C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

C55 vs c63 cost vs performance

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Old 09-28-2011, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MercedesFTW
IMO I like the interior of the C55 better than the pre-facelift C63's interior. Sure, there a few details I would love that are newer...but overall I prefer the C55's.
+1.
Comparing the C63 to my C55 at the AMG challenge at Pocono's raceway left me with the certain impression that the marginal handling improvements in the C63 over the C55 do not warrant the substantial cost increase. A lightly moded C55 will be as much fun, better looking and more reliable than a C63. A modded C55 will equal and, depending on the mod's, better the C63's performance. However, a moded C63 will take almost any C55. Its interior will still not be as good.
Old 09-28-2011, 07:49 PM
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C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
I'm just a fan of the older models.
Old 10-12-2011, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by betrezra
I'm just a fan of the older models.
+1 (I like a sleeper...)
Old 10-12-2011, 05:18 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
Originally Posted by betrezra
I'm just a fan of the older models.
So was your car faster than your wife's C63? Ever race her before trading it in? I raced my wife the night of the restaurant meet that we had and I got beat
Old 10-12-2011, 09:54 PM
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Me personally, it would be the C55. Sure it's a little older, but it really doesn't look that dated. I've not been in a facelift W204 yet but the multiple pre-facelift W204s I've driven just weren't right for me. They were all C300s and it did seem the drivetrain was programmed better but that was really the only thing I saw as an improvement. I hated the layout of the radio (nav and standard) and HVAC controls, I also didn't like any of the interior materials. I think the W203 is a much better looking car overall. My next car will most likely be back to GM, but I plan on keeping this car for a long time and making the most of it. Kleemann is on the way!
Old 10-12-2011, 11:48 PM
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for the $$ per performance you just can't beat a C55 with a kleemann supercharger. the price difference is just too much to justify imo.

then again, i think this is comparing apples to oranges.
Old 10-12-2011, 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by xxaarraa
Had an RSX-S and while its not in the same league as the stook, I am NOT a fan of revving the nuts out of tiny motors to get moving to the grocery store. Sold my E46 M3 for the same reason. That's why the 1M might be my next purchase - 360 ft-lbs from 1500 RPM and M handling. It's ugly as sin, but hey,
the problem is 1M are all sold out...and for the money you are better of with the cheaper 135i with a single turbo N55 mated with the DSG or manual instead of the older twin-turbo N54 in the 1M and only option with manual. the 135i already has the same seats as the M and the same steering wheel. the only real thing that's different is the LSD from the e46 M3, but with the price difference you can easily add one to the 135i. you actually get better brakes with the 135i too with the brembos where the 1M gets the M3 brakes. the thing where ppl say the M3 brakes don't fade where the 135i does is where better brake pads comes in.
Old 10-13-2011, 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
the problem is 1M are all sold out...and for the money you are better of with the cheaper 135i with a single turbo N55 mated with the DSG or manual instead of the older twin-turbo N54 in the 1M and only option with manual. the 135i already has the same seats as the M and the same steering wheel. the only real thing that's different is the LSD from the e46 M3, but with the price difference you can easily add one to the 135i. you actually get better brakes with the 135i too with the brembos where the 1M gets the M3 brakes. the thing where ppl say the M3 brakes don't fade where the 135i does is where better brake pads comes in.
The 1M is also $46k! That is crazy. I'd spend $40k on a used Corvette and then have $6k left for suspension that would make it outhandle a 1.
Old 10-13-2011, 07:09 AM
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Well imo a C55 is a better choice because you can buy one, tuned it & ultimately be faster (on a straight line for sure) and for the same price if not less.

I am not convinced the stock C63 is much faster vs a tuned C55 around a race track...for example, if you look at the time a stock C63 vs a stock C55 around the Nurbergring (the perfect track to see how good a car really is) it's only 9 seconds quicker (8:13 for the c63 - 8:22 for the C55). What I mean by that is that once both cars have the same hp and a tuned chassis for the 55, I believe the C55 is just as fast.

