thinking of a 2003 C32 Daily Driver
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
Likes: 23
2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
thinking of a 2003 C32 Daily Driver
I am looking at a few C32s in my area for a daily driver......should I be nervous about a 95K mile car? I would imagine these are pretty bullet proof; and I am handy with working on cars. I build and port intakes and cylinder heads for LT-5 ZR-1 Corvettes.
What kind of miles have you guys seen these engines run with good service?
LGAFF
1987 Callaway TT #17
1990 ZR-1 540hp
1991 ZR-1 368ci 560hp
1992 ZR-1 460hp
2011 E550
2004 Ford Focus (soon to be replaced)
What kind of miles have you guys seen these engines run with good service?
LGAFF
1987 Callaway TT #17
1990 ZR-1 540hp
1991 ZR-1 368ci 560hp
1992 ZR-1 460hp
2011 E550
2004 Ford Focus (soon to be replaced)
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 307
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From: Waldorf Maryland
2008 CLK550
I know a few guys around the DC area that have 100k+ miles on their c55's. If you are handy under the hood then you should have no problems. A car with that many miles you know you will have to replace some wear/aged items but if you diy, should be way less expensive than paying somebody to do it.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 255
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From: Downingtown, PA
none... for now
Wow, LT-5. That's a name you don't hear everyday(and wish I owned). Your entire list is impressive. I had a 94 base vette, sold it two summers ago, and started looking for something new(have a 4yo boy, and my 95 Cutlass bores me to tears). I'm leaning towards an LS2 GTO or a C55, both mechanically solid cars. The C32 drivetrain seems just as reliable, it's the S/C supporting bits like the intercooler pump that seem to be problematic. Address that(or see if they've been addressed already) and you should be fine.
The S/C whine and V8 exhaust are equal trade offs to me. I'm just going with a C55 for simplicity, more aggressive suspension, and interior I like much better.
The S/C whine and V8 exhaust are equal trade offs to me. I'm just going with a C55 for simplicity, more aggressive suspension, and interior I like much better.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
Likes: 23
2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
Here is my 1990 this is before I had it tuned and put on the 63MM TB; still
need to go to a larger exhaust system. Also building an expanded plenum
Car also weighs 3200lbs
441RWHP@7100RPM no power adders and
need to go to a larger exhaust system. Also building an expanded plenum
Car also weighs 3200lbs
441RWHP@7100RPM no power adders and
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
Likes: 23
2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
Whats with all the rust, I looked at a 04 SLK with 62K miles and the fender had rust, also looked at a02 w/ 44K mile C32....rust also.
Did they not use galv. sheetmetal?
Did they not use galv. sheetmetal?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
I have hardly seen any rust on any MB I have looked at. My old C32 had some tiny flakes of pain missing around the back door edges which had very minor surface rust. None of the cars I looked at dealers had any. Also depends what area you are looking in and how well the car was cared for.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 411
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2011 E550 Coupe, 1992 Corvette ZR-1, 1991 368ci ZR-1, 1990 ZR-1, 1987 Callaway TT, 05 SL600, CLA45
well I picked up a 2003 C32 White Black; 18" AMG wheels, Eurocharge tune, new radiator, new trans, new IC pump, new pulley,rust free.
102K miles $8500....mint inside. owned by a Mercedes mechanic.
Pretty happy with it
102K miles $8500....mint inside. owned by a Mercedes mechanic.
Pretty happy with it
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Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 10
From: New Hampshire
C 32 AMG & FG2 Civic Si
looks very nice! nice to see a c32 in a color other than the usual silver and black.
with regards to reliability, i can tell you that the problems that c32s have are pretty well documented here on the forums. the radiator and intercooler pump are issues that you have already fixed, so that's good. other than that, seat control modules can go bad all of a sudden and drain the battery like crazy (just happened to me) but you can just temporarily unplug it until you buy the new module or fix it any other way. apart from that, a lot of the rubber bushings in the front end will probably need replacing now or in the near future, especially sway bar bushings, end links, and/or control arm bushings.
with regards to engine reliability, i haven't heard of many issues at all... just keep up with oil changes and drive gently until the oil is warmed up (usually after 20-30 minutes of driving). