Talk me into buying a C36 AMG....
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 42
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1999 C280
Talk me into buying a C36 AMG....
Hi Guys,
So a little background. I currently own a 99 C280 (since 2015) that I LOVE...but she is starting to rust bad on some spots and mechanically, she runs close to perfect but has issues once in a while with a misfire CEL that I can't quite figure what it is....
I sitll love the pep of the car and look. The engine is built like a TANK also.
I was thinking of moving on to a c36 AMG because I love the body style so much. Moving from my 99 to a C36, would you recommend it or caution against it? How is maintenance for this car? Finding parts? Is it interchangeable with the c280? Like Motor Mounts for example.
What issues should i look for if I do get more serious in buying one? Oil leaks? How hard is maintenance with changing plugs? I know with the design of the C280 it was a pain in the ***. Anything else you can think of?
Also, what's the going price for c36s?
Thank you in advance, guys!
So a little background. I currently own a 99 C280 (since 2015) that I LOVE...but she is starting to rust bad on some spots and mechanically, she runs close to perfect but has issues once in a while with a misfire CEL that I can't quite figure what it is....
I sitll love the pep of the car and look. The engine is built like a TANK also.
I was thinking of moving on to a c36 AMG because I love the body style so much. Moving from my 99 to a C36, would you recommend it or caution against it? How is maintenance for this car? Finding parts? Is it interchangeable with the c280? Like Motor Mounts for example.
What issues should i look for if I do get more serious in buying one? Oil leaks? How hard is maintenance with changing plugs? I know with the design of the C280 it was a pain in the ***. Anything else you can think of?
Also, what's the going price for c36s?
Thank you in advance, guys!
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
C43 will have a lot more parts in common with a c280.
All engine parts, at least external add ons are the same(plug wires, coil packs, water pump, pulleys.....)
C36 is more of a sensitive car and is less reliable but still a very good care f taken care of.
C36 is the one to get right now as its becoming more ad more desirable.
Either way you go you wont regret it. C43 is a little more forgiving so you wont have to look for a perfect one.
When buying a c36 on the other hand, make sure its been taken care of because youll have to deal with some expensive things such as blown head gasket, chewed through wiring harness. Both of these are expensive to fix.
All engine parts, at least external add ons are the same(plug wires, coil packs, water pump, pulleys.....)
C36 is more of a sensitive car and is less reliable but still a very good care f taken care of.
C36 is the one to get right now as its becoming more ad more desirable.
Either way you go you wont regret it. C43 is a little more forgiving so you wont have to look for a perfect one.
When buying a c36 on the other hand, make sure its been taken care of because youll have to deal with some expensive things such as blown head gasket, chewed through wiring harness. Both of these are expensive to fix.
Thread Starter
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1999 C280
Thanks for the input!
Thats what hat I am thinking. My fear is any type of little issues though and the cost.
I found a 97 with 180kish miles. With that much mileage what should I be looking for if I go check this car out?
Thats what hat I am thinking. My fear is any type of little issues though and the cost.
I found a 97 with 180kish miles. With that much mileage what should I be looking for if I go check this car out?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
To major issues and year 97 is less prone to these from my understanding as things got updated.......are wiring harness and head gasket. The rest of this car is very solid.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
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From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
It's a step backwards for sure. Yes they are 'cool' but they share very little with 98+. 98 was kind of a new era of Mercedes, alot of the electronic systems were new and of course the engines. You'll have the old style keys. You'll have an antenna in a quarter panel. Engine wiring harnesses are notorious on those. Head gaskets can leak. If you don't get a 97 you'll have the old trans. I wouldn't get one for a regular driver, although you could. To me it's like going back on time but being a tech I look at things different than others.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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1999 C280
It's a step backwards for sure. Yes they are 'cool' but they share very little with 98+. 98 was kind of a new era of Mercedes, alot of the electronic systems were new and of course the engines. You'll have the old style keys. You'll have an antenna in a quarter panel. Engine wiring harnesses are notorious on those. Head gaskets can leak. If you don't get a 97 you'll have the old trans. I wouldn't get one for a regular driver, although you could. To me it's like going back on time but being a tech I look at things different than others.
I am looking specifically at a 97.
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05 W211 E500, 03 C215 CL55 AMG
Senior Member
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Posts: 459
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C43 AMG with a tune up
Old 4 speed trans is strong and undestructable if treated well with fresh ATF fluids.
First generation 722.6 - 5 speed electro for 1997 C36 is temperamental same goes for the 98 C43!
