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When the C36 hit the streets, it was something very new. The E500 and the M5 had been around, but there hadn't been a neato fast compact four door land in North America.
By the time the C43 came around, most W202 hot-rod buyers had scooped up the C36. Also, the W202 chassis was rumoured to be up for replacement in 00 or 01.
Now, in the W202, 1998 was a banner sales year, with the exterior freshen really getting things going on the showroom floor. But, the C43 sold, but not the excess demand that the initial C36 had. Well, the C43 wasn't too far off a Sport trim regular W202 for looks. By 1998, everybody had equipped their W202 with 17" AMG wheels.
Also, the C43 drives quite different from the C36. It's not any quicker than the last C36 with the 722.6, so there wasn't any performance jump. The suspension is much stiffer, and not as good a balance as the C36.
If it were me, I'd love a C43, but they're still too expensive as used cars.
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