m113 e50 vs m112 e32amg
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From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
m113 e50 vs m112 e32amg
I havnt sold my car yet but i am already looking for a replacement (next spring probably)..
im looking into 2003 clk500 coupe, 2002-04 c32, 2002-04 slk32 and 2005 c230ss
i know the 4 cars are Very different (5 vs 2+2 vs 2 seater, sedan vs coupe
vs hard top convertible), and the engines are very different also in terms of performance and fuel economy..
however the help im looking to get is about the engines reliability...my budged will allow around average mileage (80k?) car.. so :
5.0 v8 vs 3.2amg engine reliability, what do you think ?
(for those who will say sttf, i found all the info i need about the c230ss & the c32, but didnt find any comparaison of the 5l v8 & the 3.2 amg...)
Thanks
im looking into 2003 clk500 coupe, 2002-04 c32, 2002-04 slk32 and 2005 c230ss
i know the 4 cars are Very different (5 vs 2+2 vs 2 seater, sedan vs coupe
vs hard top convertible), and the engines are very different also in terms of performance and fuel economy..
however the help im looking to get is about the engines reliability...my budged will allow around average mileage (80k?) car.. so :
5.0 v8 vs 3.2amg engine reliability, what do you think ?
(for those who will say sttf, i found all the info i need about the c230ss & the c32, but didnt find any comparaison of the 5l v8 & the 3.2 amg...)
Thanks
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From: Denver, CO
2K5 C230K SS 6MT -BLK/BLK
I would say narrow it down to coupe or sedan. I would choose the C32 or CLK500. The C32 looks just like the 05 C230 SS, with only a few differences like the non-clear headlights and ugly gauge cluster.
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02 C32 AMG
C32 ftw! there are a couple for sale on this forum if picking those up is an option for you.
C32 and SLK32 = same motor. SLK32 is lighter weight and has a larger engine bay allowing for better modding (needswings intake, needswings supercooler) that doesnt work on the C32.
however C32 is a four door, so gotta weigh that
No chance i would get a C230ss over the M112k C32 and SLK32
CLK500 coupe is a V8. nice car, but wont be as fun to drive as the C32 or SLK32.
C32 and SLK32 = same motor. SLK32 is lighter weight and has a larger engine bay allowing for better modding (needswings intake, needswings supercooler) that doesnt work on the C32.
however C32 is a four door, so gotta weigh that
No chance i would get a C230ss over the M112k C32 and SLK32
CLK500 coupe is a V8. nice car, but wont be as fun to drive as the C32 or SLK32.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I would get the C32. Both cars will be fun to drive but the C32 almost has 50 hp more not to mention you can still get more power out of it (more power = more fun so JT is right the C32 will be more fun to drive 
) .
) .
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
If reliability is what your truely looking for, other than power of course, I'd definately take my chances on the m113 without a doubt. The 3.2 SC AMG engine sounds to me like a lot of things could go wrong..
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
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02 C32 AMG
If reliability is what your truely looking for, other than power of course, I'd definately take my chances on the m113 without a doubt. The 3.2 SC AMG engine sounds to me like a lot of things could go wrong..
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
the SC doesnt fail. every once in a while, the supercharger pulley bearing goes out (probably 50k+ miles) and you replace it with a 25 dollar bearing that needs to be pressed into the supercharger pulley (pressing is a 20 dollar job max). once pressed in, this is an easy 5 minute DIY job
idler bearings tend to go out on modded cars and sometimes on stock. the pulley needs to be replaced and shouldnt cost more than 60 or 70. this is DIY 5 minutes.
note, for both of these, you will know when its going out and have time to get a new one.
for the so called "IC failure", several members have had intercooler leaks, though i would say that there have probably only been 3 members actually have this problem.
as far as the CLK500 having a larger airbox, i'm not entirely sure if its larger than the stock C32 AMG airboxes, as AMG puts larger air boxes on there cars. heck, i'm running M113K airboxes (specifically SL55) on mine
radiator on early 02's may have problems though mine has been fine.
and i disagree whole-heartedly with this "upperclass benz" notion. that is only because the "upperclass benzes" are heavier and require more power to move.
i'd go with a C32. am i biased? absolutely.
