My '98 C43 is coming off lease next month and I can buy it for $22M or so (am negotiating with the leasing company) -- good condition with 58,000 miles and all regular maintenance. Will need new front rotors ($900 parts) in next 10,000 miles and had front fender and spoiler replaced in mild fender-bender. Extended warranty runs for 6 months more.

Alternatively, I can get an under-10,000 mile Starmarked '99 C43 (6 mos remainder of factory warranty plus 4 years full Starmark -- basic one year plus three year extension) for $37,500. Lease payments work out about the same as my current lease payments plus $30/mo.

Should I keep my current car or reload with the newer 10,000 mile one? Like the naturally aspirated V-8 and it's plenty fast for me.

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

It all depends on how much money you have. From my standpoint, I don't think I can justify such a price increase for an identical car with lower mileage. If your car is running fine, I would go ahead and pay it off as quickly as possible so you can truly own it.

Good info Badinfo!

Regards,

Don

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http://www.benzworld.org/forums/imag...e_steering.gif
1998 C43 ///AMG
1999 C230 Custom 5-Speed Manual

Dear C43 AMG:

I'd go for the newer 1999 C43 AMG with under 10,000 miles and a four year MB bumper to bumper warranty. You'd be putting your money into a purchase rather than a lease (due to resale value, a better financial decision); the warranty is leaps and bounds better than no warranty and well worth it (as we both know); the stereo and sound in the 1999 C43 is quite a bit better than the earlier model; and buying the 60,000 mile 98 C43 is not necessarily cheaper if you can't get a substantial extension of the 6 month remaining warranty. Repairs on a Benz start around 80,000 to 120,000 miles depending on use and the quality of maintenance.

I think you are getting a great deal on the 1999 AMG. My 1999 C43 AMG cost me $36,000 with the standard one year Starmark over and above the one year remaining factory warranty, and an extra $1,600.00 to extend my Starmark by one year to 100,000 miles and to add the MB CD player (the car already had every other available option installed except the M/B telephone; I have my own). So I paid $37,600.00 for a 1999 C43 with 40,000 miles. You'll be getting one with 30,000 fewer miles and one extra year of warranty for $100 less. Personally, I think its a great deal. A $30 per month increase that will net you ownership, a substantial warranty and a much newer car is almost too good to be true IMHO.

As you know these are fantastic cars. I've never had so much fun driving before -- the vehicle masterfully cuts through the back roads of Westchester at exhilerating speeds and is almost unbeatable on the highway (a 2002 Corvette got me at 120 when I backed off the accelerator due to traffic).

On another note: the lengthy repairs to my vehicle were done perfectly; the entire rear end and exhaust is new. The car does not exhibit any worrisome noises at any speed. I had the mechanic install a rear seat anti-squeak kit (apparently the C's have squeaky rear seats). Now the car tracks perfectly straight at 30 to 120 mph; braking is fantastic; handling a dream; and mpg with excessive acceleration and speed hovers between 20 and 21. I love this car. (I haven't hit the insurance co. for any more than the original $6,000 settlement -- been too busy driving).

Good luck with your decision and thanks for your help with my problem.

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Marc
C55: Evosport headers & UDP's; AMS crank; TVT thermo; phenolic spacers; Denso IK16's; EuroTech ECU; RennTech cf airbox w/ Green filters; Z06 catch can; Sprintbooster; Optima RedTop; Quaife LSD; AMG: shift paddles, 030 rear calipers & rotors; Rotera brake lines; Euroteck CF lip; "C63" rear diffuser; 18" SLK AMG Turbines (summer); 18" OZ Superleggera's (winter); K40 dual f&r radar w/ laser jammers; MB: digital climate control, iPod kit & mp3 CD changer; iTronic B/T for MOST.