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C55 changes and pointers

C

chad5k1

Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
59
Car
Maserati Ghibli, BWM 130i
Hi All
Looking at a C55 at the moment. It was built in 2005, can anyone tell me the differences between one built in 2005 and one of the last ones?
Is it only the paddles on the steering wheel?
I assume this can be retro fitted if you really wanted too?

Also, it felt a bit slow.....but the guy wouldn't let me drive it and he drove like he was driving miss daisy!
I assume in actual fact they are very quick (previous cars - e36 m3 evo, Maserat Ghibli, Delta Integrale Evo2 DC, Alpina Roadster S Lux, Maserat 4200 Spyder), but maybe I'm expecting too much?

Should be faster than an S4, or 335i I assume which I've also looked at.
Any pointers on anything else with these cars appreciated.
Regards
Rich
 
C55's are great cars and they very fast if you have the guts to hammer it down, figures talk 0-60 in 5.0- 5.2secs Hand Built 5.4 V8 367bhp and 510nm Torque! 0-100mph 11.2secs!!!
 
Last edited:
Talk to TUDU a forum member with loads of mod on his.

I can highly recommend the Bilstein coil over kit if you buy one.
 
Hi BlackC55
I was thinking of using prestige for servicing as I have family (who also has a merc) in the new forest and he is also looking for a merc independant.
Is there anything in need to specifically look for on these, as far as I can tell it looks in good nick.
 
chad5k1 said:
Hi All
Looking at a C55 at the moment. It was built in 2005, can anyone tell me the differences between one built in 2005 and one of the last ones?
Is it only the paddles on the steering wheel?
I assume this can be retro fitted if you really wanted too?

Also, it felt a bit slow.....but the guy wouldn't let me drive it and he drove like he was driving miss daisy!
I assume in actual fact they are very quick (previous cars - e36 m3 evo, Maserat Ghibli, Delta Integrale Evo2 DC, Alpina Roadster S Lux, Maserat 4200 Spyder), but maybe I'm expecting too much?

Should be faster than an S4, or 335i I assume which I've also looked at.
Any pointers on anything else with these cars appreciated.
Regards
Rich
Click to expand...

Hi Rich - welcome, I remember you from the Evo and Maser forums (Crapjokes - ex Ghibli, Evo 1, Maser 4200 Spyder) and now in a CL55 :-) Are we living in a parallel universe ?!

The power from the 55 engine is easily the same as you should be feeling from the Maser Spyder, but with more torque. I would ask Miss Daisy to put her foot down and give it some welly. Also do it whilst you're standing outside the car. If he won't then walk away.

Merc o/e flappy paddles can't be fitted according to the chaps at "Comand" as I'm looking at doing that on my CL, however, the buttons are simply switches, attached by two wires, so there's nothing to stop you fitting aftermarket flappers and neatly attaching them to the switches. These pop out of the rear of the steering wheel, but let me know if you get one and I'll talk you through it.

Cheers

Jonny
 
Hi Jonny!
We must be petrol head kindred spirits!
I'll keep you updated and thanks for the pointers.
Rich
p.s. I still have the ghibli it's now co-owned (with the former owner) and is a stripped out track car - quite fun and a bit unusual :)
 
The Dealership that sold the car and serviced it originally are not being particularly helpful, understandable I guess there is nothing in it for them apart from just giving good customer service!
Does anyone know if there is anyway to find out when it's been in for service/warranty work and what was done?
Thanks
 
Hi - I bought a '55 C55 from a main MB dealer in Jan this year and it's been brilliant. Av fuel consumotion since purchase (about 2k miles) has been 19mpg. It should fly, so if you're in any doubt about it, walk... Mine has got the buttons on the back of the steering wheel rather than the paddles.
Any other qs, give me a shout.
 
can't find a way to private message or email a member so assume there is no way or doing such?
Trando, any chance you could pop me an email at chad5k1 'at' yahoo.co.uk
Just want to pick your brain offline if that is ok?
 
chad5k1 said:
Hi All
Looking at a C55 at the moment. It was built in 2005, can anyone tell me the differences between one built in 2005 and one of the last ones?
Is it only the paddles on the steering wheel?
I assume this can be retro fitted if you really wanted too?

Also, it felt a bit slow.....but the guy wouldn't let me drive it and he drove like he was driving miss daisy!
I assume in actual fact they are very quick (previous cars - e36 m3 evo, Maserat Ghibli, Delta Integrale Evo2 DC, Alpina Roadster S Lux, Maserat 4200 Spyder), but maybe I'm expecting too much?

Should be faster than an S4, or 335i I assume which I've also looked at.
Any pointers on anything else with these cars appreciated.
Regards
Rich
Click to expand...

