by "66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
Published 09/30/2017 at 21:18
by "66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
Published 09/30/2017 at 21:18
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STARS: 2
C43 AMG Estate. ~800 produced, seems like a decent value for how rare they are.
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"fintail" (fintail)
09/30/2017 at 21:30, STARS: 1
That or a 210 E55 wagon would be a cool thing, and they are both importable into Canuckistan (not into Murka for several more years).
Just watch out for rust and/or neglected Japanese imports.
"Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy" (camshaft-chris)
09/30/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 1
Mmmmm, yes........
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
09/30/2017 at 23:25, STARS: 0
The E class estate to me isn’t as nice as a design as this one. Something about this one in particular really speaks to me.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
09/30/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 0
Actually they are importable to murika, because that same generation was sold here. It just takes some mild modification. They’re actually on a list of importable cars. Looked into getting a C43 wagon from Canadia before I got the 55.
"fintail" (fintail)
09/30/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 1
The more rakish rear roofline of the 202 probably does that. 210 is kind of boxy.
"fintail" (fintail)
09/30/2017 at 23:46, STARS: 0
Would it be so easy as we never got a 202 wagon? I can imagine it being that way for a 210 as we had both the AMG and wagon, so combining them seems logical. I don’t know what they look for though.
On that note, I saw a California-plated E50 a couple years ago, not sure how that happened.
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
09/30/2017 at 23:55, STARS: 1
Yeah the whole shape just works, pretty unique, but still simple and sophisticated. Hnngnggg!
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/01/2017 at 01:05, STARS: 0
The wagon specifically is on a govt list! Can’t find it right now, though I swear it was. I’m pretty sure it even mentioned the 43 wagon specifically as being importable.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/01/2017 at 01:06, STARS: 0
So awesome! I’d want to put a 55 motor in and convert the steering to rack and pinion though.
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
10/01/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 0
What does it have normally? Hydraulic? My knowledge of steering systems is rather limited lol
"fintail" (fintail)
10/01/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 0
Weird. Given the morons who are allowed to make the lists, I don’t doubt it, but it seems funny. I can see a 210 E55 wagon, as we got the 210 wagon (so structural issues should be fine), and the 210 E55 sedan, so the engine is fine. For the 202, we got the C43, but I don’t think the wagon was sold on this continent.
Funny thing, I had both a C43 and as I think we have mentioned, an E55. The former was a fun unusual car, but the latter more comfortable and overall enjoyable. At about 60K, the C43 started developing a horrible sounding click at cold start - like a stuck lifter or valve issue. Soon after, I found the E55 for sale, and jumped ship :)
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/01/2017 at 19:29, STARS: 0
Old style hydraulic gearbox. Much more play and deflection than a rack and pinion.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/01/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 0
Does anyone really know with government stuff?
I remember. Both really cool cars. I still get comments and offers on the 55 every once in a while.
"66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash" (66671)
10/01/2017 at 19:54, STARS: 0
Also I’m assuming these are basically all automatics? Are they decent transmissions? Do they have “manual” mode at least?
"fintail" (fintail)
10/01/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 0
I suspect the government doesn’t even know.
If I had endless space and money, I’d find another 210 E55.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 1
Autos yes. Perfectly reliable if they’re serviced every once in a while. Not the fastest or most intuitive, but they work. They were used in a gazillion cars all the way up to a few years ago.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 10:23, STARS: 0
What were we talking about???
But they don’t even need endless space or money!
"fintail" (fintail)
10/02/2017 at 12:23, STARS: 0
Getting a C43 wagon :)
I have one garage spot for the modern DD, I rent one for the fintail - around here, renting another would be a significant expense in itself. Maintenance shouldn’t be awful, but the fintail could have a fun time with the money needed to buy a nice E55. I’m trying to have a little variety in my automotive history, not sure if I would go back to a 210 E55 as a DD - nothing against the car, but I had mine for 7 years, and I probably don’t need more than 1 forever car.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 0
Yeah a 55 makes no sense for you. Your DD is a 212, isn’t it?
