PC Valkyrie

The C55 is now 3 years old and going into its 4th year. The car has been super reliable with no major problems. I've been extremely pleased with the car's performance as an "all purpose" car.......from daily driver/family sedan to track car. With the new 135i in the stable, the C55 will see less track days (although I still plan to track it at least once a year), and it will become more of a weekend family car and part time daily driver. I love this car and I hope to keep it for a long time.......I hope it will be remain reliable, as it will be cool in a few more years to drive around in an "old" AMG benz. I could have traded the car in and upgraded to a new M3 sedan or C63, but this car really has a special place in my heart.......it is/was my first high performance car and I just don't want to let go of it. I get the feeling many people here will likely move up to a C63 or higher car when they can........anybody plan to keep their C55 long term like me???

I remember when I first got the car, I was totally amazed by its power and acceleration. During that first year or two, I would go driving at night for no apparant purpose other than to enjoy the car on relatively empty highways and streets to "stretch its legs".......the night time cruises were fun! To be honest, I still occasionally do that, just not as often as before. I was also initially a bit surprised at the pretty stiff suspension and loud exhaust compared to my previous C240. Well, with time, I got used to the stiff suspension and less than whisper quiet ride on the highway and started tracking the car a few times a year. And I really have to give credit to the car here as it really performed beyond my (and many other people's) expectations of how a benz should handle itself on a track next to E46 M3's and Porsche 911's. There is a reason for AMG tuned stiff suspension after all......LOL

The car has stayed relatively stock. The only modifications I have are the Renntech Airbox with K&N filters, V8 badges on the sides, Style VI AMG rims (CLK63) for street use, and a 2005 CLK grille.

With a Beltronics accelerometer, the fastest 0-60mph time I achieved (with the above mods) was 4.67 seconds earlier this spring, and that is WITHOUT any brake torquing and with ESP on.....it may even go faster if I loaded the torque converter a bit and tried it with ESP off. Never been to a drag strip, although I would consider it if the oppportunity arose. However, I must admit that the straight line acceleration thing is not as fun for me as driving on a track. On the streets, the C55 continues to provide effortless acceleration for merging/passing on highways. And that V8 growl at full throttle sounds so much more satisfying that the twin turbo I6 in the 135i.

After almost a year with the CLK grille, I've decided to keep it. I think it does make the car look more unique and exciting, and I've warmed up to the look. It's amazing how a different grille and rims can change the look of a car.

Here are a few pics from this year. Maybe I'll have another major update/thoughts in another 3 years.....LOL

The pewter silver colour's "look" definitely changes with the type of light......

2 pics during overcast skies during my first track day this year. I use my stock Style IV AMG rims and PS2 tires for tracking:




And 3 pics in bright morning sunlight with Style VI AMG rims that I use for the street.






And 1 final pic during mid-day sunlight.

bud4ya

Love the rims. Very nice

///AMG4EVER

I always enjoy reading your posts. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

ScottW911

PCV,

You are an asset to this fourm. I, also, enjoy your well thought out reviews and analysis. I am glad you are still finding pleasure from the old lady. I feel very much the same about my aging C32, although I do not get the opportunities to track her.

Keep up with the imformative and interesting posts. And, keep "stretching the legs" as often as you can get out.

eugeneC55

+1 on this thread PCV, my car is also on its 4th year with 97,xxx happy miles. It's also my first serious car and I decided to keep it for now. Funny but I do my share of 'leg stretching' mostly during the day while working and as you can see by my miles mine is a DD. Never tracked it and did drag racing once. Overall great car with lots of great memories and hopefully more to come.
Take care of your baby and enjoy her for many more years!

wawy

First of all your car looks amazing! The pewter is definitly a unique color and one that looks great on the C55. The Style VI AMG rims (CLK63) give the car an updated look and simply look incredible. I don't think you can go wrong sticking with OEM style. If I recall correctly the front rims are a little wider than the stock C55 rims (8 instead of 7.5?) and I would think improve handling a bit. When and if it comes time for new rims for myself these will certainly be at the top of the list. I can see why you would like to keep this car and I have to agree that it "will be cool in a few more years to drive around in an "old" AMG benz". In my case there are times I wish I would have kept one of my previous cars instead of kept trading up to something else. I think it would have been a good feeling for me to get up in the morning and say "Hmm, should I take the 1998 BMW 323is or the 2006 C55 to work today". Anyways, I digress - once again, very nice ride and you've just made me appreciate what I have that much more!

MercedesFTW

Hmm...mine just turned over to 10,000 miles today!

