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So it seems official now the S202 C55 AMG is the rarest AMG ever...
(After Consolidation of Merc/AMG)
Global Sales
S202 C55 AMG 7
which I guess means
W202 C55 AMG 52
Awesome find DRB. So if you see a factory original S202 C55 AMG, ****** it up no matter the cost!!!
I wonder if the 3 Medical Cars from F1 are included in that 7. I'm guessing yes, that would mean that only 4 were initially released to the public. (Assuming they had a new Medical Car every year which I think they did). And DRB is saying 3 were imported to the UK, that would leave 1 unaccounted for.
Can we get a source on the idea that the C43 was just built in Stuttgart with all the other C180's? For almost 20 years I've been telling people the C43's were the first cars to arrive at AMG as empty shells to be assembled entirely by hand.
Why did all of us think this was true when it's not true? Were we lied to by MB/AMB at some point? This is a really big revelation if it's true.
True or not, it doesn't change how much I adore my car. I had always assumed it was aging better than "regular" w202's because of the hand-built nature. Maybe it's because 43 owners just took better care of their cars.
Guess I have to go find a C36 so I can have a "real" w202 AMG then!
The Claim: W202 C43 AMG was completely built by hand...
Wikipedia: Unlike the C36, which was in fact a "ready-to-sell" C280 disassembled for tuning at the AMG factory, the C43 was the first AMG car to be completely assembled at the AMG plant in Affalterbach after the acquisition of AMG by Daimler-Benz in 1998.
There are dozens of other websites around the internet that also state the C43 was completely assembled in Affalterbach, but many of them are only repeating the original Wikipedia claim.
This claim is untrue.
It turns out that the W202 C43 AMG was partially assembled in Bremen and completed in Affalterbach.
First W202 C43 AMG US Press Release
Wednesday, April 22, 1998:
Mercedes unveils latest in Super Sedan line
PRESS RELEASE: Montvale, NJ - Mercedes-Benz dealers across the U.S. have begun taking delivery of the new C43 supersedan, a limited-production V8-powered version of its popular C-Class sedan. The new C43 is modified by AMG, Germany's top automotive customizer and race 'tuner,' who has been partnered with Mercedes-Benz for decades.
Only 1,500 of these ultra-performance cars will be imported to the U.S. over a three-year period. Priced at $52,750, the mid-size C43 features a modified version of the new-generation V8 engine from the full-size E430 sedan. With higher-lift modular camshafts and a freer-flowing intake and exhaust system, horsepower is boosted to 302 (up 10 percent over the standard 275 hp figure) for superb overall performance, including 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.9 seconds.
Last W202 C43 AMG US Press Release
Thursday, December 30, 1999
Mercedes-Benz Bids Farewell to C43 AMG; Super Sedan Ends Three-Year Production Run in 2000
PRESS RELEASE: MONTVALE, NJ - What began in 1998 as a very exclusive, high-performance C-Class sedan has come to an end this model year. The Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG -- the second of Mercedes-Benz' extreme performance automobiles offered in the U.S. -- closes out its production cycle after three model years and 1,400 examples of the well-rounded enthusiast's sedan.
"The C43 AMG marked the start of a wave of extreme performance automobiles we plan to offer American clients," notes Robert Allan, Mercedes-Benz USA AMG / designo / Special Vehicles Product Manager. "This was the first compact car with our new-generation, three-valve/twin-spark V8. At 302 horsepower, it offered very high power output, and our clients took that element very close to their hearts. In fact, the AMG-modified engine was what owners loved the most, since it combined that high performance with the expected refinement of a Mercedes-Benz."
Indeed, powerful engines are just one element of any Mercedes-AMG automobile. There are six specific themes to every AMG product: handling ability, braking, acceleration, luxury, exclusivity and practicality. All are equally important, but perhaps the latter is most significant. Mercedes-AMG cars make no special demands of owners, and require no special concessions as a result of their high-performance capabilities. In addition, every Mercedes-AMG displays understated, yet athletic styling enhancements. The town of Affalterbach, just outside Stuttgart, is home to the Mercedes-AMG facility. Engines are hand-assembled on-site and partial construction of whole AMG models takes place with a workforce of about 400.
The Mercedes-AMG partnership officially started with the C36 AMG sedan for 1995, which offered 268 horsepower from a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, and has grown to encompass three models for the U.S. market - C43, E55 and ML55 AMG.
The last press release hints towards some type of combined effort by the two factories to build the C43, but this next story just puts the nail in the coffin on this claim that the car was completely built by hand.
WardsAuto:
C43: Everyday Supercar
May 1, 1998 ANDREA WIELGAT | WardsAuto
PHOENIX - A practical supercar?
The folks over at Mercedes say yes, but it'll take a quick $52,750 out of your bank account.
"This is not something to be admired and put in a garage," says Mike Jackson, president of Mercedes-Benz North America. "It's an everyday supercar."
Mercedes' latest offering, which hit showrooms in April, wears the envelope of a sensible C-Class with a modified engine, body and interior by AMG. The C43 has the V-8 24-valve 4.3L engine of the E430 sedan modified by AMG to put out 302 hp - up 10% over its normal 275 hp. It will do 0 to 60 (0 to 97 km/h) in 5.9 seconds and hammers on to a top speed of 155 mph (248 km/h).
Mercedes partnered with AMG to co-develop the C43. The automaker builds a 4-door supercar each decade, and since the '80s has been doing them with AMG, a small but well-known tuner that has been modifying M-B cars since 1967. The C43 replaces the C36, which saw sales of 1,000 in the U.S. during its three-year lifetime. Mercedes will sell 5,000 to 6,000 C43s worldwide during three years, with the U.S. getting 1,500.
