85Cosworth

A quick intro. I just bought a 85 grey market 16 valve in April and am now looking to upgrade my daily driver from a Honda Prelude to a AMG. MY budget allows only for a C36 (1997 only) or maybe a C43. From the searches I have done, the C43 advantage is only the xenon headlights and the V8 rumble. Here are the 2 I am looking at:
1997 C36 w/80k miles
Dark blue with a dark charcoal interior
He is asking $17k but has had since middle of February
Pros:It is local and I have a excellent local mechanic who will check it out for free (test drive, pull VMI, and check engine codes if any).
cons:windows not tinted and needs new front rotors. Mechanic has not checked it out yet ( he checked out a different C36 with 122k miles and it neede $4k worth of work right away)

1999 C43 w/64k miles
Silver with black interior
Asking price is $20k
Pros:V8 and available warranty.
Cons: is 287 miles away and my mechanic would not be able to check it out

Which sounds better? I have driven the C36 but not the C43.
Problems: The real issues I can find with these is the head gasket on the C36 and the tranny progamming on the C43. Any other major issues with these AMG's? Thanks for the input.

SL BRABUS

43 all the way.........

SDR

I drove a bunch of each myself before settling on the C43. Although the specs appear similar, the C43 feels much more refined and there is no comparison in the torque. Press the gas at 1800 RPM in the C43 and it effortlessly pulls you to 90 MPH before you know it.
My personal opinion is also that you will have less trouble finding parts for the newer car. I have no factual data to substantiate this, but it makes me feel better
That said, the I6 is known to be a bullet-proof design - at least at the bottom end. There are issues with the head gaskets and, from what I've read, wiring harness on the C36.
Take your time with this purchase - there are a LOT of beaten cars out there. I drove about 10 C43's before finding one worthy of my cash.

Vardar

I don't have xenon lights!

Aufretch55

43!!!

C43inMD

i am selling a 98 c43, asking 17k...very very good condition

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c43-amg-w202/149266-1998-c43-sale.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMESE%3AIT

SMARTSSUCK

I know the head gaskets all leak on 104 engines but you might also want to check the engine wiring harness, the insulation is cheap and cracks which can cause misfires and many other problems.

85Cosworth

Can't afford to just purchase. Need to trade-in 97 Honda Prelude. Wouldn't buy an AMG without my mechanic checking it out first. The local Mercedes dealer goes to him alot with work. That is why I am leaning toward the C36 right now. If I can get him to the right price. $17k is still too high. Especially since he has had the car for almost 4 months.

85Cosworth

Also, is the stage 1 Renntech any good for the C36?

FLYNAVY

honestly, I wouldn't look into mods over getting the nicest example that you can afford. These cars can be found for very low prices, but those are typically beaten pretty hard. Your "investment" will be more worthwhile if you start with a car that is in good health. The car has way more power than you will need, and it will be a night and day comparison with your 16v w201. So, you should be able to enjoy it quite a bit in the meantime

85Cosworth

Basically I will try to find a clean one that hasn't been abused. A VMI, Carfax, and a good check over by a mechanic should eliminate all problems. Is there anything specific that will stand out for obvious abuse on these AMG's?

85Cosworth

Still looking at these 2 AMG's. Main difference I am looking at is th C36 is more of a true AMG being that they built their engine from a standard MB engine where as the C43 is a slightly modded MB engine dropped in a C class chassis. That is more hot rodding a car than engineering a race car as so to speak. Still debating on whether or not it is worth the 300 mile drive to look at the C43.

SDR

Don't forget that the C43 also got the "AMG massage" on its motor. My wife's E430 is nothing at all like my C43 even though they share the same base motor. IIRC the C43 got cams, intake runners and exhaust. The suspension and brakes are different from the remainder of the C class.
I love the C36 as well. It's a beautiful car and I was as impressed with them as I was the C43. For me it came down to the one that was in the best condition. I think you'll be happy with either choice.

85Cosworth

There is a C43 in TX with 90k miles for $15,500. It is being sold by the dealer that has serviced it and is a one owner car (Carfax verifies this). Miles are higher than I wanted but it is a one owner, dealer serviced car. I'll have to see what the VMI says, but is it worth checking into or is it too high in miles and/or price? ALso, would be a 14 hour drive to it.