OK Gent's here goes...
I just wanted to post a quick "real world use" guide to anyone who is lurking these forums while considering a C55 purchase (like I once did).

The short form answer to the thread title is an emphatic YES, they make fantastic daily drivers and mine has been extremely reliable on the whole. I do a killer daily commute of 110 (mostly highway) miles a day-in all weather- here in upstate NY and I get 22-24 mpg. I drive year round, but in the snow I run with four dedicated 17" rims with 225/45-17 snow tires and 100lbs of weight in the trunk. Do the same and it will drive like any other RWD car in the snow-maybe even a little better as the traction control works very well in snow and ice. If that’s all you wanted to know then read no further and get back to searching for one. If you are so inclined a little more detailed explanation follows;

As a large portion of any post such as this one is opinion, I feel I should offer a bit about myself in order to put my opinions into perspective. I’m a 40yo male, and I grew up in a motorhead environment working on cars since I was little. I have a real soft spot for English stuff, and I currently have a nice little collection, two ’57 MGA’s two ’73 MGB’s and three vintage Triumph motorcycles –a ’67 T100 an ’69 T120r and a ’70 Tr6r. I also have a ’70 GTO but it’s a family heirloom and I don’t use it anymore. Oh, and I have a ’78 F-150 that I love dearly but is a very scary vehicle. Close your eyes and imagine what a free pick up truck looks like. Yeah, it’s like that but green and uglier. I have been fortunate enough to have owned or driven some really unique vehicles over the years- thanks in part to friends and family. I have a reference base of quite a bizarre variety of vehicles- From an Amphicar to a Maserati Bora, various Porsches to a Series 2 XKE, heck- a friends VW Microbus memory still makes me smile. I only drove that bus once, but God if that thing wasn’t the goofiest vehicle I ever drove-laughed like a fool the whole time I drove it.

Also, I work on everything I own (and more stuff that I don’t own then I’d like) and I tend not to bother about repair costs other than parts. I do all my own work, whether classic or modern, and so I tend to not be put off of a purchase by potential difficulties of finding a “good specialist”-- so bear that in mind as well. Also, I like forced induction cars (My first was a 931 I bought broken, fixed and then later worked when I was a Senior in High School. I kept it through college and still remember the car very fondly) but coming off a supercharged car I decided on a C55 over a C32 when I replaced my XJR. Just my choice at the time, but I would venture much of what follows will likely apply to a C32 as well.

I never buy any car new. Ever. To me, the cost of a plebeian new car opens up so many more interesting machines in the pre-owned market. I bought my ’05 C55 when it was 4 years old, with the Carfax showing one original private owner out of Bergen Co. NJ. The single owner history and the fact that the car was never hit were my primary concerns when I was shopping. Calls to the Me/Be dealer showed a good service history and no open recalls. My car is a base model, with no nav/no hid and is bone stock, except for SL55 rims with Conti Extreme Contact summer tires and under size snows (Michelin Pilot Alpin’s on 17 x 8 rims) I’m now at about 88k and the car continues to enthrall me every day I drive it. I truly feel that, for me, my C55 is as close to the edge of practical / super-high-performance as an all season daily driver can get. 90% of the time I just “putt” down the road in comfort mode, looking (almost) like every other C class on the road. Did you ever hook up with a really pretty girl, but you were keeping it secret for a little while. Nobody else around knew what was up except for you and her? Yeah, it's kinda like that. And while it is sharp looking, most of the time people don't give it a second thought-except for other car guys and gals. And when I do want to have a juvenile moment the car is right there with me, all while getting decent gas mileage with seating for my wife and three kids. The ride quality is, to my mind, perfect. I find the car to be smooth and comfortable, without being mushy. Hard into a sharp turn and the car leans a bit at first- but stay in it and she takes a set and moves cleanly through the line. I've read comments that some people found it to ride a bit "harsh". A TVR or a Morgan is "harsh", this is firm. Also, my best friend is a BMW Tec and reminds me constantly that an M3 is faster around the track. That's great, but I'm not driving the Nordschleife -I'm driving to work or the damn mall most of the time. I don't dislike BMW's per sey but the last one I bought was a 320i, they kinda lost me after them- nice, just not me. (I do dislike Audi's tho', so I don't care about your S4/S5/S8. Not trying to be harsh, but with the sole exception of the '80's vintage swb GT they just don't make cars I like.) The C55's trunk swallows everything from sports gear bags and horseback riding gear with the seat up, and seat down I've grabbed a few 2x4x8'' from the lumber yard and closed the trunk lid. In short you can use it like a really practical small sedan, just with a psychopath under the hood. That AMG 5.4 v8 is really just one of the all-time greats and I think time will bear me out on that. Like a Ferrari v12, Porsche 2.7 or a Lancia v4-just special somehow.

