started tear down for paint
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LOL. I don't even formally own the car now, my mother does. She's going to enjoy the car, she's already asking when she can get it back to drive on her own!
Of course I will sneak it out of their garage once in a while...
I think I will fit the 5.5 badges tomorrow. Might need to tidy up a zip tie or two here and there. My parents are off on holiday for a bit next month, so I'll grab the car then and probably sort out the front brakes with the other fittings to get the correct caliper orientation. Probably will delete the secondaries and the resonator at that time too.
If my Mom complains about the KMacs squeaking too much, I'll wait until next spring to refit OE type bushings in the lower control arms, as that will involve spring removal and another alignment.
When I did drive the car last week, stuck in second gear, it pulled quite hard already. Everyone who sees the car, though, agrees that the 202 bodystyle looks quite a bit cooler and aggressive than the 203. But the 202 interior can't touch the 203, nor do I think the cars are comparable in the handling department either.
Of course I will sneak it out of their garage once in a while...
I think I will fit the 5.5 badges tomorrow. Might need to tidy up a zip tie or two here and there. My parents are off on holiday for a bit next month, so I'll grab the car then and probably sort out the front brakes with the other fittings to get the correct caliper orientation. Probably will delete the secondaries and the resonator at that time too.
If my Mom complains about the KMacs squeaking too much, I'll wait until next spring to refit OE type bushings in the lower control arms, as that will involve spring removal and another alignment.
When I did drive the car last week, stuck in second gear, it pulled quite hard already. Everyone who sees the car, though, agrees that the 202 bodystyle looks quite a bit cooler and aggressive than the 203. But the 202 interior can't touch the 203, nor do I think the cars are comparable in the handling department either.
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moon buggy
congratulations. What an odyssey.
Videos would be nice.
Videos would be nice.
FINALLY.
Almost two years to the date I started this project (or rather, started the various ****ups! lol) the car is ready. Just heard from the shop - all the trans needed was a touch more ATF and crucially, resetting of the error codes. They also charged up the AC, which is something I can't do at home. I understand to clear the trans error codes requires Star diagnostics or a specialized add on module to high end Snap-on scanner - of course I have neither of those.
Going to pick the car up tomorrow. Will fit the 5.5 badges too, I've been waiting a helluva long time to do that.
Next I will do a more thorough comparison between the C43/55 and my actual 203 C55...
Almost two years to the date I started this project (or rather, started the various ****ups! lol) the car is ready. Just heard from the shop - all the trans needed was a touch more ATF and crucially, resetting of the error codes. They also charged up the AC, which is something I can't do at home. I understand to clear the trans error codes requires Star diagnostics or a specialized add on module to high end Snap-on scanner - of course I have neither of those.
Going to pick the car up tomorrow. Will fit the 5.5 badges too, I've been waiting a helluva long time to do that.
Next I will do a more thorough comparison between the C43/55 and my actual 203 C55...
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Got the car back over the lunch hour and put maybe 15-20km on it. Mostly in traffic though, but when I had a chance I got onto it a bit. Pulls nicely! (though, as my mechanic buddy who got to drive an SL65 today pointed out, not as nicely as that car, LOL).
Check engine light came on again though as I was about to get back to the office. Trans and engine both seemed fine, so hopefully it's something minor. Will check it out when I get home from work.
Check engine light came on again though as I was about to get back to the office. Trans and engine both seemed fine, so hopefully it's something minor. Will check it out when I get home from work.
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1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Got the car back over the lunch hour and put maybe 15-20km on it. Mostly in traffic though, but when I had a chance I got onto it a bit. Pulls nicely! (though, as my mechanic buddy who got to drive an SL65 today pointed out, not as nicely as that car, LOL).
Check engine light came on again though as I was about to get back to the office. Trans and engine both seemed fine, so hopefully it's something minor. Will check it out when I get home from work.
Check engine light came on again though as I was about to get back to the office. Trans and engine both seemed fine, so hopefully it's something minor. Will check it out when I get home from work.
Unfortunately with the CEL the saga continues...
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The CEL turned out to be EGR related, no big deal. Just a loose vacuum hose. Drove the car around for about 45 minutes last night, mixed roads. Good power! Traction control light flickered all the time under power, so that's a good sign!
But got another CEL, now post cat O2 sensor heater circuits, both of them. Probably knocked something loose when I was under the car tidying up the wiring on the transmission plug.
