaced) but I respect your opinion. Agree with you on higher mileage cars. I'm at 150K miles and still run 12.4x 1/4 mile. Regarding the transmission, I was just keeping the things simple by advising to stay away from cars with a jerk. The radiator issue is by far the most common reason (design feature).

ruzhkata

I don't want a car from up north. I live in FL and preffer southern cali or florida car, somewhere where it doesn't snow much. Anyways, I'll be going to take a look at it today, will let you know all how it went. Thanks for the hints. The most that worries me is the SC system and transmission. Stuff that wear out like bushings, brakes, steering rack, serpentine belt, and etc. does not really bother me. And of course hopefully there's no problems with the computer, because they are really a hassle to repair.

insame1

I think if you are going to buy a high performance car that is now at best 10 years old and has a SC you should be ready to put some money into it. If you are worried about high cost repairs any older high performance cars may not be for you. Something is going to go eventually and it will likely not be cheep. I have an 02. it does have 206k on the clock but it has a new motor paint job and almost every rubber piece replaced. That being said I just forked out 1400 for a new AC compressor, 500 for trans parts and 150 for a new IC pump. It happens but you have to pay to play.

ruzhkata

thing is i want to use it as a dd, until i finish my projects. Doing a complete interior makeover on my w202, and at the same time building an m111 to be put in my w201 that's going to be a track car from now on. So that being said, I'm ready for some repairs, but not major ones that will swallow the project money!

insame1

buy a 2001+ clk430. it is the best car i have ever owned, better on gas and still a blast to drive.

Supgee

agreed about the clk 430 in the 01 generation... awesome car... even the clk55 amg is a great car.. no problems, simple suspension... very fast... get one of those!!

but +1 for avoiding 2002 c32 all together... that just my opinion.

Capn

Anyone know if 02' SLK32 was affected by the camshaft issue seen in the 02' C32? Tried searching on the forum but found nada.

insame1

I don't know for sure but as far as I can tell it is the exact same engine so if I had to guess I would say it does. The biggest problem with these years is the radiator.

Lenin

Yes, it was. Part# 1120504301 and 1120504201 were replaced by 1120505301 and 1120505401. EPC says that the old part number "must no longer be installed".

Capn

Do you guys know if this would have been a TSB that the dealers would contact the original owners on? I don't have access to service records so I'm wondering if mine was taken cared of...

Lenin

To my knowledge there was no TSB. No one contacted me and I'm the original owner.

ruzhkata

Thunder stormed yesterday afternoon and thunder storming today. I can't check it out yet. Maybe it's a sign lol

c32used

I have an 02 and most issues seem electrical and I did get tranny jerk but all fixed within the 3 year extended warranty I had...since warranty finished years ago really no problems from the common stuff anymore. It's still below 100k mileage since it's a warm weather weekend car. I think if you buy an 02 just check to see if common issues were already replaced. It's a hell of a fun car and still turns women heads while disappointing alot of V8s lol

ruzhkata

what are the common issues? So far I've learned it's the tranny jerk and the radiator. What else?