Sher Judge

Both are amazing. The C55, will be the winner in your case.

Enjoy it's raw natural power.

Nachtsturm

Between the two I would buy an E55, hands down. Just the power factor alone makes it worth it to me. Alas, it does not come in a coupe, so I will stick with CLK55.

Note to all with a w211 E55, if you want an reliable N/A I will trade you my drivetrain out of my CLK55

I give up

I ended up getting a "grown-up" car - an immaculate 2006 ML 320 cdi that goes like hell for an SUV. Thought this would cure me of my AMG obsession. It goes like hell for a 2,5 ton diesel powered lump, but it is up for sale already because if you think AMG repair bills are ugly - try one of these! So far I have managed to break the turbo and replace the aircon compressor - all out of motorplan of course! When I read the fineprint on the extended dealer warrantee and found out it only covers a fraction of the cost I nearly passed out when I saw how much I had to pay ($ 5000.00). I am now going to have to wait a while and save up for a used 2008 CLK63 AMG because the prices are creeping down. No more superchargers or turbochargers ever unless I have the finances to buy a low mileage, still in motorplan AMG and keep it until the cover expires. Merc's are just ridiculous to maintain and this coming from a guy who's first 3 cars were all 80's Alfa Romeo's.

I give up

The best solution to this problem is to sell the damn thing while it still runs and pray the new owner doesn't break it for 3 months or however long the customer protection act covers it. 2002 is the worst year for the C32 camshaft problem. I need to correct myself - it is not detonation, but bad timing and you end up with a bent valve or fractured piston. The damage extends to the bore/sleeve and I could not find anyone willing to re-sleeve the block plus wait till you see how much a set of new pistons (AMG or aftermarket) cost. If the engine developes a misfire then it's too late. Try to find and old article on this forum called 'C32 potential camshaft problems' to verify what I have said. I still get 2-3 calls per month on an old ad I placed, selling my leftover engine parts, from guys who have suffered the same fate - all with 2002 C32's.

GT-ER

You consider a mid 16 second SUV to run like hell? Wow....you'd pass out and die in an E55.

MRAMG1

That comment alone struck me as why he is BETTER off with his ML

ghiaguy

nothing wrong with being happy with your purchase

I give up

I dont consider my lumpy ML fast by any means - I just made the comment that for 2,5 tons and considering it's diesel, it out accelerates and out brakes many of the hot hatches. My last modded C32 ate M3's regulary and I have been around and driven both stock and modded C & E 55's so I know what 'quick' is. It was a choice based on being married with 2 kids and AMG bills adding up quickly. Out of the 2 years I owned my C32 it spent a total of 8 months in the workshop - the ML seemed a sensible and responsible choice so give me a break.

AMG_Guy

I really think the E55 is just in a class above the C55 in terms of features, performance, and luxury. Though I would say that the C55 is easier to maneuver being smaller.

dokotela

wow so basically what you're saying is i'm doomed....cos i own a 2002 C32.

NOT!!!!!!!!!!
you see the problem starts with blocked catalytic converters...mainly the primaries.....pressure is fed up back thru the EGR valve(or something like that) and thats when the valve bends and hurts the piston and camshaft as well.....the lobe turns cos it is press fitted.

so any c32 owners out there, remove cats...both preferably.

adl320

As a new C55 owner and forum poster, I haven't yet earned any stripes yet but thought I'd comment. I was in the same position as you regarding C vs. E. let me say that after just 3 weeks of ownership I love my C55. Let me also say however, that I still think I really wanted an E but for reasons below I decided on a lower mileage, clean, well sorted single-owner C55.

My reasons for the C had nothing to do with not being able to afford repairs on an E. it was really not wanting to deal with potential repairs on the E. my biggest concern? Fuel tank sending units and leaks. Perhaps not as big an issue as there are plenty of happy E55 owners here, but the thought of waiting for a leak and a potential expensive repair made me hold off. Thinking about it now, nothing else about the E really worried me.

I wanted a fast, comfortable and nearly bullet-proof car to take over daily driver duty from my '91 E34 M5 while I upgrade bits and pieces on the M5 and stop piling on Miles. I didn't need two project cars and I really didn't want to sell my M! The C55 fits the bill nicely.

Although I can almost bet you will have thoughts about the E55 after you buy a C, (I know I do!) just keep in mind that you will own a rare car that is faster and better looking than most of the poor excuses for "performance" cars out there, E55 excepted, of course . I can almost guarantee that if ownership of the C goes well for me, I WILL get an E55 or E63 next. So enjoy your C55! I think you've made the right decision for your situation.

shaun.barnard

So???? What did you get?????

Newzchspy

See post 28, he got an ml 320 diesel! Go figure

James M

Nope, you are wrong. Got a immaculate 2003 E55 with 60k miles on the clock that has given me very few problems so far and goes like a rocket. Started modding it, but run out of money for the time being. Easy to work on and the build quality is outstanding compared to a c-class. The fuel bill is a ***** though. I must admit that I still prefer the size and drive of the C55.
Now I am drooling over the new E63 bi-turbo.

James M

So how did I blow up 2 motors when both had TNT headers and full exhaust systems with zero catalytic converters? Read the C32 post 'C32 potential camshaft problems'. You hit the nail on the head when you said 'press fitted'. That is exactly the problem. Over 120 000km the lobes shift slightly and the problem starts as a misfire and it all goes downhill from there. I have plenty of mates who own 2003/4 C32's with 180 000km and plenty of mods with no issues. What I am saying is that the early model C32's - 2001/2 are potentially more prone to this issue. You should see the amount of calls I still get, 4 years later, from distraught C32 owners on what to do with this very same problem.

C230 Mulac

Very nice E55! More pics pleez

insame1

+1 .my 02 c32 now has a 03 motor.

sinister55

Yea key words are, only 60k on the clock, its barely been used... if you have a c55 with 60K on the clock then that a different story, due to the time frame most older AMG's are near or past 100k, your barely past the halfway mark...the E55 problems may come up later on, you just dont have the mileage on it yet

James M

That's why I couldn't pass the E-class up - right colour and mileage. Each car has its own issues and I must say that the price on OE parts has come down dramatically. I still wouldn't turn down a 2006 C55.
However, I did a 20-25m smoking burnout through 2nd gear and into 3rd the other day, that had joggers jumping into bushes and cars clearing off the road ahead of me - I know I got the right car.

chicago_fog

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