That is a great color, and I hope your C will remain strong for the days to come!

Code3 Performance

Very informative post and sweeeeeet car!

-Aaron

crazeazn

wow talk about low mileage, i'm hovering around 18k

whats the number order in your sig? is that cylinder firing order?

Tump43

Great post PCValkyrie! After having just test driven the 09Lexus ISF and the 09 AMG C63 PP, I am content to stick with my C55 for a few more years. It's at 39k now and I may still add a couple more mod's (PSS9's & Quaife). I too love the flat badge and CLK front grill for the C55 (it was the original design after all), your side "V8" badges and my "AMG 5.5" side badges. The electronic gizmos in the both the ISF and the C63 are way better than those in the C55, but neither car really seems to be significantly faster, or even faster on everyday twisty, back roads. The suspension is tighter and a bit more comfortable on the ISF and a little stiffer on the C63. However, limited to deminimus body roll seems to be the rule for all 3 cars. In my opinion, the interior of the C55 looks much classier than the ISF interior and is far superior to the C63 interior (moreover, the C55 seats are just as supportive and comfortable). In short, with dealers offering me no more than $22k to $24k to trade into a $60k or $69k car, I am not inspired to trade "up" into any car that does not grab me. Of all the cars I have test driven in the last month, the only one I would consider over my C55, is my friend's stock Audi RS4 manual, awd, 420 hp monster. Nice interior, with seemingly better suspension and better handling (awd helps).

power-fade

PC

It is pretty hard to find a replacement for the 55!!!

1V8C55

PCV - Thanks for the excellent review

I've also owned my car for close to 3 years now and feel the same way as you. The C55 AMG is a great fun car to drive and I plan to keep it for another 2 years at least. When I first bought my 2006 AMG in 2005, I drove it only on the weekends. Since last year though I drive it ~70 (freeway) miles a day and there's been no issues. As a daily driver, the C55 is awesome. I haven't taken my car to the track yet, but it's something I would love to do.

I've also thought about upgrading to a C63, but I'm very happy with the power from the C55. Another factor is the low MPG of the C63. My car right now averages 22 PMG when I cruise to and from work. The interior looks great and seats are all so comfortable. Maybe I'll change my mind in a year, but for now I enjoy driving every chance I get. The engine torque is addicting. Late night freeway cruises are the best.

I've also become attached to my car. I'm always taking good care of the AMG inside and out. With at least 3-4 car washes a month, the car shines like it did brand new. Even the engine bay looks new.

With it's nice clean looks and fun-to-drive performance, the C55 AMG is definitely a sweet car to own

hkycoldrct

Yes they are indeed. 71 FWY for me. No one but me, the gas pedal and a lot of open road ahead of me......what should I do?

TemjinX2

the pics look good.

wawy

On thing I also noticed is that you have the Oyster (I think?) interior. This along with the Pewter exterior make the car even more of a keeper. I had that color interior in my C320 and received many more compliments on it than I ever did with charcoal. Your car kind of reminds of the rare W202 copper color C55 in the c36/c43 forums: https://mbworld.org/forums/c36-amg-c43-amg-w202/255130-one-nice-c55.html

MercedesFTW

Yup

PC Valkyrie

Thank you all for your kind comments.

Yes, I think not many people have this interior colour. In Canada, the colour was called "Ash". I like it a lot, but the downside is that the light colour interior makes dirty marks very noticeable.

Here is a pic of the interior.

splinter

Quite pleased you’re keeping it.

Always enjoy reading your insightful and articulate posts. I’m certain others do, as well. During my short tenure here, too many respected members have moved on to other marques – never to be heard from again.

Wishing for you many more pleasant AMG miles.

NORTH 44 C63

Well done PCV. Yes I have considered keeping my 55. If I could only get my wife to part with her 330i I would be in business. Still have 2 months to talk her into the 55.

That would be fun having C55 and C63 in the house.....time will tell.

wawy

You're putting a similar idea in my head

cldriver

I plan on keeping mine, got the ash interior color as well.

RedBull

Beautiful car, love the color.

more151please

Mine will be 4 years old come this october. I just turned over 64,000 miles this evening, and i am planning on keeping it until i need to get rid of it, hopefully 5+ years, minimum 100k. Glad you're holding on to yours.

Glasgow Gold

Great review and photos. Beautiful car. Is there a story behind the ultra-rare color combo? Special order thru dealer?

PC Valkyrie

Thanks again for all the kind words.

No special order. Just specified Pewter Silver exterior and Ash interior, and the car was made from the factory that way. Most C55's on dealer's lots have the common Charcoal (black) interior.