Being that it seems as though C36 and C43 models seem so difficult to find I bought a C55.

Has anyone here driven both and can offer insight to the differences or improvements to the C55 over the the last models?

What took me to make the purchase is that I read an article on the C55 from its intro in 2005. One of the comments is that is was by far improved over any prior compact MB.

From an enthusiasts perspective, is this so straight forward?

Ive never driven the C36 or C43, just always wanted one. The interest and desirability seems very high right now with few available for sale nationwide.

Is it pure nostalgia? or what is it?

 

PJ owns both (43 & 55), maybe he'll chime in soon

 

I think they made more of the w203 AMG models, plus they aren't as old so they're likely easier to find.

I've never driven a C32 or C55, but my sister did buy a 2005 C240 4MATIC brand new and I had a lot of experience driving it. Otherwise I've driven exclusively w202 cars since I was 16. I put 255k miles on my 1994 C280, about 100k combined on my 2 C43's, and I have about 10k miles on my w202 C55 now (one of my former C43's that I swapped an E55 engine into).

The w203 was still a fine car, but there's simply no way I'd say that it was "improved in every way over previous MB compact sedans." It was more modern and had some really neat, comfortable features. Dual zone climate control was nice but it could never ever figure out what it was doing. And any time you used the "AUTO" function your windshield was permanently foggy no matter what weather you were in. Summer, winter, wet or dry, the AUTO function somehow always made it impossible to see. Meaning I ended up having to manually adjust the climate control constantly to be comfortable and not fog up the windshield. In every w202 I've ever had, I left the thermostat on 72 degrees Fahrenheit and never touched it again. It's worked flawlessly in every w202 I've had and it shocks me that every car isn't as good as this.

Visibility was definitely better in the w202. Pillars were oddly placed and wider in the w203 and it had a weirdly American car feel to it. But all the 90s MB's I've driven (w124, w140, r129, w202, w210, w208) all had fantastic visibility with maybe the w208 being the worst but it was still better than the w203.

Road feel through the steering and suspension was better in the w202. The w203 handled better and felt like it was glued to the road, but the w202 was more fun to drive.

Honestly I think the w202 cars are becoming chic due simply to vintage. No one ever thought the e36 or e46 M cars would come around again but they are SKYROCKETING in value. MB built about as many w202 AMG's as Dodge will build of the Demon. They are super cool and were highly underrated for many years. Jason Camissa of MotorTrend bought a 98 C43 just to have a cool "beater" but he wrote and article about how driving it made him realize he shouldn't treat it as a beater; it should be a collector's car and has always been very underrated. It finished last in nearly every comparison back when it was new but 20 years later they have far more sex appeal, are way more durable and reliable than all their competitors counterparts ended up being, and are far more rare.

I remember seeing the Car & Driver magazine print where their biggest concern with the C43 when compared to the E36 M3, Audi S4, and Saab 93 Viggen was that it won't hold up over time as well as the other cars. Let that soak in for a minute.

 

Its hard for me to compare because both of my cars are lowered and the w203 is on coilovers. Both are pretty rough ride.

First thing you will notice right away is the seats. W203 seats are stiffer. Sitting into my c43 after my c55 feels like sitting on a pillow. Im not sure which I like more but I think c43 seats are probably more prone to getting damaged.

Power wise, since I have a 5.4 swap in my c43, they are about the same.

Build quality from what I can tell is slightly better on the w203 but there are areas in which the c43 does better. For example its way more simple and the headlights for example are glass. Dont have to deal with oxidation.

If you were to take apart both cars, it seems like youd have a hell of a lot easier time with the c43. That inmy opinion makes it way easier to work on. C55 is just right, its not overly complicated and its a solid car with a solid feel to the steering. Feels very tight on the road and the seats hug you pretty well.

The c55 has more features, such as a menu inside the cluster which you can operate by touch buttons ont he steering wheel. There are a lot of options on there. Its mostly things of this nature that are different on this car when compared to the c43. C43 is more 90s, more simple and I like it that way.

Front suspension on the c55 is coilover type while c43 is double wishbone with coil and spring being separate from each other. Not sure which is better but I heard the w203 front suspension requires maintenance less often.

C55 is definitely an improvement over the c43 but for every day normal use, I dont think the difference is dramatic. Sometimes I enjoy driving my c43 more just because I think it has more character.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I guess I just need to wait and find one in my area, unless I can find an exceptional one. I've seen a couple with 200k miles at 5-6000. How much would have the car have left in it?

