FrankW

good choices.

TopGun32

G35 coupe, and add 2 turbos!

this car looks good and it will run with just about anything.

cheap... around 35k... 10k in mods.. and you are game.


now if you want class and power .... CLK55 or SLK55.

You don't need 4 doors.

jgsx

G35s is a VERY nice car for someone in high school or in college. It's a nice car for a fresh college grad, but it isn't anything special. A heavily modded G35 has potential to be a real quick car, but it won't do it with finesse.

Carl Lassiter

Pre-emptive explanation for amgmark: his first sentence is another example of sarcasm.

sdsilverm3

Your C55K did though.

SteveL

If you like he privious CLK55, why not consider it. You should be able to pick one up for a resonable price and they are great cars, fast and great looking. Plus you get an AMG.

PC Valkyrie

I don't want to bring this thread completely off topic, but what you say may not be true.

When the E46 M3 came out, it was faster around Nurburgring than the E39 M5. Even though the current E60 M5 is significantly faster than the E46 M3, I would wait for the new E90/92 M3. Many people are predicting that the new V8 M3 will be faster than the E60 M5 around the Nurburgring (just like the E46 M3 was faster than the E39 M5 when it came out).

Just look at the RS4. Less powerful than the E60 M5, but it is faster around the ring because it handles better.

Looking at the W211 E55's relatively low skidpad grip numbers and slalom speeds from instrumented tests from Road & Track, it is very likely that the W211 E55 is quite a bit slower than the E60 M5 around a track. So it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility that the E46 M3 and W203 C55 are faster than the W211 E55 around a track, especially a shorter track with tight curves and not too many straights. Too bad we'll never know, as Sport Auto has never tested the W211 E55 around the Nurburgring.

With the Direct Control upgrades the facelifted E-class is getting, I wouldn't be surprised if the E63 handles significantly better than the E55 (just like how the Direct Control upgrades significantly improved the handling of the C55 vs C32).

jgsx

There used to be a point when I cared about how fast a car went around a track -- then I grew up. I don't see myself ever touching a track again. I hate to say it, but straight line performance is what I notice most when I drive. That's why I picked the C32 over the M3, it accelerates better, and can easily be modified to accelerate much hard than the M3. The car obviously needs to be able to handle above average, but nothing crazy. I don't hook corners or accelerate on hairpin onramps like I used to when I was a teenager.

amgmark

Thanks for breaking it down for me..

PC Valkyrie

I agree with you.....I don't take my car to the track regularly either. Just like most BMW owners don't take their cars onto the track.

For most people, it's just about bragging rights to see who has the "superior" car.....LOL

And for me, the C55 does most things pretty well.

amgmark

I was just messing around man.. I had a v6 Toyota a few years back..

transferred

ive been hangin around on this site viewing for ages but ive just took the plunge.
killed a few amgs in my time but the since the kompressor came in they have got so quick. they dont track well due to the transmisssion but i agree barely any people track now. i like the s4, a friend has an 04. nice sleeper and eng
ine sound
any of you guys ran an e46? details? we alwayz wanna play

jgsx

Right, I agree. The way most people test this is by doing a straight line run, because most normal people don't challenge each other on a track, but on the highway on the way home from the office.

Carl Lassiter

Was just kidding.
Am I right in saying your C32 has done 95k miles? Good to see such a capable car put to use. Did you buy it new? Is it stock?
I bet you've had some good times along the way.
I saw magazine test results for the stock C32 at 4.6 secs 0-60 and 10.8 0-100. It was even quicker than the C55, though i'm guessing the C55 would have the edge on a rolling start.
Are they going to offer a C63? If so, I hope the new RS6 is available by then or I'll be looking the other way at the lights!

Welcome newbie. M3s are nice. It's a shame there's so many about, but they still command a double-take from me. They look so aggressive, especially in a dark color. In my opinion the manual version M3 is even more fun to drive than the S4 and AMG, but I went for an S4 as, like the AMGs, they're so easy to drive on an everday basis.
You can't go wrong with C32/55, M3 or S4.

adismo

its all good. never was offended really, just suprised that my sarcasm didnt register....

well anyways....

went to BMW dealer to have another gander at M3. its bloody fast, frighteningly so. its at home flying around the corners at 80, but not with me in it. im just going to climb out of it and walk to a safe distance.

the C55 seems to be the right fit; it was faster, smoother, and much more comfortable. but i will talk about it more once i get the damn thing.

Question: MB dealer said they will not make 2007 C55, i.e. they have stopped production. anyone know if this is true? thanks.

FrankW

there are some comparisons between the RS6 and the E55's etc. E55 handles better than most people would think.

the E39 M5 is in the era of W210 E55. if you compare that the C32 and C55 is significantly faster than that. The E46 M3 is quicker than the E39 M5 due to weight ratio. However I really don't see how this has to do with E60 M5/W211 E55 comparing to the E46 M3 and W203 C55. Cars are always improving...newer cars are usually better is already a given.

