Intro on 99 C43
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
Intro on 99 C43
Thought I would give a quick intro as I'm new to the board. Just bought a black on black 99 C43 with all the bells and whistles (17 inch staggered rims, self leveling headlights, cd player in the trunk, nautical band on the radio, etc etc). I really love the car, looked at and had deposits on newer models 2006/2007 C280s, but ran across this and knew it was definitely for me. Everything seems to work fine except one fog light is out (suggestions on fog lights anyone?), trim on the sunroof is falling off (dealer stated he would fix before delivery and didn't), wood trim on drivers door popped off, and sills seem loose. Otherwise car is pretty flawless and 100% original, even seems to have had a new paint job recently, only found one tiny spot not painted that well. Clock has 131k on it and it seems really strong.
MB roadside assistance is grandfathered in and dealer put 3 months bumper to bumper on it and 6 months on engine and tranny plus I have the option to purchase 3 additional years of bumper to bumper, (weighing it out right now versus a third party extended warranty).
The car also has a new AMG engine cover, I'm thinking about taking it off and throwing it in the trunk as I read the star is prone to fall off. Any reason I shouldn't do that?
This car was really babied by last owner averaging 5k miles per year for the last 8 years. I am super happy with my purchase.
My only question i guess is has anyone found a work around for playing mp3s using the original radio.
MB roadside assistance is grandfathered in and dealer put 3 months bumper to bumper on it and 6 months on engine and tranny plus I have the option to purchase 3 additional years of bumper to bumper, (weighing it out right now versus a third party extended warranty).
The car also has a new AMG engine cover, I'm thinking about taking it off and throwing it in the trunk as I read the star is prone to fall off. Any reason I shouldn't do that?
This car was really babied by last owner averaging 5k miles per year for the last 8 years. I am super happy with my purchase.
My only question i guess is has anyone found a work around for playing mp3s using the original radio.
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Great find! Sounds like a well kept specimen.
Partsgeek.com and autohausaz.com for parts on the cheap.
Fog Light is most likely a bulb. Stick with oem fogs. Can source a bulb, lens, or even whole light for like 70 bucks at the sites I mentioned.
Headliner and sunroof trim is a big issue on our cars at this age. Pay to have it fixed at a reputable upholstery shop.
I tried to find a new engine cover since both my C43s are missing the star. I think they fetch 350-400 a pop. If I had a new one I'd think of a way to reinforce the star so it doesn't come off. Perhaps tiny bits of inconspicuous super glue underneath?
Can't offer much on the trim piece. I'm sure it's not a tough diy though.
My 99 had an ipod hookup custom installed. I never use it. It's a fm modulator kind. I just use a tape adapter since I use non-apple stuff. My 98 has a goofy pioneer head unit I plan on throwing away to go stock again.
Welcome to the board! You own a piece of MB AMG history there, being the first official AMG built at the affalterbach plant. Enjoy it. She will bring you many miles of reliable service. Built like a tank.
Partsgeek.com and autohausaz.com for parts on the cheap.
Fog Light is most likely a bulb. Stick with oem fogs. Can source a bulb, lens, or even whole light for like 70 bucks at the sites I mentioned.
Headliner and sunroof trim is a big issue on our cars at this age. Pay to have it fixed at a reputable upholstery shop.
I tried to find a new engine cover since both my C43s are missing the star. I think they fetch 350-400 a pop. If I had a new one I'd think of a way to reinforce the star so it doesn't come off. Perhaps tiny bits of inconspicuous super glue underneath?
Can't offer much on the trim piece. I'm sure it's not a tough diy though.
My 99 had an ipod hookup custom installed. I never use it. It's a fm modulator kind. I just use a tape adapter since I use non-apple stuff. My 98 has a goofy pioneer head unit I plan on throwing away to go stock again.
Welcome to the board! You own a piece of MB AMG history there, being the first official AMG built at the affalterbach plant. Enjoy it. She will bring you many miles of reliable service. Built like a tank.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 46
From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
Thanks guys. The dreaded has happened. Found a dent on my hood today!! Lord help me! There isn't a nick, scratch or dent anywhere on this car and WHAM!! Dent on the hood!! Alright, going to find a paintless dent removal shop tomorrow morning and will post some pics after.
I've been moaning over this all day long.
I've been moaning over this all day long.
Last edited by mickey13; Oct 23, 2013 at 08:05 PM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 46
From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
Sorry for the delay on these pics. Had my hood fixed at a detail place, he told me a bird pooped on my car and dented the hood. Said he thinks it must have eaten a rock or something and been really high up cause it was a deep ping.
My radio has the cassette player behind the face so I can't just pop in a tape and use my mp3 player that way. I'd love to find a work around to connect my phone by bluetooth.
My radio has the cassette player behind the face so I can't just pop in a tape and use my mp3 player that way. I'd love to find a work around to connect my phone by bluetooth.
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C63 AMG P30 *EuroCharged*| Porsche Cayenne | Buell XB9SX
I used to use a tape adapter for my iPod, i just ran the wire down the side of the little cassette door. in the alternative, some people flip the wire to the back side of the cassette adapter and run the wire out the back of the head unit. I believe there's a thread on that. having said this, though, I agree that a BT solution is better. I never liked the sound quality coming from the tape adapter, and also it sometimes made squeaking and grinding sounds, which were quite annoying.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
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From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
Actually my search for BT produced some very nice results. I found a few configurations I am contemplating here:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-u6Bt29s...Car-Radio.html
The hands free feature so you can use your phone over the speakers might just be the way to go for me. I'm trying to keep the car as original as possible, so hoping I can hide the face under the dash or maybe have it on a swivel hinge at the bottom of the dash.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-u6Bt29s...Car-Radio.html
The hands free feature so you can use your phone over the speakers might just be the way to go for me. I'm trying to keep the car as original as possible, so hoping I can hide the face under the dash or maybe have it on a swivel hinge at the bottom of the dash.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Welcome, clean car! Congrats and much better quality than the new gen of Benz, you made the right choice vs. the 06/07!!!
Is that an aftermarket exhaust? Looks like Brabus.
Is that an aftermarket exhaust? Looks like Brabus.
Last edited by RPB; Oct 24, 2013 at 07:28 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Congratz on the purchase. Ive had mine for a long time and the only car id ever want next to it is a c63 but a 5.4 swap will help with that 
202s are some of the most solid mbs....well the m104 is a little sensitive but still...
202s are some of the most solid mbs....well the m104 is a little sensitive but still...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 46
From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
I wasn't a huge fan of the w202 when it rolled out. Always loved the 190, grew up in a part of NYC where flared fenders and deep dish rims were revered. My dad drove Mercedes, the first one was a 560 SEL if I remember correctly. Not that I'm extremely wealthy, I'm a working class professional if such a class exists, which it must because that's what I am, but I passed on a w204 for my C43 and I have no regrets. I don't care how much it might cost to maintain, this model is a must have. And I know you guys are with me on this. ;-)
