illmaticnyc

so this guy is selling his c43 from 1999 for 8.3k

134k miles
new radiator and hoses
new crank position. new plugs. wires. mass air sensor.
brakes have not been done
service done 100k at benz dealership
the paint is great. if 10 were perfect id put it at a 7-8
xenon factory lights

car is clean. interior great less a few wear crinkles on the drivers seat but nothing crazy.

do you think this is a decent price? thanks!

503C43 ////AMG

I wouldn't pay more than $7k. You are looking at $700+ ($500 for rotors alone) to replace just the front brakes if you go with OEM parts and you do the work yourself, probably around $1k if you have them done by the dealership.

Also ask about the transmission, they are the weak point of the car.

I will say you will not be disappointed with the C43

illmaticnyc

thank you for the valuable info!!! would you say 7k is a good price then? and what about the transmission? how bad do these problems go and what will it cost? thanks so much!!!

i found another seller who is selling a c43 same year with 120k on it for 5k. it isnt in the BEST condition but it looks like a 13 year old car.

503C43 ////AMG

The transmission had weak needle bearings which caused failure. Check to see if the transmission has been replaced (I'm betting it has). Transmission will run you around $2500 + installation. Rotors are expensive, everything else is relatively cheap (except GAS )

around $7k is what I would pay for a nice C43, if it was a CRAZY example (i.e. 50,000 miles or less and in PERFECT condition) I might pay $10-$12k.

masonh66

i would say clean wholesale is $6500,so if you got it for $7,000 and it's in great shape and doesn't need any major repairs,then i would say did great.

illmaticnyc

hi and thank you for the response again....ill try for 7. i think the only work that is needed is brakes. dont thnik the transmission has been serviced.

illmaticnyc

thnis board is awesome!!! thank you for helping. he says the transmission hasnt been overhauled. just fluids changed. what do you think? just a matter of time before ill need to do the work???

he says he has hook ups at the benz dealership where he used to work a while ago. brake rotors his price (OEM) is 200 a piece for the front. good price?

DRBC43AMG

If he says the ATF has been changed regularly, then I personally would take the risk. I bought mine without knowing if the transmission had been changed, but as it was always serviced with MB, I took the risk and don't regret anything. I guess the transmission could go bang soon, like it could remain as is for years more. Depends also how you drive the car. Treat it like a young woman, firm hand in a soft glove and never forget to warm up the machine before giving it the beans. Also , as the c43 is a 99' MY, I thought that the transmission had been updated with new style bearings.
Also, if you can get the real OE front rotors for that price, don't hesitate as that is a bargain

illmaticnyc

again...i have to say how amazing this board is. thank you again for all your advice. i drove the car and ill be honest..it is buttery smooth. idles flawless. sounds great. shifts great. sounds great. feels great. the guy has towels laid down on the carpet to prevent the floor mats from getting dirty.
totally feel you on treating the car like a young woman as he does. he doesnt floor it. he doenst mash the gas. his wife drives it daily and is SO afraid of the car. proper warm ups always.

how do i know if the new style bearings are in place? is there a way to confirm this? do the transmission problems only apply to the 98 models?

this car at 7k is awesome...but at 8k no good??? i wonder if KBB accounts for the rarity of this vehicle.

btw...the car had some front end suspension work done as well. no new struts but new bearings and ball joints?

DRBC43AMG

Front end = new bearings and steering joints most likely. Sounds like the seller took great care of the vehicle and personally I would jump on sale.

illmaticnyc

last question...you would jump on the sale at 8k? or 7k

thanks so much!!!! i dont know why but this car is such a sexy beast.

illmaticnyc

how do i know if the new style bearings are in place? is there a way to confirm this? do the transmission problems only apply to the 98 models?

C43AMG

Make sure the harmonic balancer has been repaired ( TSB - dealer eats cost )

503C43 ////AMG

You won't be able to tell if the bearings are bad unless you open the transmission. It sounds like it is in good running condition from your description.

I would offer him $6,500 and go from there.