I purchased my '96 C36 AMG used in 2003 with 57,000 miles on the clock. I was in the market for a quick sedan, having been turned off by the cost to insure true sports cars. The C36 impressed me from the first test drive, and 30,000 miles later I am still impressed

The 3.6L engine is a technological tour de force. Based on the C280's 2.8L inline six cylinder, it has been extensively modified by AMG and boasts an impressive 268 horsepower. Passing power is always available, in any gear, at any time, even on hot summer days with the AC on. I have personally had my car up to speeds I do not wish to talk about. Power is also impressive from a stop, and (if you feel so inclined) the car will make a mockery of most other "near-luxury" sedans and even some of the more "muscular" American coupes. It's quite thirsty (averaging 22mpg for me), and of course you need premium fuel. Oil changes can reach $100 if you use the recommended Mobil 1 oil.

Handling is noticeably biased in favor of superior control rather than comfort, though calling the ride harsh would be a lie. The thin-walled performance tires are easily upset by medium sized potholes and road imperfections, but the suspension stabilizes quickly. All AMG's come equipped with an advanced traction control system called ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation). The system works at any speed and acts to prevent the car from losing traction to the back wheels and also to aid in keeping the car stable. It works quite well, though can easily be overwhelmed by the engine's copious power reserves, especially in rain or snow. Tires are speed rated and are not cheap, and if you drive the car in a spirited manner you will be replacing them often. I had a part in the front suspension fail which cost me $600 to fix. I'm told this is a common problem with the C-class (C36 especially). The AMG painted wheels looked nice but are currently peeling paint.

The interior is well appointed and attractive, if somewhat bland. It is sometimes obvious that this is Mercedes' entry-level model, however. The "wood trim" is a bit unconvincing (as well as cracked in one place on my car), and the dash needs constant attention in order to keep from looking like a Chevy Cavalier. The drink holder is ridiculously over-engineered, and I'm told that it is easily broken, though mine still works perfectly. The leather sport seats have great support and are quite comfortable. They also stand up to wear much better than most other leather seats I've seen. The AMG specific steering wheel can get dirty and worm from heavy use though. All AMG's come with the Bose stereo package and 6-disc CD changer. I think it sounds acceptably nice, though it's far from the best I've ever heard. The AC/heater system works very well and is easy to use once you get the hang of it. Back seat room is lacking, but survivable.

Total maintenance costs to date are in the neighborhood of $1600.

I bought this car to have a fast, reliable and safe vehicle, and it hasn't let me down. Used prices now are in the $13-$15k range, which is a downright steal for as much car as you get. If you're looking at a used W202 C-class but you think it's a little bland, give the AMG model a hard look.
Amount Paid (US$): 20,000
Condition: Used
Model Year: 1996
Model and Options: AMG