not sure what i wanna do
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
not sure what i wanna do
This forum is kinda slow so let me bore you with my story.
So i have two 202s right now. My c43 and a 2000 c280
My c43 needs quite a bit of work and the 280 is really clean and has pretty much all the maintenance up to date.
My engine valve lifters are making a ton of noise in my 43 right now and the suspension needs a refreshment plus the two right doors have slight damage on them that happened recently from someone backing into me.
So basically i dont know if i should sell my 280 to fix the 43 or drive the 280 and garage the 43 and slowly fix it.
I would really want to swap in a 5.4 and maybe do a h&r cup kit and id be able to do all of that plus paint the doors if i sold the 280. I have the doors already and i have a few friends who do paint work and can do it for a good price. Dont have much to invest into cars at the moment so im kinda torn between the two decisions and id want to keep the 280 but i also want a 5.4 swap and my amg to be all nice and clean again.
What would you do?
So i have two 202s right now. My c43 and a 2000 c280
My c43 needs quite a bit of work and the 280 is really clean and has pretty much all the maintenance up to date.
My engine valve lifters are making a ton of noise in my 43 right now and the suspension needs a refreshment plus the two right doors have slight damage on them that happened recently from someone backing into me.
So basically i dont know if i should sell my 280 to fix the 43 or drive the 280 and garage the 43 and slowly fix it.
I would really want to swap in a 5.4 and maybe do a h&r cup kit and id be able to do all of that plus paint the doors if i sold the 280. I have the doors already and i have a few friends who do paint work and can do it for a good price. Dont have much to invest into cars at the moment so im kinda torn between the two decisions and id want to keep the 280 but i also want a 5.4 swap and my amg to be all nice and clean again.
What would you do?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Sell the 280 and fix the/upgrade the C43. Transfer what parts you can to the C43, but try to keep VIN tags for re-sale value. The 43 w/55-motor upgrade will be super-fun if you get it done. Just my .02$.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Yeah, im also suffering about lifter noise, hates the car, when that damn sound appears,
when i put a thick oil with "2" bottles, it goes away, and quickly returns back,
lifters & oil pump are the "2" things need to be replaced,,!!
rather than repairing those lifters put 5.4l, difference like DAY & NIGHT....
ZAYED,,
when i put a thick oil with "2" bottles, it goes away, and quickly returns back,
lifters & oil pump are the "2" things need to be replaced,,!!
rather than repairing those lifters put 5.4l, difference like DAY & NIGHT....
ZAYED,,
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 421
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Yeah, im also suffering about lifter noise, hates the car, when that damn sound appears,
when i put a thick oil with "2" bottles, it goes away, and quickly returns back,
lifters & oil pump are the "2" things need to be replaced,,!!
rather than repairing those lifters put 5.4l, difference like DAY & NIGHT....
ZAYED,,
when i put a thick oil with "2" bottles, it goes away, and quickly returns back,
lifters & oil pump are the "2" things need to be replaced,,!!
rather than repairing those lifters put 5.4l, difference like DAY & NIGHT....
ZAYED,,
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 421
05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,053
Likes: 398
From: A.D., U.A.E
2000 (W202 C200) & 2000 (W202 C55)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: New Jersey
1999 AMG C43
keep them both, you might have a windfall of cash in the next 2-3 or 6, even 18 months and then you'll be able to fix the car and kick yourself in the --- for selling the other one you really enjoy too.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
I would not sell the 280 especially if it is in nice shape. Then you go from one good car and one project, to just one project car. I'd personally rather sell the project car that isn't as nice.
Just speaking from experience but once things start sliding like that, it's hard to ever get it back the way you want it, and you might lose interest. Who wants to replace doors and everything that is involved with that?
One thing I've always wanted to do, is a big motor swap to a c280. It would be just like the 5.4 swap but with a v6. Use the 3.7 liter m112 from the later ML350 in the 163 chassis. That engine is a a stud compared to the 320. and the 320 has way more torque than the 280. I'd guess with the 3.7 motor you'd be very close if not faster than a stock c43.
I think that would be pretty cool. I've never heard of anyone doing it. I'd love to find a cheap clean 280 someday, I would like to do this swap.
Just speaking from experience but once things start sliding like that, it's hard to ever get it back the way you want it, and you might lose interest. Who wants to replace doors and everything that is involved with that?
One thing I've always wanted to do, is a big motor swap to a c280. It would be just like the 5.4 swap but with a v6. Use the 3.7 liter m112 from the later ML350 in the 163 chassis. That engine is a a stud compared to the 320. and the 320 has way more torque than the 280. I'd guess with the 3.7 motor you'd be very close if not faster than a stock c43.
