Casually browsing my local Craigslist the other day. I like to keep my eyes peeled in case an elusive C36 pops up, or perhaps some more economical wheels to trade my current C43's wheels for.

Noticed an ad that read "1998 Mercedes AMG $2500"

A lot of these ads pop up around here with fools trying to dump their regular car and say it's an AMG when there's nothing AMG about it. A LARGE number of W202's and SLK's have misleading ads like this.

But this ad had no details in it. Just phone number and color of the car. On a whim, I called in. It's a 1999 Black C43 with 190k miles. A soldier from Michigan relocated to a base nearby and brought the car with him. When he was deployed overseas, he decided to part with it. Sold it on CL to a man who identifies himself as a Ford guy, and is completely unfamiliar with MB. It needed some work, so he took it to the dealership and was handed a $6k repair bill. Terrified, he listed it for sale the next day.

I told my wife about it, and it was HER idea that we buy it. She wants to snag it and then sell her pristine 1994 black/black E320.

We test drove it yesterday, buying it tomorrow.

The good:
all interior is LIKE NEW, except the headliner needs replaced.
Not one dent anywhere on it
Engine bay looked clean and well-maintained
Clean carfax, no wrecks
99% of all options work
Test drove it alone, at full acceleration it pulled well and shifted correctly.

The bad:
hood needs repainting
headliner needs replaced
aftermarket head unit on stereo, works but is hideous
AC blows and behaves correctly but doesn't blow cold
wiper works but arm rests in incorrect location
left side headlight wiper doesn't work
cracked headlight lens
SRS light came on during test drive

The 3 things that I feel need immediate attention:
1) after he bought it, he took it to the local monkey-owned oil change shop and they put conventional in it. It immediately developed a sizable oil leak that's getting oil on the serpentine belt which shredded shortly afterward. It looks like the oil cooler has already been replaced, but is still leaking.
2) one of the pulleys is making a loud, roaring noise like its about to fail, but I don't know which one. He thinks its the alternator. I didn't think it prudent to ask him if I could pull the fan+shroud+belt to try and locate it before I bought it.
3) Front right wheel has a ticking sound that ticks relative to wheel speed, maybe a CV joint or something? I'm a noob when it comes to steering and suspension issues.

Thoughts?

Edit: Yes, I realize it's not in tip-top shape, but it's a bargain at $2500. My wife and I will both have C43's (and we carpool, so we only need one per day). I'm thinking for less than $1k I can have this thing road worthy, and for about another $1k have it in tip-top shape. I've always wanted a C43, and then was torn between keeping it all stock or doing a 5.4l swap. Now, I can do both! Just need to keep one of them daily-driver ready for a couple years until we can afford to get my wife something she wants (something new, as well). She's totally fine with me keeping BOTH C43's at that point.

 

congrats dude
if you like her, then get her asap.

where's the pictures?
wanna see the new baby

 

front wheels dont have cv joints. might be a ball joint.

 

I was too busy crawling all over the car to get pics. Sorry! But I'll have them after I buy it. Have already notified my indy shop that I'll be dropping it off to figure out that tick in the front right wheel area.

 

Nice find!, two c43's now thats just being a bit greedy^^
If the interior and exterior is ok it sounds like a good buy . Your ticking front wheel could just need a new bearing, check that asap.

Cant believe how cheap these go for in the states,you would pay that for a wrecked one here!.

Looking forward to some pics

Cheers

 

Sounds like it just needs some good ol' maintenance and upkeep, nice score!

 

I'm totally confused. You say...And then you say...How is doing a 5.4l swap "more economical"?

And then you go on to say......followed by...What was wrong with the pristine E320? Why didn't she want it?

 

Which would you rather have? A 1994 E320 with 190k miles, or a 1998 C43 with 190k miles?

 

Congrats! Can't wait to see the pictures. I thought I was the only nut to have two W202's.

 

Boom. $2300. Factory xenons! Headlight wipers!

