Pierre32///AMG

You guys here at the forum are really cool, and I do remember that you help me a lot when I change my divine C43 for my new C32.
Well, the question arise again, base in preliminary reports the new E55 will be base on 74-76k and with everything you may pay 83-85k so far.
Do you think that is really valuable to change my ’03 C32 now for a new ’04 E55 (so far 40k after trade)?
I am really confuse, perhaps 40k after trade is too much.

Thanks!

Harris

Pierre: I have the EXACT same question as you! I've lined up for a E55 but I've been struggling to let go of my lovely C32. My thoughts until this moment are most likely I wont buy a E55 due to several reasons:

1) I think I am still a bit too young to have a E55, I think E55 is for some successful businessman in his 40's. I am not there yet.
2) E55 is a bit too big for my daily driving. I dont see myself in need of a bigger car.
3) I dont think the E55's interior looks that much better than a C32.
4) A guy walked up to me the other day and asked me if my "bi-xenon" C32 is the Man In Black II car. I said no.... There are people in this world who cannot distinguish between a C and a E!! From some angle, a bi-xenon C32 does look pretty much like a E.
5) Most important of all...if we take only HALF of the 40K that we have to make up and invest it on a C32, I am sure our C32 can outperform the E55 in ANY catagory.

///MB

If you want more performance, luxury and technology and still want a full factory warranty, then I would say get the E55... as long as you can afford it. =)

I think the E class is MUCH nicer both inside and out than the C32. The C32 doesn't even have lumbar support on the seats. Also, with the Airmatic DC suspension in the sportiest setting, the E class has a stiffer and less boaty ride than the C32.

Both are great cars, but like i said, if you have the money, trade up.

amgme

with a 40k hit, i would wait. it'll also give you time for them to work out the bugs on the new e55.

kaneman

I have an '02 C32 and will be selling it on and getting an '03 E55. For me there was no question... I love the C32 but I've always been a V8 man and the idea of a factory S/C V8 rocks my world. I am sure I'll give up the tossability of the C32 but after driving my wife's E500 I'm very much ready to get into a larger car. I'm only 30 so IMO it's NOTHING to do with age... the E55 definitely doesn't have an 'old' image. IMO it's just a bit more sophisticated than the C32 and a bit more 'grown up'. The C32 is still a wonderful car, but gimme the V8!

kaneman

Shouldn't be too terribly much to work out at this point. The engine has been around for a year or more and the new E will have been out for almost a year. It's not like when the M5 came out with a completely new, untested engine. Also, I bought the first C32 my dealership got in and aside from the supercharger cut-out issue I've not had a bit of trouble with it. Thankfully MB seems to be good to work with regarding niggly problems.

///MB

I feel the same way... the rumble of the AMG V8s is GREAT!

odysseycpm

Your points are well taken, however item 5 cannot presently be satsified by the known contributing tuners. Unless I have missed a few posts, the only upgrades that have marginal, but published gains are pulley and possibly ECU related. Short of engine conversions, of course. These power increases hardly threaten the E55 in many of the lengthy acceleration categories.

JustinTRW

I got asked the same thing when he saw my car from behind.

On the issue of the new E55 having problems, I do not think it will have anymore problems than a E500. I have a 2002 C32 which was the first year run and my car is as reliable as a C320. The same thing is true for the SL55 vs. SL500. You won't get any major supercharger problems.

Back to the original question: I think it depends if this car will be your only car to drive (no weekend car). If you drive to work, you probably won't appreciate the extra power that much and for the weekend, you already have another car. However on the weekend, if the E55 is your ride, you can explore it a little more. I don't think it is worth $40k merely for the power. You would have to justify the increased interior amenities, which again, are not worth $40k. But maybe the combination is worth it.

Personally, I'd wait a couple years and buy a real sports car for the weekend with that $40k. My priorities are changing though...I am willing to give some power in return for handling. Far less powerful cars are just as exciting, if not more, to drive than the E55.

