Maybe I should have bought a C32?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
Maybe I should have bought a C32?
Yesterday I was waiting for a prescription. I went over to the magazine section and was looking for a mag that would have anything to do with my car... and there it was in small print on the cover, c-class something or other. I opened it up and to see a decked out C32. then i got jealous. C32's get all the love. They have way more cool parts that add HP,(debatable). It just seems C55's dont get as much love on the aftermarket. You can get some good bang for your buck with a C32...for $3000 you can get headers, pulley, and ECU and have a very fast car I dont think you can get a set of header for a C55 for 3K. just seems that most sites have stuff for C32's and not C55's. Does anyone know of any sites that i might have missed (that are in English). All this search frustration is just leaning me more and more to slapping a Kleemann Low boost SC, Headers, ECU, and LSD and be done with it.$$$$$$ For a grand total of around 14,000 not installed! sure i will be broke and unable to make my house payment but i'll have a very fast car. then on top of that hoping it doesn't blow up!
Anyway FrankW has one sick C32. congrats of the spread
Anyway FrankW has one sick C32. congrats of the spread
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
2006 CLK350
i'm not big on mods, so if i'm wrong let me know..........but c32's have a supercharger right (i could be wrong here too lol)? and anything with a super/turbocharger can get huge gains with just the ecu?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
Its just easier to mod a supercharged car over a naturally aspirated one. I feel the C55 will come along sooner or later with less costly mods. Pretty sure the C32 when they first came out it wasn't to cheap to mod either...with the LETs and CODE3PERFORMANCE now in affect bet modding for the C55 will become cheaper
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
02 C32 AMG sold!
Its just cheaper to mod a supercharged car over a naturally aspirated one. I feel the C55 will come along sooner or later with less costly mods. Pretty sure the C32 when they first came out it wasn't to cheap to mod either...with the LETs and CODE3PERFORMANCE now in affect bet modding for the C55 will become cheaper
Thread Starter
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 3
From: Glendale Arizona
C55,SL55,C63
C32's do have a SC. Not sure as to what the ECU gains are but they are bigger gains than a N/A motor for sure.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
With minor modifications from the factory, the 5.4L V8's output can increase to 400HP (as evidenced by the Euro only SLK55 Black Series).
To get any serious gains in power with our motor, the best way is to add that expensive supercharger (which is true for any naturally aspirated motor).
To get any serious gains in power with our motor, the best way is to add that expensive supercharger (which is true for any naturally aspirated motor).
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Marietta GA.
Jaguar STR
I am a forced induction guy always have been but you can do some simple mods to the C55 and exploit the advantages of the NA motor. Throw an ecu in for high octane fuel, Evo pullies, filters, headers, a snow meth inj kit and nitrous. You will be pleanty happy with the power have no heat soak issues tons of tq and it will drive almost like stock untill you want to have fun. Your out just under 5 grand and have the advantages of the newer upgrades and trust me it will be deadly fast 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
I am a forced induction guy always have been but you can do some simple mods to the C55 and exploit the advantages of the NA motor. Throw an ecu in for high octane fuel, Evo pullies, filters, headers, a snow meth inj kit and nitrous. You will be pleanty happy with the power have no heat soak issues tons of tq and it will drive almost like stock untill you want to have fun. Your out just under 5 grand and have the advantages of the newer upgrades and trust me it will be deadly fast
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
you would love to have a C32 until the problems started going off on you like timed bombs...lol
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 5
none
you would love to have a C32 until the problems started going off on you like timed bombs...lol
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
55 engine versus 3.2 supercharged
As the owner of BOTH a C32 and an ML55 ( basically the same as the C55 engine), I agree that the C32 is much easier to mod. In fact, a supercharger for the 55 through the likes of Kleemann is about $15,000 - $20,000 (and that price hasnt dropped in 8 years?). For the price of the new Brandon pulley (Code 3), you can get about 40 HP more and literally dust anyhting Benz has made in the past 10 years, save for the supercars over 150 K or more). It would cost me about 20,000 to get 150 HP in my ML 55; by my math thats about $133.00 per HP, versus the Code Three results of about 15.00 per HP. The math is not real hard on this one and the 55 engine in all its non-forced fed iterations is expensive to boost in power. Even a chip tune for my 55 is over $1000 for about 14 HP gain, BIG DEAL!!!
