I am scheduled to get a 99 Monday!
New 2000 C43 owner
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Joined: Jun 2014
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w210 e55
New 2000 C43 owner
Hi all,
As a current w210 amg driver getting 2000 C43 was a gamble as I always liked this car. Bought the car out of state without seeing it first.
Prior to buying it ai didnt know there was only 25 of them imported to US, so my question is do you guys think that this is a good investment down the road ? Currently it has 127k on it. I payed around 9 for it.
First things I noticed:
- To my surprise the car was much lower than I expected. I cant put a finger between the tires and the car it seems.
- what a blast I had driving it for just a block. I had no idea the ride would be so unforgetable and strange for 14 year old car.
I have no idea if the car is stock or not but engine sounds way better then on my e55.
Cons:
-I think after sitting a little bit inside the car was little smelly inside.
Not sure if there is a mechanical issue there.
-lots of dings all around the car and dor handles too burned from the sun at seems.
Anyways, can you guys tell me if I did a right thing by investing in this car hoping to make a profit in lets say 10 years...
Car has no repair history unfortunately but seems to run great except the strange smell in cabin.
Thanks for reading.
As a current w210 amg driver getting 2000 C43 was a gamble as I always liked this car. Bought the car out of state without seeing it first.
Prior to buying it ai didnt know there was only 25 of them imported to US, so my question is do you guys think that this is a good investment down the road ? Currently it has 127k on it. I payed around 9 for it.
First things I noticed:
- To my surprise the car was much lower than I expected. I cant put a finger between the tires and the car it seems.
- what a blast I had driving it for just a block. I had no idea the ride would be so unforgetable and strange for 14 year old car.
I have no idea if the car is stock or not but engine sounds way better then on my e55.
Cons:
-I think after sitting a little bit inside the car was little smelly inside.
Not sure if there is a mechanical issue there.
-lots of dings all around the car and dor handles too burned from the sun at seems.
Anyways, can you guys tell me if I did a right thing by investing in this car hoping to make a profit in lets say 10 years...
Car has no repair history unfortunately but seems to run great except the strange smell in cabin.
Thanks for reading.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Very rare model year indeed! I have no idea if w202 amg cars will ever turn profit but I'm hoping they do. I might be included to sell my cars then. Otherwise I'm never letting them go.
Super happy to hear you were impressed by it! I'd love an E55 to round out the collection.
Super happy to hear you were impressed by it! I'd love an E55 to round out the collection.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
I think it depends on what you mean by "profit". If you include all costs, it's doubtful. Your C43 may have a lower total cost of ownership and be more enjoyable than many other vehicles, but true "profit"? Highly doubtful. If you don't drive it for 10 years, I still doubt you'd break even. 10 years of insurance, maintenance, and storage will easily devour any increase in sales price.
If you really want to make money, pay a financial planner and the cars will be free. How so? I'm a regular guy. I pay a financial planner. After costs, I earned over 40% last year. Of course, things change day by day. The first few months of this year, my investments had been in the toilet. They haven't lost money, they just haven't made money like the previous several years. Every time I think I want to pull some money from the table, the market turns. In May my investments paid 4.7%. Friday, just Friday, paid 0.736%.
Life is more than money, so enjoy your car and forget about making money on it.
If you really want to make money, pay a financial planner and the cars will be free. How so? I'm a regular guy. I pay a financial planner. After costs, I earned over 40% last year. Of course, things change day by day. The first few months of this year, my investments had been in the toilet. They haven't lost money, they just haven't made money like the previous several years. Every time I think I want to pull some money from the table, the market turns. In May my investments paid 4.7%. Friday, just Friday, paid 0.736%.
Life is more than money, so enjoy your car and forget about making money on it.
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w210 e55
Thank you for your replies.
My initial plan was to keep it garaged and drive it once a week, but since I was so surprised how fun the drive was I doubt I can resist it now.
E55 didnt excite me at all besides freeway cruising.
My initial plan was to keep it garaged and drive it once a week, but since I was so surprised how fun the drive was I doubt I can resist it now.
E55 didnt excite me at all besides freeway cruising.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Can you explain what the strange "smell" smells like? Could it be a very old air cabin filter which has never been changed. Recommend to use charcoal filters. It could also be mould in the A/C system. That can be cleaned and refreshed. Or perhaps a dead animal hiding inside somewhere? 
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w210 e55
It smelled like a 60year old Buick. Then after a bit of driving it went away.
This morning actually, thank you for reminding me I was in underground parking.
I started the car and stepped away from it about 20 feet. In about 10 seconds I started smelling an odd smell from the exhuast I assume. Inside the car it didnt smell.
It drives actually very nicely. I am hesitant to floor it at all until I figure out in what condition everything is.
Definately oil change is a must.
I like other posters talking about using 5w 40 Mobil 1 .
This morning actually, thank you for reminding me I was in underground parking.
I started the car and stepped away from it about 20 feet. In about 10 seconds I started smelling an odd smell from the exhuast I assume. Inside the car it didnt smell.
It drives actually very nicely. I am hesitant to floor it at all until I figure out in what condition everything is.
Definately oil change is a must.
I like other posters talking about using 5w 40 Mobil 1 .
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
I agree 100% with MarcusF. You won't be making a profit on it. Yes there was few of the 2000's, but I don't see them being any more valueable than a 98 or 99. I personally don't care for the roof antenna.
