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  #1  
Old 12-10-2003, 09:15 PM
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Need Advice: C43 or E500?

Having looked at several cars, I've found a few that would do nicely. I can purchase a C43, with around 30,000 miles and a 100,000 mile starmark warranttee or purchase, for the same amount basically, an E500 with around 45,000 miles, with a few Renntech goodies...no warrantee of course. What would you do? I am confussed...great problem to have I suppose.

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  #2  
Old 12-11-2003, 11:43 AM
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If you're not immediately drawn to the pedigree, history, style, and uniqueness that comes with the 500 then I think the C43 is a better choice. Warranties are great for peace of mind and a newer car will most likely give you fewer problems, especially during the first few years of ownership.

Drive them both and see which one you like better
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  #3  
Old 12-11-2003, 12:13 PM
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Thanks. I spoke to a few dealers and they said the same thing. Not easy, since price wise, they are basically even.
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  #4  
Old 12-11-2003, 05:50 PM
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I drove them both.

I like the C43's rumbling exhaust note but the E500 has more of that push and the snarl from the 32V V-8

My pick.. E500
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  #5  
Old 12-11-2003, 07:24 PM
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Thanks. Some of you have been good enough to email me advice on it but I am going to use this vehicle every day and the warrantee tips the scales to the newer car. I've looked at both..build quality is not as good on the c43. But, I'm going to buy one. Take care.
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  #6  
Old 12-11-2003, 07:39 PM
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so it looks like you have narrowed it down.

Since you are going to drive it every day I would get the C43 with the aftermarket warantee/mercedes warantee.

E500 is for a weekend driver, alough a wonderful daily driver a 94 should be kept low miles, but enjoyed miles.

And the owners of mercedesshop can put on a supercharger on the C43 because they did it already to a white one, but the white one, they put in a 5.5L motor then supercharged it.
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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.
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  #7  
Old 12-14-2003, 08:40 AM
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I'm sure everyone reading this will roll their eyes when I say this, but I test drove the c43 for the second time and I'm not getting it. The car performs well but the car did not feel nearly as solid or as high a quality as the 500E/E500. Also, those two tone seats/stearing wheel (yes, you can find solid black but not so easy) are garish.
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  #8  
Old 12-14-2003, 03:30 PM
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A 500E is a very solid car with R129 SL suspension, you would expect that. A C class is nice, but the 500E is a great car.

My brother has a C36 that he just got and I love it, but I told him I wanted a C55 so someday I will add the C55K and the 500E/E500 to my stable.
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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.
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  #9  
Old 12-14-2003, 04:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Richard1
I'm sure everyone reading this will roll their eyes when I say this, but I test drove the c43 for the second time and I'm not getting it. The car performs well but the car did not feel nearly as solid or as high a quality as the 500E/E500. Also, those two tone seats/stearing wheel (yes, you can find solid black but not so easy) are garish.
I'm with you on this one.

Hi-Power (Ernesto) and I for the fun of it test drove a C43 at South Bay Mercedes off of PCH (the dealer where Guido works) about a year ago.

We were both totally un-impressed. The two tone seats look like they belong in a GTI. It didn't feel nearly as tight as not just the 500E / E500, but any W124 that we've driven in.

I'd find a well-maintained 500E / E500 and drive the heck out of it. If something happens to break, fix it. M119's are very well-regarded and long-lived engines.
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1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".
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  #10  
Old 12-14-2003, 05:41 PM
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Location: Orange County California
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I had to rent a car for a few days and looking around the rental parking lot, I settled on a brand new Nissan Maxima 3.5 SE, with quad tips..... There were a some features that I found on this car that I liked - audio controls on the steering wheel, passenger and driver temp controls, choice of auto / manual shifting etc... However, the handing was so-so, light and feeling comparatively less stable at high speed. It definitely makes me appreciate my 'riding-on-rails' E500 ......!!
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  #11  
Old 12-15-2003, 08:14 PM
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Re: Need Advice: C43 or E500?

Quote:
Originally posted by Richard1
Having looked at several cars, I've found a few that would do nicely. I can purchase a C43, with around 30,000 miles and a 100,000 mile starmark warranttee or purchase, for the same amount basically, an E500 with around 45,000 miles, with a few Renntech goodies...no warrantee of course. What would you do? I am confussed...great problem to have I suppose.
It's a no-brainer: go for the 500

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'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
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