It’s not all perfect though. I could care less about stereo’s as a rule, but boy that complaint is valid. It really, really sucks. I also dislike the way the wind enters the car with the windows down-it blows right into my left ear in an annoying way. The “trigger shifters” are rubbish, waaayyy too slow on the shifts to be of any real use when driving hard. All I’ve managed to do is bump the damn things by mistake when parking. Don’t like those, either. The chrome on the cup holder all peeled, but it's only about a $100. The seat heater on the lower part of the drivers seat died. I do miss that and may try an after market "universal" heating pad swap. My kids miss rear seat heaters, so I might try an install in the back first just to see how it goes. I'm torn on the auto-on wipers. Sometimes I like the way they just kick on, but mostly I just find them too fast (maybe too frequent is more accurate) and would prefer regular intermittent wipers. I seem to just tap the single swipe most of the time. She eats rear summer tires in about 8k to 10k depending on the tire, despite my being careful with them (well, careful most of the time) but you know that going in. I rotate my undersized snows every 1500 miles with out fail and have been getting two seasons out of those (but I also don’t “play” with them on the car-just pretend it’s a C320 OK). I had to do front and rear rotors, pads and the parking brake shoes when I bought it, but all the parts were only about $500.00. I also had to seal up the cam covers at about 65k-70k. It started getting a burning oil smell inside the car from time to time. Honestly it worried me a bit (anyone who knows about Jag's issues with the nicasil engines will understand) until I sourced it out. But in the end the repair was only some time and a tube of Permatex. My rear CV joints are just now starting to click a bit, and will need doing. The power steering pump whines when she's cold in the winter, but is hanging in there. So really, other than basic wear items so far it's just needed regular servicing.

So, for a car that I just gave a 2010 Corvette a hell of a go in, I don’t think that’s too bad. The only thing I kinda wish is that I could have found a wagon, because a) that would fit my needs a bit better at the moment and b) It's really just that little bit more of a sleeper in a wagon, isn't it?

PS. I just want to thank Hoolyboy for answering that "I wonder if..."question. I got a little dust in my eye when I heard it was gone.

 

Couldn't have said it better

 

c55 traps 105mph

2010 vette traps 120mph

if the vette owner wanted to, he would have smoked your c55

 

Great story and good to see another C55 owner satisfied with their car as an awesome all-round performace car. I totally agree with most of what you said. Maybe "harsh" is a bit strong, but the C55 is definitely a lot firmer than than any non-AMG Merc, so people expecting a super smooth and comfortable ride are not going to get what they want. It was a night and day difference when compared to my previous C240.

You can tell your best friend that the E46 M3 being signficantly faster than a C55 around a track is a pure myth based on many BMW owners' assumptions/internet propaganda. Head to head testing, shows that the E46 M3 is only slightly faster than a C55 around short tracks.....by 0.2-0.3 seconds per lap. On the Nordschleife, the C55 and E46 M3 have identical laptimes posted by Sport Auto. It's the C32 which was significantly slower, and the BMW guys simply don't know the suspension/steering/ESP differences between the C32 and C55.

