siideways

So after an unsuccessful 3 month search for a nice, clean, relatively low mileage C36 (there are so many thrashed examples out there, don't know how these people can abuse such a special car), I'm now considering a C43, especially since these are far more abundant based on greater production/sales volumes. But am I shooting myself in the foot?

The whole intent behind getting a C36 was for it to serve as my daily driver for my 50+ mile traffic-infested daily commute. I wanted something luxurious, sporty (read, powerful), yet relatively good on gas mileage (currently get about 25-26 MPG hwy from my E36 M3, so anything close to that is golden). The C36 seemed like the perfect car, so I'm not sure how economical an idling V8 is.

503C43 ////AMG

Not sure what you are saying about the production numbers but there are more C36's in the world than C43's. C36 = 5,400 made from 1995-1997 and C43 = 3,850 made 1998-2000. As far as the gas mileage is concerned you aren't going to get 25+ MPG with the C43, it will be closer to 18-21 MPG depending on the type of driving. If you are after better gas mileage for your daily driver the C43 is not the way to go. If you are looking for a car that no one else has and sounds like a BEAST then get the C43 otherwise keep your M3.

Saaboteur

Dude, I think I cruise around town at 60kmh spinning 1500rpm. The car is pretty decent on the highway, I can eke out about 500km on a tank of fuel, which I think is about 23ish mpg. But let's face it...German performance sedans will not get you really excellent fuel economy. You wanna play, you gotta pay. The only car anyone ever really 'needs' is probably all satisfied with a Honda Fit or a Toyota Yaris. Everything else on top of that is for fun.

siideways

Hmm...perhaps I should have said strictly US sales (not production - are your numbers for worldwide?) as I thought I read somewhere that US sales for C36 was something like:

95 ~400
96 ~330
97 ~220

And C43 sales, starting in 98 were closer to 500? and then started tapering off in 99, with only double digits for the 2000 model year? Maybe I was completely wrong? In any case, there definitely are FAR more C43s available for sale out there than C36s (a quick query in autotrader and craigslist will prove this), hence my considering the C43. But then again, I also heard that the C36 and 43 are very similar in gas mileage. Is this whole post moot?

Oh, and I'm keeping the M3. It will become my w/e track rat after picking up a C36/43.

Xander Crews

Yup. I don't think there are many people out there that haven't thrown $$$$ at a 10+ year old MB to keep it running (granted the same thing could be said about BMW's).

If you're that concerned about fuel economy, I'd ask myself how prepared you are to deal with the repair bills.:2cents:

siideways

I understand and am prepared for the ownership costs associated w/ a 10+ year old European vehicle (after all, I already own one). But in addition to all the maintenance/repair costs, I just didn't want to also spend half my driving time at the gas pump, that's all.

Saaboteur

Just do it!

The only European cars with significantly better fuel economy are the diesels or small displacement 4s. And those aren't as much fun. From another perspective, the turbo Saabs and Volvos and Audis should be economical to run (with smaller displacement 4s and such), but with all the weight and the boost for the low end torque, the fuel economy advantage is lost pretty easily, unless you drive like a grandma all the time. You only live once, might as well get the 'big block'.

ECTurboGSX

If you're like me and 79 mph on a 70 mph speedlimit sounds about right, then you will see 22-23 mpg. If you are more of a 65 - 70 mph type, I've seen 25 mpg. Not too bad, but not excellent either. I doubt the 36 does much better.

siideways

But I really want the 36...something about a smooth, highly-tuned straight 6 that gives me a woody, hehe. Yeah, V8s sound mean n' all, but they're just not as efficient.

FrankW

C36 had a great engine, but also a heavy one. They aren't nearly as good as the S52.

C43's M113 is almost all aluminum which brought down the weight. handling wise they are not much different. gas mileage is similar too.

given the choice I would definitely pick the C43 over the C36. unfortunately a lot of these cars are now in the hands of AMG fan-boys rather than enthusiasts so the condition of them can't always be the best.

other than that...have you also considered a C32? because they're cheap as hell. although you wouldn't get much better gas mileage either.

