Few concerns about C32
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
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Few concerns about C32
Hi All,
I'm currently in the market for another car and thinking about get a C32. I've been digging through posts on few MB forums for the past few days. However, I still have a few concerns about C32 before I make my mind.
- How reliable is C32? I'm planning on keep the car for the next 5+ years. I understand that purchase extended warranty is mandatory. But what about after warranty expires? Will C32 serve me this long without having issue here and there?
I would hate to keep paying for repair bills here and there after warranty expires.
I've never own a European car before. It is also my impression that European car needs more service than Japanese cars.
- What is the real world cost to keep the C32 in good shape? For example, regular oil changes and other major services. I'm not sure if C32 would cost more than non-AMG cars.
I apologize if I ask some stupid questions. I really like the car and would very appreciated if I can have some opinion from C32 owners.
Thanks very much!
I'm currently in the market for another car and thinking about get a C32. I've been digging through posts on few MB forums for the past few days. However, I still have a few concerns about C32 before I make my mind.
- How reliable is C32? I'm planning on keep the car for the next 5+ years. I understand that purchase extended warranty is mandatory. But what about after warranty expires? Will C32 serve me this long without having issue here and there?
I would hate to keep paying for repair bills here and there after warranty expires.
I've never own a European car before. It is also my impression that European car needs more service than Japanese cars.
- What is the real world cost to keep the C32 in good shape? For example, regular oil changes and other major services. I'm not sure if C32 would cost more than non-AMG cars.
I apologize if I ask some stupid questions. I really like the car and would very appreciated if I can have some opinion from C32 owners.
Thanks very much!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
- How reliable is C32?
I would hate to keep paying for repair bills here and there after warranty expires.
I've never own a European car before. It is also my impression that European car needs more service than Japanese cars.
- What is the real world cost to keep the C32 in good shape? For example, regular oil changes and other major services. I'm not sure if C32 would cost more than non-AMG cars.
I apologize if I ask some stupid questions. I really like the car and would very appreciated if I can have some opinion from C32 owners.
Thanks very much!
> Cost to fix and maintain depends on how much you can do yourself, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, the ability to find a qualified independent technician. Dealerships are not set up to "work with you" on repair solutions and maintenance. They have a plug-and-play mentality that makes repair and maintenance very expensive.
> Most service for C32 will be equal to other Benz. In a rare case, you could need an AMG specific part, and that could be pricey.
> You say you "hate to pay repair bills." Well, it all depends on how much you would "love to drive an AMG every day." I'll gladly set aside $75-$100 per month for repairs for a privilege of having a rare, attractive and fun car.
> If you want long term, flawless performance, then look at Lexus, Infiniti and Acura. The downside is that you'll be driving a much less "special" car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area
'03 C32
In searching this forum you can easily get scared off the C32 because there have been some problems.
Pick up any Consumer Reports (a much more accurate measure than random comments on Internet forums because of huge sample size) and it will confirm that Japanese cars continue to be more reliable than European or American.
BUT, reliability isn't everything and my C32 has been pretty solid. In 2 years of ownership, only problems have been seat heater (fixed by dealer under warranty on first try) and the front suspension creaking (likely the control arm bushings, dealer struggling more with that one).
Where I typically would have gone for the safe bet of a Lexus IS, I'm really glad I went out on a limb this time.
I love my C32. Go for it!
Pick up any Consumer Reports (a much more accurate measure than random comments on Internet forums because of huge sample size) and it will confirm that Japanese cars continue to be more reliable than European or American.
BUT, reliability isn't everything and my C32 has been pretty solid. In 2 years of ownership, only problems have been seat heater (fixed by dealer under warranty on first try) and the front suspension creaking (likely the control arm bushings, dealer struggling more with that one).
Where I typically would have gone for the safe bet of a Lexus IS, I'm really glad I went out on a limb this time.
