C-36 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-17-2004, 02:55 PM

Hello!

Any and all input greatly appreciated. After living without a Benz of my own ( the better half has a C240 )for nearly a year, I am strongly considering purchasing a C-36. I found a one-owner '97 with 59K miles on the clock. I test drove it and it seemed fine; it goes, stops and handles very well. It even has warranty until September left. The owner even offered to go with me to the servicing dealer that the car was originally from to discuss it's health.

Here's my question: Are there any major issues with these cars?
I know that the 3.6 is a very limited production engine and I have heard about the head gasket problems with it. The C-43 used the everyday 4.3 V8, but is heavier than the C36 and not as nimble.

I contacted a dealer locally and was informed that a major service plus coolant replacement, tranny service, diff service and brake fluid replacement is around $1K. Sound about right?

Eagerly awaiting your posts!

Richard

ross kennedy · #2 03-18-2004, 11:25 PM

Richard, I would love to have a C36 myself. you may want to check out the web site www.club202 they have a lot of info on both C36 and C43. Good luck on the purchase it sounds like that is a well cared for car.97 being the last year of production would be a good year and i think i have read that they made 200 cars that year.Good luck Ross

#3 03-19-2004, 09:34 AM

Thanks Ross,

The current owner and I are very close to a deal. Thanks for the info as well. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Richard

ross kennedy · #4 03-19-2004, 09:00 PM

Hi Richard, I went to mbusa.com and in 1997 the C36 was $51,925 and there were 236 cars imported, and in 1996 there were 338 cars imported. Ross

#5 03-19-2004, 10:23 PM

Hi Ross,

Again, thanks for the info. I truly hope that I can consummate this deal. One of the service advisors at my local dealer is an enthusiast and wants to see the car if I can get my hands on it.
Imagine, owning two German factory hot rods. People in my neighborhood are going to think I'm nuts. Sorry, they already do!

Regards.

Richard

Flash Gordon · #6 03-26-2004, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rcapi
Hello!

Any and all input greatly appreciated. After living without a Benz of my own ( the better half has a C240 )for nearly a year, I am strongly considering purchasing a C-36. I found a one-owner '97 with 59K miles on the clock. I test drove it and it seemed fine; it goes, stops and handles very well. It even has warranty until September left. The owner even offered to go with me to the servicing dealer that the car was originally from to discuss it's health.

Here's my question: Are there any major issues with these cars?
I know that the 3.6 is a very limited production engine and I have heard about the head gasket problems with it. The C-43 used the everyday 4.3 V8, but is heavier than the C36 and not as nimble.

I contacted a dealer locally and was informed that a major service plus coolant replacement, tranny service, diff service and brake fluid replacement is around $1K. Sound about right?

Eagerly awaiting your posts!

Richard

Sounds like a lot of money just to change some fluids

A good MB shop can do it a lot less!!

#7 03-26-2004, 03:10 PM

You are right, but this also includes air, oil and fuel filters, spark plugs, etc. Still seems a bit high though.

Richard

ross kennedy · #8 03-26-2004, 06:37 PM

Hi Richard, it seems like the dealership labor rate is about $85.oo to $125.00 an hour.I would think that would take at leased 4 hours, that's $ 500.00 in labor it seems high but probly. about wright,they may have more time then that.why not have a pre purchase inpection, maybe it wont need all that work.I was going to buy a car on the east coast and found a dealer in the sellers area and had him take it there. the dealer said that the car needed complete brake job brakes/ rotors,front end work,had elet. problems. I asked if the car would make it back to the west coast and they said they would not try it. but to the owner it was a jewl. best $ 125.00 i'v spent. dont let a good car get a way.

Ross

#9 03-30-2004, 07:18 PM

HI,

Couldn't come to an agreement with the owner of the C-36, but I am in the process of buying a '99 C 43. I should pick it up on Tuesday. It's black/black, one non-smoking owner, and has always been serviced at the original dealer. It has 64 K miles on the clock. Needs tires and minor service and that's about it.
I'm a happy camper.

Regards,

Richard

#10 04-25-2004, 07:29 PM

Just an update,

I flew to Seattle and drove the black C-43 back home to Orange County. The amazing thing is that the owner had purchased a four year extended warranty from Mercedes which covers me until June '07. My local dealer fixed a bunch of small things under warranty, a self-performed detail and a set of new tires and she was good to go. Just got back from a 980 mile trip to Phoenix and Vegas. What a runner!

Richard

jpb5151 · #11 04-26-2004, 05:56 AM

rcapi, great to read that you're happy with your C43.

Just out of curiosity, how does it handle in comparison to the M3?

#12 04-26-2004, 10:55 AM

Hello Again,

It handles great, but it's not up to the standard of the M3.
The M3 manages a decent ride and excellent handling, the C 43 is a good handling car, but it's very harsh. I'm already looking into tinkering with the suspension. It sits too high anyway. So, while I'm looking into lowering it, I may just go and change the shocks as well. Eibach makes a complete kit ( shocks which were developed to work with their springs ) which looks good at this point.

Regards,

Richard