So does anyone else find it irratating that MB has decided to make the 07 C Class sport versions look exactly like the C32 AMG? (Minus the AMG wheels) They now come with an amg exhaust, body kit, and a trunk spoiler.. I keep thinking I spotted a C32 only to get closer to see its a regular C class sport model. UG..

Just venting..

 

If you want to stand out it's bad news. If you want to blend in however...

 

Hey they have to find a way to sell these cars right? What better way then to make it look like the mighty one. It will give others an excuse to say they killed a c32/55 one day....lol Price being a factor they should not make them look alike completely or close. The M3 looks apart from a regular 330 and to make them similar it cost good money......so they should have kepted the c32/55 exclusive more then they permitted.

 

They started doing that since '05 models. Sorry to say that, you're about 2.5 years too late to recognize that..... However, I believe the sport sedans still have single exhaust instead of dual exhaust.

On the other hand, the new CLK500 and 550 with AMG package looks identical to pre-facelift CLK55.

 

Yeah, this bugs me too. The AMG brand gets diluted when they slowly apply the "upgrades" to the other models. If you want people to pay a big premium, you'd better make the car stand out.

Audi does it to. They put out a 1.8t A4 (200HP) that had the body kit and wheels of the S4.

You'll never see another 3 series that looks like the M3.

 

Yes the 05's and up look similar but they have the 5 spoke wheels which is a dead giveaway and so is the single exhaust. The 07's now have the dual tip AMG exhaust as well as the spoiler.. The 07 sport wheels are actually pretty cool compared to the other stock c class wheels too..

Since I have a c55 exhaust and many many mods its unlikely I will be confused with a regular C class.. but in my opinion the AMG body kit should only be availble for AMG cars!! Just like the M3 has it's own styling. I don't really care too much about the other options.. its the body kit that is really disappointing..

Oh well...

 

yeah, although I have one, I agree that the AMG body kit should have been exclusive to the AMG lineup. It's wierd because they only do this with the C and CLK.

 

e1000 - Every Benz has this. For the 2007 CLS and E-Class the AMG option is free! You can either have a luxury look, or AMG look for a E350/E500/CLS550. Also the S-Class (S550) has an AMG package for $5,600 extra.

Yes you will. When the M3 comes out it'll look like the 335 (with some added accessories) and you can add those accessories to your 335 when they are released, they'll be a special package for it (M-Accessories). Also note that the 'ZHP' 330i Coupe did look quite similar to the M3 -- it would have looked exactly the same but the M3 is bigger (engine and chasis), therefore the parts don't fit, but they did their best to give the M-Look. Take a 2003 540i Sport -- looks exactly like the M5, there are only 2 slight external differences (most people don't know). You can even make a new 2007 BMW 530i look like an 2007 M5. You can make an S550 look like an S65 -- so should the S65, M5, and M3 owners feel bad? I don't think so -- don't be so vain people, what matters is inside the engine. If you want to feel 'special or exclusive' buy a Ferrari, there's no kit for that!

Also note, at the end of the production cycle of the car/model, usually manufactures do this (offer body styling accessories). And quite frankly, even if I drove a C32/C55 -- not that I would, I wouldn't mind in the least (just in case you think I'm defending this because I drive a C320 --- cause I only drive cars with 3-pedals).


Tee_Tz.

 

I'll believe that when I see it. Historically, the M3 had wheels/tires that required fender flares.

 

Not even just wheels, the M3 looks different period from every other 3er (E46 at least).
There was the powerdome on the hood, the vents on the side, the fender flares of course, the rear exhausts. All of it combined to make it look different than even a 330i with the M-Accessories.

 

Last time I checked the M3 has an exclusive body kit and fenders.. Sure you can make your regular 3 series look like an M3, but they don't sell them to look the same. That is the point..

I have never mistaken a non M BMW for an M series.. quite the opposite for AMG's..

 

They'll never make a fake C55 though!

Sorry C32 owners...at least feel good that your engine is better!

 

a debadged C32 will fool the others. while a badged 2007 c230 SS is fooling others!

I think the SS exhaust is just AMG tips. not really amg exhaust.

C32 owners. you guys are still unique. dont worry abt it!

 

M5 looks exactly like the 540i sport (as seen above).

On to the M3 arguement: yes, you are partly correct, the M3 was still somewhat distinguished, but there are many similarities. But people remember the E46 is the FIRST TIME EVER that the M3 didn't share the same shape/body as the 3-Series. The E30 and E36 did. And the next M3 will (as seen below -- with the exception of the Quad-exhuast pipes):






Tee_Tz.

 

Agreed! Mind you, I think it's best MB/AMG sells the car with the AMG sports package than seeing some clown put e-bay AMG decals on their base models!
I guess MB/AMG discovered that there was a lot of $$$ to make by offering the packages rather than getting replicas.

 

ZHP:


M3:


The interior is exactly the same, with M-Badging everywhere, but the exterior believe me, they were trying to give it an "M3 look". I think you can see some similarities, but essentially the M3 is bigger and wider, therefore, it obviously doesn't look the same.


Tee_Tz.

 

For MB to offer or include "AMG appearance" on its lesser models IS irritating. An appalling example of parts bin tampering gone wrong. Simply a (albeit successful) marketing ploy to appeal to the dilettante.

