First Mercedes: C43 vs C32
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
First Mercedes: C43 vs C32
Hey everyone,
i have been lurking on the boards for a few months now, i just got approved for a loan and have my choice narrowed down to a 1999 C43 or a 2004 C32, i love them both just cant really decide what to go with.
I researched on here to see the potential issues on both, seems like the C43 maybe has 1-2 fewer known issues, but not enough to sway me away from the C32.
Here are the pro's and cons i see to each imho (note both cars have right near 70k miles on them, C32 is just under $14k, C43 is just under $12k):
C43:
pros - rare, i dont think i have ever seen one in grand rapids and i just love the look of the older benz's. single owner vehicle. since there are fewer engine performance mods i would be more likely to save money after buying this car. couple grand less expensive.
cons - not as fast as C32, not as many mods to get it faster, less tech/standard features than newer(?)
C32:
pros - much faster than C43, more speed mods available to get even faster. more modern tech features.
cons- not as rare as the C43, see more cars like it around. Will likely spend more money on performance mods after buying.
would love to hear everyone's honest opinions to help weigh in on my decision, i really am stumped as which way to go and see it as a win/win.
FYI, this would not be a daily driver, although i would drive it a lot when the weather is nice, store it in the winter, and i do plan to get my AMG's worth out of it, going to autocross and track days every now and then, not hardcore racing but just to drive it like it was meant to be driven now and then.
thanks
i have been lurking on the boards for a few months now, i just got approved for a loan and have my choice narrowed down to a 1999 C43 or a 2004 C32, i love them both just cant really decide what to go with.
I researched on here to see the potential issues on both, seems like the C43 maybe has 1-2 fewer known issues, but not enough to sway me away from the C32.
Here are the pro's and cons i see to each imho (note both cars have right near 70k miles on them, C32 is just under $14k, C43 is just under $12k):
C43:
pros - rare, i dont think i have ever seen one in grand rapids and i just love the look of the older benz's. single owner vehicle. since there are fewer engine performance mods i would be more likely to save money after buying this car. couple grand less expensive.
cons - not as fast as C32, not as many mods to get it faster, less tech/standard features than newer(?)
C32:
pros - much faster than C43, more speed mods available to get even faster. more modern tech features.
cons- not as rare as the C43, see more cars like it around. Will likely spend more money on performance mods after buying.
would love to hear everyone's honest opinions to help weigh in on my decision, i really am stumped as which way to go and see it as a win/win.
FYI, this would not be a daily driver, although i would drive it a lot when the weather is nice, store it in the winter, and i do plan to get my AMG's worth out of it, going to autocross and track days every now and then, not hardcore racing but just to drive it like it was meant to be driven now and then.
thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 468
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From: Salt Lake City
C32, 911 SC
That C43 is way overpriced. C43 should be selling around 6-8K (8K being a prime example), unless it's a MY 2000 with the more reliable tiptronic tranny. If the price is that close, I would definitely go for the newer C32.
Both of these cars are rare and you don't get to see them everyday or even once a month. They both have a sleeper status attached to them, but even more so with C32 because of the abundance of C230 with sport package that looks exactly the same.
If you will be doing some track days, I would go for the C32 that has rack and pinion steering vs. recirculated ball on C43.
Known problems with C32: ic pump, coolant leaks, valeo radiator leaking coolant to tranny (not an issue with MY 2004 build after April if I am not mistaken) and seat control module draining battery.
Known problems with C43: weak tranny, plenty of forum members have had their's rebuilt.
If you plan to modify your car, C32 can be extremely loud with just Code 3 intake and resonator delete. I did a friendly run against a CLK55 with resonator delete and we both could not hear anything besides the sc whine from the 32. Some people might find that annoying.
Both of these cars are rare and you don't get to see them everyday or even once a month. They both have a sleeper status attached to them, but even more so with C32 because of the abundance of C230 with sport package that looks exactly the same.
If you will be doing some track days, I would go for the C32 that has rack and pinion steering vs. recirculated ball on C43.
