New C32 owner, ex S4 owner (B4)
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Rhode Island
2004 E55
New C32 owner, ex S4 owner (B4)
Hello everyone, I picked up a 2002 C32 last Tuesday. The car was $27,900, has 25,500 miles and has most of the options (no Nav or Sunshade). I was very pleased with the price and jumped on it the moment I found it 
I used to own a chipped (GIAC) 2001 6spd S4. Comparing the two cars seems almost unfair, as the C32 is levels better it IMHO. Speed wise the S4 could probably take the C32 off the line until about 40, but then the power goes to the C32 in a big way. The top end on this Benz is suprising to me, it would have blown the doors off of my S4. The first time I floored the car on the hwy I started laughing thinking out loud, this car is sick!! The interior on the C32 is much more comfortable and IMO much nicer looking. The BOSE stereo is much much nicer. The S4 was definatly better in the corners, I believe a combination of it's lighter (> 400 ish lb) body and AWD dynamics. All and all I love this new car and I plan to keep it for many years to come. Now that I have a automatic tranny I really do not miss driving a manual, I thought I would but, nope... RWD in a NE winter however take some getting use to.
Anyways, nice forum you guys have here. Years back I logged in close to 9000 posts on maxima.org (the max was my first love), I was even a moderator. I had a Supercharged 5spd Infiniti I30 which was pretty sick and also 2 maxima's. These days I have little time to play with cars and post but I will be keeping a eye on things
-Ethan
I used to own a chipped (GIAC) 2001 6spd S4. Comparing the two cars seems almost unfair, as the C32 is levels better it IMHO. Speed wise the S4 could probably take the C32 off the line until about 40, but then the power goes to the C32 in a big way. The top end on this Benz is suprising to me, it would have blown the doors off of my S4. The first time I floored the car on the hwy I started laughing thinking out loud, this car is sick!! The interior on the C32 is much more comfortable and IMO much nicer looking. The BOSE stereo is much much nicer. The S4 was definatly better in the corners, I believe a combination of it's lighter (> 400 ish lb) body and AWD dynamics. All and all I love this new car and I plan to keep it for many years to come. Now that I have a automatic tranny I really do not miss driving a manual, I thought I would but, nope... RWD in a NE winter however take some getting use to.
Anyways, nice forum you guys have here. Years back I logged in close to 9000 posts on maxima.org (the max was my first love), I was even a moderator. I had a Supercharged 5spd Infiniti I30 which was pretty sick and also 2 maxima's. These days I have little time to play with cars and post but I will be keeping a eye on things
-Ethan
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
welcome to the forum and congrats with the purchase of the car.
btw, I think you meant you have the B5 S4 with the 2.7biturbo. lol The chip on the S4 would've easily gave that car another 50hp. One of my friend has an auto one it's pretty fun to drive still.
btw, I think you meant you have the B5 S4 with the 2.7biturbo. lol The chip on the S4 would've easily gave that car another 50hp. One of my friend has an auto one it's pretty fun to drive still.
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C32 AMG
I sold an A6 2.7T (same engine as your S4) that was also chipped. I agree with all of your comparison points with the following additions or disagreements:
> The AMG interior is very functional, but mighty cheap compared to the Audi interior. My A6 had a birds-eye wood that was stunning; and the metal trim inside used a tint and texture like none I've ever seen.
> The C32 engine is a monster. The 2.7T was a peaky motor, and when chipped it gave quite a rush from 2,000 to 4,000 RPM, but the C32 is stronger across the board. I also hope that the C32 engine is less finicky and prone to failure. The C32 is also 500 lbs. lighter than my A6.
> Handling on the C32 is hampered by a weak wheel/tire setup and I hope to fix it by de-staggering the tires (245s all around on 8-1/2" wide wheels). After that, I'd think about a rear stabilizer bar. Basically, these cars understeer; but dynamically, they have more potential than the A4/A6 because they are true, RWD cars.
> The AMG interior is very functional, but mighty cheap compared to the Audi interior. My A6 had a birds-eye wood that was stunning; and the metal trim inside used a tint and texture like none I've ever seen.
