C320 VS C32 AMG - A few questions

[beany]

Hi all
I am new member (first post) and have never owned a MB before (I currently run a Fiat Coupe 20 valve Turbo), so first of all Hi.

I am in the market for a new car as I need something bigger due to change in circumstances. I also want something with a bit of poke (probably not less than about 200bhp) as I will be keeping the car for about 5 years and don't want to get bored.

My budget is between 5-8k so I will probably be looking at at 2001-2003 car.
I have seen a few C320 Estates (petrol) for sale that look quite good value and I had a look at one the other day which impressed me, very nice inside, boot size ok-ish, timeless looks etc.

However, after going home and doing some research on these cars I realised that the C32 AMG existed and this time was also the MB "wilderness years".

I would like to ask a few question if I could:

• Anyone with a direct comparison between a C320 & C32 AMG that would like to comment?
• How much more expensive are the AMG's to run?
• What mpg do you typically get out of a C320 & a C32 AMG?
• What is the difference in servicing costs between C320 & C32 AMG?
• What should I look out for when buying either of these cars?
• How bad is the rust issue on the C32\C320 estates - were the estates actually affected?

I've had a search and am aware of the usual stuff (gearbox jerky - contamination, etc) but apart from that and rust issue they seem fairly reliable, is this the case?

I realise the AMG will be more on insurance & servicing and will use more fuel, but by how much? I am trying to work out if they are "worth it"

My current car is very quick (250bhp 0-60 in 6 secs) and does about 25mpg round town and I can get over 30mpg on a run, if either are anything like that I would be happy.
I've also considered a BMW 5 Series E39 530i, how does that compare to a C320 or C32?

I realise this is a fair few questions for the first post, but I like to do my homework properly!

Any help\comments much appriciated.
Rich

 

[calgonis]

Hello Beany welcome to the forum.

• Anyone with a direct comparison between a C320 & C32 AMG that would like to comment?
• How much more expensive are the AMG's to run?
• What mpg do you typically get out of a C320 & a C32 AMG?
• What is the difference in servicing costs between C320 & C32 AMG?
• What should I look out for when buying either of these cars?
• How bad is the rust issue on the C32\C320 estates - were the estates actually affected?

Cant help with the C230 however:
I get about 200 miles from a tank that costs £72 to fill (99 Ron). This is all slow traffic commute so a long journey should see much improvement but it's thirst will be a shock coming from a 20v coupe.

Servicing is not bad using specialists, I paid £220 for my last 'B' service and I supplied the Mobile1 (Costco). MB quoted me £1200!

My C32 has no rust at all - it's a 52 plate and left on a driveway in the elements. You do have to look after them and the electrics can be a bit temperamental. I did have quite a few issues in my first year of ownership however mines been issue free for about 6 months now.

Things to look for on a C32:
Clicking sound from dash for 30secs - 1 min after startup. This is typical of cars out of warranty as it's the stepper motors linked to the air system. Parts to fix are cheap but it's a dash out and thus labour is high. It has no other effect apart from the clicking as far as I can tell and therefore quite easy to ignore. I've been quoted (£1200) to replace all the stepper motors.

Burning smell entering the car as it warms up (this is the seal on the rocket covers leaking oil onto the manifold).

Car losing all supercharger power while driving hard - then the power returns after a few seconds. This is the intercooler pump causing intake temps to rise and the car to shut off the supercharger. (I DIY'd a new johnson uprated pump)

Very harsh gearchanges or gearbox vibration shaking car combined with coolent loss. This is glycol entering the gearbox via the radiator. Best case it might be ok with a radiator change to a 'Behr' unit and an ATF change. Worst case the above with a gearbox rebuild. My car had already had the radiator changed and the gearbox rebuilt years before I bought it. p.s. All C32's seem to have a weird tranny jerk at about 1500 rpm when slowing down. It seems to be a 'feature' of our cars.

Various electrical gremlins - seat adjuster module causing battery drain. Seat adjusters not working or blowing fuses. (a diy fix for me).

These cars snap/split coil springs often. Why I do not know but it's well known to come up at MOT time.

Insurance is very cheap for the performance.

