C55amg

[ddavidm]

My meandering continues, and I'm now looking at C55AMG's, circa 2004/05 and they seem to be about the £11k mark.

Power quoted at "only" 367hp / 376lb, somewhat less than E63 territory which I'm also considering, but the C55's are half the price.

I was originally considering only an E class but having lived with the wifes new B class, I think that's pleanty big enough to be the main family wagon. They're a lot more cavenous inside than they appear.

Am I correct in assuming that the E55 AMG has the same engine as the C55, but supercharged? (someone else suggested looking at the E55AMG's which again, seem cracking value).

Presumably in the smaller / lighter C body, the C55AMG is not a slouch....? I ask as I had an e39 M5 some time ago, that was 400hp (but on paper same 0-60 as the C55) and wasn't long until it felt, if not slow, just normal. Hence my having been considering the E's with their circa 500hp

However, I've seen a cracking looking C55AMG with all the toys and am very temped indeed. I'm guessing there's not a huge amount to be gained by remaps on the NA engine.

Views from current / former C55 owners would be most appreciated, especially any who can comment on performance differences between these and the E55 / E63.

Would I also assume correctly that running costs of the C55 will be lower than the E's?

Many thanks again.

Dan

 

[BenzedUP]

I've recently had mine remaped, nearly 400bhp and crazy torque in a car the size of the C55.

not to mention it handles amazingly but mine has H&R Coilovers, I reackon round the track it will beat the 211 E55/E63

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/129990-394bhp-410ibft.html

They are very reliable as well and will drink less than the E55k/E63.

The C55 will deffo be quicker than an E39 M5, I know that for a fact.

Test drive both and see what you like best, that's how I decided.

 

[Stratman]

It's a sweeping generalisation, but when I wandered around MB World's AMG section, the power outputs were, as alluded to above, quite different between the various models but the acceleration figures were very similar (SLS excepted) and obviously they were all limited to 155.

Perhaps when you buy AMG you buy a 'standard' level of performance, when you buy AMG Black you buy another and so on?

 

[st4]

I think a C55 should be plenty quick. I do like 211s but if you don't need as big a car the more agile smaller car makes more sense

 

[brucemillar]

On sounds alone you want the C55. De-cat and resonator removed you will want to spend your life in tunnels.

Great cars with massive torque. Part of the appeal for me is they look understated. I have the estate which I think is really pretty.

 

[aquanaut]

If i sign on the dotted line this week on a new c class my C55 will be up 4 sale in the coming months if your not in a rush. All the toys and at mo 47k. Mb tier 1 warranty until december as well. Silver / black
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/detailing/126180-my-shiny-c55.html

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I'm looking at buying either a W203 C55 & W211 E55K at the minute and I've test driven both and I've driven a W211 E63 in the past.

At the moment I've ruled out the C55, it's certainly quick, but the E55K 'feels' like it could rip your face off with the G-force. I've got a W211 E320 V6 CDi Sport at the minute and the C55 didn't quite have the shove that I'd hoped for.

And while the W203 AMG is hardly 'low-spec', if you like your toys and gizmos (like I do) then the W211 is the way to go.

I don't mean any of the above to be derogatory towards C55 owners, they're just my own personal experiences.

If your budget is between £10k and £20k, why not get a mint W211 E55K?

 

[ddavidm]

It's the rip your face off g-force I enjoy ;-) and that was my concern with the C55, but I do prefer the look of the smaller C body. And yes that is my budget, but it's a wide one....so it would be remiss to discount a mint C55 for 11k and have the thick end of 9k still in the pocket.

My old e39 M5 was quick, but not rip your face off fast. My friend recently bought a Nissan GT-R; 3.5secs to 62, and my face was distorted beyond recognition, and this experience has now reminded me that I need lots of HP in my life to be happy, hence my AMG search.