 

Nice,I been on the hunt for a C36 to add to my 99C43.Much love for the W202 AMG! Btw a 5.0 ford coyote motor/6 speed swap or LS 1 LS6 swap sounds interesting...it would be SICK

 

Srs light is on. Add that to the list.

Stupid aftermarket speakers in some areas. Rear deck speakers are gone entirely. Some people...

 

BooM!

 

Win! enjoy man! I want a C36.... 1997... Anyway yeah I think you have a bad bearing. or maybe a branch stuck in the hub, who know. AC, did you try the A/C Diagnostic and reset? could work... Hate to say this but for 190k miles, if the car had not had any gasket replaced [recently] then you're in for a good cylinder gasket job DIY make it tip top. and check wrecking yards for the nioise is coming from, could be some engine components and bad, but a little love of work and cleaner from sludge [from the conventional oil, monkeys previous owners suck] from a used one can save u big bux!

 

Ok gents time to get cracking.

Need to source rear amg badge as it was stolen.

Need to isolate ticking. Might actually be flex disc. Will investigate further.

How does one flush the engine? Need to clean out that Dino oil. Only been in there about 200 miles says seller. But no knowledge of its past before him. Hopefully it was Mobil 1. Still had the sticker on the rail.

Needs 2 new o2 sensors.

Want to order new plugs asap. For both my c43's. Seems like a much more involved job than on my m104 cars. Advice?

Need a new lens for one of the oem xenons. Very cracked.

Fog lights don't turn on but not triggering fault lamp.

Best way to clean and remove rust from Chrome tail pipe?

 

Also, ultimate first world w202 problem: having 2 c43s side by side in the driveway makes the EIS act wonky. Cars randomly flash their lights. Presumably for seeing conflicting fob signals?

 

Take pics of both before and after dude!

 

Rain sensing wipers, too!

 

congrats dude, you're a welthy man owning 3 Benzes.
3 Benzes in the driveway is not bad.
your neighbours must think you're a real gangstah?

what is that funky jackpipe welded under your silver arrow?
this jackstyle only comes on US cars, not a Benz!
do you have this on your Black velvet too?

I also see somekind of dent near the C43 logo on your trunk.

 

Yes that's the only dent in the silver one. Right by the C43 badge! Sticks out like a sore thumb.

That's a tow hitch receiver on the back. Was on it when I got it. I'd take it off but it's warped that part of my rear bumper and would look sillier if I took it off.

Black car doesn't have it though.

 

Spent all night last night and a couple hours today tearing down the front end and cleaning it as I go.

Found oil leak. It's the oil cooler gaskets. It's been leaking badly for longer than I thought. Ordering gaskets immediately.

Located source of roaring pulley. It's the AC compressor. All the other pulleys have normal resistance and are silent when turned by hand. AC compressor has zero resistance and I can hear the bearings rubbing when I turn it. Hopefully, the compressor is the source of the r134 leak, as well.

 

Repairs underway:



Anyone have any advice on AC compressor replacement? Is it cheaper to find someone to rebuild my current one? I found a used one out of a C230K for $100 local. Not sure of its condition or lifespan.

 

ac compressors are fairly cheap on ebay, get a hella or denso if you find them for a good price

i notice you have the newer version belt tensioner, that's good.

 

thanks!

I found a new Denso online for $250, which seems reasonable. I've never had a compressor fail on me. I read it's not a tough DIY.

Was unaware it had been updated. I could tell that the spring was still strong and the pulley was good. Guess that explains it

PS Bring back Diamond Foxx!!

 

she turns you on doesn't she?
her last name spells triple X
since you asked so politely, here she is Miss Titty.
mjauuuuuuuuuuu she's a foxy lady.

did you remove the radiator, you should swap your upper belt pulley as they are known to fail at high mileage.
that pulley is an INA part.

how's your crank pulley, has it ever been replaced?
check the rubber condition.

do you know if your wasser pumpe has been changed?
maybe it's good to take it out and replace it if the radiator is out?