W202 C43 AMG 5.4Ltr.

[Notwen]

Lovely car you have.
Are you going to silverpaint your calips to match your rims?
Brown and rusty calipers looks somehow out of date.

I'll likely do them black, it's on my list of round-tuits

 

[noogieman]

It could look very fantastico with black calipers on silver rims?
It will give you a nice contrast color.

 

[Notwen]

Have been putting a few miles on the C43 since the last update.
The article in Modern Classics is due in the November issue (out in October)

Took it to MercSpecialist in Skipton at the end of June for a Transmission service
20190629_080001 by Notwens, on Flickr

A few runs down to Oulton Park when I have been volunteering.
1999 C43 C55 AMG 5.4Ltr by Notwens, on Flickr

Out of curiosity, downloaded one of the 0-60 apps., don't know how accurate they are. (ironic the paid ad. is for a firm of Solicitors)
Screenshot_20190803-064126_Drag Racer by Notwens, on Flickr

 

[Notwen]

When I bought the car, the O/S front jacking point looked like it would need some attention in the future, knowing 202's that's usually the tip of the iceberg once the skirts are off.
As it was a nice day, I thought I would whip the skirts off and asses what I would be doing over winter.
Surprised and pleased that in the main, the hidden parts of the sill are sound, some over zealous prodding at the front jacking point I suspected, did break through. I'm going to hazard that at some point it has been jacked poorly and the undercoat has been compromised and then let moisture in to do it's worse.

20190921_134624 by Notwens, on Flickr

20190921_134638 by Notwens, on Flickr
Took the N/S off and that is fine.

Found a little bit in the boot that will need attention, also took the opportunity to remove some redundant wiring

Had a sneak peak at the upcoming Modern Classics article of the C36, C43 and C43/55.
It's an 8 page feature, nicely written and balanced, out on Oct 2nd.
I'll share this picture with you, as I know it's not being used in the feature:

JJP_2073 by Notwens, on Flickr

 

[simon1966]

Shame the article not out til the 2nd. I'm away for a week from this Thursday so was hoping to pick up a copy at the airport on way out. Will pick up at airport on way back instead.

Lovely looking car

 

[Alfie]

Yes I had the Comand unit fitted to my C43, looked great. If you pm your email I have photo's. I can't get to grips with posting photo's on the forum

[email protected]

 

[simon1966]

Shame the article not out til the 2nd. I'm away for a week from this Thursday so was hoping to pick up a copy at the airport on way out. Will pick up at airport on way back instead.

Lovely looking car

Still not been able to get hold of the Modern Classics magazine as nobody seems to have it locally to me. Also paid for the digital download version, but seems they are having problems as not been able to get to view through that either!!

 

[Feeble]

Try your local Shell garages. They are the only places I could ever find it...

Edit: Oops, my bad. Thought you were talking about Mercedes Enthusiast...

 

[Notwen]

Not had time to do much more on the C43 recently until today.
Took the rear bumper off, as the O/S/R boot is a bit ventilated.
20191123_101643 by Notwens, on Flickr

I am supposed to be getting a good cut out to weld in, save fabricating a replacement.

Took the front bumper off also, as the wiring to one of the fog lights is damaged.

C43/55 AMG W202 by Notwens, on Flickr

If you didn't get to see the feature in Modern Classics, here's my favourite image

Modern Classics Magazine November 2019 by Notwens, on Flickr

 

[Abb]

May I ask what size tyres you are running, if they are indeed 18' wheels which they appear to be. I have 265/35/18 rears and 235/40/18 fronts. I think I need 255 & 225 respectively as they are currently arguing with the arches!

 

[Notwen]

Yes mate, 225/40-18 front and 255/35 -18 rear.

 

[Abb]

Yes mate, 225/40-18 front and 255/35 -18 rear.

Thank you for that.

 

[Notwen]

Had a bit of time booked off, with a plan of getting stuck into the car.
I had ordered a full sill, with the plan of cutting out the piece I needed for the front. Cleaning back more of the underseal, there were some suspect areas that would need attention in the future, so I decided to do the fill sill.
The inner sill to floor was also damaged, the same indicating again that poor jacking had begun the issue.
20191220_092356 by Notwens, on Flickr

A couple of pieces under the O/S rear arch, one of the repair pieces fabricated.
20191222_125223 by Notwens, on Flickr

The rear boot section I had hoped for a good cut out did not appear, fortunately MB still do it as a panel, so that is on order, along with a new rear towing eye.

 

[Notwen]

Works has been ongoing slowly, with other life duties interrupting things.
Where there has been anything a little suspect I have been cutting out and making repair sections.

20191223_122438 by Notwens, on Flickr

20200111_154231_010 by Notwens, on Flickr

I did struggle with fabricating a small panel that is the lower section of the front arch to sill, luckily I found a NOS one on ebay, saved a load of faffing for £20
Apart from purchasing an aftermarket O/S sill, I also bought from Mercedes, the rear boot section and replacement rear towing eye.

20200329_103113 by Notwens, on Flickr

20200329_133635 by Notwens, on Flickr

20200329_133659 by Notwens, on Flickr

 

[Notwen]

I was able to get some time in the garage last weekend, under strict instruction not to injure myself.
The boot repair, part way through dressing, the unplugged holes were for plug welding the towing eye through to the existing structure for additional strength.
20200329_144448 by Notwens, on Flickr
The new panel plug welded and the boot repair section grafted in.
20200329_154143 by Notwens, on Flickr
I struggled to get the paintable Shutz to a similar consistency as the MB finish, will see how it weathers as to whether I redo it.
20200404_114524 by Notwens, on Flickr
Same with the boot floor.
20200404_114518 by Notwens, on Flickr
Mostly built back up now, still on its skates as I'm missing some trim clips to get the side skirts back on, it can them be exhumed and have a damn good clean.
20200405_094553 by Notwens, on Flickr
20200404_145159 by Notwens, on Flickr

 

[merc85]

Dedication ! well done looking ace

 

[stealth.]

Nice