Why should I buy a C43?

[benzi]

Hi everyone,

First time for me posting on here although I've been on the w126 forum. My profile needs chnging a bit but I love classic Mercs and have been proud to own the follwing:

1978 280E, 1988 190E 2.3-16, 1988 300se, 1989 500se, 1992 300E, 1992 190E 2.3, 1999 E430. Two of the best I've owned are teh 190 2.3-16 and the 500se. 2 months ago I sold the 300se and 500se and said to myself that I would spend money on my 1966 Kombi van and drive my 1972 911 more !

Well here I am wanting another classic MB ! Last time I lasted 3 months without an MB !

So, I have been reading reviews, looking at stuff about C36's and C43's. Today I went to look at a 1988 560SEC.

Here is what I like and am considering for my next MB.
- V8
- Leather seats
- Great condition
- Long term ownership
- Weekend car
- No lowering but different wheels than factory(AMG or MB)
- Possible exhaust mod to free up more HP and have a soundtrack(not obtrusive though)
- Driving enjoyment both as a cruiser and bruiser when required

The choices:
1. 560 SEL
2. 560 SEC
3. W210 E55
4. C43
5. 300 SEL 6.3 (Same money as a C43 here)

So, why should I consider a C43? This is probably not the best place to ask why one should own a C43 I guess! But Please give me all the opinions you have. I seriously am leaning towards a C43 but previously I didnt have much time for the w202 series MB's because I'm a bit old skool with my Mercs.

Tell me how it feels to own one. Tell me even if you have considered selling it and why. Tell me if you sold one and why. I loved the feel of my 500se, black leather and a custom exhaust with slightly stiffer gas shocks and non-lowered suspension on 16" AMG monoblocks. However, although the engine was strong, it looked and sounded oldish. Does the C43 have the same problem. Tell me why I should go and buy one tommorrow. Tell why I should wait if at all.

One thing I dont know is how many were made and what differences there are between production years.

Thing about that time that you knew that you would get to a certain time to buy that car you thought about a couple of years ago. This is the time for me. I think I'm ready for a C43 but am not convinced that it is a classic like the w126's that I've owned before.

So, please help me out with your experiences and opinions.

[eundaddy]

the most common problem with the c43 is the transmission. the previous owner installed a brand new one so mine shifts fine at 260k miles... so when you test drive one, make sure you drive the crap out of it to really feel the shifts. they should be smooth.

i mean, you've owned a line of fairly old cars so you are already aware of the suspension issues related to older cars... so ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods are probably suspect of failure. control arm bushings also go bad.

for me the factory amg wheels look fine, i wouldn't go aftermarket but i am considering upgrading to the new c63 rims. hehe.

unless you are getting a killer deal on a c43, i wouldn't get one. the c43 isn't so special like the c36 because not a lot of work was done to the engine. the c43 is simply a beefed up version of an E class. i would personally get a c55 if you wanted a nice v8. it doesnt look quite classic since its fairly new but the 5.5 liter engine is simply amazing and surely be among the greatest.

[benzi]

Thanks. I drove one 2 hours ago ! Hmmm. My first thought is that the whole thing is bland(sorry you C43 owners .

My 2.3-16 had more edge but I think know what it is. The C43 requires really driving well over the legal limit even around corners to get the best feel out of it. I drove it for 20 mins and on the straights it felt like a C280 just cruising along.

What a wolf in sheeps clothing ! I kept on pinching myself and making sure that I was in a very special performance car !
Unfortunately, we dont have C55's in w202 here, at least not for sale.

I drove a 560SEC yesterday and I really liked the car coz I just love w126's. But i could not figure out why I didnt love it and today it came to me. I'm 6"1' and I reckon that the lower roofline of the SEC had something to do with it.

Most likely I will writeoff the 300 SEL 6.3 as the one that was up for sale a few weeks back has not come up again and another one will take ages to come up. I am still leaning towards a 560SEL. I think that the w126 V8 in the m117 sounds better than the C43. Would slight exhaust changes to the C43 change this?

I'm hoping to drive a w210 E55 this weekend. They are the same money as a C43 here.

[eundaddy]

yeah when i said c55 i meant the w203. e55 is even nicer. good luck.

[benzi]

I've decided to keep looking for an outstanding 560SEL since C43's are still losing value. I still think a well maintained w126 has it overall in terms of style, comfort, quality and most importantly space.

The response here is also non existant unlike the w126 forum. Sorry but I thought I would get C43 owners cussing me or telling me how great their cars are but no.

[svt ricco]

try mbworld or mymbonline.... members are more active over there

[eundaddy]

Originally Posted by benzi

I've decided to keep looking for an outstanding 560SEL since C43's are still losing value. I still think a well maintained w126 has it overall in terms of style, comfort, quality and most importantly space.

The response here is also non existant unlike the w126 forum. Sorry but I thought I would get C43 owners cussing me or telling me how great their cars are but no.

Not just the C43... ALL cars lose value. It all has to do with how well you maintain your vehicle and how many miles you put on it. I prefer the V8 sound of the C43 more so than the C36. I would have bought a C55 if I had the extra cash, but so far, I LOVE my C43. I have always been a Honda guy and the 300 foot pounds of torque at the mercy of my right foot has really won me over. So yea, I'm not going to cuss you out... and I have to agree, there aren't so many active C43 owners on this forum, but they're most likely enjoying their vehicle.

Just think about it though, there were only a handful of C43s that were ever made. The original buyers most likely don't even know how to use a computer... I would love to tell you to go out and get a clean C43, but if you have the money, I suggest a C55. Good luck on your W126.