I think that would be pretty cool. I've never heard of anyone doing it. I'd love to find a cheap clean 280 someday, I would like to do this swap.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
I would not sell the 280 especially if it is in nice shape. Then you go from one good car and one project, to just one project car. I'd personally rather sell the project car that isn't as nice.
Just speaking from experience but once things start sliding like that, it's hard to ever get it back the way you want it, and you might lose interest. Who wants to replace doors and everything that is involved with that?
One thing I've always wanted to do, is a big motor swap to a c280. It would be just like the 5.4 swap but with a v6. Use the 3.7 liter m112 from the later ML350 in the 163 chassis. That engine is a a stud compared to the 320. and the 320 has way more torque than the 280. I'd guess with the 3.7 motor you'd be very close if not faster than a stock c43.
I think that would be pretty cool. I've never heard of anyone doing it. I'd love to find a cheap clean 280 someday, I would like to do this swap.
Just speaking from experience but once things start sliding like that, it's hard to ever get it back the way you want it, and you might lose interest. Who wants to replace doors and everything that is involved with that?
One thing I've always wanted to do, is a big motor swap to a c280. It would be just like the 5.4 swap but with a v6. Use the 3.7 liter m112 from the later ML350 in the 163 chassis. That engine is a a stud compared to the 320. and the 320 has way more torque than the 280. I'd guess with the 3.7 motor you'd be very close if not faster than a stock c43.
I think that would be pretty cool. I've never heard of anyone doing it. I'd love to find a cheap clean 280 someday, I would like to do this swap.
would this swap be just as easy as a 5.4 into a c43 swap?
Thread Starter
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
We have three cars and dont really need the 280 plus if i sold it id immediately be able to get the 43 back on the road in a fresh condition. Might as well just keep it i guess unless someone really wants to buy it. Ill keep you guys posted on what happens 
My wife is supposed to start working soon too so thatll make the decision a bit easier
Ill put up some pics tomorrow. Its just a stock black on black with 16" w202 sport wheels
My wife is supposed to start working soon too so thatll make the decision a bit easier
Ill put up some pics tomorrow. Its just a stock black on black with 16" w202 sport wheels
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
I can't say for 100% certain they are the same size dimensionally as I have never measured it, but if I know Mercedes, they are. Nothing 5 minutes and a tape measure couldn't accomplish. The ML motors would be alot easier to come by also as a ton were made in the couple years they were out, cheaper too.
That would be a real nice sleeper and those things pull really nicely.
Thread Starter
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
As long as the motors dimensionally the same as eachother on the outside, it will be doing just the same thing, even easier since it's a v6 and not a v8.
I can't say for 100% certain they are the same size dimensionally as I have never measured it, but if I know Mercedes, they are. Nothing 5 minutes and a tape measure couldn't accomplish. The ML motors would be alot easier to come by also as a ton were made in the couple years they were out, cheaper too.
That would be a real nice sleeper and those things pull really nicely.
I can't say for 100% certain they are the same size dimensionally as I have never measured it, but if I know Mercedes, they are. Nothing 5 minutes and a tape measure couldn't accomplish. The ML motors would be alot easier to come by also as a ton were made in the couple years they were out, cheaper too.
That would be a real nice sleeper and those things pull really nicely.
I did some research and is seems these were used from 03 to 05 and are at 235hp 245tq.
My 280 pulls good, this would be a noticable difference with 40+ extra tq
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
I see it says 254 torque.
But I don't put much faith in most of MB published numbers really, I'd guess it would give the ml430 a real run for it's money, if not beat it, if that tells you anything.
I guess just something to think about if you ever get bored. Also a simple parts search would tell you alot too. If it uses the same intake manifold and exhaust manifolds as the 320, you can bet it's the same size.
But I don't put much faith in most of MB published numbers really, I'd guess it would give the ml430 a real run for it's money, if not beat it, if that tells you anything.
I guess just something to think about if you ever get bored. Also a simple parts search would tell you alot too. If it uses the same intake manifold and exhaust manifolds as the 320, you can bet it's the same size.
Thread Starter
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
We are steering off topic and i gotta say that the bottom line is that my c43 stays no matter what but this swap is definetly interesting to talk about and i guess its mostly coz i think the c43 is a little rare to just strip down and turn into a project car but i wouldnt mind doing that to a c280
Im pretty sure the c280 spec tranny would keep up with the extra power too no? Would it be necessary to strengthen it?
and i guess its mostly coz i think the c43 is a little rare to just strip down and turn into a project car but i wouldnt mind doing that to a c280Im pretty sure the c280 spec tranny would keep up with the extra power too no? Would it be necessary to strengthen it?
Last edited by PJmak; Apr 30, 2014 at 12:30 AM.