First impressions vs W203 C55 - power is comparable between the cars. Perhaps the 202 feels a it more ferocious but that could be me not having driven the car for so long, whilst I've put plenty of miles on the 203 in that time. Interior and handling cannot compare to the 203 though. Pitch the 203 into the corners and the steering is more feel some and quicker, more confidence inspiring than the 202. But the 202 looks much cooler, especially modified the way I have it, IMO. I will have to get a friend together and we can do a grudge match between the two cars....
But got another CEL, now post cat O2 sensor heater circuits, both of them. Probably knocked something loose when I was under the car tidying up the wiring on the transmission plug.
First impressions vs W203 C55 - power is comparable between the cars. Perhaps the 202 feels a it more ferocious but that could be me not having driven the car for so long, whilst I've put plenty of miles on the 203 in that time. Interior and handling cannot compare to the 203 though. Pitch the 203 into the corners and the steering is more feel some and quicker, more confidence inspiring than the 202. But the 202 looks much cooler, especially modified the way I have it, IMO. I will have to get a friend together and we can do a grudge match between the two cars....
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moon buggy
Good to read it's something simple.
re: W203 vs. W202 comparison, is your C55 stock?
I have lined up a W210 E55 against a W203 C55 on an enclosed course many years ago. I think the E55 feels more solid and powerful on take off (I also drove the C55 for comparison). I think it's because the C55's tires were pretty ****ty in the first place. On straight away they're pretty even. However I really do think the W203 C55 have better handling though.
Good luck and keep us posted.
re: W203 vs. W202 comparison, is your C55 stock?
I have lined up a W210 E55 against a W203 C55 on an enclosed course many years ago. I think the E55 feels more solid and powerful on take off (I also drove the C55 for comparison). I think it's because the C55's tires were pretty ****ty in the first place. On straight away they're pretty even. However I really do think the W203 C55 have better handling though.
Good luck and keep us posted.
The CEL turned out to be EGR related, no big deal. Just a loose vacuum hose. Drove the car around for about 45 minutes last night, mixed roads. Good power! Traction control light flickered all the time under power, so that's a good sign!
But got another CEL, now post cat O2 sensor heater circuits, both of them. Probably knocked something loose when I was under the car tidying up the wiring on the transmission plug.
First impressions vs W203 C55 - power is comparable between the cars. Perhaps the 202 feels a it more ferocious but that could be me not having driven the car for so long, whilst I've put plenty of miles on the 203 in that time. Interior and handling cannot compare to the 203 though. Pitch the 203 into the corners and the steering is more feel some and quicker, more confidence inspiring than the 202. But the 202 looks much cooler, especially modified the way I have it, IMO. I will have to get a friend together and we can do a grudge match between the two cars....
But got another CEL, now post cat O2 sensor heater circuits, both of them. Probably knocked something loose when I was under the car tidying up the wiring on the transmission plug.
First impressions vs W203 C55 - power is comparable between the cars. Perhaps the 202 feels a it more ferocious but that could be me not having driven the car for so long, whilst I've put plenty of miles on the 203 in that time. Interior and handling cannot compare to the 203 though. Pitch the 203 into the corners and the steering is more feel some and quicker, more confidence inspiring than the 202. But the 202 looks much cooler, especially modified the way I have it, IMO. I will have to get a friend together and we can do a grudge match between the two cars....
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After fixing the vacuum line, the EGR code was gone. By the time I got home after my little drive, it was too late to check the O2 sensors, so I'm going to have a quick loom at them later, then another drive and hopefully those codes will be gone too.
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Okay we'll I found that a couple of the O2 sensor connectors were loose. Pushed them in all the way and cleared the codes. However, after about 15 minutes of urban driving, the codes reappeared. They are P0141 and P0161.
Off to look for O2 sensors now....if these relate only to post cat sensors, perhaps it's because of the excessive mixture they saw when the car fired up before but was running very poorly, before the manifold issue was detected.
Off to look for O2 sensors now....if these relate only to post cat sensors, perhaps it's because of the excessive mixture they saw when the car fired up before but was running very poorly, before the manifold issue was detected.
Last edited by Saaboteur; Jul 15, 2013 at 10:55 AM.
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Before I splash out for new O2 sensors, I'm going to have a look at the wiring again. Just seems odd that they would both go at the same time. Maybe it's a ground wire slightly loose?
