FS: '95 Mercedes C36 AMG......don't act suprised

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yeah, so it's been a few months. If anybody needs a great DD, it's a LOT of car for the money.

Summary: Great condition 1995 C36 AMG, 99k, $9,000 OBO, in Wichita, KS.

Let me start by saying that this is an incredible car. For those not familiar with it, the 1995 C36 AMG is the first AMG sold through Mercedes dealers with a full warranty. As such, it has the over-engineered reliability that the W202 body style is famous for (before Daimler-Chrysler and crappy reliability), with an extra dash of sport and exclusivity. The C36 started life as a C280, shipped straight from the production line to AMG. AMG tore down the 2.8L straight six and bored it out to a 3.6L, upping HP from 180 to 268. Suspension was upgraded with lower springs, stiffer shocks, and stiffer anti-roll bars. The brakes were upgraded with bigger rotors and calipers and cooling ducts from the front facia. Wheels were upgraded to the classic AMG monoblocs, staggered front to rear with rolled fenders to accomodate the bigger wheels. An AMG body kit, exhaust, gauges, sport seats, badging, steering wheel, and carbon-fiber pillar trim complete the package. It includes all the power goodies, like 7 way power heated sport seats, moon-roof, stability and traction control (defeatable), cruise, automatic climate control, 6 CD changer, and power everything. It also has an aftermarket "Avantgarde" grille (big improvement) and OEM Mercedes flat hood badge (original standing star included). I've owned BMWs, Porsches, Saabs, an Audi, etc. This is my favorite by far. It is the best compromise between sport and comfort, equal parts daily driver and sports car. It's fun, but without any bad traits that make it a PITA. Oh yeah, and it gets 25 MPG easily.

My '95 C36 AMG is in excellent condition inside and out, with 98k miles. Carpets are essentially perfect, as are the perforated leather seats. No dash cracks, no evidence of smoking. The wood has a nice shine, and everything (except the heated seats) works perfectly. This is a very solid car, the build quality is amazing. No rattles, the doors thud like a safe when they close. It drives very smoothly, no pulling or vibration, smooth acceleration and shifting (4-speed automatic is known for being bulletproof). No warning lights. I'm an anal retentive engineer, so during my ownership it's received new Royal Purple synthetic in the diff and transmission, new transmission filter and gasket, ATE Super Blue brake fluid (power flushed), new OE power-steering fluid and filter, spark plugs, fuel filter, steering damper, alternator, battery, Gatorback serpentine belt, fan blade, shift lever bushing, fresh Mobil 1 and filter, along with a few other small things. All of my work is backed up by receipts, summarized in an Excel file. Tires are also very good (see pictures). Clear KS title, no liens. I would trust this car to go anywhere.

The only faults are the heated seats are inoperative except for the passenger backrest heater, very common for Mercedes. The wood has a few hairline clearcoat cracks around the shifter, also very common. Two small scratches on the clear plastic cover over the gauges. The floormats are very clean but the backing is starting to break down, making them sag. Button #1 on the radio is missing, new rOEM adios are easy to find on Ebay if you like. Small spot of surface rust where the side skirt meets the body by the driver's door, treated with POR15 (awesome stuff) and touched up with OEM paint. The wheels have a few very small spots where the clearcoat has chipped. Body is very straight, one very small ding on the passenger side, I can't get it to show in pictures. There has been some paintwork in the past, previous owner claimed that the front and rear end were re-sprayed around 50k due to scratches and chips. It was VERY professionally done, no mask lines ANYWHERE, no overspray, and a perfect match. After the respray a clear bra was added to the front end and mirrors, so it's almost 100% chip-free today. Body panels all have their OEM VIN tags intact, so I don't believe it has been in an accident. Overall it's a VERY nice car, but I want to provide the same thorough description that I expect when I buy a car online. I'm very anal with cars, and believe in full disclosure.

So, if it's so great, why am I wanting to sell? As you can see from the preventative maintenance, I planned on keeping this car for a while. Unfortunately, I have a newfound motivation to pay off some debt. I'm looking for $9k OBO. If you're interested, email me at "jessup3 at cox.net". I also have a BUNCH more pictures of the C36. I'm located in Wichita, KS. Thanks for looking!

[BRPORSCHE]

Matt, I think you may have a problem...

[gprsh924]

I've had rental cars longer than you've owned cars.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.........

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Dangit. I'm trying to get RID of some of my cars right now, but that is one hella sweet ride. If my wife hadn't just paid off her Toyota, I'd consider it immediately. Best of luck with it and I hope you change your mind - I have no doubt you'll regret getting rid of that ride if/when you do!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks Jeff. Unfortunately, I have a similar focus.....paying off debt. Not fun, but responsible. Booo responsibility!

[RANDY P]

wish you were closer, I'd be into that.

[JavaBrewer]

I sure could use a 4 dr sedan as my DD. Serves the family more than my Audi TT (currently getting it's 60K service @ timing belt). If I were in a position to drop the $$ I'd give your MBz a hard look.

Why not get a tow hitch on the MPV and use a light duty trailer for the bulky items? I think you're making a mistake pulling the trigger for the reason you list but I admit I have made the same mistake several times myself.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

wish you were closer, I'd be into that.

I bought a car from the Pup a few years ago...I can tell you don't let distance be an issue. Matt is a fine young man and honest and thorough to the core.

Leave Seattle and enjoy the road trip home

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'm sure your wife is glad you aren't a Mormon.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the kind words Paul. Inspired by my bulletproof 4Runner (now yours), I'll probably be replacing the AMG with a Toyota.

David, really 90% of the motivation is my student loans. Payments come due in December, I'd like to make a nice lump sum payment. A spare $5k would go a long ways, as the total is a bit over $40k.

Shaun, when given the choice about areas in life in which I can be restless, the wife can accept me buying and selling cars.

[morganb]

I have one, my wife loved it so much (and so do I) I sent it from Hong Kong to Australia so we could keep it. We used it as our DD, great cars and good luck with the sale.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Still have it, one driver and one offer (just a bit low).

My in-laws asked me to sell their '99 Eddie Bauer Expedition for them thanks to my reputation for buying/selling cars. I spent a good 6 hours detailing it, then took pictures and put it on Craigslist. 36 hours later it was sold, for asking price, to the first looker. I had probably 6 calls, several offering to trade CARS for this gas guzzling SUV. The real kicker is that I sold it for more than KBB book value. Weird.........

[Jim Richards]

AADD-A: Adult Attention Deficit Disorder - Automotive. Symptoms: ref. Matt "onewhippedpuppy" Jessup PPOT Forum posts.

[gprsh924]

Didn't you hear, gas got cheap again.

[rammstein]

I wish everyone selling cars would do what you have done so far as receipts and an excel sheet to prove it. It sure makes it easier to assess the status of these high-mile cars. I know it helped me to sell the 951 when I made a spreadsheet.

If you were selling an E36M3 for that money, I'd buy it from you based on your ad alone. Make your next car an M3, cause then I can buy it from you when you get rid of it 2 months from now.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by rammstein

Make your next car an M3, cause then I can buy it from you when you get rid of it 2 months from now.

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!

That was cold, ramm.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

2 months was generous dontcha think? there oughtta be a pool.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I tend to average about 3 months. Buy a car that I know is already sold in 3 months, hmmmmmmmm. That kind of cuts right to the chase, doesn't it?

[gprsh924]

This one was a solid 3.5 months, so you did better than average.