C55 anyone

[msm]

Yes, I know, not the right forum for this, but I'm gonna ask anyway :mmm:

Been considering the E46 M3 for a while now, but just can't bring myself to drive a manual again ..... and there seems to be too many issues popping up with SMG's as they age. So anyway, I am considering something like a C55 AMG - however, my biggest concern is maintenance. I was always comfortable owning BMWs both in and out of MP (as there's so many decent okes that can work on them and parts are fairly easy to come by - even BMW stealers are not THAT badly priced sometimes).

However, the C55 is virgin ground for me. Are there many decent Merc tuners/workshops out there (like Tunetech, SAV,etc for BMW) that can maintain the C55 at reasonable prices. I'm not expecting it to be as cheap as a Tazz to maintain, but lets compare to a BMW E46 M3 or even a E46 6 cyl. Should I stay away .....

NB: My rule of thumb when buying a car out of MP, is to budget about 10% of the price for maintenance in the first year or two at least. As an example, I kept that aside for my X5 3.0d (for a auto gearbox prob or turbo issue, but "touch wood" have not used it yet).

 

[zaleonardz]

Do yourself a fav... go book an extended test drive with the C55...

Do not get me wrong, the C55 is an awesome machine. However its not a BMW....

THe drive is just not the same, and if your used to the BMW drive and that synergy between yourself and the chassis, you will not like the C55 AMG...

The merc is going to give you a supurb ride, as it is a supurb motor vehicle, built to the highest quality, and I am not going talk bad about the car/brand in any way, as they really are awesome.... However.... imp: its not a BMW.

Its hard to describe, and what I can also say for a fact is that there are many Merc owners who will totally dislike BMW.

Best way to describe is... Consider two gentleman, each in their respective motor vehicle.

Merc driver "Look how fine this car is, how smooth it handles, the quality of the leather is downright outstanding"

BMW driver "Buckle up, this is going to be interesting"

 

[msm]

Do yourself a fav... go book an extended test drive with the C55...

Do not get me wrong, the C55 is an awesome machine. However its not a BMW....

THe drive is just not the same, and if your used to the BMW drive and that synergy between yourself and the chassis, you will not like the C55 AMG...

The merc is going to give you a supurb ride, as it is a supurb motor vehicle, built to the highest quality, and I am not going talk bad about the car/brand in any way, as they really are awesome.... However.... imp: its not a BMW.

Its hard to describe, and what I can also say for a fact is that there are many Merc owners who will totally dislike BMW.

Best way to describe is... Consider two gentleman, each in their respective motor vehicle.

Merc driver "Look how fine this car is, how smooth it handles, the quality of the leather is downright outstanding"

BMW driver "Buckle up, this is going to be interesting"

ZL, you're not making this easy for me :banghead:

I owned the previous C Class Merc (2004 model) for a few years and can relate to this. Sitting in traffic the Merc was awesome, but when you need to really "drive" it did not come close to my E46. Hence, my dilemna - I don't mind trudging along all day below the speed limit, stuck in traffic, but sometimes I want to put my foot down the 330i is just lacking ... the BMW 6 cylinder just does not work as well with an Auto box, and when you look at cars with Auto boxes (around R200k - R300k) the choices become a bit limiting.

Interestingly enough, when I went from the Merc to the E46, I also test drove a IS250, which is the bestest, most awesomess, luxurioussss, car in it's class as long as you don't move the car - cos just a f&*King pity my SO's Kenwood food processor has a more powerful motor in it and more driving feel when standing still.

The other reason for the AMG, is that like the ///M cars, it will always be a bit special.

 

[Sankekur]

Though I can only comment out of the limited experience that I have, but won't the maintenance of something like a C55 be comparable to that of BMW, as we once wanted to get a bulb from a merc dealer, one of those small 5W bulb that go in the park lights, and the price from the dealer was more that R80. Not that I am saying this is how it is with all their part, but I was kinda shocked at the price for something so simple.