Of course at the end the C63 is stock & comfortable & the tuned C55 won't be… but for the same price or less you can get a crazy C55 Kompressor for the same price as a stock C63. At the end, INO you can't compare them. At the end the c63 has a better potential (of course) but I would go with a tuned C55. (Which is what I did lol )

At the end if you tuned a c63 it can be as quick as the sls around a track so do't get me wrong I just like the C55 better
Old 10-13-2011, 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by FrankW
the problem is 1M are all sold out...and for the money you are better of with the cheaper 135i with a single turbo N55 mated with the DSG or manual instead of the older twin-turbo N54 in the 1M and only option with manual. the 135i already has the same seats as the M and the same steering wheel. the only real thing that's different is the LSD from the e46 M3, but with the price difference you can easily add one to the 135i. you actually get better brakes with the 135i too with the brembos where the 1M gets the M3 brakes. the thing where ppl say the M3 brakes don't fade where the 135i does is where better brake pads comes in.
Frank, you make a perfectly logical and reasonable argument. But the "feel" of an M car cannot be replicated by upgrading a 135i. It never makes sense from a value for money perspective, but there is something to be said for pedigree which the non-M cars don't really have.
Old 10-13-2011, 02:25 PM
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C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
wow, so much love for the C55 here!!

For those of you who haven't seen this, here is a clip of my C55 chasing North44's tuned C63 at Mosport earlier this summer. He just kills me in the long back straightaway.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtP6a8Z5HmU
Old 10-13-2011, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by xxaarraa
Frank, you make a perfectly logical and reasonable argument. But the "feel" of an M car cannot be replicated by upgrading a 135i. It never makes sense from a value for money perspective, but there is something to be said for pedigree which the non-M cars don't really have.
oh yea, i definitely agrees (i drive my friend's 135 and his M3 all the time), but the thing with the 135i is that it had a lot of M Gmbh influence on it due to they previously had no plan for the 1M. that's why they even go to the length with those brembos that no other BMW has.
Old 10-14-2011, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 91RS
The 1M is also $46k! That is crazy. I'd spend $40k on a used Corvette and then have $6k left for suspension that would make it outhandle a 1.
C6 Vette with some minor mods................FTW!!!
Old 10-14-2011, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie
wow, so much love for the C55 here!!

For those of you who haven't seen this, here is a clip of my C55 chasing North44's tuned C63 at Mosport earlier this summer. He just kills me in the long back straightaway.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtP6a8Z5HmU
Yes, BUT you reeled him in on the turns. Nice driving, I always love your vids!!!

Last edited by Newzchspy; 10-14-2011 at 01:16 PM.
Old 10-14-2011, 03:08 PM
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Old 10-14-2011, 03:24 PM
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I would take the C63, just to its newer, slap a tune on it and your golden. Might be hard pressed to find a decent C55 with low miles. Also, read numerous nightmares about getting the supercharged installed. Pretty much take it to Kleemann to install, or deal with a hellish time.

Have to admit though, at 40k, I would hold out a tad longer and look for one of these...


911 Turbo...Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Old 10-14-2011, 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Nachtsturm
I would take the C63, just to its newer, slap a tune on it and your golden. Might be hard pressed to find a decent C55 with low miles. Also, read numerous nightmares about getting the supercharged installed. Pretty much take it to Kleemann to install, or deal with a hellish time.
There are still plenty of low mile C55s out there, you need need to be willing to pay extra for them (and most people aren't).
Old 10-14-2011, 08:43 PM
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C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
I really never developed any love for our 09 C63 with the performance package. When my wife wanted a new car and wanted to get rid of the C63, she gave me the choice of trading in my clk55-k or the c63...... I drove both for a couple weeks.... and when it came down to deciding, I chose the clk for what I need: daily driver, sleeper, faster
Old 10-17-2011, 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by betrezra
I really never developed any love for our 09 C63 with the performance package. When my wife wanted a new car and wanted to get rid of the C63, she gave me the choice of trading in my clk55-k or the c63...... I drove both for a couple weeks.... and when it came down to deciding, I chose the clk for what I need: daily driver, sleeper, faster
+1 and that car you picked up is all the shizzle too!!!
Old 10-18-2011, 02:46 PM
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C63, C55 (Sold)
Originally Posted by Newzchspy
C6 Vette with some minor mods................FTW!!!
Don't forget to buy a couple of Recaros, that is a must...

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