You have to find out if trans has been repaired or not?
First generation 722.6 - 5 speed electro for 1997 C36 is temperamental same goes for the 98 C43!
You have to find out if trans has been repaired or not?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 384
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From: West Palm Beach, FL
'99 C43, '88 560SL
MBWorld Fanatic!
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05 c55 silver, 98 Imperial Red C43
Both trans are fine on a c36. Ive never heard a c36 having serious transmission issues. I think some people might prefer the old four speed.
If you like the car and like to work on it just make sure you know what you are buying and how much work itll need
If you like the car and like to work on it just make sure you know what you are buying and how much work itll need
Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 138
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1998 C43 w/ 55 swap Wavetrac LSD and 6-Speed manual
The "lifetime fluid" bullsh*t MB was advocating in the late 90s is the only reason the 722.6 durability has been incorrectly questioned. Same is true with the both the 4 and 5 speeds - treat it will with fluid/filter flushes and they both are close to indestructible. Also plan on changing the electrical connector and conductor plate - probably every other fluid flush - as they are both maintenance items that get ignored.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 459
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C43 AMG with a tune up
first generation electronic gearbox had weak sun gear bearings,
MB updated the design with stronger bearings when they found out they had a poorly designed transmission.
MB always had strong hydraulic gearboxes, why make a weak electronic gearbox then not test it properly?
Even the W124 E/CE/T36 AMG suffered from 5 speed electronic gearbox.
I was in the market for this car before I got my C43.
When people bought an automatic they want more gears for lower fuel consumption and top speed, W124 with Sportline package came with 5 speed automatic , in this case would have preferred buying a car with a 4 speed auto.
5 speed were weak and troublesome!
MB updated the design with stronger bearings when they found out they had a poorly designed transmission.
MB always had strong hydraulic gearboxes, why make a weak electronic gearbox then not test it properly?
Even the W124 E/CE/T36 AMG suffered from 5 speed electronic gearbox.
I was in the market for this car before I got my C43.
When people bought an automatic they want more gears for lower fuel consumption and top speed, W124 with Sportline package came with 5 speed automatic , in this case would have preferred buying a car with a 4 speed auto.
5 speed were weak and troublesome!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 636
Likes: 29
From: MN, USA
C43 5.4, ML320CDI, Fords
first generation electronic gearbox had weak sun gear bearings,
MB updated the design with stronger bearings when they found out they had a poorly designed transmission.
MB always had strong hydraulic gearboxes, why make a weak electronic gearbox then not test it properly?
Even the W124 E/CE/T36 AMG suffered from 5 speed electronic gearbox.
I was in the market for this car before I got my C43.
When people bought an automatic they want more gears for lower fuel consumption and top speed, W124 with Sportline package came with 5 speed automatic , in this case would have preferred buying a car with a 4 speed auto.
5 speed were weak and troublesome!
MB updated the design with stronger bearings when they found out they had a poorly designed transmission.
MB always had strong hydraulic gearboxes, why make a weak electronic gearbox then not test it properly?
Even the W124 E/CE/T36 AMG suffered from 5 speed electronic gearbox.
I was in the market for this car before I got my C43.
When people bought an automatic they want more gears for lower fuel consumption and top speed, W124 with Sportline package came with 5 speed automatic , in this case would have preferred buying a car with a 4 speed auto.
5 speed were weak and troublesome!
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 459
Likes: 65
C43 AMG with a tune up
The .6 is still a hydraulic gearbox. It may be electrically controlled but it's a hydraulic trans just like all the others. It's a WAY better trans than the older ones. They used this in every Mercedes made for many years! Tons of big hp and heavy cars, amgs, etc. Also many other companies used it, including Porsche. Sprinters were still using it as of 2018. I didost of the trans work at my dealer and am telling you it's a good transmission. Very good. My 98 trans lived behind a motor it was never intended to support. A motor so powerful nothing like that existed in the days of the earlier transmissions. And it handled it well for 10s of thousands of miles and is still going just fine.
I have seen lots of C43's on german Mobile site, where it says ATG in the ad which stands for replacement gearbox.
There's definatelly something fishy going on with the 722.6xx trannies.
Even the British MB magazine buyers guide warns about these trannies to check them out before purchase of a car?
I recall that W124 500E/E500 had some issues with their trannies but I don't remember what their problems was?
Can you tell what their culprit was?
I was also in the market for an E500 but decided not to buy such car coz it only had 4 speed.
