It has 38K miles and the note balance is $36,213.41. I had never owned a MB before, so I was under the mistaken impression I would be happy with the car for a while and got a six year note. What a mistake.

Another C32.
Brabus wheels, 8.5/9.5x18.



In England, in the spring.

1995 Imperial Red C36 AMG
H&R Springs
Blistein Shocks
Brabus Monoblock IV wheels
Bosch Clear Corners
K&N Filter

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1995 C36 AMG

Hi All!

Add me to the list. This Friday I'm picking up my stock, 1999, Black on Black C43 AMG, just off lease, with: 40K miles, zennon lights, rain sensor and head light wipers (seems to be in perfect condition -- its all guaranteed anyway, at least 'till its paid off).

I drove the car twice and loved it. It comes with a 2 year 100K bumper to bumper MB Factory/Starmark warranty.

So, "C43AMG" what can you tell me about your 98 C43 AMG? Is it reliable or does it break every oil change as "FastNSX" complains. (Should I back out of the deal while I can?).
What can you tell me? Your experience would be most helpful.

I'm truely looking forward to getting this car. I really hope that it's reliable; after all, I'm trading in my old '87 300E for it to avoid having to fix the car every two weeks. I figured buying a relatively new Starmarked MB would be more fun and certainly less expensive than restoring and fixing (and fixing) (and fixing) my old MB.

Marc
99 C43

Unlike Fast NSX's experience, I have had no problems at all with my '98 C43 -- only real thing that has had to be repaired under warranty has been the pneumatic bladders in the orthopedic driver's seat -- have had a recurrent problem with them holding pressure, but dealer seems to have solved it on third go. Also had a shock and rear suspension link replaced under warranty (two separate events) but these may well have been wear items that got generous treatment. both under the base M-B warranty and an extended warranty from EasyCare (good experience). Otherwise engine, drivetrain, climate control, electronics and electric motors are all immaculate.

Tire wear can be expensive -- switched from Michelin Pilot Sports to Sumitomo HTR-ZII for cost reasons and have been very satisfied, tho may try Bridgestone S-03 next time for variety. Special AMG wear parts are also expensive -- front rotors are $850, front brake pads are $200 -- check to see how the rotors and pads look at purchase, as they should be almost new for a Starmark.

With Starmark, you should be fine on big exposures -- if I were you, I would extend the Starmark warranty as long as possible (I think that you can add at least two years to the base one year Starmark period, but you have to do it BEFORE you take the car -- see http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/W140/vthread.asp?messid=819 and http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/W140/vthread.asp?messid=860) -- it's cheap insurance in case something big should go wrong -- I would not want to replace an AMG engine or the tuned Sport transmission taken from the 600 series.

Only drawback to the C43 is that it is probably the "rawest" of the AMG cars and the ride is very stiff -- discomfort is more for passengers than driver (my wife and daughters don't like riding in my car) -- there are faster cars being built now (C32, new M3, etc.), but overall, it's hard to beat for performance, reliability [wouldn't buy a used M3] and cost.

If you don't mind sharing the info, I would be curious as to what financial terms you got ($$ and purchase or lease) -- PM or e-mail is OK if you don't want to post info. My lease is ending in November and I am minded to keep the car, tho I may want to negotiate the buyout down depending on where the market is.

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'98 C43 AMG
'88 420SEL
'93 190E Limited Edition (including factory Sportline package)

C43AMG:

Thank you very much for your detailed response. Well I think I got a good deal on my 99 C43AMG with 40K miles. They sold it to me for $36K with a two year 100K bumper to bumper warranty -- Starmarked. After my trade in, and full MB financing ,my monthly payments come to $614 for 60 months. Sticker price in 1999 with the C1 option package that my car has was $54,190.00 plus sales tax, gas guzzler tax, luxury tax, prep. & delivery. The alleged dealer buy out price on that off-lease-C43 was $33,000.

I couldn't get them to throw in a free CD changer but they offered to do it for cost at $600 installed. Is this any good? The dealer estimated $800 to $1,000 for each additional year of warranty I wish to purchase. My insurance will go up by about $1,200.00 per year.

Seeing as how I am now at the limit of the monthly I can afford today (varies as per client, I'm an atty in solo practice) I may not purchase extra years on my starmark warranty unless I can raise further down payment monies before friday.

If you have any further C43 info, let me know. Like: how's the car in the snow? can you use 16" X 7.5" ET 41 Rims for snow tires? How many sets of tires/brake pads did you use per 20,000 miles? How would the C43 compare to an M3 and M5? (I don't like BMW looks -- too many kids have them here in Westchester).

Thanks
Marc
99C43 AMG

Marc: C43 is undriveable in snow with regular tires and wheels (I had to abandon my car and get a ride with a kindly truck after a sudden Spring 2" snowfall -- no sand and salt here in NC) -- get an alternate set of cheap steel wheels and Blizzaks or Alpines -- call Luke at TireRack for advice.

