Just bought C36
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 4
Just bought C36
Hi all,
I just bought a silver 1996 C36 for $6700 in Southern California. The car seems to be in very good condition, and it drives/runs well from what I can tell. It does have high mileage (138k), but it only had one owner for 11 years (according to carfax), and it seems like the previous owner took pretty good care of the car.
There are some very minor dings and blemishes in the paint (shopping cart/parking lot stuff most likely). The left rear light cluster needs a new lens due to a crack, the right fog lamp needs a new lens due to a crack, the "A" is missing from the AMG badge on the engine, and the "third" brake bulb needs replacing. As far as I can tell those are all of the cosmetic problems - oh, and some pealing on the wheels...
Like I said, the car seems to drive/run well, but I am planning to take it to a Mercedes specialist for a thorough inspection. Anything in particular you think I should be worried about (especially considering the mileage)? Any preventitive work you would recommend? How would I go about retrieving the maintenance history?
I'm really impressed with the car after a couple of days with it, and hopefully it will treat me well.
I just bought a silver 1996 C36 for $6700 in Southern California. The car seems to be in very good condition, and it drives/runs well from what I can tell. It does have high mileage (138k), but it only had one owner for 11 years (according to carfax), and it seems like the previous owner took pretty good care of the car.
There are some very minor dings and blemishes in the paint (shopping cart/parking lot stuff most likely). The left rear light cluster needs a new lens due to a crack, the right fog lamp needs a new lens due to a crack, the "A" is missing from the AMG badge on the engine, and the "third" brake bulb needs replacing. As far as I can tell those are all of the cosmetic problems - oh, and some pealing on the wheels...
Like I said, the car seems to drive/run well, but I am planning to take it to a Mercedes specialist for a thorough inspection. Anything in particular you think I should be worried about (especially considering the mileage)? Any preventitive work you would recommend? How would I go about retrieving the maintenance history?
I'm really impressed with the car after a couple of days with it, and hopefully it will treat me well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Congrats on the C36 purchase - if you a service history, check the transmission service. Ensure that you have a flush and fill or better yet, have the transmission fluid replaced in addition to the filter. Don't know about the C36's, per se....on the C43 it has been an issue. Don't buy into the lie of the 'lifetime' ATF crap.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 128
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From: Monument, CO
95 Bronco w/351 V8 & 2003 Mustang MACH 1
The wiring harness is the major weakpoint in the C36. Cheap insulation Although mine has never given me any problems. Have a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) run on the car. It will tell any problems and repairs meade on the vehicle by a dealership. One C36 I looked at had one 5 pages long. The one I bought only had a bulb replacement on it.
Let me know if you can get a part number for the just the foglight lens. I need one and my mechanic is having a tough time time finding just the lens cover. Can only find the entire foglight assembly. I need the same one you do. Good luck and congrats on getting one helluva car!
Let me know if you can get a part number for the just the foglight lens. I need one and my mechanic is having a tough time time finding just the lens cover. Can only find the entire foglight assembly. I need the same one you do. Good luck and congrats on getting one helluva car!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,470
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From: around the world
monowiper
The wiring harness is the major weakpoint in the C36. Cheap insulation Although mine has never given me any problems. Have a VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) run on the car. It will tell any problems and repairs meade on the vehicle by a dealership. One C36 I looked at had one 5 pages long. The one I bought only had a bulb replacement on it.
Let me know if you can get a part number for the just the foglight lens. I need one and my mechanic is having a tough time time finding just the lens cover. Can only find the entire foglight assembly. I need the same one you do. Good luck and congrats on getting one helluva car!
Let me know if you can get a part number for the just the foglight lens. I need one and my mechanic is having a tough time time finding just the lens cover. Can only find the entire foglight assembly. I need the same one you do. Good luck and congrats on getting one helluva car!
if only a bulb and nothing wrong i wouldn't want those 5 pages to come up during my ownership ;p
congrats on the 36 Jerm
Last edited by Eurosport; May 20, 2007 at 04:27 PM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
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An update on my car - if you're interested ;)
All,
So I took the car to my local European import shop, and here's the damage:
Couple of minor oil leaks, a slight rattle in the timing chain, various wear and tear on belt and hoses. I'm going ahead and doing all of the recommended maintenance, since I want another 100k miles out of this car. Roughly $1100 for the timing chain and new serpentine belt. About $600 for new front gasket, oil sender, repack front wheel bearings, all new hoses, and lower shifter bushings. I'm also getting the rear tail-light lens assembly ($140) and they can get the fog light assembly, but at $300 installed I'm skipping it for now.