 

Well, now I guess I should tell the tale...
First, I never said "I smoked 'em" or someother bunk. Only that I gave a honorable performance against a superior performance car (a car I'm sure he'll drive in next years blizzards like I do my C55).

Three lanes, I'm stopped at a red light in the center lane, looking up a phone # in my cell. Left lane pulls up yellow 2010 base coupe. Saw the driver as I passed him earlier in traffic. A standard new 'vette driver mid-60's male out for a spin. I never figured he would give it a go, so I never looked up from my phone. The light changes and I hear his wheel spin. Ohcrapgameson throw the phone to the floor and nail it- a/c is off but I'm in comfort w/ trac control on. My front bumper is at his rear wheel by the time I'm on it. Every time he shifts I grab a big bite forward, by the time we hit a buck we are side by side when we shut down. We stop a the next light, same exact lanes with another long three lane straight with no side streets. I yelled over that that was fun but I wasn't ready. Would he fancy another go? He said no, it was too windy and stuff was blowing around inside his car. I yelled back, "well,thanks that was fun." End of encounter.

Not a win but, as I initally stated, "a hell of a go". So if he was playing with me, I guess the laugh will be on me the next time I get a chance to run one-'cause I will. Hell I'll friendly run anyone in anything. And if his wheelspin was any indication he was not holding back too much. Guy in the minivan in the slow lane called it a tie and was urging us to give it another go.

 

God, you guys make me miss my C55... Infact as mich as I love the SL55 now... I liked the C55 better... However i will revisit that after the next batch of mods.

One of my fondest memories was... After walking on some old Muscle cars at the drap strip. The guy at the time slip booth would look at me my car and the 11 second pass ticket. with a WTF look on his face. I would just smile. Or listening to the radio broadcast while running the 1/4 mile... Durring one burnout the PA announcer said "after the smoke clears believe it or not... A Mercedes is going to come out of it."

Then the Audi R8 I raced 4 time in a row, destroying it every time.. After the third run we pulled up to a stop light. He asked me what I had in that car.. All I said was "a small V8."

The C55 is such an amazing car able to handle more power than people are willing to give it.

Great write up, If we keep talking about this I might shed a tear.

 

Great words K Close. Totally agree. I especially liked the secret girlfriend simile

 

Thanks so much for doing the write up, what a pleasure to read. I can only hope I'm this satisfied with my car looking back a few years from now.

It's threads like this that make me truly believe this is the best MB forum available to the public.

 

solid writeup - i hear you totally about the radio ...speaking of which...my HK amp just officially died... so looks like a new aftermarket system is in order (not a trunk slamming thing, but something that warrants better sound).

 

Its so funny. This guy, for a reason that escapes most of us MB drivers, is the most unabashed apologist for the Corvette (of all cars). It just tickles me

Anyways, cool post That was pretty thorough stuff.

An AMG Estate version would be awesome (well, MB wagons are kind of ugly, but practical for those with kids)... Sleeper wagons are awesome!!! They get the groceries home in hurry. I used to drive a 485AWHP Audi A4 Avant wagon:



Does MB even make an AMG wagon (in Europe perhaps)?



I just sold mine. They are horrible to drive everyday...And they have horrible forums, a bunch of spoiled rich kids with entitlement issues.
Of all the forums ive been apart of (and moderated) this is without a doubt the best one. I never see threads like this elsewhere (and the people here are great).

 

Nice looking audi you had there. And yes they did have an c55 estate in Europe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBQ4BOMzCMw

 

Kelly,

Fantastic write up, I agree completely! My C55 is the best performance sleeper I have had, previous AMG included!! It's a great car to work on and will last forever if religously maintained -- only problem is, once the mod bug hits, there's no turning back. Keep on cruising.

 

This is an understatement The C55 had consumed me like that Ring in the that movie.

