Robert Schrader

I was at the dealer today, and I mentioned that the c-coupe could be had in Europe with the supercharged V-6. He said that he believed we would see it here in the next year or two. I said that I didn't think that was likely because it would cut into sales of the C32.

He then told me that wouldn't be a problem, because ( due to the Audi s6 and others ) Mercedes is probably going to quit making the C32, and put a 5.5 liter in the amg version of the c sedan. A c55!

DISCLAIMER: This is from Hoehn Mercedes in Carlsbad, California. I'm pretty sure that he is not lying, because to do so might encourage me to wait on buying a coupe. Whether or not he really knows what he is talking about, I have no idea. YMMV.

tifosiv122

I was told from a reliable source that it will not happen in the near (10 year) future and that there is a strong likelyhood the C-Coupe will not last past its 7 year mark (In the US).

Erik

Rick

A more likely combination might be the C with the new 3.7 (350) used in the ML. It's already planned as the replacement for the 320 engine.
After that....maybe a C350/C35 AMG coupe, sedan and sportwagen?
?

nyca

yes, that is a likely combo. I still haven't seen any hard news on the 350 engine for the C in 2004.

But I still think MB has to stay with the 4 cylinder C coupe, if just for CAFE standards alone. Unless the C230K sedan sales are so strong that they feel they can exit the small coupe market at the low end and move their customers for this segment into the 230K sedan.

Matt230K

There was a W202 C55 that was available in Europe. But they probably switched to the C32 because the horsepower is equivalent and the V6 is lighter than the V8. Also, I think the V8 did not fit in the W203 chassis. I don't see a C55 being a replacement for the C32 anytime in the future. I don't consider a dealer to be a reputable source, especially if it is news that does not seem to available anywhere else.

Outland

The 3.7 Liter engine won't debut in the C until the remaining 3.2's are consumed. The ML got it early because its rather underpowered for a V6 suv. What should be interesting is what happens to the Crossfire, which uses the 3.2.

The C-Coupe sales are on target to reach 12,000+ this year. With Audi coming out with its A4 Coupe, and A3 Hatch, Subie's Coupe, a New Lexus IS300 Coupe, and rumors of Acura's TSX spawning a coupe, the C-Coupe is essential for MB to gain new customers.

It would be nice if the C230 made the same 200HP that the 1.8 puts out for the new SLK, or if they offered an overbored or overboosted version in the 250HP range. The C32 AMG version would do wonders for the car's image...it takes a pounding from conservative dealers, and old school MB buyers. Its a great car, a real steal for the money.

MBcoupe forever

How big inventory of 3.2L does MB have ???

The 2004 CLK convertable is officially introduced and tests starts to appear in German magazines, and its using the 3.2L. With that, the 2004 CLK coupe will use the 3.2L too. Don't think the c-class will have the 3.7 in 2004 if the CLK still run the 3.2L.

Inventory doesn't make sense (to me). Perhaps the 3.7L will never make it into these cars, but it will indeed have a very different engine replacing the 3.2L

Cheers

vyse

*edit: Oops, I didn't notice that the thread was only about U.S. Sorry about that.

I was watching Report on Business (ROBTV, channel 74 in Toronto), and a Mercedes rep was on there, discussing their product line, and he mentioned to the host that MB Canada was considering bringing a few diesel engines over here because Canadians seem more willing to accept diesel engines than their American counterparts! I'd buy one for sure; seems to save quite a bit on the fuel costs. My friend drives a Jetta TDi, I never even see her have to fuel up, seems very efficient. Not to mention there are quite a few gas stations with diesel around me.

Lynn

The V8 bolts right in. Just ask Brabus about the CV8 Sports Coupe. 426 horsepower. I doubt that we'll see a V8 coupe or sedan from AMG, though. And we in the US won't see the C32 AMG coupe.

