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I have the opportunity to purchase a 1998 White C43 AMG with 142k miles that is in pretty good original condition and has been garaged in California for its whole life. It is owned by an adult enthusiast who has put in a good amount of repairs over the last year that include:
brakes/rotors/brake fluid
springs/shocks/pads
engine mounts
tranny gaskets
all spark plugs
cylinder head gaskets
full once over tune-up - including all fluids
There are a few minor cosmetic issues that need to be addressed but nothing unusual for a car of its age. The paint is in very good condition, no accidents, dents or anything. Im in the process of getting a more detailed report of repairs over the life of the car.
What are some of the major things I should ask or look out for?? Its priced reasonably (given the condition) so I figure this could be a fun weekend project car. It drives very solid for the year and miles.
Its been many cars ago since 2003 when I owned my 1999 C230 Kompressor with a full exterior brabus kit so I'm a bit rusty on my W202 knowledge!
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)
Originally Posted by mdot949
Hello all,
I have the opportunity to purchase a 1998 White C43 AMG with 142k miles that is in pretty good original condition and has been garaged in California for its whole life. It is owned by an adult enthusiast who has put in a good amount of repairs over the last year that include:
brakes/rotors/brake fluid
springs/shocks/pads
engine mounts
tranny gaskets
all spark plugs
cylinder head gaskets
full once over tune-up - including all fluids
There are a few minor cosmetic issues that need to be addressed but nothing unusual for a car of its age. The paint is in very good condition, no accidents, dents or anything. Im in the process of getting a more detailed report of repairs over the life of the car.
What are some of the major things I should ask or look out for?? The price seems decent at $4k (given the condition) so I figure this could be a fun weekend project car. It drives very solid for the year and miles.
Its been many cars ago since 2003 when I owned my 1999 C230 Kompressor with a full exterior brabus kit so I'm a bit rusty on my W202 knowledge!
Any input would be great!!
Sounds decent, but I would want to know why the new cylinder gaskets. They rarely go wrong, so could it be the more often done valve cover gaskets? Those gaskets defo leak and need to be looked at, not unless you like the smell of burnt oil and a black drippy engine
Really no glaring issues that stand out. Judge the car and owner character and if you got a good feeling pull the trigger. These cars are very solid with no real gremlins. With the 98+ they have all the good modern systems.
Sounds decent, but I would want to know why the new cylinder gaskets. They rarely go wrong, so could it be the more often done valve cover gaskets? Those gaskets defo leak and need to be looked at, not unless you like the smell of burnt oil and a black drippy engine
I'd bet $100 they meant valve cover gaskets. People who don't wrench on their own cars can often say some really strange things.
but you're right, there's no reason an m113 would need head gaskets unless something really bad happened. i've never found a case online where someone needed to replace them. so judging by how amazingly rare it is for an m113 to fail like that, plus the notion that BOTH head gaskets needed replacing, would indicate to me that it's really the valve cover gaskets we are talking about here. or some shop owner saw the infamous leaky valve cover gaskets and knew the owner wouldn't mind also paying him to do the head gaskets to fix that oil leak (when it was completely unnecessary)
I'd bet $100 they meant valve cover gaskets. People who don't wrench on their own cars can often say some really strange things.
but you're right, there's no reason an m113 would need head gaskets unless something really bad happened. i've never found a case online where someone needed to replace them. so judging by how amazingly rare it is for an m113 to fail like that, plus the notion that BOTH head gaskets needed replacing, would indicate to me that it's really the valve cover gaskets we are talking about here. or some shop owner saw the infamous leaky valve cover gaskets and knew the owner wouldn't mind also paying him to do the head gaskets to fix that oil leak (when it was completely unnecessary)
Thank you all for the input!
I made that list off of what I remember the owner saying, so I could very well have remembered it wrong, it was probably the valve cover gaskets.
Double check the trans service, everything else is bulletproof even if the car wasn't really cared for well.