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
i dont own a c32 or the 3.2 amg for that matter. But i know for a fact there are less things to go wrong on a m113. As for larger airboxes, i was comparing the m112 to the m113 if you re-read my post.
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02 C32 AMG
i was just pointing out that the expensive repairs on the M112k are not common and the common repairs are cheap-ish (120 for i/c pump, 70 or less for pulley/bearing replacement)
i've had mine for over a year without a warranty and all i've had go bad was my battery lol.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
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From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
thx guys for all the replies
i know the c32 and c230ss look the same (except for the lights), but the price different would allow some CF parts for the c230ss... btw the c230ss was my last choice, id take the c32 or clk500 over it anyday..
im not planning any modifications to the engine so that makes the slk32 and c32 the same (except for the 3 extra seats 
)
however, i will only buy an slk32 if i find a yellow 1 and thats very rare....
about the fun to drive, or the extra 50hp, dont forget that im moving up from a c320 so that alraedy a big move.. i will enjoy both
215hp to 302 is already too much i guess, so its not the 50 extra hp thats going to let me decide 
thats exactly the kind of help i was looking for, reliability vs the extra 50hp...
i cheked the mpgs and the c32 gets a +1 in city, -2 on highway, same average (compared to the clk500)
maybe they are unexpensive the fix problems, but still, its problems.. thats what im looking to avoid.. specially that im not a DIY person... and on top of all that isnt there many electrical problems with the c32 ?
the clk500 isnt really heavier, maybe you are talking more about the e500, cl500 and... but the clk isnt that heavy compared to the c32 (google says its 9kg lighter)
less things to go wrong, thats what im looking for, + avoid supercharger problems...
Anyway thx guys
C32 ftw! there are a couple for sale on this forum if picking those up is an option for you.
C32 and SLK32 = same motor. SLK32 is lighter weight and has a larger engine bay allowing for better modding (needswings intake, needswings supercooler) that doesnt work on the C32.
however C32 is a four door, so gotta weigh that
No chance i would get a C230ss over the M112k C32 and SLK32
CLK500 coupe is a V8. nice car, but wont be as fun to drive as the C32 or SLK32.
C32 and SLK32 = same motor. SLK32 is lighter weight and has a larger engine bay allowing for better modding (needswings intake, needswings supercooler) that doesnt work on the C32.
however C32 is a four door, so gotta weigh that
No chance i would get a C230ss over the M112k C32 and SLK32
CLK500 coupe is a V8. nice car, but wont be as fun to drive as the C32 or SLK32.
)however, i will only buy an slk32 if i find a yellow 1 and thats very rare....
about the fun to drive, or the extra 50hp, dont forget that im moving up from a c320 so that alraedy a big move.. i will enjoy both
If reliability is what your truely looking for, other than power of course, I'd definately take my chances on the m113 without a doubt. The 3.2 SC AMG engine sounds to me like a lot of things could go wrong..
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
Think of it this way;
3.2amg has problems such as failing SC, IC, ect thats been mentioned on the other forum. but in return of great power output when you need it. Its simply screams power.
m113 has the same DNA as the already reliable m112 but with 2 extra cylinders, a larger airbox, larger MAF, and larger injectors and revised ecu, thats about it really. Its NA, which i think is more reliable, and its been fitted to the upper class Benzes (s-class, sl-class, cl-class, ect.) therefore should be a better of engine imo.
As for gas mileage, id say there about the same.
