The 1998 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG

If you aren't familiar with the Hammer, let me explain what it is. The Hammer was a E-Class sedan (1986-1992 model year) that featured a 5.5 liter V-8 with AMG twin cam 32-valve heads. It was an incredible car, and without a doubt the world's greatest sport sedan. Well, the C43 is a second coming. This mini-Hammer has a modified version of the E430's 4.3 liter V8 stuffed in its engine bay, and as you can imagine, this car absolutely hauls!

The Design The C-Class design was freshened up for the '98 model year. The car now looks sportier, with wider low profile tires, a rear end facelift, and different rocker panels that make the car look lower to the ground. However, the elegant profile of the car remains the same. The car slips through the windtunnel with a Coefficient of drag of .32. The car is clearly a Mercedes, with a stoic, solid look. The taillights are shaped in "cat-ears" and the headlights are a mix between the current S-Class and the current SL-Class. The AMG treatment that the C43 gets makes this super C-Class look like a fire-breather. Featuring 225/45ZR-17s in the front 245/40ZR-17s at the rear, a chrome AMG exhaust, spoilers, and side skirts, the C43 clearly stands apart from the C230 and C280.

Performance Performance wise the C230 is great, the C280 is excellent, but the C43 is out-of-this-world. Car & Driver, in a recent article, said, "This is one time when it is not hyperbole to say that in hard acceleration you can actually feel your back being pressed into the seat. The engine's sound is simply thrilling. Despite the arsenal of V8 power, the car sticks hard and handles like a dream. The only worry an owner will ever have is the prospect of a passenger's staining the grey upholstery." The C43 blasts to 60 mph in 5.9 ticks and runs the quarter mile in 14.4 seconds. The C43 is limited to a "prudent" 155 mph. The tweaked 4.3 liter V8 puts out 302 horses @ 5850 rpm, and 302 lb-ft of torque @ only 3250 rpm. The brakes are huge internally ventilated, four-wheel discs - 13.1 inch in the front, 11.8 inch at the rear, all with floating discs and two-piston floating calipers for cooling - acome from an AMG racing setup. They deliver such stopping power and fade resistance that all-out braking levitates you forward against the shoulder harness, report Car & Driver.

Handling To the suprise of many, this mini-hammer out-handles the BMW M3 and 540i. This is a major accomplishment, since Bimmer sets the standard in sedan handling capabilities. Huge Michelin SX tires definitely help the Bilstein gas-pressure "degressive-action" shocks, that help control body motions. Car & Driver exclaims, "Indeed, the C43 provides precise ride control and handling without kidney-crushing harshness."

Comfort One of the C43's many traits that Car & Driver admired was the mini-hammer's seats. The front-buckets feature pneumatically adjustable lumbar and thigh supports, plus torso-bolstering wings to hold both the driver and passenger in place during spirited driving. Car & Drivers states, "Wondrously adjustable works of art, they're as supportive as you'll find."

On a personal note - I love this C43. It is lighter than the C36, quicker, and more adept to twisty roads. At $54,559, it is not pocket change, but compared with AMG masterpieces of the past, it is a value. The E430 Sport is almost as quick, handles almost as well, and costs a little bit less, and is the C43's main competitor in the Mercedes 1998 lineup. However, I would take the C43 because of its rarity, and mostly because of its character. (I also love the E430, my second favorite Benz, don't get me wrong!)

For more info on the C43, please email me at [email protected].

For all the specs on the C43, click here

Read an article about the C43 from Ward's Auto -- "C43: Practically Amazing"