Thinking about buying a C32 2001 model
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W203
Thinking about buying a C32 2001 model
Hello, everyone! I got a few questions/concerns about a C32 I'm thinking about purchasing, and I was hoping to get some answers.
To date, it has rolled 182.XXXkms.
I work for a MB workshop here in Norway, but unfortunately no one here has ever touched a C32, so I couldn't get a straight answer. I also tried looking for any common problems with these models using TIPS, but weren't too many articles about the concerns I have.
My main concern is the supercharger. From what I've been told (?) the internal bearings tend to give in. I checked the price of a new supercharger, and it was a whopping 161.000NOK (roughly $17,000) which is insane. That's almost twice the amount I'm paying for the car. Tried looking for any companies here in Norway that renew superchargers, but so far I haven't heard of any or found anyone that does these types of work here. What are the reasonable options if the supercharger does give in?
My other question are to you C32 owners; what are the "classical" errors with these cars? Personally I don't know too much about them. As a mechanic, I specialise in transporters. (vito, sprinter, citan) so my knowledge is limited.
Thanks in advance.
To date, it has rolled 182.XXXkms.
I work for a MB workshop here in Norway, but unfortunately no one here has ever touched a C32, so I couldn't get a straight answer. I also tried looking for any common problems with these models using TIPS, but weren't too many articles about the concerns I have.
My main concern is the supercharger. From what I've been told (?) the internal bearings tend to give in. I checked the price of a new supercharger, and it was a whopping 161.000NOK (roughly $17,000) which is insane. That's almost twice the amount I'm paying for the car. Tried looking for any companies here in Norway that renew superchargers, but so far I haven't heard of any or found anyone that does these types of work here. What are the reasonable options if the supercharger does give in?
My other question are to you C32 owners; what are the "classical" errors with these cars? Personally I don't know too much about them. As a mechanic, I specialise in transporters. (vito, sprinter, citan) so my knowledge is limited.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Eluzi0n; Jul 7, 2020 at 10:31 AM.
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C43 AMG with a tune up
Would rather recommend a 1999-2000 w202 C43 AMG or w203 C55 AMG which came after the C32.
The C32 is problematic with several expensive things to fix like rust damage, bad Valeo radiators contaminating transmission with anti freeze or failing super charger bearing problems and of course not to forget plenty of electronic gremlins!
The C32 was the first AMG, where MB on purpose screwed up the build quality.
The C43 - C55 are far more reliable as they have NA engines.
You work for the dealership, you'll have a cheap ownership.
Good luck finding a healthy car.
The C32 is problematic with several expensive things to fix like rust damage, bad Valeo radiators contaminating transmission with anti freeze or failing super charger bearing problems and of course not to forget plenty of electronic gremlins!
The C32 was the first AMG, where MB on purpose screwed up the build quality.
The C43 - C55 are far more reliable as they have NA engines.
You work for the dealership, you'll have a cheap ownership.
Good luck finding a healthy car.
Last edited by MattCordell; Jul 7, 2020 at 11:19 AM.
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W203
Hello Matt, thanks for responding!
I'm not sure how MB was introduced to the NA market (you seem to be from there) but this is incorrect. A W202 wouldn't come after a W203, simply because W202 was the predecessor. It could be that the W202 was made available at a later time after the introduction of W203 in NA, but chronologically speaking, this is not the case.
I currently own a W203 C180 at the moment, the rust problems is applied to mostly all W203's. W202's were also affected by this rust, especially around the doors, so I am expecting this. Electronic problems are to be expected in these cars since they are getting old, but nothing I can't manage. But what I was looking for, was reliable information from people with experience in owning a C32 and what challenges they were offered, especially engine. I've read some good stuff about the engine being bulletproof in a thread here somewhere, but couldn't find information about someone being dealing with supercharger issues other than pulley problems.
A prime example of an older AMG built car, is the W124 E60 AMG. (only 12 were ever made, but AMG has been building long before the C32)
Naturally aspirated engines are more reliable, yes. But problem is also availability. It's not every day people here in Norway list older AMG's for sale. Besides, they're a bit less boring than a turbo/kompressor engine
HAHAHAH. I bloody wish! Even on employee discount, I'm still paying a lot. This is owed to Norwegian standards on tax and VAT. Every MB I have owned, have I used original parts or fluids on during repairing or maintenance. None of them were ever cheap.
