Impressions of the C32 after 3 months of ownership
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2003 C32
Impressions of the C32 after 3 months of ownership
Hey guys. I've always been a "car guy" with a love for european. Owned numerous VW GTI's.....had a couple of bi-turbo Audi S4's and still have a crazy vintage Audi S6 avant from the mid 90's with over 500HP. I purchased a mint 2003 C32 back in early June, my first Merc. Low miles (43K)......well serviced and really mint body/interior. Also has upgraded suspension (Springs/Shocks/Sways)........very stiff ride but not uncomfortable. I'm very **** about my cars so I searched for a long time and it paid off. Thought I'd post my initial impressions after almost 3 months of ownership. Just one owners opinion. It's my daily but I do not drive too much, maybe 7k miles a year tops. With that said whatever I drive can be fun but I'm not much for 2 seaters or convertibles. For what I paid for the Merc, I could have purchased a new Honda Civic. Yes I'll pay a lot more to maintain but I'd fall asleep and crash/die in a Honda/Toyota/mundane sedan so I view the purchase as a life saver.
PRICE:
Talk about depreciation..........I can't believe how much you can get for so little money when it comes to these cars. Yes they're not the cheapest to maintain or the most reliable but it's a fair trade off IMO considering what you're getting. Also leaves $$ for future visit to Eurocharged. I did opt for a warranty just in case.
Exterior LOOKS:
I think the C32 is a winner. It's very subtle difference from a stock C-class but makes you look twice, you can tell that something is special about this car. With my current suspension it's a fantastic looking car as it has an aggressive stance. It is also overlooked by the cops or ricers. I love how "stubby" the front end is. I actually prefer this look to the C55's longer look, it's tight. The stock wheels are sweet IMO. I am a big fan of the stock 17's. They fit the car well, ride is good and tires will not break the bank. The silver calipers are again....subtle but you know they're there.
INTERIOR:
The dash is a weak point IMO........I really don't like the gauge cluster at all, I find it ugly. The C55's clusters are MUCH better IMO. It's functional but I really don't like all the electronic screen crap........I'd much prefer gauges for oil temp, pressure, etc. It would also be nice if they had a boost gauge. The rest `of the interior is sweet. I have the blue seat inserts that set off the interior just enough. The leather appears to wear like iron, looks brand new and I'll be sure to keep treating it properly. The seats are very nice, love the side bolsters but wish the lower seat bolsters were a little more aggressive. Good thing about this seat is that the drivers side bottom bolster will not be beat to hell from rubbing like I've seen on my Audi's. Very comfortable driving (good visibility)and plenty of room for me 6' 1".....and kids in the back if needed. Layout is pretty good, I do like the seat adjustments on the door. Interior quality is pretty good, not as good as Audi IMO but very good. Doors close with a nice heavy "thud" and there is NO interior noise when underway. Very tight for sure.
Handling:
I enjoy the C32's poise on the road. With the upgraded suspension it rides very stiff but is only uncomfortable if on a crappy road. I feel very confident taking corners with enthusiasm, the car feels smaller and agile. Much more predictable than my Audi's......since the Audi's engines are hanging in front of the front wheels they plow in the corners like mad and they're so damn heavy too. Easy to get the *** out in the Merc but again very predictable/neutral. Traction control can be annoying but that's why it can be switched off. No biggie and I'm glad it's there, especially when wet.
POWER:
What can I say.......honestly......this is the reason I purchased the car. Even in the Audi circles the AMG's have the rep of delivering stupid power with a rock solid trans. I wish it was a manual but the auto is nice in traffic. I stayed away from the V8 C55 as I like forced induction. I like smaller displacement cars and a 3.2L V6 is perfect. With 349HP on tap it does haul ***. My favorite quote was from someone on this forum, something to the effect of "my old C32 was a quick little *******". That about says it all and I could see myself with some Eurocharged goodies in the future. IC pump was replaced before I got it so it pulls like it should and puts a HUGE smile on my face. Lots of low end grunt and a fantastic exhaust note. Maybe the secondary cats and res will be removed in the future.
QUALITY:
Overall I'm pretty happy with the build quality. Although I do not think it's to the same standard as Audi's of the same period, it's pretty close. There are some items that I don't like. The roof trim wants to pop up, issue with clips. I also find some of the plastic touches a bit cheap looking but all petty stuff. The trunk lining fit is terrible but hell, it's the trunk.
Overall:
So far I've put 1400 miles on the car and enjoyed them all. Ave mpg is low at 17 but my highway driving is only about 40%. On longer trips I'm up around 21 which is fine for a car of this type. If I wanted high MGP I would have gotten a Civic. I am very happy with my purchase and look forward to each trip. I've had some nice pulls on the highway coming out of tolls, etc and it demands respect. Surprised many and gotten plenty of thumbs up but it's even better driving easy but knowing you've got a beast if you need it.
Great forum and hope to report back in the future with some updates. Thanks
Last edited by Dasauto; Sep 23, 2011 at 05:03 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 446
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From: Home is Stockholm, Sweden. But my work takes me around the world, right now I work/live in Laos, South East Asia.
C32 T 2003. Mods? MANY!! :)
Welcome to the nice world of C32, and to a very good forum with a lot of good people on! 
