rabbipal

Purchase dilemma C 55 Hoping you guys can help with a purchase choice .. I know it may be a little biased since this is a merc forum but figured I would try anyway. My last mercedes was an ML430 - biggest peice of junk I ever owned. When I sold it, i swore of Mercedes and bought an M3 convertible. Beautiful car. Problem free - just routine maintenance. bought it with 130K miles on the clock and put on another 25K miles. Then the wife fell pregnant and now I have a 16 month old son. Had to sell the Bimmer a few weeks ago cos nothing i did would allow the baby seat to fit in the back. Now Im in the market for a 4 door little car but something that doesnt make me feel like I traded my gonads in for a minivan like car. After driving a ton of vehicles, I narrowed my list down to a 2004 S4 (for 9K -98K miles) and a 2006 330i (for 10K - 122K miles). Not into Jap or American cars even if they are cheaper to maintain. I was perfectly satisfied with these cars and was about to make a decision (go with the Bimmer I think) until i saw the '05 C55. It looked like a C, but different. She just looked up at me with a twinkle in her eye and I think Ive been hooked ever since. I drove it just once and now I cant get her out of my mind. I can take her home for 12.5K (128K miles on the clock) . Now I'm confused. I dont mind maintenance provided I can do it myself (I'm handy and enjoy working on my own cars) but I dont want to buy something that will kill me financially with expensive engine and/or transmission repairs. Please, Please, Please help me decide. Figured real owners will give me their honest opinion. Is the C55 really worth it?

RLx02

The engine/transmission are bullet proof. You might run into a few things like the MAF going bad by people running k&n air filters or a few electrical issues here and there but the rest of the car is solid

Newzchspy

There's one for sale on the forum here for $16 K in Michigan. I'd be all over that thing!!

ghiaguy

Yeah, buy that $16k one- that is totally worth it!!! You get a lot for your money with the C55 anyway, just get a good one to start with.

JonMBZ

You would be going from the biggest pile of **** MB to one of the most solid made. Coming from 10 years with MB

maverik259

you wont have mechanical repairs most likely. Its one of hte most solid engines in existence to be frank. But you will have certain issues. Like for myself (own a 06 C55 with 58k miles on it when bought, 80k now 1.5 years later) I've had to replace the battery after only 2 years, front bushings to the tune of $700, and I think my rear spring is failing because I'm rubbing on only one wheel of my car. The tend to need replacing every so often and you will go through front AND rear tires quite quickly even if you dont drive hard due to the camber angles set up on these cars. It also burns oil like a sieve. maybe a quart every 1-2k miles. If you go by the book on repairs you should be solid though and its one of the most fun cars I've owned (including my 07 350Z).

My advice is to have it inspected or ensure it has an up to date service log!

rabbipal

Thanks guys, I definitely appreciate the feedback. I'll have a new car in my stable this weekend.

ghiaguy

Great to hear! Keep us posted - w pics

moonrockamps

I just went through the same decision. Wife just had a baby girl. I decided I needed a family sedan. Couldn't stomach a Camary or Accord. Certainly no mini van. I drove everything: cayenne, 535, e350, g37, m37, a4, a6, XF, m3, m5, 335. Came across a 2006 c55 with about 57k miles. In the end I decided on the c55. It does everything I need and want. 4 doors, luxury, fast when I want it, decent suspension and great brakes. Great bang for the buck. Most important is that I enjoy driving it each day. This is my first MB so I'm a little reluctant but I've owned a number of Porsches (still have one) and BMWs. Seems like all cars require some level of maintenance. My wife's Lexus has been in the shop more than I think it should. Life is short. Have fun while you can. Good luck.

Newzchspy

I would say that yours is the exception and NOT the rule as far as service issues. Most of us KNOW what the C55 and C32 issues are by now. Front bushings were an issue on the C32 as well, BUT a rear spring failing and oil burning issues?? Havent heard many (any )of those with the C55.

ghiaguy

Yeah, that is pretty extreme. Between a weepy valve cover gasket and whatever burn off I have, I only lose about a quart between each A service.

