The first factory-built Mercedes AMG never got the respect it deserved

Today, Mercedes-AMG is the maker of some of the wildest performance cars that bear the three-pointed star of Mercedes. From the hip A-Class hatchback to a wilder version of the cult classic G-Class, to the sharp-shooting, ultra-modern AMG-One Coupé and even fully electric models: the AMG range is at its liveliest today. But the beginning of this story was quite simple, with the C-Class from the nineties. Yes, the very first mass-produced Mercedes-AMG car was a beefed-up C-Class.

AMG was already present before that, but only since the 1960s as an independent racing engine manufacturer. It wasn’t until 1993 that a Mercedes-AMG rolled off the official factory floor. However, the very first Merc-AMG was not a great success. It was produced from 1993 to 1997, with approximately 5,220 units sold. The reasons why it is not popular are that it was a first generation product from a collaboration that many were not particularly excited about.

It was not as powerful as its arch rival BMWwhich had many complex electronics and parts problems requiring high maintenance costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by a V8-powered beast from the same stable. The fact that the C36 AMG was built at an early stage made it infamous. But that doesn’t change the fact that this was the start of a performance revolution.

The C36 AMG (W202) is the first factory-built Mercedes-AMG model

The car with two faces

Unlike some of AMG’s base models, such as the Mercedes-AMG One and even the AMG GT, the very first model took the more conventional route by building on an already existing standard C-Class. The C36 AMG is based on the 1993 C-Class, also the first generation model. The donor car is designed to provide luxury with an opulent four-seater experience. Versatility was key, with a variety of engines including three diesel mills.

In addition, Mercedes offered buyers the option to choose from two upgrade packages: Elegance and Sport. The former focused on extra luxury, while the latter was all about sporty dynamics, with features like Bilstein suspension, beefy anti-roll bars and bigger, cooler wheels. The model equipped with a Sports package was chosen: AMG. Not much was done to the design to immediately distinguish the AMG from the standard model.

The C36 AMG was therefore a sleeping car from the factory. Furthermore, despite a host of complicated upgrades to the powertrain and underpinnings, the C36 AMG was still designed as an adaptable sedan. His personality was like that of Superman. Take it easy and the C36 AMG behaves just like the standard C 280 Sport. But push it to the limit and the AMG side takes the lead.

Trivia about the Mercedes C36 AMG

• Based on the very first C-Class model

• The strengthened engine started life as a standard M104 E 28 straight-six with an iron block.

• Brake hardware from the R129 600 SL and the W124 E 420

A ‘not so exciting’ six-cylinder engine and lukewarm hype

The next V8 C43 AMG was soon in the spotlight

The C36 AMG from the 1990s has a cheerful six-cylinder engine that was actually based on the standard C-Class engine, an inline six-cylinder engine with an iron block. This engine would be sent to AMG, completely disassembled and then reassembled by hand to C36 AMG specifications. The engine capacity was increased from 2.8 liters to 3.6 liters.

This was done by increasing the cylinder bore by 1.1mm and lengthening the stroke by 8.4mm. To support this engine modification, AMG used supporting parts, such as the crankshaft from the Mercedes 3.5-liter OM 605 D 35 A diesel engine. This crankshaft was modified with turned counterweights and a rebalanced shaft to match the “AMG” look.

The torsion damper was also adjusted. Other notable changes include sodium-filled exhaust valves, DT-style forged aluminum pistons with shorter skirts, a new oil spray system on the engine block, high intake camshafts and a large-bore variable-length intake manifold from the E 320. Despite all these efforts, the 268 hp C36 AMG still failed to impress.

Or should we say it was outclassed by one of its own! There was no more time for the C36 AMG to dominate, as Mercedes launched a new C43 AMG in 1997 with a more desirable V8 that resonated much better and faster with what these new Merc-AMG cars wanted to be. The V8 attracted all the attention and hype, making the six-cylinder boring.

Engine and gearbox specifications

(MY 1993 specs are listed here)

This is a C-Class ‘stuck’ to the asphalt

Superior driving dynamics thanks to a compelling basis

AMG has made serious efforts to turn the C36 AMG into a grin-worthy driver’s car. It uses the same galvanized steel body as the standard C-Class. It features double wishbone suspension at the front and multi-link suspension at the rear. Ride was further improved with stiffer, gas-charged graduated shocks. It also received thicker anti-roll bars and a slightly lower ride height. Braking power is provided by ventilated 320mm front brake discs, mated to four-piston calipers straight from the W124 E 420. It rolled on beautiful five-spoke 17-inch Monoblock-1 rims, shod with 225-section front and 245-section rear tires.

The power steering also received a faster gear ratio for better responsiveness. Furthermore, the C36 AMG also received some upgrades in 1997. This includes a new Siemens ME engine management system and ASR traction control. The C36 AMG also received the updated Monoblock-2 wheels. All these adjustments to the C36 AMG significantly improved driving dynamics and handling compared to the standard C-Class.

Mercedes C36 AMG (W202) design: a sleeper car that kills

His mundane appearance has misled many

It was no surprise that the very first factory Mercedes-AMG looked so normal. The only additions AMG has made to the C36 include redesigned front and rear bumpers with a chin spoiler. This was to reduce the high speed elevator and give it different sophisticated-looking C-Class a sporty attitude. The lower apron of the front bumper has also been modified to accommodate a larger intake opening, a slatted grille and fog lamps at the corners. Therefore, the front end was the easiest way to distinguish a C36 AMG from the C. Other parts increase the sporty visual appeal, such as deep side skirts and a new B-pillar trim with a visible carbon fiber pattern.

Underrated Mercedes versus iconic BMW

The BMW M3 E36 was its arch rival

The moderate popularity and forgotten status of the very first factory Mercedes-AMG are largely due to the engine size and performance improvement that BMW gave to the E36 M3 in 1996. It grew from a 3.0-liter to a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine, which also received a performance boost for European models. The US model, despite having a larger engine, delivers performance figures comparable to the outgoing model. To take this step further, Mercedes-AMG was aggressively quick to create the C43 AMG with a grin-worthy V8.

This has also led to the short lifespan of the six-cylinder C36 AMG and its low popularity. Despite also having a six-cylinder engine, the BMW M3 was much more popular than the Merc-AMG. This is about affordability compared to the AMG. We still can’t understand how Mercedes-AMG priced their very first factory offering at over $50,000, while its arch-rival BMW started at less than $40,000. The price difference was huge, but the performance appeal was much closer.