C43 v 400E

[@colinbrown7193]

WOW!!! Pierre, you're not only sharing your immense wealth of knowledge freely but you have demonstrated an interest in providing free and invaluable advice to your subscribers. I'm both impressed and appreciative of you returning my phone call, the time spent discussing this issue and sharing me insight regarding the 400E which will I purchase.Thank You.

[@williamharris7704]

Amen to this. Pierre is always more than willing to assist and advise.... a true prince of the three pointed star!

[@colinbrown7193]

"I'm both impressed and appreciative of you returning my phone call, the time spent discussing this issue and sharing with me insight regarding the 400E which I will purchase when I find a great example".Thank You.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

Anytime...my pleasure!

[@CCOCCARO]

I have a ‘94 E420 in very good shape. Love my W124M119.

[@billrbca]

Just buy something you like and drive it and enjoy it

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

that's right!

[@ChristopheZ]

Holly shit!!!! I just watched that video!! that's my 400E in the photo ( taken in Maine)...LOL

[@hanshogqvist7927]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Mercedes cars of the fantastic era from the 1960s to the end of the 90s!! However I do not think the 400E/ E420 will ever be even close in value to the 500E/ E500. I and my son have a 500E ( early 1993 alas the older lock and the tecnic update )and a E420, both in very good condition and service history. They are different cars to drive with the 420 a "softer" and sane long distans drive in high but reasonable speed that is majorly under 200 KM/H (130 M/H ). The 500E is for considerably faster and active driving, something that I have built on with lovering it 1", of course have new rubber in the suspension and also new engine mounts since I could feel that the engine started turning after the body had! The dampers are new original Sachs. It is not a trackday car but av very fast and comfortable long distant car that take us from south of Sweden to north Italy in 24 hours or less if I am alone. The brakes are to weak and I am adressing that now, have gone to 18" weels (Brabus forged) with 265 tyres in the rear and 235 front but consider changing to 17" and 245 tyres (again it is not a track day car!) to soften the ride a bit and make tyre wear less expensive, to make room for bigger brakes. Speed limiter removed and possible to switch off thee antispin. But back to value. There was 22802 400E/ E420 made and 10479 500E/E500 is the obvius marker in value developement. I also think that more of the 500s are crashed since the speed increase is above 100 km/h (55 m/h) is considerably more violent in the 500 and the brakes are not good enough. I get 1 or 2 telephone calls every month from people who want to buy the 500, never a call about the 420. The value estimation in the German "Youngtimer" magasine list a good condition (not concours) as 17000 Euro for the 400E/E420 and 43000 euro for the 500E/E500. The 500 is going upp fast and the 400 slow. In a few years the 500 will be around 80000 euro and the 400 around 25- 30000 euro is my guess. From there the increase in value will probably slow down or stopp. The AMG and Brabus versions is another story, and also another cost league to own! If you want a 500 buy now! But remember the 500 is a lot more expensive to own and keep in good condition then the 400.....

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

Very insightful comment! thank you so much!

[@WidespreadCockamamie]

I own both a 94 E420 & 99 E55.The AMG is a blast to drive but tempts you into 13mpg. Had to fix the ASL with an emulator and The headlights are toast-aftermarket ones are a bit fan-boy. The W124 is no slouch either. I like the tall diff, the crisp 4spd,glass headlights and steel side-cut no chip key .All around more substantial and more Benz-like plus no ASR and 17" wheels make it fun cornering I like both but a 400e/E420 is still undervalued probably not for long

[@ryan335]

Oh boy the e55 just skyrocketed haha

[@ryan335]

I did just pick up a c43 though. Grew up with a c220 in the family as my grandparents being the first owners and it having 62k miles. Overall nice car but ya they do have their common issues. But when I found out about the v8 amg model years ago, I knew eventually I would own one lol. Didn’t think so some though

[@Dave-le6ng]

Big fan of the C43. Don't care about collector value long term. Bang for the $ is hard to beat. I've found it very easy to work on as well....both the 722 and M113. Computers will be the wildcard...but being a 1998 I'm probably reasonably safe vs. the next generation of D/C electronics. And I'm doing a M113 "55" swap which I'm sure you'll hate!

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

the 55 swap is easy and straightforward...why not...the c43 is all about having fun...future values take a backseat to driving pleasure

[@CL500MBZ]

What about the the w215? My channel is all about daily driving this wonderful car with the hopes that one day it will become a classic and appreciate

[@shangoshots]

Pierre, this may be a loaded question however an 1990 500SL with a 6 liter motor conversion as you call it, what would be your guess as a ballpark price. It only has 50,000 miles and has the AMG package. I understand that they didn't make too many of these cars however the car is considered in excellent condition. So on that note is the Mercedes r129 a collectible?

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

perfect r129s are absolutely collectible. bad ones are a liability. In the case of the 500sl 6.0 I would think 15k-22k is fair if it is a really nice car.

[@smacdiesel]

Great video! I predict CA will outlaw all of these cars eventually. Especially the diesels. Sad times ahead.

[@christopher6161]

The c36 is truly something special. Last AMG car before merger and before they butchered the w202 with their garbage water based paint, and the final and most evolved version of the m104. Also can be heavily modified.

[@pinzgauernorcal]

thank you for all the Great Videos can you do a DIY video on adjusting the VCV on a 617 W123 that would be relly helpfull.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

i will work on it. thank you for the request.

[@gotham61]

With sedans you don’t really get appreciation until they are almost 50 years out. Even W116s are still at a pretty low ebb. Nice 108/109s especially 6.3s are finally starting to climb

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

it's funny how when the prices go up, so does the demand....I mean it...prices come up THEN people start asking about them

[@charlescampbell1314]

I have a 1993 Mercedes Benz 400E in really good condition, how do I sell it and what should I sell it for?