Saaboteur

Don't forget the usual C55 issues with the bottom seat heater failing frequently, and potentially the 'dogbone' on the adjustable steering column. I understand the latter is a very cheap part to replace, but could be an absolute nightmare to access, with disassembly of half the dash and steering column area required!

That said, those aren't major issues and don't affect the car's driveability. Not like, say, air suspension failing or something like that, which may affect the larger Benzes.

There are, however, what can be kindly described as 'elevated' service costs compared to other cars. Brake rotors are typically more expensive given their size (but still cheap compared to two piece items on C43s (and the 208 and 210 AMGs) and performance package equipped C63s. Just like the ML430 though, there are 16 spark plugs and wires, so that's generally more expensive than one might initially think given the shear number of parts. But then again, those services don't arise that often.

At any rate, have a heart for the owners of 65/600 cars...24 plugs! But only two coil packs...that run $1500 each. What am I saying though...if one can afford a 65/600 engined car, that person likely earns substantial amounts of money and can afford such things....

Quickvr4

I would buy a C55 with 128k miles with confidence. I have owned a lot of BMWs and some Japanese cars, the C55 has been the most maintenance free/most reliable of them all. I have 102k miles on mine and had it since 67k miles. Other than tires and oil changes my maintenance costs net under $700. $450 of that was for a Secondary Air Injection pump...that can almost be a guarantee to fail at least once.

tw2

Definitely cannot go wrong with a C55. I wanted one but there were none available except a black estate which was very overpriced hence going with the CLK. Of course after I purchased it there were multiple C55s for sale but they went so fast it was unbelievable, there are very few in this country.

Use iridiums and you will only have to replace the plugs once for the next 60-100,000km depending on who you believe. I use 80,000km personally. Somehow I am not feeling sorry for the 600/65 people. I would feel sorry for someone who bought an old one cheap in the future without looking into the running costs.

I never had a single issue with the C32 that I remember. The CLK has been perfect so far also, just need to get the bumper resprayed. The issues are fairly well known with most models that have been out more than 2-3 years. Everyone knows the list of E55 problems, the 63 problems etc.

gnma

adl320

It sounds like you are going for the C55. I wouldn't hesitate for an instant. I bought a very well sorted '05 example from a single owner in February. It had 73k miles and I now have 82k. No issues at all. I did a "B" service, tranny service and two front tires. From here I will do plugs, wires and while in there, will replace the valve covers which are not leaking...yet! This car is rock solid, fast and simple to maintain. A PERFECT daily driver that actually gets descent gas mileage considering. DO IT!

Ultra Stone

Decent gas mileage? I wouldn't say that, but I sit in tons of traffic.

Newzchspy

ON the Highway, I can roll at 24-25 MPG on the 55 and at least 26-27 on the 32. I love cruise control!! Yes, agreed that in the city your mileage WILL be less. Like anything, depends on how you hammer it.....

Ultra Stone

24-25? Thats amazing! Even without getting into the gas I never get above 23.0.

adl320

I did my first bit of full city driving and can attest to about 15 mpg. My normal 60-mile roundtrip circuit is mostly freeway driving with some stop and go and I get 19-20 mpg. Highway driving for distance and I'm 23-24 easy. Not bad for an "old" technology car with 362 hp from 2005!

rrohtake

I just had to brag. Over 90% of 6000 miles I put is semi-city (which is sad thing but I too have family obligations n chose C55), but 150 miles drive returned 22 cruise mpg. Pretty good for a girl normally bound in city. That includes few seconds I floored to pass trucks.

Love the girl!

biturbowagon

Buy mine. only 104k miles and newer! 14k. lol Im in cincy. NOt sure where located

maverik259

ok i may have been over exaturating the oil burn but it def burns way more than a quart per change and I am not leaking anywhere

BiturboSF

What do you usually get IN the city? lol

rrohtake

Ahm... well, 16ish in suburb and not really "city" I mostly blame on the shiftable s-mode. I do really behave on commuter freeway, honest!