Going to Look at a Merc C36, What Should I Be Weary Of?

[bento]

I'm going to look at a 97 Mercedes C36 for a good friend who is out of town. I don't know much about these cars aside from their specs and the general reputation of the C class Mercs of that era. I think it's a pretty good car for what this guy is looking for (4 door, auto, boulevard pimp status, and hp). I recommended an E36 M3 but he really doesn't want stick (which i fundamentally fail to understand, but that's another issue).

Anyone have a C36 or experience with one?
Any thoughts on wear items or what to look for in particular (Car has 120K miles)?
Lastly, anyone have a Mercedes shop in the Bay Area that they feel confident could handle a PPI?

Thanks

David

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Everything?

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/c_class.php

[RickM]

David, You may want to pose this question here as well > http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php3? Either in the Tech Forum or Open Discussion.

[SteveStromberg]

E mail Gilly at the above link. Great guy I am sure he will let you know what to look out for.

[juanbenae]

Edited for content. Personal attack that was totally unrelated to the subject. -Z-man.

[bento]

blue sky jaunte: please read my first post completely.
the car in question is a 97 c36 which is the body style that predates the ones for the link you provided (all cars mentioned on that page are 2000 or later).

secondarily, i tried to join that mercedes forum and email "gilly" directly. i registerd, but still no dice. can anyone help me out with a direct email?

thanks again for all the input.

[SteveStromberg]

You can contact him thur this post.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?t=111323&highlight=Gilly

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I imagine the insurance alone will kill you.

[bento]

The car is not for me, it's for a 22 year old friend. In the most suprising part to me was the fact that insurance for the AMG C36 was about half of what it was for the same driver with an E36 M3. When I was 22 and I bought my Carrera I thought the first two years of insurance were going to kill me. In reality, the C36 will cost the same as it did for me to insure my Acura Legend once upon a time; about $1700 per year.

db

[RickM]

Originally posted by bento
secondarily, i tried to join that mercedes forum and email "gilly" directly. i registerd, but still no dice. can anyone help me out with a direct email?

thanks again for all the input.

Question posted on the board.... http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/showthread.php3?p=781737#post781737

[RickM]

Here's first response:

"You'll have to have a good PPI done. The 1997 models are the best of the C36's as the five speed has a steeper final drive ratio and the car is the quickest of the C36 run. Also, the wiring harness issues were resolved at that point.

The main thing you need to be aware of is the 722.6 transmission. While the five speed makes the car a bit quicker, it's also the driveline's weak point. Make sure the car shifts up and down properly.

As to the majority of the car, it's "just" a W202 C280, and parts and service are reasonable. Any AMG bits are tres expensive, and brake parts are significantly more expensive than regular C-Class parts. The modified M104 is super durable and seems as long lived as "normal" M104 engines. Our C36 was not babied and took everything without a single hiccup.
__________________
John Shellenberg "

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by bento
I'm going to look at a 97 Mercedes C36 for a good friend who is out of town. I don't know much about these cars aside from their specs and the general reputation of the C class Mercs of that era. I think it's a pretty good car for what this guy is looking for (4 door, auto, boulevard pimp status, and hp). I recommended an E36 M3 but he really doesn't want stick (which i fundamentally fail to understand, but that's another issue).

The whole car.. I have heard of cars with fault nose bearings at 20,000 miles. MBZ's quality has gone in the toilet in recent years...


Get the M3...