Thank you so much! I really hope I do, aswell as finding further answers to my questions.
Naturally aspirated engines are more reliable, yes. But problem is also availability. It's not every day people here in Norway list older AMG's for sale. Besides, they're a bit less boring than a turbo/kompressor engine
HAHAHAH. I bloody wish! Even on employee discount, I'm still paying a lot. This is owed to Norwegian standards on tax and VAT. Every MB I have owned, have I used original parts or fluids on during repairing or maintenance. None of them were ever cheap.
Thank you so much! I really hope I do, aswell as finding further answers to my questions.
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C43 AMG with a tune up
Yes of course the W202 also rusted like hell and so did the W208 - W209 - W210 - W211 - W220.
All these had bad steel sheath.
MB bought low grade Chinese steel of a shady backyard only to save a buck for the share holders.
That's how greed gave the company bad karma and the luxury brand was tainted!
The first C-class W202 was introduced back in 1993 and was manufactured to mid 2000 before the new platform W203 was introduced as MY2001.
I was only reffering to AMG cars.
W202 C43 AMG from 1999 to 2000 are the better cars because they received a facelift.
Cars in Europe was sold at the same time as for car sold in the US for the North American market.
European AMG models differ a lot with more options offered from factory compared to NA market cars which only had stock options but nothing extra.
Japanese market cars had even nicer interior than Euro/US cars.
Different markets had different options.
When I mention you work at the dealer comes with a cheap ownership.
You receive employee discount on parts and the wrenching is free for you as you have the skills as a trained MB mechanic.
It makes life a little bit easier for you as an employee even though prices are high and probably are a lot more steep for private consumers buying parts from the dealership.
If a super charger cost a whopping 161,000 norwegian karunas, I think you should look for another car.
A super charger for C32 at that price $$$ doesn't justify buying such car.
In Norwey does a sound C32 AMG cost 161,000Nkr let alone the spare part super charger?
Might be a wise thing to think it over.
W203 C55 might be your best buy?
All these had bad steel sheath.
MB bought low grade Chinese steel of a shady backyard only to save a buck for the share holders.
That's how greed gave the company bad karma and the luxury brand was tainted!
The first C-class W202 was introduced back in 1993 and was manufactured to mid 2000 before the new platform W203 was introduced as MY2001.
I was only reffering to AMG cars.
W202 C43 AMG from 1999 to 2000 are the better cars because they received a facelift.
Cars in Europe was sold at the same time as for car sold in the US for the North American market.
European AMG models differ a lot with more options offered from factory compared to NA market cars which only had stock options but nothing extra.
Japanese market cars had even nicer interior than Euro/US cars.
Different markets had different options.
When I mention you work at the dealer comes with a cheap ownership.
You receive employee discount on parts and the wrenching is free for you as you have the skills as a trained MB mechanic.
It makes life a little bit easier for you as an employee even though prices are high and probably are a lot more steep for private consumers buying parts from the dealership.
If a super charger cost a whopping 161,000 norwegian karunas, I think you should look for another car.
A super charger for C32 at that price $$$ doesn't justify buying such car.
In Norwey does a sound C32 AMG cost 161,000Nkr let alone the spare part super charger?
Might be a wise thing to think it over.
W203 C55 might be your best buy?
Last edited by MattCordell; Jul 8, 2020 at 05:31 AM.
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Posts: 53
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From: Melbourne
2002 C32 AMG (SOLD), 2004 C55 AMG
Also, in the very rare instance that you need a new supercharger, a used one from any M112K would suffice.
In terms of C32 specific issues:
- Supercharger pulley bearing can fail
- The intercoolers leak
- Camshafts on early 2002 and older cars are pressed on and can move (rare)
- Intercooler pump can fail
- The radiator can fail leading to coolant and transmission fluid mixing IF the original or one before 2003 is in place. 2004 and up radiators are safe, valeo or not.
- The usual M112 leaks.
- Usual W203 issues (climate control stepper motors, seat module battery drain, etc).
Last edited by alb3rtt; Jul 9, 2020 at 11:21 AM.
