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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
Joined the ranks!
Just picked up a '99 c43 with 97k.
I'm stoked on the car - gonna be a lot of fun.
As you can see it has some ebay mods that I am NOT crazy about. I look forward to returning it back to stock or at least modding it to actually look like a benz. The tint is fine. The lights.. idk. The wheels well they look OK-ish but don't match the character of the car. The grill is tacky to me. What y'all think?
I'm stoked on the car - gonna be a lot of fun.
As you can see it has some ebay mods that I am NOT crazy about. I look forward to returning it back to stock or at least modding it to actually look like a benz. The tint is fine. The lights.. idk. The wheels well they look OK-ish but don't match the character of the car. The grill is tacky to me. What y'all think?
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Joined: May 2010
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
Yeah, except for some of the mods, the car itself looks clean! I'd lose the grille, headlights, and wheels, and change/switch them back to avantegard, OEM w/ aftermarket HIDs, and OEM monoblocks, respectively. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
The grille and the headlights NEED to be changed NOW!!! The majority of us have the avantgarde grille, which I think is the best looking grille.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, we have a lot of members on here that have VAST knowledge of not only the C43 but Mercedes in general.
WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask, we have a lot of members on here that have VAST knowledge of not only the C43 but Mercedes in general.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Norcal
43
Welcome hoontastic, i'm glad that your opinions about the current mods on your c43 coincide pretty well with ours. Just curious, is there a noticeable power difference/acceleration between your ml430 and the c, or are they similar?
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
OK! Def going to kill the grill quick. Are the light covers easy to find? The wheels are gonna take longer to deal with cuz good wheels are $$$ and I want to make the right choice. I do have the oem 17" monoblocks but they are badly curbed.. maybe refinishing them is the ticket.. What is the general consensus on wheels size "sweet spot" Obviously 17's are going to be more comfy but conversely less sporty?
btw 503 - I also live in stumptown
@pinoc - the ml430 is an awesome truck and I love it but it weighs 4500 lbs.. and the engine is detuned so there is a BIG difference in throttle response, in gear acceleration, and overall performance. The ML gets out of its own way but isnt fast. The c43 while not fast any longer by 2011 standards still feels like a sportscar.
There are a bunch of little nitpicks I will have to sort out. Like the side bolster air feature on the seats is inop. Also high beams and cruise control are inop. The light behind the ac climate control is out. The overal condition of the car though is GOOD. It also has a NEW transmission as of 65k miles.. so thats good.
thanks for the welcome y'all. The benzworld ML forums filter for a less enthusiast type crowd and I can tell I like the vibe here already.
btw 503 - I also live in stumptown
@pinoc - the ml430 is an awesome truck and I love it but it weighs 4500 lbs.. and the engine is detuned so there is a BIG difference in throttle response, in gear acceleration, and overall performance. The ML gets out of its own way but isnt fast. The c43 while not fast any longer by 2011 standards still feels like a sportscar.
There are a bunch of little nitpicks I will have to sort out. Like the side bolster air feature on the seats is inop. Also high beams and cruise control are inop. The light behind the ac climate control is out. The overal condition of the car though is GOOD. It also has a NEW transmission as of 65k miles.. so thats good.
thanks for the welcome y'all. The benzworld ML forums filter for a less enthusiast type crowd and I can tell I like the vibe here already.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Dynocomped C43K, 08 X5
Congratulation sir!!!
I would also drop the side AMG badge, but thats just me
As for the wheels, if your looking for good wheels for good price I would take a look at Mandrus and TSW or W210 e55 monoblocks.
I would also drop the side AMG badge, but thats just me
As for the wheels, if your looking for good wheels for good price I would take a look at Mandrus and TSW
or W210 e55 monoblocks.
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
Yeah I was think of debadging everything and just having the 3 pointed star on the trunk and nothing else.
So is this the avantgarde insert? (ebay link)
So is this the avantgarde insert? (ebay link)
Last edited by hoontastic; Apr 15, 2011 at 09:04 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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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)
Yeah I was think of debadging everything and just having the 3 pointed star on the trunk and nothing else.
So is this the avantgarde insert? (ebay link)
So is this the avantgarde insert? (ebay link)
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Thread Starter
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
How would you guys describe the difference in exhaust drone when you delete the second cat and resonator? When I deleted my cat and put in a straight pipe in my modded TDi it was too loud and booming. I don't mind a better note and possible performance boost but I wouldnt want to overwhelm the fam.