"fintail" (fintail)
10/02/2017 at 16:33, STARS: 0
Yep, E250 Bluetec. Faultless so far. Might be a long termer, as it could be an end of era car for MB in NA.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0
I agree. I’m of the opinion that the 212 is one of the best overall cars Benz has ever made, and 651's have been excellent also.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/02/2017 at 21:11, STARS: 1
I read mbworld and benzworld frequently, not a huge amount of issues with 212s compared to prior models, and many of the issues are as the cars become mild up, as would happen on most cars. Virtually no mechanical complaints about the 651. In many ways, they got it right with this car.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 1
They absolutely did. Even the gas engined models are excellent.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/02/2017 at 23:02, STARS: 0
It’ll be interesting to see if the 213 can follow suit. Right now, I am iffy about a 4cyl gas in a large car at this price point (diesel would be fine), and the 6cyl models are quite expensive now.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/02/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 0
It moves along at least as well as a 272 powered 212. They seem fine so far performance wise. But time will tell how they hold up to miles. The 6's are so good now!
"fintail" (fintail)
10/03/2017 at 12:31, STARS: 0
I’m more leery of NVH issues. The ordinary NA V6 can be quite smooth, and with later variants just over 300hp, not a slouch. The TT V6 is of course another animal.
None of them will compare to the mileage in the 4cyl diesel - with consistent speed application on non-mountain roads, 45+ mpg is easy, at least per the computer.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/03/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
Gotcha. In my experience, NVH has been pretty good on the new E300's. Certainly better than any diesel.
True. I really wish they’d bright the 651 hybrids here. I’ve heard those can hit 70+mpg.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/03/2017 at 15:55, STARS: 0
But to me, diesel NVH is charming and reminiscent of old cars. 4cyl gasoline NVH just feels kind of cheap in a 60K car. But what do I know. I see plenty on the road now, so it must not be a big deal.
I remember seeing Bluetec Hybrid Es in Germany and feeling a little jealous. That would be the ideal. In awful Seattle traffic, it would be handy.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/03/2017 at 20:44, STARS: 0
Fair point. 4 banger gas engines sound super cheap.
It would be ideal with the full hybrid, like late 212 and 205. The earlier ones couldn’t drive in full electric mode IIRC.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/03/2017 at 21:09, STARS: 0
Especially from the outside. I like the diesel clatter, and getting weird questions from people about the car. A 4 cyl gas isn’t as endearing.
I think I have only ever seen 2 or 3 E400 hybrids, and a few S400s too. Just not enough benefit to justify the complex system. Then when a full system is introduced, we don’t get it.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/03/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 0
That is always fun.
Facelifted E400's got the full system. 205, 222, and 166 are all full hybrid and available here (though 222 might have been discontinued???)
"fintail" (fintail)
10/04/2017 at 09:36, STARS: 0
Did you ever get comments on the E55? I got a few.
I don’t recall seeing a facelift 212 E400 hybrid, and I haven’t seen a 205 or 222. I have seen a couple BMW equivalents.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/04/2017 at 09:43, STARS: 0
Oh yeah, definitely
I’ve driven them all. We’ve had a few of each come through the shop, but not for any real issues. PDI and yet error mostly.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/04/2017 at 11:04, STARS: 0
I remember comments about the blue glass most of all, that really got to some people.
I suppose those models are too new and probably don’t rack up the miles to really be tested yet. There are some really miled up 212s out there already.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/04/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 0
Haven’t heard that one. I always get comments on the red interior. Most people like it, but every once in a while someone will be very vocal about how much they hate it. Which is almost more fun to hear!
Pretty much. But fun side note, I worked on an R320 CDI with 272,000 miles yesterday.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/04/2017 at 22:07, STARS: 0
That is pretty rare. My E55 was tectite grey, and I think those only could be had with a grey interior - I have never seen one without it.
My (silver) C43 had the two tone interior, black and a white-ish silver. It got some looks. I saw a black 210 E55 in traffic today, couldn’t get close enough to it to judge condition.
Those CDi cars can rack up the miles too no doubt, I think I have read about some miled up ones. I know on one of the forums, there’s a guy with a MY 14 250, he has it up to 120 or 130K now, no big issues.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/04/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
I looked for red specifically. See a tectite grey one with red interior. But yeah, super rare. Only ever seen one with blue interior.
I’ve seen a couple lately! One looked even nicer than mine, but I just saw it passing by on the street so who knows.
Proper maintenance goes a long way!
"fintail" (fintail)
10/05/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 0
Tectite with red could be close to a one off. I have seen red and blue, I think the latter on a silver car. I’ve also seen some odd colors: desert silver, capri blue, and kind of a burgundy red. These have to be cars in colors with likely single digit numbers imported, too. There are people who obsess about colors on W124 500E, you could do it for the 210 E55, too.