[@projectv12bmw66]

Great videos! Looking at a decent 400E that needs a transmission input shaft seal (leaks badly according to the owner). What should I be looking at beyond the normal stuff? I believe the car is a 1993 and has ~140k miles. I'm aware of the wiring harness issues, and the normal old car stuff to look for (mostly). I've owned several old BMW's but never a MB. Thanks!

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

John, the main culprit is often the front pump o-ring n not just the torque converter seal. There is also the question of the reverse clutches and the return spring pack for reverse...but this site should help you even more...brandon314.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/mercedes-benz-722-3-transmission-manual/

[@sheffmb]

Lol "sorry I tend to yawn when I talk about the w210"

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

(:

[@christopher6161]

Hey it gave us the om606.962/722.6 Other than that it's a fucking shitpile

[@allwinds3786]

I wish somebody would make a car that could be maintained and rebuilt. I've been doing restoration on my 77 r100rs BMW motorcycle and the parts and design seem to be made to be rebuilt and upgraded I wish I could car were made that way

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

well, neither of these fit the bill. However, all of the 123 series cars certainly do.

[@allwinds3786]

@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 I'm saving my money a contemplating the engine/transmission options, 115 or 123

[@jimpeters3328]

Hi Pierre wondering your thoughts on the 400E 4 years after this video was shot. I’ve seen 400Es all over the place but wondering if you think they are poised to take off… Q: did they have the dreaded biodegradable harness? Anything else to worry about? I found one with a “defective ECU” whatever that means ?? Otherwise might be a good one and gonna check it out soon. Thx

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

Hello, Jim Peters and thank YOU so much for your question(s), we want to answer you as quickly as possible. By signing in our Patreon www.patreon.com/thomaspolk page and making a donation of $10 your are assured of a 24 hour email response from Pierre. If you are already a $10 member please mention along with your question.

[@alizerqazilbash3733]

How did it go, Did you end up purchasing it? I am also looking at a e400 v8 and was wondering what should I look for when I go purchase it?

[@ItsTimePictures]

But is a good C43 a decent idea as a daily driver? I've been told they are, but really don't have a clue.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

i have no personal experience with this either

[@hank4279]

Only if you want to have a lot of fun. The suspension is great from the factory and the muffler sound, nice and throaty. Don't bother with cars that have been screwed around with by lowering and modifying. You can drive it, have a great time and still retain the car's value down the road. It's the closest thing you'll get to driving a 92-94 500E

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

i have driven one and they are a heck of a lot fun. cannot disagree there....but they built a lot of short cuts into the car too. just look at the unsafe, crappy idler arm bushing.

[@dlwst44]

I had a C43 for 4 years, it's fine for a daily as long as you're willing to pay the high cost of upkeep. Mine had 77k miles when I bought it, and 103k when I dumped it. I spent on average around $1200 a year to keep it on the road, and that was with me doing most of the work. Don't get one that's been lowered, they eat suspension parts like crazy, mine was, if I was going to keep it longer I would've changed it back to oem springs. But it was rusting out from being mostly an Illinois and PA car most of it's life.

[@hank4279]

I brought a new 93 400E rather than the 500E Because it was only one second slower 0-60. I currently own a 98 C43 with 25k miles and it's already a collectible car because of AMG's 50th anniversary. Any four door AMG of the early years is collectible because of low production numbers. Today's will take a long time. The 500E took 20 years to take off in value and appreciation. It's only been the last five.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

I agree, but only well kept c43s like your have a bright future ahead of them

[@ImpalamansGarage]

W210 cars aren't worth squat. lol..... I have one! 2000 E320 wagon. Damn thing rides like it's on rails, will carry very heavy loads, has hydraulic SLC, hauls ass and runs dead smooth. Of course the clear coat is crap and the head liner is on my head. Comically they retained headlight washers which do absolutely nothing.... lol..... I press the button for comic effect when I have passengers. 225k miles and drive it every day.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

for bad weather, you can;t beat them for the money.

[@dlwst44]

@@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753 wholeheartedly agree, drove through a foot of snow on snow tires, blew past tons of people stranded on the side of the road like it was nothing.

[@cav4290]

Change the Chevy V8 engine sound to a Mercedes Benz! :)

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

i know, right.

[@tayloraungst8569]

Pierre, what is your opinion of the 190e sportline overall? Classic bulletproof build? Worth owning as a sporty compact ride? Or, best to step up to w124 sportline?

[@tayloraungst8569]

Truth be told- I’m glad I watched this clip, I was considering selling my 190e sportline LE for an early 202 AMG car.

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

i think they are both great cars...buy what you like! I know of a 190e 2.6 sportline with high mileage that needs a good home.

[@tayloraungst8569]

Mercedes Classic with Pierre Hedary Cheers! Always appreciative and humbled to pilot the prestige of the pre-95 classics. #respect your elders Always appreciate the time.

[@tayloraungst8569]

Mercedes Classic with Pierre Hedary which classic would you choose as a sports car performance driver that doesn’t have sky high prices?

[@tayloraungst8569]

Mercedes Classic with Pierre Hedary I am on the search...

[@TheAcemaster25]

1:23 W210 Burn!

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

lol....

[@vmlelectronics]

I like too much the W201 and the W202 as they are not too big but the W124 is a very good car, strong and the M103 is not that hard to keep running well, even at Brazil...

[@mercedesclassicswithpierre1753]

the w124 is truly a world car....one of the reasons it is so successful today.

[@christopher6161]

I may find whoever puts the thumbnails on your videos and harm them