Which AMG to buy?

[mercboiuk]

I'm hoping you guys can lay out some facts to help me choose which car I should get next.

I've liked the W210 E55 AMG, more partiularly the facelift of the model, but I've heard about the dreaded rust issues. Where should I look?

The W203 C55 is on the shortlist, but is it really worth the £20-30k price tag I've seen them for? For the top end of that price range, I can get hold of a W211 E55, CL55 Kompressor or S55 Kompressor - alas insurance becomes an issue!
I've heard W203s have suffered premature suspension and interior heating system problems. What do owners make of this?

Also, I've (more recently) been considering the C208 CLK55 AMG. Do these suffer from rust as the W202 and W210 have? (I understand, when the CLK range was created to replace the E-Class Coupe, it actually has the underpinnings of the W202. Is that information correct? I've also heard the C208 wasn't a pillarless coupe, and that the rear windows are in fact fixed?

Maybe if - included in other opions, facts & figures - I could hear from owners of these cars, as to what it's like to live with them daily, their sensation of speed, the interior space (I'm 6'2) and anything which would be useful for a final decision?
With all the AMG cars listed, they utilise the M113 5.5 24v V8. What is this engine like, as the miles get piled on? Are there any issues to be aware of. On my current C124 E320, the head gaskets were known to go, and oil leaks occur. Do these issue apply to the AMG V8s? Are there any gearbox problems which can arise? How's about diff. problems?
With the regards to these AMGs, what is the traction control like? If one was to go on track, how does the traction control behave? I know when the traction control is deactivated, it's not really completely gone - but what does this mean, with regards to driving the car, and how it reacts?

I look forward to any replies, and offer my many thanks in advance.

Darren

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm short of time and may save some answers/opinion until later. I've driven quite a few AMGs on road and track, and whilst not every model, I've had the pleasure of every engine type in the age range you're looking at, ie 55 & 55K plus 32K and 63.

The W203 C55 is on the shortlist, but is it really worth the £20-30k price tag I've seen them for? For the top end of that price range, I can get hold of a W211 E55, CL55 Kompressor or S55 Kompressor - alas insurance becomes an issue!

The W203 C55 is a great car, but if I was spending 30K I would go for a slightly older W211 E55. May not be quite so nimble or even so sporting, but the power more than makes up for it.

S55 and CL55 seem less popular than E55, and probably less nimble/sporting again - perceived repair bills may have a hand to play - so unless you have a burning ambition to own one, you may find an E55 easier to move on later.

Have you got an insurance quote yet? Cost is pretty much the same for me on any AMG.

I've heard W203s have suffered premature suspension and interior heating system problems. What do owners make of this?

Facelift (like the C55) models will suffer from suspension wear, but not quite as bad as earlier models (like the C32). Bushes will still wear, and springs will snap. The C55 uses the CLK front suspension set up IIRC.

Remember lots of AMGs are puchased as nearly new, as they're used on the AMG experience days, and then sold on afterwards, and so some will have had a hard life.

Maybe if - included in other opions, facts & figures - I could hear from owners of these cars, as to what it's like to live with them daily, their sensation of speed, the interior space (I'm 6'2) and anything which would be useful for a final decision?

I don't think your height will pose a problem in any of the cars you mention, and all will be quick with a capital F. It may not feel quite as quick as statistics lead you to believe as they're still relatively refined given their performance.

Of course a 55K - W211 E55 would be the pick for that IMHO - is the one to go for if you want to make your passengers "Whoop" when you give it full beans.

The most important thing is to make sure you have an MB warranty for at least your first year of ownership. Either buy from a dealer or budget for a Tier 1/2 warranty after buying from elsewhere. After your first year can decide if you've bought a peach or lemon.

With the regards to these AMGs, what is the traction control like? If one was to go on track, how does the traction control behave? I know when the traction control is deactivated, it's not really completely gone - but what does this mean, with regards to driving the car, and how it reacts?

Off doesn't mean off in an AMG of the vintage you're looking at, it just makes it less pronounced. If you go seriously sideways it will reign you back in.

You can disable ESP/TC/ABS through a secret cluster menu option (for use on rolling roads and dynos) - which is what the AMG demo drivers do.

The alternative is to just go round and round and round and round in circles, and eventually ESP will shut down as it will become out of synch and assume there's a problem. Done that.

I hope this helps.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The alternative is to just go round and round and round and round in circles, and eventually ESP will shut down as it will become out of synch and assume there's a problem. Done that.

By way of clarification:

1. The abover was not in my own car, but maybe in one of the C55s you consider!!

2. I missed the word go sidewaysround and round and round and round in circles.

 

[mercboiuk]

A huge thanks for that reply.

