e36 AMG

[amolak]

Hi, Is this a good car to purchase considering its nearly 15 years old, or are they unrealiable and a potential money pit?

Seen plenty for sale around £2-£3k but they dont seem to be selling?

Any advise would be welcomed

Thanks

 

[abecketts]

Hi, Is this a good car to purchase considering its nearly 15 years old, or are they unrealiable and a potential money pit?

Seen plenty for sale around £2-£3k but they dont seem to be selling?

Any advise would be welcomed

Thanks

Are you talking about a W124 E36 or a W210 E36? The former are rare and quite sought after combined with the W124 build quality only the loom and rusty wings will be items to watch out for, I don't know if E36 W124 looms are even more expensive than std cars. The later model less so and has the usual W210 rust issues. Other of greater knowledge will no do correct me or expand on this.

 

[amolak]

Sorry was referring to E-Class E36 1996+ (W210 E36)

 

[BTB 500]

Seen plenty for sale around £2-£3k

It was only made for about a year, and AFAIK only 180 were sold in the UK!

 

[amolak]

Is it a reliable car?

 

[Buffers]

Hi, l ownered a 1999 W210 td estate for 5-6 years. The car was very reliable but the rust was a big problem. If you look at any of these cars you must really check out the bodywork. Tops of doors under rubber seals, bottom of doors, around windscreen under seal, wheels arches, battery well, estates have rust problems around rear number plate lights etc. There are good ones out there but please do your homework!!

Buffers

 

[GP801]

E36 w124s are usually advertised for a lot more than 2-3,000. Very rare and sought after. As with most w210s the E36 goes for a lot less than the 124 version.

 

[GP801]

Mechanically the w210s are ok. The biggest problem by far is rust. Usually serious and in places you cant always see. The visible rust is only the tip of the iceberg. Be very careful.

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
Early 210's IMO did,nt suffer from the rust issues like the later models, a 210 E36 I would class as an early 210, engine and gearbox are proven and reliable, and the wiring loom issue is less likely to be a problem as apparently MB changed their cable spec circa 95-96 in an attempt to address this issue.
On the whole having less dedicated AMG parts like the later models, an E36 210 offers a cheap way of owning an original AMG model and as previously stated quite rare.

 

[Biglips]

I agree with the comments already posted. I can confirm that the engine and gearbox are robust. Mine in my 124 has now done just shy of 260k miles without problem. Mine does not run well on standard unleaded and is much happier on superunleaded which I have never encountered in any other car so you need to factor that in to running costs, but otherwise it is a cheap way into AMG ownership. Performance is not eye watering but enough to surprise other motorists and engine very characterful. Money pit? No more than any other old car. Buy one that has been well cared for and you should be fine. Good luck.

 

[amolak]

I agree with the comments already posted. I can confirm that the engine and gearbox are robust. Mine in my 124 has now done just shy of 260k miles without problem. Mine does not run well on standard unleaded and is much happier on superunleaded which I have never encountered in any other car so you need to factor that in to running costs, but otherwise it is a cheap way into AMG ownership. Performance is not eye watering but enough to surprise other motorists and engine very characterful. Money pit? No more than any other old car. Buy one that has been well cared for and you should be fine. Good luck.

THanks what sort of MPG do u get around town and Motorway? Are service engine parts difficult to get for AMG?

 

[ucr]

Two for Sale

Here two for sale

1996 MERCEDES E36 AMG BLACK - 1 OF 220 CARS - £53K NEW on eBay (end time 10-Mar-11 23:11:59 GMT)

** MERCEDES BENZ E36 AMG SILVER ** on eBay (end time 15-Feb-11 21:12:13 GMT)

 

[BTB 500]

Here two for sale

1996 MERCEDES E36 AMG BLACK - 1 OF 220 CARS - £53K NEW on eBay (end time 10-Mar-11 23:11:59 GMT)

** MERCEDES BENZ E36 AMG SILVER ** on eBay (end time 15-Feb-11 21:12:13 GMT)

The silver one has just had a new clutch!

 

[Biglips]

THanks what sort of MPG do u get around town and Motorway? Are service engine parts difficult to get for AMG?

Not great on fuel economy. Very thirsty unless you drive it like a nun (but then why buy an AMG to drive like a nun....) I only do a few thousand miles a year and so not an issue for me. I have never really worked out mpg. Dont buy one if this is a major consideration for you.

The engine is different in character to the 320 it is based on which was silky smooth. The different cams mean it is quite gruff at tickover (almost diesel-like) and has a real growl under acceleration. Cabin noise is louder, although the 210 has better cabin insulation and so I suspect it would be less of an issue, but I like the noise!

Parts - cant comment as I have not had anything major go on the engine. I have done the usual 124 bits water pump, ball joint (new wishbone), suspension top mounts, front spring, ARBs, ATF change. All these have been standard 124 parts. Cost in an ATF change if you buy one and it hasnt had one done in recent past as it might save you plenty in the future.

I did talk to Crewe Engineering about the cost of an engine/ gearbox recon if ever required. They said that parts were a bit more expensive than standard Merc bits, but the main problem was that it took some time to source them on these older models.

 

[janner]

Mechanically they are fine and the MPG is about the same as the 320 (albeit with more expensive petrol).
The 3.6 is just as smooth (if not more so) than the 3.2. The exhaust is slightly louder but only at high revs and it's a great sound. Only the intake cam is different and neither cam should be noisy at tickover.
Service items are cheap enough but rebuilding a 3.6 engine is a non starter. Major parts aren't just slightly more, they're a lot more. The gearbox is unique to the E36/C36 so finding a scrap one won't be easy.

All W210s rust and that's the biggest problem by far.

The next problem is the E55. Why bother with the E36 when the E55 is only slightly dearer and in a different league? 280 bhp doesn't sound too bad but the W210 is a heavy car and the E36 is not really sporty enough.