Would value your input...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 8
From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Would value your input...
Hey guys, I'm getting ready to sell my '98 C43, but I wanted to get some advice before putting her up for sale.
The car has 135k miles and runs and drives great. However, like any 23-year old car she has her faults.
The first issue is the front bumper - it's cracked and the paint is wrong. The car was involved in a front-end collision with the previous owner. They never repaired the crack correctly and it split again. The body shop also did a ****-poor job of color-matching the paint and the driver-side fender. In addition, there are several dings to the doors and hood (parking lot & possible hail damage). Repair estimates are $1,500 to fix and paint the bumper and have a PDR guy handle the numerous dings.
The next item is the steering wheel. The leather is worn and cracked. I've always wanted to replace the leather as this is the main point of contact for a driver. Also, the visual appeal is obviously negated by the poor condition. The repair would involve me sourcing a temp replacement wheel (which I have) and sending off the old wheel to be recovered and re-stitched. Cost to recover the wheel would be $450.
I addition, both rear wheels (monoblocks) have curb rash and cracked/peeling clearcoat. Repairing both wheels would run about $150 but all 4 wheels would now be in mint shape.
Finally, there are several maintenance items that I never got around to doing:
The car has 135k miles and runs and drives great. However, like any 23-year old car she has her faults.
The first issue is the front bumper - it's cracked and the paint is wrong. The car was involved in a front-end collision with the previous owner. They never repaired the crack correctly and it split again. The body shop also did a ****-poor job of color-matching the paint and the driver-side fender. In addition, there are several dings to the doors and hood (parking lot & possible hail damage). Repair estimates are $1,500 to fix and paint the bumper and have a PDR guy handle the numerous dings.
The next item is the steering wheel. The leather is worn and cracked. I've always wanted to replace the leather as this is the main point of contact for a driver. Also, the visual appeal is obviously negated by the poor condition. The repair would involve me sourcing a temp replacement wheel (which I have) and sending off the old wheel to be recovered and re-stitched. Cost to recover the wheel would be $450.
I addition, both rear wheels (monoblocks) have curb rash and cracked/peeling clearcoat. Repairing both wheels would run about $150 but all 4 wheels would now be in mint shape.
Finally, there are several maintenance items that I never got around to doing:
- Spark plugs
- Coolant flush
- Fresh oil change
- Brake fluid flush
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 40
From: Bay Area, CA
98 C43, 15 Alfa 4C LE, 18 Tesla Model 3 DM Perf, 08 Duc S1000, 02 Duc 998, 98 Duc 748, 01 Miata
It's a small market, so always tough to tell, but that is relatively mild mileage for a W202 AMG, so I personally think it would be worth addressing those items. Your bottom 4-points could be addressed by you in a days worth of work and probably $150-$200 worth of parts/materials.
In regards to the steering wheel, not sure how bad yours is, but check out this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ing-wheel.html
I had my wheels redone and they were $150 per wheel. If you can get yours looking factory fresh for $150 for both, that's a good deal.
The fascia fix might be a bit high, but tough to say. It'd be worth paying for a good job. All in, you could potentially have an $8k-$9k versus a $4k-$5k car with leaving the issues as is.
In regards to the steering wheel, not sure how bad yours is, but check out this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ing-wheel.html
I had my wheels redone and they were $150 per wheel. If you can get yours looking factory fresh for $150 for both, that's a good deal.
The fascia fix might be a bit high, but tough to say. It'd be worth paying for a good job. All in, you could potentially have an $8k-$9k versus a $4k-$5k car with leaving the issues as is.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,437
Likes: 43
From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
1.) I would change the plugs, coolant, brake fluid, and oil as these are good selling points for the car and show that you have some sort of maintenance routine.
2.) I would definitely fix the rims as it will increase the value of the vehicle, I just paid $2k for a flawless set of 18" mono blocks.
3.) I would do something to make the steering wheel look better but I wouldn't spend more than $50. MOST C43 steering wheels are trashed, mine included.
4.) I would do something about the bumper as well, not so worried about the dings unless they are very large.
Whatever you do, keep in mind the max you are going to get is around $8k. Most likely less unless you are willing to hold out. The selling price should help you make your decision, just look at your ROI.
2.) I would definitely fix the rims as it will increase the value of the vehicle, I just paid $2k for a flawless set of 18" mono blocks.
3.) I would do something to make the steering wheel look better but I wouldn't spend more than $50. MOST C43 steering wheels are trashed, mine included.
4.) I would do something about the bumper as well, not so worried about the dings unless they are very large.
Whatever you do, keep in mind the max you are going to get is around $8k. Most likely less unless you are willing to hold out. The selling price should help you make your decision, just look at your ROI.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 8
From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
It's a small market, so always tough to tell, but that is relatively mild mileage for a W202 AMG, so I personally think it would be worth addressing those items. Your bottom 4-points could be addressed by you in a days worth of work and probably $150-$200 worth of parts/materials.
