My Door Don't Feel Like a MB Door
 

I've noticed on my C280 that all of the doors on the car have that heavy, smooth MB feel to them when you open and close them - except the driver's side. Looking on here I was wondering if it's something to do with the door check strap. It feels lighter than the rest of them, if that makes any sense. The rear doors especially open and close like a bigger benz. Any ideas? I love that solid "thunk" but don't get it on my side. It kind of makes a clack sound when you open and close it, and doesn't hold the door too well. Gracias!


Geoff

Yup, change the check strap. That "click-clack" is a worn strap. You can do it yourself (there are DIY instructions on this site). I wimped out and had the dealer do mine, was $200 P&L for both front doors.

Yes, I agree with John...

Awhile back though, I had the same symptoms! I think my door had been replaced prior to ownership. You can do a search on the issue if you'd like.

Good luck!

thanks David & John. I was looking at the DIY details on here; since it's not the same car (?) I have a feeling I would royally screw something up in there. So are you telling me that the doors are actually light weight and are given an artificial "feel" (via the checkstrap) to make them seem like big, heavy doors? Have I been duped? ;) Also, I would think these things would last many, many years.

Geoff

The check-strap generally lasts four-five years at least. Mine seemed to "break" after my door was blown wide open by a terrible gust of wind. Not bad life for something that is so inexpensive to replace.

Hey John - I see you had a C36 and traded it. In general did you like the car? If not what didn't you like? I was (still am really) considering looking into one.

Thanks,
Geoff

The C36 is one of the best all-around cars I've driven. The inline six has lots of power, but is pretty easy to live with. The car is well balanced, and handling is incredible considering how good the ride is. Testament to AMG and Mercedes.

It was my wife's car, and she was a little scared of the thought of driving it in the snow. We only owned it for the summer last year. She traded it for the E300, as it uses WAY less fuel (she has a long commute) and has ESP.

1995 is the first year, and ASR was not standard. If you find a non-ASR 1995 car in good shape, it's a keeper. Cheap money and super performance. Non-ASR cars are more fun.

The fastest C36 is the 1997. It has the 722.6 five speed and steeper final gear. They are quite quick, despite standard ASR.

One thing: Parts with an AMG part # are EXPENSIVE! Yikes! We had the rear brakes done, and I was surprised at how much the bits were. About four times the cost of the C230 parts.

Our car had nearly 100K-miles on it, and the engine was like new. The tranny shifted like new, and the car's structure was tight and felt like it would last forever.

The C36's best asset is it's torque. I beat the crap out of a WRX in a roll-on (110 km/h) race. The WRX could probably match or even beat it from a standing start, but once things are moving, the C36 has the edge. Even 7-8 years later, only a dozen or so cars could roll-on against it.

As prices come down and the cars get older, it will be harder to find cherry one-owner examples, but they're still out there. I've seen 95-96 cars for less than the price of a new CL230, and 1997 low mileage examples for the price of a C240.

Exclusive club...

...inclusive prices!

Sounds like a cool car! I didn't realize that the AMG parts would be so expensive. There's a guy down the street from me that might be selling a '97 C36 (wouldn't ya know!) that he never drives. I think he bought it as a weekend car - he ended up buying a Lexus and is totally sold on them. Doesn't care for MB because his E320 broke all the time, and now his C36 sits on the street 24/7. Maybe I'll go pester the man this weekend!

Thanks John for the details!

Geoff