OK, the time has almost come for the C32 to be retired. I think I'm ready to move up to the V8 Mercedes or the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. I have always been a Jeep fan and loved my old one to death. It was the one car I hated trading in.

So, if I go with the C55, I will end up driving it for about 3-4 years until the C63 takes its place. I can get a 2005 C55 with 40k miles for 10k plus my car. So, I would be driving a newer (3 years) AMG, and with the money made off my parts, I could begin modding the new beast. I was thinking about headers, ECU, intake, wires, plugs, lighter crank pulley, maybe ported heads, and exhaust work. I would also be keeping my eyes open for a used SC.


If I go with the 2006 SRT8, I would drive it until my youngest kid starts school, then I would be able to move back to a sports sedan. There are a few parts out for the Jeep as well, and I would mod it too. I think I would have more room in the Jeep and for $35k, they come loaded.


I don't care about the fact that I would be going from a MB to a Jeep. The only thing I'm considering is the performance, comfort, and safety. My oldest son is 2 and my youngest son is due in 2 months. I would be driving both of them to day care, which is about 34 miles away from home...currently, I do this with my oldest.

As always, I would like to hear your thoughts.

I regularly have 2 car seats in my back seat, one for a 5 year old and the other for a 3 year old. There are only 2 potential negatives if the C55 is your only car: it may not be the best winter car in deep unshovelled snow, especially going up a hill, and it doesn't have a huge trunk.

With 2 kids, will you be carrying around 2 strollers in the future? One stroller can fit with no problem in the C55 trunk, but not 2. With 2 car seats in the back, there is no room for a 3rd person in the rear. You can only transport one other person in the front passenger seat.

Just things to consider.......

Thanks! Which is no different than what I have now, so it's not like I'm losing anything.

I also have 2 kids and considered the SRT8 as well but was turned off by the mileage and the interior. But the ad below may sway you differently


http://www.dragtimes.com/classifieds...D=200165070808

Have you considered finding day care that is closer to home? I thought you were in Chicago. Don't they offer day care anywhere around Chicago? Do you have to go to another state just to have someone watch your kid? Does he already have that bad of a reputation?

When my boys were that age, we needed the SUV to haul the crap that comes with kids. Somehow, to take an overnight trip anywhere, my wife could fill the back of the Explorer, top to bottom, with their stuff. The irony is, that as they get bigger, their stuff takes up less space.

As much as I enjoy your posts here, I think it's time to step into the SUV world. So, we'll see you back here in about 9 or 10 years?

Your other option is:
1. Trade your C32 for C55 or keep C32 and keep moding the hell out of it.
2. trade your wife's car for SUV or minivan.

Regards
Jack

3. Sell your mods and use the funds + trading in your car for a W211 E55. Performance, safety, and comfort all in one!

Hey Jerry +1 one for W211 much easear to mod then C55... good luck friend !!!

Looks like power, safety and room are your priorities. Get an W211 E55. You are already familiar with the system.

I have a feeling that with the C55 you will come short to your expectations unless you SC'ed.

E55 all the way

I agree, skip the C55 and go with a 2005+ E55. The C55 is already an old body style. I was driving an 08 E for about three weeks and I became very comfortable with the size of the thing. It's even making me reconsider the C63 and picking up a 1 year old E63.

Forget the Jeep.

W211 E55 is nice...easy to mod too. (thanks to VRUS)

quite a few C32 owners have made the switch to the E55.

LOL... Our daycare person is about 3 minutes from my office and they charge tons less than other day care places. We pay $800 a month now and $1750 month for both. Wife and I could buy a freakin vacation house for that price. Oh well, she takes good care of all her kids and he is progressing good. I guess I can't complain.


Wifey drives a stage I audi A6. It has tons of room and is perfect for her. Unfortunately, she can't drive them to day care.

Don't get me wrong, I love my C32, I'm just getting bored and want to try something new.

I don't want to spend that much. I know, I'm a picky ***. I would rather hold out for the C63. I'm trying to find something in the interim that I won't drop 10k on. If I go with the E55, I will end up spending 10k on mods.

I know....only if you sell me your car!


I really think that a C55 with a few mods could hang with an E55. It seems that the C55 is the red headed step child of the C class AMG Mercedes. I also feel that it deserves more credit. It seems that there are a few guys with bolt ons running the same 1/4 times as me....with juice.

I've always been a fan of the smaller, more nimble cars. I don't think that the E55 and I would be a good match for me. If Mercedes had a smaller, lighter 4 door AMG, I would be all over it.

However, a Jeep with a SC is starting to sound good too.

Sorry for the rambling...

c55 with bolts on can run a 12.5 1/4 mile. i say you stick to the c class and go for the c55

hmm...C55 with a blower sounds nice.
check out this one: http://www.mymbonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4311

Nooo...
jerry don't leave us......we C32's still need you to find out cool stuff for our cars. haha..

oh well..i think E55 would be a good choice.
What about the S55 ?

BTW if you really want a C55. My friends lease is ending soon.

Blk/Blk .with 18,000 miles..(not too sure) but under 20K miles for sure.


let me know if ur intersted.

or sell your car, but a used honda civic, let your wife stay home from work with the kids and save $1700+/month on daycare costs.

that's a crazy amount of money for day care!

I think the Jeep is nice, but do some research and see what you find out. I hear they have quite a few problems... namely the brakes.

As for the C55, I like them, but really dont see much of an advantage of that over a 32. Its basically the same car. If you are going for newer interior and miles, ya ok there is an advantage there... but if you are kinda tired as is do you really think the "same" car will fill your need? I say just take care of the 32 and make sure you have a good aftermarket warranty.

If I had to pick though... C55

how about 04 or 05 E500 4-matic?
they'll give you lots of space and it'll be great yr round car, and probably still get you 18-19mpg.

Hey, just my two cents here, but if you're willing to go as big as a Jeep SRT8, a medium-sized sedan shouldn't be too big of a deal. If you're concerned that after buying an E55, you'd drop $10k in mods... well, I can totally see where you're coming from on that. I'd hate to see you off of the MB message boards, but what about a 2003 RS6? Bi-turbo V8, and about $2k in mods (ECU/TCU tune) gets you an awd monster with roughly 520hp. I've seen well maintained, low mileage ones online in the low 40s... a little more than the C55 and SRT8 I guess, but the performance mods seem to be cheaper, so maybe it balances out...

Anyway, good luck with whatever route you decide on, and thanks for all the C32 info to date!

Wow RS6s are affordable now, even low mileage ones. Nice cars. Man, the thing is, even though that RS6 is a beast, it just doesn't get the respect that even a C AMG does. I'm sure car enthusiasts love and respect the RS6, but to a normal coworker, it's just another big ugly Audi. The price sure made me raise my eye brow and I'm sure I'll be thinking about it before I go to bed.

What about a 2003+ Jaguar S-Type R? 390 hp V8, similar times to the C32's. There are quite a few low mileage ones on Ebay for $22k-$35k depending on the year.