MBs have always been meant to be maintained by the book.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/05/2017 at 10:03, STARS: 0
Spent months looking for y black and red combo, so yeah, I guess you’re right!
Too bad more people don’t understand that.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/05/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 0
It’s funny, I happened on to my E55 for sale less than a mile from home. Guess I was lucky. The car had no severe issues, but it did have a few quirks, and of course AMG running costs (fuel, tires).
Older gasoline cars seem to be the most needy of proper care. Valvetrain maintenance and cooling system issue seem to often be neglected.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/05/2017 at 23:09, STARS: 0
Nice. There were a few around locally. Someone almost traded one in at work too, but the offer was too low. Ultimately I decided I had to have red interior and butt fans though.
Oh man you’re thinking really old! These days it’s the diesels that are really needy.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/05/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 0
Almost every car I here was black or silver, which I guess is the same everywhere. I didn’t want one of those so much, when I saw the grey one I knew it was odd, and hopped on it. It was a COMAND and ventilated seats car, which made it even more unusual. The rarest option (other than designo) seems to be Parktronic, I think I have seen it on two cars.
I am thinking old like my fintail, or cars maybe into the 70s. You really have to go by the book, but they keep running if you do. A lot of old diesels seem to be needy because non-obsessive owners think they don’t need maintenance - I am sure you have seen a lifetime worth of neglected 123s.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/05/2017 at 23:40, STARS: 0
I’m not even sure I’ve seen two 210's with parktronic. I’m actually glad my car doesn’t have Comand, because I have an aftermarket radio with Bluetooth!
Oh that’s super old. It’s extremely rare for anything older than the late 80's to come into the dealer, so that’s a no on 123's. Plenty of dilapidated 210's and 202's though.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/06/2017 at 00:22, STARS: 0
I have seen a few. My C43 had a factory phone, which is also something seldom-seen in 202s and 210s. Good point about Comand and BT, and the pain of retrofitting a modern unit into a Comand car. I never made the jump, enjoying the nav that quickly became kind of a quaint relic.
I see 107s and 123s at the local dealer now and then, but there are a few really good indy shops here, probably the same there, so no reason to spend the money. It seems 202s and 210s can keep running with many defects, they might be unfairly maligned, in mild climates anyway. I know they can both rust hard in a few areas.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/06/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
I don’t remember the last time I saw a factory phone in a car that old!
Same story here. We get 107's and 129's more than any other stuff from way back, maybe the occasional 124. But the indies specialize in that stuff so it doesn’t make sense for them to come to the dealer. Those guys all used to work for dealers anyways, just got sick of it, and having to learn new products all the time, so now they just work on what they like and know. 202/210 definitely unfairly maligned.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/06/2017 at 14:43, STARS: 0
It was a Motorola, I think. There was a keypad near the radio. Even when I had it in the mid 00s, I didn’t know how to make it work.
I’ve even seen later model stuff at my preferred indy - 221s, plenty of 230s, etc. You can save a lot with bigger jobs. I have one who the fintail doesn’t scare away, and have stuck with him for years. When I lived up north, I used to patronize Kent Bergsma, when he still had a normal shop.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/07/2017 at 02:39, STARS: 0
Oh I remember the phone systems, just not the last time I saw one. Never had any idea how to make them work though.
Certainly. They kind of scare me though. Indies that is. I’ve seen them royally screw up some big jobs. Or misdiagnose things. Not that dealers don’t of course.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/08/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 0
For a new car under warranty, I don’t think I would use an indy, but for an old car, an indy with a good rep is a blessing. I’d actually trust my fintail with my indy rather than the local dealer, as he has an older tech who has worked on old models, and isn’t scared by them.
"AMGtech - now with more recalls!" (amgtech)
10/08/2017 at 23:20, STARS: 0
Oh sure. Both have their positives and negatives. Pre-OBD2 tends to be outside of what dealers work on comfortably. Indies tend to be more comfortable with things that have been out of warranty for at least a year or two (meaning new products they haven’t seen yet). But I’ve seen some reputable indies screw things up pretty badly (too much sealant on a 272 valve cover when doing a balance shaft for example, causing oil starvation to the cams). Not that dealers don’t make mistakes of course, because they most certainly do.