Slowly and for some unknown reason, the C36 has become Tiki's favorite car. C36 has grown on her after one year of ownership. I think it is the build quality, robustness and the responsiveness of the engine that win her heart. It was not as nimble and nice handling as the MX5, but I think in her view the difference is not important for daily driving.
The C36 has just got a wax job and a 8000km service. The C36 was last serviced more than 4 months ago. The car was so good and ran so flawlessly we decided to give it a wax job every time it was serviced, as a reward for it and ourselves. Between the lately much improved MX-5 and C36 Tiki still picked the C36 as her default ride. In turns I picked the MX5 more because it was in a much better shape mechanically since we owned them last summer.
There was some rattling from the Altec Lansing 6"x9" speaker on the left. It had nothing to do with the car itself. I need to yet find a way to kill the rattling at idle, as the noise would go away when the car starts to move. The engine idles smmothly and I guess it was the natural frequency of the overhanging treble-midrange assembly of the Altec Lansing. I thinking attaching some weight would change that frequency. Will let uou know later on that.
The broken engine temp light behind the console has been replaced. Engine oil, filter, air filter and the coolant were changed. Throttle vavle was cleaned. Engine response is improved and more refinement was felt. The car now feels 100kg lighter and moves off the line with relative ease.
The ride had worsen because someone at the garage didn't agree with my slightly under-inflated setting. While the rear can live with higher pressure up to 33psi when cold. The front tires should be set no more than 30lbs max.
The gearbox, while changing up and down smmothly without a hitch, suffers from slight hesitation while shifting among Reverse, Neutral and Drive modes. There was a minor vagueness, too, while engaged in D, when I move my right foot from braking to gas pedal. That's fine with me as I was not bothered by any of those, until I was told my the owner of Pak Lok who did the elevaluation of my C36 after it had been serviced. Really even I know now I do not mind and I happily learn that I could live with the vagueness. Normally under similar circumstance I would plan a gearbox overhaul. Not this time.
The car was almost one year now. It passed the annual inspection even before the service. So we decide to keep for another year. At least it is decided for now until we will be tempted by another MB. I really like its (W202) understated, smart and yet slightly outdated look. Despite a few dents and minor scratches on bumpers that we collected in the past 12 months, with the new wax job the C36 still looks its part.
I would like to do something special on the C36 and wondering what would be a good choice. Beefing up the stereo or a new set of 18" or 19" wheels and tires? Nah. It seems not exciting enough. New paint job? Maybe and perhaps not. Perhaps a change back to the refurbished original AMG wheels that are sitting at the back of the parking space.