I think it's BestMotoring that tested the E60 M5 vs the E46 M3 and other cars on track, the E60 M5 is a lot quicker until it's tire start to give out at the end of the race when the lighter cars start to catch up in the corners. On the straight the power of the M5 just pulls away. This was a fairly short track I remember. If you put the E55 and C55 on the same track the effect would be similar. Autocross would be a different story as very very tight turns are involved.

it's all good...great discussions. The C55 indeed is better than the C32 in stock form. the C55 steering feels a little light tho...or i'm just used to the C32's over heavy steering...LOL

FrankW

i've molested e46 M3 in the straights, but got owned in Angeles Crest by the M3...

even tho I've got the coilovers, there are stuff still left to be desired.

amgmark

Yup, just crossed 95k miles.. I am actually the third owner, bought the car with about 85k miles.. got a great deal and it was still under warranty to 100k.

Even though I have only put 10k miles on the car I have enjoyed just about every minute, except when it wouldn't start at the car wash because of the crank sensor..

The car had a full Brabus suspension when I bought it. It's funny cause the guy I bought it from allegedly had no idea, so I assume that the first owner added it.

Since then I have added SLK55 wheels, tint, green filters, a bunch of Brabus interior stuff, bi-xenons, tinted tail and blinker lights, c55 spoiler, CF front lip and I am about to add a C55 dual exhaust next week and hopefully headers and pulley kit soon.

My car has had just about all the typical issues replaced or fixed.. whole new front end bearings, thrust arms, bushings, rebuilt tranny, new supercharger, water pump.. basically you name it..

PC Valkyrie

Good to have these discussions too.....

You think the C55's steering is a bit light? At slow speeds, I find it's so damn heavy (excessively so, IMO). At higher speeds, it feels OK.

Here are some Nurburgring lap times from Sport Auto of some cars of interest to this discussion (from quickest to slowest). The RS6 was not as quick as I thought it would be. It's really too bad they never tested the W211 E55. I would have really liked to know where it stands in relation to these cars. My suspicion is that it would fall somewhere around the time of the RS6. It doesn't handles as well as the lighter RS6, but the E55's straightline advantage may compensate.

B7 RS4: 8.09 minutes
E60 M5: 8.13 minutes
?? RS6: 8.20 minutes
E46 M3: 8.22 minutes
W203 C55: 8.22 minutes
B5 RS4: 8.25 minutes
E39 M5: 8.28 minutes
W203 C32: 8.37 minutes

Carl Lassiter

Sounds SWEET!

A couple of questions...
1. Anyone get annoyed by Merc making the sport kit fitted on every 230k in L.A.? It looks good, but I find it too hard to differentiate them from the C55, unless I see the pipers. I realise the C55 is slightly flared at the front but it is tricky. Styling on C55 is spot on subtle, so I think its a bit of a cheek for benz to let ppl spending half as much to have acar that looks as good.
People do it with S-lines, i saw a 2.0t one with chrome mirrors the other day. They even have the gray, double spoked grill too.
Good luck to people who mod, i just think it's bad form for the manufacturers to sell them and an easy way to make a quick dollar.
Views?

2. What's with lesser models taking us on? A new 3.2 A4 tried to run me today, it wass busy traffic and I just laughed. Is it the dealer telling them "this model is just as quick as ???" to secure the sale.
I don't mind a 330i or C320 trying it, but someone within the same brand just seems dumb.

FrankW

yea, it was pretty light when i drove friend's car to the left of mine

Moviela

Carl, my view is that they should sell what ever rings the register. It is so much harder to tell the difference between cars on the road today, because they all resemble jelly beans anyway.

The '55's are terribly overpriced, and the resale value shows it. A year old E55 that went out the door for 90K now brings about the same as a fully equipped new C55.

If you drive an AMG and want to make sure everyone knows, order the taxi package, and there will be wiring to the roof for a huge illuminated sign that you can display the sales designation, ie "C55 AMG" on one side, and the MSRP on the other.

transferred

1-Right on Carl. sports packs are a pain in the ***. not quite as bad as S500 amgs or 325Ms though! M3 survives the best amongst the sport pack brigade though as it looks comprehensively different to the lesser models.
2- I smashed a 330ci just yesterday, and i had a car full. Guy was a poser and thought he was the sh**.

rockgt302

If you are looking for a C55 I have a 2005 thats for sale, or assume my lease. Its a pewter C55 with charcoal interior. Like new cond. My email is rockgt302@optonline.net if you are interested. I dont check here much so email is the best way to get me. The reason Im selling is due to the need of a truck, cant have 3 payments.