MercFanatiC43

Hi Guys at the moment im looking at a C43 AMG up for auction as its been smashed pretty hard from the front. I'm guessing its not going to go more then 5000AUD as i believe the chassis is bent and a number of different things as well. Because i have a c180 1999 at the moment as my main daily driver could i buy this C43 as a donor vehicle and just transplant everything into the C180?

MercFanatiC43

Can anyone give me some assistance to what i should do and how hard or easy would the transplant be? Would it be bolt on or what?

DRBC43AMG

Reacting after a half hour's wait is a bit short to get an answer, specially that this forum has a majority of north American contributors and members. Due to time zone differences, I can imagine that most are still asleep or just waking up.

Swapping items from a C43 into a smaller w202 is a challenge and not for the faint hearted, nor for the wallet. The most important parts being the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, mono wheels and other things.

Looking at the photo and the visible damage, I would say the engine could have some serious problems under the bent metal, specially if parts to the engine block have been broken off.

Personally, I would forget this wreck and look out for a good running C43. I'm sure you can find some at a price not too much more than the stated price.

FrenchBenz

I don't know if you recall but C43 tends to be way more expensive in Australia. I think it was more in the range of $10-15K at least. So this 5000AUD might be very cheap compared to a clean/running C43 there.

Nonetheless I wouldn't touch this car at this price, it's wrecked and definitely not worth 5000AUD IMO !

Sulaco

Assuming the engine and tranny are still in good order:

Can it be done? Yes.

Is it a simple "swap the different bits" yes. But, as stated, NOT as small a job as you may think. You can get away with keeping your stock suspension, body, most of your interior.

But to really complete it, you're looking at practically a frame-off style job. Pretty much stripping your C180 down to the point where it's almost completely disassembled. You WILL NOT be able to just dump the C43 motor, tranny et cetera into your C180. You'll also have to swap a bunch of electronics. Probably have to yank the dash, swap out all the electronics in the trunk.

It CAN be done, it's just a matter of your commitment.

MercFanatiC43

Thanks guys for the great advice, ill have to see the car tomorrow as i haven't seen it yet in person. Yes, the C43 over here in Australia is super expensive the cheapest iv seen is $20000 which has done like 190000km's and the most expensive around 30K which has covered around 90000km's which is ridiculous. Theres like only 5 for sale here in Australia and this car that is up for auction is a very rare opportunity. Ive posted the link to the auction site, from the engine pick i don't think that the engine is damaged but ill never know until i look at it. For Dash however, if im going to change the wiring loom could i just swap the dash completely instead of trying to change the wiring because with this ill have everything that i need for the transplant. I know its a big job and i'm a bit of nut head when it comes to this stuff as im studying a mechanical engineering degree and i was hoping to have this as a learning project. Thanks again Guys GREAT HELP

http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged-sa...edan/970111158

nd4spd13

The heck is that tank in the trunk?

MercFanatiC43

That my friend is an LPG gas tank conversion, so the car can run on Petrol 98 octane or whatever and on Gas like LPG. Here in Australia Petrol is very expensive 98 is 1.70 per liter.

Pagz

I recently purchased a lightly damaged CLK55 from Pickles Melbourne to ship to NZ, fairly pricey but no where near the damage that C43 has! apparently only ~55 C43's left in Australia so very rare indeed

Saaboteur

I think that Sulaco is right - you would likely need to strip down to the shell another 202, then swap over basically everything from the C43 into it. Whilst some of the wiring might be reusable, a lot of the C43 wiring is bespoke to the car, and more in common with say a V8 CLK or E-Class. Mind you, picking up that wrecked car is the best way to do it, as opposed to trying to piece it all together separately.

From the photo, my worry would be that the ECU and TCU are located on the right side of the car, right where that car took the impact. Could be some severed wires there. There are also some trans cooling lines on that side too, so you'd be looking at some new parts at least too.

It would be a big project, for sure. Just be sure you know what you're getting into!

Sulaco

And let me go ahead and admit: i'm a bit of a C43 fanatic. They're uber rare down there, and I think if you can do it, then do it. Rescue that C43!

ghiaguy

Save the V8s!

benzslo

I had a c43 get totalled.. I did consider buying it from insurance and transplanting everything to a donor w202..

Very glad i didn't go through with that crazy idea. it's possible, but to do it correctly you're going to have a LOT of work on your hands.. much more than you think. If you have to ask whether you should do it, you're not ready to do something like that.

