Amg C36/43

[R-SPEC]

hello

well my r34 has been for sale for some time now and in the mean time im just weighing up my options

im now looking at getting something naturally aspirated and a bit different, rare, special etc

lately ive become very fond of german sedans but newer models are just so damn expensive!

anyway ive gone through most models on carsales and the latest cars that have caught my attention are the mercs c36 and c43 there are only 3 for sale of each model and pricing isnt that bad i guess...

just wondering, has anyone here ever owned one of these or know someone who does etc? would love to hear some feedback anything really...

i know its a long shot its not even a jap car but yeah no harm in trying and i cbf signing up on merc forums etc

thanks!

[jack_Sti]

C43 would be nice

[Marlin]

A close friend has owned a C55 AMG for a year or so, it's been a superb car and 100% reliable. Admittedly it was a real standout car done a log booked 40,000klm and appears new.

Be aware to outrageous parts costs. Some grub stole the little mesh parts that fit around the inner lights (no doubt for his C180) and they cost over $1500 to replace.

Nice daily driver, and in my opinion, a better car (no not as fast) than the current C63 AMG.

Edited July 31, 2010 by Marlin

[sycorb]

i owned a c36 it was a great car i have upgraded since. as in other post parts are not cheap for the mercs but i still feel i get more looks in my r32 gtr and i have way more fun in it than my new merc

[hypo26l]

i have owned both car i found the 43 a better car well i had more luck with it anyway it was more reliable and i enjoyed it more but i got to agree with sycorb gtr is more fun

[warps]

C63 Rocks - if for no other reason than the sound. They're a bit small for my liking (bit cramped in the back seat for adults) but make an awesome cruiser and good for track days if you're game.

Have you consideres the BMW equivalents? Don't know what sort of $$ you're looking at, but the E39 (1998 - 2003) model M5's are around the $40k or less. 5L 400hp V8 with 6 speed manual - A lot of perforomance for not a lot of money.

[Nismo_Boy]

The W202 shape AMG’s are getting a big long in the tooth now.. As are they kays on them. I’ve driven some ratty ones as well as great ones. When they start going pear shaped the cost’s are ridiculous, but so are most car’s I guess.

A mate of mine has a C36 with 230,000 and it’s always in getting something fixed.. There weren’t that many C43’s delivered to Australia, if your budget can stretch to one don’t even waste your time with the C36.

If you can afford a good C43 and aren’t that fixed on the hot V8 exhaust note, C32’s are better buying IMHO.

[XRATED]

We owned an AMG C36 brand new. It was ordered with AMG E55 running gear and brakes in red with black leather and carbonfiber inside. The car was never delivered and sat at the dealership for 4 months, untill we picked it up.

It was a quick car, especially back then. Beautiflly constructed. Handling was very well ballanced and predictable... The car was regularly driven on a Targa Tasmania stage (work was at the end of it).

It was quiet and smooth over 240km/h ha ha ha.

ahh... the good old days.

It was much much quicker than my mildly modified r31 coupe (around 215rwkw).

Hope that helps,

Cheers

Justin

[syfon]

Have you looked at the E46 model BMW's 2000 onwards?

I would suggest looking at a 2000-2002 BMW 330Ci. 3 litre in-line six, great on fuel, 230bhp @ the flywheel, leather, sat nav, tv, bi-xenon headlamps. And in the eastern states you can pick one up for around the $30,000 mark in immaculate condition.

AND, contrary to popular thought, they are not that expensive to own or service. I've owned one and so does my brother. They are a cheap car the maintain.

Just some food for thought

[syfon]

Oooo sorry just realised you said german sedans. If that's the case, look at the E46 330i sedans....

[phunky_monkey]

I test drove a C36 maybe 5 years ago, and I was quite impressed with it. Motor felt strong and decently rapid, though I wouldn;t call it fast. Build quality was nice, interior was comfy, rear leg room was quite good.

I was turned off in the end by the high km's and prospect of resale value, and the fact it couldn't tow despite having over 400nm's of torque.

[Jdfnq]

Looked at the MB's and BMW's

Settled on a W8 Passat...

4.0l W8 motor and 4wheel drive....

Rare as rocking horse poo as well..... Only about 50 in oz...

Bloody fantastic car to drive....

[R-SPEC]

cheers guys

should have mentioned that my budget is no more than 25-30K

would love a c63 or m5 but way out of my budget lol

never been a fan of VW's or any other BMW's other than m3/5s although i do like the z4 and an audi s4 b5 would be nice but prefer N/A...

another car i have in mind is the merc R129 range always loved em that body shape just never gets old

im aware of the costs of parts and servicing that such cars require. however i service/fix my cars myself so i will only be paying for parts. i know maintenance will never be as cheap as japs and parts not as common but in my opinion such cars are worth the extra $$

btw my next car will mostly be used as a weekend cruiser so im after something comfy for long drives yet still have decent power for the occasional squirt here and there

any other suggestions would be great anything from the mid-late 90s or even newer as long as it doesnt exceed my budget

thanks again!

[Ten Four]

M3 Evo....

And the E39 m5 has 400hp, not 500.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Ten Four

[R-SPEC]

dont want e36 too many mock ups

[warps]

And the E39 m5 has 400hp, not 500.

Who said it had 500hp?

[Ten Four]

I could have sworn you said 500.......

Aaaaanyway, mockups, so like evo's?

[warps]

Yeh I had to read it again - 5L 400hp could be read as 500 in a quick glance. The V10 jobbies were good for 500hp apparenlty but still out of my price range.

Personally I wouldn't care if there are hundreds of mockups going around. If anything, it will stand out less (I'm not into standing out in a crowd). If you have the real thing, who cares whether there are wannabes trying to make their 318i look like a M3. Makes them a bunch of tossers, but doesn't detract from the genuine thing IMHO.

[R-SPEC]

^^ fair point i too am not into attracting attention while driving

Ten Four only just realised your selling an m3 lol fark dude that is mint wouldnt mind something like that at all

aaargh need to sell my 34 asap

[Ten Four]

Haha cheers.

I need something uni safe

You could always badge it as a 318is and leave the noobs behind