WTB 55 swapped C43
11-17-2018, 06:11 PM
#1
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WTB 55 swapped C43
I have been looking to buy a W210 E55 or possibly a W208 CLK55. After some thought I now want to buy a C43 with the 55 motor swap. I'm loving this idea as I can use my C43 as a parts car to freshen up the new (to me) C43 and then sell mine to offset the cost of the new ride. I'm looking for one with around 100,000 miles or less. Black is preferred with the black interior and it must have the monoblocks. I have located one and I am in the process of negotiating price but I figured I would reach out to this community to see if anyone had one they were interested in selling
11-17-2018, 10:43 PM
#2
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Im selling mine but its in pretty poor shape except the interior. The motor and trans run strong just have cosmetic and suspention issues. High miles salvage. Gonna sell it cheap
11-18-2018, 01:22 AM
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11-19-2018, 06:01 PM
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One of my friends has a black 99 with the grey/black interior with a E55 motor. He purchased the car from a MB tech, so it was in perfect shape our friend (another Master MB tech) did the swap. Motor has less miles than the car, which has about 170k roughly. It is stock except it has C55 front brakes and the original are available. I believe he would be interested in selling, but not sure about him letting it go for 8k, like the one you linked to
A short video, not the best quality.
Conversion pictures here
http://frankenbenz.com/
You can contact Emmanual through the website.
A short video, not the best quality.
Conversion pictures here
http://frankenbenz.com/
You can contact Emmanual through the website.
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PSB (09-13-2021)
11-20-2018, 09:01 AM
#6
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How much would your friend be willing to let it go for c43 1999 grey and black swap looking for a clean c43
11-20-2018, 05:07 PM
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You should probably contact him directly through the frankenbenz site I posted, he didn't give me a price. He was considering selling as he had bought a Panamera, but since that car is now sold, not sure how much motivation he has to sell the C55, but cash can motivate.
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11-21-2018, 08:40 PM
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Steve Geyer built the 190e, Russell Drake did the coupe. Steve did the C43/C55 swap for Emmanuel (who owns the car). Emmanuel purchased the C43 from another Mercedes Tech, who Steve knows (I don't remember his name). Hope that clears everything up.
11-22-2018, 03:34 PM
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he told me he wasn't looking to sell before I told him my budget...
Quoted below:
I guess if $8k isn't enough to purchase a swapped C43 with 170,000 miles then he better be ready to be buried in it because no one in their right mind would spend more than that. There are several W208 CLK 55's for sale with less than 90,000 miles with asking prices below $8k
Quoted below:
"I was looking at downsizing my cars a while back, but I ended up dumping the Porsche and haven't really considered any of the other cars. If I do end up getting rid of the C55 you may have to get in line... for some reason it's gotten quite popular lately, probably because most C43's you see nowadays have been beaten down pretty hard or have become rustbuckets with tons of deferred maintenance . Makes me sad to see these cars, but ya can't save them all. 
I was fortunate when I got mine, since it was owned and loved by a Mercedes mechanic at the local dealership. If you find a decent donor though, the swap isn't too difficult and used 5.4L motors are quite inexpensive. Looking at Car-Part.com there's a bunch of low mileage ones for under $2k. What's your budget?"
I was fortunate when I got mine, since it was owned and loved by a Mercedes mechanic at the local dealership. If you find a decent donor though, the swap isn't too difficult and used 5.4L motors are quite inexpensive. Looking at Car-Part.com there's a bunch of low mileage ones for under $2k. What's your budget?"I guess if $8k isn't enough to purchase a swapped C43 with 170,000 miles then he better be ready to be buried in it because no one in their right mind would spend more than that. There are several W208 CLK 55's for sale with less than 90,000 miles with asking prices below $8k
11-23-2018, 04:36 PM
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Its rare to find a used Mercedes that does not require 10k in deferred maintenance, when you do, you can expect to pay more.
If you had asked me about selling my 500e, I might of provided you a similar answer. If you followed up with an offer of 15k, that's as far as the conversion would of went. Now if you mentioned your budget was 25k, then the conversion would of continued.
You can't use "low ball" offer tactics on something that really isn't being offered for sale. Spend more, get a premium example that is worry free and offset the additional cost by getting rid of your existing car.