Sure you get ~50hp more with the amg, but the m113 is the reliable one you want.
i cheked the mpgs and the c32 gets a +1 in city, -2 on highway, same average (compared to the clk500)
being that i own one and have for 7 years, lemme clarify the issues
the SC doesnt fail. every once in a while, the supercharger pulley bearing goes out (probably 50k+ miles) and you replace it with a 25 dollar bearing that needs to be pressed into the supercharger pulley (pressing is a 20 dollar job max). once pressed in, this is an easy 5 minute DIY job
idler bearings tend to go out on modded cars and sometimes on stock. the pulley needs to be replaced and shouldnt cost more than 60 or 70. this is DIY 5 minutes.
note, for both of these, you will know when its going out and have time to get a new one.
for the so called "IC failure", several members have had intercooler leaks, though i would say that there have probably only been 3 members actually have this problem.
as far as the CLK500 having a larger airbox, i'm not entirely sure if its larger than the stock C32 AMG airboxes, as AMG puts larger air boxes on there cars. heck, i'm running M113K airboxes (specifically SL55) on mine
radiator on early 02's may have problems though mine has been fine.
and i disagree whole-heartedly with this "upperclass benz" notion. that is only because the "upperclass benzes" are heavier and require more power to move.
i'd go with a C32. am i biased? absolutely.
the SC doesnt fail. every once in a while, the supercharger pulley bearing goes out (probably 50k+ miles) and you replace it with a 25 dollar bearing that needs to be pressed into the supercharger pulley (pressing is a 20 dollar job max). once pressed in, this is an easy 5 minute DIY job
idler bearings tend to go out on modded cars and sometimes on stock. the pulley needs to be replaced and shouldnt cost more than 60 or 70. this is DIY 5 minutes.
note, for both of these, you will know when its going out and have time to get a new one.
for the so called "IC failure", several members have had intercooler leaks, though i would say that there have probably only been 3 members actually have this problem.
as far as the CLK500 having a larger airbox, i'm not entirely sure if its larger than the stock C32 AMG airboxes, as AMG puts larger air boxes on there cars. heck, i'm running M113K airboxes (specifically SL55) on mine
radiator on early 02's may have problems though mine has been fine.
and i disagree whole-heartedly with this "upperclass benz" notion. that is only because the "upperclass benzes" are heavier and require more power to move.
i'd go with a C32. am i biased? absolutely.
the clk500 isnt really heavier, maybe you are talking more about the e500, cl500 and... but the clk isnt that heavy compared to the c32 (google says its 9kg lighter
)Anyway thx guys
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From: In Kush Land So cal
02 C320 Sedan
When i was looking to buy my car the first car i looked at was a CLK500 Black with 18 inch rims..
Boy is this car gorgeous.. I love how the front windows and the rear windows make it look like there one full glass.. The car is gorgeous i would choose the clk500 over the C32..
But then again i really do like the power of the C32 and how fun it could be..
C32 = Power + More fun ( I'm not a fan of how much this car lost its value )
Clk500 = Class.. Gorgeous.. Doesn't look too cheap IMO
But if i had to pick a car right now.. it would be a CL500
Boy is this car gorgeous.. I love how the front windows and the rear windows make it look like there one full glass.. The car is gorgeous i would choose the clk500 over the C32..
But then again i really do like the power of the C32 and how fun it could be..
C32 = Power + More fun ( I'm not a fan of how much this car lost its value )
Clk500 = Class.. Gorgeous.. Doesn't look too cheap IMO
But if i had to pick a car right now.. it would be a CL500
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
When i was looking to buy my car the first car i looked at was a CLK500 Black with 18 inch rims..
Boy is this car gorgeous.. I love how the front windows and the rear windows make it look like there one full glass.. The car is gorgeous i would choose the clk500 over the C32..
But then again i really do like the power of the C32 and how fun it could be..
C32 = Power + More fun ( I'm not a fan of how much this car lost its value )
Clk500 = Class.. Gorgeous.. Doesn't look too cheap IMO
But if i had to pick a car right now.. it would be a CL500
Boy is this car gorgeous.. I love how the front windows and the rear windows make it look like there one full glass.. The car is gorgeous i would choose the clk500 over the C32..
But then again i really do like the power of the C32 and how fun it could be..
C32 = Power + More fun ( I'm not a fan of how much this car lost its value )
Clk500 = Class.. Gorgeous.. Doesn't look too cheap IMO
But if i had to pick a car right now.. it would be a CL500
all amg's lose their value too fast compared to M's
i cant afford a cl500 because i still have to export the car to lebanon, and the taxes on CL and huge...
2003 cl500 : 12800$ + around 3000 for reg... TOO MUCH
same on AMG's...