However, seems that subtle "V6 kompressor" is obvious to the knowledgeable enthusiasts. Take comfort in the fact that we have ~350HP just waiting, should the need arise. Can't hardly get an S4, STI, or M3 to bite. Those who've been adamant understand what a proper AMG is.

 

on all the other models though, they are option packages that are selected. on the C-class sport sedans and the CLK500, the AMG package is standard.

 

Hey,

I'm all for AMG power. And though I have the base model with the AMG kit, I have to agree.........it's better to keep AMG exclusive.

My daily driver 06 C230 SS got dusted by some douches in a riced 01 Eclipse last night, and I was actually TRYING to race him, for the hell of it. My heavy *** Benz can't pull for shizznit, seeing how it's bone stock. Those dudes probably thought I had a C32. LOL

230's are slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

No one will mistake 997TT power though. I can't wait to get mine!

 

[lol]...

Sorry I just find all of this 'irritation' funny. I've just proven that all manufacture do this, not just Mercedes. Anyway, I think it's a smart idea (obviously financially for Mercedes) to offer this appearance package -- whether it's for the C32/C55 or C230/350. Had the C230 not had the AMG kit, they'd only sell half the cars, otherwise the Honda Accord would be a better buy!

Well, maybe it's cause I don't own a C32, but anyway, don't worry your cars are still special.


Tee_Tz.

 

the 540 has a bar running across the bumper vent, single exhaust and different mirrors, ive never confused one w/ a e39 m5.

the e30 3 series looked nothing like the e30 m3, youre ****in nuts, that m3 was widebody just like the e46.

the next m3 will also be a widebody (i dont know how you cant see it in the pics you posted) and have a power dome on the hood.

 

I have a C32 the only thing Im jealous about is the trunk spoiler cause i have to buy it aftermarket and they dont...its on a package.

 

aww, who cares, the C32 is still fast as almost anything on the road...i like when people mistake me for some lesser vehicle, it gives me a chance to put them in their place...hehe

 

And the 2007 C-Class has a C55 Rear Deck Spoiler, 2005+ Blinker Lights, 2005+ Bi-Xenon Headlights, 2005+ Mercedes-C-Class Grill (Black trim, 3-lines instead of 4), and of course 2007 17" Mercedes Sport Wheels. So if BMW's 3-attributes aren't confusing at all, the 2007 C-Class and the C32 are different cars altogether!



Look, I can't believe I must explain this to a car enthusiast, but: Any AMG (Mercedes), M (BMW), S (Audi) are going to have differences with the rest of the model range. This comes in many ways. 1) The engine of the C55 is larger (V8) than the rest of the 2005 Model Range, therefore, even with the AMG Bodykit, there will still be a slight visible difference (slight -- depending on how car savy you are, someone who knows nothing about cars will need to be instructed where to look to say: 'ohhhhh'; for us, we'll know straight off the bat); not to mention the quad-exhaust pipes and the star emblem grill. The same can be said about the 2007 M5 to a 530i with the Aerodynamic Package (not to mention the quad-exhaust and side grills) - the engine is bigger, needs more space.

The S550 vs. S65, share subtle differences too. The M3 vs. 330ci - wide body, yes, wider back tires. But my point is -- in some years the changes are minimal, sometimes the changes are major, some models big changes - some subtle. But if your car looks like a C230/C320/C350, it's alright because it's all the same family of cars (W203). Therefore, of course your car will have similarities.

My point is this - I think all AMG cars are great; as I do with M and S, but I think what's important about those high-performance cars is not the freaking body kit!! (Who cares! -- people drive that ugly Subaru can kick a** in a race!), it's the engine. That's why you buy the car - you liked the C-Class (which all look alike) and then you wanted high performance - which leads you to a C32/C55. If you like the car and can't afford to spend too much, get a C230. If you like the car and want a little bit more power get a C320/C350. And if you like the car but don't like the 'sporty' look, get a C240/C280. It's that's simple.

I don't know if I 'offended' anyone, maybe some feel their car is less significant due to upgrades on the 2007, but I think that's kind of childish - you have a car that can't be compared to the rest of the line up; a car any C-Class owner dreams of -- essentially it's everything our cars is but better. I met a German guy (in New York) with an S65, with the numbers & decals stripped from the car -- I knew it was an S65 - so we chatted a bit; anyway, asked him why he debadged and his response was: I prefer the clean look. Jokingly I told him, if it were mine I'd not remove the S65 tags - it's something to be proud of; but he said, "that's the problem with your Americans -- you're so vain". I didn't buy the car to stand out or attract attention, I brought the car because I want extreme performance.

Anyway, I know most, if not all of you, are not vain - but I guess with BMW we encourage the body kits on other cars -- here I feel like Mercedes competes with Mercedes.


Tee_Tz.

 

Wanting to look good may be vanity, but it's not an American phenomenon. Have you been to a mall in the US lately? Most Americans are slobs. But go to Europe and far more people dress and groom well.

I paid a fat premium to Mercedes for the C32, and in addition to the engine (and brakes and suspension and interior), I bought into the visual image that I project to others (just like the clothes I wear). Now Mercedes sells cars for 1/2 the price of mine but with all of the visual image.

Nobody appreciates (and uses) the AMG mechanicals more than I do, but the aesthetics and image count too. If they didn't we would ALL be driving Subaru WRXs and Mitsu Evos.