Be Brave and take the old AMG punt

Petrolheads tend to fall into two camps when it comes to executive saloons, you’re either a Mercedes person, or an aficionado of BMW. Both seemingly offering very similar products, but appeal to very different demographics.

Mercedes are quite open about aiming themselves at the elder driver, with their soft suspension and wood finished dashboards. BMW however, have long marketed themselves as ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’, lassoing the younger, keener (read aggressive) driver.

I’ve always leant towards the latter. So much so, that I ran a leggy, far from concourse E39 5 series for several months, and despite it’s faults, I savoured every minute behind the wheel.

It wasn’t perfect, but it won my heart

Recently, however, I’ve been mulling the idea of wafting along in a Mercedes. Perhaps my age is getting to me, but there’s something appealing about an older Benz that has my feet itchy.

To the classifieds I go.

Ok, so I’m not quite pipe and slippers brigade yet, although I have considered a well-kept W124 on several occasions, so in awe I am of their over-engineered robustness. I still think however, I need some performance credentials in my life before all of my hairs turn grey.

Are there any affordable "hot" AMG-fettled Mercs to be had on these shores? Well yes, there are, if you’re brave.

No, not this ‘Lite’ C43 AMG

First up, is this C43 AMG.

No, not the current C43 that is an ‘AMG Lite’ powered by a 3-litre V6. No this is the first generation W202 variant brandishing a 4.3-litre normally aspirated V8. And who doesn’t love a dose of small car, big engine.

It’s a car that boasts 310 horsepower and 300lbs/ft of torque propelling it to 100kmh in 5.7 seconds. In other words, plenty quick enough.

You also get the bonus pub ammo conversation, this being the first ever, purpose-built, AMG Mercedes; and the first C-Class with a V8.

There are downsides of course. It being a 1999 car, it won’t have the ECU update for the gearbox, which made the torque-converter auto slightly less slushy. Also, it’s not the estate, and super-saloons are always cooler when they’re super-estates. I may have a solution to that conundrum however…

Small car, big engine.

With this, E55 AMG ‘Wagon’.

Just look at it!

To the untrained eye, you’re a geography teacher, but to those who know, you’re driving an estate car that packs a 355 horsepower from a 5.5-litre V8 under it’s bonnet.

An engine that’ll hurtle you, and six others to motorway speeds in 4.8 seconds. And yes, you read that right, it seats seven people. Stick that in your SUV/crossover pipe and smoke it.

As with the C43, there will be problems. This was an era when Mercedes were not renowned for their build quality, so check all the electrics work, and that the service history is fastidious.

Also, these things rust, as pointed out by a certain Top Gear presenter and former E55 owner in a tweet last week. So check sills, arches and anywhere water can get into the bodywork and especially, the subframes.

Don’t let Mr. Harris put you off though, he hates the MX-5, so remember, this is all subjective, one man’s hell is another man’s heaven.

Cars I always wanted, eventually bought, and which turned out to be shite, #74. The W210 E55 wagon. Rust, electrics, wonky ‘box. pic.twitter.com/U4IfNX6vXq — chris harris (@harrismonkey) June 21, 2018

Either would be a brave choice, but they’re not cars you buy with sense in mind. Buy them, cherish them, and if they go bang, you’ll probably be smiling when they do.

(Also, Monoblocs, nobody has ever matched car and wheel better than Mercedes and the Monobloc)

-John Quinn

@JohnnyQ86