madC55

I have a general C55 AMG question. A few months back I purchased a 2006 C55, but before I purchased I was looking at a new C63. One of the packages offered was a P3 (and someone correct me if I have that wrong, but it doesn't really have any bearing on the question). The upgraded package included a handful of additional options for the C63.

Fast forward to last Friday. I got a call from my buddy who owns a speed shop and a 2005 C55 owner just happened to walk in with a handful of exhaust questions. Just recently I did true duals, res delete and x-pipe on my car and the 2005 owner was interested in hearing my exhaust before making the commitment to fork out the $. I met up with my soon-to-be new AMG friend to let him hear what my car sounded like. Through the conversation we naturally turned to looking at the differences between our vehicles; this is where my question comes in. Along with some subtle changes we noticed that my 2006 had more equipment than his 2005 (e.g., light up door sills, navigation, high/low beam bi-xenon headlights and honestly not even sure what else). I also have designo leather, but I think everyone does.

Now for the questions:
- Is it possible that my car has an upgraded package and how do I tell if it does?
- Is this simply a model year thing (comparing his 2005 C55 to my 2006)? In other words, all 2006's are like this.

Thanks all.

e1000

Lighting package and Command (Navigation) was an option on both the 2005 and 2006 cars.

You don't have Designo leather, you have AMG Premium leather which was standard on all C55's.

Illuminated door sills were a dealer installed option I believe.

These are not model year differences, these were options and option packages.

There are other small differences between the 2005's and 2006's that are particular to model year. One tiny thing that comes to mind is the shift knob is different.

If you have your original window sticker, it should outline what options your car came with from the factory. There's also ways to lookup what factory options were on your car using your VIN.

madC55

Thanks for the information.........Had to dig, but found the original list I posted on another site. It does list it as Designo Leather.

Equipment List (not sure why some listed twice, but here they are):
2006 Pewter C55 (723)
Black Leather Designo (W68) w/Poplar wood brown
319 Lighting package: Bi-Xenon Headlamps
600 Headlamp washing system
614 Bi-Xenon Headlamps
326 Premium Package: 6 disc CD changer
345 Rain sensor wipers
540 Power rear window shade
691 blue glass w/rain sensor
819 6 disc CD changer
530 DVD Command Navigation
Subtotal 59K
Gas Guzzler 1K
Total $61,605

e1000

Ok, it may have been labeled as Designo leather but there was no Designo edition C55 like there are other models. The leather was standard on all C55's. I believe the Wood trim was optional however.

rockjock

I wish mine had the gas guzzler
Looks like a a la carte set up on yours for the most part (some should be grouped into a package iirc)-but you'll find all sorts of odd ducks out there (mine has the blue glass, bi xen, and 6 disc-but no rear shade, or rain sense wipers!)-
post up some pics of your car and welcome!
Oh, the 2006 has 2 hp more then the 05 :lol:

madC55

Got it, thanks again.

e1000

ok, just because your options list has something listed, dosen't mean it wasn't standard. Blue windows were standard on the C55 and were never an option.

the 319 Lighting package probably added the 600 and 614 options. You cannot buy a car with Bi-xenons and without the headlamp washers from the factory.

madC55

+2 HP, now that is funny.

Thanks for the welcome, but actually been around for a bit. Had a 2006 E350 Sport, 2006 ML 500 (still own) and a 2008 C350 Sport in the meantime.

Just been busy and forgot my username and password so I'm starting over..........no worries, I'm not a post counter.

MercedesFTW

What does the shift knob look like on a 05?

The poplar wood trim is very nice looking.

madC55

Actually had to grow on me. Wasn't a fan at first, but now I like the look of the wood. I was just used to having black cars, w/black interiors and brushed aluminum trim. That was my "motto" for 3 cars in a row so the wood threw me when I first got the car.

e1000

There's no 3-pointed star on the top of the shift knob on a 2005. It's just a silver colored disk.

MercedesFTW

Well then you're wrong.

No star on '06 C55s either, also the silver metal disk with chrome surrounding it.

The star shifter came on non-AMG 05+ W203s.

lkfoster

If you punch in your VIN on EPC you can get the buildsheet for your car.

http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/

My '06 datacard lists two different interiors;

840A Amaretta/Leather/Nappa/Semi-Aniline
841A Amaretta/Leather/Nappa/Semi-Aniline - Black/Anthracite

Interior wood trim, black birds eye maple in my case;

732 Wood version, Bird's Eye Maple Black/Anthracite

Apparently the gas guzzle tax wasn't a factory option, as it's not listed.

rockjock

^+1-no star on mine and its an 06.....
Anyone else get a fat wad of cash in the trunk of theirs from the dealer?
Was that an 06 only option?

e1000

oooooo, ok, thought the C55's got the star on the shifter but I guess I was wrong.

1V8C55

Not related to options , but there are 3 minor differences that I noticed between the '05 and '06 C55s:

1. The headrest restraint. The '06 model has a slightly larger headrest
2. The A/C button on/off functionality.
3. In the '06 front bumper, lower grill... the heat exchanger is different. (? I think that's the name for it). It actually makes the front bumper look better on the newer models.

ricecooker415

06 cd changer can play mp3's

1Lop2K5C

I have compared the front end of an 05 and 06, they looked identical to each other. which lower grill are you refering to?

On another note, everyone has the AMG seats with the silver stiching correct?

rockjock

06 C55 and I have it....

1V8C55

Yep. You are correct. I forgot about that option. It was one of the reasons why I waited a few months for the '06 model.


Sorry for the confusion. Not the front grill itself, but what I'm referring to is behind the front grill. I think it's the heat exchanger (?).

Check out the picture below and notice the silver cylinder type bar behind the front grill. I had compared with my friend's '05 C55 and he did not have it. Also, if the car is dirty it would be hard to notice. I didn't really notice it until I pressure washed my car and removed all of the excess dirt behind the front grill.

Newzchspy

+1, my 04 C32 has all the option cept for the Navi, which was normally "loaded" onto the other options. ?? Go figure, sounds like a special order car??

As far as value, it wont increase because a buyer doesnt really look at all those options, Blue glass, rear shade, he just wants a "book value " C 55.

What did you pay for the car??? C32s and C55 are dropping faster than a Madoff investor in this market. The C 63 ain't doing so well either.

alboogiee

Must be hit or miss...I got the star, but a few other 06's I looked at didnt have it.

cdd

Mine does not have the star on the shifter...

SoCalC55

Same here

F1Bobby

Thanks for all the info!