C32 or C55?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, GA
2004 Audi S4
C32 or C55?
Hey guys, I am pretty new to the MB world. I am trying to find out what everyone prefers (price aside)...the C32 or C55? They look to be pretty similar cars apart from the obvious; engine size. This will be my DD and I was hoping to have a quick, fun car. If I mod anything it will be minimum, so which is best out of the box? Thanks for any help.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, GA
2004 Audi S4
I dug this up from online but still want to know what you guys think.
http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/W2033255.html
http://www.marcusfitzhugh.com/CLK/W2033255.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
C55 has a better factory suspension, more powerful stock engine, slightly better reliability, slightly better front end design, nicer/ more modern interior, and bigger wheels.
C32 is cheaper to purchase (and you can subsequently use the extra money for mods if you wanted to), and can make more power for less money.
Boils down to what you plan on modding (and spending) vs. what you want to keep stock
C32 is cheaper to purchase (and you can subsequently use the extra money for mods if you wanted to), and can make more power for less money.
Boils down to what you plan on modding (and spending) vs. what you want to keep stock
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 0
From: People's Republic of California (Southern Region)
C55 AMG, CLK550
Well having lived with a C55 for the last (2) years I can say that it is a great car. No its not the fastest thing on the planet but it will surely put a smile on your face when you drive it. I have never driven or been in a C32 so I can't compare them.
The one thing about the C55 is it was made for only (2) years (I think the C32 is in there also) and a nice one with low mileage that hasn't been raced or over the top on mods are getting fewer and fewer. Will they be a collector car down the road? Who's to say. The one thing you should ask yourself is this.... How many C55s do I see when I'm traveling down the road? If you're looking for a reasonable car that will pretty much make you smile when your right foot gets heavy then look for a C55.
The one thing about the C55 is it was made for only (2) years (I think the C32 is in there also) and a nice one with low mileage that hasn't been raced or over the top on mods are getting fewer and fewer. Will they be a collector car down the road? Who's to say. The one thing you should ask yourself is this.... How many C55s do I see when I'm traveling down the road? If you're looking for a reasonable car that will pretty much make you smile when your right foot gets heavy then look for a C55.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
A C32 can definitely be had for a lot cheaper than a C55, performance wise they are very similar, C32 has a lot more performance mods, looks of interior and exterior are subjective, suspension is better in a C55, and the C55 is more reliable.
The C32 has a bad intercooler design and will suffer from heat soak and with the age of most car there well be a few repairs that will be necessary, but nothing some one with a good tool set can handle. Invest in a good tool set if you do decide to purchase the C32, because it will save you a lot of money. Every thing has been very reliable, but there are a a few things that need to be replaced or corrected, but like I said before usually it is simple stuff.
The C32 has a bad intercooler design and will suffer from heat soak and with the age of most car there well be a few repairs that will be necessary, but nothing some one with a good tool set can handle. Invest in a good tool set if you do decide to purchase the C32, because it will save you a lot of money. Every thing has been very reliable, but there are a a few things that need to be replaced or corrected, but like I said before usually it is simple stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
If you plan on keeping it stock and keeping it for a long time, get a C55 for sure. The C55 is a little more powerful in stock form, more reliable than the C32, and I think the C55 has a better interior. However, the C32 has much more available for adding more power.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 5
From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
I say get the C32 and turn it into a monster if you have the mod bug!
C55 if you just want the nice V8 pwr and tq and you are'nt interested in making the wild power that the C32 has the potential to make.
C55 if you just want the nice V8 pwr and tq and you are'nt interested in making the wild power that the C32 has the potential to make.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 6
From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
The C55 has "wild" potential too, but the only option is adding a supercharger.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,040
Likes: 125
From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 28
From: Western Canada
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
I traded my C32 in for a C55 and can pretty much echo what everyone is saying here. I prefer my C55 over my C32. The upgraded interior, quad exhaust pipes, suspension and V8 are hard to say no to. Both are fantastic cars and I would have no problems buying a C32 again if the C55 was not available.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, GA
2004 Audi S4
Thanks for all the help guys. I listed my truck on craigslist yesterday and a guy is already coming to look at it today. Hopefully it works out and I can get one of these things soon. I think I'm leaning more towards the C55 for two reasons: the suspension and the ***-end! Gotta love the quad exhaust.
I looked at the classifieds but does anyone know of any other C55s within 250 miles of southern Alabama?
I looked at the classifieds but does anyone know of any other C55s within 250 miles of southern Alabama?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
Thanks for all the help guys. I listed my truck on craigslist yesterday and a guy is already coming to look at it today. Hopefully it works out and I can get one of these things soon. I think I'm leaning more towards the C55 for two reasons: the suspension and the ***-end! Gotta love the quad exhaust.
I looked at the classifieds but does anyone know of any other C55s within 250 miles of southern Alabama?
I looked at the classifieds but does anyone know of any other C55s within 250 miles of southern Alabama?
If you can get the car down to $17k it maybe a good deal. Good luck!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Last edited by loudandheard; Aug 22, 2010 at 02:45 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
It might be an 030 performance package from my research, but I'm not sure.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 8
From: Seattle, WA
C55
If you can a c55 for ~20k go for it. I paid high 20's for mine with 26k miles on the clock and don't regret it at all. However, for the amount I spent on a stock c55 you could have bought a c32 for around 15k or so and built it into a BEAST. I had to pay 2k + labor for the kleemann headers and tune to make 48rwhp. Its much cheaper to make the c32 faster.
Last edited by RLx02; Aug 22, 2010 at 09:03 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 3
From: Houston, TX
C32/C55 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 5
none
