Cheap Racer- 1998 Mercedes C43 AMG

Who doesn't love cheap fun?  Racing cars and going fast costs real coin, but this is DT where exceptions to the rule are welcome and encouraged!  This 1998 C43 has been stripped of the AMG body kit and has bumpers from a similar year C220 so it looks entirely forgettable.  Speaking of stripped, this C43 also has no interior aside from a race seat so this is not going to work as a Uber/Lyft vehicle.  Under the hood, the 4.3 AMG M113 V8 is good for just over 300 hp when new, but the really hot ticket is to swap in the larger 5.4 350hp version of the same engine.  The car still has the factory AMG suspension set up and massive brakes fitted to these models so it would likely be a competitive if uncommon choice for a budget race car.  Find this 1998 Mercedes C43 for sale in Morris, CT for $1,500 via craigslist.

Autobahn Crusher: 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG

In the pecking order of German sport sedans for the people who like handling it goes like this: BMW M3, AMG CXX, Audi S4.  For those who like to speed it goes like this AMG CXX, Audi S4, BMW M3.  And finally, for those who like cheap entry price on a used example it goes like this AMG CXX, Audi S4, BMW M3.  Find this 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG offered for $5,500 in White Salmon, OR via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Cheap AMG Faceoff: 1996 C36 AMG vs 1999 C43 AMG

AMG -- three letters that strike fear in the heart of sport-luxury sedan owners -- fear in the heart of the competition by being blisteringly fast in a straight line, and fear in their owners wallets because they are notoriously complex and expensive to repair.  However, that combination of speed and cost-of-ownership is a wonderful recipe for a cheap (entry to market) luxury sedans.  Today we've got a face-off of Mercedes-Benz W202 C-class speeders -- a 1996 C36 AMG vs 1999 C43 AMG.  Both are tips from FuelTruck.

Schnell Tourenwagen: 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Wagon W202

The W202 generation Mercedes-Benz C-class was launched in North America for the 1994 model year  with a few basic inline four & six cylinder engines.  In 1995 the AMG modified C36 hit the showrooms, but the final (and fastest) spec was the V8 C43 released in 1998. Unfortunately for long roof fans, all W202 headed for North America were sedan versions and we didn't get the cool wagon version...so you'll have to find an immigrant like this next one.  Find this 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG Wagon here on eBay offered for $13,900 buy-it-now located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.  Tip from Cory.

10k: Drink Your Vee Eight: 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG W202

 If the BMW M3/M5 market tells us anything, it is that fast, limited edition, German sedans will be worth something in the future.  Mercedes starting badging their US bound cars with the AMG logo in 1995 with the big inline-6 powered C36 AMG, but in 1998 they released the V8 powered version called the C43 AMG.  Today's feature is a medium mile example offered for a medium price.  Find this 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG W202 offered for $11,900 in Ft Myers, CO here on craigslist.

3k: It Takes Two: 1969 Mercedes-Benz W115 220D and W202 C43 AMG Engine

Welcome to a new DT feature, It Takes Two, where we pick not one craigslist ad, but two, for the ultimate Lego-style DT post.  This first ITT feature involves the marriage of a classic Mercedes-Benz W115 diesel and a C43 AMG V8 for the ultimate DIY classic FrankenBenz.  Find this 1969 Mercedes-Benz 220D with "horked" engine for sale in San Francisco, CA for $1500 and an M113 4.3L V8 from a W202 C43 AMG for sale in North Hollywood, CA for $1500 via craigslist.  We have it upon good authority from one of our regular tippers that the W115 seller is a stand-up guy who just needs to get his wife a garage spot. 

10k:1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG; Low Mile W202

The Mercedes W202 was one of the last pre-Daimler/Chrysler merge Mercedes that we would consider allowing in our garage.  It still maintains the classic clean Mercedes styling, before the front end starting looking like a Jag, and before Daimler abandoned its 100 year reputation for quality over quantity.  Market share obsessed DaiChry executives slashed vehicle development budgets and BOM cost sheets in exchange for the instant gratification of next quarter's stock bonus, an affliction that Mercedes vehicles are still suffering from two decades later.  Gone are the 500k mile machines that had nuclear winter proof interiors and the replacements are a nightmare of costly components and cracked leather after the warranty wears off.  Relive the glory days of Daimler-Benz greatness with this 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG currently for sale in snowy Minneapolis, MN via ebay buy-it-now of $11,500 obo.