cbrdash

I am looking for a little advice.

My new bride was kind enough to total my 99 230SLK Sport the other day. The SLK had some modes, most notably an H&R cup kit.

Well enough lamenting, on to an new vehicle. I am thinking about moving into a 2005 C32 or C55. I live in Denver, CO and have also toyed with the idea of a BMW 330Xi or a Mercedes C240 4matic.

Dare I ask, but opinions please.

Kotcho

its imposible to find a 2005 c32, although im sure ull be able to pick up some 2002-2004 models......c55s ull be looking for 2005 and 2006. in terms of speed ure gaining absolutely nothing by getting a 55 over a 32. what u get is a sleeper in the 32 because of the sshhh exaust note, and the 55 had a better interior, better exaust and slightly worse gas mileage becuase of the v8, and most likely a longer warranty.....thats just my 2 cents

derrick_lui

In terms of speed, I disagree with you gaining "nothing"
the C55 is faster than the C32 stock to stock. I owned both so I know.

zcct04

so just how fast IS the C55? I slugged all the way through the sticky about drag strip times and didn't find much of anything.

PC Valkyrie

Mainstream American magazines have that have tested the C55 show 0-60mph in 4.7-5.0 seconds, and the quarter mile in 13.3-13.5 seconds, which is a very negligible difference over the the C32 tested in those same magazines.

However, what the C55 is much better at is HANDLING. The C55 had consistently higher skidpad numbers and slalom speeds/lane change speeds compared to the C32. What is most telling is the difference in laptimes around a track. The C55 is a full 15 seconds faster than the C32 on the Nurburgring when driven by the same driver and a full 2 seconds faster on the shorter, tighter Hockenheim track too. And it's NOT because the C55 is so much faster in a straight line.

The C55 has noticeably stiffer suspension, and a revised steering rack with a quicker steering ratio, which allows for a quicker turn-in and better feel for the road, even though it still is not up to M3 levels. The transmission and ESP were also re-programmed in the C55 to make things more "sporty" for drivers.

And no, the C55's fuel consumption is not that much worse than the C32 or the E46 M3.

edtv82

both cars are SICK!... i love my AMG (C32) but honestly go for the C55 ... the speed issue... edmunds has the C32 @ 5.4 sec 0 to 60 and the 1/4 @ 13.8 around 105.4mph
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=103424

and they also have the C55 @ 5.6 sec 0 to 60 & the 1/4 @ 13.95 sec

and driving your car on a track... who does that all the time? if you're worried about a M3 or some HS punk in his civic ... dont worry.. you're game with either AMG

so really not a whole lot of difference... but anyway this whole speed things between the c32 and c55 have been posted in a couple of other threads but ...
the C55 is just a slightly better look and a little different than just the typical C class... while the C32 looks just like all the other C230 & etc.

e1000

wow those are some seriously slow times for both the C32 and C55. Both should be low 13 second cars. As said earlier, the C55 has a lower stance and updated interior

fivepointfivev8

Best thing to do is drive all of them, but do yourself a favor and drive the C55 last because that will be the one you'll want. I'd also ad an RS4 to your list since you live in CO.

howie

yeah ummmm from personal experience...once u drive the 55 you'll sign the paperwork!

Cobra98

If you are interested in a 2002 C32 I have one for sale. Private single owner that is in excellent condition. Has only 30K miles. Pictures are available. I live in Portland, Oregon. wgqaisi@hotmail.com- pictures are available.

plug1

LOL. You're recommending an RS4 to a person who is debating between a C32, C55, 330xi and c240?

Surely that's a typo and you meant "S4"......right?

spr

Those 0-60 times are so off.

My c55 is a mid 4 car stock legilty and it walks away from my 996 with all the mods which was 4.9 stock and also mid 4's after some mods.

RS4 is out of the price point. S4 is there but it's sloooww. So is the RS4 really.

plug1

If the guy is considering a C32...the S4 is obviously very comparable. The power numbers, 0-60, 1/4 mile time and handling are all in the same ball park as the C32...with a slight edge going to the C55 imo.

For the sole fact he is in CO (where I lived most of my life) I'd go with an S4 over a C32/C55. I used to have as much fun putting my stock wheels with snow tires on my old A4 and S4 as I did putting on my 18" BBS wheels wrapped in summer tires during the warm months.

Being able to play around in the snow and keep control while everyone else is going 15mph under the speed limit had it's advantages. Not to mention still having a car with great power during the summer months.

I'm not bashing AMG, I'll have one for my next car and as with most RWD vehicles, if you have a set of snow tires you'll be fine...but the year round versatility of the Audi is well worth it if you live in a climate like Colorado has.

spr

I would also agree that unless you have another car for the snow, awd is the way to go. My friend loves his s4 for that reason. The older s4's are great cars also that you can mod the snot out of for cheap. I still debate buying one just to screw around with.