ive been lurking around these boards for a couple weeks now, trying to decide between an audi or a c36 as a more practical replacement for my rx7 twin turbo. you guys had me sold.

just picked up a black 96 c36 yesterday, been enjoying it very much so far!

spent all day today, 8 hours straight, clay barring, scratch-x'ing, buffing, polishing, waxing, and glazing it. the only thing i wasnt completely satisfied about the one i bought was the finish of the paint. there were quite a few swirl marks and some inperfections, but i got rid of most of them. there is still a little overspray on the front fender, but my attempts to smooth it off didnt work.

besides that, i am very happy with it so far. it is all stock, except for h&r springs, which i had planned for one of the first mods anyway.

anyone have any advice for a newbie here?

im looking to get an avantegarde grill, bosche e-code clear corners, and maybe an e46 m3 rear lip spoiler for my first mods. i already bought some 97+ glass headlight housings, and i plan to put some 6000k hid's in at the same time i install them and the clears, and probably the grill too. anyone selling any of this stuff? let me know.

after the requisite basic mods above, i will most likely just work on the stereo setup. what else would you guys recommend that wouldnt ruin the clean styling and comfort/ride of the c36? sway bars? resonator/hi flow cat? what else is there that works well with these cars? or did amg do such a good job that anything else would hurt it?

what is the best oil (viscosity, brand, etc), coolant (brand, type, rating, etc), tranny, brake, power steering fluid to use in these cars? the car has 60k miles on it, and i want to start with a fresh platform. is there anything else that i should replace while im at it (timing belt, seals, etc)? i want to take really good care of this car. im used to high maintenance vehicles, especially after the turbo rotary, but i want to prevent any future problems if i can.

thanks in advance guys. i hope to learn a lot here, and i hope i havent worn out my welcome mat.

 

btw, i really wish i had a digital camera, but i dont, so that is why i havent posted any pics.

yes, i know i should make a move from the stone age...

 

this is what i've done to mine
bosch clear corners, avantgarde grille, k&n filter, tint, h&r sport, bilstein sport, #1pads front #2 pads rear, 18's amg style IV double spoke on S0'3s. i'm sure i'm forgetting some small stuff.

oil: Mobil 1 0w40

here's link for oil
http://mb.parkplacestores.com/redlinprod.html

grill you can get at http://www.formymercedes.com/mb_resu...ategory=Grills

k&n filter you can get pretty much anywhere about same price

wheels: https://www.autoclass.net/products.a...subcatname2=18"

h&r's and shocks tirerack.com pretty good


did your car have the 60k service done?
also check your vpulley belt, sometimes it has little cracks that don't mean much but if you want to start fresh new one would be cool

hope this helps i'm a little on the run here so wrote this fast sorry

 

just wondering...would the whole hid and housing kit taken from c43 fit in the c36? would it be cheaper or more expensive?

 

omg i meant to ask that too
steve is reading my mind

me interested too any info

 

Yes it will

It will be direct plugin to the 97 C36 because it already has the updated headlight..

for pre 97 C36 you could get the connector from Bekker

Someone told me it is the same plug came from W210 E class, but I don't remember the part number..

Just make sure you get the ballast as well.


Regardz,

J Irwan

 

wow, thanks! you answered almost every question ive asked.

is the grille at "formymercedes.com" the oem e-class, or is it a knockoff, like the one bekkers sells?

have you guys noticed that the k&n filter helps at all? i will most likely pick one up this week along with some mobil 1 and fluids.

my car has not gone through the 60k mile service, but what exactly does it entail? i have heard that it costs around $600, and that is if they dont run into any problems. does this sound about right? i know the guy before me recently changed the plugs, but i think thats about all he did. i will check the v-pulley belt this week as well. are the timing belts known to fail early on our cars?


where is the cheapest place to order the oem bosch clear corner housings? i know bekkers sells them for $115, but i am curious to see if any of you guys know of a better place.

also, will i have to order a new updated headlight harness before installing the 97+ housings on my 96, since i will be moving from H4 to H7 and H1? i also plan to install an HID H7 retrofit kit at the same time, if that matters at all. if i do need some extra stuff to install the updated housings, what exactly should i place on order? anyone know the part numbers?

thanks for all your help guys. im really enjoying how comfortable and easy to drive the car has been the last couple of days.

cheers!

 

will i have to order a new updated headlight harness before installing the 97+ housings on my 96, since i will be moving from H4 to H7 and H1? i also plan to install an HID H7 retrofit kit at the same time, if that matters at all. if i do need some extra stuff to install the updated housings, what exactly should i place on order? anyone know the part numbers?

where is the cheapest place to order the oem bosch clear corner housings? i know bekkers sells them for $115, but i am curious to see if any of you guys know of a better place.

 

You will need different plastic piece between the headlight and the bumper.. (they are different pre-97 vs 97)

However you're good with DIY task and tools, I'd suggest to dremmel out the old ones.. to make it fit.. (you need to dremmel out some part behind the panel. The panel itself looks the same from the outside)


Regards,

J Irwan

 

thanks j irwan.

i already have the updated trim piece youre talking about. if im thinking correctly, youre referring to the one with the hole in it for the headlight wiper.

i want to know what electrical harness piece i will need (if any) to use the h7 headlight bulb on my 96 c36, which comes stock with h4 headlights. i have heard that it is the stock headlight harness from the e class, but i would like a part number, or a definite part description before i place an order. or will it be plug and play with my stock headlight plugs?

 

This might be the part number but I am not so sure..

210 545 6728.


Have them check out at the dealer.


Regardz,

 

thanks buddy.