VAamg

Hey guys. I am brand new to this thread, but wanted to get the opinions of some clearly knowledgeable folks. I want to buy a C43 really soon and was curious of any heads ups or potential problems I should be aware of. These things are expensive enough, I don't want to be eaten alive by little stuff down the road. Are the cars really worth it? (I know, kind of a biased crowd to be asking)

Specifically, I am headed up this morning to look at a car. White, 1998, 72,000, two tone leather. According to owner car is in great shape physically and mechanically. Under Starmark until 1/07, has had recent brake and rotor redo. I think I can get the car for 16k. How does this sound to everyone? How long does timing chain usually last? Should I check to see if this car has had tranny flushed and changed? Thoughts on the white paint job? ORiginally this was my least favorite color, but I haven't seen one in person yet and I know there is a black C43 and a silver C43 in my town. Never seen a white one, are they more rare?

Thanks for the advice and I will be sure to get pictures posted if and when...

Jon R

I do not know how 70,000 miles would wear on one since mine has about 40,000 miles. Being out of the country for a while saved me a lot of mileage.

I drive rather aggresively, and I was recently told that my rotors would need to be replaced in a few years. I think this aspect is totally normal. It might even tell you the individual has done some aggressive driving. I think that would be expected to a degree as well.

In all my years, I have only had two problems.

a) The tubes that inflate the seats will detach at random, leaving you a simple fix, but airless seats.

b) I had the fan belt slip off when the balancer broke. I overheated the car, but luckily saved myself from lots of damage.

I have heard many stories (you should search this) of transmissions going bad. I have yet to experience any symptoms, but I would think that keeping the transmission flushed and changed would be most important. I would have the transmission and at least the fluid checked.

I don't know if white is rare, but I do know that most Mercedes that I see are silver. White carries its own personality and I would at least go see it in person.

Hope this helps a little.

StapleGun

I got mine for $15K - an essential steal. I had the seat problem which is an extremely easy fix. The tran was flushed when I purchased with 73K on the odo. See if you can extend warranty for tranny specifically...I have had no major probs. I have replaced the brakes pads (approx $120 for both), MAF (which is the mass air flow sensor) purchased on ebay for $200 with shipping - again a 15 minute job, and generally cleaned it up. I have the same exact car...glacier white with the black seat w/oyster inserts, I recently sent the steering off to www.aglusa.com to get the steering wheel all redone in black for $200 - I hate the white portion on top, it's the most handled part and is nasty w/filth. Let us know if you have any other questions. You have a group of very knowledgeable folks on this forum. Oh by the way see if you can get all the keys!

AMGRebel

Hi there, I would say go for it. I have a white 1998 C43 its it is pretty hot lookng especially at night. I didnt like white cars either before seeing the benz, now i love the look. Get some clear signal side lens and some tints.
If its covered under starmark for another year you dont have to worry about any major problems. I problem ive had was my transmission blowing out on me, But i am in the process of getting that rebuilt. I bought a after market warranty for it. However for 16K you would be getting a steal especially with the Warranty. I would personally do, but check it out and make sure its in as good condition as the owner says. Good luck

VAamg

Hey everyone. Thanks for the info. I bought the car this afternoon, renting a car to go pick it up next Saturday. Thanks to your advice, I checked and the rotors and brakes were replaced at 50k. The transmission felt very smooth in and out of 5th (where I hear the problems are) and it is covered for another year or so under the starmark. Will probably look into extending the coverage at that point.

The interior was in good shape, but the steering wheel did look pretty bad on top. Will probably have it recovered in all black, or at least a darker shade or grey.

Here are a few shots. [IMG]

VAamg

By the way... How many are all the keys? He said he had two keys, the infrared and then the blade that conceals inside them, is there more?

