C32 2002 vs 2003 Difference
08-01-2011, 09:53 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
The interior is slightly different, mainly the head liner, the fabric around the bottom of the doors, the fabric behind the rear seats by the rear window, and the trunk liner is a dark black instead of charcoal gray. I think the 2003 comes with the updated camshafts, I think the 2002 camshafts could have shifting lobes causing problems later down the road. Luckily mine has been ok. The 2002 may come with a valero radiator which would leak in to the transmission, messing it up. I think some 2003 C32's came with the valero, but most of them should have the updated behr. The 2003+ had bixenon as an option, the 2002 did not. That's all I can think of right now.
Last edited by loudandheard; 08-01-2011 at 09:55 PM.
08-01-2011, 10:49 PM
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C32 AMG x 2
the turn signal arms are different as well, pretty sure the climate control is too, the headlights were frosty and got the option of projectors, some 02's didnt have sunroofs either, and the engine plaque.
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08-02-2011, 07:22 PM
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2002 C32 AMG
08-08-2011, 01:25 AM
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well, do a search and moset of the peopole that blew their motor were on 2002, most people with trasmission issues were on 2002 something about 2003 and 2004 where they learned for their prior mistakes which make sense because the cams ont he 2002s had a different part numeber than the ones on the 2003 and mercedes advice to not use that part number and dicontinued it. do a search on c32 blown engine
08-08-2011, 01:08 PM
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08-08-2011, 01:14 PM
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10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
I did and it looks like most of the engines that have blown have had mods done to them. Not saying that is the only reason, but still... 
I know about the radiator issue and after reading threads about blown engines, some people are referring to defective cams also being and issue with 02s.
Hmmm...
I know about the radiator issue and after reading threads about blown engines, some people are referring to defective cams also being and issue with 02s.
Hmmm...
08-13-2011, 03:20 PM
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
For '03, MB added the engine plaque, the Xeon headlamps were clear, and black HVAC temperature buttons were substituted for the red and blue ones on the '02. The '04 has the metal pedals and the first aid kit in the rear parcel shelf was eliminated if I'm not mistaken. Beyond that, I think they're pretty much the same.
08-13-2011, 05:37 PM
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2002 C32 AMG
well, do a search and moset of the peopole that blew their motor were on 2002, most people with trasmission issues were on 2002 something about 2003 and 2004 where they learned for their prior mistakes which make sense because the cams ont he 2002s had a different part numeber than the ones on the 2003 and mercedes advice to not use that part number and dicontinued it. do a search on c32 blown engine
that was a nightmare to read... My 2002 C32 is modded, I track it and drive it hard. I've never had any issues. The only thing to watch out for in the 2002 and early 2003 models is the valeo rad that leaks into the transmission. So to be specific, it's not a problem with the transmission, it's the radiator. I've heard about the cam problem, but nobody I know with a 2002 C32 has ever encountered this problem. Anybody who has ever mentioned this cam problem has read it from the same thread on this site.