It's a great start to the thread

As far as insurance quotes go, I've had confused.com quotes for W210 and W203 '55 cars, both coming in at around £3-3,500 (thanks to my age and driving past ) whereas an E55K came in at over £5,000. One company even quoted £8,500!

Can you please tell me...what's this "Tier" warranty you mentioned?

With regards to the traction control, if it senses some sideways action, and the ESP does it's thing, would the car then grip, giving that horrible "snap back inline" sensation?

A big thank you, again, for that initial response, and look forward to more reponses

Regards,

Darren

 

[BTB 500]

Can you please tell me...what's this "Tier" warranty you mentioned?

The official M-B used car warranty comes as "Tier 1" or "Tier 2". Tier 1 is absolutely bulletproof, when I had it on my SL it even covered punctures! Tier 2 is still pretty good but excludes a few things ... I think M-B provide it on cars that have done over 60k miles when sold.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Tier 1 is an MB warranty that's available for cars that pass an inspection and have covered less than 60,000 miles. This is the same as an Approved Used (Signature) warranty - literally - and is very comprehensive.

Tier 2 is a little less comprehensive, but compared to many third-party warranties excellent, and is available on cars with a mileage exceeding 60,000 miles (and less than 100,000 miles).

Mileages are at the point the warranty is taken out.

The warranty is actually Mondial backed (as is Mobilolife recovery) operated on behalf of Mercedes-benz, and purchased through the franchised network of dealers.

Yes, you can feel the car take what ever action is necessary to attempt to recover from what it thinks is imminent disaster. Once disabled through the cluster into dyno mode, you are in sole charge of a large stable of thoroughbreds!!

 

[bobby]

Darren,

Try Privilege or Norwich Union Direct for quotes, they are usually quite good for me...

 

[Londonscottish]

I am told by others on this site that post-facelift C32's are the best ones to go for - late good ones seem to be around the £20k mark. Not a V8 but very quick indeed and easy to mildly modify to go even quicker. (search the threads).

C55's still in mid-high £20k's - where W211 E55's are now beginning to appear.

I tried a W210 E55 when I was looking for my first C43 and loved it. It was like an armchair when cruising but barking when on the charge. I didn't need something that large at the time so went for a C43 saloon. Now have a C43 estate plus roof box for the odd time I need the space. If you are 6 foot 2 and carry adults in the back, though you might find a W202 to be a squeeze (I'm 5 11 and have small kids so OK for me)

Rust seems to be an issue on cars between 99 and 01 (again, search threads).

All V8 engines strong. Gearboxes fine is ATF is changed. All are heavy on balljoints and bushes, tyres and brakes. Exhausts on the W202's seem to lasy forever - just as well..

My C43's have had the odd electrical glitch - crank sensors, brake light switches. Inconvenient not expensive. I assume the others have same issues.

As I've said use the search option to look through earlier threads - lots of info.

 

[cjab98]

As far as insurance quotes go, I've had confused.com quotes for W210 and W203 '55 cars, both coming in at around £3-3,500 (thanks to my age and driving past ) whereas an E55K came in at over £5,000. One company even quoted £8,500!

Confused is only good to use for shopping trolleys, and even then they give you a good starting figure but can be easilly beaten.

As soon as you start getting something more specialised, going through an insurance broker will be a lot more competitive. With brokers you are also dealing with a person rather than a computer, so you can include anything that you feel like specifying on your policy, and can remove anything they offer that you don't need.

The best quotes I got on my C43 were through Adrian Flux and A Plan, they were approx 15-20% less than confused or moneysupermarket.com and included full EU cover, a "lower" excess (its still high though) and breakdown cover.

 

[st4]

Confused is only good to use for shopping trolleys, and even then they give you a good starting figure but can be easilly beaten.

As soon as you start getting something more specialised, going through an insurance broker will be a lot more competitive. With brokers you are also dealing with a person rather than a computer, so you can include anything that you feel like specifying on your policy, and can remove anything they offer that you don't need.

The best quotes I got on my C43 were through Adrian Flux and A Plan, they were approx 15-20% less than confused or moneysupermarket.com and included full EU cover, a "lower" excess (its still high though) and breakdown cover.

I never knew that about confused.com but should have guessed...

 

[mercboiuk]

Darren,

Try Privilege or Norwich Union Direct for quotes, they are usually quite good for me...

Norwich Union certainly won't be getting any of my business, as they laughed me off the phone last time I asked for a quote! I was told as a 19 year there was "no way I would ever get insurance on a 24 valve Merc"

But I'll certainly give Privilege a try, thanks

Darren

 

[mercboiuk]

Confused is only good to use for shopping trolleys, and even then they give you a good starting figure but can be easilly beaten.