Known problems with C32: ic pump, coolant leaks, valeo radiator leaking coolant to tranny (not an issue with MY 2004 build after April if I am not mistaken) and seat control module draining battery.
Known problems with C43: weak tranny, plenty of forum members have had their's rebuilt.
If you plan to modify your car, C32 can be extremely loud with just Code 3 intake and resonator delete. I did a friendly run against a CLK55 with resonator delete and we both could not hear anything besides the sc whine from the 32. Some people might find that annoying.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
thanks for the feedback.
the C43 is single owner so that was a plus, also hard to find many with low miles anymore, not like im defending it, i love them both for different reasons! but i do feel like the C32 is perhaps a better 'bargain'.
i have done the searches on the things to look for on the C32 (the same that you have mentioned), so i feel like going in to purchase i can get to the bottom of those issues. im really tempted by the power that can be had from the C32.
thx.
the C43 is single owner so that was a plus, also hard to find many with low miles anymore, not like im defending it, i love them both for different reasons! but i do feel like the C32 is perhaps a better 'bargain'.
i have done the searches on the things to look for on the C32 (the same that you have mentioned), so i feel like going in to purchase i can get to the bottom of those issues. im really tempted by the power that can be had from the C32.
thx.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 468
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From: Salt Lake City
C32, 911 SC
Yes, don't get me wrong, I love w202 as I used to own a 97 C280 sport that was very reliable and has never given me a problem until the day I sold it at 189K miles.
Either way, you can't go wrong with both, but the C43 is indeed way overpriced. I would go for MY2000 C43 for that price as their transmission is more reliable.
C32s engine and tranny are very stout. The car is also very fast from a dead stop, which is a different characteristic than C43 that is slow off the line but fast on highway speed.
Test drive them both and see which one you like better.
Either way, you can't go wrong with both, but the C43 is indeed way overpriced. I would go for MY2000 C43 for that price as their transmission is more reliable.
C32s engine and tranny are very stout. The car is also very fast from a dead stop, which is a different characteristic than C43 that is slow off the line but fast on highway speed.
Test drive them both and see which one you like better.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
wish i could but the C43 is in texas so its about a $500-600 commitment for me to go down there and come back. the C32 is not as far away, but still a 6 hour drive or $300 plane ticket. so driving both of them is not really feasible. 
there is a local C32 for sale with more miles and overpriced in my opinion, but i could at least see if i can get a test drive out of it, though i feel like the C43 is the one i would better be able to make a decision on after driving if i could only drive one.
there is a local C32 for sale with more miles and overpriced in my opinion, but i could at least see if i can get a test drive out of it, though i feel like the C43 is the one i would better be able to make a decision on after driving if i could only drive one.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 468
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From: Salt Lake City
C32, 911 SC
That's too bad. I don't know how loyal you are to the W202, but after driving both C43 and C32 back to back, I didn't see how I could go with C43. C43 has more solid feel to it, but C32's torque and power is jut way more addictive.
But that is just my personal opinion. Good luck either way!
But that is just my personal opinion. Good luck either way!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
That's too bad. I don't know how loyal you are to the W202, but after driving both C43 and C32 back to back, I didn't see how I could go with C43. C43 has more solid feel to it, but C32's torque and power is jut way more addictive.
But that is just my personal opinion. Good luck either way!
But that is just my personal opinion. Good luck either way!
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E55, SL63, ML550
You guys are right on, agree with everything said.
The only thing I will say is the power and the way it comes on is totally different. The 32 has much more low end tq, you feel it as soon as you get on it where as the 43 has to wind up more. I think if you did drive both, you would fall in love with the 32's motor and not be able to go back to the 43. I do love the old amg 202 look though also.
The only thing I will say is the power and the way it comes on is totally different. The 32 has much more low end tq, you feel it as soon as you get on it where as the 43 has to wind up more. I think if you did drive both, you would fall in love with the 32's motor and not be able to go back to the 43. I do love the old amg 202 look though also.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
yea after looking at the service records for the C43 im leaning that way. still some light negotiation to do with the owner, but im hoping it will work out.
thats crazy about dropping in the 5.5! i saw some posts about it on here, definitely wont be doing that soon, but it does sound like the kind of thing i might do once i 'got used' to it.
thats crazy about dropping in the 5.5! i saw some posts about it on here, definitely wont be doing that soon, but it does sound like the kind of thing i might do once i 'got used' to it.