$600 for M-B Alpine installed is OK, but for due diligence call Scott at La Jolla Audio (expert on Mercedesshop audio board; tel 800-467-6545) to discuss what he could get you-- you'd still probably have to find someone to install it in NY and pay $100 for installation.

I got my car with 24,000 miles on it (now have 55,000) and new Pilot Sports which lasted 20,000 miles -- current Sumitomos have little wear at 10,000; did new front brake pads at 50,000, so they run about 25,000 -- will do rotors next time. I drive mostly interstate and do not push performance envelope, so your results could differ.

M-B Starmark website says that one-year Starmark extension (on top of the one year you get for free with Starmark) for C class is $895, two-year extension is $1,295 and three year (I think it is only available if your are still in factory warranty, but check) is $1,750: http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/starmark/about/war_info.jsp -- dealer sounds like they are overquoting -- refer them to the website or printout and fax to them. I would definitely spend the extra $900 to go from one extra year (that you now have) to three, esp if you can finance it. BTW, what was your M-B interest rate on your loan?

C43 is comparable to prior generation ('98-'99) 240HP M3 but not to current M3/M5. '98-'99 M3 is more agile and quicker with its manual transmission, C43 better on highway, more luxurious and more durable.

I will privately e-mail you my contact info in case you want to call me with any further questions. I spent 18 years at Cravath in NYC before moving to Charlotte.

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'98 C43 AMG
'88 420SEL
'93 190E Limited Edition (including factory Sportline package)

I would have HAPPILY sold mine for the balance on the note - $34K.

While you have mentioned your unhappiness before, I don't think I've seen a list of the specific problems that your car had. Can you briefly list them?

__________________
'98 C43 AMG
'88 420SEL
'93 190E Limited Edition (including factory Sportline package)

I wish that were possible, but there is nothing 'brief' about the list. I have 38K miles on the car and I have never made it to an oil change (every 5K) without SEVERAL things breaking. The usual quality control stuff like bad seat controls, bad SRS control, tranny shifting badly, broken sunroof switch and on and on and on. First oil change had a list of nine broken things(just spent $56K to drive it away and no loaner?), second oil change had four; since then it has been one to three broken items at each 5K interval. Maybe it is not fair to compare it to my Honda, but IMHO the car was very poorly built.

C43AMG:

The interest rate was 10.25%. Not bad for a second hand car. The best rate they offer, I believe, is between 7 and 8 %. Depends on the State tho.


FastNSX:

Thanks for the offer but, $36K for a Starmarked car with a two year dealer warranty that is 10 minutes from my house is cheaper than $34K for a car with no warranty that needs to be delivered and checked over.

Marc

I would get an extended warranty on AMG cars..mine is a lemon and i have spent over 10K fixing it.

Just off the phone with the dealer for a exhuast leak..I know it's the manifold leak but he said it's a new cat.

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1997 Silver AMG C36
OEM Advantegarde Grille
OEM Clear Corners
W210 Blinking mirrors
Eibach/Bilstein Combo
Zender Rear Lip Spoiler

C43AMG:

The interest rate from MB was 10.25%. Not bad for a second hand car. The best rate they offer, I believe, is between 7 and 8%.

FastNSX:

Thanks for the offer but, $36K for a Starmarked car with a two year 100,000 mile warranty, 10 minutes from my house is IMHO cheaper than $34K for a car that comes with no warranty, needs to be checked over and delivered. Thanks tho, if you were next door, who knows?

Marc
99C43AMG

Tump:

Congratulations on your purchase

Did you finance through MBCC? I'm now "in the throws" of going through the searching process for an AMG (CLK55).

Since dealers are now discounting these cars.....who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and some ninnie will approve my loan for a new one

If that happens..... My car payment may equal my mortgage!!!

Anyway, have fun and be safe with your new acquisition.

E.P.

El Presidente:

Thanks for your wishes! I plan on being safe and only going nuts with the car on the track.

I intend to improve my (hetetofore, lacking) sense of self-control by staying within reasonable speed parameters (no more than 10 mph over the posted limit) and letting all the nuts pass me as I simply enjoy the ride.

Hope you get your loan. Hey, if MBCC gave me one at 10.25% they will almost certainly give you one.

In this kind of a slow/consolidating/uncertain economy, companies are letting luxury items go (read German auto's & Swiss Watches) for much less money.

Rocky:
I just added an extended Starmark warranty to the car. 3 years or 100,000 miles. I'll certainly drive from 40K to 100K in 3 years. And I hope my C43 is not a lemon -- there are laws against that. So far, only two negative reports about the C43 in general, and many very positive reports. A glowing report from a local fellow who liked to autocross his C43, which abuse he claimed his C43 tolerated admirably well. It required no major or worrisome repairs.

Marc