Car will be considerably quicker (in a straight line) than your Coupe 20v. (0 -60 recorded as low as 4.6 standard)

C32 is relatively easy to modify (pully/remap) to keep up with the current spec super saloons / estates. Engines really are bulletproof if looked after.

 

[BenzedUP]

I've driven both cars and let me tell you the C32 AMG is a totally different animal; you can not compare the 2 together. (c320/c32)

Running cost the AMG is slightly higher obviously but as regards to mpg I did not notice any difference considering the power that you get from the C32.

You do not normally get rust on W203's C32 AMG or C320's, not seen one with rust anyway.

As for the 530i i'm not sure as i've not driven one, the only BMW i've driven is a M3.

but the 530i will not come near to a C32 AMG.

 

[mattc]

See; you want a C32 don't you

 

[markjay]

Oldie but goodie:

YouTube - Mercedes Benz C32 AMG

 

[harry_dhuga]

I had a 2001 E39 530i Sport, a very good car but like others have said - no comparison to the AMG with regards to performance anyhow.

 

[Stratman]

The rust issue mainly affected South African built saloons. All the estates were built in Germany and don't seem to suffer. I don't know if AMG saloons were based on German built cars if there is such a thing, or those from SA.

 

[markjay]

The rust issue mainly affected South African built saloons....

Only up to a certain year (2004?), I believe...

At least I very much hope so!

 

[beany]

Cheers for all the replies so far, I would love a C32, the performance for the price looks fantastic, insurance is fine (the Fiat is group 19 also so its not much different tbh).

My problems is I've got the devil on one shoulder telling me to buy one and an angel on the other say don't be so bloody stupid.

To be honest the main worry is the fuel costs, I am happy to do diy fixes if required as I have done quite a few on the coupe, servicing costs looks fine and I have been buying parts for my coupe and getting a local garage to fit them for years so getting ripped off on parts is not a major concern.

I am used to maintaining cars properly as the Fiat has cost me a fortune over the last 6 years, however I'd like to have a car that I don't have to keep throwing money at every few months, I can live with general wear and tear come MOT time and possibly a few electrical gremlins as long as they don't leave me stranded.

What sort of price range should I be looking at for a good u, is 8k enough?

 

[Howard]

Just buy one , and you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

It's a different league of fast compared to the Fiat.

I know mine isn't an AMG , but it is a 4.3 V8 , and drinks petrol , and i have to say that the amount the car makes me smile when i press the loud pedal more than outweighs the worry about filling it up.

Honestly , the other day , i was having a think about fuel prices while i was waiting at some lights . The lights wen't green , nothing about , so i gave it the beans and actually started laughing out loud to myself .

 

[beany]

I am expecting one to blow my socks off, if they don't I won't be buying one.

People do under estimate the old Fiat's though, they are alot quicker than you would expect and can keep up with all the modern hot hatches with more horsepower and can almost keep up with lots of slightly older much more expensive machines, Boxster S and older M3's spring to mind, especially if they have a performance chip like mine!

So could I bag a decent one for 7 or 8K?

 

[Howard]

Probably.

When you test drive one , if you aren't utterly blown away , there is probably something wrong with it.

You mentioned earlier that your car is fast ( 6 secs to 60 ) , the C32 is clocked at 4.6 ( stock ) and 0-100 is around 10 secs . That's proper fast , it'll make the old Fiat seem positively pedestrian.

Worth having a good indy to have a look round it before you part with any readies.

 

[trainer]

Hi, I have just spent ages typing a reply only to be automatically logged out of the site. I then lost my reply.

I owned the C320 prior to the C32 so hopefully I can give you a decent comparison.

The C320 was a lovely car with a great V6 engine producing 217 bhp which was capable of 6.7 seconds to 60. It returned 34mpg for a motorway run and low 20's for urban journeys.

The C32 is a great can and the supercharged V6 is good for 349ish bhp and 4.6 seconds to 60. I get 29mpg on a motorway journey if I am cautious and 17-19 on city driving.

The insurance costs are not much different and the general servicing is almost the same. The brakes and tyres cost more on the C32 due to the spec.

They are both comfortable to drive over long distances with the C32 having stiffer suspension. The C32 has higher spec as standard and the nappa leather is better than that generally found in the C320.

