benzslo

Hey guys, I'm actually this owner that the guy here was talking about. Thought I'd give an update...



I bought this car, was having it shipped from Vegas to me in MN. It was February, there was a snowstorm in South Dakota, the transport truck slid into the ditch and rolled over. The car was and is totalled.

I took the insurance pay out, and never even laid eyes on the actual car. Though i got to pay taxes on it! I was crushed, wanted a white c43 for years and i was very excited for this car!

In the end, it all worked out for the best, i actually got a really nice local c43.

benzslo

Here is the c43 i got. it's a 98 with the 2 tone and obsidian black, and xenons. I've always liked monoblocks on 202's, and was wanting that look. Previously had a silver c280 with monoblocks and loved it, wouldn't have ever considered these wheels, but i like them! The wheels are amg sport package wheels off a clk, came on some 208's and 209's. He replaced the originals because one got damaged.

Snatched up the car locally, private benz enthusiast, 68k miles, all paperwork and many magazines with the car, folders etc. came with a MB 202 car cover, and a brand new set of floormats in the trunk.

I haven't done much. lowered it, avantgarde grill, debadged the trunk, got the steering wheel refinished, got the few dings out, general servicing and maintenance, buffing and cleaning.

55 engine in the works.

benzslo

Sorry about the camera phone picture quality, need a good camera.

KJI3jflarryfe93

Blackie looks dope man!
congrats

1st picture looks like your black C43 is tilting to the left side?

that white c43 you first bought, did it tumble around getting smashed in the storm?
all panels were busted?
did you see any pictures of the damages?

must have felt like crap when you were notified by the courier?
did you have the car insured while it was on the delivery truck?

taxes were they steep?
couldn't your insurance company help you out taking this cost for taxes?

is it normal to buy an unseen car in US and have it delivered to another state?
what if the seller is a conman selling you a bad car with fake mileage or other bad things that might occur?

benzslo

Thanks! It must just be the picture. It measures the same side to side.

Yes, I saw lots of pictures. it must have come somewhat loose on the truck when it rolled over. There was damage to the roof, right doors, both bumpers, hood, windshield, wheels, right front lights, etc. I believe the estimate was around $8000 to fix, and it wouldn't ever be right again.

Yes, notified by the transport company. It felt pretty bad. It took I believe three months dealing with it to get my money back, which was not fun either. The truck had insurance, and they were the ones paying for it.. luckily because I did not have insurance on it yet. I ended up coming out ahead and made some decent money on the deal, but still a huge ordeal.

I would not say it's normal to buy a car unseen and get it shipped. But I've done this 4 times and had success.. except for the accident the white one was in. There are risks, but I talk with the seller alot and I get a good feel for them, if there is any doubts, then I don't do it. 2 were through EBAY, so you have some protection then also. If you have a very specific and rare car you're looking for and are picky, then you almost have to be ok with traveling to get it, or shipping.

There are things like carfax you can use to verify mileage and history of vehicle. Also I work at a Mercedes dealer, so I can track history of it through our programs.

Here in MN, we have some grocery stores that are called "Kowalsky's"

KJI3jflarryfe93

hey buddy

what are these Kowalsky's selling besides groceries?
Kowalski is getting tired , to be able to keep the pace Kowalski needs some uppers for sequel Vanishing Point.
In this sequel Kowalski will be driving a C43


glad you didn't lose money on that business transaction with the white C43

nd4spd13

Really clean car! That SUCKS about the white one though. White 202 AMGs are so good looking, it's a shame one went so horribly. Black one looks quite nice though, especially with the low miles. Like the AMG on the hubs. Never seen that before. Also your re-dyed wheel looks fantastic. Mind telling what route you went to do that? Love to get a tech's input.

JohnnyRock

benzslo, where did you get the steering wheel re-wrapped?? I need to get mine done as well. What is it with C43's needing their steering wheels re-done?!

KJI3jflarryfe93

2 tone leather is weak on c43, seen many high mileage cars with nasty lookin' trim on upper part steering wheel.

glad I have full black interior

benzslo

Thanks guys. I really could not be happier with my black car, its a very fine example of a c43. The obsidian black is a really nice color on it too, I just love the car.