If you are looking for something that combines comfort as a daily drive and some dynamic capabilities when you want to put your foot down, might want to consider a 7-series, something like a 740i maybe.

 

[msm]

If you are looking for something that combines comfort as a daily drive and some dynamic capabilities when you want to put your foot down, might want to consider a 7-series, something like a 740i maybe.

Cos, then I can't throw my keys on the table and say I drive a ///M or AMG ..... yeah, call me a brand slut, but are'nt we all sometimes

If I made this decision with my head, I would get a E90 330d or E60 530d, cos what I'm really, really missing is mid range grunt, where an Auto box spends most of it's day.

 

[zaleonardz]

Well Rick did a comparison between BMW and Merc the other day for us, Merc was cheaper in terms of spares.

msm, dude, I too drove a Merc before my 7, W203 270 Cdi with a Unichip delivering 510Nm at 170Kw.... accelleration feels like it was ripping your face off. Tire shreading goodness.... but it lacked.... soul...

I did a 100km test drive with a C55 AMG, was seriously considering buying one, actually had my mind made up to buy one, and did not after the test drive. If I could have found a prestine C32 AMG then I may have, but they stopped making them in 2002, so when I was looking, could not find anything.

Also, I have to say this, the Merc community online is not nearly as strong as the BMW community, there is far more resources and howto's and fantastic people within the brand, this I know for a fact. I have my theories as to why this is.. but you can figure that out for yourself.

I donno, say to me your next car is a S500 it will be a tough choice, but i think BMW may win.

My advice, extended test drive, 50km no less... Some dealers will do this for you, go drive it before you buy it...

 

[msm]

My advice, extended test drive, 50km no less... Some dealers will do this for you, go drive it before you buy it...

Thanks for the advise dude. Still thinking a few months ahead of myself. In any case, will go drive one if I can ... no major rush at this stage

 

[rick540]

I hate to admit this, but a C55 AMG is on my cards as well one day.

I have probably owned the most BMW's here (That's not a brag, just my own stupidity). These days I'm a bit more interested in the best comfort in the traffic, ulitmate quality and SERIOUS straight line power. The roads are just a little too busy these days for me to be going everywhere half sideways, not to mention the current price of tyres and AARTO.

I originally developed a love for BMW as the whole experience, the car, the dealer support and the availability of parts.

Then I discovered parts went up 400% in two years. Don't tell me it's inflation, kak, they are funding Motorplan shortfall this way.

Then I noticed even with money in hand EVERY stupid little thing is ex Germany this Ex Germany that. Cheapskate bastards don't want to keep stock now.

Then I noticed the parts for older models "were not available any more" BMW Mobile tradition concept has quietly died.... fat help

Then I funded out of my own pocket three Nikasil stuffups .... No Nikasil is not my fault and still denied it ever happened phone BMW customer care and ask I challenge you....

Then Auto Helderberg BROKE my engine, yes physically cracked it, I also found the bonnet for the car in their fscking tea room with chairs pushed up against it, after three months of moronic stupidity and no car from them I bought an E34 to drive, and took the E39 engine away from them myself and had it fixed. They charged me R23K labour for doing NOTHING

---------------------

I recently bought a small old merc just because I was gatvol of BMW for a while. Now so far their entire experience is earning my respect, now the car is not a damn BMW it will never be, but I can always get parts like instantaneously and cheaply (Compared to BM) and Im a DIY mech. and I can take the thing apart over and over without breaking stuff like the BM's it's just made to be "attended to" clips are solid and don't break, nothing on that car is "use once" BMW style.

The other thing that's very un BMW is the engineering is fuss free, the thing just works, so what the steering is a little vague, not much, but it has multi link rear suspension and large brake power just like BMW. The best bit is nothing has rotted on the engine except some wiring which I'm aware of, all the rubber goodies are perfect after 15 years, the gaskets and plastic parts and pipes are of the highest quality and I've had to replace none of it like in my BMW's

Turn the ignition and there's even a good amount of technology showing up even though it's well hiden the bmw style electronics are all there.

