D
Deleted member 37751
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Just thought I'd share my experiences of owning both a C43 and C36 AMG for those that are thinking about buying one (and for those that are generally just interested. 
As most of you know, I've been restoring a C36 and also bought a C43 in the meantime.
First point, exterior looks;
Obviously not a great difference, but I much prefer the kit on the C36. The exhaust pipes are square and tuck up nicely to the bumper, whereas the pipes on the C43 protrude too far out which makes them look a bit odd.
Next, interior;
With my C36 being a very early example, I can see the W201 influence, whereas when you sit in the C43 it really feels that bit more up-to-date. The two-tone in the '43 is very nice, very much 'of the '90's'. Having said all of that, they are essentially the same car, so again, no major differences.
Now for the important bit, how they drive;
The C36 is four-speed and the C43 a five-speed, which means that the '36 is always champing at the bit to hustle, whereas the '43 is a bit more lazy; they really are very different cars in this respect. I love it when the variable valve timing kicks in on the '36, it's such a keen engine, yet I think the V8 '43 is simply about foot-down-in-a-straight-line grunt (I can certainly the way that Mercedes were trying to take their AMG line when they released the '43). Both are not particularly blessd round the bends, stiff enough, but unless I could put a manual gearbox in either I wouldn't bother taking them to a track. If I was to take one, it'd be the '36. The '43 has 18" Monoblocks on which I will change back to standard 17s, the steering feel is woeful compared to the 17" wheeled '36.
To finish, the sound;
Not quite a fair comparison because the C43 has had a de-cat, but the sound of this V8 when you start her up is something to behold and if you don't grin when you do, then what are you doing on a car forum! (only joking
) The C36 is how I'd imagined an old-school, last of the proper AMG's to be; quiet when pootling around town but turns into a snarling beast when you give it some stick, the '43 is definitely more 'shouty' and 'move out of my way, I'm driving a V8 here, don't ya know' pretty much all of the time.
In summary then, if you want something 'look at me and hear my engine roar' type of car, get the C43. If you want one of the best sleepers, where not many people will know what you're driving until you've flown past them; buy a C36.
My favourite? Probably because we've been through so much together; the C36.
As most of you know, I've been restoring a C36 and also bought a C43 in the meantime.
First point, exterior looks;
Obviously not a great difference, but I much prefer the kit on the C36. The exhaust pipes are square and tuck up nicely to the bumper, whereas the pipes on the C43 protrude too far out which makes them look a bit odd.
Next, interior;
With my C36 being a very early example, I can see the W201 influence, whereas when you sit in the C43 it really feels that bit more up-to-date. The two-tone in the '43 is very nice, very much 'of the '90's'. Having said all of that, they are essentially the same car, so again, no major differences.
Now for the important bit, how they drive;
The C36 is four-speed and the C43 a five-speed, which means that the '36 is always champing at the bit to hustle, whereas the '43 is a bit more lazy; they really are very different cars in this respect. I love it when the variable valve timing kicks in on the '36, it's such a keen engine, yet I think the V8 '43 is simply about foot-down-in-a-straight-line grunt (I can certainly the way that Mercedes were trying to take their AMG line when they released the '43). Both are not particularly blessd round the bends, stiff enough, but unless I could put a manual gearbox in either I wouldn't bother taking them to a track. If I was to take one, it'd be the '36. The '43 has 18" Monoblocks on which I will change back to standard 17s, the steering feel is woeful compared to the 17" wheeled '36.
To finish, the sound;
Not quite a fair comparison because the C43 has had a de-cat, but the sound of this V8 when you start her up is something to behold and if you don't grin when you do, then what are you doing on a car forum! (only joking
) The C36 is how I'd imagined an old-school, last of the proper AMG's to be; quiet when pootling around town but turns into a snarling beast when you give it some stick, the '43 is definitely more 'shouty' and 'move out of my way, I'm driving a V8 here, don't ya know' pretty much all of the time.In summary then, if you want something 'look at me and hear my engine roar' type of car, get the C43. If you want one of the best sleepers, where not many people will know what you're driving until you've flown past them; buy a C36.
My favourite? Probably because we've been through so much together; the C36.
