SteveL1

Still hunting for the right car, and happened to notice that the spread in prices between the C32's and C55's out there is around $10-15k. Is the cost difference really worth that much, just to get a 2-3 year newer car that has about the same performance? In my book, all cars of this caliber depreciate around $5000-7000 a year so they should keep that same spread over the next few years. I know that the C55's have an updated interior and come with the 18" wheels and rear spoiler, but what makes then worth that much more?

One side of me says to save the $$$ and use it for mods while the practical side says that the newer car is better for a daily driver.

2QUIK4U

Yes, in IMHO it is definitely worth the extra 10k. I would not just rely on a horsepower number as well as a 0-60 time to say that performance is the same. The cars are totally different and anyone who has driven both of them extensively will attest to that. The 5.5 V8 produces a driving dynamic that cannot be replicated with a supercharged V6. The low-end response and torque of the C55 is superior to many >$100K sports cars. In addition, the front end of the C55 is totally different than the C55, not to mention, the quad-exhaust.

I could go on and on, but the long an short of it is that the C55 is a superior automobile and the extra the $10K is well worth it.

C43AMG

I think you mean the C32 -but I get your point and I agree!

Kenzmbz

c55 > c32 All day and twice on sunday

SteveL1

I had not considered the extra low end that the V8 would produce over the 6, nor did I remember the frt. end difference. The most noticeable frt end change is the grill, but what else is different?

I guess it's time to go drive a C55 and feel the difference for myself. Hard to imagine that it will be quicker than the C32 that I test drove.

Vader13

Get the C32..It's had it's devalue already. When the W203 finally gets put to pasture the C55 will take a beating and remember this.
A C32 with a ODPK crushes a C55.
For 15K you are getting a stolen CLK nose, 20 more HP and DUEL exhaust in the C55.

cntlaw

Other characteristics you find only on the C55:

1. C55 AMG Speedshift actually allows you to hold on to a gear i.e. 'M' Mode

2. The CLK frontend of the C55 meaning you can use the CLK styling for mods, you can use C55/CLK carbon fibre hood, lips available already.

3. C55 is built based on a 2004 facelift (rather major) W203. Not only the interior is redesigned with a more modern styling closer to all the new Benz models such as SLK, ML; the C55 W203 driving dynamics has also been enhanced with incorporating the 'Direct Control' concept - a brand new tuning/setup of steering and suspension improving the handling department. What that means, despite W203 is an outgoing generation, however, C55 W203 is overall pretty 'technology advance'. A good example, I will not feel the C55 is one generation behind my E90 but actually it is.

4. And, almost forgotten to mention "there is no replacement of displacement" :p

Having said that, 10K is a lot of money; but it does not mean you will lose 10K more than the C32 when you sell the C55, if you know what I mean.

Good luck to your hunting.

SiLvaC32

for 10K, you can get Evosport stage II + quad exhaust n' have about 3-4Gs left over to do other things you want to do.

C32 have already depreciated as C55 haven't. so... if i were in your shoes, i'd get the C32.

BUT! if i had a choice right now, i'd get the C55 n' slap on a supercharger like lots of people have done on the board. =)

cntlaw

I agree. Get the cheapest AMG in town, and the extra bucks saved can be used to mod the hell out of it , soooo much fun. And, in a yr or 2, the entire line of W203 will be classic anyway.

Vader13

The C32 is not the cheapest AMG in town.

AMG_55

c55, its just a better car stock for stock, u can get a used 1 for mid to high 40's.
its time around the 'ring is the same as a m3, the c32 is like 20sec slower, there r major revisions on the sus. and steering.
as some1 said already "there is no replacement for displacement"
i test drove a c32 when they just came out and it didnt feel as fast as the #s claimed , my clk55 feels much faster

PC Valkyrie

What no one has mentioned so far is the fact that the C55 is a much better HANDLING car than the C32. Yes, the 5.4L V8 has a nice more linear powerband with a higher rev limit than the supercharged 3.2L V6, but the straightline performance is only marginally (if any) faster than the C32.

The REAL difference is the change in driving dynamics because of the extensive work MB and AMG did on the chassis, suspension/shocks, and steering. Stiffer suspension, wider front track, and more direct steering ratio makes the C55 a much more of a competitor to the benchmark M3 than the C32 ever was. Just check out any of the skidpad and slalom and Nurburgring lap times and you will see.

