new to MB's and considering a C43

Dec 14, 2009 | 01:05 PM

c43lurker

Thread Starter

Newbie

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 1

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From: Virginia

04 Prius

new to MB's and considering a C43

Hi, i'm considering buying a C43 sometime in the next month or two. any issues i should be concerned about with these cars. I've read on this forum about the tranny issues. How common is it? Do people end up junking the car for parts when they go? Kind of sensitive to the tranny issue since we had to trade in my wifes 01 Acura due to tranny problems... (btw.. avoid any Honda 5 speed 2001-03 Automatic transmissions)

Hoping to spend $8k or less.

Dec 17, 2009 | 08:16 AM

C43AMG

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Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 5,761

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From: North Carolina

98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec

"Search" is your friend.There are numerous threads about 1st time "buyers" and "seekers" seeking the same advice.

Dec 17, 2009 | 02:19 PM

NitrogenBalance

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From: Portsmouth, NH

none

Quote:

Originally Posted by c43lurker

Hoping to spend $8k or less.

I wouldn't jump at the cheapest as it may need the most in repairs..look for a clean one with a good history and pay the extra couple grand or so. It may be worth it.

If it were me I'd save a little more and look for an 00' C43

Dec 18, 2009 | 08:13 AM

C43AMG

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: North Carolina

98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitrogenBalance

If it were me I'd save a little more and look for an 00' C43

With about only 22 of the 25 still on the road waiting for one of those to pop up for sale might might be like a Snickers commercial........not going anywhere for a while ?

Dec 18, 2009 | 08:28 AM

appatula

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From: Connecticut, New Haven

95' AMG SeeThreeSix

If your looking for something that is not prone to tranny problems, the 1995-1996 C36's are the better route (they are fitted with the legendary 500E's 4spd gearbox) C36/C43 1997 and up have the 5 speeds that have been causing people some problems. Although if you do go for the elder 4 speed C36 make sure it has gotten a wiring harness replacement.

Dec 18, 2009 | 12:15 PM

TunerPlayground

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From: Bay Area, CA

W202 C43 AMG

how bad are the cost of repairs if our trannies do go out?

Dec 18, 2009 | 12:24 PM

appatula

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Joined: Feb 2007

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From: Connecticut, New Haven

95' AMG SeeThreeSix

From what I have read the mechanical aspects of the transmission are fine it is the electronic issues that are problem (Someone please fill me in if I'm mistaken). No clue on costs, but either way the tranny issues will run you alot more headache and $$ in the long run if you do wind up with a bad one. I would rather much prefer dealing with a wiring harness, its cheaper and you can DIY.

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Dec 20, 2009 | 02:28 PM

v0ac

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 193

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C43 AMG & E55 AMG

c43 tranny will never fail if you change oil & filters on a regular basis.
stop saying they cause problem when you don't take care of it

Dec 20, 2009 | 02:35 PM

#10

BenzMaster19

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Joined: May 2009

Posts: 228

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C36 AMG

Don't the electrical connectors leak oil and then the oil ruins the computer?? Or something like that anyways....

Dec 22, 2009 | 12:05 AM

#11

MarcusF

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: SCV SoCal

2002 CLK430

The connector leak can be proactively fixed with a $2 o-ring upgrade. The new style o-ring is (supposedly) a one time fix. Based on posts in the W208 section, the fix looks like a DIY job. I had mine done by the dealer when they were doing some other work.