Just like with any mercedes, eventually you'll at some point need maintenance done which includes: plugs, wires, maf, o2, cps, belt tensioner, idler pulley, valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, oil cooler seal, lca bushings, shocks....
If none of those were done in the last 40k miles, than the owner either only had the car for a short amount of time or really didn't care. Most of those are due at 100k if not sooner.
I owned one of these for over 10 years.....solid, solid car. Never heard anyone being disappointed, in fact I find that most new owners even the ones who had newer cars are blown away
I find that most new owners even the ones who had newer cars are blown away
same! I have people tell me they can't believe how 'advanced' my car is for being nearly 20 years old. if it had bluetooth and nav you wouldn't really be able to tell it's so old.
even with the 55 motor I let my wife drive it in the rain and snow and it gives her no problems, because the ESP was very advanced for 1999
2012 C63 P31 LSD-Current: My past 1999 C43, 2004 Clk55, 1999 C280 sport, 1995 C280
Dam! looks good! I venture to say thats the best $4k car in the world. I can almost assure you these things are rock bottom and will soon start to climb!
Can you give some opinions on how it compares to your newer Mercs?
Dam! looks good! I venture to say thats the best $4k car in the world. I can almost assure you these things are rock bottom and will soon start to climb!
Can you give some opinions on how it compares to your newer Mercs?
24 hours in and I am really enjoying C43. The sound and rumble of the V8 is intoxicating, and the cabin is very solid considering its age. The previous owner took excellent care of the car and it really shows.
I guess the best way to describe the difference between the 98 C43 and my 17 E43 is Analog vs. Digital. My E43 feels light as feather when I switch to Sport+ and hit the gas, it also corners with ease. The C43 feels strong and buff but it needs some muscle to step on the gas and hit the corners. Having said that though, I love being able to flashback nearly 20 years and enjoy the raw power that this car exudes.
The other obvious difference is the interior and tech advancements in the new E43
24 hours in and I am really enjoying C43. The sound and rumble of the V8 is intoxicating, and the cabin is very solid considering its age. The previous owner took excellent care of the car and it really shows.
I guess the best way to describe the difference between the 98 C43 and my 17 E43 is Analog vs. Digital. My E43 feels light as feather when I switch to Sport+ and hit the gas, it also corners with ease. The C43 feels strong and buff but it needs some muscle to step on the gas and hit the corners. Having said that though, I love being able to flashback nearly 20 years and enjoy the raw power that this car exudes.
The other obvious difference is the interior and tech advancements in the new E43
the interior is illuminated like a X-mas tree.
this is a nice feature, did MB offer different LED colors from factory?
Blue color wudd have been really nice.
you can pimp your C43 with self adhesive LED strips in various colors making it look like a spaceship inside cabin.
the interior is illuminated like a X-mas tree.
this is a nice feature, did MB offer different LED colors from factory?
Blue color wudd have been really nice.
you can pimp your C43 with self adhesive LED strips in various colors making it look like a spaceship inside cabin.
The LED colors can be changed through the command center. It pretty much has the full color spectrum to choose from, I like to leave it red because it complements the red stiching very well.
As for the C43, my plan is to restore it as close as possible back to factory specs
The LED colors can be changed through the command center. It pretty much has the full color spectrum to choose from, I like to leave it red because it complements the red stiching very well.
As for the C43, my plan is to restore it as close as possible back to factory specs
Good to hear. Let me know if you need parts btw I had a bunch of stuff left over from my parts car
sounds like stock exhaust and sounds healthy. exhaust gas appears to be completely clear and invisible, looks like a very healthy engine!
the hand-made M113 v8 in that car will outlive you. I once doubted modern Mercedes v8 engines could every be as durable and reliable as the old ones, but the m113 proved me wrong. I had 297k miles on my C43 before the timing chain started rattling. It still ran fine, though. Just had a rattle under the hood at idle.
and nothing beats the sound of an old naturally aspirated Mercedes V8!
make sure the harmonic balancer has been replaced, it was a factory recall. you can call the dealership with your VIN to verify.
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