I give up

I am battling to choose which of these two to buy secondhand. I owned a C32AMG which had lots of mods done to it, but it gave me so much trouble that I had to sell it. I swore the next AMG I would buy would be purely N/A. I love the C55 for its size, agility and reliability, but mod wise there is not much you can do besides headers/exhaust and ECU - blowers are too expensive in South Africa. The E55 has the same mod potential as the C32 in terms of changing pulleys/exhaust/headers/ECU which makes a massive difference, but it is a big car and handles like one in the corners. The E55 is also not immune from engine destruction after too many mods and my biggest concern is the cost of replacing the airmatic suspension if/when it fails. My friends are all telling me to go with the E55 because I will love the raw power, but my brain tells me to stick with the simple N/A, more agile, more reliable C55. My problem is that I will get bored with a C55 after 6 months and will regret not buying the E55, but an E55 with broken air suspension may kill me financially. I can afford a 2005/6 C55 or a 2003/4 E55. What would you choose and why? I have a budget and will do mods gradually over the period of 1 year.

Saaboteur

The solution to air suspension issues lies with a coil spring conversion. I don't have any practical experience, but I've read and chatted a bit about it. It involves some OE parts, a coilover kit spec'd for an E350 and some electronic wizardry with developer mode in Star diagnostics (you have to tell the car it is on regular suspension apparently).

It is very tempting, W211 E55s are getting quite cheap nowadays (locally to me anyway). I just really can't stand the clock on the instrument cluster, it's almost a deal breaker for me!

GT-ER

First, do you work on your own car? That questions makes all the difference.

The air suspension isn't THAT expensive and doesn't fail as often as you may think and each shock can be had for $400ish and replacing it is pretty easy.

GT-ER

I wanted to add more to this but had to go.

My friends C55 is pretty freaking awesome. With the Kleemann supercharger it feels pretty strong and feels like a race car on the street which is pretty awesome.

My E55 however will utterly annihilate his C55 in the straights and will turn pretty much just as well, it just deosn't FEEL like it will turn just well ( his turn in response is a billion times better than mine ) but once it's turning my car has great grip and will continue to turn without any problems as his does.

Plus, my interiors are a lot better looking and much more luxurious. The E55 is also a lot more comfortable and absorbs bumps a LOT better.

I LOVE the way the C55 handles and feels but that is the ONLY thing it has going for it unfortunately.

xxaarraa

2003/2004 is early years of that generation E55. I would stay away from that, those were the nightmare years for MB in general. If you are talking 05/06 E55, then it's surely the E over the C. But C55 is pretty much bullet proof, especially the later model years.

williamcurti

That questions makes all the difference

I give up

I am limited when it comes to working on my car myself - I can handle changing s/c clutches and alternators, but you wont find me messing around with cam shafts and gearboxes anymore. I crap myself when it comes to all these sensors and ECU's in todays cars. To be honest most of the work gets dumped on AMG conversions lap. As I mentioned I can afford a 2003 E55 (which was not the best year) or a 2005/6 C55 which I know is bullet proof. My last C32 managed to go through 2 engines due to detonation caused by the 2 piece camshaft/lobe twisting over the years (still not 100% sure). This seems to be a very common problem here in South africa and I get many phone calls every month from guys with stock 2002/3 C32's with destroyed motors. What I am trying to say is that I cannot go through this with an E55 as it will kill me financially. So my question remains the same - 2003 E55 modded rocket/potential disaster or safe 2005 C55 with basic mods?

w202mylove

c55 sure is a great car and a reliable amg, so why not just go the safe way? I'm sure you will enjoy a c55.

GT-ER

The cam problem is common on C32's, I've seen it before. E55's have no such problem and blown E55's a due to fueling problems and bad tunes honestly. I have yet to blow with over 500whp and beat on it constantly.

Since you keep mentioning you financial position on this then I would definitely get a C55 if I were you. They are much simpler so less things can go bad and they are fun regardless. It's just had to make then really fast.

