I have had an ML430 for the past two and half years and have been very dissapointed with the overall ownership experience.

Problem is, I would really like to have a C32, I'm sure I will like the car but was hoping to hear that it was a little less problematic than my last two Mercedes.

I would appreciate responses from C32 owners in particular but all feedback is welcomed as I believe the chassis are the same for the whole c-line...??

 

We have a couple of C32 owners on the forum. I'm sure they'll catch up to this thread.

I don't have a mighty C32 AMG, just a low-brow C320. But the main difference is the huge price for the supercharger and the 17.5 mpg that goes with it. But the basic engine and the sedan chassis is the same (not counting some cosmetic mods/wheels in the AMG.)

As a car, I think you will find the C-sedan a much better ownership experience than your ML. I have no personal experience, but I've heard the American-made ML SUV didn't get out of the quality gate at all well. Maybe that's what you're referring to.

The C-Class sedan originates in Bremen, Germany, on the other hand, and is as tightly constructed as a bank vault. Very steady and secure feeling. I have an April production 2001 model, and I have no complaints at all of a significant nature... it hasn't been back to the dealer, yet. (Early production "01s have had more problems, proving that even top-flight German cars can have first year teething glitches).

I do have a small list of "gremlins" for them to check, most of them related (I think) to the Smart Key, which appears to be the only suspect area in the car that consistently comes up from owners here.

I really like the 3.2L motor (without the blower)... Plenty of torque for me, and 22mpg in heavy S&G traffic... better than 27mpg on interstate trips. And the transmission is wonderful. The C32 tranny is supposed to shift more aggressively, but otherwise the boxes are the same.

If you gotta have 349hp, then the C32 is your ticket. C32 guys will dispute this, but IMO, the C32 is largely a styling/engineering exercise on the C320 frame, a genre better carried off (looks and brute HP) in a Stock Corvette at $10K cheaper... but no where near in quality, of course.

Coming from an overweight SUV, you might be thinking you need the C32 just to reclaim some sense of appreciation for acceleration and speed. A C32 will certainly accomplish that, but I would also recommend driving a C320 for comparison, just to be sure.

 

So far so good.... 5000 miles of pretty hard driving, except for gas.... maintance has been zilch.

Since the C32 is in its first year, we will all have to wait and see how the supercharger and transmission holds up over time.

 

Funny you mention a Corvette i had a six month stint with an 01' before using it as a jack underneath the bed of an unsuspecting Chevy truck. OOPS!

I had driven the C320 several times after the Vette as a replacement and though I liked it a lot, chose an infinti instead. I quickly tired of the Infiniti as it was very slow and not a bit fun to drive and traded for a Nissan SE-R Spec V, which is great fun.

I don't actually drive the ML430 much at all, though it is a very competent over the road car, it has been problematic to say the least. I have a work truck, a BMW m/c and the Nissan all of which see more miles than the Merc. Even the wife enjoys the little Nissan.

So we both enjoy a good sporting car and think a Mercedes with four doors that can nearly run down a vette just maybe the ticket. The AMG stamp is a of great value down the road whereis the ML430 has amazed me with its ability to lose value.

The insurance premium on the C32 is half that of an M3 and I'm not concerned with fuel economy, it costs money to go fast, the question is really are you willing to pay. I do agree that the C320 is a VERY competent package and think adding a full massage via AMG is a thoughtful touch for people such as myself!

Thanks for the response.