Im looking all over again , one 95 C36 slipped away from me this morning and im so distraught !!!!
I was on my way 30 minutes from my home with my cash and it was sold underneath me, the seller did me kind of dirty , i showed up to his house and he said "sorry" but he was an older gentleman really really nice and after meeting him I wanted the car even more !!! He ahd a 355 Ferarri and a C63 which replaced the C36 - I think he didnt want to deal with a bunch of people at his house, although he told me I have the 1st appointment !!. I was devistated to say the least, so now Im obsessed in finding one.

Now since Im back to the drawing board, I can not decide on the 36 or 43, I had owned a CLK430 and loved the motor, but this I6 with a 4 speed sounds spectacular -

ONE Q, which year or version of this car(s) came with the two tone interior,
dark trim and two tone steering wheel?

I really want that if I can find it.

I do not want a project, I want something ready and turn key, with the valve jobs done and the gaskets sealed along with as many as records as possible. The type of car im looking for comes from an owner who understands the car.

Best way to reach me is

e - MPOW33R(at)gmail(com)

 

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...023537&alt=web
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...023537&alt=web

 

26K for $16K - nice ride - thanks for the link

 

He's a member here.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...mint-rare.html

 

There's one on craigslist right now-check out bay area

 

I checked the one in Union City thats near me, it was previously on ebay -
problem is

1 - East Coast Car for most of its life (florida)
2 - Almost no history recorded
3 - original headlights replaced with crap eBay projectors (why why why)
4 - Monoblocks swapped out for BBS RCs (why why why)
5 - Bolted in trunk tall spolier.

The guy is really cool though, friendly and open. IM going to go see it
this week and do my own homework. I dont think I can spring 9K for an unknown
car, If i can get really good deal ill grab it BUT headlights alone are $1,800 a pair with
my discount !! The BBS i can sell for $700 and would immediately get E55 Monoblock 18s
But I need the deal to be sweet

 

Use SearchTempest.com to search all of Craigslist North America at once. That's what I do to make sure I'm getting a great deal.

 

Thanks for the TIP Charlie !!

 

Good luck with your search!

 

Thanks Alex, good talking with you yesterday

 

Super torn, Both cars Im referring to in this are from California, and stayed here at all times.

Found a 96 C36, 1.5 owners, original and then brother (same house hold)
Clean title no accidents and well taken care of all around. with 165K
Needs a front bumper respray - some harness wires were renewed,
MAF, and waterpump replace 30 days ago. Waiting for better pictures.
This guy seems to know plenty about the car.

Found a 99 C43 3 owners, 1st to 80k 2nd to 130k and lastly now 200K.
records only go back to 125k with tie rods and water pump and basic brakes.
Aftermarket front bumper not the greatest fitment, cracked rear bumper (not major)
interior driver doors panels worn out, LCD cracked and power seats intermittent.
This seller doesnt know but about the car past google search and it was just turned on
and driven until time to sell.

Both relatively close in price, just the common stuck between a 99 C43 or a 96 C36
- I like the C36 for nostalgia reasons alone. I had a 00 CLK430 and loved the way
the car drove. Twas heavy but still moved really strong and nimble. I dont have a lot
of experience with the C36. My only Inline 6s have been from BMW. 3 of em thus far.

I know a lot of people have been bangning their head against the wall saying and
asking themselves the same questions as me. C36 vs C43 - Here I am banging my head too.

I have read many threads and it really all seems to be personal. It appears the either
way you sway you have some costly issues, like C43 trans issues almost guaranteed and
C36 Wiring harness issues guaranteed - The battle goes on im sure . Im just thinking a
99 has to be better than a 96, any smart manufacturer only makes them better in most cases,
but then its more common to see a C43.


Im torn - any advice, tips, help or direction? Thanks in advance

 

rust issues are worse on 99 cars than 96 cars
MB made lots of cost cuttings on later MY cars which means the build quality went south.

96 cars had bulletproof transmissions, major problems would be harness going bad.
that intake tube ontop of the c36 engine is very expensive when it breaks.

get a clean car without major issues, these are expensive to maintain when they break down.
having service records is important

 

1st I've heard of the intake tube !! will start searching in regards to it.
Thanks - also both of these cars are Cali cars all their life.

IS there anyway to look at it or listen for anything in particular?

 

I'm glad you found a couple contenders! The only real problem with the C36 (as awesome a car as it is) is that the BMW inline 6 exists. The Bimmers just have better gearing so they feel like they are always ready to go (I could get into the engines but that's for another time). The C36 needs to wind up a bit. Once it gets going, it's willing to move for sure but definitely a different feeling, especially if you're used to the BMW I6. The C36 also looks a bit dated next to the C43. Both are very cool and I love the C36 body kit but the C43 just looks a little fresher (as fresh as a 16yo car can look anyway). Kowalski mentioned the intake tube and you are aware of the wiring harness. The C43 does have the transmission issue but both are relatively solid cars otherwise. The best advice is to drive both. One of the two will bring a smile to your face and that "I must have it" feeling.

P.S. - I'm not down on the C36, I really like the look of them and they are very cool cars in their own right.

 

I personally wouldn't jump on either of the cars you mentioned. There are good ones out there, you just have to patient. I listed a few that I found the other day (C43) with under 100k miles in another thread.

 

ECT - you're the second person to tell me that and it's got me thinking of picking up this Uber clean 02 CLK430 - but something about these W202s just grab my attention - I remember seeing the debut on the Movie Romeo Must Die and I thought to myself - I need this car !! Twas the year I graduated and being an enthusiast I feel I need to check it off my list. Still toggling back n forth though.

 

I wouldn't get the CLK430. There really isn't anything special about that. I would hold out for a W202 AMG or at least a CLK55.

 

Agreed - There is NOTHING special about a CLK430 or 55, I agree.
CLK55 is fast and fun just not enough character for me.

 

Do you work for a dealer? You mentioned something about discount...

 

One of my gigs is - I own a paint reconditioning company for 19 years now,
mild restorations and exterior paint touch-ups etc. I was contracted by AutoBahn Mercedes
and Walnut Creek Mercedes, so as a vendor they give me 20% off.
But I have made a lot of friends and especially one master mechanic @ WC MBZ who has
been my go to guy and friend for 6 years now and allows me the confidence to
buy a Merc. He gets me employee pricing on parts which is effing awesome !!

 

Hold out for the W202 you really want. You'll be much happier in the end.

 

Thanks Alex !

 

I'm in Northern CA and I'm on constant lookout for a 43AMG.... Did you catch this one? http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4856707603.html
I'd buy it but health issues lately have really killed me financially so I barely have enough to pay for my CLK 55... I'm going to buy a 43 as soon as my savings account gets an infusion of cash to take the burden off of daily driving my CLK. This one needs a PS pump but that's it... The guy has parts in hand just hadn't installed them.... Would be an east DIY, plus the price is low, and the car is clean... Decent mileage too... Like I said, were it 3 months ago it would be in my driveway right now... In fact, I plan on having one there by June. Worth a look.

 

I agree, just be patient. I have seen a lot of c43s go up for sale at once, check eBay daily, check this forum and use a craigslist search engine like the one mentioned or searchcraigslist.org

I bought mine from a mb dealer, overpriced but 100% original so that's what it is.

 

Thanks for the Sacramento c43 link, I did see this - however im not ready for a salvaged car. If it happened to me different story but to purchase one salavaged is not the direction im going. Thanks for the link !