I give up

Just test drove the '03 E55 I was interested in buying today, and now I am battling to look at a C55 again. The car was suprisingly well planted and not as bulky as I thought it would be. I am glad to hear the the engines are solid, but the enterior of this particular one needs work, plus rims need to be refurbed and all 4 brake discs and pads need replacing. This all adds up to be damned expensive - and all this without a single mod done. I think you are correct in saying that the C55 will better suit my budget because for the equivalent of $2500.00 I can get headers/full exhaust & ECU remap which adds another 30kw of power bringing it up to 300kw on the motor. I can also get a newer model '05 or '06 C55 with lower mileage as opposed to an '03 or '04 E55 with higher mileage. Thanks - that was the advice I was looking for. This requires thinking with my head and not my heart which is difficult when it comes to AMG's.

GT-ER

I wanted a CL65 once....but I couldn't handle the repairs financially so I got an E55. It's okay to accept what your budget can handle and a C55 is a fine car.

sinister55

The E55 is a wicked beast no doubt, but costs alittle bit more to maintain.

I personally dont like forced induction, so I got a c55. Had it more then 4 years, couldnt complain, no issues (Except MAF), I didnt need the extra room the E has.
I was thinking about picking up an E55, in instead im in the process of getting a C63.

Its all about how the car fits into your lifestyle.

C280 Sport

E55> C55 Anyday.

MIKESV8

The c55 was so reliable and mine was pretty quick at 400hp. Great looking car too. If you want NA and reliability the E63 has been pretty kind to me.

I give up

Thanks for all the input -it's going to be a C55 for me. I loved the shape of my old C32 and the C55 has an even better interior. What I didn't like on the E55 was the massive interior, especially the drivers/passenger seats which look like small couches. I prefer the smaller, firmer seats and a neat/functional enterior of the C55. The maintainance on an E55 was also a big deciding factor as I am limited financially and I would rather spend extra cash on mods rather than running costs. I also mostly drive alone, apart from the morning school run so I don't need all the space of an E class. The C55 also feels more connected to the road and I enjoy feeling every bump and getting thrown around a bit, but the N/A motor was the deciding factor after all the trouble I had with my last S/C engine. The bonus is that I can look at a later model C class as opposed to an '03 E class. Yes the E55 is way faster and has tons more mod potential, but right now I can't afford to have a car parked at AMG getting repaired again.

Newzchspy

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This ^^^ coming from a guy who owns neither??? Dude, from what or how do you speak??? With all due respect, I love my Kleemann C55 S7 and would take it over my buddies 05 E55 all day long. It handles better, is NOT near the boat of the E55 and its simply my preference. I am not saying its a better car than the E55, its just majorly different. (and the S7 will run circles around that 911 C4 anyday, just not in the handling department.)

S7>C4 Anyday!! (JMHO)

F1Bobby

I do love my C55!

559EVO

I say C55 but if you perfer an E class quality with your budjet look at a 2008 E550.

Newzchspy

X2, BUT with 4Matic only. Its a very fast car BUT not so great in snow etc!!

ghiaguy

I think you made the right choice. That particular E55 sounded a little rough and the C55 is plenty quick and unassuming. I love mine!

GT-ER

The C55 is a fine car to own, and this is coming from an E55 owner.

Newzchspy

Finally, a voice of reason out of the wilderness!!!

C280 Sport

20+ Years with MB Experience. I have spent much time in nearly every MB so I do think I know a thing or 2 I should state why and I am sorry for not. Why I say E Class? Mostly because of the size. The C is just to damn small in everyday and once you go with the larger car you will fall in love with the space. The OP asked for why. For me it would be due to the space, comfort and usability. However for a track car or race built car I would want your C55 S7 myself. No disrespect but I cannot stand small cars and the C just does not cut in terms of MB Quality in my honest opinion. Great run around cars and all but not up to my standards. No doubt the C55 is a rocket and I never see them in the shop because they are pretty rock solid in reliability. If anything we get the C32's, C36's and C43's in all the time for things that should not be breaking all the time on a MB (Damn preface lift w203's are the worst! But those C32's are a rocket as well grrr). If the OP wants a more DD friendly car I would say the E Class and stand correctly. If he wants a track car or something to mod with less upkeep buy a C55. No need to do a Airmatic swap when it fails. However, a DIY'er and some time will fix that.

dokotela

had a similar dilemma myself.....instead settled for a c32 currently. will most probably replace one of my 202's with a c55 soon.....but that e55 question keeps popping up....lol

interesting to learn about this camshaft problem.....any solutions or preventative measures?

betrezra

190E would be a cool build.