I liked the C320 but I love the C32

 

[jonathanc]

Hi Beany

I bought my C32 3 months ago and I am still gobsmacked by the performance, especially for the money. I know what Fiat Turbos go like but seriously this is another league.
The running costs seem reasonable and I doubt servicing is significantly different between C320 and C32. I have just replaced all 4 tyres for £420, mileage is averaging 21mpg but that is a number of short journeys along a fast "a" road. Motorways can get close to 30mpg if you relax, although it can be hard as the acceleration is addictive.
Issues specific to the C32 are few, the charge cooler can leak which is rare but expensive - this is believed to be related to using non MB antifreeze. The intercooler pump will fail at some point but it is relatively easy to fix and the replacement pump which is more reliable and flows more fluid is about £130. The supercharger pulley bearing can become noisy but these can easily be replaced and can be got for under £50. Unlike earlier AMGs the brakes are not especially expensive either.
If you aren't convinced, drive one but be warned, you will not be able to settle for a c320 or a 530i once you have experienced a C32.

To be honest I cant think of another car that can give this level of performance but also can play the grown up motorway cruiser when required, it is really a bargain.

Regards

 

[steve333]

Never test drive a superior car to the one you end up buying(you'll never be happy with it)get the c32

 

[Adam230K]

Can't say anything about the C320 other than that I've had a go at it with my old C230k more than once and always came out on top.

The E39 530i is thirsty and the torque curve of the straight 6 is very flat, it doesn't feel fast, but its pretty quick (your fiat is much quicker), i'd opt on the 540i (but I would say that wouldn't I?), similar level of thirst, way more torque and power, either way the E39 is a fantastic car, better than the W203 (I might get shot for that comment).

The C32 is a torque monster, it should blow you away. You will definitely feel the 100 horses it has on your fiat without any lag either, and i assume if driven sensibly it can return similar mpg to the c320 although i've never experienced it myself as a daily driver, just taken it for a test drive on a sunday when i was bored and I was thoroughly impressed

 

[st4]

The E39 530i is thirsty and the torque curve of the straight 6 is very flat, it doesn't feel fast, but its pretty quick (your fiat is much quicker), i'd opt on the 540i (but I would say that wouldn't I?), similar level of thirst, way more torque and power, either way the E39 is a fantastic car, better than the W203 (I might get shot for that comment).

Apples and pears.

The E39 really should be compared to a 210 or 211 as its equivalent in the Mercedes range is the E class.

A 211 will pip a E39 but a E39 is probably better than a 210.

I'd have the straight 6 over the V8 but I am in a minority, they are just nicer, smoother and IMHO nicer sounding.

 

[BenzedUP]

e39 bm is not that good all electrics will die after a few years lol!

 

[chord]

The e39 was rightly regarded as the best car in it's class for a long time. They are very comfortable and surprisingly nimble for a big car when in the mood. I'd also take the straight 6 over a v6 as well. The problem is they tend to be quite high mileage now and the lower ones are priced too high.

If you were looking for a cruiser then the C320 is not in the same league, as has been mentioned it's not a fair comparison. Although surprisingly the e39 is not that much bigger inside than a e46.

By all accounts C32's are pretty amazing cars, but if you don't get a good one they can be expensive. I test drove one and it didn't blow me away, turned out there were issues with the engine. The later cars, after 2003 are supposed to be better, Bobby Dazzler has a later model car and he seems to be one of the few owners without too many problems with his C32. As has been said get it inspected before buying. 5k is ropey high mileage cars, 8k cars should get a decent car. Prices seem to vary quite a lot and it's a case of being patient and waiting for the right car.

 

[Adam230K]

I'd have the straight 6 over the V8 but I am in a minority, they are just nicer, smoother and IMHO nicer sounding

You are an old man in a young body!

i'll opt for smoothness in 10 years time (maybe)...but V8's are just too dirty... the sound, the grumble, the grunt, the instant swelling of torque that holds you in your seat til you let go... just too addictive

And yes it is apples and pears, but the E39 is definitely one of the best BMW's ever made (if not the best), and the W203 is one of the worst cars (with the W210) that mercedes has ever made. Facelift W203 is a different story on saying that though.