C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

buy c32 or c55??????????

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 12:31 PM
  #1  
wzc00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
w209 clk 320
buy c32 or c55??????????

buy c32 or c55??????????
whats your advice
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 12:45 PM
  #2  
Dingleberry's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 2
From: USA
Marsaydees
Dodge Viper.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:19 PM
  #3  
Newzchspy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
Originally Posted by Dingleberry
Dodge Viper.
Dingle, Read the question??? I don't recall him asking about a Viper???

C32= easier to mod than C55, much easier!!!

C55= great car, will be about $10K more to get than a C32? Harder to mod the 55 engine unless you go supercharged like Hooley!!

whats your budget???
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:20 PM
  #4  
PC Valkyrie's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
See this thread for all the differences between a C55 and C32:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...n-c55-c32.html

Which one to buy? Depends on what you value most. If straight line speed is your thing, the C32 is cheaper to modify to go faster. For everything else (handling, steering, ESP tuning, transmission, looks) , I think the C55 is better, especially if the cars are stock.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:34 PM
  #5  
Newzchspy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie
See this thread for all the differences between a C55 and C32:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...n-c55-c32.html

Which one to buy? Depends on what you value most. If straight line speed is your thing, the C32 is cheaper to modify to go faster. For everything else (handling, steering, ESP tuning, transmission, looks) , I think the C55 is better, especially if the cars are stock.



+1, also, performance wise, its probably a draw stock until you start modding them and that's where the C32 is much easier to make go fast than the 55. For about $1000-$1,500 (LET tune and pulley (Eurocharged) you can be running in the high 12s on a C32 at 108-110 with no changes to appearance or driveability other than having a faster car. Hooley had to dump a ton of money $$ into his C55 to make it really go and go it does.......................
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 01:39 PM
  #6  
loungn14's Avatar
SPONSOR
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,459
Likes: 152
From: Houston/ Austin /Toronto / UAE / Minneapolis / Orlando /Cincinnati
Eurocharged Performance ML63 and TT lambo
just buy my car and be done with it.....LOLOL

Either way you will like what you drive.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 05:39 PM
  #7  
Newzchspy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
Originally Posted by loungn14;3700464[B
]just buy my car and be done with it..[/B]...LOLOL

Either way you will like what you drive.
Jake, always marketing, always marketing!!!

Jake's car is very nice and very quick too!!! Seen its tails many times
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 05:45 PM
  #8  
Viper98912's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
I think the C55 hands down is the better car in all aspects. Exterior, interior, performance, suspension, reliability, even gas mileage I think?

But, the C32 can be bought for cheaper $ nowadays and is also cheaper and easier to make much faster.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 07:33 PM
  #9  
320 dreamer's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,152
Likes: 0
From: murfreesboro,tn
2003 porsche 996 turbo
Originally Posted by Viper98912
I think the C55 hands down is the better car in all aspects. Exterior, interior, performance, suspension, reliability, even gas mileage I think?

But, the C32 can be bought for cheaper $ nowadays and is also cheaper and easier to make much faster.
i challenge you to back that performance statement up oct 23 at the al. intl raceway in steele al!! theres going to be a bunch runnin cmon down!
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 07:40 PM
  #10  
jturkel's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,856
Likes: 4
02 C32 AMG
Originally Posted by Viper98912
I think the C55 hands down is the better car in all aspects. Exterior, interior, performance, suspension, reliability, even gas mileage I think?

But, the C32 can be bought for cheaper $ nowadays and is also cheaper and easier to make much faster.
i think this is a mostly accurate statement.

I would agree that the larger 18' rims and quad exhaust are much more appealing on the C55, not to mention the V8 sound (oh lord, you should hear Hooley's in person) and clear headlights (hate the frosties).

C55 handles better. Interior is a little nicer, though I do love my C32 interior with the blue inserts. I actually like my steering wheel more than the C55 (weird, i know). Nav sucks in both haha....

C55 probably more reliable with no i/c pump problems and i dont recall it having seat module problems either. just the valve cover leak IIRC?

straightline performance, i'm gonna say its almost a tie. In cooler temps, the C32 will have an advantage. In warmer temps, the C55. and as we all know, the C32 is cheaper/easier to mod.

Gas mileage, i think its also a tie. I get pretty decent gas mileage when i'm not hammering on it. 17 city and 24 highway. highway mileage depends on speed. below 75 i get above 25. At 75+ (about when the s/c engages) it starts dropping to 22 and below.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 08:13 PM
  #11  
Newzchspy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,165
Likes: 4
PLAID
[QUOTE=jturkel;3700959]i think this is a mostly accurate statement.

straightline performance, i'm gonna say its almost a tie. In cooler temps, the C32 will have an advantage. In warmer temps, the C55. and as we all know, the C32 is cheaper/easier to mod.


+1, although the C32 engine feels a lil stronger than my 55 engine, like you said, particularly in the cold. When Chicago starts getting about 50-60 degree F temps, which is about now, the "kick" of the C32 is just brutal compared to the 55 engine. Its even better at about 40-50 degrees when the supercharger is just pushing cold dense air into the engine!! My 55 is not so temp dependent and seems to run strong at all temps, but does not have the 'kick in the a**" that my C32 engine does. When the C32 starts getting hot, the performance declines substantially. The 55 doesnt seem to care.

Gas mileage, there's no match. My C32 will get 22-25 all day long, sometimes 26-27 if I am on cruise and keep the tans in "C" mode the whole trip. The 55 engine is a veritable gas hog, even though its also pushing about 5500 lbs in a truck. Still, the 55 engine loves the gas, even when I am way gentle with it. The 3.2 of the C32 is a very gentle engine until the SC kicks in and thats also reflected in the gas mileage.
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2009 | 10:50 PM
  #12  
AirFrcd's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 618
Likes: 1
03 c32
Look no further. The quest to your answer is here
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:36 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE