Gynecologist MD

Hey guys


Well, i'm trying to sell my truck for $17,000 atm


I've looked into the e46 M3 a lot, and quite frankly, people are scaring me with the maintenance. Not oil changes.. VANOS problems. They say, you usually always use at least $2000 when you go to the dealer. or $5000 in worst case scenarios.



Is this the same for the C55? I mean, I loved my old C-class, and especially that it was 4 door. So I think it would be the perfect car.


How is maintenance with these cars? Anyone have many problems?

MarcusF

The M113 engine is rock solid. Occasionally you hear about oil cooler o-ring leaks or valve cover gaskets, but those are both minor, inexpensive repairs. (did I leave off the power seat issue "some" have? OK that too.) Everything else is simple maintenance.

MBNiko

Ive been looking at C55's as well but Ive always been worried about winters/ reliability. But it sounds like its pretty solid build. How is fuel consumption?

MIKESV8

it's no where near $2,000 per visit on the 55. i have had 100% satisfaction with mine as far as everything goes. the ONLY thing that's expensive that i always have problems with is how my rear tire tread gets worse and worse for some reason

thegreatfnr

Like the others have said the C55 is fairly low maintenance and very reliable. The biggest on going cost for me has been tires

Car has been great to me the last 3 + years and I have only had minor issues that have already been mentioned. Couple of leaky gaskets replaced, seat heater went bad once. 80k+ miles on the car and still running STRONG.

moosejaw

+1 for the C55, consider also that it is rarer than the m3
For some reason, BMW parts are crazy exensive
Ive heard of people paying $1000+ for a front end brake job at the dealer.
and from the looks of their brakes, they arent anything special.
Plus the interior has cheap plastic that peels.

And AMGs are faster (or so i have heard)

AMG Sleeper

same here... just hit 73k and have had zero engine issues. had the valve gasket cover replaced once, which was minor; had an igniter replaced for one of my headlights... other than that, pretty routine services such as oil changes, etc., and this car will be great for you! i also had looked at the e46 M3 and i couldn't be happier i opted for the C55... plus i love how few of them you see on the road whereas the M3s are a dime a dozen!!

i agree on the tires wearing, but that's going to happen with all this power... but you can find value buys on tires, so i wouldn't say it's a major major issue.

all in all... i'd probably get another one and still keep this one

good luck & keep us posted with what you decide!

05Silver55AMG

Don't woyry about winters. I drive mine year round up here in Wisconsin. I have a set of 17 inch wheels with winter tires and it hasn't caused me any issues at all. Fuel consumption is about 20mpg with mixed city/highway driving

91RS

As others have said, these are very reliable cars overall. There really isn't anything on the C55 that goes wrong that wouldn't on a regular C-Class.

I've not heard of the oil cooler o-ring? What's up with that?

Gynecologist MD

Here are some (may be stupid) reasons why I also want a MB over the BMW...
-I don't really like the M3Forum, people, etc.. lol
-MB has a more mature appeal to me and others rather than BMW. When they see a BMW, it almost appears that people say "Here comes the kid/teenager/20 year old"
-It's 4 door, and its perfect. If only it was Manual.. But with auto, my parents can drive it with ease.


What about MPG? My old MB got only like 16-17 city. and i'd be REALLY happy if somehow the C55 got at least 16 in the city..


Found 2 deals.

1.Black C55 with grey interior
-61.5k miles
asking $20,000

2.Silver C55 with grey interior
-74k miles
asking $18,000



I just don't know if they'll go down to 15-17k (depending on what i get for the truck)

DuaneC63

Maintenance is not an issue other than rear tires wear out twice as fast as the fronts and I was hard on the front brakes.
I purchased mine new and had a bunch of little electronic items that went bad the first two years all fixed under warranty. At 40k I started getting weird vibrations the dealer kept telling me were "normal" At 50K I took it to a different dealer that said somehow the drive shaft had gone out of balance and took the differential and tranny with it. All replaced under extended warranty. I think this was a one of a kind defect. I think the cars are well built but the mid 2000's was not the high water mark of MBZ quality control. At the stage and milage you're looking at, I would think all the bad things that could have happened already would have. For the prices you looking at I think you'll enjoy having the car. I sold my prior C43 with 50K on it and they guy put another 50K only having to replace the MAF besides general maintenance and sold it for $15k.

Do you ever get bored at work being a gynecologist?

blacksage

I owned 2 E46 M3's in the past. A brake job at the dealer will set you back $900 or so for the fronts and a little less for the rears. The brakes on the standard M are not too special (not cross drilled or anything) The pads and rotors wear at the same rate, so I brake job will replace pads, rotors, and sensors. I wouldn't worry about the vanos failure, and the inspections can get costly. They are every 30K miles though. I have not picked up a C55 yet, but from my research, they would be more practical and cheaper to own than a E46 M3. If you are looking for a sedan with a manual transmission maybe look at a 335?

Gynecologist MD

Nah, it's nice to meet everyone's wives.

Gynecologist MD

Everyone, how many miles you got on your c55s?


I just hope if I get the 74k that everything will be okay..

davidbijan

Nothing better than mucopurulent discharge, fishy odor, and occasional BM with birth. And lets not foget the grannies and grandes. Hats off to you bud. Dude you deserve a nice ride. get a new MB

MIKESV8

The engine is just starting to break in at 74k.

djfmf

i had a choice between an e46 m3 and a c55 amg. most m3's had that vanos/smog issues. my c55 had no problems whatsoever and smog check was super clean, i was surprised. get the c55, but be warned, mods are not as easy to come by as the e46 m3.

MercedesFTW

They should definitely be able to do 15-17K (consider that the trade-in offer was 25K with 10,000 miles for my fully loaded 06 when the C63 came out! Rather drive it into pieces than let it go at that price). Soft market, especially for the C55. Good for buyers, terrible for anyone looking to get out of one! Unless you're into it, I'd try to find one without the grey interior.

djfmf

i got mine at 66k for 17.5, I'm now owner #2. bought in May 2011.

AMG Sleeper

i agree, from the buyer's perspective, low-ball and argue the miles are too high... and that the gray interior (which i also have) is harder to keep clean!

and if u get the silver one, i know someone who has a clean set of 19s for ya

Gynecologist MD

I agree, grey interior isn't so pretty..


Found another deal:
Black C55 with black interior
-87.8k Miles
-$15,750

What do you guys think about it?

Gynecologist MD

I found another one

Black C55 with black interior
-52k miles
-$18,900


It's a private seller, so maybe cash will talk even more


Would a dealer be suspicious if a guy came to buy a C55 with 15k cash (when I sell the truck)? Like IRS or something to check if its not drug money, lmao. My uncle said something about that?..

djfmf

i would alway go with the lowest miles when it comes to choosing. now that I'm in las vegas as much as I love my black car it is a no no in 113 heat. 18,900 is good for those miles. just make sure he gets the smog done prior to sale. there really is no need to haggle the price imo, but go ahead. if there are other buyers ready to buy then go for the price.

Gynecologist MD

I'm in Arkansas.. I don't know what any of those SMOG test mean, because we never needed one I think.

But my budget is 15-17k depending what I get on my truck once I sell it

MercedesFTW

Cash? Or cashier's check? Cashier's check isn't an issue, from personal experience mind you.