It would be extremely doubtful that the car even keeps up with inflation. Then throw in repairs, maintenance, fuel, insurance, etc.
Cars in general are not good investment, if you're looking for investing money, I would NOT buy a car.
With that said, most of it's depreciation is over I think, so you could be wasting more money on other cars.
Single best thing you can do to that car assuming all maintenance and issues are taken care of, stick a 55 motor in it like the one in your w210. Plug and play deal and if you think that car is fun now, get ready. I couldn't replace the 4.3 fast enough, not impressed with the motor although it's still a nice car to drive.
It would be extremely doubtful that the car even keeps up with inflation. Then throw in repairs, maintenance, fuel, insurance, etc.
Cars in general are not good investment, if you're looking for investing money, I would NOT buy a car.
With that said, most of it's depreciation is over I think, so you could be wasting more money on other cars.
Single best thing you can do to that car assuming all maintenance and issues are taken care of, stick a 55 motor in it like the one in your w210. Plug and play deal and if you think that car is fun now, get ready. I couldn't replace the 4.3 fast enough, not impressed with the motor although it's still a nice car to drive.
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w210 e55
Very good points thank you. The upkeep costs will occur for sure.
Liking the car alot.
Didnt expect the Benz to feel so interestingly fun to drive when its lowered.
At the moment I would like to save money for the paint work all around.
Putting a different engine is too much work for me at the moment.
Liking the car alot.
Didnt expect the Benz to feel so interestingly fun to drive when its lowered.
At the moment I would like to save money for the paint work all around.
Putting a different engine is too much work for me at the moment.
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From: Chapel Hill, NC/Montreal, QC
1995 C36 AMG, 1998 C43 AMG
Sounds like the car has headers/no cats. You say it sound better than your 55 and smells weird? That's what I'd check. Get under there and see what the exhaust looks like and what kind of suspension is in there
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w210 e55
Thanks for the idea. I am trying to get to my guy so we can do an oil change and look underneath it asap.
I sure hope there is nothing seriously wrong with it.
Since I am not a car guru by all means, I guess this car would be great to work on to build up an interest in auto repairing skills.
I sure hope there is nothing seriously wrong with it.
Since I am not a car guru by all means, I guess this car would be great to work on to build up an interest in auto repairing skills.
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
Obsidian black is pure beautiful. Just buff it real well to get all the scratches and swirls out, and you'll fall in love. At first I wasn't sure about it, but now I really like the color alot.
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w210 e55
Now I am no longer tripping about spending money on this as you all made me feel I own something special.
Looking forward to work on the car if World cup schedule allows.
Thanks you for the suggestions.
Looking forward to work on the car if World cup schedule allows.
Thanks you for the suggestions.
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From: America
1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
FYI if those are the stock 17" wheels, it's definitely not US height. Lowered most likely, but if you're lucky someone just switched it to euro-spec suspension (which makes it considerably lower and better handling)
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w210 e55
I wish I was more educated about the car like most of you. Sure hope all the bits of the car are rare and unique.
Cant wait for the week to be over so I can see what the car has inside.
You certainly make me feel good about the purchase.
Cant wait for the week to be over so I can see what the car has inside.
You certainly make me feel good about the purchase.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: MA
Those are not stock wheels. 2000 model year came with light weight 17" amg wheels also found on slk32 amg of the same year. Prior model year cars got these monoblocks which imo fits better to c43.
It appears to be missing xenon headlights with washers option.
2000 model year differences:
1- different wheels explained above.
2- different antenna.
3- touchshift transmission also found on 2000 and newer e, slk, clk.
4- different radio(cd still in trunk)
Only 25 was officially imported. When i was interested in this model (10 years ago), 2 were already totaled!!!
It appears to be missing xenon headlights with washers option.
2000 model year differences:
1- different wheels explained above.
2- different antenna.
3- touchshift transmission also found on 2000 and newer e, slk, clk.
4- different radio(cd still in trunk)
Only 25 was officially imported. When i was interested in this model (10 years ago), 2 were already totaled!!!
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w210 e55
Thanks. Not sure why would previous owner would remove the original xenon lights and install regular.
I was hoping it had the xenon ones, current ones are kinda weak.
Should I worry that the car doesn't orignal lights and wheels not sure.
Hope yoy guys dont discover any more issues with my ride.
I still want to check for mechanicals things/brands other posters recommended me earlier.
I was hoping it had the xenon ones, current ones are kinda weak.
Should I worry that the car doesn't orignal lights and wheels not sure.
Hope yoy guys dont discover any more issues with my ride.
I still want to check for mechanicals things/brands other posters recommended me earlier.
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From: New Zealand
C43 w/clk55 Organs
Sounds like it could be a 99(registered as 2000)?,Do you have the tiptronic shifter or is it gate?(or better whats the vin?,if its below F89**** it'll be 98/99)
Although slow to react i find the touchshift system far better than my old 98/99 gate, so much so that I've completely removed the thought of ever wanting a manual C43. if you can get your hands on the rare 2000 model do so.
Although slow to react i find the touchshift system far better than my old 98/99 gate, so much so that I've completely removed the thought of ever wanting a manual C43. if you can get your hands on the rare 2000 model do so.
