c36 buying question??
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
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G wagon 280GE swb
c36 buying question??
Hello totally new to these cars, but always wanted one. I own a 460 old school 2 door G-wagon. But know nothing about the C36. Questions> did all came with the cool retro headlamp wipers? the 1995 i'm looking at doesn't have them. Also, seller states it needs a differential? what I'm looking at to fix that? 2k$ plus? Any c36 gurus here that can help?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 458
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C43 AMG with a tune up
All w202 didn't have headlight wipers.
Cars without HL wipers looks a little naked without them.
If car needs a new diff, it's probably been driven very hard and probably done a lot of donuts which screwed up the diff?
Better look for a sound car without major issues.
These cars had issues with head gasket, C36 from MY97 had issues with wiring loom made from eco friendly material causing short circuits.
Plastic intake tube sitting over the engine is a brittle item, don't think MB still sells these?
Make sure the one CAR you're going to buy have the 3.6 logo attached on top of the intake tube, otherwise seller could have put a tube from a C280 which is somehow a restrictive non-AMG part.
I forgot to mention, you get plenty of rust for free as these cars are prone to rust if not maintained properly.
Cars without HL wipers looks a little naked without them.
If car needs a new diff, it's probably been driven very hard and probably done a lot of donuts which screwed up the diff?
Better look for a sound car without major issues.
These cars had issues with head gasket, C36 from MY97 had issues with wiring loom made from eco friendly material causing short circuits.
Plastic intake tube sitting over the engine is a brittle item, don't think MB still sells these?
Make sure the one CAR you're going to buy have the 3.6 logo attached on top of the intake tube, otherwise seller could have put a tube from a C280 which is somehow a restrictive non-AMG part.
I forgot to mention, you get plenty of rust for free as these cars are prone to rust if not maintained properly.
Last edited by MattCordell; Jun 17, 2020 at 02:14 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 101
Likes: 32
From: Victoria, BC, Canada
1996 Mercedes C36 AMG
First off, hope you do get a C36, I'm loving mine. 
I agree a differential that needs to be replaced is a bit odd, haven't heard of that completely failing before. If it's true it's a rare issue that, as Matt said, may suggest some hard use.
I will say it is pretty common for these diffs to be slightly damp from very very slow seepage of diff fluid. Its so glacial that most guys just leave it alone and keep an eye on it. From what I've heard, replacing the necessary seals is quite a big job.
In general, the C36 issues to look for are mostly what was mentioned - head gasket failure, wiring harness degradation, rust (depending on where the vehicle lived), sagging headliner. On the whole these things are built like a tank but after 25 years even tanks need some ongoing TLC.
Let us know what you get!
Oh yeah, the headlight wipers - most of us like them, but mine doesn't have them and I am completely fine with that. With or without are both "correct". They came from the factory both ways.
I agree a differential that needs to be replaced is a bit odd, haven't heard of that completely failing before. If it's true it's a rare issue that, as Matt said, may suggest some hard use.
I will say it is pretty common for these diffs to be slightly damp from very very slow seepage of diff fluid. Its so glacial that most guys just leave it alone and keep an eye on it. From what I've heard, replacing the necessary seals is quite a big job.
In general, the C36 issues to look for are mostly what was mentioned - head gasket failure, wiring harness degradation, rust (depending on where the vehicle lived), sagging headliner. On the whole these things are built like a tank but after 25 years even tanks need some ongoing TLC.
Let us know what you get!
Oh yeah, the headlight wipers - most of us like them, but mine doesn't have them and I am completely fine with that. With or without are both "correct". They came from the factory both ways.
