C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

02 C32 Totaled: What now?

Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
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02 C32 Totaled: What now?

So my 2002 C32 is totaled: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ay-my-c32.html



I'm going to hopefully get as much as I can from the insurance.

Now, I want a replacement. I've found:

2003 C32 with 75,000 miles. Two-tone interior, bi-Xenon, nav, sunscreen. All service records.

Or

2006 C55 with 85,000 miles. Sunscreen.


Thoughts?

The 2003 C32 would obviously be more comparable to my 2002. Does the navigation option mean it does NOT have a CD changer? Is the steering wheel in the 2003's powered? I know there is no button for it on the driver's door.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:13 PM
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03 C32 gone, 06 CLS55, 16 Tesla X
I would go with E55 or nicer with a CLS55 . Between C32 and C55, I would go with C32 for the bang on the bucks for power mod. If you could afford for a C55, I think you could afford for an E55. Just my opinion

And 2003 C32 with NAV does have 6 disk CD changer in the glove compartment

Last edited by CLKCLK; Aug 1, 2011 at 03:16 PM.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by jlm32
So my 2002 C32 is totaled: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ay-my-c32.html



I'm going to hopefully get as much as I can from the insurance.

Now, I want a replacement. I've found:

2003 C32 with 75,000 miles. Two-tone interior, bi-Xenon, nav, sunscreen. All service records.

Or

2006 C55 with 85,000 miles. Sunscreen.


Thoughts?

The 2003 C32 would obviously be more comparable to my 2002. Does the navigation option mean it does NOT have a CD changer? Is the steering wheel in the 2003's powered? I know there is no button for it on the driver's door.
if you didn't have bad luck with your c32, i'd stick with that. would you mind sharing with us what your insurance agency is forking out for the total?
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:15 PM
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Originally Posted by CLKCLK
I would go with E55 or nicer with a CLS55 . Between C32 and C55, I would go with C32 for the bang on the bucks for power mod. If you could afford for a C55, I think you could afford for an E55. Just my opinion
I was leaning towards another C32. I love the C32, it's an amazing car. I personally think it's better than the C55.

The E is definitely too large for me.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by michael kuzni
if you didn't have bad luck with your c32, i'd stick with that. would you mind sharing with us what your insurance agency is forking out for the total?
I loved my C32 for the few weeks I had it.

I'm dealing with USAA.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:46 PM
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2003 C32
Originally Posted by CLKCLK
I would go with E55 or nicer with a CLS55 . Between C32 and C55, I would go with C32 for the bang on the bucks for power mod. If you could afford for a C55, I think you could afford for an E55. Just my opinion

And 2003 C32 with NAV does have 6 disk CD changer in the glove compartment
Not all with Nav have the multi-disc player. My 2003 C32 was ordered w/ Nav and no 6 disc cd changer. I play cd's through the Nav unit.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Dasauto
Not all with Nav have the multi-disc player. My 2003 C32 was ordered w/ Nav and no 6 disc cd changer. I play cd's through the Nav unit.
Hm, okay. Would it be (or is yours) pre-wired for the changer?
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 04:14 PM
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2002 C32, 2012 S550
My 02 with NAV also had the disc changer and AMG stitching on the seats. Just no Plaque
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 04:15 PM
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I just found out the 2003 I'm looking at DOES have the changer.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 04:56 PM
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Yes the changer was a option but pretty much every benz comes stateside with one.
The C32 is a great car, I wouldnt recommend the E55 as it has a lot of little things that can cost a arm and a leg if you cant do anything mechanicall yourself. But the prices are low on the E55 and really is the best performance bargain out there.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 08:35 PM
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2003 C32
Originally Posted by jlm32
Hm, okay. Would it be (or is yours) pre-wired for the changer?
Does not appear to be pre-wired but I have not really looked very hard but there is no exposed wire in the glove box for a multi disc changer.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 08:49 PM
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why dont you just go cl55 amg way more bang for the buck those are pretty cheap these days just not 4 doors make sure you get a 2003 or higher though they go cheaper than e55 but same engine
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 09:48 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
I guess it depends on what you are willing to spend. You can get various C32's and C55's with decent miles for $15k or less, especially the C32. You can have the car paid off and then you could get what ever you want later. That's if you really want to stay with a c-class. I plan on keeping mine forever, do some major mods, and eventually buy another AMG.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 08:03 PM
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You can have the car paid off and then you could get what ever you want later.
I bought my C32 straight out, and don't think it'll ever be paid off because things keep breaking and that costs A LOT of money as we are all aware, LOL...
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 11:32 PM
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Just keep moving up the AMG C class line, C55 are dirt cheap and C63, while even used are expensive, are screaming performance value. Anything beyond an C class or SLK and your dealing with the self leveling suspension which is a problematic repair nightmare.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by jlm32
I was leaning towards another C32. I love the C32, it's an amazing car. I personally think it's better than the C55.

