Buying new car
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Buying new car
We own 2 MB's and mom is looking to buy another one. We have been looking at some cars with a budget of 11-12k. We've looked at C32's and have found one in good condition and well maintained for 9k, but it's a long drive away.. she is also looking at C320's and C240's for 8-9k. And we found a C36 for 8k.. but she does not want a car that old. Now I'm asking which is the better buy for the price of 8.5-9k, a C240 or the C32? Both well maintained, but the C32 is a long, long drive away.
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
get the c32! i'm not one to judge, but my guess from your posting is that you are between 16-20 years old and you can spend a weekend picking up the car not having to worry about the guys back at the office 
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She is afraid the C32 will be more expensive to repair/ maintain. I keep telling her a road trip would be nice anyways 
. Whatever she buys is what I'll be driving most of the time so I'm hellbent on convincing her the C32 is more than worth the drive and the money.
. Whatever she buys is what I'll be driving most of the time so I'm hellbent on convincing her the C32 is more than worth the drive and the money.
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From: Phx, AZ
N/A
C32 is a much better car and allot of fun to drive. It would be worth the drive depending on mileage and condition of the vehicle.
However keep in mind all the common issues with the C32 that tend to go wrong or need replacement over time as the vehicle gets older and more mileage, and have deep pockets to pay for repairs and maintenance as they are never cheap.
I'm sure some members with a C32 can chime in here and tell you some common issues they face.
AMG = costly maintenance and repairs
If you had to sacrifice get a C230 Kompressor or C320, both fun to drive and reasonable maintenance costs. The C240 barely has enough power to get out of its own way, and a toned down body kit on it.
However keep in mind all the common issues with the C32 that tend to go wrong or need replacement over time as the vehicle gets older and more mileage, and have deep pockets to pay for repairs and maintenance as they are never cheap.
I'm sure some members with a C32 can chime in here and tell you some common issues they face.
AMG = costly maintenance and repairs
If you had to sacrifice get a C230 Kompressor or C320, both fun to drive and reasonable maintenance costs. The C240 barely has enough power to get out of its own way, and a toned down body kit on it.
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Well she doesn't want a coupe or a v8. Just a 6-cylinder sedan. She likes the C320 and an AWD C240, but is still a bit skeptical about the C32 although it's in her price range. Now obviously the C32 is my choice, but I need hard evidence and inputs from owners on here to make it more appealing to her over the C240 and C320.
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From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Well she doesn't want a coupe or a v8. Just a 6-cylinder sedan. She likes the C320 and an AWD C240, but is still a bit skeptical about the C32 although it's in her price range. Now obviously the C32 is my choice, but I need hard evidence and inputs from owners on here to make it more appealing to her over the C240 and C320.
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From: Houston, TX
a car.
I don't get why people are saying you need more money for repairs on the C32 vs any other W203. Aside from the supercharger they're pretty much the same. If a power seat motor goes bad it's going to cost the same on the C32 as it would on a C320. Same goes for tires, brakes, bushings, motor mounts, light bulbs, etc. Service A and B are the same price as well.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
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From: New mexico
2005 E55 AMG
+1...chris is absolutely correct. Most issues are with the W203 in general and to be able to buy this car at this cost now is unbelievable. Just think what a dealership salesman would tell you when it was new. There would be no comparison whatsoever and if you can upgrade to this level at the same price its a no brainer. performance wise its the difference between a saturn and a corvette.
I don't get why people are saying you need more money for repairs on the C32 vs any other W203. Aside from the supercharger they're pretty much the same. If a power seat motor goes bad it's going to cost the same on the C32 as it would on a C320. Same goes for tires, brakes, bushings, motor mounts, light bulbs, etc. Service A and B are the same price as well.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
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c32 amg
I don't get why people are saying you need more money for repairs on the C32 vs any other W203. Aside from the supercharger they're pretty much the same. If a power seat motor goes bad it's going to cost the same on the C32 as it would on a C320. Same goes for tires, brakes, bushings, motor mounts, light bulbs, etc. Service A and B are the same price as well.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
If it were me, I'd put my money towards a hand-built engine with stronger internals, a better transmission, higher quality suspension and nicer interior. Oh yeah I almost forgot, that's exactly what I did when debating on what C-Class to get.
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From: New mexico
2005 E55 AMG
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From: Houston, TX
a car.
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c32 amg
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
lol, when it comes to internal...nothing is the same which is when major repair needed the thing will double in price in every part. The cam along is $800 a piece.
for a mom mobile, there's no reason for her to spent extra and then worry about extra repair cost. the C32 is a better car, yea, but is she gonna notice the difference? i highly doubt it.
for a mom mobile, there's no reason for her to spent extra and then worry about extra repair cost. the C32 is a better car, yea, but is she gonna notice the difference? i highly doubt it.
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From: Houston, TX
a car.
lol, when it comes to internal...nothing is the same which is when major repair needed the thing will double in price in every part. The cam along is $800 a piece.
for a mom mobile, there's no reason for her to spent extra and then worry about extra repair cost. the C32 is a better car, yea, but is she gonna notice the difference? i highly doubt it.
for a mom mobile, there's no reason for her to spent extra and then worry about extra repair cost. the C32 is a better car, yea, but is she gonna notice the difference? i highly doubt it.
To the OP, tell her you'll buy the car from her down the line if she gets the C32.
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c32 amg
Being realistic here Frank, how many times have you heard a C32 owner needing to replace his cams without having extensively modified the engine first. Like most people have said, the C32 engine and transmission are a solid platform and don't often go **** up unless something has been done to them or regular maintenance is not performed.
To the OP, tell her you'll buy the car from her down the line if she gets the C32.
To the OP, tell her you'll buy the car from her down the line if she gets the C32.
MBworld Guru
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
Being realistic here Frank, how many times have you heard a C32 owner needing to replace his cams without having extensively modified the engine first. Like most people have said, the C32 engine and transmission are a solid platform and don't often go **** up unless something has been done to them or regular maintenance is not performed.
To the OP, tell her you'll buy the car from her down the line if she gets the C32.
To the OP, tell her you'll buy the car from her down the line if she gets the C32.
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From: Houston, TX
a car.
MBworld Guru
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
it doesn't, however it's unnecessary to tell someone's "mom" to get a C32 just because it's available when she doesn't need it. obviously they're looking for a daily driver and just for this purpose the 32 gets worse MPG, more expensive when time to replace pads & rotors, and more expensive when it comes to replace the tires as well. it's not just which car is "better"...it's about which is a better serves for the purpose of their buy.
