azndrgnkid

Hi everyone,

So I purchased a 1999 silver C43 from another board member here back in May. It's been a good sedan for me to get around town locally, with good pick up from the V8 to cruise and push when on freeways when I want to. However, I came from an old BMW E36 M3 with a decent amount of suspension work, so I was used to a "carving machine" that I could push on those freeway bends as if I'm riding a roller coaster lol.

Having said that, I'm getting the itch to build another M3, maybe a newer F80 sedan - something that has the passenger space I need like the C, but also give me the ability to get back into a bit of modding for fun. I may start to shop for buyers and thought I'd come back to the forum and ask if anyone may be interested. Or, anyone want to talk me out of this thought? LOL

Basic details are noted below, but I will fill in more over the next few days as I get more serious about this thought. Also below is the original post from May.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...timates-2.html

1999 C43 in silver
current mileage ~72,500 miles
PPI was done before purchase, with some items should be replaced but not yet mandatory - oil filter housing leaking, rear axle inner boot leaking, fuel tank pressure sensor, spark plugs, driver front lower control arm bushing worn. Nothing too earth shattering for a near 20 yr car.

Thoughts?

C280 Sport

Jesus the car has low miles. If it is clean and everything mine as well hold onto it.

atikovi

Other than being a thinly disguised classified ad post, it looks like a nice car.

azndrgnkid

Thanks for the comments so far. No disguising, really just can't decide yet lol. Don't know how much demand are around for C43's either, other than enthusiasts. The crowd does seem smaller than BMWs, but I will say all very nice from those I have met so far.

siideways

Looks like it's lowered on Eibachs, so doesn't it handle about the same as the E36 M3? I mean I know it wouldn't be identical, but isn't it close/decent enough?

azndrgnkid

Still quite different, but I think to be fair on this thought, we have to consider a few points:

The uncontrollable - car design. Having now experience both cars, I am baffled by how these two were pinned as competitors to each other back in late 90's. They are different in characteristics overall. I personally think E36 had cheaper interior, but focused on a strong, reliable engine and "fun" is in the form of stronger chassis for better handling rather than speed. C43, took the opposite approach. Here you have a car that was about interior quality and comfort, and fun comes in the form of a fast V8 engine that runs straight lines like a mad man. The compromise is less focus on handling, relatively speaking.

The controllable - mods. I had strut bars, sway bars, KW v3's, and poly urethane bushings all around, which really locks up body roll on the E36. It's an unfair comparison to mere lowering springs on the C43, of course. But, the aftermarket for C43 versus E36 is dramatically different. Can the C43 potentially be just as good in handling? Maybe - assuming one can source comparable parts.

Just my own thoughts. Both cars are great vehicles, but different is all.

Side bar comment - I know I had a lot of fun driving the C43 up and down the grapevine, for those in Southern California region.

Mattj31

PMd

Benzrider17

So are you going to sell I mite be interested can you post some pics

brad_c43

Seeing this thread have action, what do you guys think my C43 would be worth? Clean title 187k, 55 swap, resonator 2nd cat delete, wavetrac limited slip on 18" monoblocks ive been eyeing up early vipers lately

DRBC43AMG

V8 to V10? Now that's an interesting engine upgrade. Perhaps good for straight line squirt, but what happens when the road becomes twisty?

brad_c43

thats when you separate the good drivers from the rest

DRBC43AMG