Glenn
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
you would love to have a C32 until the problems started going off on you like timed bombs...lol
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
Glenn
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4
From: California, USA
E63 P30, CL500 Sport
C32 vs C55
If you only look at modding potential for the money, then yes..... the C32 will give you more power for cheaper and probably much easier. But comparing all other categories, like FrankW mentioned, the C55 wins hands down. It is "fresher", updated looks, updated parts (suspension, electronics, engine, etc....), better seats, better overall styling, and better exhaust note.
Even though the modding bug may be buzzing for more power, I would wait 2 to 3 more years, then jump into a used C63 for half price You'll get an additional 100 hp + newer car + whatever the tuners are cooking up for the C63 right now
Even though the modding bug may be buzzing for more power, I would wait 2 to 3 more years, then jump into a used C63 for half price
You'll get an additional 100 hp + newer car + whatever the tuners are cooking up for the C63 right now
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Houston
C55
As the owner of BOTH a C32 and an ML55 ( basically the same as the C55 engine), I agree that the C32 is much easier to mod. In fact, a supercharger for the 55 through the likes of Kleemann is about $15,000 - $20,000 (and that price hasnt dropped in 8 years?). For the price of the new Brandon pulley (Code 3), you can get about 40 HP more and literally dust anyhting Benz has made in the past 10 years, save for the supercars over 150 K or more). It would cost me about 20,000 to get 150 HP in my ML 55; by my math thats about $133.00 per HP, versus the Code Three results of about 15.00 per HP. The math is not real hard on this one and the 55 engine in all its non-forced fed iterations is expensive to boost in power. Even a chip tune for my 55 is over $1000 for about 14 HP gain, BIG DEAL!!!
Glenn
Glenn
*cue in top gun music*
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
Frank, you sure about that??? Wish you were in IL so that we could race right about now!!! Great Lakes and Northern Indiana are BOTH open for business and I ain't scared!! How do you know the C55 is more reliable, save a few comments from a few persons here. I know lots of owners with 55 engine complaints??? Are we talking engine now or other components of the vehicle?
Glenn
Glenn
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
If you only look at modding potential for the money, then yes..... the C32 will give you more power for cheaper and probably much easier. But comparing all other categories, like FrankW mentioned, the C55 wins hands down. It is "fresher", updated looks, updated parts (suspension, electronics, engine, etc....), better seats, better overall styling, and better exhaust note.
Even though the modding bug may be buzzing for more power, I would wait 2 to 3 more years, then jump into a used C63 for half price You'll get an additional 100 hp + newer car + whatever the tuners are cooking up for the C63 right now
Even though the modding bug may be buzzing for more power, I would wait 2 to 3 more years, then jump into a used C63 for half price
You'll get an additional 100 hp + newer car + whatever the tuners are cooking up for the C63 right now FrankW is right and MB_Forever is using pure common sense...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 8
LET C32 2002
you would love to have a C32 until the problems started going off on you like timed bombs...lol
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
C55 is much more reliable, better seats, better gauge cluster, better esp program, and sounds better. unless you are really into modding the C55 is overall the much better car than the C32 stock vs stock.
so you've found "Traction"
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Houston
C55
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Frank, you sure about that??? Wish you were in IL so that we could race right about now!!! Great Lakes and Northern Indiana are BOTH open for business and I ain't scared!! How do you know the C55 is more reliable, save a few comments from a few persons here. I know lots of owners with 55 engine complaints??? Are we talking engine now or other components of the vehicle?
Glenn
Glenn
i have a stage II C32...
my friend did had a 2005 C55 which for the 2 and 1/2 year he had it it didn't gave him any problem at all except oil change. my brother's friend also had a w208 CLK55 which except the typical CLK problems it didn't bring him to the dealership for service much.
