Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG

The Mercedes Benz C43 AMG (W202)

The Mercedes-Benz - W202 C43 AMG - was introduced in late 1997 to replace the C36 AMG. The C43 has 306BHP and a 0-100km/h (0-60mph) time of around 5.8 sec for the saloon version and 6.1 sec for the estate.

Instead of the C36 and all previous AMG, the C43 was the first to be completely assembled at AMG factory in limited numbers with tuned Mercedes parts, after the Mercedes-Benz/AMG agreement.

The C43 AMG has been released in two version, saloon and estate also called T version. The overall body of the C43 AMG estate version looks about the same as the C36, except for all front and rear bumpers as well as for the side body that have been totally re-designed to meet the new AMG styling. Also the exhaust header became the same as for all AMG to come next.

The two front sport seats on the C43 are equipped with an inflatable system used to adapt the seats to user's high speed and race experiences.

Technically the C43 has got a tuned version of the V8 4.3 liter from the E Class as well as the breaks out of the E 55 AMG (W211). Transmission and gearbox are also tuned versions, but from the SL 500 (R129). Some 2000 C43 (about 20-25 pces) are reported to be equipped with the Speedshift gearbox command on the top of the original C43 automatic gearbox.

Some differences have been reported between the '98 and the 2000 version such as the ECU software that seem to provide better gearbox performances and longer life to the transmission and gearbox, the possibility to up or down lift the steering wheel as well as other details.

Next to the release of the newly introduced C32 in 2000, AMG presented his C43 update program (C55 W202) to bring existing C43 with a 5.5 liter engine with about 350BHP as well as a new gearbox and overall transmission. The upgrade was about € 20'000.- but unfortunately not anymore available.

Original specifications:

Bloc engine (based on E430 V8 platform)
- Single overhead cam with lightweighter camshaft
- 4.3 liter (4'266cm³) at 90° made from alluminium alloy
- Three valves per cylinder and offer 306BHP at 5'850rpm and up to 410Nm of torque from 3'250rpm

Gearbox
- The gearbox is an AMG version of the 5 speed SL 500 automatic gearbox with manual speed selector

Suspensions & Breaks
- Double independant wishbone suspension in front
- Multi-link (five arms) AMG calibrated suspensions in the rear
- 300mm ventilated breaks at the front
- 289mm ventilated breaks in the rear

Electronic assistance
- Bosch ESP
- Bosch antilock
- Traction control system

Optional equipment:

- Xeon lights
- Navigation system (GPS)
- Retractable side view mirrors
- Rain sensor
- Designo interior
- Electric rain window sun shade

C43 upgrade program: (thank's to Axel's report)

Bloc engine
- Cylinder head, Crankcase, Cylinderhead gasket: taken from the 5.0 litre engine M113.961
- Crankshaft, Pistons, Connecting rods: new components manufactured by AMG
- Camshafts: The M113.983 has built-up camshafts with cams specially designed for the Engine
- Valves seats: taken from the engine M113.961

Deviations from the standart system are as follows
- New controller with modified data settings for extra power output and optimum exhaust emissions
- New automatic transmission
- Model 722.636 (C43 722.631) AMG has also modified to cope with the extra power
- Fuel System: Like the M113.944 (C43),the M113.983 is equipped with microprocessor-controlled fuel injection ( Bosch HMS 7.0)

Rear axle general
- New rear axle centrepiece. i = 2.82 , with new drive shaft
- New rear axle wheel flange
- Propeller shaft (The W202 C55 has a new propeller shaft with 4-arm flanges, PCD = 110 mm)

Floorpan
- The floorpan of the C55 (under the rear seats) had to be modified in order to accommodate the larger rear axle centrepiece

Exhaust system
- Except a new middle siliencer and a new tail siliencer, the C55 uses the same exhaust system as the C43

The new instrument cluster bears the AMG logo and a 300km/h scale card in " ivory " at last

C43 upgraded engine specifications
- Nominal output in accordance with 88/195 EC : KW 255 / 5'500rpm
- Torque 510Nm between 3'000rpm - 4'300rpm (6'000rpm max)

The car was built for a little more than two years, from end 1997 to spring 2000 for a total of 4'200 units, ratio 20% estate - 80% saloon.

Vincent Benoit 21:08, 13 May 2007 (UTC)