zmcmil2121

So I want to buy a c32 or a c55. Now they are very similar, but not the same by any stretch. The power is better in the c55, but i plan on putting upgrades on either car and there is the possibility of more "down the road" power rather than now power on the c32. I am not really sure which is better, so tell me, is it worth the extra $4,000 for 20 hp?

AMG3.2

if you put 4k into a c32 you could possibly make 1 million wheel horsepower lol anyways, buy the c32 do a tune, new pulleys, cm30 pump, maybe headers, and an upgraded HE and you should be making WAY more power than a c55. It's up to you though...

Viper98912

Another C32 vs. C55 thread....

While the engine is probably the most important difference, both engines perform very well. There's more to the cars than just the engine difference though.

c32AMG-DTM

+1

Assuming both vehicles are stock and similarly-optioned, I'd say there's a lot more value in a C55 if the price differential is only a few thousand. And that's coming from a C32 owner.

91RS

It's really up to you want more. The NA V8 in the C55 is more reliable and the interior in the C55 is miles better than a C32 (IMO). The C32 can be made faster than a C55 for cheaper.

Gynecologist MD

I agree, the only reasons I'd rather have a C55 over a C32:
-New interior
-N/A Engine (more reliable)

zmcmil2121

I know. I only talked about the engine but I love the post facelift interiors, and I think that that fake dark wood trim is "cream" making () but I also like the pre facelift interiors because it is what I am used to, and I think I fit WAY better in the earlier seats.

Is the engine really that much more reliable?

Gynecologist MD

C55 is naturally aspirated (no supercharger/turbo)

If you want a supercharged V8, I'd go with a E55.

They say turbos/superchargers tend to wear engines down quicker. Plus, think about it, if your supercharger goes out, thats one extra problem waiting to happen and $3000+ waisted on another supercharger

MBfinatic

Forced Induction is more fun though than N/A...

Autotechnica

If they were the same price I would have purchased the C55 over the C32. Although I absolutely love the C32 motor and maintain the car meticulously, at the back of my mind I'm always worried about the S/C and it's components failing. I track my cars, so a reliable engine is key. I don't care much for engine modifications. If you want more power, C32 is definitely the way to go. People talk about how easily it is to supercharge the C55 motor, yet I never see it being done. In the end, that's all it is, just talk. C32 has the potential, C55 has the reliability. The CLK front end is also a pretty big reason for me to want the C55 over the C32. Aside from the suspension and wheels, there aren't too many other differences.

91RS

If you're talking about the facelift (05+) interior, any of the wood trim is real wood.

Sure, it might be "easy" but it also costs $10k! There are a few Kleemans on here but most people would just trade their C55 for a E55 rather than spend $10k on the C. I'm kinda in the same boat, but for a different reason; not because I wouldn't want a supercharged C55 I just don't want an E (size). I've been doing a few power mods on my car, but if I had $10k I'd be using that on a down payment for a Vette.

Koru_Kinshi

Personally speaking, I love my C32 since the first day I bought it. I won't lie, though. The allure of a warrantied SL 600 keeps me interested.

Autotechnica

E55 motor is great, but for performance driving not at the drag strip, it's completely the wrong class of car. The W203 already feels really heavy, can't imagine what an E55 would feel like. It's a nice cruiser good for highway blasts and driving in comfort, not much else. I'm sticking with cars below 3500lbs. Once you get close to 4000lbs+, they really can't be called "Sport Sedans" anymore. They're just boats with big engines.

Anyways, to the OP if more power is what you're after, definitely the C32 instead of the C55. I don't even know why people bother to say you can do this and that to a C55. If nobody really does it, it's not something you'll probably consider doing. Whereas, many people modify the C32 by adding more boost, etc. If I bought a C55 I would have kept it stock. It has more than enough power. Something else I forgot to mention is consistent power delivery. The C32 does tend to heat soak quite badly. Often, whether or not I can keep up with an M3 or pass one completely will be dependant on the temperature and humidity. C55 will suffer less from these problems since it's N/A. I'm completely unbiased as I love the C55.

Mr.Benzo

Both are great cars if you want power and speed for cheap get the 32, If you want a better looking, all around car its the 55. There was the Eurocharged dyno day in Va recently where 2 modded c55's were dynoed and my 32. My mods are in my sig. and I dynoed 11 whp over my buddies c55 with Headers and custom exhaust and a tune.When he gets back from Europe we will get some fun runs on video. There was another memeber here as well that posted his dyno in the low 300's. I for one was very surprised at the results. Either car is great so pick one and enjoy !

mikekuriger

If you've never owned either car, you will be happy with either one.

zmcmil2121

Oh my god, I am in love... with an e class?!?

