New potential C43 owner here, got a few Q's...

Subscribe
Dec 7, 2009 | 06:11 PM
  #1  
I have been looking at C43, E55, C36 for a while now. Found a few sweethearts, but one really caught my eye. CLEAN, (did I say clean) inside and out, has the air lumbars, ALL black interior, black Mono blocks with silver lip, has dash AMG badge and a cool emblem on the hood (might be normal, have not seen one before though.

Car NEEDS:
1. Right rear regulator (or make window go up and downy thingy) makes noise but no move.
2. One headlight wiper inop
3. Fog lights inop...they look fine, likely a fuse?
4. The climate control display is hard to read. I know this is common and if I push on the corners of the display it is all readable.
5. I need another remote and a regular door key.

Wondering if you guys might know the common fixes for these, costs, etc. Also, since there are no books for the car, what some of the buttons mean.
I can get the car for $7900, maybe less based on these repairs. It has a clean car fax.

Thanks TONS in advance.
Reply 0
Dec 7, 2009 | 06:26 PM
  #2  
miles?
Reply 0
Dec 7, 2009 | 06:29 PM
  #3  
103k Sorry, and it is a '99
Reply 0
Dec 7, 2009 | 06:40 PM
  #4  
Quote: 4. The climate control display is hard to read. I know this is common and if I push on the corners of the display it is all readable.
Don't count on this little problem really ever going away....I think mine was replaced twice under warranty (that I know of while I owned it) and it still does it now. Not really a big deal if you don't obsess over it
Reply 0
Dec 7, 2009 | 06:41 PM
  #5  
Quote: Don't count on this little problem really ever going away....I think mine was replaced twice under warranty (that I know of while I owned it) and it still does it now. Not really a big deal if you don't obsess over it
I figured that much...I'm not trippin' as the car is really nice.
Reply 0
Dec 8, 2009 | 05:51 AM
  #6  
buy it
Reply 0
Dec 9, 2009 | 07:20 AM
  #7  
Nothing major...
What you list is nothing major (if you like to tinker and are willing to tackle it yourself) - the $tealership will clean you out esp. on the window regulator, ask if he or she has all the service records. The HVAC control panel is very often on ebay from anywhere between $60 and $200.
Reply 0
Dec 9, 2009 | 12:13 PM
  #8  
I have no problem with tinkering. Unfortunately there are no records the last owner was local and I will try to get in touch with him...there is a clean carfax and my gut feeling about the car. I am very conservative when buying cars and usually have good luck picking a winner...not to say I always get it right, but I feel pretty good about this one.

It looks like they will be putting new pads all the way around, new front rotors, fixing the window and that might be it. If they do I will ****** this up for sure.

If not, I will be on the hunt still...I found an '99 E55 with and HPS S/C on for $13.5, 130k miles, a 7 on the scale...not a bad car though.
Reply 0

MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

Explore
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Dec 9, 2009 | 12:34 PM
  #9  
Quote: If not, I will be on the hunt still...I found an '99 E55 with and HPS S/C on for $13.5, 130k miles, a 7 on the scale...not a bad car though.
Search the Forum......be VERY careful with this one.
Reply 0
Dec 9, 2009 | 01:49 PM
  #10  
Quote: Search the Forum......be VERY careful with this one.
Agreed, I've heard some horror stories about the HPS cars
Reply 0
Dec 10, 2009 | 12:55 AM
  #11  
Well, make that NEW C43 OWNER! That's right, I pulled the trigger today. The car actually has 19in Monoblocks on it, the underside is minty fresh with no leaks or wetness to be seen ( a little residue from the rear diff, but I figure it is either out of fluid OR that is old stuff coming from the vent), still has the AMG tags on all the exhaust parts. They put new AMG front rotors on, new pads all around, fixed the window regulator, fog lights, oil change with 0-40 Mobil 1, and a good detail. I have to fix the climate control unit and the headlight wiper.

I need to soften the leather a little (all black interior) as it is a touch stiff but no wear to speak of, put a new stereo in (I am hooked on Nav) and that is about it really. Soon, H&R Cup Kit Sport...maybe, although I am concerned that might be too mush drop with the 19s...have to see I guess. Might do my first track day this Sunday if it's not raining...the Miata is not done yet...BOOOOO.

Thanks for the the help and I am sure I will have tons more questions as I learn about this cool little car.
Reply 0
Dec 10, 2009 | 08:27 AM
  #12  
Quote: I need to soften the leather a little (all black interior) as it is a touch stiff but no wear to speak of,
Use Leatherique !

Congrats and welcome !
Reply 0
Subscribe
Currently Active Users (1)
 
story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE