I am about to buy an E36 AMG. Though the C36 gets a lot of coverage on this forum I have not seen anything about the E36 so wonder if this was a European only model. (I am in the UK)

In esence it is it is an overbored version of the straight six E320 Avantgarde with a few more horses - 268 and the 18" AMG rims, lowered suspension and bodykit similar to the later and more potent E55. Powerwise it is 5bhp less than the local version of the 430 but if anything seems slightly more eager though slightly less smooth.

It does seem a very fast and civilised car after my W124 300CE 24 valve and on the face of it I just cannot find any reason not to make the move.

Does anyone know much about the E36 - any big reliability problems etc which would suggest it might be best avoided?

 

I read about it in a Benz magazine. It sounds like a great collectors car. It has the 3.2L bored out by hand to 3.6L and other AMG additions. I would go for it...

 

Yeah, I would go for it for economy....I believe it would have enough zip for daily use and more economical than the E55. If not enough, a few pulley mods and a blower should bring it up to acceptable standards

 

Thanks guys.

 

Just don't forget that there are 210 E50s, E60s, and a pair of E 60 6.3's (M119 based) running around as well which I might consider even more collectable than the E36.

Also, I'd check to ensure it's authenticity, as all of the E36 information I have seen is based on the 124 chassis and not the 210. The 124s "36s" were produced from 1993-1996 (with the cabriolets being produced until 1997. This doesn't rule out your car as authentic, but I would check to be sure.

But above all, thoroughly check out the car and make sure that it's mechanically sound as things like a broken crossover pipe can be not only expensive but difficult to repair.

 

It seems genuine - though I guess as I am buying it for driveability more than rareity I would not frankly be too bothered so long as it was fast reliable and safe. The W210 E36 only seems to have been made for the European market and ran as an alternative to the E320 on which it was mechanically closely based until the V8 E55 was launched. It shares the same AMG bodykit and 18" rims as the early E55's.

As a general rule I confess I normally prefer V8's and also tend to avoid cars with too many 'bling' bolt on's - so going for a dressed up fast I6 motor is a bit out of character. In truth I would have gone for a E430 but this car has turned up first at the right price and it's 268 horespower seems ok.

 

Perhaps you just glanced over my post, but to make things explicit, there was a whole range of cars produced between the M104 E36 and the M113 E55.

They were based on the M119 Engine (Same as found on the 124 E500/500E) but in the 210 chassis. All were ex-US models and very solid. Also, they would provide you with the V8 power that you may be looking for.

In any case, good luck with your purchase!

 

I've got the issue of Mercedes Enthusiast featuring the W210 E36. In the article, it mentioned that the E36 (W210) was only manufactured for the UK market and had very limited numbers, if I recall correctly (It's buried at home somewhere)

Here a link to the back issue....

http://www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk/....cgi?i=0429Mar

That said, I would take others' suggestions and find an E50 or E55 if it is in the budget.

Good luck!

 

There are a few C36 C-Class models here in the US with the same engine. Not a lot of blower options to but on the inline 6. The HP is right up there with the 420 and 430 V8s.