So I just picked up a certified car with 18k, new tires, extended warranty, factory certified for 44k. Edmunds values the car at 49k. BTW it has every option except the gross wood which I do not care for. Thoughts on the deal? The only killer that I have is the stupid CA sales tax. At least I am paying the lower 7% rate being in SD.

Here is the Edmunds breakdown:


2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG 4dr Sedan (5.4L 8cyl 5A)
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $38,355 $41,464 $44,007
Optional Equipment $2,269 $2,421 $2,830
Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers $187 $199 $233
Xenon High Intensity Discharge Headlights $293 $312 $365
Navigation System $1,176 $1,256 $1,468
Headlight Cleaners $107 $114 $133
AM/FM/CD Changer Audio System $266 $284 $332
Power Rear Sunshade $240 $256 $299
Color Adjustment
Gray $130 $141 $150
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 92106 $81 $87 $93
Mileage Adjustment
18,000 miles $-60 $-60 $-60
Condition Adjustment
Clean $0 $0 $0
Total $40,775 $44,053 $47,020


Certified Used Vehicle $50,074

Price Another Vehicle

 

so... where the hell are the pictures???






congrats.. i luv c55 and its v8

 

not a bad dealer price if it is CPOd. As for private market, could have gotten for 38-41K.

 

Gross wood?

I dunno, I like the whole dark look of the interior with the minimal chrome accents.

 

Congrats on the new car and welcome aboard.

I like the dark look as well. The aluminum trim just looks a little cheap to me.

 

Congrats for the C55..If u dont mind me asking, where did u get your C55? TIA

 

Sorry for not chiming in again. I guess the email notification has an old address or something as I haven't been on here for 4 years or so since I had my c43. I did get the car cp0'd. I will post pics tomorrow after I pick it up

 

congrats! welcome back...

 

yes, post pics. I wish my used C55 I bought had navi.

 

Hello SPR:

Provide pics of the 'gross' wood - I'd consider trading my metal panels with you if you're comfortable swapping panels, and care to.

 

I think you may of read his post incorrectly...he said he got everything but the wood trim

 

7%!! LOL!!! Try living in Chicago. I bet NYC is even higher...

 

I also like the dark wood... The metal looks cheap too me and doesn't provide enough contrast. To each their own though right?

 

I like the wood with light interior colors, but prefer the aluminum in a black/black C55 like my wife's. It's sportier and the dark wood is too much dark.

For some reason the walnut in the black interior in my S-class looks ok to me. Maybe because the interior is larger. I don't know why they always use dark walnut with black but light chestnut in light S-class interiors. I'd think the contrast of doing it opposite would look good. But then I'm not much of an interior decorator.

 

Agreed. I have the ash interior so I think that is why I like it so much. Contrast is always a good thing.

 

Pictures please.

 

My C55 is all black with the aluminum trim. My E320 sport also was all black with the black birdseye maple. The aluminum does look better in the C55. My S is a 430 sport. It is pewter with black interior. S430s normally come with Calpyus and my did. It is rather light compared to walnut and is a nice contrast but not too light. I think the chestnut in a black interior is too light but that is just my opinion.

 

Well when I test drove the 03 CLK55, their "metal" trim looked really cheap and seemed like painted plastic to me. Plus the only new black on black C55 within a reasonable distance was this fully loaded one with the Birdseye...at first I didn't think I was going to like the look of wood in a "sporty" car, but it has really grown on me!

Also, in the SLK brochure it says that the AMG has aluminum trim while the regular ones have metallic trim...does this mean MB is still using the cheapo looking faux metal?

 

Is this it? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

 

that's a nice color. I still haven't seen any other C55's around here in the Denver area. These things are like hard to come by or no one buys them here. You see all kinds of M3's though.

 

Yup that's the car I just picked up today. I'm pretty beat needless to say from all the driving. I agree with eveyone on not really digging the lighter wood the darker birdseye black wood is ok but I like the silver however it seems that you can scratch it a bit. I can't believe how hard this car pulls!!! I am coming from a 99 911, and the power difference is pretty apparent. Anyone want my 911? heh.

 

I thought auto sales tax was 6.25% in the entire Illinois. That's what I paid . . .

 

Do you live in the city of Chicago? I leased my C55 in a suburb and paid the 6.25 and when I moved to Chicago a few months later I got charged another 4% or so. I've talked to MB about it twice now and they insist this is how it's done in the city of Chicago. SUX.

If you live in Chicago I'd love to know how much tax you paid. Maybe we can talk over PM.

 

Ok so I have a few questions:

What do you guys run your tire pressure out to dial out the understeer? I picked the car up with the tires set at like 30/34 I think. Anyways I put it to factory 33/37 and it understeers like a pig now. I am thinking of dropping the fronts to 31 or 30. Thoughts?

Also so I was reading about the ipod kit. It seems pretty easy to install actually, but do I need to have the dealer use the computer to make it work since I have command?

Regarding the serius radio. Is this also something I can install for the most part and or have the dealer enable it via the computer as well???

I would really like to save the dough if I can and do the work myself.

Anyone have a DIY on both installs?

Lastly for the V1 install what is really the best way? I read about running a wire to the back fuse box or tapping off the overhead console. However the former requires some wierd fuse deal as well as a longer cord, and the latter seems to create some problems with the normal operation of the overhead components.

Thoughts on everything? Also I have a new set of conti contisport 2's on the car how do those tires compare to what everyone else has or comes with the vehicle? I read about them on tire rack and they seem pretty decent.

Oh, another issue what's up with the bass on the stereo vibrating everything sooo much and making it resonate and sound poorly? I rented a new s40 volvo and the stereo although simular as a logic 7 setup CLOWNED the c55's it is amazing how deep the bass on that thing went whereas the bass response on our cars is limited and creates a nasty resonance-

Cocnerning the interior- I noticed some moron was hauling a tire and it must have had oil on it because there is a yellowing in the pattern of a tire tread and looks the color of light oil on the rear seat leather. What is the best method to clean? I am familiar with lexol and letherique, but with what? clean cloth, any other tricks to get it out? I wouldn't want to just try that when something else would have maybe worked before etc.

Otherwise I LOVE the car it flat out moves when you are on the freeway, and if you floor it it slingshots around cars like a 993tt. (my dad has one and I have driven it often, my old car is a 996 c2)

also is there a way to add a bluetooth module to be able to use my phone with steering controls etc?

Thanks I want to get that stuff resolve as it is really bothering me!

 

6.25%

I live in chicago, I paid 9%