 

203 C55 and 204 C63 wagons just don't do it for me, I prefer the sedans. I do love the 211 and 212 E63 wagons though. Definitely would love to own an 211 E63 wagon. Sick.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys. I just wanted to post something that I would have liked to have found and read while shopping. I hope it helps push someone in the right direction.

I just want to make a few comments on comments (in order);

Hooleyboy-I absolutely love the story about the smoke clearing. Great stuff.

Chris- I'm pretty sure your still gonna be satisfied with your car over time. I really can't explain or rationalize how much I love mine. And mine's not a toy. I drive mine a lot, too much really. Every other car I've used for commuting has sat in the driveway on my days off- while I rode a bike or took an MG. I haven't even pulled a bike out of the shed yet this year ('cept for the dirtbike's- they don't count) I always choose the C55. In fact I only drive other stuff if my wife has snagged the C55 on me. After about 30k over some of the best and crappiest roads in NY -in all weather- that is the highest praise I can give anything. Car is still as tight and rattle free as it was when I bought it.

Alumar- I would be interested to hear how that swap goes. I would do something myself if I could keep the steering wheel controls working.

SETSEROCK- OK, somehow in 9 posts you made me regret my Audi comment and made me look stupid at the same time. That is one serious looking wagon, very nice job. And yeah, I don't understand the Corvette thing. I never bashed it- hell I like them just fine- or said that I blew his doors off or some crap. It's just real world driving can make that 10 mph difference look a lot smaller or bigger than numbers on a page can sometimes. This one broke my way. If he was a slushbox I think he would have got me cleanly. But my car was at about 25k in the NADA last time I looked--- what's a new 'Vette sell for again?

Tump43 (Marc)- I need to point out I know Marc (I actually bought my rims from him) and can vouch for his C55. Very, very well done C55. I have to admit that the way Marc's car sounds is the only mod I really lust after so far. I am just not willing to cough up the fuel mileage/ground clearance/ext. to squeeze a little more out of it. That's why I loved Hooleyboys so much. Just knowing it could be done is enough for me right now. It is, for me anyway, just that close to the perfect balance of practical and performance. -- But GOD does marc's car sound awesome, maybe I'll just do headers someday....

 

Great write-up. I can relate as I'm 41 had a similar car background, and now a an M113 powered CLK55. I have the same comments on my 5.5 CLK.

You should write for road-n-track, you got a way with words sir.

..

re vettes - I had a z06.... it was fast.... it was REALLY FAST..... but it was not me..... my CLK55 is me..... I'm doing the bolt-on thing and enjoying every bit of it.

....

GTO - sell it to me {in my steven seagal voice}

 

K CLOSE,

I wanted to personally thank you for your article. I found this forum as a result of web searching for information on C55's. I was on the fence about purchasing an 2005 C55. I live in Wash D.C. so I do relate to having 4-seasons of weather to deal with. I have owed my C55 for about 1.5months now, and I have to admit it was the best purchase I have made.

It's almost hard for me to describe, other than to simply say: "This car fits me". I've driven all types of vehicles in my life, and being active-duty military I've also had the blessing of being able to drive many of them outside of the US (where the speed limit is much more liberal to say the least..). But with all that being said, I can honestly say that the C55 feels like a true extension of me when I'm driving her.

When you made your analogy of the "secret girlfriend", I couldn't describe her better myself. I like knowing how good this car is, and the fact that many folks around me have no clue.

I hope I didn't get too long winded, just felt compelled to share...

I hope and pray everyone has a great Presidents day!!

 

K Close, once again, highly appreciated and a wonderful write up from yourself.

Please keep us updated on your C55 special baby.

Always great reading articles like yours.

Thank you.