The front suspension squeaks and groins are really getting to me though. Over the harsher bumps at speed, there is a really loud squeak which I do not think is wheel/fender contact. I had the same issue before when the lower control arm bolts were slightly loose. I've tried tightening them, but no luck. I think I will revert to OE bushings, this time the ones spec'd for W208 CLKs, which are supposed to be solid. I'm putting the squeaks and groins down to the KMacs. Note that it's only on the harsher bumps at speed. If the road is smooth, it's all good. Low speed, like parking maneuvers, there are also squeaks and groins. Very annoying.
However, for now, just enjoying the power - the O2 sensor CELs haven't hampered performance. That said, I'm going to hand the car over to my parents tomorrow. Good thing I kept it for this time though, just getting miles on it. There are always those small little things once in a while - today it was slightly low on coolant. Quick top up and good to go.
The front suspension squeaks and groins are really getting to me though. Over the harsher bumps at speed, there is a really loud squeak which I do not think is wheel/fender contact. I had the same issue before when the lower control arm bolts were slightly loose. I've tried tightening them, but no luck. I think I will revert to OE bushings, this time the ones spec'd for W208 CLKs, which are supposed to be solid. I'm putting the squeaks and groins down to the KMacs. Note that it's only on the harsher bumps at speed. If the road is smooth, it's all good. Low speed, like parking maneuvers, there are also squeaks and groins. Very annoying.
However, for now, just enjoying the power - the O2 sensor CELs haven't hampered performance. That said, I'm going to hand the car over to my parents tomorrow. Good thing I kept it for this time though, just getting miles on it. There are always those small little things once in a while - today it was slightly low on coolant. Quick top up and good to go.
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Miraculously, today whilst driving around at lunchtime for errands, the CEL disappeared. Parked and went into a shop; came out and started up and it was gone.
It was raining pretty heavily today though, I wonder if the moisture has 'assisted' with some electrical contacts underneath the car. Mechanic buddy's best price for the O2 sensors is $230 for both, so I'm wary of spending that right away.
Other than that...I'm still rather impressed with the power compared to the 43 motor. Lovely, lovely, lovely....highly recommend the swap for anyone in the market. They really should have just built the car with the 55 in the first place. Probably would have been easier than fabricating up the bespoke C43 cams and fitting those into just a select group of engines.
Here's a quick picture of the car in the rain today:
It was raining pretty heavily today though, I wonder if the moisture has 'assisted' with some electrical contacts underneath the car. Mechanic buddy's best price for the O2 sensors is $230 for both, so I'm wary of spending that right away.
Other than that...I'm still rather impressed with the power compared to the 43 motor. Lovely, lovely, lovely....highly recommend the swap for anyone in the market. They really should have just built the car with the 55 in the first place. Probably would have been easier than fabricating up the bespoke C43 cams and fitting those into just a select group of engines.
Here's a quick picture of the car in the rain today:
Last edited by Saaboteur; Jul 15, 2013 at 05:55 PM.
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hey Vinnie, I like the stance of your car, pure sex 
i'd take your w202 over w203 anytime!
now you need a 300km/h faceplate to make your car look extra yummy!
keep on tuning
please refresh my memory as I'm getting old from unnatural stress, did you use front #5 and rear #4 spring pad combo?
stance looks nice, looks like 1-1½ finger gap seen in the pictures?
this is what I'm soon getting on my car.
i'd take your w202 over w203 anytime!
now you need a 300km/h faceplate to make your car look extra yummy!
keep on tuning
please refresh my memory as I'm getting old from unnatural stress, did you use front #5 and rear #4 spring pad combo?
stance looks nice, looks like 1-1½ finger gap seen in the pictures?
this is what I'm soon getting on my car.
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Probably more like 1.5-2 finger gap, actually. Curiously, the stance seems very similar to my all stock 203 C55...but yeah, #5 pads up front and #4s out back on the C43.
Still on the 'to do' list for the C43:
-redo front calipers for proper caliper orientation - includes new brakelines and flush
-need more fasteners for one of the side skirts - it's a bit loose
-need to get some more injector o-rings and o-ring retainers - to refit the white injectors that originally came with the 55 motor
-attempt to reseal the intake manifold I had cleaned up
Might try to fit an extra, flat hood badge I have kicking around too, just to try out the look. It simply says 'AMG', no emblem or anything.
Oh, and less than 5,000km more and the car qualifies for one of the official Mercedes high mileage certificates/badges. Will be pretty sweet to get one of those...
Still on the 'to do' list for the C43:
-redo front calipers for proper caliper orientation - includes new brakelines and flush
-need more fasteners for one of the side skirts - it's a bit loose
-need to get some more injector o-rings and o-ring retainers - to refit the white injectors that originally came with the 55 motor
-attempt to reseal the intake manifold I had cleaned up
Might try to fit an extra, flat hood badge I have kicking around too, just to try out the look. It simply says 'AMG', no emblem or anything.