55 cabdriver

...but then again, so is the C32. I was on the wait list for the new E55 at my dealer with a deposit down for a few months. I was planning to trade in the CLK 55 cab on it. However, one test drive in the C32 convinced me to keep the cab for weekend duty, and switch my deposit over to the C32. I negotiated a decent lease and both cars have been in my garage for a week now. To me, I just decided that as awesome as the E55 will be, I personally would rather have a commuter AMG and a weekend AMG, even if that option did cost a few more dollars. But as always, you'll just have to decide where your priorities and budget balance out at. (Of course, with all this snow recently, both cars have been sitting and I've been driving my son's GTI.)

my401

Cold drink? or Poke in the eye with sharp stick? I can't make-up my mind? by the way what Bugs need working out?

FrankW

YES if money is not a factor.

for me, I'd love to take a E55 over the C32 anyday, but E55 is just way out of reach. E55 will be my dream car from now on.

Collin

My C32 is a weekend car and I have enough trouble as it is to explore the limits of it with all the traffic we have here...very congested!! Besides, here in West Tennessee we don't have alot of fun roads close-by like you So-Cal people.

However, that V8 sounds very wicked! I would probably wanna wait a year or so and try and get an E55 for low-to-mid sixties. That should be pretty doable. If you take into account the normal first year depreciation for the C32's.

The car I bought used six weeks ago went into service in May 2002 and stickered for probably $54k. I got it for $42k with 11k miles. That seems to be where the market is for '02's right now unless you're in the aforementioned So-Cal...the AMG's probably bring more out there.

Collin

CRB

If you have $40K just laying around AND need a back seat that is comfortably usable AND are familiar (and like) the "drive by wire" aspects that are part of the new E-class experience then go for it.

///MB

I thought the C32 has "drive by wire" too?

Or, are you referring to "brake by wire"

Mr. Xristo

WHAT??!!

If you can afford an E55 and wish to have one then purchase it.

F**k everyone else and their "perceptions" of how old someone "has to be" to drive a vehicle.

Pierre32///AMG

Thank you very much guys, you are awesome!!
The point is that I can afford to pay 40K but I am not sure.
Here there are some other extra variables:
-I am single and just 30, on May I will get my 3rd Master and I am done with spend time at the Libraries
-I have my business running, but I have been that busy that now I am looking these future weekends with more more time
-The point is, for 40k I can go and tune more my C32 and buy a red Ducati 999 + a really needed vacations some where.
-or get a cool use sport car as BMW Z3 M, Boxter, etc....

amgme

if it was a choice between the two, i think it makes more sense to buy a ducatti and go on a vacation. the e55 is nice but you can do so much more for the amount you will be paying. you need to enjoy all aspects of life rather than having a fast sedan. but if you can get both of them, go for it! my 2 cents.

///MB

I guess it depends on how content you are with the C32 then. If you would rather spend the money on a vacation and a bike, then do that instead of the E55. But in the long run, you'll probably spend more time driving the E55 than the time on a vacation. =)
As far as engine mods for the C32, there's really nothing besides pulleys that you can do somewhat affordably. And, you'll be losing reliability at the same time.

kaneman

It depends on your priorities. I LOVE the new E. The interior, the ergonomics, the way it drives. I occasionally drive my wife's '03 E500 and cannot WAIT to get my '55. It's so much better than the W210 in so many ways (she had a W210 E55). Even with a non-sport E500, with the Airmatic suspension on it's firmest setting I was surprised with how well the car drove and how sure-footed it felt. It wasn't perfect but then again, we're talking about a garden variety E500 with (relatively) high-profile 17" tires which is calibrated for comfort above all. I'm sure the sport would handle even better and based on my experience, the E55 shouldn't give up much at all to the C32 in handling.

But, you're right, for the additional $40k you can have another car. If you don't mind the size of the C, and you're happy with the performance, get a second toy. The sure way to know is to drive an E500 and use your imagination. If you don't fall in love with it, don't make the jump.

Boo2

YES, it is worth it.

Marko

NO, it is not.

FrankW

care to explain?

I think it's worth it if I don't have the C32 already because the new E55 is simply amazing in performance and technology. And it also looks great.

Marko

Not that much more "amazing" than the C32, and without a DOUBT not enough to justify an ADDITIONAL $40k.

A complete no brainer.

Boo2

Actually, it IS much more "amazing" than the C32 and that is why it is 40k more. I would buy it if I wanted to take on car payments, but I figured that a paid off C32 is better than paying 500 a month for an E55.