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iTrader: (1)

Looking on Autotrader website there are some low mileage examples of these, and although I owned a 240 Sport back in 2000, I am not familiar with the AMG models.

Spec looks great - the C43 V8 grunt and very subtle looks, I am very very tempted.

Anyone have experience of either model?

Brendan Hughes

Deep Singh will be your man...

The Zohan

Mate has a C43 MY 01 (from memory) and it is a beast, has the auto box with switchable manual. Quitequick off the mark but the power just keeps on going until the red line in each gear (pulls like a train) So much torque as well - a real beast and he can get around 25 mpg on a run with a light foot.The V8 is an absolute jewel of an engine.

He had an old S6 estate Audi before that and recons the Merc is better performing all round.

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iTrader: (1)

Hi Brendan

Thanks Paul - I have come into some money (which is very nice) and it is burning a hole in my pocket.

I just have not got a clue what to purchase next, but the shortlist is:

E36 M3 Convertible (image?).
R129 SL M-B (am I too young for a 500 SL)?
C43 M-B - the force is strong with this one.
Land Rover Defender 50th 4.0 V8 (£190 fully comp insurance + it can be tweeked to 300 bhp)
S2000 (had one and miss it - but lingering image).
Impreza - had 4 classics and still one of the greats, but, but......
Evo 6 - had a GSR and apart from servicing every 4,000 miles was wonderful.

I have a few months to decide, but want to do plenty of research.........

craigdmcd

iTrader: (2)

Well young Jedi master, the intrigue in you can only be answered with correct and sensible questions, that I shall summon the knowledge I have to give insightful answers. There can be only the path to a dark side if you are not careful!

dtriggs

I had a 1999 T C43 AMG and loved it except for a couple of things. Mid range and upto well over 100 mph it is incredibly fast and speed just builds. It was faster at certain speeds than my Impreza (STI RA) before it. The handling was amazingly nimble for a fairly large car. The interior although slightly dated worked very well and I liked it. The seats (orthopedic jobbies) were great - comfortable and very supportive.

Overall I sold it for 2 reasons. 1) suspension is very harsh - in many ways worse than my STI and the family hated it. The wishbone bushes were shot and needed replacing and were probably the problem. 2) the costs of a big service and the plugs change were astronomical even at a non-franchised specialist. Dont even start on the cost of new brake discs/pads for the special AMG brakes...Buy with service done and brakes in good shape and cost wont be toooo bad.

Nowl I really wish I still had it coz the noise and rear drive handling were fantastic fun. But then again I would be a fair bit poorer. Dont be frightened by the cost of tyres (Micheldever quoted me £120 per corner against £300 from a stealer) and most other parts other than plugs and brakes are standard C Class so not too bad.

Please ask if any more info needed.

Deep Singh

I've got a C32 AMG but have never driven a C43 so cannot compare.

To sum up the C32 is

very fast, in kickdown as fast as most things
very comfortable
spacious
quiet
stealth
ALL the toys you can imagine
IT WILL NOT HANDLE AS WELL AS A M3 OR STi

It does so many things well that I've had it for two years(a record for me!) and still can't bare to get rid of it!

Hope that helps.

ps if you decide to get one make sure its black and that it has COMAND

Brendan Hughes

Hey Rich

All of the cars above are drivers' cars, EXCEPT the Landie; that's a real oddball.

I'm surprised you don't have a Porsche in there, that seems to be a common hankering in this forum - a 996?

Consider also something from Alpina?

And I'm always a fan of the MCoupe, but each to their own...

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iTrader: (1)

Hi Brendan

I had a 911 Super Sport (3.2) in 2004, and have to day apart from the noise it was not that good - ok, it was a 1989 car so one of the last of the "pure" 911s before the 964 came in. Perhaps after an Evo 6 most things would be different.

My problem is I do not know what to get next - C32/C43 is a car I know very little about and they appear to be quite rare on our roads, and as Deep Singh confirms they are very stealthy (is that a proper word )?

Anyway, the Land Rover is, as you quite rightly sa,y an oddball, but they do exactly what you need a car to do - but after taking some measurements last night it will not fir in the garage.

I really like the look of the late M3s - the convertibles ooze driver appeal, and plenty of grunt is available + four seats.

The C32/C43 is a great "Q" car and I am very tempted to have a look at a few over the next few weeks and draw up a short list.

Insurance for all these cars is getting "reasonable" (one of the benefits of approaching 40!)

Richard

Sport160

Friend of mine had a C43 for 2+years (the longest he's ever kept a car) and he loved it. I'be been it and driven it and was always very impressed.

Nice comination of Qcar image, proper old style MB quality (or at least better than todays MB's) reasonable economy (again 25+ mpg on average) and good performance.

Downside according to him were MB dealers who were very poor, potential running costs although he did 30k miles in his with just routine servicing costs.

The early cars don't have tiptronic shift, although to be honest I can't really see why you want it, + many have the two tone interior which is an aquired taste !!

Rgds
Neil

Robbie T

iTrader: (8)

Just to clear up a bit of confusion on these models :

C36 AMG (W202) built 94-97
C43 AMG (W202) built 98-00
C32 AMG (W203) built 00-

C36 is a 3.6 straight six 280bhp
C43 is a 4.3 V8 306 bhp
C32 is a 3.2 supercharged V6 349 bhp

Your choice is realisticly (sp) between the C36 and the C43, the C32 will be much more cash.

RESSE

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Robbie - it is a W202 model year I am considering.

Richard