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=53251&highlight=tudu
 
Merc o/e flappy paddles can't be fitted according to the chaps at "Comand" as I'm looking at doing that on my CL, however, the buttons are simply switches, attached by two wires, so there's nothing to stop you fitting aftermarket flappers and neatly attaching them to the switches. These pop out of the rear of the steering wheel, but let me know if you get one and I'll talk you through it.

Cheers

Jonny[/QUOTE]

It can be done, here's some pictures of my SL55 AMG Alcantara/Leather Wheel with paddle shift. Took Richard about 5 minutes to fit and star code. I have Paddles also fitted to my C200K. Believe at the moment it can only be done on W203 Facelift. Sure Richard or Alfie will respond.

Paddle shift was not available on the C55, so you will need to retrofit find a wheel with paddle shift and have it changed over and coded.

K26.jpg

K28.jpg
 
tudu said:
Merc o/e flappy paddles can't be fitted according to the chaps at "Comand" as I'm looking at doing that on my CL, however, the buttons are simply switches, attached by two wires, so there's nothing to stop you fitting aftermarket flappers and neatly attaching them to the switches. These pop out of the rear of the steering wheel, but let me know if you get one and I'll talk you through it.

Cheers

Jonny
Click to expand...

It can be done, here's some pictures of my SL55 AMG Alcantara/Leather Wheel with paddle shift. Took Richard about 5 minutes to fit and star code. I have Paddles also fitted to my C200K. Believe at the moment it can only be done on W203 Facelift. Sure Richard or Alfie will respond.

Paddle shift was not available on the C55, so you will need to retrofit find a wheel with paddle shift and have it changed over and coded.

[/QUOTE]

Depends upon the year I think - I'm fitting a non tiptronic wood & leather wheel and sinking the original buttons into it. I'm not sure if the wiring is different for a paddle shift wheel compared to button shift. I could try it out, but if it doesn't work then it'll cost me £110 ish to find out. I suppose I could pop them on ebay if it doesn't work...
 
chad5k1 said:
Hi Jonny!
We must be petrol head kindred spirits!
I'll keep you updated and thanks for the pointers.
Rich
p.s. I still have the ghibli it's now co-owned (with the former owner) and is a stripped out track car - quite fun and a bit unusual :)
Click to expand...

I think you need 30 posts before PM is allowed. Ghiblet sounds like fun !
 
The much rarer estate but still over priced...

Lovely car, I want one
 
chad5k1 said:
I thought it was on the last of the line cars.....This car is for sale and massively over priced, but has the paddles:

Lg740825-03.jpg


http://www.marlowcars.co.uk/vehicle...ion=&intMin=&intMax=&RSpage=1&ID=740825&popup=
Click to expand...

It is an estate, and MB made paddle shift an option on facelift W203's, it was an option on my C200K Sport Edition at £800.00 i recall but the previous owner didn't opt for it hence, after loads of research into the paddle shift mod by the guys at Comand, mine was the first to be done, and worked out a lot cheaper than the original option price. Kleemann quoted me over £8K, with no gaurantee that it could be done, and the awfully nice guys at MB stated that it would be impossible to do and hugely expensive.
 
tudu said:
It is an estate, and MB made paddle shift an option on facelift W203's, it was an option on my C200K Sport Edition at £800.00 i recall but the previous owner didn't opt for it hence, after loads of research into the paddle shift mod by the guys at Comand, mine was the first to be done, and worked out a lot cheaper than the original option price. Kleemann quoted me over £8K, with no gaurantee that it could be done, and the awfully nice guys at MB stated that it would be impossible to do and hugely expensive.
Click to expand...

You you say facelift, is that to say post 2004 cars?
 
Depends upon the year I think - I'm fitting a non tiptronic wood & leather wheel and sinking the original buttons into it. I'm not sure if the wiring is different for a paddle shift wheel compared to button shift. I could try it out, but if it doesn't work then it'll cost me £110 ish to find out. I suppose I could pop them on ebay if it doesn't work...[/QUOTE]

I think i already posted that paddle shift was an option on facelift W203's (From April 2004) not sure about other models. I think you should be able to add either button shift or paddle shift if it was originally fitted with the button shift but think you will still need to star code to enable it to work, if it does at all. However, i am not an electrical wizard in this area.
 
I think i already posted that paddle shift was an option on facelift W203's (From April 2004) not sure about other models. I think you should be able to add either button shift or paddle shift if it was originally fitted with the button shift but think you will still need to star code to enable it to work, if it does at all. However, i am not an electrical wizard in this area.[/QUOTE]

I think that this could be one of the more popular mods if we can get it to work. I may spend a little cash, get it to work and then offer it as a mod for £££££'s :D
 
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