So my side at least I will from now on have a passion for two cars, it's really nice to have two cars to drive from competing manufacturers and realise exactly how clever they both are in their respective spheres.

The BMW is a gem to drive sharp as a knife, but every day I think why is it doing this or that, something is always up with a BMW.

The merc is being driven more and more, and it's stupid stuff I notice and appreciate, eg the aircon or heater will get to the exact temp dialled in and keep it there no matter what, the BM is just all over the place with the climate control. The engine has never misfired once in 6 months. My BM has a taste for certain petrol, fill up with different brands and you can feel it, the merc doesn't care.

Merc is like living with a wife she may not be a total hottie and *&*& every knight but she's a real solid and respectfull relaiable appealing woman. Driving a BM is like having an affair with some hot nympho porn slut, addictive and everything goes.

Now most men dream of ending up with both.

I am quite happy to have a hot Merc and a hot BMW they are both excellent in different ways and neither is crap.

I wrote this long sidetrack because I used to be the worlds biggest merc hater, I hated everything about them and beleived they were for old boring men. I wanted to burn every one I saw.....well I was wrong I admit it

Try living with one for a while like me before you diss the odball styling and wierd handling, they have very appealing characteristics only noticed when you own one.

 

[zaleonardz]

Rick...

I can tell you right now that you will hate the C55 AMG.

I fully understand where you are coming from in the above, and I support every word. I am up to 45k on my E34 as well, and have not touched the motor.... I know you spent far more then that.

There is however one car that has bugged me significantly from the merc stable, and thats the S Class, the 5 series beats the E hands down every time in my view, but that S is something else.....

S500 in my future one day.... maybe parked next to the M5.... why the hell not....

 

[naushad]

I love bliks dnt get me wrong, e46 individual, 540 e39, but I have a c230 komprssr 99 for 4years, a gem of a car, old school, but GOLD! I was so impressed with it that I bought a c230k 2door 4my wife. hassle free motoring, excellent cruiser, very reliable and good build quality. A funny thing is that everytime I turn the key, I am content with my car, it grows on me everyday! A merc is like a longterm relationship, like a women you want to marry, u spoil her and nurture her, and enjoy her comfort and security. It has power but more grace, suspension is something else, its a merc!
A bmw is like that girl u yearned for all ur life, gorgeous face, those beautiful legs, its the ultimate affair!!! Once u have her, she makes ur heart pulse and teases ur cockadoodle doo, u feel like a kid in love! U ravage her and abuse her, she always has that extra power to put a grin on ur face, but as with all affairs, the novelty wears off and ur looking at the new model!
The e55 is a great car, good solid motor, but u cant compare a v8 with an e46 m3, the m5 is more fair, if u want an affair get a bmw and if u want a wife, get a merc!

 

[Mike1]

C55 is rubbish.

Its a C class with a big engine whereas the M3 is an engine with a body designed around it.

There is a difference. And yes... I had the C55 AMG for 2 weeks and frankly I find my Smart car more fun.

 

[rick540]

C55 is rubbish.

Its a C class with a big engine whereas the M3 is an engine with a body designed around it.

There is a difference. And yes... I had the C55 AMG for 2 weeks and frankly I find my Smart car more fun.

Dude it it really nescessary to call a Merc rubbish?

Maybe you don't like it and that's your 100% right but it's a bit strong to call a premium German car rubbish just because it's not a BMW.

