R129 or maybe not

[Sp!ke]

Having been searching for quite a wile now for a nice SL500 without coming up trumps, I've been thinking that I've missed out now until summer is over when hopefully the good ones will reappear on the market once again.

So last night, I went to have a look at a C43 instead, thinking that I could have fun in this until returning to my search for the SL come autumn.

I have to say that I was quite taken with the power of the V8 in the little C class. Smooth as silk but a real beast when you plant your foot down... deceptively fast to the point where I nearly missed my exit to get off the A3 when returning to the sellers.

So what should one look out for with these models, I heard the gearboxes are a common problem. Apart from rust, is there anything else?

 

[Howard]

Not you was it ?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/driv...arly-got-wiped-out-c43-estate-last-night.html

 

[EDZ649]

Make sure the brakes are in good nick, AMG discs are expensive to buy! The V8 is bullet proof but things like the coil packs/ignition leads and MAF are the usual annoying problems under the bonnet.

 

[BTB 500]

Not you was it ?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/driv...arly-got-wiped-out-c43-estate-last-night.html

LOL

The rust issue would put me off, TBH.

 

[kwakdonut]

LOL

The rust issue would put me off, TBH.

C Class rust is not that common!!!! Good ness me, there are a lot of them out there.....

 

[stats007]

Every W202 I've seen has had rust...

 

[kwakdonut]

Am referring to the 203! Yes, am aware of the 202 rust issues....

 

[Sp!ke]

Gah! Not nearly enough fish.

I should have been slightly more subtle

 

[Adam230K]

Every W202 I've seen has had rust...

Have you seen mine?

Spike:
I've been long contemplating the 43... but i keep coming back to the arguement that its just a 430 with bells and whistles and amg badges (a marketing ploy), the 36 feels alot more like an AMG to me. for example for me to get insured on a clk430 it would cost £785, to get on a c43 it would cost £1600 and beyond... i really cant justify it.. (but maybe you dont have the age problem i do )

But this doesn't hide the fact that it is an awesome car though.

 

[BTB 500]

Gah! Not nearly enough fish.

I should have been slightly more subtle

You should have said it was an estate!

 

[Seamster15]

Am referring to the 203! Yes, am aware of the 202 rust issues....

The majority of early 203's I see daily at auction have some rust.