C36 or C43?
08-10-2004, 01:58 AM
#1
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C36 or C43?
Guys, my S2000 (daily driver) was rear-ended and now I'm thinking of getting rid of it. I want to get something larger but still a *bit* fun to drive...
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
08-10-2004, 02:29 AM
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w202 C220
Originally Posted by Arnee
Guys, my S2000 (daily driver) was rear-ended and now I'm thinking of getting rid of it. I want to get something larger but still a *bit* fun to drive...
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
08-10-2004, 02:34 AM
#3
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2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
Originally Posted by Arnee
Guys, my S2000 (daily driver) was rear-ended and now I'm thinking of getting rid of it. I want to get something larger but still a *bit* fun to drive...
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
. They both handles good 
. I like the C43 because of the sound of the V8 and power 
. The V8 run smoother than the inline 6. Think about it inline 6 vs V8 I proof my point ! Just like the new C32 vs C55. If it so good why they come out with an V8? 
Good luck with your new Benz!
Last edited by SL BRABUS; 08-10-2004 at 03:03 AM.
08-10-2004, 02:57 AM
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
i don't think the c43 weighed that much more than the c36...if at all... handling for both cars is pretty similar... if u opt for c36, try and find a 97 model, that one has new software and 5sp auto... i find the 4 sp lacking one more gear...gets kinda drony at cruising hwy speeds. for c43, just make sure the transmission is in good order, seems like some people have had it prematurely wear down... the 4.3 v8 probably does run smoother than the 3.6 i6, read the previous thread on the diesel like noise of the i6...
no doubt if u wanted more fun then take the e36 m3...more luxury, take the w202 amg cars...
no doubt if u wanted more fun then take the e36 m3...more luxury, take the w202 amg cars...
08-10-2004, 03:02 AM
#5
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Sorta off-topic, but...Steve, do you work at AutoBahn Motors?
Back to the topic, I did read the other thread on the transmission problems on the C43. It seems like one of those things where I'll have to take my chances.
Back to the topic, I did read the other thread on the transmission problems on the C43. It seems like one of those things where I'll have to take my chances.
08-10-2004, 03:46 AM
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1996 C36 AMG, 1995 Volvo 850 Turbowagon
no...but they are a great dealer... no markup...even called us 3 months later saying they have c32 available when we inquired about the c32 back in 2002...
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08-10-2004, 11:18 AM
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
i believe the i6 was actually heavier than the v8. and i have owned both and must say i enjoyed the c36 more than the c43. it had a more personal feel to it and a more tuned sport feeling. the c36 is a bored out motor, and the c43 is NOT a c36 motor reworked, its a 4.3 with a little work. as far as the whole tuned thing goes, the c36 is a much more modified motor... with a great rumble. i think either way youre gonna be very happy, i have eaten my fair share of 2000's with my AMG's.
08-10-2004, 11:37 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by steve s
no...but they are a great dealer... no markup...even called us 3 months later saying they have c32 available when we inquired about the c32 back in 2002...
There are some good inputs from you current and past C36/C43 owners. It sounds like I will have to try one out.
Thanks for the input guys.
...now the decision between a W202 AMG and an E36 M3 prevails...
08-10-2004, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by ahopeter
c36 owns e36 m3... me and a friend of mine always raced... and guess who always lost... heres a hint, it wasnt me.
08-10-2004, 02:51 PM
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by Arnee
Guys, my S2000 (daily driver) was rear-ended and now I'm thinking of getting rid of it. I want to get something larger but still a *bit* fun to drive...
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
Been thinking of the three in the subject like, C36, C43, and E36 M3...now the M3 is alot different than the W202's... so now my question is, what are the disadvantages/advantages of the C36 and C43 from each other?
A friend of mine says (or thinks) that the C36 would be a better balanced car because of the lighter V6...regardless, I think that the C43 "handles" as well as the C36... is there some truth to that?
Thanks for your help.
I prefer the C43 to the C36 to the M3. It depends on your criteria though. If you are talking pure "fun to drive" then the M3. But the requirement is usually never just "fun to drive", or you wouldn't be looking for a larger car.