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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 also looked around at the c32 before choosing my c43. I don't regret it either. I really prefer the purr or growl (depends on loud pedal) of the V8. Simple mods like secondary cats and central resonator delete are cheap and you have a car which sounds not much different than a c63. Also, the engine is bullet proof and if the oils (engine and transmission) are changed regularly using the correct MB spec oils, you should have no mechanical problems. Only drawback is that w202's did have tendency to rust (sills and wings), but if the car has been cherished and not lived too much in a salty climate, it should not be a problem at all. Texas I imagine would have been a nice and dry place for preserving a car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
I also looked around at the c32 before choosing my c43. I don't regret it either. I really prefer the purr or growl (depends on loud pedal) of the V8. Simple mods like secondary cats and central resonator delete are cheap and you have a car which sounds not much different than a c63. Also, the engine is bullet proof and if the oils (engine and transmission) are changed regularly using the correct MB spec oils, you should have no mechanical problems. Only drawback is that w202's did have tendency to rust (sills and wings), but if the car has been cherished and not lived too much in a salty climate, it should not be a problem at all. Texas I imagine would have been a nice and dry place for preserving a car.
with the C43 a big part of the appeal for me is the look of it, not necessarily being crazy fast. I saw a regular 99 or so C-class in the parking lot at the mall the other day (dont even see those much up here) and it reaffirmed to me how much i like the look of them.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
i had to check the site, but yea that is my C43 on there, another guy that has a benz put the video up on there, i ahve some other vids on here. I usually go to the 28th st metro cruise show they have at the dealership.
where in west MI are you located?
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Joined: Aug 2013
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1998 C43 AMG
Missed this reply.
Grand haven, so fairly close. Spring time I imagine I should post up w mb club, but regardless I think we should consider getting these cars together when the weather breaks. I've followed your suspension thread and was looking to go euro spec, no lower. Would love to see in person if you're down come spring.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 13
From: Grand Rapids, MI
99 C43 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG
Grand haven, so fairly close. Spring time I imagine I should post up w mb club, but regardless I think we should consider getting these cars together when the weather breaks. I've followed your suspension thread and was looking to go euro spec, no lower. Would love to see in person if you're down come spring.
I love the euro springs ride height. the car is really quite low, everyone on here has the Vogtlands so they think the Euro is not low enough, but when you see it in person its low, esp compared to the stock USA ride height. the guys at the shop that installed them for me were surprised how much of a drop it was and they weren't even settled yet.
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E430
Yes, don't get me wrong, I love w202 as I used to own a 97 C280 sport that was very reliable and has never given me a problem until the day I sold it at 189K miles.
Either way, you can't go wrong with both, but the C43 is indeed way overpriced. I would go for MY2000 C43 for that price as their transmission is more reliable.
C32s engine and tranny are very stout. The car is also very fast from a dead stop, which is a different characteristic than C43 that is slow off the line but fast on highway speed.
Test drive them both and see which one you like better.
Either way, you can't go wrong with both, but the C43 is indeed way overpriced. I would go for MY2000 C43 for that price as their transmission is more reliable.
C32s engine and tranny are very stout. The car is also very fast from a dead stop, which is a different characteristic than C43 that is slow off the line but fast on highway speed.
Test drive them both and see which one you like better.
wow tons of Mis information here! The c43 has the m113 motor which is bulletproof! The e500 uses the m113 as well but in a 5.0 version, just a bigger bore. The transmissions in both cars are also bulletproof. This is the 5 speed automatic we’re talking about here! Think of the m113 motors as the German Toyotas!!
the c32 is slightly quicker than both but is known to blow head gaskets. I would stay away from that model!
Last edited by Gutentight11; Mar 13, 2025 at 06:52 PM.
