Viper98912

...that there's nothing out there that offers the same bang for the buck?

My C55 will soon be 8 years old and 2 generations old with the release of the W205, and while it has aged well, the changes in automotive design have started to age the W203 lines. As I look around at different vehicles that intrigue me (mostly high performance man-SUV's, high performance wagons, and sleek convertibles) there is nothing out there that comes close to the bang for the buck of the C55. Aggressive V8 power in a small car, nice seating surfaces, agile car (suspension, brakes), most modern luxuries (HID, nav, audio), relatively upscale interior design (the birds eye maple definitely sets it off), and most importantly what's been a *knock on wood* very reliable car for me, and one that doesn't have some of the higher end bells and whistles that are expensive-dealer-only repairs. DIY and affordability of this car have been fantastic. There is no replacement?

What else are you guys looking at?

Saaboteur

I'm just waiting for C63 prices to drop some more so that my cheap and broke a$$ can afford one. But I'm aiming for 2010+ to avoid the possible head gasket issues and I do want a car equipped with the performance pack for the SLS internals.

That said, I agree with the sentiment. An E46 M3 or a B6/B7 S4 are really the only alternatives, being contemporaries of the C55. I guess you could throw the B7 RS4 into the mix too. But the M3 is only a coupe (if that matters), and no V8. And the Ingolstadt offerings have more complicated and maintenance expensive V8s. An S4 wagon would be fun though. I have to say though, that after owning and driving my B6 A4 daily for a few months now, with snow on the ground, it's not that exciting and the interior quality could be better. Probably B7s are nicer. And even though my 1.8T car is tuned, it's quite boring. I must be V8 spoiled. the only redeeming features are the wagon bodystyle and Quattro. An S4 wagon winter beater would be ideal, with a previous owner taking care of the expensive high mileage maintenance items!

Aftermarket performance mods are much more plentiful for the other two cars though.

pointman

I have been through A LOT of cars. They come and go, year after year. But the only one that has had staying power is the 32. Its cheap to maintain, I am the original owner, its fun, and not worth enough for me to sell. Even when the next new thing comes, the 32 will remain.

Capn

I'm personally selling my C55 because I yearn for a convertible (R171) but its probably one of best compact performance sedan for its generation.

MIKESV8

I had the same notion for a while, then I realized that I just wanted a faster car and one that was a bit newer. A small to mid sized sedan with the m156 platform will change your mind. Didn't pay a whole lot more for my 63 compared to what I sold my c55 for either.

F1Bobby

I have thought about selling my C55 and as you said there is not much out there that gives you the bang for the buck that the C55 does. I drive a CLK550 as my daily driver and that is a lot of fun to drive but there is something about my C55.
I guess the bottom-line is that everything is for sale and I would probably part with the C55 or the CLK if the price was right. My next AMG will probably be a 2010+ C63 but I'm just not rushing out to do that.
Once you live with the C55 it is kind of hard to give it up. It's one of Mercedes/AMG best kept secrets.

speed7

Yeah I want a CLK63 convertible. However I also want to keep my C55... Its hard to give up due to how much fun it delivers compared to what else is on the market.

AMG3.2

If I were to give up my C32, I would get an E46 M3. However, if I were to pay more, I would either buy a E90 M3 or a C63. I'm literally torn between the two, but always end up liking the E90 more.

Viper98912

I love the CLK55/63 and SLK55, I would love to rock one of those as a convertible. But the problem with that and the SL55/63 and CLS/55/63 and E55/63 is that they're all from the same generation as the C55: same interior and exterior styling, similar (although higher end) features, etc. When I look at the CLS, it feels like it's "only" a bigger and more expensive version of my car.

E46 isn't a step up, and the E90 is nice, but nice enough to spend money on...?

91RS

There's also what these cars are worth lately. It makes me sick you can pick one up for $15k now. But there really is no good direct replacement for the C55. I like the powertrain of the C63 (although I still haven't had a chance to drive one yet), but I never liked the interior of the pre-facelift W204. I just felt so cheap compared to a W203. I haven't been inside a facelift car yet but it looks significantly nicer.

My next vehicle will either be a Corvette or a CTS-V. Which vehicle it will replace is not yet determined. What I want is very specific so finding either will be difficult. If I get a Vette, I want a Grand Sport convertible with a manual in Jetstream Blue with the 4LT package and it would most likely replace the C55. If I get a CTS-V, I want a wagon in Opulent Blue and a 6 speed manual and it would likely replace the Trailblazer.

Viper98912

The CTS-V is definitely an awesome vehicle, having seen one in real life the biggest thing that went through my mind was "wow, look how big that tail light is!". I hope they plan on coming out with an ATS-V Wagon version, and/or MB comes out with the CLA45 AMG Shooting Brake. Small AWD Shooting Brake AMG would be sweet...

I've also got my eye on what 2014 brings for the new Range Rover Sport. The rumored 2015 MLC-class rival to the X6 will probably be in the 80-100k range, which is out of my budget.

AMG3.2

It depends on what you mean by "step up". I find that the W203 chassis to be great and the car to be mounds of fun. However, lately, I've been ithching to drive a lighterwight car that has more track potential than the W203 platform. While it is great, I think the E46 M3 is easier to put race seats in and even do some weight reduction without it looking like some crappy stripped down race car. This is something that cannot be done, imho ofcourse, with the W203 platform. Recaro Pole Postion in my C32? I don't think so. It just looks odd and like a misfit. I like that the M3 is a elegant car while retaining a true drivers feel.

Don't get me wrong, the C32 is a great car and I love driving it. However, just like the C63 vs M3 arguement, the C32 is just a different beast that is it be loved in its own ways.

While the E90 M3 is expensive, I love the high revving engine and the looks of that car. The sounds is also astounding since the engine is derived from the earler E60 M5/ E63 M6. The car is heavier than I would like, but then again, I'm not a race car driver and would be quiet surprised if I could feel a massive difference between the E46 and E90 unless driving them back to back.

Capn

The R170 SLK32 calls your name

pointman

203 32 > e46 M3

E90 M3 > C63

And no, you're not literally torn.

AMG3.2

Above if very subjective, but if that makes you feel good then go for it

However, did you just try tell to me my own opinion about a car?

Hmmm, sounds odd but I'll go with it.

AMG3.2

Hmmm, nice thinking

MIKESV8

since we're on the subject of personal opinions, i'd rather have a C63 over an E92 m3. i rode in a friend's 6spd. e92 m3 when he had it, and while it was a great car and of course felt like a fast car around turns, i pulled on it every time in my C55, not off the line though, i spun way too much in that car. i've never actually rode in a C63 before, but i can only imagine how much crazier it would be. i personally would rather own an e46 m3 over a c32, not over AMG3.2's though

you guys wanna compare an E63 to an E60 M5? i've been in both cars (obviously ) so i can give some insight on that. and a friend with an M6 (your friend also AMG3.2) took a ride in my car and told me a bunch of differences between the two platforms.

pointman

Its that how you read it? Me giving you your own opinion? Does that actually ever happen to you? Cause thats sad.

pointman