MercFanatiC43

The Merc Sold for 1300AUD, i saw the car and bloody hell was it smashed the drivers door pushed back at least 10cm or 5inches, the suspension is totally squashed and the chassis way bent upward. The gearbox shifter was pushed backwards as well and i think the water pump has smashed the engine in. Ill just have to save up and buy a registered one GODDAMIT. UNHAPPY CAMPER

Pagz

By the sounds of the damage you were better off not buying it, far to many unusable parts!

DRBC43AMG

So looks like my first sight of the damage was proven right and the engine and probably transmission suffered terminal damages. Too bad and sad.

Rockamaui

http://s195.photobucket.com/user/roc...a7b64.jpg.html

http://s195.photobucket.com/user/roc...8eae8.jpg.html

This vehicle only has 70K miles and the paint is excellent. I'm getting some estimates but would like to revive this car since it is an AMG plus I can get it for under 2K dollars.

What is everyone's opinion of this mission? BTW passenger's door up front opens just fine. Accident happened about 15 months ago with the car only being started a few times. Battery is bad and alternator appeared to have issues according the Autoclub tech who jump started it. Blows cold air.

EDIT: Apologize for the bad links. I have beaucoup experience posting photos on MX forums but need to research this further.

ghiaguy

Looks a lot better than the OP vehicle. I would bite as long as damage didn't get into the engine and you can get it for $2k!

Rockamaui

Thanks for the quick response. That is my thinking as well but the one body shop that can fix it doesn't appear to be at all interested. I'm still pushing them for an estimate (paid 35 bucks for written) but will also get another.

New questions:

1) What is the best source for C43 parts?

2) What if any of the C series steering and suspension components transfer to the C43. I can get salvage C series parts for the right front corner for under 300 dollars when I am in LA in early January but naturally would prefer to go with C43 parts.

If this car is revived it will be rare that it gets opened up past 70MPH due to the roads over but I know I would enjoy the torque big time.

ghiaguy

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of experience with w202s but I'm sure C43 parts are far more difficult to obtain than my C55 parts. Check around on this site as I've seen desirable bits come up for sale.
C36 and C43 owners here may be able to help with what w202 steering components will work on the AMGs. Most suspension parts will not work since AMGs have more aggressive setups than a run of the mill Mercedes.

There will be a lot of work, but it is worth it.

Tony_AMG

Are you in SoCal? I can help you man, get a W202 post '98 for parts to get off from. Knuckle, hub, bearing, ball joint, lower arm are same on all, differences is the

drag link for V8 C43
Mercedes C 280 Sedan 1998, 1999, 2000
Mercedes C 43 AMG Sedan 1998, 1999, 2000
Mercedes CLK 320 Convertible 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Mercedes CLK 320 Coupe 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Mercedes CLK 430 Convertible 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Mercedes CLK 430 Coupe 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Convertible 2002
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Coupe 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
Sway bar C43
Mercedes C 43 AMG Sedan 1998, 1999, 2000
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Convertible 2002
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Coupe 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002,
Upper control arm sport 2103308807, 8707(which can be obtained by any w202 sport model C230k sport, C280 sport) and C43 Shocks.

Tony_AMG

Also can help you get it fixed if you want. You can fix it, but have to pull and square the front end basically.
heres my guess:
UsedHeadlamp assy (hope the ballast is okay)
Used Bumper assy (cover, reinfments C43 x3 left right center $50 each, brackets)
Used fog lamps (SLK 170, E 210, CLK 208)
Used fender
Used Radiator support (if not repaiable)
Used Rebar (For sectioning only, not complete since you will need the most part tp be able to square the body and underhood dimensions)
Used right Wheelhouse assy (from C280 sport preferably)
This and some suspension to get it driveable.

Tony_AMG

IMO, that car is not worth fixing at all, unless its like a 2000 C55, then by all means. Having said that, you could transfer everything (For the most part, from a post 1998-1999-2000 C280 SPORT model only so it could work. The problem I could see there is striping the whole car to rewire the ire harness completely so to speak. Vacuum lines and what not as well. But If the engine is good, and trans is good and you know for a fact, you could to an engine swap to save it. but you would need to do your homework to know what can get transferred and what cannot.

Rockamaui

Sorry for the delay and thank you very much for the response. I will be in SoCal from 1/2 to 1/7 but the car and I live on Maui.

Do you have any experience on estimated how much the pull and square costs...budgetary number is fine. Your response has reinvigorated my interest in pursuing this resurrection.

EDIT: Does the C43 have Bilsteins? I know of a place down San Diego way that has rebuilt my worn AMG shocks on my 300SD (may she RIP) plus swapped a shock shaft after a crash. I'm thinking the shock had to have gotten bent in the accident.

Tony_AMG

Text me brah~!