As ahopeter mentions, the C36 is heavier in base form than the C43, due to a few changes like the V8 is lighter than the I6, and minor changes throughout the car from the model update (with 1999 being a bit lighter too). In reality, the differences are negligible because the C43 has more "creature comfort" options which raise the weight.
I find the extra power and torque of the C43 to fit better with my driving style. I found the C43 not to go around turns as well as the C36 (having driven both a 1996 C36 and a 1999 C43 with lots of different wheel/tire combos), but having more weight in the back of the C43 really helps to plant the rear end and really increase handling in slalom-like situations.
The sound of the C36 seems better in the cabin, but if you are outside the car, the C43 sounds pretty good under full throttle. Changing to the CLK55 exhaust with larger pipes gives an even better sound.
I think the seating position and room in the E36 M3 is horrible. I am pressed against the door panel. So much for that car.
During spring snowboarding, I would get 420-440 miles per tank with the C43. 5-speed automatic does make a difference. Just make sure the fluid gets changed.
And I think the C43 has a lot more performance potential for upgrades, because as pointed it out, the engine was MOSTLY "off the shelf". There were some modifications to it, but not too much. The C36 is running pretty hot, already being modified from AMG. The C43 has a lot more "room" in it for more. Not to mention a swap to larger engine sizes is pretty straightforward.
Finally, I prefer all the "luxury features" added to the later models of C43, and the modifications you can do to the car. Since most of my driving is just sedate up and down the freeway, it seems appropriate to give more weight to those features. My C43 had steering wheel controls for the COMAND, multifunction instrument cluster, TV tuner, MP3 jukebox, integrated GSM phone, etc. And the factory features over most C36s (not all) were nice too: one touch windows on all four windows up and down, multicontour seats, xenon lights, no external antenna mast, etc.
-s-
08-10-2004, 09:17 PM
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2017 GLE 350 Wifey, 2005 C55 AMG
Originally Posted by scorchie
Whoa, hope you are OK!
Scorch are u takin kilo's or miles, 420 per tank get outta here, I must have an evil drip in my container cause at best on highway at 80 cruise i get maybe 320- 350 per tank
I prefer the C43 to the C36 to the M3. It depends on your criteria though. If you are talking pure "fun to drive" then the M3. But the requirement is usually never just "fun to drive", or you wouldn't be looking for a larger car.
As ahopeter mentions, the C36 is heavier in base form than the C43, due to a few changes like the V8 is lighter than the I6, and minor changes throughout the car from the model update (with 1999 being a bit lighter too). In reality, the differences are negligible because the C43 has more "creature comfort" options which raise the weight.
I find the extra power and torque of the C43 to fit better with my driving style. I found the C43 not to go around turns as well as the C36 (having driven both a 1996 C36 and a 1999 C43 with lots of different wheel/tire combos), but having more weight in the back of the C43 really helps to plant the rear end and really increase handling in slalom-like situations.
The sound of the C36 seems better in the cabin, but if you are outside the car, the C43 sounds pretty good under full throttle. Changing to the CLK55 exhaust with larger pipes gives an even better sound.
I think the seating position and room in the E36 M3 is horrible. I am pressed against the door panel. So much for that car.
During spring snowboarding, I would get 420-440 miles per tank with the C43. 5-speed automatic does make a difference. Just make sure the fluid gets changed.
And I think the C43 has a lot more performance potential for upgrades, because as pointed it out, the engine was MOSTLY "off the shelf". There were some modifications to it, but not too much. The C36 is running pretty hot, already being modified from AMG. The C43 has a lot more "room" in it for more. Not to mention a swap to larger engine sizes is pretty straightforward.
Finally, I prefer all the "luxury features" added to the later models of C43, and the modifications you can do to the car. Since most of my driving is just sedate up and down the freeway, it seems appropriate to give more weight to those features. My C43 had steering wheel controls for the COMAND, multifunction instrument cluster, TV tuner, MP3 jukebox, integrated GSM phone, etc. And the factory features over most C36s (not all) were nice too: one touch windows on all four windows up and down, multicontour seats, xenon lights, no external antenna mast, etc.
