Mr Nu

Hi all

I am new to the AMG W202 section, as I normally frequent the W210 area as I own a W210 E36 AMG. However I am currently looking into adding a C43 Estate to the driveway and wanted to have some honest feedback from existing owners.

Overall I get the impression that the C43 is one very well built AMG, but I wanted to try and find out the issue surrounding the gearbox/transmission failure that I periodically hear about.

Is it a very common fault on the W202 C43 model or has it happened to a few owners over the years and has simply become a bit of an urban myth – a bit like the VANOs issue on E36 M3 Evo's?

Also can one prevent the issue with careful up-keep, care and maintainence or is it just a case of when the gearbox's time is up, it's simply up?

I am thinking of having a look at a 1999 model with 80K on this week, which does seem to be around the mileage when other owners have reported the problem. So my question is – is this deemed sensible and if I do go ahead with the viewing, what should I look our for and how should I test it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated guys!

Best wishes

Nath

ECTurboGSX

Mercedes said that the transmission had a lifetime transmission fluid in it and that you did not need to service it. I would change the transmission fluid when you get the car and you should be good to go.

Eurosport

+1 do tranny fluid and filter change on it every 30-40k if you can, your car will thank you

Mr Nu

Hi guys

Thanks for the tips re gearbox fluids... is the gearbox problem that simple to avoid though?

The reason i ask, is I'd have thought anyone in their right mind who owned a C43 knowing that the gearbox would/could be an issue, would regulary have the oil switched out of the gearbox as part of the servicing process.

Following your kind feedback, I know it'll be part of my servicing process without fail now regardless!

Best wishes

Mr Nu

ECTurboGSX

Mercedes said that it did not need to be replaced, it was a lifetime fill. This is true if you consider 80k miles a lifetime.

kchristos

Correct, when I took mine to the dealer to flush the trani fluid at 62k miles, they told me that it doesn't need to be flushed until 100k miles! Good think I was reading the forums so I still changed it and have any problem.

RBYCC

Please post pictures as I was not aware of any estate production in the C43 or at least not in the USA

Suggest that you change fluid and filter in the trans....you will have to drop the pan as there is no drain plug.

ECTurboGSX

They were available in the UK. There are some videos on YouTube of an Estate on a road course.

FLYNAVY

Wow....you have certainly nailed down the low production AMG market....210 E36 was VERY rare, I assume more so than the C43 estate? Post pics if you have any and welcome!

Mr Nu

Hi FLYNAVY

Thanks for the welcome!

The E36 is a rather rare model, from the info I've sourced I believe the production numbers were only around 180–190 genuine AMG units and its anyone's guess to know how many are left now.

I was very fortunate, as I purchased the vehicle off a super guy who really looked after it. It was made in 1997 and still only has 69K on it and looks like new! So I am very pleased... I even have the original sales brochure for it.

The only negative observation I would make, is the 3.6 AMG engine is quite a thrashy, racey unit compared to the V8's. It sounds lovely and has loads of torque and power, but it does have a On/Off style of power delivery to it.

I was thinking of trading the E36 for a E55 initially, but I kind of like owning a bit of Affalterbach history – which is why the C43 Estate would fit the bill perfectly, offering a more refined drive accompanied by the sound of a tuned V8. The transmission issue was the only fly in the ointment for me, but your answers have helped reduce the concern!

I've attached a few pictures of it, but I'll hopefully be able to go one better with some more pictures after a few AMG board members from here are meeting at MB World in Surrey UK on Friday. All going well we should have a few unique early AMG's down there with my E36 and Chris's (E55 Estate Fan) E55 Estate there. So well aim to get a few piccies for you!

Thanks again for the welcome!

Nath

Mr Nu

[QUOTE=RBYCC;2303522]Please post pictures as I was not aware of any estate production in the C43 or at least not in the USA

RBYCC

As requested courtesy of the UK AMG market, pics below!

Regards

Nath

Roger Paton

I have owned a 1998 C43 estate for a couple of years now & decided to have the transmission fluid changed when I first received the car at 115,000 miles. The fluid came out absolutely filthy & smelly with bits floating in it. I was lucky in that my torque converter had a drain plug fitted - later examples don't have this so not all the fluid can be drained. I had the filter changed at the same time & have had no trouble with the transmission up till now.
I have had problems with the belt tensioner bearing disintegrating at 131,000 miles whilst I was returning from the south of France. The pulley of the tensioner came off completely but fortunately lodged on a ledge from where I was able to recover it. I fitted a new ball bearing into the pulley & refitted the fan belt after several incorrect guesses as to which path the belt should be routed. The bearing cost £10.02 including VAT - the official replacement part from MB Heathrow was quoted at £176.80 & God only knows how much they would have wanted to fit it.
Is your meeting at MB Brooklands private or can any C43 estate owner attend ?

Mr Nu

Hi Roger

Thanks so much for the detailed response regarding your C43, extremely useful to read.

With regard to MB Brooklands this Friday, it is a totally open invite. We think it'll only be a few of us, as it was planned very late notice when we realised it was the last day of the SLR exhibition being shown there. It's an open invite to any AMG owner as I'll be there in my E36, Chris will be in his E55 Estate and Richard I believe will be in his SL55.

We are still waiting to hear if a few others may join us, but I would envisage it to be a small gathering, however I know we'd all love to see your C43 Estate there!

If you are up for it, there are a few more details in this post – https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/200021-uk-visit-mercedes-benz-world-6-7-07-a.html – and just let me know either here or via PM and I'll keep you across any additional developments, like an exact meeting place at MB World etc.

Thanks again and hopefully see you Friday

Nath

FLYNAVY

Thanks for the pics Mr Nu....very nice example you have there. I agree w/ you about the 3.6L m104....I wasn't as impressed w/ its power delivery when I test drove it back to back with the C43 (sedan) I ended up buying. You will love a C43 estate, I guarantee it. I would love to be able to get one over on this side of the pond.

RBYCC

[QUOTE=Mr Nu;2304149]


Great look on the Estate....!!!

To me the C43 was one of the last AMG cars with a "classic" feel......
Still comparitively simplistic as far as electronics

Roger Paton

Mr Nu
I have been "volunteered" to help my son move house on Friday but I will pop into MB World for a few minutes around lunchtime just to say Hi !

Glasgow Gold

[QUOTE=Mr Nu;2304149]
Very cool car. Thanks for posting the photos. Why don't we get this kind of stuff in the U.S.?!

FLYNAVY

[QUOTE=Glasgow Gold;2306346]Because Mercedes underestimated the US market

Mr Nu

Hi Roger

Look forward to seeing you then! Please do give me a call on the mobile I'll send you via PM when you arrive!

Best wishes

Nath