The E is definitely too large for me.
Get yourself a 03-04 C32 and mod the heck out of it; SC pulley and tune from EC and you're good to go. Be careful of the E55, hearing a LOT about fuel tank issues, even on exceptionally well maintained cars?? Nice E55s are still in the high 20's, low 30s now. If you like the C32, stick with it.
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 07:57 PM
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
Go for the C55!
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Chedeng88
Go for the C55!
Why??? The C32 is more modifiable for a reasonable cost and will easily get into the mid 12s with those mods, pulley and tune. The C55 wont do that without spending a LOT of $$ on a SC and other mods..................
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Old Aug 4, 2011 | 10:28 PM
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C55 AMG, E55 AMG
Originally Posted by Newzchspy
Why??? The C32 is more modifiable for a reasonable cost and will easily get into the mid 12s with those mods, pulley and tune. The C55 wont do that without spending a LOT of $$ on a SC and other mods..................
The C55 is simply more reliable than a C32 in general. And IMO, the C55 looks much sleeker too.
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 03:11 PM
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'03C32 Obsidian Black, '76Toyota Celica GT TRD, '12R350 4matic Arctic White, '06 ML 350 arctic white
SL = SLEEK
C32, C55, C63 w/4 doors= NOT SLEEK
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by W203Ramos
SL = SLEEK
C32, C55, C63 w/4 doors= NOT SLEEK
What's the point of dragging the SL into this?

The comparison was just between the C32 and C55, and I agree that the C55 is the sleeker of the two.
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 03:21 PM
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C63, C55 (Sold)
Originally Posted by Chedeng88
The C55 is simply more reliable than a C32 in general. And IMO, the C55 looks much sleeker too.
I agree, with the CLK W209 front, it does look more sleek than the C32.
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Chedeng88
The C55 is simply more reliable than a C32 in general. And IMO, the C55 looks much sleeker too.
Friday for me
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Old Aug 5, 2011 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Chedeng88
The C55 is simply more reliable than a C32 in general. And IMO, the C55 looks much sleeker too.
Except for the seat heaters; IC pump (easily repairable) and the 2002 radiator/trans issue, the C32s have been relatively bulletproof as well. My C55 has had seat heater issues too!! I hear few problems out of 03-04 C32s?? Looks are subjective and the C55 is a great looking car, BUT the C63 is better looking than BOTH of them..................

A nicely modded C32 has no reason to fear a modded C55 (cept for those SC'd C55 of course).................

Again, staying on topic here, if HE can find a nice C32 with decent mileage, he should jump all over it and do some mods..............EC has a tune and SC pulley kit coming out soon..................

Last edited by Newzchspy; Aug 5, 2011 at 06:56 PM.
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Old Aug 6, 2011 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Newzchspy
Looks are subjective and the C55 is a great looking car, BUT the C63 is better looking than BOTH of them..................
LOL here's another one! Why compare it with the C63? It's not even remotely close to the price range of a C32/C55. What if I ride with your logic and say the SLR McLaren looks better than a C63?

Chedeng wasn't saying that the C55 is the best looking Benz of all, he's just saying that the C55 looks better than a C32.
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