1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG

Description

Three owners from new, the second for 20 years; 306bhp V8; excellent service history; recently recommissioned following six years in storage; one of only 450 supplied to the UK market; a pampered AMG that wears its mileage amazingly well

The first Mercedes to be assembled from scratch at AMG's famous tuning facility in Affalterbach (as opposed to being merely upgraded), the W202 C43 was also the first C-Class to be powered by Mercedes-Benz's mighty M113 4.3 V8 engine.

Specially tuned by AMG and developing 306bhp and 302lbft (up from the standard 275bhp/295lb/ft), the naturally aspirated V8 was allied to five-speed automatic transmission which made it good for 0-60mph in 6.0 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155mph.

In real world driving it felt even quicker than that thanks to prodigious mid-range urge, dismissing 40mph – 60mph in 2.5 seconds and 50mph – 70mph in 3.0 seconds for lightning-fast overtakes. Huge floating caliper disc brakes (13.1” fronts; 11.8” rear, as used on the W210 E55 AMG) gave kidney-crushing stopping power.  

Only in production from 1997 – 2000, the C43 is also extremely rare, with only around 4,200 made in total (including around 800 estate versions) of which only 450 were RHD models for the UK market.

Supplied new by Stirling of Worcester in March 1999, this C43 has had just three owners from new, the second keeping it for 20 years (2005 – 2025).

Finished in Obsidian Black with a full Anthracite black leather interior, it has all the usual C43 luxuries including heated electric multi contour front seats with orthopedic inflatable bolsters; folding rear seats with pop-down headrests; carbon fibre cabin trim; climate control; cruise control; electric windows, mirrors and boot release; stainless steel sports exhaust etc.

Options include:
345 – rain sensing wiper
441 – adjustable steering column
461 – MPH speedo
500 – folding door mirrors
551 – anti-theft system
581 - automatic climate control
600 – headlamp wash/wipe
617 – Xenon headlamps
668 - luggage net with tie-down hooks
776 – black wheel arch extensions
819 – Alpine 6 CD changer in boot
882 - movement alarm sensor with tow-away protection
N97 - AMG Performance Studio package

Used as its makers intended, it has clocked up 184k miles to date but you would never know to look at it – the interior is amazingly clean and fresh with minimal signs of wear. The bodywork was always the weak point on the W202 but it looks great on this car, with just the odd minor blemish here and there (the paintwork on the roof has a few defects, hard to show in photos).

The service book has 15 stamps, the last at 180,553 miles in June 2018, the first seven by Sterling M-B of Worcester, the next three by Merc specialist Howard Williams and the last five by Hadens M-B of Birmingham (see photos).

There are also lots of invoices for other work and new parts fitted including:

2008 – fresh gearbox fluid and filter; new front brake discs and pads at 147,166 miles

2011 – fresh diff fluid and gearbox fluid; new windscreen at 159,701 miles

2013 – new rear brake discs and pads; front lower arm bushes; new lower ball joints; new steering damper; new brake hoses; gearbox service at 164,578 miles

2015 – new alternator at 164,623 miles

2016 – new heater regulator and blower motor; welding to sills and jacking points by Hadens M-B

2018 – new rocker cover gaskets; cooling fan and shroud; radiator grille; wheels refurbed; bodywork repairs by Hadens M-B

2019 – new starter motor; front brake pads at 182,355 miles

Our vendor, a retired Mercedes specialist who had serviced this C43 in the past, acquired the car in January 2025 at which point it had been laid-up in dry storage for six years. He has recommissioned the car including: oil and filter change; new radiator; new alternator; new fuel pump; air con regassed.

We are told that the car drives as well as it looks and it has been starting instantly and running beautifully as we have hoofed it around on site, with bags of grunt, a wonderfully woofly V8 exhaust note, ice cold air con and no warning lights. It has an MOT until January 2026 with no advisories recorded.

All the handbooks are present along with two keys. The spare wheel looks virtually new and all five wheels are shod with the recommended Continental Sport Contact tyres - always the sign of a well-kept car.

As you can see in the photos, this AMG is in remarkable condition for its age and mileage and looks particularly moody in its unusual 'black on black' colour scheme (most had two-tone interiors). A proper Q-car that can still embarrass much flashier-looking machines, it is also surprisingly rare and there are probably no more than around 230 C43 AMGs still UK registered today.

A true modern classic with an impeccable service record, this black beauty (debadged for extra stealth) is well worth a look at the sensible guide price suggested.

Consigned by James Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]