 

[Coisman]

imp:
In 2001 I transfered to the highway section of the (at that time still Pretoria) traffic department.
My patrol car was a 2000 model C230 kompressor amg, speed limiter removed, obviously. :excited:
At the time the car was put into my care it already had something like 100k km on the clock.
I drove it for a year, it was mine alone to enjoy, even got to take it home, :clap:
and after a year it had close to 200k km on the clock, mind you I', talking about police type driving kilo's.
Now all of you know there's only 2 types of people that can drive a car to distruction...
1. a woman, and 2. a cop.
So you won't believe it but the car is still alive, ok, so one of the director's drive's it now,
but it's going for 860k km now. :dropjaw:
Dude, I have MASSIVE respect for a merc, but the only thing that sucks,
is that you don't feel involved in the driving process. :nono:
It glides, it's luxurious, it was rear wheel drive, and I loved it,
but it couldn't make me feel like my bmw can make me feel.
In my job I've driven everything, testdrove almost everything,
and yea, there are cars that are built and is in the same ballpark as bmw, but NONE of them can do to you what a bmw can...
give you a smile everytime you drive it. :thumbsup:
imp:

 

[Rennzport]

C55 is rubbish.

Its a C class with a big engine whereas the M3 is an engine with a body designed around it.

There is a difference. And yes... I had the C55 AMG for 2 weeks and frankly I find my Smart car more fun.

Dude it it really nescessary to call a Merc rubbish?

Maybe you don't like it and that's your 100% right but it's a bit strong to call a premium German car rubbish just because it's not a BMW.

Agree with you 100% Rick

I always find it strange when people that dont own an AMG or M car (or anything, for that matter) always have something to say about it.. be it good or bad...
If you OWNED both of these cars and have personal experience in OWNING and "really" driving them, then sure... call it as you please.. otherwise?

 

[clutchplate]

C63 yes, C55 no... :/

 

[E39er]

I find mercs understeer tooooooo much!

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Lets be honest...
if bmw didn't exist, what would your next option be??? :bawling: after you stopped crying...
I will tell you, Audi or Merc, depending on the drive wheels of course. :thumb:
Merc- any rear wheel drive one, and Audi- any quattro model.
I loved my front-wheel drive Honda, but it doesn't come close to the pleasure of a rear wheel car.
I might even consider Lexus... Lately they have come up to speed,
and give the big germans a run for their money.
Subaru... Mmmmmm.... :drool: but not the Impreza, to boy-racerish!!
bmw, merc, audi... they all great cars, but like I said: "...there are cars that are built and is in the same ballpark as bmw,
but NONE of them can do to you what a bmw can... give you a smile everytime you drive it."
imp:

 

[Mike1]

Read my post boys.

I did not say Merc was rubbish. I said the C55 was rubbish. Big difference.

I used the C55 daily for 2 weeks and it was terrible. I found it couldnt take a round-about without getting tail happy. The gearbox was a bit slow for me. The car rolled in corners like a small boat even in sport mode. The only thing that was nice about it was the noise and even that got boring as everytime you floor it the traction control comes on and the car snakes making it completely undriveable for your average driver. For what you pay I would sooner find myself in a E46 330i or newer E90. It wont be a V8 but at least it will be a more accomplished drive. Its a good cruiser for long roads and for highways but thats all. The rest of the cars attributes are nonsense rubbish.

I dont need to drive or own an M to know it is a better car. The M is a thoroughbred and we all know that. The C63 is an amazing car because it was done properly the SLS too, like the M cars are. However the C55 AMG is a big engine in a chassis that frankly is a bit pants. The C32 AMG however will be more of a hoot as I imagine (Please note imagine. Meaning not fact) that it is a better drive in the C Class body.

Oh - And last time I checked.. The big MERCEDES BENZ logo's all over my Smart Car meant something. And I love my Smart car.

If you are going to make a post please take the effort to read it properly before responding.

Mike

---

Some pics of the C55 I drove. Gorgeous looking car though:

And my favourite view:

Mike

 

[Coisman]

imp:
Mike, you think you SMART couse you drive a SMART ??? :nono:
That's SMART of you bringing a Merc argument up. :hammerhead:
So SMARTen up, eat some SMARTies, before you outSMART yourself. :excited:
This forum is full with SMART-asses, who thing they are superSMART, :bs:
but infact are unSMART, so lets just accept you have SMARTly stated your case. :thumbsup:
Agreed???

 

[Mike1]

Wahaha!

I love it Coisman! Clearly you (much like me) have far too much time on your hands this Sunday morning. :thumbsup: