Calling all C36 boys ...

[omeyhomey]

Hey guys,

I think pretty soon I may be joining the C36 brotherhood. I figure im making so many parts for the M104, might as well get the best M104 made.

I'd love to know your experiences both performance related and maintenance related. I have heard to stay away from the 95-96 C36s b/c of 4speed and also wiring harness. I don't mind the 4speed issue but is the wiring harness really that big of an issue on the 96s? I know 95s it was a common problem.

Also what performance mods have you done and which ones have been more effective than others. thx guys

Any help would be appreciated. thx

[jnolte]

in the 5 spd however you gotta watch for a bad tranny.

also those damn head gaskets

[omeyhomey]

ya i've heard the 5speeds wear prematurely too and the 4speeds are actually more reliable but that 4speeds supposedly rob more power and the 95-96 have wiring harness problems hehe. SO its either your tranny goes bad on 97 or your wiring harness goes bad on pre-97. Anything else?

[jnolte]

the 4spd is slower and gets worse gas mileage than the 1997 5 spds

96-97 have updated interiors

96-97 has LCD HVAC controls and the 1995 has old skool style

1995 has 1pc AMG badge and 2 tone sttering wheel

1995 has diffrent brakes (i think)

[stox]

I chose the '96 specifically because it had the 4 speed transmission. It may not be as fast as the 5 speed, but it is a brick shithouse. When have you heard of someone having problems with the 4 speed? There are two main issues to look out for on the '96, head gasket and wiring harness. Both had been taken care of on the C36 I purchased.

[NISMOPOWERED]

My 96 does not have a harness issue. It already got a better harness when it was built, so I think it depends on when yours is built on the harness. I did my headgasket for oil leaks, very easy! I here someone used a 96 c280 harness on thier c36 with no issues? The trans isn't great but at least it wont die!

[BALLLR]

I bought a 96 because of the more reliable tranny, my wiring looks good and clean, and it was in good condition with low kms. The 96/97 brakes differ from the 95's, and are cheaper.

4SP. tranny is shit on gas. BUT, i cant imagine the 97's being significantly better. I only put 94 octane in, and she loves to drink it up.

In terms of maintenance, be ready to replace the essentials initially to ensure car is running top notch. Tires are mofo if u drive like me.

I would have to say that this car doesn't shine from 0 to 60, but from 60 to about 120 it pulls like a train.

Definately a priviledge to own this car. Im excited for you.

[omeyhomey]

Awesome, Excellent responces. I am selling my W210 E55 and buying C36 and investing the rest of the money, i figured from a business standpoint it makes alot more sense then selling E55 to get CLK55 (basically same car).

I also am VERY excited to test out all the new M104 products coming out. 320 crank HP is my goal out of the C36 and should be relatively easy with the right mods. Anyways i'll let u know on any updated. Thx again guys

[dporsche74]

i have a 95 c36


great car even it is a damn auto

MB replaced the head gasket and tranny pump , have not had any problems with the wiring harnnes,, i check it out once and awhile and looks great no problems, the 97 5 speed have the leaking head problems still and the tranny are very weak compared to the old 500E 4 speed, no LSD and cannot fully disable the ASR and the no manual option make it a sunday cruiser instead of a 250hp wheel spining beast like a m3 is

[C280/////AMG]

(My 2 cents)

I believe thr c36 and the 280 use the same engine wiring harness. on my 95 280, i've had to re do the harness at around 200 000km. It's not expensive to do (cost me $250 at the Bosch Service Centre, the best in the game) They say it's the only weak point on the m104.

Apparently the 4 speed is also bulletproof, but i haven't heard the same about the 5 speed...

[omeyhomey]

excellent, I may get the 96 C36.

Can anyone confirm if the 95 C36 is OBD1 and 96+ is OBD2. I have a feeling thats why the power estimates for the two years are different, correct me if i'm wrong but if so that may lean me towards the 95 b/c OBD1 cars always respond better to mods than OBD2 ones. anyways thx for the great advice guys

[dporsche74]

95 is OBD2

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by dporsche74
95 is OBD2

then why the power discrepancy? I still don't get why the claim changed. in USA all cars were OBD1 and in 96 changed over to OBD2 b/c of government mandate. To me the most logical reason for hte differences was the OBD1 vs OBD2 but I guess there is a possibility that may not be the case. anyone able to prove which it really was (i've heard alot of conjecture over the past few months but no solid proof). thx

[c55m8o]

Originally posted by omeyhomey
Awesome, Excellent responces. I am selling my W210 E55 and buying C36 and investing the rest of the money, i figured from a business standpoint it makes alot more sense then selling E55 to get CLK55 (basically same car).

