More questions
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
More questions
So I think I'm pretty close to getting my car (keeping my fingers crossed). So I have a few more questions to help fully prepare me for the W202 AMG ownership experience.
- Other than for the Dutch(?) website (mbspecialist.com) and Ebay, where else can I get an Avantegard grill? Are the ones on Ebay imitations? or even the ones from mbspecialist for that matter?
- I noticed that some C36s have a little chrome AMG badge in the middle of the front chin spoiler - is this factory? or guys just putting it on for looks?
- Regarding spring pads, I've seen two types of descriptions - either in # of the pad (i.e. #1) or in mm (i.e. 5 mm). What's the difference? And what do the # or mm mean anyway? Is it the higher the number, the higher the car sits? and vice versa?
- I noticed that some guys (mostly C43 owners) have HID headlamps? Were these factory options? if so, starting what year? And if they were simply aftermarket upgrades, what kinds are available? Same question(s) for fog lamps.
- What additional features (if any) did the (98+) C43s have over the last year (97) C36? besides the V8 and revised body kit, of course. Just seatwarmers? or did the C36 have those too?
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I have factory HID headlamps on my car. But I have a feeling that all Canadian market C43s were all MY99s (I've never seen a '98 or '00) and all were pretty spec'd, at least for North American standards, and thus all probably had HIDs. I think they were optional on American cars.
For my fogs, I added a cheap aftermarket HID kit that ran me about C$120. You can get them for cheaper if you look. Mine has some slimmer ballasts than some of the cheaper ones, hence the increased price. You could use a similar kit to retrofit HIDs to your headlights too, but sometimes depending on the quality of the kit, the light may disperse too much and look like crap (while blinding people ahead of you too). I had this problem on a kit I put onto my old Saab.
I think the pad number corresponds to a certain thickness in mm. I don't have a full breakdown, but some notes that the dealer gave me were that #4 front and rear pads correspond to 17mm, and the #5 front pad (there is no #5 rear he said) correspond to 21mm. I believe there are bumps in the moulding on the pad that show which # pad you have.
C43s all have white faced gauges, and had that available two tone interior. Pretty sure C36s don't have the white faced gauges, not sure if they had two tone interiors. I think you should get a C43 just so that you have a sweet straight 6 AND a lovely V8 in the garage!
For my fogs, I added a cheap aftermarket HID kit that ran me about C$120. You can get them for cheaper if you look. Mine has some slimmer ballasts than some of the cheaper ones, hence the increased price. You could use a similar kit to retrofit HIDs to your headlights too, but sometimes depending on the quality of the kit, the light may disperse too much and look like crap (while blinding people ahead of you too). I had this problem on a kit I put onto my old Saab.
I think the pad number corresponds to a certain thickness in mm. I don't have a full breakdown, but some notes that the dealer gave me were that #4 front and rear pads correspond to 17mm, and the #5 front pad (there is no #5 rear he said) correspond to 21mm. I believe there are bumps in the moulding on the pad that show which # pad you have.
C43s all have white faced gauges, and had that available two tone interior. Pretty sure C36s don't have the white faced gauges, not sure if they had two tone interiors. I think you should get a C43 just so that you have a sweet straight 6 AND a lovely V8 in the garage!
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
c36 has seat warmers (usually).
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
Thanks for the info so far guys! Anybody have any input on where to source an Avantegard grill?
Also, for the C36 guys, I think I read somewhere that there is an o-ring or gasket of some sort on the valve cover that is known to always leak? Is this true, if so, any more specifics?
Also, for the C36 guys, I think I read somewhere that there is an o-ring or gasket of some sort on the valve cover that is known to always leak? Is this true, if so, any more specifics?
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From: seattle
C43 AMG
Thanks for the info so far guys! Anybody have any input on where to source an Avantegard grill?
Also, for the C36 guys, I think I read somewhere that there is an o-ring or gasket of some sort on the valve cover that is known to always leak? Is this true, if so, any more specifics?
Also, for the C36 guys, I think I read somewhere that there is an o-ring or gasket of some sort on the valve cover that is known to always leak? Is this true, if so, any more specifics?
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From: San Francisco, CA
1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
sorta, mine was always greasy. it'd drip down the firewall side and onto steering rack/suspension parts. dealer just had a recent fix so we'll see how long that lasts.
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
So who are some good vendors from whom to get some aftermarket MB parts, such as shocks, springs, CAIs, clear corners, etc.? Having had an M3 for almost 14 years, I've always gone to Bimmerworld, Turner, etc., but I have no clue who to go to for MB afermarket goodies. 