-s-
Scorch are u takin kilo's or miles, 420 per tank get outta here, I must have an evil drip in my container cause at best on highway at 80 cruise i get maybe 320- 350 per tank
I prefer the C43 to the C36 to the M3. It depends on your criteria though. If you are talking pure "fun to drive" then the M3. But the requirement is usually never just "fun to drive", or you wouldn't be looking for a larger car.
As ahopeter mentions, the C36 is heavier in base form than the C43, due to a few changes like the V8 is lighter than the I6, and minor changes throughout the car from the model update (with 1999 being a bit lighter too). In reality, the differences are negligible because the C43 has more "creature comfort" options which raise the weight.
I find the extra power and torque of the C43 to fit better with my driving style. I found the C43 not to go around turns as well as the C36 (having driven both a 1996 C36 and a 1999 C43 with lots of different wheel/tire combos), but having more weight in the back of the C43 really helps to plant the rear end and really increase handling in slalom-like situations.
The sound of the C36 seems better in the cabin, but if you are outside the car, the C43 sounds pretty good under full throttle. Changing to the CLK55 exhaust with larger pipes gives an even better sound.
I think the seating position and room in the E36 M3 is horrible. I am pressed against the door panel. So much for that car.
During spring snowboarding, I would get 420-440 miles per tank with the C43. 5-speed automatic does make a difference. Just make sure the fluid gets changed.
And I think the C43 has a lot more performance potential for upgrades, because as pointed it out, the engine was MOSTLY "off the shelf". There were some modifications to it, but not too much. The C36 is running pretty hot, already being modified from AMG. The C43 has a lot more "room" in it for more. Not to mention a swap to larger engine sizes is pretty straightforward.
Finally, I prefer all the "luxury features" added to the later models of C43, and the modifications you can do to the car. Since most of my driving is just sedate up and down the freeway, it seems appropriate to give more weight to those features. My C43 had steering wheel controls for the COMAND, multifunction instrument cluster, TV tuner, MP3 jukebox, integrated GSM phone, etc. And the factory features over most C36s (not all) were nice too: one touch windows on all four windows up and down, multicontour seats, xenon lights, no external antenna mast, etc.
-s-
08-10-2004, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by scorchie
Whoa, hope you are OK!
Your inputs are very interesting.
I will try to find local C36's and C43's for sale and try to drive them both. I mostly drive freeways so it seems that the C43 might be good for me...plus I miss the V8 rumble from my CLK430.
08-10-2004, 11:45 PM
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a car that can't do the throttle reset.
Originally Posted by steve s
400? wow..i'd be lucky if i got 300 miles out of the c36...
08-11-2004, 04:30 AM
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white and whiter
I'd take the C43 over the C36 anyday. It has a newer center console design. and I like the newer bodykit more.
the C36 is still sexy too tho, saw one the other day.
the C36 is still sexy too tho, saw one the other day.
08-11-2004, 04:34 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
I'd take the C43 over the C36 anyday. It has a newer center console design.
-s-
08-11-2004, 04:36 AM
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white and whiter
Originally Posted by scorchie
What exactly are you referring to here? Because I don't see any differences worth mentioning.
-s-
-s-
08-11-2004, 04:42 AM
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by FrankW
digital A/C controls, newer audio head unit, and other little
buttons. touchshift if you get the 2000 C43.
buttons. touchshift if you get the 2000 C43.
The differences in the number of buttons has to do with the options. For instance, the 1999 C43 has an ONE extra button over the earlier cars (including C36) because of the antitow alarm; and I believe heated seats was standard only in 1999 (but an option previously). The trunk opening button works a little differently and so does the mirror adjustment, but if you didn't already know which one was newer, you wouldn't know.
So really, I think that argument in favor of a C43 doesn't really apply, because it doesn't apply to all C43s.
The 1996 C36 and 1999 C43 that I know the best have pretty much identical looking center consoles.
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08-11-2004, 04:56 AM
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GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
Originally Posted by FrankW
pictures?
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