Outland

That's what I read. Not saying I 100% believe it, but.... Seems a little odd to have a 6 month glut of 3.2L engines laying around. Perhaps its tied to purchasing contracts...the components needed to build the motor may extend thru the end of the model year, and thus the 3.7 gets only limited use so the 3.2 parts don't just pile up in a warehouse somewhere...I dunno. Most JIT factories would only float a few days worth of motors. Places with a longer supply chain may float 2 or 3 weeks worth.

Matt230K

Yes, a V8 is possible, but this was still the explanation that I heard back in 2001 when the W203 first came out. I would say that maybe the Brabus motor will fit, but the 43 or 55 motor will not, but I assume Brabus starts with an MB motor, so there can't be much difference in size. I still don't think we'll see one with a V8.

Matt230K

There is supposed to be a diesel E-class for the US very soon, much sooner than most people expected. I think it is supposed to happen later this model year, but it could be delayed till 2004.

Lynn

Brabus is using the currently produced modular V8. Don't forget that the new CLK is the same basic chassis and the V8 fits fine.

DL_AMG

It might not pass the crash test or at least not as safe as the V6 engine.
The new 3.7L engine is also used in S-class. I don't believe MB will place this engin into current W203. Unlike ML320 & S320, the 3.2L is perfect for C-class.

avlis

Many people here said the same thing about the 3.2 in the coupe.

Matt230K

That may be true, but the C32 coupe is a special order car from AMG and their special order cars have never come to the US. I think someone on here said that you have to take delivery of a car first and then send it to AMG for them to build the special order car. I don't know if that's true or not, but I also don't think we will ever see the C32 coupe.

mdp c230k

AMG does not modify cars anymore they only build new ones so this is not possible.

err0neous

Not true, I visited AMG last week and they definitely do modify cars, for the right price. See my photos starting with:

http://www.err0neous.org/mbz/eur0303...owfull&num=100

DL_AMG

The most interesting car will the the BMW X3...very nice looking car.

gab

with all AMG using the 55 engine it might be too costly to use a V6 supercharged engine with just two models C class and SLK class. SLK class is rumored to ship with a V8, when R171 comes out next year

trench

It seems what they do in Europe for the "AMG-specials" is you buy a regualr car new from a dealer, then it's sent directly to AMG for the conversion. This leads to some oddities - such as C32 Coupes with the black plastic door handles (which appear to be pretty common on the C32 Coupes, such as the one in err0neous' pictures), obviously the owners of these purchase the cheapest C180 version available for conversion. Why spend extra money on a motor that's going to thrown away?

It also appears to me that they're doing far fewer of the "AMG-specials" as well. There used to be four or five different conversions possible - now they're down to just the C32 Coupe and the CL65. Now that there is a C30 Coupe available as a regular AMG model, they may stop making the C32 Coupe at some point.

- BT

Outland

Unlikely considering the C30 is a diesel. I think the fact that they are building the C30 is actually more likely to keep the C32 in the lineup...it uses the same special front fascias, and rear valence, and the engine is the same as in the C32 sedan...its a no cost no brainer for them to keep it available...building more units with those components helps them offset the overhead costs of either model seperately.

BTW, anyone know the cost of the conversion? With 03 C230 prices so low, it might be the performance bargain of the year

Robert Schrader

I went back to the same dealer and asked him for his source. He couldn't remember exactly. He then checked with one of his colleagues, who said that he had never heard of it. So, it seems dubious. Sorry.

JohnSLK

The new 04/05 SLK AMG will have AMG's 5.5L V8 and the s/c V6 will be dropped. It seams that AMG only wants three petrol engines in their line up, the n/a V8, the s/c V8 and the turbo V12. I don't think they will keep the s/c V6 for the C class only so it would seam that the C class would get the n/a V8.

MB is working on a light weight direct injection 4L V8 but it's progress has been delayed becuase the 1.8L I4 has not been performing as well as orginally planned. The 4L V8 with s/c should be around 400hp which will see future SLK and C classes compete nicely with the Audi's A4 V8 and BMW's next generation of the M3.

In the interim a 5.5L 360hp V8 in the C and SLK should be handy.