Review: Mercedes W202 C 36 and C 43 AMG (1995-00)

Review: Mercedes W202 C 36 AMG (1995-97)

Overview

Released in Australia in October 1995, the Mercedes-Benz W202 C 36 AMG was a compact executive sedan. Manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in Bremen, Germany, the W202 C 36 AMG was powered by a 3.6-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine that was initially mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. From November 1996, however, the C 36 AMG had a five-speed automatic transmission.

The C 36 AMG was based on the C 280 Sport which was then disassembled and modified at the AMG plant in Affalterbach. While 5221 C 36 AMG vehicles were produced, it is understood that only one hundred (100) C 36 AMG vehicles were delivered to Australia.

C 36 AMG: M104 engine

Assembled by hand, the 3606 cc M104.941 engine had a cast iron block with a 92.4 mm stroke and 91.0 mm bores, an alloy cylinder head, a hot film mass airflow sensor and sequential fuel injection (HFM-SFI), double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), a variable intake camshaft which could advance the camshaft by 32 degrees, four valves per cylinder actuated by hydraulic bucket tappets, coil pack ignition and a compression ratio of 10.5:1.

Compared to the standard 2.8-litre M104.941 engine, changes for the M104.941 AMG engine included:

• Aluminium-forged pistons with shorted skirts;
• A finely balanced crankshaft that was adapted from the 3.5-litre OM603 engine;
• A larger intake cross-over pipe;
• A high-flow inlet manifold;
• Enlarged exhaust ports;
• A free-flowing exhaust;
• A unique intake camshaft with greater valve lift;
• A higher compression ratio (10.5:1 compared to 10.0:1); and,
• Modified HFM-SFI engine management (Motronic M 3.4.2).

With both the four- and five-speed automatic transmissions, the C 36 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

Transmissions

For the four-speed automatic transmission, the gear ratios were 3.87 (1st), 2.25 (2nd), 1.44 (3rd) and 1.00 (4th), while the final drive ratio was 2.85. For the five-speed transmission, gear ratios were 3.59 (1st), 2.19 (2nd), 1.41 (3rd), 1.00 (4th) and 0.83 (5th); the final drive ratio was 2.87.

Dimensions

The Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG was 4487 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1385 mm tall and had a 2690 mm long wheelbase; kerb mass was 1560 kg. Compared to the standard W202 C-Class , the C 36 AMG could be identified by its sports body kit which included a front spoiler, side skirts and rear air dam.

Suspension

The Mercedes-Benz W202 C 36 AMG had double wishbone front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Compared to the standard W202 C-Class, the suspension for the C 36 AMG had:

• 25 mm lower and firmer springs;
• Digressive shock absorbers; and,
• Stiffer anti-roll bars (by 35 per cent at the front and 49 per cent at the rear).

Steering

The Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG had recirculating ball, power-assisted steering.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG included dual front airbags, ABS, traction control and front seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Brakes

The post-August 1995 C 36 AMG had 320 mm by 30 mm front brake discs with four-piston calipers and 278 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

Features: Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG included 17-inch light alloy wheels, 7.5J x 17-inch front wheels with 225/45 ZR17 tyres and 8.5J x 17-inch rear wheels with 245/40 ZR17 rear tyres, a radio, cassette player, CD player and ten-disc CD changer, air conditioning, contoured front sports seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, front fog lights, remote central locking, power mirrors and power windows. A power-operated sunroof was also available as an option.

Review: Mercedes W202 C 43 AMG (1998-00)

Overview

Released in Australia in April 1998, the Mercedes-Benz W202 C 43 AMG was powered by a 4.3-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the C 36 AMG, the C 43 AMG was assembled by AMG in Affalterbach.

C 43 AMG: M113.944 engine

Assembled by AMG, the 4266 cc M113.944 V8 engine had an alloy cylinder block with 89.9 mm bores and an 84.0 mm stroke, cast-in Silitec (Al-Si alloy) cylinder liners, fracture-split forged steel connecting rods, iron-coated aluminium pistons, an alloy cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) per cylinder bank driven by a double-roller chain, three valves per cylinder (two intake, on exhaust) actuated by roller rockers, two spark plugs per cylinder, a magnesium dual-length intake manifold and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

For the AMG versions of this engine, changes included:

• Composite’ camshafts which were individually forged;
• A double-fluted intake system;
• A larger intake manifold; and,
• A unique exhaust system with larger pipes and a modified muffler system to minimise exhaust gas back pressure.

Transmission and performance

For the five-speed transmission, gear ratios were 3.59 (1st), 2.19 (2nd), 1.41 (3rd), 1.00 (4th) and 0.83 (5th); the final drive ratio was 3.07.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the C 43 AMG could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.

Safety equipment

For the Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG, standard safety equipment was extended to include front side airbags, electronic stability control.

Brakes

The Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG had two-piece 334 mm by 32 mm front brake discs with twin-piston callipers and one-piece 300 mm by 22 mm rear discs with twin-piston callipers; both front and rear discs were internally vented.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 1997 Mercedes-Benz W202 C 180 Classic that was equipped with dual front airbags and front side airbags received a two star adult occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, there was excessive intrusion into the footwell area and stiff structures came into contact with the driver’s right knee, presenting serious injury risks to the knee, thigh and pelvis; chest protection was also rated as weak. In the side impact test, chest protection for the driver was weak, while abdominal protection was rated as marginal.

Features: Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG

Compared to the C 36 AMG, standard features for the Mercedes-Benz C 43 AMG were extended to include climate control air conditioning, power adjustable and heated front seats, and a security system.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W202 C-Class