If you had asked me about selling my 500e, I might of provided you a similar answer. If you followed up with an offer of 15k, that's as far as the conversion would of went. Now if you mentioned your budget was 25k, then the conversion would of continued.
You can't use "low ball" offer tactics on something that really isn't being offered for sale. Spend more, get a premium example that is worry free and offset the additional cost by getting rid of your existing car.
11-23-2018, 08:25 PM
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Its rare to find a used Mercedes that does not require 10k in deferred maintenance, when you do, you can expect to pay more.
If you had asked me about selling my 500e, I might of provided you a similar answer. If you followed up with an offer of 15k, that's as far as the conversion would of went. Now if you mentioned your budget was 25k, then the conversion would of continued.
You can't use "low ball" offer tactics on something that really isn't being offered for sale. Spend more, get a premium example that is worry free and offset the additional cost by getting rid of your existing car.
If you had asked me about selling my 500e, I might of provided you a similar answer. If you followed up with an offer of 15k, that's as far as the conversion would of went. Now if you mentioned your budget was 25k, then the conversion would of continued.
You can't use "low ball" offer tactics on something that really isn't being offered for sale. Spend more, get a premium example that is worry free and offset the additional cost by getting rid of your existing car.
here is the abbreviated version:
Me: hey heard you might want to sell you C43, is this true?
C43 owner: Not really but if I was going to sell I have a lot of other people that are interested. The swap isn't that difficult if you find a donor car and a 5.4 engine, what's your budget?
Me: I have a C43 and could spend $8k on the swap.
The $8k I mentioned was in reference to a swap. That being said, I would think $8k would be enough to purchase a 170,000 mile swapped C43, regardless of the condition of the vehicle, maintenance records, etc... Right now there are 2 CLK 55's with less than 90,000 miles with an asking price of $7k. There is a 2000 E55 with 150,000 miles with an asking price of $7k. All of the vehicles I just mentioned have up to date service records and look to be in very good condition.
I understand with cars a lot of the price is determined by what someone is willing to pay for a vehicle. I am doubting someone will pay more than $8k for his C43. More power to him if he finds someone.
And by the way, your 500E is spectacular! My buddy just bought one with 160,000 for $28k
11-23-2018, 08:55 PM
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1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
My car was $4k when I got it and the swap (engine + labor) was $3500.
I have 7500 total in my car, swap included.
Due to the mileage and how the C43 continues to somehow be so hilariously worthless as a collector car, I plan on driving it until I die. I love it, I'm proud of it. But I do beat the crap out of it. But it will be the last car to leave my stable. Partly because it will never be worth over $3k but also because it's just such a fun, practical, and reliable car.
And yes, 312k miles now and somehow completely rust free
I have 7500 total in my car, swap included.
Due to the mileage and how the C43 continues to somehow be so hilariously worthless as a collector car, I plan on driving it until I die. I love it, I'm proud of it. But I do beat the crap out of it. But it will be the last car to leave my stable. Partly because it will never be worth over $3k but also because it's just such a fun, practical, and reliable car.
And yes, 312k miles now and somehow completely rust free
11-23-2018, 10:29 PM
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My car was $4k when I got it and the swap (engine + labor) was $3500.
I have 7500 total in my car, swap included.
Due to the mileage and how the C43 continues to somehow be so hilariously worthless as a collector car, I plan on driving it until I die. I love it, I'm proud of it. But I do beat the crap out of it. But it will be the last car to leave my stable. Partly because it will never be worth over $3k but also because it's just such a fun, practical, and reliable car.
And yes, 312k miles now and somehow completely rust free
I have 7500 total in my car, swap included.
Due to the mileage and how the C43 continues to somehow be so hilariously worthless as a collector car, I plan on driving it until I die. I love it, I'm proud of it. But I do beat the crap out of it. But it will be the last car to leave my stable. Partly because it will never be worth over $3k but also because it's just such a fun, practical, and reliable car.
