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!
