Mercedes C36 AMG and C43 AMG: Used Car Reminder
Posted by Doug DeMuro in Used Car Reminder on | 14 comments
If we’re talking souped-up, 1990s German cars, the E36 M3 gets all the glory. Or, more accurately, it shares the glory with the E34 M5, and the E39 M5, and various other BMWs that were all wonderful, but aren’t necessarily unique.
Enter the C36 and C43 AMG.
These were the first AMG cars (as we know them now) that ever came to the US: they carried a two-digit number rather than the three digits of other Mercedes models, and they used subtle modifications to display that they were, in fact, faster than normal.
The C36 came first. It used a 276-horsepower 3.6-liter straight six, which meant it could do 0-60 in less than 6 seconds. And while it was automatic only, it offered 36 more horsepower than the E36 M3.
Not content to stop there, Mercedes released the C43 AMG in 1998. This time powered by a 302-horsepower V8, the C43 could really haul – even in comparison to its predecessor. Once again, the C43 was automatic-only, though apparently the later models offered Mercedes’s (bad) manu-matic shift mode.
I’ve always loved the original C-Class AMG models because of how damn nice they looked. Those silvery wheels, the subtle body modifications, and the fact that you could get the seat centers in white. It was the high-powered fist-thumper to the E36 M3’s svelte athleticism.
Sadly, reliability issues plagued a lot of these cars (surprised?) and it’s hard to find a really nice C36 or C43 around anymore. Those who do won’t be rewarded with the latest technology, or the most avant-garde styling. But they will be comforted to know that it’s unlikely they’ll ever run into a fellow W202 C-Class AMG.
14 Responses to “ “Mercedes C36 AMG and C43 AMG: Used Car Reminder”
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I love these, especially the C36, and like you said, their looks. They looks just like baby W140′s. But…
I’ll never get over the two tone steering wheels! With just the bottom portion light gray. It looks like a cheap repair, I never got the point of that look.
Just this week I noticed two different C43s on my commute home. I thought to my self that I should look into what exactlythey were. But alas, you confirmed AT only – this need for a third peddle is a curse.
Curse you feeding my craigslist addiction with your damn used car reminders! you’ll sleep in hell demuro!
On a side note, I did find a real nice 92x saabaru
I had a C43 with the 2-tone seats. Loved the look and sound of the car. It’s even a good size–not some gigantic bloated land yacht. To the the above poster: you’re only supposed to have the 2-tone steering wheel if you have the 2-tone seats. The 2-tone seats were moderately common, but only in the silver/black tone combination. I believe there was a black/pale blue combination and, I kid you not, a back/bright purple combination.
Everyone complains that you can’t get a 3-pedal version. Well, that’s actually wrong. It’s the only configuration available. Mercedes uses a pedal-operated parking brake! So, really, you should be wanting a 4-pedal version.
Speaking of the transmission, that was the one horrendous disaster for this car. A transmission can be designed along a number of competing attributes, choosing to emphasize some at the expense of others. Unfortunately, the unit in the C43 seemed to be poor in every possible aspect… to whit:
* acceleration: Well, the fault could be equal parts transmission and low stall speed of the torque converter. Suffice it to say the notably less powerful stick shift USA BMW M3 was so far ahead by 20 miles per hour that it took an entire quarter mile (and 100+ mph) for the Mercedes to catch up.
* top speed: redlined the engine at 155 MPH. I guess that’s fast enough anyway.
* fuel efficiency: With the low gearing of its top gear (see “top speed” above), the car spun 3000 RPM at 80 MPH, making 25 MPG a serious challenge. The USA M3 had the same problem but at least it was only spinning 3/4ths the amount of engine.
* smoothness: hit-or-miss shifting smoothness for any shift. Downshift from 2 to 1 when coming to a stop was always felt. Also, the gearing and/or torque converter conspired to push the car along at idle a little too much, making coming to a stop smoothly impossible unless you were in neutral or in “winter” (second-gear) mode. In order to stop the car smoothly you need to let up the brakes just before they lock when you hit 0 mph; however, if you let up the brakes enough to lock gently, then the car never stops!
* consistency of operation: car tended to have have a mind of it’s own about downshifting when driving casually. Mercedes marketing department has some euphemism like “adapts to the driver.” It’s more like: “adapts to confuse the driver.”
* reliability: the transmission’s reliability probably accounts for 1/2 the depreciation value of this car! Rarely do the 1998 C43s make it to 75k miles before you’re walking home and paying for a $7.5k out-of-warranty repair. This is a running cost on the order of high-end summer tires or (in the 1990′s) the cost of gasoline!
* marketing: I had to throw this one in… the shifter had the word “sport” emblazoned on the shift knob! Quite humorous for something that limits the top speed, is inconsistent in operation, and cripples the off-the-line acceleration.
I’ve heard the transmission was the weak point. That’s such a shame. Do you know if the E430 had the same transmission issues? I can’t imagine it did….
Great post though. Very interesting to know what it’s like to drive the thing. I’ve always loved the styling, and I’ve always lusted after them. Wish they were a little better to drive, own, and operate.
I should also note that in Europe you could get the car as an C55, which gave you the engine from the E55 AMG as well as the far better transmission. That transmission was durable and mounted in the rear combined with the LSD.
That sounds epic. Damn Europeans always get the good stuff.
These cars are so damn cool. I wish they had come in a stick. The subtlety of the styling is perfect.
Didn’t the model pictured only come in the C32? I thought the C36 and C43 were the next body style… the more feminine variant.
Believe it or not it was the other way around! The pictured model was C36 and C43 only. The feminine-looking round one that went from 2002 to 2007 was C32 and C55 only. The current model, since 2008, has only had the C63.
I went home and read up on this and I found that the reason I got this wrong is that FORZA4 got this shit WRONG. It has the ’02-’07 model as the C36 AMG.
Way to lead my astray, Microsoft.
(This is me pushing the blame for not double checking my thought/fact ratio before hitting “Submit Comment”. LOL)
I’m in NZ and own a C36 AMG (no two tone steering wheel either!) and its friggin sweet. Had to rebuild the tranny and does require a bit of maintenance but its worth it.
I’ve peeled a few cars in the time I’ve had it (2 and a half years now) and it handles really well as long as its not wet
Very understated and can give people in their more modern cars a kick up the arse which is awesome.
Don’t really care that it doesn’t come in stick as its got a big engine and you can select your gear anyway.
If you get the chance and don’t mind the maintenance I would def recommend one. A nice meaty car which does a bit of everything. I won’t be selling mine until I can get a modern v8 merc (e55 amg or c55 AMG) one which is a little out of my price range at this stage
Hi there,
Im from Norway, and bought a C36 just recently. Only 61000km on the clock (yes its true)and look, smells and feels like New (also under). Black painting, two-tone steeringweel and black leather inside. I love this car. First owner was Andreas Müller in Borussia Dortmund, and after that stored many years as a collectors peace in Denmark. Came to Norway 2012. Im normally an Alfa Romeo fan, but I just had to have this one, heh..
The sound is incredible and the look is perfect.
Slightly modified air intake and software and should have 308hp and 400nm.
My only problem is that its too nice to drive trough a norwegian salty Winter, so I Guess it stays in my garage this winter.
Love the 36 vs 32 thread. I helped a friend get his 32 (not 36, I now know) across the country a little while back. Somewhere near the Grand Canyon one of us may have attempted to determine if it was limited to 155 but ran out of road at an indicated 160+ or so.