C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Just traded C32 for M3....

Old Mar 16, 2005 | 02:47 PM
  #1  
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IS1
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From: Sarasota
02 C32
Just traded C32 for M3....

All is I can say is what a difference!!!
Definitly feels faster (maybe since it's a 6sp)
Much tighter of a car
Looks, Looks, Looks, and that is with the top up!
Stock stereo, even worse than the C32
Outhandles the C32 (even before the springs, and 19's)
Besides a larger backseat I can't think of one thing my C32 had over the M3, except crappy resale and trade in value !
Good luck guys and my SSR GT3's are still available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:00 PM
  #2  
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M&M
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Better watch what you say or Improviz will get you banned!

Congrats BTW.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:16 PM
  #3  
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
How much for the rims? Btw congrats. I thought about M3 when I got my C32 a while back seeing as I had a supercharged 325ci before the C32 but decided for the C32 (wanted 4 doors). But nice choice. Time to change your "I Drive a: " field in your profile now too.

-Mike
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:49 PM
  #4  
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300SEL
Originally Posted by IS1
All is I can say is what a difference!!!
Definitly feels faster (maybe since it's a 6sp)
Much tighter of a car
Looks, Looks, Looks, and that is with the top up!
Stock stereo, even worse than the C32
Outhandles the C32 (even before the springs, and 19's)
Besides a larger backseat I can't think of one thing my C32 had over the M3, except crappy resale and trade in value !
Good luck guys and my SSR GT3's are still available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
i would have waited for the e90 m3. did you get a deal as a result?
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:52 PM
  #5  
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From: San Diego
2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
Originally Posted by IS1
All is I can say is what a difference!!!
Definitly feels faster (maybe since it's a 6sp)
Much tighter of a car
Looks, Looks, Looks, and that is with the top up!
Stock stereo, even worse than the C32
Outhandles the C32 (even before the springs, and 19's)
Besides a larger backseat I can't think of one thing my C32 had over the M3, except crappy resale and trade in value !
Good luck guys and my SSR GT3's are still available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Few comments:

My neighbor's 6speed TL feels as quick as my C32, but I smoke him. This is the nature of a manual tranny. The convertible M3 weighs something like 500 lbs more than the hardtop version. Unless your C32 was running on 4 cylinders, it (the C32) was faster.

It sounds like you bought a convertible M3? Tighter than the C32? I test drove a convert M3 with 30K miles when I was shopping for my C32. I loved the fact that it was a convertible and ran great. However, structural rigidity was above my teenage-years 88 Mustang GT Convert but certainly below the C32. Are you comparing similar-mileage cars?

Handling: The M3 coupe definitely outhandles a stock C32. I would be surprised if the same thing could be said for the convertible.

Looks: I definitely agree that the M3 is the best choice for the "younger crowd." It looks much more sporty than the C32. I especially like it in that dark blue color. I guess the question is whether or not you want to "stay below the radar." I like the fact that nobody sees me coming in my C32 but, if I were 15 years younger and single, I would choose the M3.

Resale value: All cars of this genre tank, especially when a newer model comes out. You might want to brace your pocketbook for (another) hit when the new M3 hits the streets next year.

Congrats on your purchase!
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:53 PM
  #6  
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by schwarzwagen
i would have waited for the e90 m3. did you get a deal as a result?
No one even knows when the E90 is coming out yet. Nor seen any real pics of it. Who knows what it'll look like, or real specs on it. Everyone is speculating at this time, and there is no way they will give $$ off because of speculation.

Hell, if the new M3 looks anything like the new 5/7, etc. I'd take the old (current M3) over the new one and just supercharge it.

-Mike
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 03:56 PM
  #7  
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2002 C32 Black/Charcoal
"Hell, if the new M3 looks anything like the new 5/7, etc. I'd take the old (current M3) over the new one and just supercharge it."

Ka-Boom.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 04:07 PM
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by Vomit
"Hell, if the new M3 looks anything like the new 5/7, etc. I'd take the old (current M3) over the new one and just supercharge it."

Ka-Boom.
Eh, who knows.. I guess I would have to find out.. I tried to blow up my 325ci too.. I'd go 20k or more on a oil change and beat the hell out of it.. Never missed a beat.

-Mike
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 04:17 PM
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From: Richmond VA
C32
Interesting. As a previous BMW owner(330Ci), my first choice was the M3. However after I drove the C32, and researched its modding potential I felt it was the better choice.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 04:20 PM
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From: Bowie, MD
03 C32 AMG Blk/Blk
Originally Posted by AaronC
Interesting. As a previous BMW owner(330Ci), my first choice was the M3. However after I drove the C32, and researched its modding potential I felt it was the better choice.
Exact thought process I had. Plus the 4 doors.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 04:30 PM
  #11  
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From: Richmond VA
C32
Originally Posted by doofoo
Exact thought process I had. Plus the 4 doors.
Exactly!
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 05:58 PM
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From: MA
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Originally Posted by M&M
Better watch what you say or Improviz will get you banned!

Congrats BTW.
Check this month's C&D for the 0-60 and 1/4 times for C55 vs. M3 ... I'm sorry. Anyway, I'm an ex-BMW guy and I'll probably be in one again sometime. I find the best ('fair & balanced') discussions come from people who own(ed) both. As far as you're concerned, it's one thing to spark some decent discussion and quite another to come over and just flame. Think about that. There's always the possibility you could change and people would welcome you.

Rgds,
Norm
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 07:23 PM
  #13  
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by IS1
All is I can say is what a difference!!!
Definitly feels faster (maybe since it's a 6sp)
Much tighter of a car
Looks, Looks, Looks, and that is with the top up!
Stock stereo, even worse than the C32
Outhandles the C32 (even before the springs, and 19's)
Besides a larger backseat I can't think of one thing my C32 had over the M3, except crappy resale and trade in value !
Good luck guys and my SSR GT3's are still available!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Congrats! Nice choice.
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Old Mar 16, 2005 | 07:29 PM
  #14  
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Silver 2002 C32, Silver 2006 CLK 350
enjoy the ride!
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Old Mar 17, 2005 | 08:06 AM
  #15  
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From: Illinois
2005 Brilliant Silver C55
I had a 2004 E46M3 and currently drive a 2005 C55. With respect to your comments...

1) Seat of the pants it probably does feel faster but I seriously doubt it
2) My 2005 C55 is much tighter than my 2004 M3. I had reoccuring rattles and vibrations at various rpm levels with my M3
3) I assume you have a convertible so the added weight will negatively affect performance over the coupe add 19's and reduce it even further if you are not careful.
4) I disagree with the looks comment. I think both cars have great lines. The C55 is more subtle the M3 is more aggressive.
5) The OEM stereo in the M3 just sucks! And I had the upgraded HK unit.
6) Yes, it does outhandle the C but 99% of C buyers don't track the car so what difference does that make?
7) As to resale, I believe that the residuals are within a few percentage points for either car. In fact, I know BMW is offering large discounts on 325 and 330 models to clear inventory before the E90 hits the streets in a few. Thus, I would suspect that your car will also experience crappy resale value and trade in value.

The current E46M3 has one more run year (2006 model) and then no M for 2007 and the new M in 2008 if BMW follows its history. My E46 M3 had a sticker price of about $55k and I drove it for 9 months and it had 4200 miles and I sold it for $46k!!!! Talk about crappy resale value!!
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