Jeff

knvs

congrats! i got 3 keys when i purchased mine. 2 regular smart keys (the electronic keyless entry part and the metal laser cut key) and a valet key (thin key w/o the keyless entry unit)

Jon R

I just got 2 keys. I wish I could get one of the newer ones, but I don't want to pay the $200+

NitrogenBalance

Congrats bud,

I am about two weeks into my new C43. I found a sliver/two-tone 98' with 45,000 for $17,500. If you look around(which you did) you can find some pretty good deals. I acutally was looking for a white one before I purchased the silver. I think the white looks excellent.

Also, I too had the top part of my steering wheel looking like shiat. I think it is a pain and expensive to have it fixed. For the time being I went to AutoZone and bought a nice slim design smooth leather wheel cover. Normally they look dumb but the one I found is really thin so you can't tell until you are in the car using the steering wheel. It's black and it leaves the lower portion of the grey(the clean part) exposed so the wheel still looks somewhat two-tone. Is was $18.00 and I don't have to worry about or look at the ripped up dirty part....

Good luck!!

VAamg

THat isn't a bad idea for a quick cheap fix. Do you have any pics of the cover? I think it is pretty common for leather wheels anyway, my 98 maxima had a leather wrapped wheel and it felt all nasty at the top.

Already cleaned out the garage, ordered car insurance, and rented a car to get me there next Saturday, what do I do for the rest of the week?

Jeff

StapleGun

Obviously you guys did not read my entire post regarding the steering wheel. Go to www.aglausa.com and contact Alan Gun, he'll redo your wheel for around $200, I'll post pics when he sends it back, he provided me with a loaner too 'til I get mine back.

VAamg, those pics are identical to my car. Mine will soon have an all black steering wheel - perforated black upper portion versus white. My white portion looked and felt like crap.

StapleGun

Here's the mighty whitey

VAamg

A great looking car if I do say so myself. Just out of curiosity, and not to sound totally uninformed here, but how in the hel%$ did you get the steering wheel off the car so send in, and get a loaner on. Isn't that wicked difficult with the airbag?

Does anyone have any idea where I could locate a white AMG spoiler for the car?

Jeff

StapleGun

Here's step-by-step on removing the wheel, it's cake and you can do it.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w210/110340-steering-wheel-swap-step-step-pics.html

StapleGun

Hey Jeff, you'll need a Torx T30 and a 10mm allen wrench, If you have any questions please email me cohibas4u@yahoo.com

NitrogenBalance

I would love to post pics, if one of you could quickly explain how I could do so. If you check my "additon to the family" post you'll see that I attempted it. The files are .mpg I think. I may try emailing them to myself to get them on the web then try to post them.

VAamg

If you know how to email them, you can email them to me, blunwhite@aol.com, and I will post them for you.

BMWM5555

How Much To Get The Tranny Flushed?

StapleGun

I got it done at local shop, they must have a Wynn's flush machine...it will replace the ATF one for one. They charged me $59.99 since I provided my own fluid.

ProjectC55

200.00 Whew! Not cheap but I'm sure it was worth it!

By the way,that tranny flush machine,how can it possibly get the fluid that's left over in the TQ converter?

AHH! Never mind.I see:http://www.tiremartpa.com/introducing_the_wynn.htm

StapleGun

It flushes while engine is running...

ProjectC55

I need to locate a tranny shop thjat does this.I wonder if Lee Myles,AMCCO or someone does this?

StapleGun

CoolcarskiC43...that's the machine in your link. It does it's job in like 25 minutes. Call around and ask them if they have that specific machine, ask 'em how much to flush it if you provide your own ATF (Mercedes-spec stuff of course). The ATF in mine looked like crap, I don't see how Mercedes can honestly believe that ANY tranny fluid is gonna last 100K....as I have stated before, if they believed that they would warranty the trans for that mileage too. What a scam!

StapleGun

Hey VAamg, if you're reading this, word to the wise...get this job done ASAP.

ProjectC55

Speedybenz uses Mobil one,I use amsoil! We think they are better than MB fluid. He races his car on a road course all the time.However i am very greatful for the info you provided! thanx!