In regards to the steering wheel, not sure how bad yours is, but check out this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ing-wheel.html
I had my wheels redone and they were $150 per wheel. If you can get yours looking factory fresh for $150 for both, that's a good deal.
The fascia fix might be a bit high, but tough to say. It'd be worth paying for a good job. All in, you could potentially have an $8k-$9k versus a $4k-$5k car with leaving the issues as is.
1.) I would change the plugs, coolant, brake fluid, and oil as these are good selling points for the car and show that you have some sort of maintenance routine.
2.) I would definitely fix the rims as it will increase the value of the vehicle, I just paid $2k for a flawless set of 18" mono blocks.
3.) I would do something to make the steering wheel look better but I wouldn't spend more than $50. MOST C43 steering wheels are trashed, mine included.
4.) I would do something about the bumper as well, not so worried about the dings unless they are very large.
Whatever you do, keep in mind the max you are going to get is around $8k. Most likely less unless you are willing to hold out. The selling price should help you make your decision, just look at your ROI.
In regards to the steering wheel, not sure how bad yours is, but check out this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c...ing-wheel.html
I had my wheels redone and they were $150 per wheel. If you can get yours looking factory fresh for $150 for both, that's a good deal.
The fascia fix might be a bit high, but tough to say. It'd be worth paying for a good job. All in, you could potentially have an $8k-$9k versus a $4k-$5k car with leaving the issues as is.
1.) I would change the plugs, coolant, brake fluid, and oil as these are good selling points for the car and show that you have some sort of maintenance routine.
2.) I would definitely fix the rims as it will increase the value of the vehicle, I just paid $2k for a flawless set of 18" mono blocks.
3.) I would do something to make the steering wheel look better but I wouldn't spend more than $50. MOST C43 steering wheels are trashed, mine included.
4.) I would do something about the bumper as well, not so worried about the dings unless they are very large.
Whatever you do, keep in mind the max you are going to get is around $8k. Most likely less unless you are willing to hold out. The selling price should help you make your decision, just look at your ROI.
The front bumper fix includes a proper color-match and re-spray of the driver-side fender, since both were mis-matched from the previous work. Plus, their PDR guy is going to remove 2 decades worth of hood and door dings.
I really wish there was a cost-effective way to recover my steering wheel but the leather is chipped, cracking and missing little chunks. Absolutely horrible. Not sure how you can get a steering wheel in this condition?! But it's so visceral to the driver which is what makes it a critical part of the car and the car buying experience. But I'm going to explore the Leatherique-option
I think I'm going to tackle all of these issues and bump the value. It makes sense. The person buying our cars know what they are and appreciate a high-quality product.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 323
From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I agree completely with both of your sentiments.
The front bumper fix includes a proper color-match and re-spray of the driver-side fender, since both were mis-matched from the previous work. Plus, their PDR guy is going to remove 2 decades worth of hood and door dings.
I really wish there was a cost-effective way to recover my steering wheel but the leather is chipped, cracking and missing little chunks. Absolutely horrible. Not sure how you can get a steering wheel in this condition?! But it's so visceral to the driver which is what makes it a critical part of the car and the car buying experience. But I'm going to explore the Leatherique-option
I think I'm going to tackle all of these issues and bump the value. It makes sense. The person buying our cars know what they are and appreciate a high-quality product.
The front bumper fix includes a proper color-match and re-spray of the driver-side fender, since both were mis-matched from the previous work. Plus, their PDR guy is going to remove 2 decades worth of hood and door dings.
I really wish there was a cost-effective way to recover my steering wheel but the leather is chipped, cracking and missing little chunks. Absolutely horrible. Not sure how you can get a steering wheel in this condition?! But it's so visceral to the driver which is what makes it a critical part of the car and the car buying experience. But I'm going to explore the Leatherique-option
I think I'm going to tackle all of these issues and bump the value. It makes sense. The person buying our cars know what they are and appreciate a high-quality product.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...heel-wrap.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
Likes: 8
From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Thanks for that link. I have not seen that company before. It doesn't look like they have any options for us W202 owners, however.
But if they did, I would certainly order from them. I have re-skinned a couple of steering wheels before. Very laborious but so satisfying at the end.
But if they did, I would certainly order from them. I have re-skinned a couple of steering wheels before. Very laborious but so satisfying at the end.
Last edited by JohnnyRock; Aug 6, 2020 at 06:51 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 57
Likes: 11
From: Columbus, Ohio
1998 C43 AMG, 2001 ML55 AMG, 2001 E55 AMG, 1999 E430
@JohnnyRock go on instagram and search "amg_brabus_parts" as well as "zapchasti_auto_germany" ... both regularly sell new w202 AMG steering wheels, and you can usually make a deal for ~$300ish. Other option would be to find a different upholsterer... $450 is very steep for a re-cover, assuming they're not doing any airbag reconditioning. Like @ECTurboGSX said, taking care of that list could bring you closer to $8k, assuming your C43 is a white/silver/black exterior. GLWS!
