Buy or pass: 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 32 AMG Sport Sedan 4D

The asking price is $3500, so it's unlikely this will ever be a Challenge car unless I get a hellacious deal on it.

I don't need this. Use case is to own a German Luxocar for a while and possibly do a few autocross events with it for fun. I'm thinking this will have a better balance than a 2006 C55 AMG, but it doesn't matter all that much, because I'm in it for fun. 

It's throwing Code P0221, which seems to be a TPS issue, and I think I see tape on the inlet. Apparently it will run and drive around the neighborhood, but the owner is saying to tow it away.
It also looks like it got hurt on the front passenger side, too.  Allegedly there is no rust, but it's about 90-100 miles away outside Greenville, NC, so it's a bit of a drive to put eyes on it.

It looks like the value for these in "good" condition is about maybe $1000-$1500 more than this one. Is the smart move to pass on this one and find a better starting point for more money?

Other possibilities are S4 Audis. BMW M3s are holding their value too well, but if I see one in my price range, I'll consider that, too. 

My only Mercedes experience is parting out the 2012 C300, and I would say pass. I bought more tools for that thing than any car I've worked on in 20 years, and I was just doing it to take it apart never planning on reassembly. If a Honda would get by with 10, 14, and 17mm bolts, the Mercedes would have an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17mm bolts. NOT JOKING! I didn't even own a shallow 13mm socket because nobody uses them, except apparently Mercedes. They also used E-torx, triple square, spline, and any other fasteners they could come up with an excuse to use. There's a special puller just to get the hvac vents out. They use engine coolant to warm up the headlight and windshield washer fluid. I had seriously considered buying one to fix up as a fun way to use some of the parts I pulled, but I'm so glad I stayed away. They are what I would consider a textbook example of over-engineered: make things complex for absolutely no reason and give zero consideration to how to service it later.

IMO, the last decent (not money pit) Merc was the W210.  After that, they just bloated them with nightmarish electronics.... as I'm sure the seller has realized when they got the estimate to fix the CEL.

I'm also of the opinion that buying a C-class is like buying a Cadillac Cimarron.  Sure you get the name, but you're also getting a Cavalier with leather.

Those cars aren't bad. And they're pretty damn simple. 

I would do it, for a bit cheaper. 

Tow it away price should be under $2k IMO. I passed on one at $3000 a couple years ago that ran good but had failing clearcoat all over. 

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

IMO, the last decent (not money pit) Merc was the W210.  After that, they just bloated them with nightmarish electronics.... as I'm sure the seller has realized when they got the estimate to fix the CEL.

The W210 has a few potentially expensive issues, but I would agree.  For sure once they switched from the 722.6 to 722.9 transmissions they should be considered disposable. I'd say maybe offer $2750 for this one and just keep looking otherwise.

It's unusual that the majority of all y'all enablers are going with a pass, and I love you more for it.

Given the wheelbase and power levels, you're saying I should find the best New Edge or SN197 Mustang I can for the money? Or should I just get an NC Miata and boost it?

My take on this car is pass.  These are good cars but I would only get one that has been very well cared for.  This one is a bit to warn out for the price.  These are like Porsche's.  The most expensive one is the one with the cheapest initial price.  
 

That car is one good pothole away from being a parts car.  

Tk8398 said:

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

IMO, the last decent (not money pit) Merc was the W210.  After that, they just bloated them with nightmarish electronics.... as I'm sure the seller has realized when they got the estimate to fix the CEL.

The W210 has a few potentially expensive issues, but I would agree.  For sure once they switched from the 722.6 to 722.9 transmissions they should be considered disposable. I'd say maybe offer $2750 for this one and just keep looking otherwise.

The c32 has the 722.6 transmission just like everything else back then. My Jaguar XJR has the same transmission.

I find it interesting that we encourage people to buy x308 XJR's but not a c32 AMG that is more reliable, just as fast, and just as annoying to work on as the XJR. I agree his price is a little high but if you could get him to come down this wouldn't be a bad purchase. 

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

I'm also of the opinion that buying a C-class is like buying a Cadillac Cimarron.  Sure you get the name, but you're also getting a Cavalier with leather.

Do you think the same with BMW 3-series? 

