thinking of buying '95 c36...need input
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Joined: Sep 2005
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thinking of buying '95 c36...need input
hey everybody i've been in the market for my first mercedes for quite some time now. I have until recently been searching for a 1999-2000 c230k with the sport package with reasonable mileage and a reasonable price. I decided on this car until i learned of the awesome performance of the amg models of the c-class. I have found what i think is a good deal on a c36 the only problem is that its 400 miles away in NJ so its not like i can test drive it and inspect it beforehand. I have been researching and i have found that the '95 model is prone to head gasket and wiring harness failure. I am very good with american sports cars having completely torn down and rebuilt engines from the bare block and doing countless chassis jobs on my own and my cousin's car but like i said this will be my first mercedes. I am going into college next fall and i will pay for this car completely on my own. I need to know how common these problems are and the cost involved in replacement...keep in mind i am confident i can do the labor myself. obviously i am on a limited budget. i can afford the car but any major repairs needed soon after the purchase would be very hard to pay for.
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 674
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From: USA
1999 C43
Very clean looking car, but I wouldn't buy it without test driving it... 112k miles is not low....
Also only 220 in USA? Is that correct?
I drive C43, but I heard a lot of good things about C36s. Good luck!
Also only 220 in USA? Is that correct?
I drive C43, but I heard a lot of good things about C36s. Good luck!
Originally Posted by '94firebirdv6
hey everybody i've been in the market for my first mercedes for quite some time now. I have until recently been searching for a 1999-2000 c230k with the sport package with reasonable mileage and a reasonable price. I decided on this car until i learned of the awesome performance of the amg models of the c-class. I have found what i think is a good deal on a c36 the only problem is that its 400 miles away in NJ so its not like i can test drive it and inspect it beforehand. I have been researching and i have found that the '95 model is prone to head gasket and wiring harness failure. I am very good with american sports cars having completely torn down and rebuilt engines from the bare block and doing countless chassis jobs on my own and my cousin's car but like i said this will be my first mercedes. I am going into college next fall and i will pay for this car completely on my own. I need to know how common these problems are and the cost involved in replacement...keep in mind i am confident i can do the labor myself. obviously i am on a limited budget. i can afford the car but any major repairs needed soon after the purchase would be very hard to pay for.
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Originally Posted by '94firebirdv6
hey everybody i've been in the market for my first mercedes for quite some time now. I have until recently been searching for a 1999-2000 c230k with the sport package with reasonable mileage and a reasonable price. I decided on this car until i learned of the awesome performance of the amg models of the c-class. I have found what i think is a good deal on a c36 the only problem is that its 400 miles away in NJ so its not like i can test drive it and inspect it beforehand. I have been researching and i have found that the '95 model is prone to head gasket and wiring harness failure. I am very good with american sports cars having completely torn down and rebuilt engines from the bare block and doing countless chassis jobs on my own and my cousin's car but like i said this will be my first mercedes. I am going into college next fall and i will pay for this car completely on my own. I need to know how common these problems are and the cost involved in replacement...keep in mind i am confident i can do the labor myself. obviously i am on a limited budget. i can afford the car but any major repairs needed soon after the purchase would be very hard to pay for.
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
please take a look at the car and tell me what you think:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=445
thanks alot,
Cory
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2005
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thanks guys
yeah i told the owner to send me any and all pictures along with the carfax report and any other info i need to know about the car because its impractical for me to drive 400 miles, test drive it, and then decide if i want it. If everything looks good, I will buy the car unless there is obviously something wrong with it when i get there to buy it.
yeah i told the owner to send me any and all pictures along with the carfax report and any other info i need to know about the car because its impractical for me to drive 400 miles, test drive it, and then decide if i want it. If everything looks good, I will buy the car unless there is obviously something wrong with it when i get there to buy it.
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
'94firebirdv6-
There is a Black on Black 96 C36 for sale in Columbus Eaton, OH for $15k, has 80k miles on it. That should be closer to you. Go to http://www.carmax.com and search near your area code for C36. Looks pretty clean and is closer.
There is a Black on Black 96 C36 for sale in Columbus Eaton, OH for $15k, has 80k miles on it. That should be closer to you. Go to http://www.carmax.com and search near your area code for C36. Looks pretty clean and is closer.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
See if the dealer has a independent shop or another deale that an inspect it for you. Or do you know somebody close to there that can get an inspection done for you?
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
Get a VMI for the from a local MB mechanic or dealer. It will give you a idea of the cars past. I pulled on a C36 I as looking at and it was 4 pages long of pars that were replaced b/c they went bad. And the C36 I might get tommorow had only one thing on it, a brake light bulb changed at 33,000 miles. The VMI will also tell you where the car originated from and what was factory installed on the car.
Member
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
My mechanic gets VMIs' for me for free. Don't know if it normally costs. Ask the dealership where it was serviced at and then try to contact that dealership to verify maintenance history.
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alright well i just asked the seller what dealership serviced his car so when he gets back to me ill contact them and ask for the maintenance history....he said there was absolutely nothing wrong with the car and that it was ready to drive but we all know how reliable the seller's opinion of the car's condition can be...
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well the dealer hasnt replied to the email i sent him 2 days ago asking about which dealership he had his car serviced at...since then i found a really nice silver c36 w/ 92000 miles on it and alot closer the seller is asking 13k for it, which is out of my price range, but my mom said she might help me out to save driving to new jersey....i also found another red c36 that is closer than the other one and the seller wants 10k for it. it has 19" rims and he said 2 tvs im assuming in the headrests. it is a very nice looking car, but the only thing is that it has 128000 miles....what do u guys think?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: North Carolina
98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
Originally Posted by '94firebirdv6
well the dealer hasnt replied to the email i sent him 2 days ago asking about which dealership he had his car serviced at...since then i found a really nice silver c36 w/ 92000 miles on it and alot closer the seller is asking 13k for it, which is out of my price range, but my mom said she might help me out to save driving to new jersey....i also found another red c36 that is closer than the other one and the seller wants 10k for it. it has 19" rims and he said 2 tvs im assuming in the headrests. it is a very nice looking car, but the only thing is that it has 128000 miles....what do u guys think?
Member
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
Main thing is to have a inspection done by a mechanic who knows Mercedes. Mine works on nothing but Mercedes and often has the local Mercedes dealer doing work for them. I personally would lean more toward the one with 92k miles. My advice is go the local route and have them inspected.