The process begins when Mercedes sends its standard 4.3L V-8 to the AMG factory in Affalterbach, Germany, for engine modifications. The powerplant is then shipped back to the C-Class factory in Bremen, Germany, where it is installed, along with the wheels, tires, brakes, instrument panel and seats in a C-Class body. The bare-bones C is then shipped back to AMG where special interior, suspension and body parts are installed.
The finished product is perfect for those who want the practicality of a sedan coupled with the performance of a sports car. "That person does not want a tradeoff," says Karin Makris, product manager-C-Class. "You don't lose sedan comfort or convenience."
The C43 is a total performance package, she says. Equip-ped with a heavy-duty driver-adaptive 5-speed automatic transmission from the S-Class, the C43 has aggressive and quick shifting. While some would complain about the lack of a manual gearbox, Ms. Makris says a manual is unnecessary because of the high performance of the automatic. Even European manual-loving customers will only be able to buy the C43 with an automatic.
"We think that this automatic transmission is very suited to the car," she says.
The C43 also is equipped with racing-derived 4-wheel vented disc brakes: 13.1-in. (33-cm) discs on the front and 11.8-in. (30-cm) in the rear. It also has specially constructed 17-in. (43-cm) alloy wheels, firmer springs and stiffer shocks.
On the appearance front, the C43 has a deeper front air dam to funnel extra air to the engine, sculpted side skirts, a lower rear apron and doorsill extensions. The vehicle's dual exhaust tips bear AMG badging, along with the steering wheel and the trunk lid.
On the inside, the car is outfitted with AMG's two-tone leather in black with blue or silver. It also has an AMG-designed thick-rim leather steering wheel for added grip.
While the car is high on performance features it also ranks high with practicality.
Standard features include side air bags, electronic stability control, auto climate, traction control, remote locking, cruise control and a front air bag-disabling baby-smart passenger seat, in case junior wants to go along for a thrilling - but safe - ride.
C43 comes with only four options, including xenon headlamps, metallic paint, headlamp washers and six-disc CD changer with integrated mobile telephone or mobile telephone. With all available options, the C43 touches $56,545.
Mickey, you're the man. Thanks for really diving in & dispelling rumors & incorrect information that follows the C43. So it seems that I've been misinforming pretty much everyone around me for the past few years. #facepalm
Hayden you're the only one who can make your car spezial to your own liking.
Haha Dennis! Trust me, I've done a lot of refreshing to this car & it's coming up on 4 years so...it's almost time for a new build. These cars are great, but the lack of aftermarket support can be challenging at times.
I saw this car on british eBay recently, are you selling your car?
if you are going to keep this car it's worth a restoration to immaculate condition.
about Maclaren decal, does it look like a peel off decal?
bottom right and upper right side corners looks somehow a bit peeled?
shudd have been a brushed metal plate with Mclaren logo instead of a peel off decal
how many previous owners did this car have?
try to contact previous owners, ask PO what they have to say about this cat?
you must have some kind of Mclaren documentation?'
my car also have the fire blower and the full Inspector Gadget centre console like yours, the full factory option C43's were the best in my opinion
Btw?
Are UK sold C43's in general rusty?
Last edited by KJI3jflarryfe93; Oct 7, 2016 at 09:21 AM.
Haha Dennis! Trust me, I've done a lot of refreshing to this car & it's coming up on 4 years so...it's almost time for a new build. These cars are great, but the lack of aftermarket support can be challenging at times.
hey bro.
I styled my car to my own liking, it's a self designed world continental car.
I took bits from different continents and made it very Spezzzzziale, belissimo und magnifico
I saw this car on british eBay recently, are you selling your car?
if you are going to keep this car it's worth a restoration to immaculate condition.
about Maclaren decal, does it look like a peel off decal?
bottom right and upper right side corners looks somehow a bit peeled?
shudd have been a brushed metal plate with Mclaren logo instead of a peel off decal
how many previous owners did this car have?
try to contact previous owners, ask PO what they have to say about this cat?
you must have some kind of Mclaren documentation?'
my car also have the fire blower and all full Inspector Gadget console like yours, full factory option C43's were the best in my opinion
Btw?
Are UK sold C43's in general rusty?
I may keep the car I don't know, I was lookin to sell it
I understand the decal on the dash, but this was 1998!, and you can see the decal is very old.
I just know know the full story, I emailed McLaren, and got this reply...
Dear Mr Murphy,
Thank you for your email with regard to your recent purchase of a Mercedes Benz C43 AMG, 'McLaren edition'.
Unfortunately McLaren do not hold records of the spec sheets for your vehicle so would not be able to provide these on this occasion. If you have not already done so may I suggest you contact Mercedes Benz who may be able to supply the documentation you require.
If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.
if someone did their "thing"to the ECU u can deffinately see that.
perhaps u can, its not that much work, see if there's a lable/sticker/decal or anything on that "chipped-"tuned" ecu.
ive had mine reprogrammed and its visible.
my friend his bone stock C43 also has a fire-thingie in his car.
nice to see u took effort to register here and join in
got some underhood pics??
a M113.944 is a 4.3 amg engine so thats not been upgraded..
ooh and btw.. in the Uk are lots of dyno's where u can make an appointment to see how much hp and tq a "McLaren" version has.
Last edited by DutchC54; Aug 16, 2016 at 03:21 PM.
Welcome to the board! We are all very curious if your car has a special tune or some other goodies. Can we have pictures of the engine stamps? You may have a 5.4 under the hood.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
