As the title says, I've looked at the C55 numerous times as a possible choice for my next car. I currently have an IS300, which I'm sure a lot of you are familar with. Convince me why the C55 is superior. Granted, I know it's faster but what about other things like overall size, reliability, ease of modding???

My only other issue is the sticker price for a fully loaded C55- 60K!!! For 60K, I could have other, bigger (but slower) cars like an E500.

Convince me guys and look forward to seeing your views!

Have you driven one yet? Thats all that was needed to convince me.

If you need convincing that the C55 is superior to the IS300 than perhaps you stick with your IS300.

I don't mean to be rude in any way, but if you need convincing than the C55 is simply just not for you. Good luck in your search.

C55 is superior in everything. not really complicated mods but can be more expensive than lexus. If you are comparing with E500, you should consider your family or the future family for size of the car. If you have more than 1 car, definitely get C55. C55 will make your day happy.

Faced with the same issue, I went E500 and C32;one for lux-sport sedan and one for sport-lux.

Both the entry level E-class and C55 AMG are much more expensive than your current IS300. I assume that you must want to "upgrade".

What do you want to upgrade into? A larger more luxurious sedan like the E350 or E500? or do you want to seriously increase your performance?

Be warned now, if you want luxury, the base E-class will feel substantially more upscale than even the top of the line C55. Other than the size difference, everything feels "more solid" and you're even more insulated from the world.

However, if you're not a big person and can tolerate the confines of a C-class, then the C55 is awesome. 0-60 in 5 seconds or less, 1/4 mile in low-to mid 13 seconds. Unlike what many people seem to assume, the car can handle VERY well. Just look at the slalom numbers and the g's it can pull in magazine tests. Yes, it doesn't quite "feel" as good as an M3 on the track, but there is no appreciable difference in objective grip and speed around a track.

Think of it as a 4 door M3 with slightly better ride (and slight sacrifice in handling "feel"), 2 extra doors for convenience, and much more low end torque such that you don't have to rev the engine so high to get the power.

If driven leisurely, it will behave like any other C-class, but if you want to play, it will blow 95% of the cars on the road away in a straightline AND in the curves.

The only negative is no manual gearbox, but that may or may not matter to you.

If you have 2 kids or less, it can also serve as an everyday car. Frankly, you can't carry any more people in a bigger E-class anyways.

Well "Put"
I am looking to get a C55 via selling my C32 or trading in my wife's Acura TL. I got such a great deal on my C32, that it going to hard for me to deal with a dealership

V8 > Your puny V6.

And don't say it's the same engine as the Supra. IIRC the bottom end isn't from the 2JZ. Anyways, that was a trashy engine. 1UZ-FE ALL THE WAY!

My brother has an IS300. And I just posted yesterday about how I test drove the C55. There really is no comparison.

The C55 looks better, handles better, has better performance, and it really feels bigger than the IS. It also has alot more Interior creature comforts than the IS. In my opinion the IS300 is a Japanese Jetta, which I'm not kocking at all - love the Inline 6 that is capable of some serious power with turbo. But frankly the C55 is in a different league. Your better off comparing the C230 with the IS.

BTW, My brothers was slightly modified with exhaust, wheels, coilovers, intake. And that thing is a SLUG compared to the C55.

If you know so much about the supra u would know its a I6 and not a V6. The block is the same as the supra btw.

I have just purchased a C55 and love the car first post BTW. A luxury car with great performance and nice curb appeal. I think if you drive the car it will make the choice for you. Not near as mod freindly as your IS but there is more then enough power wise out there for the C55 as well.

As for the IS as Blackc230 said its a 2jz-ge the same motor as the NA supra with a lot of little differences and VVTI. Many people running 600+rwhp out of the IS motor and if you wanted a 2jz-gte bottom end $1800 straight from Toyota gets you the TT short block.