 

B Heart,
I am extremely pleased you found my post helpful, as that was the spirit in which it was written. I am certain you will not regret the purchase, as the more time passes the more you seem to bond with this car (well I do anyway). Kinda tough having your first month of ownership spent dealing with this rather nasty winter we have been having here on the East Coast. Just take comfort that soon winter will be behind us, and you will only come to love that C55 more.
K Close

Unfortunately, my C55 has been sitting basically unused until just last week. I had to go to Manhattan and have the Doc's screw my left shoulder back together in December, and it has hurt to much to drive. We started and moved it regularly, but no real mileage got added. Very glad to be back behind the wheel, even if it is for short runs in "old fart" mode (with the snows on to boot).
Come this spring and hopefully better health I want to do some service work. Thinking of around the time when I switch back to summer mode in May. I was thinking of posting some of the work with steps and photos. Nothing major, just more of that "don't be afraid of the big bad C55" kinda thing. Nothing on a Tec's or Hooleyboy's level, just a kinda shade tree "doing a service, checking / changing the brakes, gasket's on cam covers". Do you guys think there would be any interest in that? Has it already been done here?
And again, thanks for the kind words guys. I'm no wordsmith, so it's good to know I got the spirit across that I intended to. I don't always succeed in that when I'm writing.

 

I think you'd be TOO GOOD for any of the car magazines. seriously, i subscribe to ALL of them. either i'm getting too old, or the quality of the writers have gone down hill big time. for me, reading about new cars are interesting, but that's only the beginning of the story. if a car's great during the first 12 months, so what...how about the next 5 to 10 yrs. my favorite is actually Excellence Magazine for Porsches when they compare older cars. Recently, they compared what $15k could buy in used...and had boxster, 968, and carreras - now that's a fun article.

Good luck on your shoulder recovery...i hear it's pretty brutal rehab(and that's comparing it to wife who's just recovering from ACL surgery which is pretty tough also).

PL

 

I am new to this forum after stumbling on this post while researching the C55. First, what a great thread (even if I am a little late to the party). I identified with several of you immediately and thought this was the right place for my questions. At 41 with two kids I miss my '87 911 and my E39 540i (M Sport) desperately. While living in Iowa for 5 years I relinquished the crazy fun for an AWD 328xi wagon and bunch of soccer bags. I have relocated to Dallas and irrationally want to replace the wagon *now*. Who cares if it's a problem free CPO vehicle, right? The only caveat is that I won't buy new and I won't spend stupid money.

I have looked at and/or driven a 911 (964 series), CLK55, E500, BMW 335i, M3 and then stumbled on this clever little gal. A 2005 C55 with 39K miles for about $23K. I test drove it ... insert silly grin here ... it's certainly doesn't provide the same top down fun factor as an air cooled 911 vibrating in your chest, but the A/C blows cold, my family can actually ride in the car with me and it would walk the 911 and the 540 with an automatic, no less.

http://www.straightlineautomotivegro...las-TX/912810/

The car is cosmetically a 9/10. The air dam has been curbed, but will be repaired by the dealer if I purchase the car. The records are relatively complete, but I could use some guidance on what I ought to look for mechanically.

Your thoughts and perspectives would be very helpful.

Thanks,

JB

 

Buy it, it' a fantastic car. And you've got two out of the three most important options - bi-xenon HID and Comand navigation (third is black birds eye maple wood interior). Biggest cons I see is the price, you should be able to snag it for less than $20k now, and secondly those are not original AMG rims. Tell him you want a lot of because of that.

 

Thanks for the response - I was curious about the wheelset. They look okay, but I would prefer and AMG wheelset.

 

PS mine is my DD. Bought with 46k, 2 years ago, have put on an additional 48k since then. Aside from a few little things here and there, no major issues

 

Bought mine 2 months ago as my dd w/27K on the odo. I've had it up to Wash DC and PA so for, and it's been bulletproof reliable. It is a blast to drive anywhere. Yes, ride is a little firm, but I got used to it quickly and the suspension precision more than makes up for it. Power wise it's not an E63 or V12TT, but I have hung with and embarrased several high $$ cars in the course of my daily travels. Very happy with the C55, it puts a smile on my face every day.