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
How would you guys describe the difference in exhaust drone when you delete the second cat and resonator? When I deleted my cat and put in a straight pipe in my modded TDi it was too loud and booming. I don't mind a better note and possible performance boost but I wouldnt want to overwhelm the fam.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
yeah i dont want to upset my lovely companions too much. Maybe a stainless cat delete but with a small inline glass pack or something to replace the resonator?
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
http://www.supersprintna.com/categor...ategory_id/139
I have talked with a member on here who installed this system on his C43 and he loves it. He emailed me video and it sounded real close to stock but a little deeper. I am thinking of going this route or eisennmann
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Dynocomped C43K, 08 X5
Check out this:
http://www.supersprintna.com/categor...ategory_id/139
I have talked with a member on here who installed this system on his C43 and he loves it. He emailed me video and it sounded real close to stock but a little deeper. I am thinking of going this route or eisennmann
http://www.supersprintna.com/categor...ategory_id/139
I have talked with a member on here who installed this system on his C43 and he loves it. He emailed me video and it sounded real close to stock but a little deeper. I am thinking of going this route or eisennmann
when I do custom dual exhaust!!
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 341
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
503 is this what you were talking about? If so what is this bolting too?
http://www.supersprintna.com/product...arch_model/205
http://www.supersprintna.com/product...arch_model/205
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
hey man - when you said OEM w/aftermarket HID's you are talking about non projector stock reflectors, right? I haven't yet come across an oem projector setup for the w202. Even my 99 ml could be ordered with oem bi-xenon projectors. All the ebay lights look tacky to me and the oem reflectors look right.. just wish there was a factory projector option.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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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)
503 is this what you were talking about? If so what is this bolting too?
http://www.supersprintna.com/product...arch_model/205
http://www.supersprintna.com/product...arch_model/205
Many people say that the OEM rear muffler is the best. Others swear by these guys (MKB Tuning) http://www.mkb-power.de/content/en/p...&prod_gruppe=6 but the price may give you a heart attack
Last edited by DRBC43AMG; Apr 18, 2011 at 04:02 AM. Reason: Completed post
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 341
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
thanks that was a good read.. it sounds like there may be drone issues with any of the non stock options.. i already effed up once in that dept on another vehicle so I know the wife would be like "wut?".. I guess its stock for me.. one of these days i'll ride in 503's whip and get a listen.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 369
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22 X3, 21 330e, 97 M3, 97 C36 (sold), but on the hunt for a clean, low-mile C43!
hey man - when you said OEM w/aftermarket HID's you are talking about non projector stock reflectors, right? I haven't yet come across an oem projector setup for the w202. Even my 99 ml could be ordered with oem bi-xenon projectors. All the ebay lights look tacky to me and the oem reflectors look right.. just wish there was a factory projector option.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 341
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
right but i think its still a reflector and not projector.. which, if so, I'd rather just spend $50 on a ddm tuning hid kit and be done with it. Seems if you actually want projectors you also have to sign up for the bling anime new money look.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 341
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
OK! I got the ricer wheels off. Phase 1 complete. I'm glad the seller gave me the oem wheels with the ride. These will be my winter wheels (although I plan to ride them all summer this year). I put on Conti ExtremeContact DWS. I have to say the car rides so much better on the 17's compared the rubbish that was on there.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 341
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
Currently the car is sitting higher in the front then the rear. I didnt really notice until I changed to these wheels. I think its because i tried not to look at the wheel area before.
Oh, and i peeled off the stupid amg stickers on the side. Still can't decide if i'm going to debadge the trunk like i did the ML.
Oh, and i peeled off the stupid amg stickers on the side. Still can't decide if i'm going to debadge the trunk like i did the ML.
Last edited by hoontastic; May 4, 2011 at 01:24 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
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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)
Good and now it is starting to look like what it should be. Please get rid of that star grille fast! Even an OE grille is better than that. Funny that the front is higher than the rear. Check how many "nibs" you have on the front and rear pads. It could be that the front is on the back and vice versa. If so, its an easy thing to change (you need however the correct spring compressor to do it safely) and you can play around with other sizes before changing your springs.