There are a lot you can do with the car if wanted, read my thread if you want extreme, but there are many on here that are running other tunings as well.
Good luck!
There are a lot you can do with the car if wanted, read my thread if you want extreme, but there are many on here that are running other tunings as well.
Good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
Hey guys. I've always been a "car guy" with a love for european. Owned numerous VW GTI's.....had a couple of bi-turbo Audi S4's and still have a crazy vintage Audi S6 avant from the mid 90's with over 500HP. I purchased a mint 2003 C32 back in early June, my first Merc. Low miles (43K)......well serviced and really mint body/interior. Also has upgraded suspension (Springs/Shocks/Sways)........very stiff ride but not uncomfortable. I'm very **** about my cars so I searched for a long time and it paid off. Thought I'd post my initial impressions after almost 3 months of ownership. Just one owners opinion. It's my daily but I do not drive too much, maybe 7k miles a year tops. With that said whatever I drive can be fun but I'm not much for 2 seaters or convertibles. For what I paid for the Merc, I could have purchased a new Honda Civic. Yes I'll pay a lot more to maintain but I'd fall asleep and crash/die in a Honda/Toyota/mundane sedan so I view the purchase as a life saver.
PRICE:
Talk about depreciation..........I can't believe how much you can get for so little money when it comes to these cars. Yes they're not the cheapest to maintain or the most reliable but it's a fair trade off IMO considering what you're getting. Also leaves $$ for future visit to Eurocharged. I did opt for a warranty just in case.
Exterior LOOKS:
I think the C32 is a winner. It's very subtle difference from a stock C-class but makes you look twice, you can tell that something is special about this car. With my current suspension it's a fantastic looking car as it has an aggressive stance. It is also overlooked by the cops or ricers. I love how "stubby" the front end is. I actually prefer this look to the C55's longer look, it's tight. The stock wheels are sweet IMO. I am a big fan of the stock 17's. They fit the car well, ride is good and tires will not break the bank. The silver calipers are again....subtle but you know they're there.
INTERIOR:
The dash is a weak point IMO........I really don't like the gauge cluster at all, I find it ugly. The C55's clusters are MUCH better IMO. It's functional but I really don't like all the electronic screen crap........I'd much prefer gauges for oil temp, pressure, etc. It would also be nice if they had a boost gauge. The rest `of the interior is sweet. I have the blue seat inserts that set off the interior just enough. The leather appears to wear like iron, looks brand new and I'll be sure to keep treating it properly. The seats are very nice, love the side bolsters but wish the lower seat bolsters were a little more aggressive. Good thing about this seat is that the drivers side bottom bolster will not be beat to hell from rubbing like I've seen on my Audi's. Very comfortable driving (good visibility)and plenty of room for me 6' 1".....and kids in the back if needed. Layout is pretty good, I do like the seat adjustments on the door. Interior quality is pretty good, not as good as Audi IMO but very good. Doors close with a nice heavy "thud" and there is NO interior noise when underway. Very tight for sure.
Handling:
I enjoy the C32's poise on the road. With the upgraded suspension it rides very stiff but is only uncomfortable if on a crappy road. I feel very confident taking corners with enthusiasm, the car feels smaller and agile. Much more predictable than my Audi's......since the Audi's engines are hanging in front of the front wheels they plow in the corners like mad and they're so damn heavy too. Easy to get the *** out in the Merc but again very predictable/neutral. Traction control can be annoying but that's why it can be switched off. No biggie and I'm glad it's there, especially when wet.
POWER:
What can I say.......honestly......this is the reason I purchased the car. Even in the Audi circles the AMG's have the rep of delivering stupid power with a rock solid trans. I wish it was a manual but the auto is nice in traffic. I stayed away from the V8 C55 as I like forced induction. I like smaller displacement cars and a 3.2L V6 is perfect. With 349HP on tap it does haul ***. My favorite quote was from someone on this forum, something to the effect of "my old C32 was a quick little *******". That about says it all and I could see myself with some Eurocharged goodies in the future. IC pump was replaced before I got it so it pulls like it should and puts a HUGE smile on my face. Lots of low end grunt and a fantastic exhaust note. Maybe the secondary cats and res will be removed in the future.
QUALITY:
Overall I'm pretty happy with the build quality. Although I do not think it's to the same standard as Audi's of the same period, it's pretty close. There are some items that I don't like. The roof trim wants to pop up, issue with clips. I also find some of the plastic touches a bit cheap looking but all petty stuff. The trunk lining fit is terrible but hell, it's the trunk.
Overall:
So far I've put 1400 miles on the car and enjoyed them all. Ave mpg is low at 17 but my highway driving is only about 40%. On longer trips I'm up around 21 which is fine for a car of this type. If I wanted high MGP I would have gotten a Civic. I am very happy with my purchase and look forward to each trip. I've had some nice pulls on the highway coming out of tolls, etc and it demands respect. Surprised many and gotten plenty of thumbs up but it's even better driving easy but knowing you've got a beast if you need it.
Great forum and hope to report back in the future with some updates. Thanks
I was seriously going to sell mine at the end of the summar but decided not to because the value is so low. As it stands, great buy. Where else can you get a car which will run in the 12s with a few modifications for around 10k-ish?
on my face!!!