Nothing was urgent, but I don't want to let anything become urgent. I'm also putting new tires all the way around - I'm looking at the General Exclaim UHPs: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ng=Y&minLoad=S
All in, that's about $2500 on preventative maintenance and tires. The car still won't be PERFECT, but it will be pretty close. I'm still happy with the purchase, since this still has me on the road in a great car for right about $10,000.
BTW - transmission, plugs, brakes, suspension are all in excellent shape on the car, so I shouldn't have any of those worries for a while.
So I took the car to my local European import shop, and here's the damage:
Couple of minor oil leaks, a slight rattle in the timing chain, various wear and tear on belt and hoses. I'm going ahead and doing all of the recommended maintenance, since I want another 100k miles out of this car. Roughly $1100 for the timing chain and new serpentine belt. About $600 for new front gasket, oil sender, repack front wheel bearings, all new hoses, and lower shifter bushings. I'm also getting the rear tail-light lens assembly ($140) and they can get the fog light assembly, but at $300 installed I'm skipping it for now.
Nothing was urgent, but I don't want to let anything become urgent. I'm also putting new tires all the way around - I'm looking at the General Exclaim UHPs: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ng=Y&minLoad=S
All in, that's about $2500 on preventative maintenance and tires. The car still won't be PERFECT, but it will be pretty close. I'm still happy with the purchase, since this still has me on the road in a great car for right about $10,000.
BTW - transmission, plugs, brakes, suspension are all in excellent shape on the car, so I shouldn't have any of those worries for a while.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 4
Thanks for replies
Maintenance begins on Monday, so I got to drive her a little today. I really can't wait till this car is in tip-top shape. So much fun to drive as it is.
BTW - I got my tires this evening. Slid in right before they closed, and picked up the BFGs instead of the Generals. Not really sure if it was worth the difference in price, but I let the sales guy talk me into them.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ng=Y&minLoad=S
BTW - I got my tires this evening. Slid in right before they closed, and picked up the BFGs instead of the Generals. Not really sure if it was worth the difference in price, but I let the sales guy talk me into them.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ng=Y&minLoad=S
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Congrats on the C36 purchase - if you a service history, check the transmission service. Ensure that you have a flush and fill or better yet, have the transmission fluid replaced in addition to the filter. Don't know about the C36's, per se....on the C43 it has been an issue. Don't buy into the lie of the 'lifetime' ATF crap.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 2
From: Desert
02 CLK 55 AMG,09 C63 loaded with P30
I have the General UHPs tires. Great tires all yr round. Good in the snow,excellent grip in wet and dry. For $86 per tire you can't beat it! Of course its ZR rated. For the diesel like sound on the c36 engine, they say its normal. So the timing chain should still be good.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
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On second thought
I decided to get a second opinion on the maintenance, and it turns out it was a good idea. Friend of mine races MB, and recommended his mechanic take a look.
Timing chain turned out to be fine (pin missing from guide - replacement $0), serpentine belt is fine (grooves cut both directions will cause untrained eye to believe belt is cracked), no oil leaks at all (just resealed valve cover when dealing with chain noise). Ended up just needing ball joints replaced and one hose. Glad I had someone else take a look; bill went from ~$2,000 to ~$500 - and I have a lot more confidence in the second mechanic.
BTW - the BFGs seem to be working out great. I'll be driving the car to NorCal this week, so I'll have some good opportunities to play a little more.
BBTW - It may turn out that I don't need the car for what I'd originally purchased it for. I know this isn't a for sale forum, but in case I decide to sell it, would anyone on the list be interested in taking a look?