I think the e55 is just amazing in every way... but 1. $29,995. That is how much the one I like the most is, but it is perfect. It has panoramic roof, rear sunshade with manual side sunshades, super-duper comfy seats, it is silver, and in every way, it is amazing. It has some miles, but I don't care seeing as I will put many, many more on it if I buy it.

That also being said, I am still in love with the c32. GAHH!!! FU*K MERCEDES! They make so many nice cars with so many options, AHH!!! I JUST WANT TOO MANY OF THEM!!

zmcmil2121

I totally understand your post. This is why I like the c32 more, and sure, the e55 would be a great daily (if I had a heavily moded c32 as a weekend car) but I have many years to live... But I will still want the e55, and by then, it will be affordable to people who are, oh I don't know, not sheiks.

Thanks for this post.

Viper98912

the wood is real, its a mercedes and an expensive option at that

zmcmil2121

Well I know that it is a mercedes but I have a friend with an older mercedes that the wood was fake for sure, so I wasn't sure. I liked it before but I like it more now.
So seriously, what are the things you really like about each (please only if you owned one) and really hated i.e.the shifter sits too far away or the seats are really nice but I wish... What ever. Let it rip. Thanks for taking your time.

PC Valkyrie

As usual, I would refer you to the following thread for a fairly comprehensive list of the differences between the C32 and C55. MB changed much more than just the engine....

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...n-c55-c32.html

In my opinion, it is pretty clear that the C55 is the more capable (and probably better built) car from the factory.

If your priority is straight line speed and you value comfort over handling, the the C32 is the better bet as you can easily make a C32 faster than a C55 with minimal modifications. If you plan to keep your car relatively stock, I think the C55 is the better bet, as you get a better handing car which performs much better in the "twisties" (the price is a stiffer ride compared to the C32).

Of course, you can modify a C32 to handle as well or even better than a stock C55. Ultimately, it's down to personal preference.

What do I dislike about my C55?......not much.....the only tihing I can think of is that the stereo doesn't sound very nice, and it's too easy to accidentally push those shift buttons behind the steering wheel. It's also not the best winter car if you have to drive in unshovelled conditions.

Otherwise, I think it's really an awesome combination of power, handling, and practicality which I still enjoy everytime I drive, and I've owned my car since it was new over 6 years ago. Furthermore, I think the car is still looking mighty fine despite the presence of the W204 C-class (according to my biased eyes). That unique front end is looking more and more pretty to me with time.

559EVO

If you can afford an E55 do it, quality of an E CLASS is a whole different level of refinement. I chose C55 over C32 due to better updated looks, V8 trq,interior updates and reliability. More people here mod 32's over 55, not many modded C55's on here.

wawy

I invite your attention: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-than-c32.html

ddtham

It depends on your budget, but if you want to make your car faster for cheap, then C32 all the way.

I raced a C55 on the Mexican freeway and it wasn't pretty (at least 2 CLs from 60-90 mph). I also raced a W208 CLK55 couple of times from a dead stop, everytime I gave him the jump, I would reel him in quickly also.

If acceleration is not on the top of your list, then go for C55 since it's more well-balanced than C32.

zmcmil2121

Okay, so I am really stumped here.

Lots of people say the c55 is better. Reliabilty is the major thing I can see that I couldn't replicate on the c32, well that and cool rear axle that kicks in to help you keep the line on a track, but aside from that there is little difference.

The ride is stiffer in the c55. Some coilovers and h&r sways will do that for me.

There is more torque and hp. Super quick fix.

It corners better. Now this would be a pain, but there are companies that make super performance steering pumps, so the steering becomes more nimble and less like moving a dead whale.

The cooling on the rear axle also trumped me, but then I saw that there is a company that re-pops these parts for c32s.

The realiability could be avoided by simply keeping the boost lower. Sure, I want performance, but I don't like drags so much. I LOVE tracks. Corners are my thing, and sure, fast straights make for better times, but I don't care because I will be damn happy just swinging through the corners like a raped ape quicker than my friend's integra, another's mustang, and many more's cars. Thanks for reading and please tell me if I am wrong. I would like to know now as aposed to after I do all these things.

AMGSC

I agree that an E55K would cost you less than C55 with an SC kit and still make more power. The only reason I held on to my C55 was because I sunk so much money into it and refuse to give up on it and the fact that I still preferred a smaller, more manuverable car when I take to the track. I am currently trying to get to car to a stage 5 E55K but it is a very difficult challenge that DynoComp is currently workingo on.