I also am VERY excited to test out all the new M104 products coming out. 320 crank HP is my goal out of the C36 and should be relatively easy with the right mods. Anyways i'll let u know on any updated. Thx again guys wow, that's some serious dedication to the cause! E55 is such a killer car. If it had fold-down seats and different wood, I would have traded my C43 in for one in '00 or '01. (...pretty happy with it's engine now in the smaller car tho).

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by c55m8o
wow, that's some serious dedication to the cause! E55 is such a killer car. If it had fold-down seats and different wood, I would have traded my C43 in for one in '00 or '01. (...pretty happy with it's engine now in the smaller car tho).

Yup, I'm making alot of sacrifice for you W202 boys :) . Trying to get these M104 products on the market ASAP as well as the V6/V8 pulleys & headers. I know C36 won't have the never-ending wave of torque like the E55 but i love high revving line 6's and the V8 just doesn't have the exciting blood pumping top end that only an inline 6 can deliver. I can't wait :) .

[NISMOPOWERED]

95/6 have the same stats but the 97 is up a few ponies. Not sure why, dif programming?

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by NISMOPOWERED
95/6 have the same stats but the 97 is up a few ponies. Not sure why, dif programming?

If you look on the MBUSA site it show the 96-97 as the same stats and the 95 as lower, thats what is confusing the hell out of me...

http://www.mbusa.com/overview/1997/C36.do?modelCode=C36&preModelCode=C230WZ&preClassCode=06_C&preAccClassCode=C&overviewMenu=c-class

If it was 95/96 same then i'd say the difference in numbers is because of the transmission but that doesn't seem to be the case (which is why im leaning towards possible change in OBD). However 95's have the OBD2 type scanner port (if you 95 guys could confirm i'd appreciate it). You can see why i'm so confused b/c nothing seems to be adding up. HOWEVER, In that "CarTest" simulator program the 95/96 are the same and 97 is different (yet again making it seem like its the transmission but that shouldn't affect the engine rating specs (further confusing me even more lol). My 93 M104 was OBD1 so it was either 94 or 95 that the swap was made but which year it was I dont' know. Don't mean to get picky but I like trying to solve a good mystery ::)

[NISMOPOWERED]

That link is wrong. 96 has a 4spd not 5 like they say, and the sticker on my car is the lower specs. Everything I always see is 95/6 and then 97.

[dporsche74]

Originally posted by omeyhomey
then why the power discrepancy? I still don't get why the claim changed. in USA all cars were OBD1 and in 96 changed over to OBD2 b/c of government mandate. To me the most logical reason for hte differences was the OBD1 vs OBD2 but I guess there is a possibility that may not be the case. anyone able to prove which it really was (i've heard alot of conjecture over the past few months but no solid proof). thx


i have a 95 c36 AND IT IS obd2 , MERCEDES USED obd2 IN 95

[omeyhomey]

Gotcha ok so the MBUSA link is wrong thats what was confusing me. Seems like tranny is the reason for the power difference then. Gotcha 95 C36 is OBD2 thx

[NISMOPOWERED]

Sad that we know and Benz does not. You would think they have someone fact checking!

[benzboy]

1995 Euro Spec C36 AMG, 4 speed auto

No engine or trans related issues at all, both are rock solid.

Mods: Decat, Chip, Cold air intake, these 3 mods provided a VERY minor power increase, but improve throttle response

[BALLLR]

well... i guess the fate of my c36 is in ur hands based on what u can do...

[KenzBenz]

Originally posted by benzboy
1995 Euro Spec C36 AMG, 4 speed auto

No engine or trans related issues at all, both are rock solid.

Mods: Decat, Chip, Cold air intake, these 3 mods provided a VERY minor power increase, but improve throttle response

throttle response significantly or just slightly?

[omeyhomey]

Originally posted by benzboy
1995 Euro Spec C36 AMG, 4 speed auto

No engine or trans related issues at all, both are rock solid.

Mods: Decat, Chip, Cold air intake, these 3 mods provided a VERY minor power increase, but improve throttle response

ya most people think cat upgrade, cold air intake and chip will give you 30HP+ but its just not the case. Once they have done it and come back to reality realize its not easy to make power, hence why I think crank pully & headers will be the two biggest power mods on these M104s b/c those are the real weaknesses.

[benzboy]

Throttle response a lot better, going back to factory airbox though, just gonna mod it a little bit, i hate the large gap in the engine bay, and it makes stuff all difference apart from noise.

Exhaust probably made the tiniest difference, running a custom 2 and 3/4" foot long res, and no cats, sounds great, but dont bother if your after power