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C43 vs. C32 AMG

5

500E

MB Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
1,771
Location
London / Dubai
Car
1994 E500 Limited / 2008 C63 AMG
Hi All,

Thinking of moving up to one of these soon. I would have liked a 500E but can't find a decent one for a good price and all the others are selling for an arm and a leg.

So, looking at C43 or the later C32 V6 Kompressor. Can anyone tell me which one is better?

I don't drive much so it will be a weekend car, I am guessing the 43 sounds better. Also looking for abit of a project to mod up over time, I am swaying towards the 43 but a good one will also set me back, in C32 range.

Can anyone recommend driving experiences of both and common pitfalls. Rust and auto gearbox failure is common on the 43, is the supercharger reliable on the c32?

Thanks,
Bill
 
A member is selling a very clean C43 on the Forum. Being bias the C43 every time. I had one for five years,a great car and has a little more character than the Jelly Mold C32 + V8 versus V6 no competition.
 
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Supercharger is fine on C32. Rust, worn bushes, and intercooler pump (£100 to buy and £100 to fit) are the things to look out for.

Buy the latest you can find. Mileage is less of a problem but look for a really comprehensive history - they're so cheap these days that some owners won't be able to justify the cost of servicing and repairs, and so may take short cuts.

You'll be chuffed to bits with either...
 
after my experiences of rust on my C36 i would never buy a pre 2004 merc again. A few C55's are for sale on ebay if within your budget. great engine and galvanised panels
 
A mate of my dads just bought a 12 year old C32 , 120k up in azurite with mushroom interior for £500 !! :eek:

His neighbour died and his wife sold him her dead hubbys car cheap.
 
Hi All,

Thanks for your responses - they have been excellent.

I am planning to spend about £8k max for a really good car. As much as I love the C55 AMG, as I am only 22 insurance is out the question.

I am guess the C32 AMG is also sky high but suprisingly enough the C43AMG wasn't much more than my (previous) 328i Sport BMW.

I am too worried about rust on an older car, most C43's I have seen are rusty and rarely can I find a nice, clean condition one.

There is a nice C32 AMG for sale but its £12k, only 30k miles though :D

Howard - I am sure you are talking about a different C32, the one I am talking about was built from 2002/2003 onwards making it around 10 years old.

My main aim is to sell the Alpina and save a little more for the AMG. This car should last me 5 years minimum so I am planning to buy a minter rather than a high miler.

Glad to hear the C32 is reliable. I would like one in black.

Thanks,
Bill
 
BenzedUP said:
What's your budget mate? for me C32 anyday, no doubt. I love the V6 Kompressor engine, it's more tunable than the 43, you can get it to over 400bhp easily with a simple pully & remap.

C32 AMG achieved runs to 60 in 4.6 seconds, when reviewed by AutoCar.

TCS Prestige & Specialist Vehicles : Mercedes C32 AMG Kompressor 354 BHP
Click to expand...

Thats the one I was talking about. It looks absolutely mint, debadged too which makes it a nice Q-car. Wonder if they will take offers...:)

I would love to own this beast, it would easily last a couple years too with my weekend only driving (as I work in the city during the week).
 
Ok if your 22 then go for the C32 AMG, if your 50 plus then go for the c43 :D :p

Think it's worth about 10K, make them an offer and see...
 
500E said:


Howard - I am sure you are talking about a different C32, the one I am talking about was built from 2002/2003 onwards making it around 10 years old.
Click to expand...

Hi Bill.

Sorry , i was just giving an anecdote , i'm well aware of what a C32 is though. I wasn't suggesting that you could buy one that cheap . He was just in the right place at the right time when the wife wanted to sell the car.

The one he bought is an early car, but for the money he paid for it , he'll take the chance. If it blows up in a years time , he's done five hundred quid.

Good luck with your search.
 
Hi,
When I bought my C43 I asked myself the same question c43 or c32, my decision was made by a cheap 43 coming along before a comparable c32, but I was always reluctant regarding the 32 because I really did,nt like the look of early 203s, and found the 202 much more pleasing to the eye and imo looked like a proper Merc, and if you really are wanting an e500, I would say your next best bet would be for a 202 as they do look slightly similar in looks. The only thing with a 43 is you will have to look carefully for rust, and in my opinion a N/A m113 v8 is far more reliable than a supercharged m112 v6
 
How about this 500e ?....

FMPro


http://www.charlesironside.co.uk/
 
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just curious...at the age of 22 have you had quotes for c32 insurance? not much difference in output from a c55. how much have u been quoted?
 
I've had a C32 and now have a C55 (albeit one with coilovers which radically improve the roadholding). I personally would choose a C43 over a C32 - the V8 gives a soundtrack of sheer V8 joy, whereas the C32 merely whistles at you as it storms along. Having moved from a Boxster S to a C32 I found the latter's handling unrefined and the traction control deeply irritating - nannying and over-sensitive, all much better with the C55.
 
BenzedUP said:
Ok if your 22 then go for the C32 AMG, if your 50 plus then go for the c43 :D :p

Think it's worth about 10K, make them an offer and see...
Click to expand...

Olly is a very youg looking 50 :)

Have you not looked at the C43 for sale on the Forum ? It looks very clean and a good history . W Reg 2000,( they stopped making them in 2000 ) One owner and 80,000 miles.£6,500.00 and in blue with full black interior interior.

I can't beleive it's still for sale !!!
 
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Thanks for the responses all. That 500E is nice, it actually belonged to a neighbour nearby at somepoint, but its way out of my price range.

Interesting posts RE the C43, I would love a nice deep rumble soundtrack which is what the experience is all about, i've seen some videos on youtube and the C32AMG doesn't sound as "mean"!

I've seen that C43AMG and I am going to speak to the owner about it, however i'm not in a position to buy just yet, probably in the next 3 months.

Does anyone have an idea of brake disc / pad costs for a C43 AMG? My uncle owned one back in 2003 and back then the C43 was about £18k, the designo green one with green/black leather. Anyone seen it around?
 
http://www.modifiedcars.com/cars/5230/modified-mercedes-benz-c43-amg-1998-pictures

Here is his old car. Hate it or love it lol!
 
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