TopGun32

i was thinking about this lately.....


i'm ready to sell my C32 for a E55. My biggeset gripe of our cars is the lack of 6 or 7 speed across all the AmG line up except SLK55.

I know the new 6.2L engine will be paired with a new AMG programmed 7sp, but until then we are stuck with a the 5sp.

So i'm was thinking that for about a price of a slightly used or New C55, you can send your car to Kleeman or RennTech and modify a C350 with a manual or 7 sp automatic. They would touch the suspension and a the brakes.

The result should be a easy 420hp+/- , daily driver + sleeper, with 1 or 2 extra gears and with potential for more power than a C32.

We all know that a C55 can become a beast if given to Kleeman, but it lacks the gearing when compared to new M5 or new upcoming 4.0L m3 or RS4. The C350 would never be a M5 but it could fare better until the new Class comes out and at much lower price point.

Also, the same can apply to a newer CLK500 or E500 with a 7 sp. However the price point becomes alot higher.

here is my basic assumption:
$40k + $15k in mods = a nice C35 from Kleeman or RennTech and 7 spd or manual.

down side, NO AMG brand in the vehicle.

AMG_55

do it.
black c350 w/ all the badging and chrome painted black
kleeman s/c and engine work
kw coilovers
h&r sway bars
hre wheels, in black of course
brembo brakes, in red
it will have a better balance than any current amg car also
this should cost about 20k
killing amg's in a regular c class is priceless

FrankW

if you are willing to trade the C32 in for the C350 that means you are willing to spend the extra $10k for car + $15k for mods. With $25k...get RENNTech stuff or Brabus conversions.

Zeppelin

Why trade a C32 with only 30K miles on it for a C350 w/supercharger. It is the exact same car. The C350 will not have more performance potential because the motor can only handle 6 or 8 psi before the head's blow off The C32 was built for boost.

AMG_55

go w/ kleeman, they do s/c the best. its their specialty

TopGun32

true...

the new 3.5 is not built internally to handle boost... therefore at a certain point it will max out.

The 3.2 can be modified to about 425 to 450hp, after that there is not much else to do.

I think the 3.5 is alot more torquey down low, and will have probably a better power band than the 3.2. The 3.2 feels weak down, granted that I'm stock. But the car doesn't feel it has 332 Lbs TQ until it hits 4000rpms..

It will definately be a sleeper...

Also the 7sp tranny would not have AMG programming, so it will shift a bit slower. But the manual tranny should be fun....

RWD+ Manual+ Kompressor on a small benz! As we all know, manual make more power to the ground.

Just food for thought!

I'm still going for the E55, i just need the space for my 2 little boys and the wife.

FrankW

kleemann supercharger for the V6 is not nearly as good as their supercharger for the V8. ask brabuscclass, you would know.

Vadim @ evosport

Top Gun: 3.5L is new design with 4-valve heads that will be coming to V8s in 2006. As far as I know there are no SC kits for this engine from anyone. So FI is not be even an option.

On the other hand a C32 with 435HP is not that far off from W211 E55 in acceleration and with the suspension mods a lot better in handling.

TopGun32

I hear you Vadim.... and thanks for the info on the new 3.5l design.

I really would like to keep the C32, but I need the extra room in the rear for the kids.

The C32 is a great car, but it has it flaws that can be addresses by suspension mods and of course a ODPS and chip + headers and SL55 splitter.

FrankW

I don't know how's C350/55 or CLK55's gonna help if you are looking for more rear room.

pshek

How about a 2005 C320 C-coupe with 6spd MT? That would be a good starting point. You would spend about $12,000 on a Kleeman supercharger for the M112 engine, and a couple more grand on headers, pulley, chip, exhaust. It would probably make close to 400hp, and you would be able to get a better handling car for less than a new C350, which doesn't even have any supercharger kits yet. I saw a 2005 C320 MT coupe on ebay with only 2175 miles on it on ebay today. The thing I like about my coupe is I can haul a lot of stuff in the hatchback.

Another possibility is to swap a C32 motor into a used C230K C-coupe with 6spd. There are plenty of those on the market and they sell for much less, about $18K. Get a C-coupe without a pano roof, and you would save at least 100lb in weight reduction; ie even better handling.

mashimaro1985

Get the C350 send it to brabus for engine tuning^^ 4.0 335 hp Add diff lock and then it would kill m3s and clk55 and also kill c55s ^^ hehe~!

TopGun32

my first post stated that i'm shopping for a E55....

I started this thread as a conversation or food for thought.

just to clarify.

benzmodz

Stock E55 sells for more than a C class with ultra performance even if the horse power is the same.

If money is an issue, it does seem to be a consideration then consider your resale.

SiLvaC32

why not get a C55 and supercharge it + 6 speed conversion??

AMG_55

no it wont

Vadim @ evosport

In that case an 03' E55 might be a good choice. Some are now down in $60sK range, just what you wanted to spend. And then there is allways more power to be had in the future.