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
Clear corners I bought off eBay.
Vogtland springs I bought from Vogtland directly (vogtlandsuspension.com)
I got the Bilsteins from Essex Distributors, as they are Canadian and thus easier for me. I think you cn get the same from tirerack.
I've used bimmerspecialist.com and germanparts.ca for a lot of service parts, but again primarily because they are Canadian or have Canadian operations. A lot of others use autohausaz.com for their service parts, and they have pretty decent prices. There's also mbpartswarehouse.com that has really decent prices too.
Performance stuff is a bit harder to come by. The 202 AMGs are pretty rare to begin with, so the aftermarket support isn't there like it is for the current AMGs. I think you'll have to hunt out the bits and pieces second hand. I think there's a nice Gruppe-S carbon intake for the C36.
Vogtland springs I bought from Vogtland directly (vogtlandsuspension.com)
I got the Bilsteins from Essex Distributors, as they are Canadian and thus easier for me. I think you cn get the same from tirerack.
I've used bimmerspecialist.com and germanparts.ca for a lot of service parts, but again primarily because they are Canadian or have Canadian operations. A lot of others use autohausaz.com for their service parts, and they have pretty decent prices. There's also mbpartswarehouse.com that has really decent prices too.
Performance stuff is a bit harder to come by. The 202 AMGs are pretty rare to begin with, so the aftermarket support isn't there like it is for the current AMGs. I think you'll have to hunt out the bits and pieces second hand. I think there's a nice Gruppe-S carbon intake for the C36.
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
So I looked up an Avantegarde grill on rockauto, and it was only $43.89 (p/n MB1200105), yet on ForMyMercedes.com, it was $199 (p/n 202-3013)?!?? What the hell? Is the rockauto one a cheap imitation and the other real OEM? Even still, I can't justify the huge difference in price. 
Who here has the rockauto grill? any fit and/or quality issues?
Who here has the rockauto grill? any fit and/or quality issues?
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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)
So I looked up an Avantegarde grill on rockauto, and it was only $43.89 (p/n MB1200105), yet on ForMyMercedes.com, it was $199 (p/n 202-3013)?!?? What the hell? Is the rockauto one a cheap imitation and the other real OEM? Even still, I can't justify the huge difference in price.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2000 C230 Kompressor Sport
So I looked up an Avantegarde grill on rockauto, and it was only $43.89 (p/n MB1200105), yet on ForMyMercedes.com, it was $199 (p/n 202-3013)?!?? What the hell? Is the rockauto one a cheap imitation and the other real OEM? Even still, I can't justify the huge difference in price.
Who here has the rockauto grill? any fit and/or quality issues?
Who here has the rockauto grill? any fit and/or quality issues?
Siideways, did you pursue buying the Avantgarde Grill on rockauto for $43.89? I just want your feedback on the looks, in case you got it. I'm thinking of getting one too.
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From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
Great deals on this site and the products are top notch. I used this site to replace a lot of stuff on my W210 E320 and the shipping was fantastic and as I said- Unbeatable prices.
http://www.autohausaz.com/
http://www.autohausaz.com/
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
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98 Black C43 , 12’ ML 350 Blutec
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
I guess I was the guinea pig, you guys now owe me!
I called them and it turns out that particular p/n's been giving them some grief w/ other customers too, so they pulled the image altogether from their site. At least they were good w/ the return process (so far). Yep, looks like Ebay it is...
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From: Dallas, Texas
W203 C55 and SAAB 9-3 2.0T
Wow thanks for the update! I was gonna go for it too. EBAY here I come! Once you get the grille, we get a new sig pic right? 
At least the front will be showing some more of the style your waiting to capture! 
Im going to talk you into this one way or another! Ill be in chino this Friday picking up my C43! Man, im peeing in my pants excited! 
At least the front will be showing some more of the style your waiting to capture! Im going to talk you into this one way or another! Ill be in chino this Friday picking up my C43! Man, im peeing in my pants excited!
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From: Los Angeles, CA
2000 C230 Kompressor Sport
Sorry to hear about what happened to your order siideways. Hope you receive the refund soon. Let me know where you are able to buy the Avantgarde Grill at eBay. Thanks!
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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)
Got my inner grille for my 98' C240T from these people http://www.superstyling.eu/index.php...oducts_id=2724
The C43 has the carbon one (inner grille and chrome surround) from the Danish supplier Mercedes Spareparts
The C43 has the carbon one (inner grille and chrome surround) from the Danish supplier Mercedes Spareparts