Timing chain turned out to be fine (pin missing from guide - replacement $0), serpentine belt is fine (grooves cut both directions will cause untrained eye to believe belt is cracked), no oil leaks at all (just resealed valve cover when dealing with chain noise). Ended up just needing ball joints replaced and one hose. Glad I had someone else take a look; bill went from ~$2,000 to ~$500 - and I have a lot more confidence in the second mechanic.
BTW - the BFGs seem to be working out great. I'll be driving the car to NorCal this week, so I'll have some good opportunities to play a little more.
BBTW - It may turn out that I don't need the car for what I'd originally purchased it for. I know this isn't a for sale forum, but in case I decide to sell it, would anyone on the list be interested in taking a look?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 2
some
I decided to get a second opinion on the maintenance, and it turns out it was a good idea. Friend of mine races MB, and recommended his mechanic take a look.
Timing chain turned out to be fine (pin missing from guide - replacement $0), serpentine belt is fine (grooves cut both directions will cause untrained eye to believe belt is cracked), no oil leaks at all (just resealed valve cover when dealing with chain noise). Ended up just needing ball joints replaced and one hose. Glad I had someone else take a look; bill went from ~$2,000 to ~$500 - and I have a lot more confidence in the second mechanic.
BTW - the BFGs seem to be working out great. I'll be driving the car to NorCal this week, so I'll have some good opportunities to play a little more.
BBTW - It may turn out that I don't need the car for what I'd originally purchased it for. I know this isn't a for sale forum, but in case I decide to sell it, would anyone on the list be interested in taking a look?
Timing chain turned out to be fine (pin missing from guide - replacement $0), serpentine belt is fine (grooves cut both directions will cause untrained eye to believe belt is cracked), no oil leaks at all (just resealed valve cover when dealing with chain noise). Ended up just needing ball joints replaced and one hose. Glad I had someone else take a look; bill went from ~$2,000 to ~$500 - and I have a lot more confidence in the second mechanic.
BTW - the BFGs seem to be working out great. I'll be driving the car to NorCal this week, so I'll have some good opportunities to play a little more.
BBTW - It may turn out that I don't need the car for what I'd originally purchased it for. I know this isn't a for sale forum, but in case I decide to sell it, would anyone on the list be interested in taking a look?
where do u live in socal. u can PM me
Mark
Junior Member
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
1998 c230
Hi all,
I just bought a silver 1996 C36 for $6700 in Southern California. The car seems to be in very good condition, and it drives/runs well from what I can tell. It does have high mileage (138k), but it only had one owner for 11 years (according to carfax), and it seems like the previous owner took pretty good care of the car.
There are some very minor dings and blemishes in the paint (shopping cart/parking lot stuff most likely). The left rear light cluster needs a new lens due to a crack, the right fog lamp needs a new lens due to a crack, the "A" is missing from the AMG badge on the engine, and the "third" brake bulb needs replacing. As far as I can tell those are all of the cosmetic problems - oh, and some pealing on the wheels...
Like I said, the car seems to drive/run well, but I am planning to take it to a Mercedes specialist for a thorough inspection. Anything in particular you think I should be worried about (especially considering the mileage)? Any preventitive work you would recommend? How would I go about retrieving the maintenance history?
I'm really impressed with the car after a couple of days with it, and hopefully it will treat me well.
I just bought a silver 1996 C36 for $6700 in Southern California. The car seems to be in very good condition, and it drives/runs well from what I can tell. It does have high mileage (138k), but it only had one owner for 11 years (according to carfax), and it seems like the previous owner took pretty good care of the car.
There are some very minor dings and blemishes in the paint (shopping cart/parking lot stuff most likely). The left rear light cluster needs a new lens due to a crack, the right fog lamp needs a new lens due to a crack, the "A" is missing from the AMG badge on the engine, and the "third" brake bulb needs replacing. As far as I can tell those are all of the cosmetic problems - oh, and some pealing on the wheels...
Like I said, the car seems to drive/run well, but I am planning to take it to a Mercedes specialist for a thorough inspection. Anything in particular you think I should be worried about (especially considering the mileage)? Any preventitive work you would recommend? How would I go about retrieving the maintenance history?
I'm really impressed with the car after a couple of days with it, and hopefully it will treat me well.
Are you interested in selling by chance?