Oh, and less than 5,000km more and the car qualifies for one of the official Mercedes high mileage certificates/badges. Will be pretty sweet to get one of those...
Last edited by Saaboteur; Jul 16, 2013 at 06:49 PM.
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The past 6 weeks or so, my mother has been driving the car on and off. However, twice now it the low coolant warning light has lit up. This occurred once when I first had it running, and I put it down to the coolant system just working the air out of itself.
However, now that it has happened a few more times, I've had to investigate more. Yesterday, I managed to find the problem, but have yet to solve it as I didn't have all the appropriate tools with me.
The issue merely turned out to be a loose hose clamp on the coolant line running to the trans cooler, up high on the passenger side cylinder head. Problem is that the OE clamp is nearly impossible to access, even with the special clamp tool. I'm going to get at it tonight when I remove the EGR thingy (which needs an E Torx socket). Then it should be all good and my mom can get back to burning rubber! LOL. Less than a nother 5,000km and the car is eligible for the first level of Mercedes' high mileage badges!
However, now that it has happened a few more times, I've had to investigate more. Yesterday, I managed to find the problem, but have yet to solve it as I didn't have all the appropriate tools with me.
The issue merely turned out to be a loose hose clamp on the coolant line running to the trans cooler, up high on the passenger side cylinder head. Problem is that the OE clamp is nearly impossible to access, even with the special clamp tool. I'm going to get at it tonight when I remove the EGR thingy (which needs an E Torx socket). Then it should be all good and my mom can get back to burning rubber! LOL. Less than a nother 5,000km and the car is eligible for the first level of Mercedes' high mileage badges!
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The car is for sale.
I received an email through my kijiji ad from a Mike, but when I try to respond, the email bounces - possibly due to an incorrect entry of the email address. If you're interested, email again or PM me.
I received an email through my kijiji ad from a Mike, but when I try to respond, the email bounces - possibly due to an incorrect entry of the email address. If you're interested, email again or PM me.
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The car has now been sold! The new owner actually already owns a C43, and is an enthusiast. Keeping it in the family, as it were, means I will probably still see the car once in a while!
So I guess I was just the car's custodian for a little while. I'm sure the new owner will have a lot of fun with the car, especially if he lines up at the lights with some unsuspecting driver thinking of taking on an old Mercedes....
So I guess I was just the car's custodian for a little while. I'm sure the new owner will have a lot of fun with the car, especially if he lines up at the lights with some unsuspecting driver thinking of taking on an old Mercedes....
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to bad you sold her, in your heart you will always be a w202 AMG fan
you should have kept the w202 and ditched the w203.
i never liked the design of w203, front design is shaped way to weird for me with those corny headlights.
you should have kept the w202 and ditched the w203.
i never liked the design of w203, front design is shaped way to weird for me with those corny headlights.
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I prefer the 202's looks, especially on the 18" Monoblocks. Absolutely the best look for the car in my view.
But...you can't drive a car from the outside, and the 203 is a much better driving package. Steering is much better, can't even talk about them in the same sentence. The gadgets and interior aesthetics are more appealing to me too.
On my C55, I am thinking of going back from my CLK grille (with the prominent Mercedes star front and centre) to the original C55 grille, but sticking with the flat hood badge and blacking out the original grille. Maybe Plasti-Dip, maybe flat or satin black wrap.
Inspiration for this look comes from the C43 - Plasti-Dip blacked out grille! Looks more menacing.
But then I think I would want to black out all the chrome trim too - another project I suppose!
But...you can't drive a car from the outside, and the 203 is a much better driving package. Steering is much better, can't even talk about them in the same sentence. The gadgets and interior aesthetics are more appealing to me too.
On my C55, I am thinking of going back from my CLK grille (with the prominent Mercedes star front and centre) to the original C55 grille, but sticking with the flat hood badge and blacking out the original grille. Maybe Plasti-Dip, maybe flat or satin black wrap.
Inspiration for this look comes from the C43 - Plasti-Dip blacked out grille! Looks more menacing.
But then I think I would want to black out all the chrome trim too - another project I suppose!
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C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
If I get another old German car Id have to go E39 M5 or Porsche 911 body but a turbo. Can't really stomach the look of the newer Mbs.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Porsche my favourite car. I do regret my 964RS I owned a decade ago specially when I see the prices they fetch today!
