precisionmike

Hello All,

I am new to this forum, and looking to pick up an AMG (past Bimmer guy). I am trying to keep the price down, and looking at the following 2 options:

A.) 2004 E55, stock. Salvage title, rebuilt theft recovery, light front end. The car is 1500 miles away, and I have seen tons of pics, looks immaculate so far. I would have the car checked thoroughly before committing. Nav, no pano, dealer maintained, 93,000 miles, asking $14k.
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=12&Log=0

B.) 2003 C32, Eurocharged tune and SC pulley, SL55 intakes with K&Ns. 19" rims, springs, Local, had a VERY light fender bender, a small bit of well done paint work. 52,000, asking $13k
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3450988583.html

Please give your input and advice. Thanks! Mike

pointman

Get the one you want. E55 was more expensive at new. Starts with a "5" and not a "3". Both are fast. The E is bigger. Pick the one you want depending on whats important to you. We're not your mom, and you wear big boy pants now. Its OK to decide these things on your own. EOT.

chris.bachman

There are so many reasons not to buy either of these vehicles.

Most concerning is the salvage and mileage on the E55 though.

If you had to purchase one of them, which you don't because there are plenty more to shop around for, I'd go with the C32. The picture shows a stock intake, just a heads up.

Capn

It sounds like you are on a tight budget and to help with your maintenance cost go with the C32. It's lower maintenance then the E55 and its not salvage.

precisionmike

To be clear, I am not very financially restricted, just cheap. I can easilly afford to maintain either option. The owner has the intake, just not on the car yet. Does the C32 seem like a fair deal? I am obviously going to work him down.

ghiaguy

I have always operated with salvage titles as deal breakers/ just me. I would grab the C32 based on mileage and solid mods.

pointman

Then buy a much newer car.

SL65amg

get the E55....potential to be mind blowingly fast by doing steady mods over time....and interior looks a lot more comfortable and more luxurious....

Capn

C32 is definitely the more fun of the two cars IMO. It's small and nible enough for canyon runs/track days but powerful enough to play around in the 1/8 and 1/4 mile track.

C280 Sport

Usually I would say E55 for looks, comfort, build quality and luxury but in this case RUN dont walk from that E55. Salvage title on a 04 211 will mean a nightmare for you and if your saying that your "cheap" a 211 AMG is not for you then. Buy the C32 or maybe even look around for a different C32? How much exactly are you looking to spend? Im just wondering because cheap and MB in the same sentence dont ever work well lol.

ruben65

Or go middle ground and get a C55. You get a compact nimble car with a reliable V8 power thats NA and not supercharged. Not to mention great exhaust sound.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3449422494.html

precisionmike

I actually saw that ad today, thanks. I guess I am looking for the best overall car and performance for $15-$17k max.

W203Ramos

in this case C32....... I have an '03 w/ 56k on the clock and am very happy with it, going on 12 yrs. it's a pretty solid car. the only thing that gave out was the IC pump.

varoom

In my head I always wanted a E55 AMG but when a local opportunity to purchase a C32 appeared....i inspected!

Initial thoughts were its only a C32....the older c36 and c42 must be far superior

But as I looked closer and seen the V6 supercharged 360hp it made me JUMP!

In standard form the car is bland but a few tweeks makes it a real grown mans toy!

DO IT!

Also.......I have a wife and 2 young boys and always though I would need the size of the e-class.

Now I reckon the c-class is easily big enough,

Next stop C63 AMG

speed7

I'd go C55.. no SC to give you crap but you get all the HP. The V8 is strong and really low on the maintenance. Plus the interior is better IMHO.

The E55 has a salvage title which means it'll be a pain in the butt to sell later.

biturbowagon

Buy my C55. Ill give to ya for 16k. Clean title, fast, and optioned out as well!
Although, im little further away. lol

precisionmike

So I bought the C32, just drove it home. Very smooth ride, great power. Time to get to work on the mods!

ghiaguy

CONGRATS!! Enjoy

AKnight55

Lets see some pics

c32used

This alone pushes me towards C32...but if not salvaged I'd pick the E without a question

precisionmike

So I live in AZ, hasn't rained here in about 3 months. I pick up the car today, and it rains. No pics yet, but I found out that the car used to belong to a member on this forum.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...thread-75.html.
Sterlingc1975. I sent him a PM, but no response. If anyone knows him, I would like to talk to him about the car. I have a bunch I will be doing to the car, but so far, impressive. I will post pics of the progress.

RedBull

I had that experience too. It was dry for months where I'm at, and then the day after I pick up my motorcycle, it starts raining.....then gets real cold.