Interesting that the C55 dissapointed given you're in a 320cdi. I guess the torque on that is so huge that it takes some beating.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

It's the rip your face off g-force I enjoy ;-) and that was my concern with the C55, but I do prefer the look of the smaller C body. And yes that is my budget, but it's a wide one....so it would be remiss to discount a mint C55 for 11k and have the thick end of 9k still in the pocket.

My old e39 M5 was quick, but not rip your face off fast. My friend recently bought a Nissan GT-R; 3.5secs to 62, and my face was distorted beyond recognition, and this experience has now reminded me that I need lots of HP in my life to be happy, hence my AMG search.


Interesting that the C55 dissapointed given you're in a 320cdi. I guess the torque on that is so huge that it takes some beating.

Iirc the torque figures are very similar between the C55 and a 320 V6 CDi, maybe that's why I was underwhelmed, about 370lbs/ft. The E55K is about 520.

What about a CLS55K? All the tightness of the smaller C55 but with the peel your face off power of the E55K.

I've got to admit to slight bias on two counts, I've owned five W211's before and I love superchargers.

 

[BenzedUP]

If you’re interested in straight line speed then the E55K is the one to go for but if you want to push the car round the bends etc from my own experience the E55 felt too bulky and heavy, while the C55 felt well balanced and very capable track car.

Plus the fact that the C55 doesn’t look like a normal 203 while the E55k looks just like any other 211 with AMG kit, you really have to look at the details to tell.

I’m more than happy with more or less 400bhp on the road with near perfect handling!

As I said, only way to tell is drive both and see which you prefer.

 

[C240Sport97]

I had a 208 CLK 55 (which is essentially the same engine as the C55, less about 20hp), and now I have a CLS55.

supercharged is quite a lot more torquey and powerful, even taking into account the heavier CLS body ..

think of the 55NA as a club level 100m sprinter, and the 55K as Olympic standard 100m sprinter.

 

[asad7860]

My C32 felt agile, the E55 feels heavy by comparison.
Performance naturally is better in the E55, but the 32 was damn quick too.
Not driven the C55, but I imagine it would be an excellent all rounder.

 

[c_200k]

quite alot of Ex E39 M5 owners here, i'd go for a E55k its not like your going to nurburgring to set a lap time is it?

 

[ddavidm]

No, but I do in fact enjoy the odd track day, and the e39 was about as heavy as one would like before it becomes too cumbersome IMHO.

 

[ddavidm]

Does this history look ok to you experts please (C55 05 plate), mileages rounded

22.3.06 7000 Service A
30.1.07 13,800 Service B
20.6.08 23,500 Service B
3.2.10 33,500 Service B (incl plugs)
14.9.11 48,000 Service A (incl new front disks/pads)

Now on 56k miles, and due a service in another 1k. Would that be an A or B ? Which is the major one, and how much are each roughly at a good indy?

Price 11.5k, 4 owners, last for 13 months.
6 months tax, and MOT due in July.
Spec command, silver / black, sunroof

Any observations welcomed please. I wondered if the service gaps above were too long, or is this usual?

Many thanks

 

[Deleted member 37751]

It'll be a 'B' service, which is the big one.

Out of the details that you've posted, the short MOT screams out to me as being the biggest problem.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I have no experience of E55Ks, but my C55 (with Bilstein coilovers and uprated brakes) is an utter joy to drive.

As to the service history, the last appears to be somewhat tardy. A case perhaps of the car getting cheaper and the owners less fastidious? Not a dealbreaker, but check out the reason why and car should be MOTd.

 

[ddavidm]

To be fair, the book states on the last service that there was another 1500 miles to go until needed. But 19 months and 14k miles seemed like a long time / distance to me. I'm told though the car is immaculate.

 

[ddavidm]

Sorry guys, why is the MOT a major concern? Is it just the unknown "what will it throw up" issue?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Not a major concern, but as he will have to do it soon and it will cost peanuts, why hasn't he sort of concern.