FLYNAVY

....or know of one that is FS? My C43 was recently totalled in an accident, and I'm kind of stuck on this car, but of course would like the ultimate 202. It's either this or maybe an e46 M3 which I am honestly a little less excited about the more I think about it. Anyone have one to offer?

AMS Performance

why not just get the W203 C55... would save alot of time & headache and they are pretty damn cheap these days.

503C43 ////AMG

GOOD LUCK GETTING A REAL W202 C55!!!!!! You will probably have to sell your soul to get one. Best bet is finding the 5.4 swapped C43 or just swap one yourself. You could get a C43 and an engine out of an E55 for around $10k total, an E46 M3 will cost 12k-40k depending on the year, mileage, and condition. So you are looking at a car that has 45,000+ in production numbers (M3) OR a car that probably has less than 250 in existence (swapped C43). Now you have to look at the performance, an E46 M3 had 333 HP @ 7800 RPM where a 5.4 had 362 HP @ 5500 RPM. I will take the swapped C43 ANY DAY over the E46 M3, everybody and their grandma has an M3. I had only seen 1 C43 before I bought mine and to this day I have only seen 6 INCLUDING mine, I have YET to see a swapped C43 in person. I think the C43 looks classier than an M3 too. Either way I doubt you will get a TRUE W202 C55 without breaking the bank.

KJI3jflarryfe93

if you find a c55, may god help you out!
you will need this one.
without this facca dialla no real C55!

what happend to your c43?
was it totally damaged?
any pictures of the damaged car?
but you are ok?

FLYNAVY

As for the car, the whole front quarter is destroyed, frame bent, front wheel pushed under the car. Some damage to the interior from the bending.

I remember there being about 3 different 202 C55's (I'm talking about aftermarket swaps here, not factory 55's) on the market when I bought my C43 (in 2006) for high teens, low 20's. I also know there are a few on this board, so I was just wondering if anyone had considered selling lately.

ProjectC55

If u must have a 202 C55 you r just better off buying another c43 and installing a 5.4 L motor. It is not hard at all. Or get a CLK 430 and drop in a 5.4L motor.

503C43 ////AMG

Gotcha... Are you against doing the swap yourself? You will be able to buy a C43 + E55 engine + rebuild the engine for less than 12k-15k. For that you will get a FRESH motor that should leave you worry free. IMO the guys that have done the 5.4 swap are probably SMASHING around town racing and such (I could be wrong but why else would you do the swap) and I would be concerned about the tranny and engine in one of these cars. If you are looking to get a swapped C43 I would look into getting it done yourself unless you just want to turn the key and burn rubber in which case you will have to buy one with the swap already done. Personally I would chose to get it done myself so you can ensure that all the important parts are in correct working order + you will have a perfect running worry free engine. As far as I have read the 5.4 drops pretty much right in with very little modification. You should PM money-one..... as far as I can tell he is the resident expert on the 5.4 swap and would be able to give you a better idea of what it would take, that is if you are even interested in swapping the motor yourself. I suggest you check into it before you make up your mind, it might easier and cheaper than you think.....

503C43 ////AMG

Wow can't believe I forgot about you projectC55 as I drool over you W202 pics every time I see them in your Sig..... Enlighten us please, is the swap as easy as I have read? I know it involves changing motor mounts and I believe the C43 ECU will work (correct me if I am wrong), what else does it take?

FLYNAVY

I'm pretty familiar with the 5.4 swap (have been following/researching it for a good 5 yrs now), and to be honest, I'd much rather just buy the car already done. I've done one extraordinarily costly swap and I know what is involved, even if this one is a bit more "bolt-on". If I bought a nice C43, I'd be looking at somewhere in the ballpark of 7-9k I'd think, with the 55 motor somewhere between 5-10k. Having done 2 rebuilds on alusil V8's, I can say pretty confidently that this would run at least 5k if not more (I spent 6k on one m117 build, and 5k on the rebuild of the previous build). So to do it right, that would put me north of 20k. Not unreasonable given what it is, but after that I'd still have to worry about the trans plus all the time it would take me to do the swap. I'd probably rather just get a nice e46 M3 for that price, or get a low mileage e36 M3 and put the rest of that money towards finishing the 190e project.

colt45

Hey Navy

FWIW, I have two pals with M3s, one bought new with Dinan upgrades (cold air, chip, headers, exhaust, cats I think etc). Both said the same thing when they drove my stock C43: "Wow, I coulda had a V8!"