> The C32 engine is a monster. The 2.7T was a peaky motor, and when chipped it gave quite a rush from 2,000 to 4,000 RPM, but the C32 is stronger across the board. I also hope that the C32 engine is less finicky and prone to failure. The C32 is also 500 lbs. lighter than my A6.
> Handling on the C32 is hampered by a weak wheel/tire setup and I hope to fix it by de-staggering the tires (245s all around on 8-1/2" wide wheels). After that, I'd think about a rear stabilizer bar. Basically, these cars understeer; but dynamically, they have more potential than the A4/A6 because they are true, RWD cars.
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From: Troy, IL (near St. Louis, MO)
2019 E63s AMG
Flash the ECU and get a pulley kit for your C32 and have some fun in Dyno mode (technology off).
Dyno Mode off - 317RWHP - 327RWTQ autocross run
The power difference after plugs, filter, Flash, pulleys was sizable. Left about 20+ FT of tiremarks on Top 2nd turn on that autocross.. crazy power
Dyno Mode off - 317RWHP - 327RWTQ autocross run
The power difference after plugs, filter, Flash, pulleys was sizable. Left about 20+ FT of tiremarks on Top 2nd turn on that autocross.. crazy power
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
alumar, which ECU chip do you have? seems a little low with both pulley and ecu for those numbers compare to Evosport's numbers.
Here is Evosport's C32 dyno run with pulley along.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=ODPS
Here is Evosport's C32 dyno run with pulley along.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=ODPS
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Rhode Island
2004 E55
Originally Posted by alumar
Flash the ECU and get a pulley kit for your C32 and have some fun in Dyno mode (technology off).
I have put some thought into changing the pulleys on the car, however it seems like a lot of people are having problems with it. I enjoy a reliable car these days as I have played big in the past and I had to pay dearly.
Regarding the S4 VS C32 interior. I found the layout of the S4's interior to be a bit ugly personaly and dated looking (as specialy with all of the red lights). I did however think the materials where solid, with the exception of the arm rest pleather. I do understand that people consider Audi interiors "the standard" though, so I probably just have a strange opinion.
Thanks for the welcome, and yep, the S4 I had B4 was a B5
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Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 725
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From: Troy, IL (near St. Louis, MO)
2019 E63s AMG
Originally Posted by FrankW
alumar, which ECU chip do you have? seems a little low with both pulley and ecu for those numbers compare to Evosport's numbers.
Here is Evosport's C32 dyno run with pulley along.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=ODPS
Here is Evosport's C32 dyno run with pulley along.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...highlight=ODPS
Renntech Flash
Actually the guys there said it was actually really good
The evosport on that diagram you shown is 315RWHP and 296RWTQ
My dyno was 317RWHP, 327RWTQ (on sunco 102) ASP Pulley/Filters/Plugs/Renntech flash... the fuel maybe was a few HP, but not a ton i dont think
Last edited by alumar; Jun 22, 2006 at 09:20 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Originally Posted by alumar
Flash the ECU and get a pulley kit for your C32 and have some fun in Dyno mode (technology off).
I don't understand how you could run in Dyno Mode. When the C32 is in Dyno Mode it is unresponsive - shifting is completely out of wack, i.e. cannot manually downshift to first, can't brake torque, etc. What are you doing differently to make it useful?
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 725
Likes: 4
From: Troy, IL (near St. Louis, MO)
2019 E63s AMG
Originally Posted by m3_eater
I don't understand how you could run in Dyno Mode. When the C32 is in Dyno Mode it is unresponsive - shifting is completely out of wack, i.e. cannot manually downshift to first, can't brake torque, etc. What are you doing differently to make it useful?
I have the exact oppisite of what you say, maybe its broke? In Dynomode the power delivery from 1st to 2nd seems much much better (when I am in standard mode with ESP off, the car will spin some (1st gear) then shift into 2nd gear, thereby killing the power, almost like its still in an antislip mode).
Shifting on the autocross is kinda rare, depending what lot im running on, most of the events im in 2nd the whole time.
Maybe this was all changed with the reflash? All i know is the torque difference feels more intense with dynomode off.
My stock numbers were near (to the wheel) 280TQ, now at 327, the tires have no problem breaking loose...now obviously this is not good if your trying to be competitive in almost anything besides drifting, but after a few good autocross runs, i like having a (fun) run.