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C32, C32 again, CLS550
Other guy has no idea what he’s talking about. The W202’s were in no way, shape, or form more reliable than ANY W203. I’ve had my C32 for about a month now. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but I’ve been diagnosing and repairing issues with it since I bought it, but it’s nothing major, yet. Mine currently has a few issues: the power steering is difficult to move, probably a bad pump (or worst case, a bad rack). I had a belt shred in my first week of ownership which also caused a high pressure power steering line to fail and spray fluid everywhere and throw the belt multiple times. The rear main seal is leaking, the OBD port does not work, and the electronics work, sometimes. It’s in very good shape mechanically however, the engine runs beautifully and whisper quiet, AC is ice cold, no leaks whatsoever except for the rear main (which is so slow it isn’t a big deal, I could put it off for many years if I wanted to). The cars was smooth and rode beautifully, until I put coilovers on. It has 106,000 miles, and all the bushings in the suspension were perfect, the shocks were in perfect shape, the interior does not have a single scratch, the transmission shifts wonderfully, the diff and axles are in great shape, brakes are good all the way around, and I paid only $4500 for the car. This car is a steal, a performance bargain, and if you can work on cars, it’s very simple and easy to work on, everything is where you expect it to be, and the best part is it’ll spin the wheels until 30 even when dry. You can’t get a better performing car for the price, unless of course you find an E55 with a ton of issues.
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Posts: 53
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From: Melbourne
2002 C32 AMG (SOLD), 2004 C55 AMG
I disagree here. Excluding rust which affects early W203s as well, facelift W202s have less to worry about and the electronics are less likely to break given my experience.
The facelift W202 is an excellent chassis and is one of the all time best in my opinion for reliability.
Early W202s are horrible, I agree with that.
I agree with this 100%. It is very, very simple to work on for a european car and very well laid out.
My old Audi B5 A4 was a nightmare to work on in comparison.
Moreover, lots of parts are interchangable between different models and chassis' so it is easy to find everything except for C32 specific parts such as the supercharger or intercooler.
A replacement throttle body for example can be sourced from any M113 V8, or even an M272 V6.
Another example is the fuel sender which can be sourced from any W203 with the same connector, even a C180.
The best part is the performance, with a pulley and tune, it will outperform a fair number of cars and stock will still hold it's own against many.
The facelift W202 is an excellent chassis and is one of the all time best in my opinion for reliability.
Early W202s are horrible, I agree with that.
This car is a steal, a performance bargain, and if you can work on cars, it’s very simple and easy to work on, everything is where you expect it to be, and the best part is it’ll spin the wheels until 30 even when dry. You can’t get a better performing car for the price, unless of course you find an E55 with a ton of issues.
My old Audi B5 A4 was a nightmare to work on in comparison.
Moreover, lots of parts are interchangable between different models and chassis' so it is easy to find everything except for C32 specific parts such as the supercharger or intercooler.
A replacement throttle body for example can be sourced from any M113 V8, or even an M272 V6.
Another example is the fuel sender which can be sourced from any W203 with the same connector, even a C180.
The best part is the performance, with a pulley and tune, it will outperform a fair number of cars and stock will still hold it's own against many.
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...
Would rather recommend a 1999-2000 w202 C43 AMG or w203 C55 AMG which came after the C32.
The C32 is problematic with several expensive things to fix like rust damage, bad Valeo radiators contaminating transmission with anti freeze or failing super charger bearing problems and of course not to forget plenty of electronic gremlins!
The C32 was the first AMG, where MB on purpose screwed up the build quality.
The C43 - C55 are far more reliable as they have NA engines.
You work for the dealership, you'll have a cheap ownership.
Good luck finding a healthy car.
The C32 is problematic with several expensive things to fix like rust damage, bad Valeo radiators contaminating transmission with anti freeze or failing super charger bearing problems and of course not to forget plenty of electronic gremlins!
The C32 was the first AMG, where MB on purpose screwed up the build quality.
The C43 - C55 are far more reliable as they have NA engines.
You work for the dealership, you'll have a cheap ownership.
Good luck finding a healthy car.
What a fool for saying such a thing, I felt the need to chime in. I would recommend replacing the original radiator for peace of mind if it has not already been done. The C43 is up there, I would opt for a C36 (‘95 or 96). A maintained 210 55 is the best choice. The C55 has a solid engine, but not sure about the trans. The interior speaks volumes though. 
Last edited by RPB; Jul 16, 2020 at 11:02 PM.