M3 is a great car but, as you know, C43s are excellent also and a rather different flavor of performance, and in some ways a nicer every day driver. A W202 C55 would just be "better".

PS dig your avatar

503C43 ////AMG

Hmmm... I just bought my C43 with 107k on it for $6500 3 months ago and it is almost flawless (small things here and there but all the MAJOR stuff is SOLID) I just sourced a salvaged titled 1999 E55 that they are parting out the motor for 2k (the whole car for $6500). So even if the rebuild is 5k (which it shouldn't be unless you are paying a shop to do it) you could do it for less than 15k but maybe you live in a more expensive part of the country, not sure. Either way, to each his own and I hope you find what you are looking for. Good luck Keep us posted I would love to see pics of your swapped C43!!!

FLYNAVY

Thanks! Yeah I have really enjoyed the experience of the AMG V8, though I wonder if it isn't a little redundant to have 2 V8 MB's with automatic transmissions. I've been giving a little more thought to an I6 with manual, though I still really like the 202 and would love a little more power than the C43.

FLYNAVY

I don't have the tools nor the experience to do a proper alusil rebuild, so I'd not want to skimp there. I'd want a car with less than 70k miles, in mint condition, so I think the market for that is a little more towards the high end of C43 pricing. Good deal on the E55 though, haven't seen one in useable donor condition for that, but I haven't been looking recently so maybe the market has gone down a bit. I suppose I could sell of the '43 drivetrain and recoup some money (maybe a grand or two with the right buyer), but at this point that is a lot of work when I need a driveable car ASAP

503C43 ////AMG

Indeed a C43 with 70k or less will be closer to the 8k-12k realm. Good luck on swooping on a swapped C43, I hope you find one soon so you can . I will keep my eyes peeled and let you know if I find one.

FLYNAVY

Cool thanks brother!

MarcusF

Unless you need four doors, you may want to consider taking a CLK55 for a test drive. Another option would be a CLK550 coupe. Those can be found in near new condition and with a factory waranty. The 550's are surprisingly fast.

FLYNAVY

Yeah actually I hadn't really thought of this, but both w208 as well as w209's seem to be pretty good values right now. I've always been a fan, maybe I will need to look into this more.

503C43 ////AMG

Agreed... I definitely like the look of the CLK

jagass

Oh man, too late to see this. My officemate already sold his.

503C43 ////AMG

So its not a 5.4 swapped C43 but it does have a supercharger from HPS and it has LOW miles but its a little modded for my taste. Figured I would post the link anyway..... This might be a bit of a distance from where you are...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...id=64557737&ca

Here is another one, granted it is fully stock but it has the BEAUTIFUL tuxedo interior with less than 100k

This one is in woodland, a bit closer than the other one :
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...d=65412739&car

FLYNAVY

Nice links. The first one was actually FS around the time when I bought the '43, but I ended up going with the beautiful silver CPO car I found. *sad* It was maintained in Renton by the guy who sold me the motor for the 190e swap. Pretty cool car, though I remember hearing grumblings about that era of HPS chargers back in the day. Not sure how their products have stood the test of time.

Second looks awesome, I may have to look into that. I could definitely get into that color combo, and it would be like stepping back in time mileage wise. Pretty decent price if everything is in order.

PJmak

E46 M3.....why?

FLYNAVY

Meh not really thinking so strongly about that now. Even when I was considering it, I honestly wasn't that excited about the prospect. I like the rarity of these cars, and '46 M3's are a dime a dozen just about anywhere, especially socal. Leaning towards a nice C43/55, CLK55, or maybe a 190e 16v if I can find the right one.

edemac8

Hey I know they arnt the most exciting cars (the e46) but when I drove one it was an amazing experience (w/ stick shift). I bought the c36 for insurance reasons and unfortuanetly besides its rarity I enjoyed the e46 more. The c43, though my uncle has one, I havnt gotten the chance to drive yet, but already I would choose the 43 over the e46, just the idea of a v8 in our little sedans!!!! =]

Dont bash the e46, it is a fun car to drive....

edemac8

Heres one you dont see everyday....has 18s on it

Check it out

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1819829756.html