Looking to buy a C43

[seolio]

I live in the UK & I currently own a 2.0 190E Sportline (W201) and am looking to get a C43, I have found a great one - 2000 Model with 107,000 miles which is actually the best I can find for my budget.
a couple of questions I need answered?

I have heard that the C43's have a problem with the gearbox software on pre 2000 models, and the software was upgraded in 2000 to be less harsh on the gearbox. Is this true and if I got a pre 2000 model is it possible to get a software upgrade to make the gearbox last longer?

What sort of mileage do the head gaskets usually have to be changed at?

I have heard the spark plugs on these have to be changeed every 4 yeears or every 100,000 miles, is this true - I know there is 16 plugs, are they special ones, where could I get them from?

At 107,000 the owner has said the gearbox oil is probably best to be changed about now, is this correct?

Thanks all in advance, sorry for so any questions in my first post. :) :D

Nick

[55fanatic]

well most of this stuff is just normal maintenance...

every 70k miles or so you should be changing transmission fluid, every 90-100k miles changing the spark plugs and wires(doing a tune up) you may also want to change the rear diff oil

Head gaskets arent a maintenance thing... the ones in the C43 are metal so you should be good unless you over heat the car or something...

[seolio]

Ok cheers, I like the sound of the metal head gaskets - I just had to do my 190E's head gasket, lol... I cannot find much info on these cars so didn't know the maintenance mileages etc... I appreciate your help and advice.

Do you think that a 107,000 miler is a bad purchase, cosidering the others I find are about 120,000 and this one is a 2000 'V' reg? Do you think that these engines are pretty reliable?

Thanks again.

[55fanatic]

Ok cheers, I like the sound of the metal head gaskets - I just had to do my 190E's head gasket, lol... I cannot find much info on these cars so didn't know the maintenance mileages etc... I appreciate your help and advice.

Do you think that a 107,000 miler is a bad purchase, cosidering the others I find are about 120,000 and this one is a 2000 'V' reg? Do you think that these engines are pretty reliable?

Thanks again.
The only cars I would of been weary of would have been C36s with the bad wiring harnesses...

You should be ok with the C43... just take care of it and give it the propper service these machines need. You should have lots of time with it...

At that mileage though, you are gonna wanna watch out for suspension components...

[seolio]

Do you mean springs/dampers/wishbones/links etc...?

I know these cars have specialised mechanicals and need a lot of TLC, which I can give as I do with my 190. But as they are tuned cars rather than standard and I have never owned a tuned car before is ther anything specific I would need to do on a regular basis, say weekly/monthly etc... Anything apart from the usual oil and water checks and wwashing of course :lol: etc....

Although I will get most of the work done at Mercedes to keep the service history is there anywhere you can pick up genuine parts for these for less money, I mean stuff like the suspension components, I have asked on a lot of Mercedes forums and even the MB Owners club and no one seems to know anything about these cars, at least I am getting some useful info on here.

Cheers
Nick

[55fanatic]

Do you mean springs/dampers/wishbones/links etc...?

I know these cars have specialised mechanicals and need a lot of TLC, which I can give as I do with my 190. But as they are tuned cars rather than standard and I have never owned a tuned car before is ther anything specific I would need to do on a regular basis, say weekly/monthly etc... Anything apart from the usual oil and water checks and wwashing of course :lol: etc....

Although I will get most of the work done at Mercedes to keep the service history is there anywhere you can pick up genuine parts for these for less money, I mean stuff like the suspension components, I have asked on a lot of Mercedes forums and even the MB Owners club and no one seems to know anything about these cars, at least I am getting some useful info on here.

Cheers
Nick
Nick these are production cars... albeit rare, but still production. There are a number of quality after market springs and suspension components but suspensiob parts I speak of are items like ball joints, tie rods, bushings etc etc