shivi1345

......So I might be looking to get one of these....

I've read what to look for in a bunch of threads (especially this one), but I can't seem to find any longevity numbers

....so ya lol.....how many miles/kms do you have on the clock?

99CEEFOURTHREE

135k and strong as hell!!!!!

shivi1345

^ did you replace the tranny?

BenzMaster19

It's an AMG! You can't get much better then that. They're pretty much all Bulletproof!
Just make sure, the one your looking at has been takin cared for.

appatula

Absolutely bulletproof!...............Aside from the 5 speed trannys





The 4 Speed transmission is worthy of the word bulletproof.

PJmak

98 with 119k

BenzMaster19

Ah yes, I 100% agree on that!

shivi1345

really?

So the C43 had problems with its 5 speed, but the C36's 4 speed it fine?

I hear that the C36's engine is a tuned version of the engine in a C280 er sumtin like that. What's the deal with that?

BenzMaster19

The 3.6AMG M104 engine originally comes from the C280, BUT, when AMG got there hands on that engine they transformed it into one HELL of a high performance engine!!
It was totally redesigned from the oil pan up, including being bored and stroked out fully, and racing tuned.
The C43's engine is off of the E430, but with beefier cams, an ECU upgrade and an AMG exhaust added.
They both have just about the same Performance levels, but VERY different engine characteristics.!
Do some searching on this forum, there's mountains of info on these cars...

shivi1345

^ K I saw some stuff.....

the V8 has more TQ, and you need to be abouve 3k RMP in the C36 to really be movin; but people say that side by side the 2 are pretty much even

The 5 speed is notorious for breaking, the 4 speed isn't

I thinkkk that the newer C43 interior and V8 noise are huge plus points for the 43.....but that ****ty tranny is a HUGE drawback

between these 3 what do you guys think?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...566960044.html

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1537253506.html

I know it doesn't state a lot of info....but still.....

*btw: I saw an amazing C43 FS, new tranny, suspension components, 1 adult owner, but he sold it 2 days before I saw it

CatButt

Don't even waste your time with the first one...my friend went and looked at it and it is clapped. Well used non matching tires, respray (poorly done with paint drips everywhere), etc. It is low miles, but I would even call BS based on how bad he said the car was.

PJmak

2000 c43 model will be a good choice. Those came with tranny upgrades i believe

shivi1345

^ yo thanks for that CatButt.......the guy emailed me back today lol


2000 C43..........if I can find one lol

anybody here wanna sell me theirs? hahaa


how many of you guys w/ high mileage C43's had to replace the tranny?

vioilio

1998 C43 189K and the car still runs like brand new Transmission replaced at 140K

99CEEFOURTHREE

Yes rebuilt @105k

shivi1345

^ right. that's what I thought

I put up a WTB AD online, and gotta response

the guy has a 1998 C43 w/ 98K miles. He says it has had 0 problems at all, original everything

I think that's scary cuz the tranny will break pretty soon...right? Should I even make an offer on it?

How much does a re-build cost these days?


I saw some posts saying that if you replace the tranny fluid and stuff BEFORE it breaks you can avoid problems......people who did the ATF flush pretty much say "I've had 0 problems". Is this truth, or just luck?


I also came across these 2 AD's....

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/1571529452.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1563683748.html

I think they both look great and seem leggit. What's your say?




thanks for all the input/help guys. I've completely fallen in love with these cars....I really want one to replace the C230k

FLYNAVY

128k proud miles.....original everything; owned it since 48k as a starmark preowned beauty. Love this car....awesome DD!

shivi1345

^ so what do you think about those 2 links? Do the prices seem fair?

appatula

Honestly I was considering a C43. Based on the fact that gas milages are very similar if not identical, V8 sound is nice, and it is newer. Unfortunatley the tranny issues with the C43's and ONLY 1997 C36 are completley hit or miss, but one thing is for sure they are VERY common, and EXPENSIVE. Plan to pay close to 40%-50% of what you actually buy the car for....crazy in my mind so I went with the C36 with 4 speed. Its the same 4 speed that was put into the legendary V8 500E porsche/mercedes crossover, tried and true, and quite litterally bulletproof. Even being a six cylinder it's a hot rod straight six, and it sounds like it means complete buisness when you get on it. My friends claim the soundtrack is mustangish with german sophistication . Either way with a C43 be prepared for tranny issues just in case, nothing worst than buying your dream car and having something costly like that go on you when you can't afford it.

C36's are notorious for bad wiring harnesses so make sure if you look at any to see if they have been replaced its about a $1000 job. Headgasket failure is another issue but not as common and not nearly as expensive as a transmission.

appatula

Wow...just looked at those links. Prices caught my attention right away, for some reason C43's on the east coast are mostly in the 5-6 grand range. There was one in Delaware for $4500 about 6 months back. Weird? Maybe they all had tranny issues and did not state it in the listing? I'd personally wait, those prices seem a bit high to me.

ECTurboGSX

I think those prices seem reasonable. Both cars appear to be in very good condition and both have had tranny replacements. I haven't seen any 43's listed at less than 7 grand, so that one must have been an outlier.

trinitony

79+k miles....9k in last 10 months, averaging 1100 miles a month...

appatula

During the three months I was looking for a AMG W202 I saw four C43's under 7k. I do not think those prices are fair considering what is out there and for how much. I'm not making things up......

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1559649040.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/ctd/1565865295.html

http://delaware.craigslist.org/cto/1558830280.html (despite the huge dent)



......and this was within five minutes There are deals out there for much less than you are willing to pay. However, I do get a kick out of how many C43's that are up that have bad transmissions. Makes you wonder, even if you do get a new transmission when is it going to leave you stranded?

shivi1345

sh*t dude

I'm in LA and had to look in SD and SF to find these......

Both have new transmissions, so I should be safe.....right?

The white one is cheaper, has 20K miles more, and if fully loaded (headlight wipers and all lol)

The black one is like $2K more, less miles, and a nice headunit.....he says "upgraded suspension" too.

The white one is 100% OEM.......while that black one is modded, and has potentially been driven harder


Which one would you go for?

shivi1345

here's 2 C36s just for fun............

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1572625166.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1537253506.html