C43 Gearbox / General Questions

[AlexSR]

Hi..new member here.

I'm considering buying a C43 Saloon on a '00 V with 60k miles. I've however heard of several issues with regards the auto box slipping / problems. Does anyone have any advice. This particular car has the tiptronic gearbox.

Also any general information would be appreciated - especially from anyone who has fitted aftermarket satnav or replaced / upgraded the Bose stereo. This car has the 5 spoke 17" AMG alloys from the CLK and I was wondering whether the C43 was ever actually supplied with these?...

Many thanks....

 

[altreed]

Hi,

I suffered the failing gearbox troubles. I believe that I have the same 5 speed gearbox but a different controller unit, i.e no tip.

I believe that there is a belief that the oil should be changed at about 50k, to avoid gearbox failure. MB say the oil is in there for life, but unfortunately the life of the box can be short!

I would advise you seek proactive maintenance. Andy Gayle may be able to make some suggestions.

I don't know about the wheel styles on the c43.

I understand you will not be dissappointed with the car though

 

[AlexSR]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I'm now the proud owner of a C43...

Does anyone have any tyre recommendations?...

Many thanks

 

[Tinyflier]

I have tried the following;

Goodyear F1 followed by Pirelli P7000 followed by Michelin Pilot Sport (but be aware that I am running with 8x18" alloys rather than the standard size.)

Pirelli - I really did not like those (although they had been very good on my previous E Class). Somewhat vague on turn in to corner, good grip in dry and wet, bit noisy after only a few thousand miles.

Goodyear F1 - excellent feedback on what car is doing, very good corner turn in, high dry grip level but not as good in wet as Michelin.

Michelin Pilot - really good all rounder, excellent wet weather grip, good in dry, not quite as "feely" as the Goodyear in cornering (but it is quite marginal), very good wear characteristics.

At replacement time it will be a close call between Goodyear (whose F1 is now somewhat improved from my original) and Michelin Pilot.

BUT - these are only my opinions -others may have different and equally valid views as we all expect different things and drive in different ways.

David

 

[grayb]

The five spoke alloys were shown as standard in the September 99 catalogue that I have (thanks to Wes Gregg for that). My early 99 model has the more dish-like type (monobloc I think they might be called).

Re tyres, how about reading this weeks Autocar? They are talking about changing the tyres on their long term M5 and they rate the Pirelli P-Zero Rosso, which won their tyre test earlier this year. I have experienced earlier P-Zero Assymetricos on two cars which both tramlined badly, but they would probably be totally different. The P7000's aren't really intended for sports cars as far as I know. We have Continental Sport Contacts, which seem quite acceptable.

Re the aircon, does anyone else find that it doesn't switch to recirc automatically to speed cooling in this weather? My Jag did and our Mazda 626 does....