It is the same block, you are correct. It's also an extremly reliable engine.

dragonAMG- have you ever driven for an IS? For the $$, it can't be beat. Granted, it's not blistering fast but more than fine for everyday driving. It's a car that can be counted on day in and day out.

Everyone I know who own's an MB, complains of the reliability, that's my main concern. For a +60K car, IMO things should run flawlessly.

Even though the C55 is a well balanced, fast car, my biggest issue is that it's still a C-Class, thus still small. That's my complaint with my IS, small. I could justify losing some speed for more room.

I would be upgrading in time, not right at the moment. Honestly, I'm really considering to just bite the bullet and go for an E55. I know, it's a HUGE jump, but I might be able to do it and that's the car I REALLY want.

Thanks for the opinions guys!!!

NVESTMNT,

If you just sit back and listen or read what you just said, you answered your own question. You do not car about speed or power and you want a vehicle that is very reliable for what you pay. I have a 1997 E420 bought new with less than 50,000 pampered miles on. I have spent over $8,000 in repairs on it that was incurred after the extended 7 yr. warranty ended. You should look for something other than a MB. What about the new M45 Infiniti??
I love power and speed plus luxury. The E55 was not in my league money wise, so it boiled down to the E500 or the C55. My 2006 C55 is in port and should be here by the end of the wk. Even with the MB's track record I still thing it is in a league all it's own.
Hope you the best in your decision, Bob

Good point! I've looked at the M45 and no doubt, a great buy. I'd surely consider it.

The current E55 is one of my favorite car's out!! I'd love to own one....

Yes, I have driven in one, not very impressed. But like you pointed out it's a 30k car and with that in consideration, it's nice.

I pose a question... I've heard many things about the reliability of MB's. In fact, I know two people (one with an 03 CLK and the other a 02 s430) both always in the shop. However, my buddy with a SL55 AMG, the other with a SL65 AMG and my C55 AMG, have never been to the shop once for anything other than routine maintenence. Could it been that the AMG line (being handcrafted) are just much better cars and don't have these MB "issues" that we hear so often about???

What do you think of the new IS? It's out now right? I think it's alittle bigger and quicker.

My 1997 E420 is an AMG one. It came with the AMG emblem in the center of the front spoiler with the round fog lights.

You make a great point and your logic could be 100% right. I'd be curious to find out.

begone- The new IS is coming out and personally, I don't like it. It's doesn't do it for me like the current model. It's too Toyotaish IMO.

Are you serious?

I don't. I'm just trying to be another arrogant BMW owner

E420 sport had the old E50/55 bodykit. Like the E430 that followed it had only cosmetic upgrade when you get the sport pkg.

anywayz, to the topic. I don't think he was ever comparing the IS to the C55, but rather comparing the C55 to the E500 because they are siimiliar in price. IMO if you are really throwing the E500 into consideration I would just get a E500 with the AMG sport pkg. Why? because based on what you have said and my guess is that it doesn't look like crazy performance is an issue for you, so luxury wise the E500 is much much better than the C-class. The C55/C-class has pretty much the same interior space with maybe just a little more rear leg room.

the part of the answer to your question is simple, you friend has a first year production W209. The S class might just be bad luck.

while you have an 05 C55 which the C-class has been in production since late 2000. pretty much all that could go wrong has been corrected over the years. same with the SL55/65 which I doubt they are the first year cars. (the 65 of course is definitely not a first year production SL-class.)

True, I never was comparing my IS to a C55, 2 separate things. You make a good point above. The E55 is of course, a lot more $$$ than a C55 or an E500. I've ridden in an E55 and I fell in love with it

My perfect setup would be a bigger car with more power. An E500 is still faster than my IS as well as bigger. But if I can get an E55, that would be the best! I want the size AND the power. That's why I question the C55.

a used 2003 E55 still cost a lot more than the new E500. Well, it's your decision. Hope you can find what you want at your price range

That is true but an E55 is still a viable option for me. THX for your help tho!!!