I love my C32. Go for it!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: nottingham / uk
silver 2002 c32 amg
the c32 aint without issues but most are easily solved, and i'm sure if you read through the posts on here and other forums you'll find few if any who regret their descision to buy one, I know i don't 
compared to cars of a similar pedigree and performance i'd say that servicing costs are pretty reasonable being not much more than a standard merc.
just ask yourself this,
would you sooner have the hot model that's a little high maintenance, but makes you feel like a million every time your with her
or good old reliable plain jane
compared to cars of a similar pedigree and performance i'd say that servicing costs are pretty reasonable being not much more than a standard merc.
just ask yourself this,
would you sooner have the hot model that's a little high maintenance, but makes you feel like a million every time your with her
or good old reliable plain jane
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
I CAME FROM THE VERY RELIABLE LEXUS/TOYOTAS/HONDAS AND THOU THE C32 DOESN'T MATCH THEM IN QUALITY IT SURPASSES THEM IN CATEGORIES CREATED AND NOT CREATED. THERE REALLY AREN"T TO MANY CARS THAT CAN DRIVE MISS DAISY BUT CAN BE THE LION KING AT A PUSH OF THE THROTTLE LIKE THE AMG VERSIONS! I HAD MY DOUBTS AT PURCHASE BUT REALLY FELL FOR WHAT THIS TYPE OF BENZ CREATES! CHANCES ARE IF YOU BUY ONE WITH WARRANTEE THEN I BET THE CAR WILL HAVE ALL NECESSARY PARTS CHANGED BEFORE THE WARRANTEE EXPIRES. ONCE THE COMMON ISSUES ARE TAKEN CARED OF THEN THIS CAR IS SUPERBLY SOLID AND EXTREMELY RELIABLE. MY CAR WAS BY NO MEANS FLAWLESS ITS SEEN ITS SHARE OF COMMON ISSUES BUT THE FEELING OF CRACKING THE THROTTLE AND FISH TAILING
OUT OF ANYWHERE BRINGS ABOUT JOYS THAT YOU WILL VERY CONTENT ABOUT! GET THE CAR BUT READ THE FORUM AND WRITE DOWN THE ISSUES INHERITTED BY MANY C32 AND HAVE IT TESTED BY THE DEALER BEFORE YOU BUY AND YOU WILL NOT REGRET THE PURCHASE! MY NEXT UPGRADE CAR WISE IS EITHER AN 
03-06(E55) OR 05-06(CLS55) OR THE NEW LEXUS IS-F DUE LATE THIS YEAR. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS IT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE ENHANCING IT WHICH CAN BE A LITTLE EXPENSIVE AT TIMES. LOOK OUT FOR A THREAD I AM THINKING OF PUTTING UP ABOUT DEALER VS EBAY STUFF? SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE? AFTER YOU TAKE DOWN A FAST V8 YOU WILL 4GET ANY ISSUE THE CAR MAY HAVE!P.S. AMG JERRY HAS HEAVILY MODDED HIS
C32 AND I DON'T EVER RECALL HE HAVING ANY OF THE COMMON ISSUES THESE CARS HAVE. TAKE ONE OUT FOR A REAL SPIN
AND YOUR MIND WILL BE MADE UP.
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Virginia
2002 C32
Hi All,
I'm currently in the market for another car and thinking about get a C32. I've been digging through posts on few MB forums for the past few days. However, I still have a few concerns about C32 before I make my mind.
- How reliable is C32? I'm planning on keep the car for the next 5+ years. I understand that purchase extended warranty is mandatory. But what about after warranty expires? Will C32 serve me this long without having issue here and there?
I would hate to keep paying for repair bills here and there after warranty expires.
I've never own a European car before. It is also my impression that European car needs more service than Japanese cars.
- What is the real world cost to keep the C32 in good shape? For example, regular oil changes and other major services. I'm not sure if C32 would cost more than non-AMG cars.
I apologize if I ask some stupid questions. I really like the car and would very appreciated if I can have some opinion from C32 owners.
Thanks very much!
I'm currently in the market for another car and thinking about get a C32. I've been digging through posts on few MB forums for the past few days. However, I still have a few concerns about C32 before I make my mind.
- How reliable is C32? I'm planning on keep the car for the next 5+ years. I understand that purchase extended warranty is mandatory. But what about after warranty expires? Will C32 serve me this long without having issue here and there?
I would hate to keep paying for repair bills here and there after warranty expires.
I've never own a European car before. It is also my impression that European car needs more service than Japanese cars.
- What is the real world cost to keep the C32 in good shape? For example, regular oil changes and other major services. I'm not sure if C32 would cost more than non-AMG cars.
I apologize if I ask some stupid questions. I really like the car and would very appreciated if I can have some opinion from C32 owners.
Thanks very much!
Mine is fully sorted, has had all the common issues remedied, has a 4 year/48K extended warranty, and drives like a dream. AND, only has 27500 miles!
Regards,
Pete