And yes, 312k miles now and somehow completely rust free
i. Cleaning up mine, doing a full paint correctio and touch up also full interior and qheel detail.
i think I might keep it
11-26-2018, 02:02 AM
#19
After some thought I now want to buy a C43 with the 55 motor swap. I'm loving this idea as I can use my C43 as a parts car to freshen up the new (to me) C43 and then sell mine to offset the cost of the new ride. I'm looking for one with around 100,000 miles or less. Black is preferred with the black interior and it must have the monoblocks.
It's kinda funny in that a certain type of person buys this car to start (202 C43), then a smaller group swaps the bigger motor and most of us decide we'll keep the car until we die because it's worth more to the owner than anyone else so getting your hands on a nice one is tough.
11-26-2018, 09:38 AM
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12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG sold)
Well I certainly will keep mine till I die, even if it hasn't (yet...) received a 55 heart transplant. Getting on to 300k km so guess that's around 186k miles and currently in the bodyshop for rust spots delete, ding repairs, scratches and a full respray.
That should make it like new and an opportunity to a second life
That should make it like new and an opportunity to a second life
11-26-2018, 09:08 PM
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1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
This is interesting for sure after scrolling through the comments. I can certainly understand this as imho the 210 E55 is a bit too large and the 208 clk55 feels cramped inside. The tricky part is finding a super low mileage car. Most with under 100k aren't swapped and most of the swapped cars have really been driven so they show north of 150k. I've seen a couple between the 130-150k mark but they look like there is a bit of deferred maintenance due to the rest of the vehicle. Guys like PJ, myself, Sulaco tend to fix things as they break so even though our cars show higher mileage, everything is in very good shape. I would entertain something in the 7500-8000 range for sure if I decided to sell mine. Again, it doesn't check any of your boxes, silver over black int, 206k, 5.4 swap done at 155k and all service records since I took ownership.
It's kinda funny in that a certain type of person buys this car to start (202 C43), then a smaller group swaps the bigger motor and most of us decide we'll keep the car until we die because it's worth more to the owner than anyone else so getting your hands on a nice one is tough.
It's kinda funny in that a certain type of person buys this car to start (202 C43), then a smaller group swaps the bigger motor and most of us decide we'll keep the car until we die because it's worth more to the owner than anyone else so getting your hands on a nice one is tough.
Alex: I agree, if someone offered me 7500 or 8k I would consider selling it. At something like 10k I would probably agree. But with 312k miles, faded paint, and a ruined headliner no one is going to come offering that money.
11-28-2018, 07:59 PM
#22
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This is interesting for sure after scrolling through the comments. I can certainly understand this as imho the 210 E55 is a bit too large and the 208 clk55 feels cramped inside. The tricky part is finding a super low mileage car. Most with under 100k aren't swapped and most of the swapped cars have really been driven so they show north of 150k. I've seen a couple between the 130-150k mark but they look like there is a bit of deferred maintenance due to the rest of the vehicle. Guys like PJ, myself, Sulaco tend to fix things as they break so even though our cars show higher mileage, everything is in very good shape. I would entertain something in the 7500-8000 range for sure if I decided to sell mine. Again, it doesn't check any of your boxes, silver over black int, 206k, 5.4 swap done at 155k and all service records since I took ownership.
It's kinda funny in that a certain type of person buys this car to start (202 C43), then a smaller group swaps the bigger motor and most of us decide we'll keep the car until we die because it's worth more to the owner than anyone else so getting your hands on a nice one is tough.
It's kinda funny in that a certain type of person buys this car to start (202 C43), then a smaller group swaps the bigger motor and most of us decide we'll keep the car until we die because it's worth more to the owner than anyone else so getting your hands on a nice one is tough.
11-29-2018, 10:16 AM
#23
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Just reading through this - I'm in the same boat. I swapped a 55 into my SLK and now I dont ever want to get rid of it! It's got 170k, but is still in excellent shape minus some broken interior plastics. couldn't even think of what price I'd sell it for because a standard SLK really isn't worth that much.
11-29-2018, 07:51 PM
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1999 C43 AMG, 2005 E55 Wagon
Just reading through this - I'm in the same boat. I swapped a 55 into my SLK and now I dont ever want to get rid of it! It's got 170k, but is still in excellent shape minus some broken interior plastics. couldn't even think of what price I'd sell it for because a standard SLK really isn't worth that much.