Mercedes C class comes in many flavors from not much engine and features to all the way turned up AMG's that share drivetrains with their big brothers. It isn't exactly comparable to buying a Cimarron at all. You usually give solid advice but this one was pretty off lol

Wow... a co-worker had one of these back when it was only a few years old.  Same silver/black combo.  He loved it, but then rarely drove it and sold it a few year later for about what he paid for it.  I was in it a couple of times. Nice car. This one looks well used, however.  Looks like a good Hoovie's Garage candidate. 

Tk8398 said:

Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) said:

IMO, the last decent (not money pit) Merc was the W210.  After that, they just bloated them with nightmarish electronics.... as I'm sure the seller has realized when they got the estimate to fix the CEL.

The W210 has a few potentially expensive issues, but I would agree.  For sure once they switched from the 722.6 to 722.9 transmissions they should be considered disposable. I'd say maybe offer $2750 for this one and just keep looking otherwise.

Very true.  I'll rephrase and say that the last good W210 was a 1999.  I had a 99 E300TD that just wouldn't die.  Bought it with 80k and we finally sold it at almost 300k.  I replaced the duovalve (expensive) and the battery (pricey) but that was it.

This is what 300k looks like on a 1999 W210's leather, and this car started life in Phoenix, spent three years in Los Angeles, and the rest of its life in Austin TX, so we weren't easy on it.

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

I liked the 1998 E300D I had until everything started falling apart at once.  The only really bad issue with the pre-facelift W210 (other than rust) are the keys, the later ones are actually better for that.  The W210 > w211 and W140 > W220 transition are definitely a good place to draw the line as far as what's worth trying to keep on the road.  The c209 CLK55 and W203 C55 are the newest I would own though (through 2005 if I remember right). 

Ian F (Forum Supporter) said:

Looks like a good Hoovie's Garage candidate. 

Maybe a few years ago. Hoovie has lost his way. He's just another rich youtuber that buys lambos and Ferraris. 

I think I'd take a chance on this. But I already have most of the sockets and general tools you'd need to wrench on it.

For $3500 if it's only throwing one code it could be a great car for the price.

In reply to Tk8398 :

General rule for S classes are avoid the first few years until a overhaul is done.

W140/R129:

1991-1995 DO NOT RECOMMEND

1996-2000 DO RECOMMEND

W220:

2000-2002 HELL NO

2003-2006 CERTAINLY YES

Non-diesel Mercedes after 2003 I would buy with no reservation to be honest. Except the 2007 5.5 v8 vehicles, they had some issues but were fixed in 2008. MB sds is a great investment for anyone who wants to own/diy their own obd2 Mercedes. 

There's only one nationwide on Autotrader right now, in California, for $6000.

Looks like a neat car but the interior looks beat.  I'd also avoid any higher end Euro car that needs bodywork, as the OE paint products are usually very good, and third party repairs have questionable quality.

dean1484 said:

That car is one good pothole away from being a parts car.  

I mean yeah, but for $2k when that happens you just either leave it on the side of the road or part it out and get your money back.

That's a thing that generally most people won't touch. Low-ball the crap out of it, make it clear that you're willing to buy it but absolutely don't need it. One way or another it'll be entertaining and at the very least probably make for some good stories.

yupididit said:

 

 

The c32 has the 722.6 transmission just like everything else back then. My Jaguar XJR has the same transmission.

 

Yeah, I just meant Mercedes in general.  Other than the ones with ABC suspension or SBC brakes the AMG ones aren't that bad until after 2005.

dculberson said:

My only Mercedes experience is parting out the 2012 C300, and I would say pass. I bought more tools for that thing than any car I've worked on in 20 years, and I was just doing it to take it apart never planning on reassembly. If a Honda would get by with 10, 14, and 17mm bolts, the Mercedes would have an 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17mm bolts. NOT JOKING! I didn't even own a shallow 13mm socket because nobody uses them, except apparently Mercedes. They also used E-torx, triple square, spline, and any other fasteners they could come up with an excuse to use. There's a special puller just to get the hvac vents out. They use engine coolant to warm up the headlight and windshield washer fluid. I had seriously considered buying one to fix up as a fun way to use some of the parts I pulled, but I'm so glad I stayed away. They are what I would consider a textbook example of over-engineered: make things complex for absolutely no reason and give zero consideration to how to service it later.

I'll buy those tools if you are done with them.  I have a '12 C300 and you are correct about all the special tools.  Wish me luck (love the car).