The C55's AMG speed shift transmission also has the extra "M" (manual) mode which allows full control of the gear selection, even if you bounce off the rev limiter.

Other things are just cosmetic: CLK front end, redesigned interior, quad exhuast, rear trunk spoiler, 18" stock AMG rims, etc.

The only downside to the C55 is a harsher ride than the C32 (because of the more aggressive suspension tuning).

SL BRABUS

the sound of the V8 are priceless........ :v

PC Valkyrie

This review from UK's Autocar magazine sums up the improvements of the C55 over the C32 nicely.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/FirstDrive_....asp?RT=206729

SteveL1

I also kinda thought about using the extra $10k to get a beater to drive each winter and then sell each spring. That would keep the mileage on the C32 down to around 10,xxx a year.

FrankW

I like the C32 for it's sentimental value for being the first supercharged AMG and first with the SpeedShift program. It had more emotional appeal to me than the C55. Stock for stock, C55 is indeed a better car in almost all catagory. The only thing I wish for is that there's a easier way to update the interior of the C32 to the new look.

As far as modification goes, the C32 hands down win the catagory. For exterior mods there's lot of choices for the C32 because it has the normal C. The C55 can only get the add-on from Carlsson or the front bumper from Brabus. For engine mods C32 can be tuned for 450hp for $5k while the C55 can be tuned to 500+, but at the cost of $15-20k.

IMO the choice is yours. For me I'm sticking with the C32 till moving on to the real next level. The C55 to me is just like the C43 that MB/AMG produces to bring up the sales volumn of a aging car that has little technological advancement over their predecessor. Remember both C43 and C55 came when W202 and W203 had the much needed mid-life facelift.

BlackC230Coupe

Just remember that if money was not an issue everyone would pick the C55 over the C32. But personally, i am picky and liked the newer interior and smaller touches like the wheels, exhaust, suspension, seats, and not to mention the V8.


I would try to find a C55 used, probably can get one low 40s like someone said. If money is tight, go for the C32, still a great car.

Vomit

The answer to your question is not black and white. I would ask yourself a few important questions:

1. Are you more interested in handling (C55) or ride (C32)?

2. Are you a power junkie who likes to mod? If so, the C32 is a great, relatively inexpensive mod platform. The C55 isn't bad, it just costs 2-3 times as much to mod.

3. Are you bothered by driving a superceded car (C32)?

4. How long do you plan to keep it? If you are going to sell in a year or two, you will probably take a bigger hit on the C55, which has not yet fully done the "MBZ depriciation tank." If you will keep the car for 5 years, then just buy whichever one you like better, cuz 5 years is a long time to be thinking "shoulda-coulda."

5. Styling (interior and exterior) are subjective. I personally like the C55 rear spoiler, but am not wild about the front-end treatment. The interiors are a wash in my book but, again, you need to subjectively evaluate your tastes.


IMO, if someone stuck the two cars in front of me, with the same miles and in the same condition, but the C32 was $10K cheaper, I would go with the C32 and buy a daily driver convertible, like a previous-generation SLK (not sure if you can get them that cheap, so maybe a convertible Mustang GT or older Vette).

Marko

It's not worth the $10K, in my opinion.

Several people have touched on this already, but the mod factor is through the roof on the C32 and null on the C55, basically. Also, I find the new(er) steering wheel in the C55 to be on the ugly side. The C55 hasn't finished it's depreciation yet, either.

Drive them both, and make up your mind based on your OWN personal
observations. Best of luck!

KRob3

Tough choice. I love my C32, but have never driven a C55. I think the best advice on the board is drive both cars, figure out how long you are going to own the car, make the best decision for YOU, not based on what others post.

FrankW - you said you could tune the C32 to 450hp for $5k, where can you do this?

DirkAMGDiggler

C32 all the way.






















wink wink....I have a silver 2002 for sale.... wink wink

Childish///AMG

I would get the "C32" enuff said

cntlaw

Hey, you should know I was talking current generation , right?

NY C32

I would get the C55 for many of the reasons stated above.

Another nice thing about getting a C32 or any pre-2004 MB is the maintanance is included. (small thing but important to many)

V12Godspeed

I love my C32, I like the C55. it all comes down to money and minor performance. If had to choose I would go with the C32. It is the first supercharged AMG in the W203 class after all. Remember depreciation has no forgiveness...