Vomit

Edmunds says it is, and gives pretty specific dates for releases, but they are probably wrong and you are right.

As for your "Who would buy" question, just look at the current situation with the E55 and S55. According to your logic, MBZ must not be selling any S55s, because "Who would buy the S if the E has the same engine?" Funny, because I see alot of S55s (probably more than E55s) on the road.

My guess is that, with the 63, AMG will follow their precedent set with the E and S55 and offer slightly more power from the same 63 motor for the more expensive vehicles. Currently the S55, CL55 and the E55 share motors, but AMG squeezes a few more ponies out for the S so as to justify its substantially higher (than the E) pricetag. I think that we will see a S63 with something like 540 HP, an E63 with approx. 510 HP, and a C63 and CLK63 with 480 or so HP. This way, production costs are minimized, yet the buyers of the more expensive classes can feel like they got something extra for the $30K more that they spent (relative to the next class down).

CRB

Most manual lovers wouldn't even bother asking this question. No clutch...no dice.

mick1

I concur

MSGHockey

Get an Audi S4 in Manual Tranny... Problem Solved

cntlaw

Yes, he does not need another C-class especially W203 is fading out.
if life is that simple we would be walking instead of being Benz-ed.
What we 'like' is not exactly what we would eventually pay for.

I am now in a damn situation to decide moving from an Accord 2.4 to a A3 2.0, GTI 2.0, 325i , 320i and a 330i. GTI seems to be sensible choice if I cannot be 100% sure with other ones, as at least it is the cheapest and the one with most fun (as opposed to the most boring car in the world - Accord 2.4) :p

Jeffy

Just got back from Labor Day weekend and WRECKED my left knee on the wakeboard. DOH! I sure am getting older, but not much wiser. Anyway, that fancy auto trans would sure have come in handy on the way into work this morning.

Thanks everyone so much for the great feedback and opinions. Due to our love of true manuals and the possible pending C63 I am probably going to go with the C350 for the next year. 53 more HP for no (or very little) cost increase is too good a deal to pass up. I'll have the wife test drive the C55 just in case and if she just HAS to have it... Well then there ya go.

Thanks again for your replies.

-Jeff

P.S. As far as the Audi S4... I don't like the exterior looks nor interior styling and... I don't get an employee price on Audi.