As soon as you start getting something more specialised, going through an insurance broker will be a lot more competitive. With brokers you are also dealing with a person rather than a computer, so you can include anything that you feel like specifying on your policy, and can remove anything they offer that you don't need.

The best quotes I got on my C43 were through Adrian Flux and A Plan, they were approx 15-20% less than confused or moneysupermarket.com and included full EU cover, a "lower" excess (its still high though) and breakdown cover.

I was quoted by Adrian Flux for my E320. Including the mofications, they came back with £3,000 - a coupe of hundred quid more than what confused.com quoted me on a stanard E320 coupe! That was back whenI was 20.
My parents have just gone with A Plan on their new car. They worked out to be £300 cheaper than the best quote from the company recommended by the car dealer

Darren

 

[Shude]

Norwich Union certainly won't be getting any of my business, as they laughed me off the phone last time I asked for a quote! I was told as a 19 year there was "no way I would ever get insurance on a 24 valve Merc"

Harsh considering that being "refused insurance" is pretty serious. Unless they have a jolly good reason they should quote you no-matter how expensive!

 

[Brett]

Also, I've (more recently) been considering the C208 CLK55 AMG. Do these suffer from rust as the W202 and W210 have? (I understand, when the CLK range was created to replace the E-Class Coupe, it actually has the underpinnings of the W202. Is that information correct? I've also heard the C208 wasn't a pillarless coupe, and that the rear windows are in fact fixed?

Darren,

C208? I assume you mean W208? If so, yes the rear windows were fixed.

 

[C240Sport97]

you can see the complete history of the maintenance of my CLK55 over the 3 year period I have had it here:

http://sprezzatura.tutters.com/MERCEDES_CLK_55_AMG[1].pdf

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am told by others on this site that post-facelift C32's are the best ones to go for - late good ones seem to be around the £20k mark. Not a V8 but very quick indeed and easy to mildly modify to go even quicker. (search the threads).

Need to be careful with C32s because non of them are officially a facelift, ie all of them get the old style dashboard and tail lamps.

However there was a bizarre situation with the last of the line 2003 models, which came with clear bi-xenon headlamps rather than frosted xenons, and there were other trim changes that didn't appear on regular W203s I'm told until the facelift, IIRC this included position of rear seat release, sub-woofer, first aid kit, and a few other things.

Don't dismiss the mainstream insurers. Directline are very happy to insure young-ish AMG drivers - or at least they have been in my case.

 

[W210 Fan]

My 55 had the crank position sensor, MAF and brake switch go when I had it, as has been stated not expensive but a bit of an inconvenience, however not a total breakdown as I was still able to drive everywhere,

My personal favourite is the facelift W210 doe the options you can get, ortho seats, COMMAND and the computer, anybody who buys an AMG must admit they are not nimble through the corners, its a point and shoot machine with a great soundtrack so you are basically buying the engine, the W210`s do rust but mine cost me £100 to keep on top of for the year I owned it so I am happy with that, now my financial situation has changed I am looking at buying another one, the first one put me in debt and all my friends thought I was mad, the decision was made with my heart though as I always said as soon as I pay it off im buying another one!!

 

[mercboiuk]

C208? I assume you mean W208?

First, thanks for answering that part of my queries


I thought Mercedes model code prefixes were
W - Saloon
R - Roadster
C - Coupe
A - Convertible
S - Estate
(and another few I can't remember)

Or did they call the CLK "W" because it was a model in it's own right?
I'm thinking because W124 is the saloon, S124 is the estate, A124 is the cabrio and C124 is the coupe

I'm always one for learning, so please confirm it either way

Darren

 

[Vickster]

Confused is only good to use for shopping trolleys, and even then they give you a good starting figure but can be easilly beaten.

As soon as you start getting something more specialised, going through an insurance broker will be a lot more competitive. With brokers you are also dealing with a person rather than a computer, so you can include anything that you feel like specifying on your policy, and can remove anything they offer that you don't need.

The best quotes I got on my C43 were through Adrian Flux and A Plan, they were approx 15-20% less than confused or moneysupermarket.com and included full EU cover, a "lower" excess (its still high though) and breakdown cover.

My brother got the best quote for his Alpina B3 touring (now that is a rare beast with ~20 made only) from Admiral - worth a try

 

[Londonscottish]

My 55 had the crank position sensor, MAF and brake switch go when I had it, as has been stated not expensive but a bit

Oh yes MAF's - how could I forget - had to replace the MAF on both of them at 50-60k miles