It really does suck about the white one. There are only so many of these cars left, and there's now one less. And it was a rare white one, and it was in nice original condition. What can you do..

I wouldn't say the 2 tone is "weak". I'm not really biased towards it or the straight black.. but the 2 tone gets a lot of compliments and comments. Not like you can see the seats when you're driving the car anyway.

As for the steering wheel. At my dealership, we have a contractor come in twice a week to work on our used cars, all he does is upholstery repair to seats, dashes, headliners, anything interior. He had the wheel for half a day and I paid him $50. Perks of the job right? Money well spent. I am a shop foreman and if you guys wanted to send your wheels to me, I'm sure we can arrange something. But, I would just contact your local upholstery shops, they should be able to do it.

I drove it all year, just the other day I noticed it didn't look as white, took a warm washcloth with just water, couple wipes and it looks new again. Not bad for $50. I was even considering having the wheel done all in black, but my upholstery guy convinced me to keep it 2 tone and I'm glad. He wanted to do my seats too, although they are fine.

jamaican-c43

well im new here this will be my first post ....this car is actually mine now and im actually driving the car and its pretty sweet car....ive had AMG's before but always wanted a C43 and im not disappointed at all...

benzslo

Wow, really cool! Good to hear its fixed and still out there, I always wondered if the car got repaired or went to a junkyard. Does it still have the same wheels? Any pictures of it?

KJI3jflarryfe93

take some pics of your white c43, let's see what it looks like today after the massive repair

DRBC43AMG

Welcome aboard We would love to see some photos

jamaican-c43

Thanks everyone




Ill post some more later this afternoon

KJI3jflarryfe93

there weren't may panels damaged on c43 during the truck flip over?

roof being replaced, front right wing, front spoiler, what else?

your car does run good now?
car is straight, not crooked?

jamaican-c43

the car is perfectly straight, we put it on the frame machine first to make sure the car was ok because i thought the car fell off a car lift...i replaced the roof skin,fenders and inside pillar at the rear view mirror and paint ....no bondow was added which was good....i had put the original springs back on the car because its too low for the winter but come summer it will be back again with thicker spring perch rubbers....

KJI3jflarryfe93

you are a true magician making that c43 look brand new again.
does complete car have a new paint now?

I wonder about the roofskin, did you get it from dealership?
Is that difficult to replace and getting lined up straight onto car's 6 pillars when cutting of the old roofskin?


Your trunk is it lined up perfectly between taillight edge and trunk edge on both sides?
You can feel the gaps/space with your fingertip if trunk edge is aligned perfectly to taillight edge

DRBC43AMG

It looks very nice and well repaired. I see the headlight wipers are missing and clear glass fogs would look so much better.
I agree the suspension is a bit too low for daily use (rubbing), but why do you use it in winter IMO that's a crime

benzslo

Looks good, enjoy your white c43!

andrey731

Took a while to find but here it is

ShawnLong

98
108K
Eurocharged Tune
Clear Corners
AMG style pedals
35% tint
Aftermarket head unit

503C43 ////AMG

Looks good now you need to lower it

Brodee

Picked this one up last weekend. I'm new Mercedes, this is my first. Had a LOT of BMW's over the last 10 years including 7 I still have now. Thought I would see how the other half lives. Bought this to use as a daily driver.

'95 C36, silver on black. Dropped on H&R springs and Bilstein shocks. Stock 17" mono's, blacked out grille insert.

PO cut out the area between the fog lights so I need to figure out something to clean that up and I'm missing my passenger side fog light, what are my options there without paying the high price for OEM ones?

Front end has a wobble under braking, feels like warped rotors, what else is common weak point on the suspension?

I will spend a lot of time looking around and reading as much as I can before I ask too many more questions. Anyway, here's a couple of pics. Cleaned up the grille and replaced the hood star since the pics.

svt ricco

what gains did you get with the eurocharged tune?