 

It really all depends on condition. There are very few driver quality C36/C43's. They usually fall into two categories- **** boxes that are on the verge of being parted out and really nice cars. It is unusual to find anything in between unless you are lucky or live in a well populated metro area.

 

I've noticed. But If a car is all that great, wouldn't it be desireable enough to keep upgrading it or is it metal/frame fatigue?

 

Seeing the values of the cars are relatively low, you have to balance whether it makes sense to spend the money needed to refurbish the car. If you are never going to be able to recoup your investment into the car it makes sense to shop around for a better example.

I looked at a 95 C36 earlier in the week. Original wiring harness, crappy paint, drooping headliner, numerous badly chosen modifications, bad valve cover gasket, battery drain....Something like this car does not make sense to drop the money on as you will dig a hole you will never get out of.

 

Icic...would you see a 200k mi car in excellent condition as car to keep as a weekend driver? If everything checked out?

 

A higher miles car would definitely not scare me away. It is all condition and maintenance history. My C36 has 195,000 on it and drives great.

 

I've never had one with less than 200,000 miles, and I've never had a bad experience. I even made money on one of them. The one I daily drive has over three hundred and ten thousand miles on it now, granted it has a new E55 Engine with only a hundred thirty thousand miles, but otherwise the car is great. No rust, everything works, and the interior is still easily 9 out of 10

 

Thanks for the post, would the car that has the 55 engine a c43 or c36?

I believe I read a post on this site that it's easier to upsize the engine?

 

You can't in a 36. A 43 can very easily trade engine with several 55 cars from 98 to 02, especially the E55

 

I think PJmak did a good job summing up the differences between the W202 and W203. My '95 C36 had around 240k miles on it when I bought it and still felt rock solid when I closed the door/trunk/hood. The M104 left plenty of room for working under the hood, much easier than trying to get anything done on the M113 in my C55. I haven't driven a C43, but the sound of the M104 at the upper RPM limit was absolute music, in my opinion. I enjoy driving my C55, but I felt more like I was preserving a part of AMG history every time I took the C36 out (the C55 doesn't give that same sensation). As for your final question, I have a weakness for '90s Euro cars. I've had a handful of Volvo 850R's, and am reminded of late nights watching BTCC and DTM races as a teenager. That's what prompted me to start looking for a 190E 2.3 16V but settle on a C36.

 

 

Not long before I started looking, about 2 yrs ago, there seemed to be at least 1 or 2 Cos for sale within a reasonable driving distance. Once I sold my spare car and had spending money, though, they were gone. The C36 was available and fun to drive. Brought it home and immediately added K-Sport coilovers and replaced the biodegradable wiring harness with a new Delphi part. A few months later I sold the SAAB 9-3 Aero that was doing daily driver duties and bought my C55. Shortly after rthat I sold the C36 to free up room for a wagon, so I wouldn't have to haul car parts/wheels in the 55. Now I have a 300te for parts wagon.

 

Lol, ok so u preferred the C55 over the c36...?

 

Yeah, the power gets addicting.

 

Re-read the article...better than any prior MB’s compact was referring to the interior.

 

I vote C36. I’ve driven both a C36 and a C43 but the 43 just feels like a 430 from any other Benz of the time. The 3.6 is the last engine that AMG did the treatment they did to the AMG cars of the 80’s. Lots of different internal engine changes vs a usual 104. I will say a 43 would be much cheaper to maintain since it’s not very different to a normal 4.3.

 

Waaaaaaaw, that's your own opinion..!?!,,

but have to fully DISAGREE with it..

-;ZAYED;-

 

Maybe it’s because I have a manual trans and a lot of gearing changes lol The C43 is still nice but there’s no little odd AMG things about the engine really.

 

What about the cams and when they hit the sweet spot at 4000rpm and above? That's AMG magic IMHO

 

I completely agree with Zayed! The C43 motor is completely different from a Mercedes 430 Motor. Don’t forget that C36’s were modified C280’s that were shipped to AMG for mods. The C43 was the first car that was assembled from the ground at the AMG plant. Nothing Mercedes 430 about a C43. Cams, pistons, rockers, etc. and the list goes on.....

 

Oups, have to disagree with you regarding the assembly of the C43.

The C43 was NEVER assembled at the AMG Affalterbach factory. The special AMG parts and the 4.3lt engine were shipped to the Bremen MB plant and mated to the C43's on the w202 line. The only c43's assembled at AMG were the one converted to c55 status.

This info was given and confirmed to me when I visited the AMG factory in 2012