FLYNAVY

In my experience during 4 years of ownership, I'd highly recommend it as a DD. I normally got between 20 and 25 mpg depending on city vs highway driving, and rarely had any problems whatsoever with the car (in 100k miles of use). It is a grunty powerful V8, and somewhat different in nature than your s5x that you are used to. It is an automatic trans of course, but you really rarely even need to be in the correct gear to get awesome power response. If your priority is fuel efficiency then it might not be the MB for you (there are lots of non-AMG cars out there that do better here), but if you want a very comfortable small sedan with a lot of power, it is a great compromise (fuel wise). It would compliment your e36 M very well IMHO.

503C43 ////AMG

+1.... currently my C43 is my DD and does me well, granted my daily commute is just under 20 miles round trip. The seats are real comfortable and can be adjusted into countless settings.

DRBC43AMG

My daily drive is public transport with bus and metro. The C43 is for weekends and longish drives or for a quick spin to blow the cobwebs away when I get an addictive urge

DRBC43AMG

I am running with an overall average consumption of 11.04lt/100km on the 6'249 km driven with the car since April. According to the records in this site: http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/ the lowest consumption of a C43 is a guy in northern Germany with an average of 10.64lt/100km over 76'304km driven

ECTurboGSX

Well, you've currently got a car, so its not like you need to buy one now. Just wait for the right example to come up for sale. I wouldn't rush in just to have one as quick as possible. Good luck.

RBYCC

The C36 tends to be more problematic then the C43...
I wouldn't call the M104 a smooth I6..
The C36 build years had a few inherent problems as MB was in it's early "green" years..

I've owned a C43 ( wife's daily driver ) for about five years...
Purchased it CPO with 26K miles, now has about 51K miles...
Other then normal maintenance, only expense was replacing the A/C compressor...

Condition is as it came off the showroom floor....!!

Saaboteur

Ah, I see you also have a BMW - Bus Metro Walk!

siideways

Yes, I've read about the earlier C36 models (95-96) having issues with the wiring harness and head gasket (anything else?). That's why I'd prefer to find a nice 97, but I heard that those have problems w/ the newer 5-spd tranny (not as robust as the previous 4-spd?). Doesn't the C43 have this same tranny? And if so, w/ so much more torque than the I6, wouldn't the C43's V8 cause more issues for that tranny?

FLYNAVY

Same story here (though about 15k more miles)....I think being picky really paid off in the end. CPO is no longer an option for these cars of course, but I'd still advise you to find the cleanest, lowest mileage example you can afford (they all are pretty affordable nowadays) for that piece of mind. A basket case of a C43 will not be a great DD.

Steve155

there is a guy selling his 98 C43 - ck out the post looks clean. I use my C43 as a daily driver - and run around car so I average about 30 miles a day - getting 22 mpg overall per tank - fine by me as it's mostly city driving and some highway. C43 is fun, fast and comfortable...very happy with the car!

siideways

Yeah, waiting to see how many miles it has. Regardless, I'm looking at a super clean one right now w/ 114K miles, properly maintained w/ documentation, clean title w/ no wrecks, and best of all, bone stock, for $6K. Good deal?

*edit - just saw the mileage on that black 98 C43 at 122K. Hmm...kinda steep at $8K+ no?

BenzMaster19

I wouldn't touch a '97 c36, simply because it has the problematic early 5-speed tranny. The later '96's are the best choice for a c36, because it had the bulletproof 4-speed designed together with porsche, and by mid '96 Benz resolved the wiring harness aswell.

siideways

So the 5-spd tranny in the C43s is ok?

DRBC43AMG

even if I did own an old BMW 316 many moons ago and a BMW 502 even before that. A 502 whats that? Try our friend Google!

BenzMaster19

Well that all depends, if the fluid was ever changed, if the tranny was ever replaced etc.. Some 43 trannies came defective from the factory, and not even a fluid change could save them, the power would eventually rip them apart. But then again, there are some 43's that never had a fluid change and are running stronger then ever! But if it was rebuilt, and rebuilt well with the new upgraded parts then it should be fine. It's really a gamble lol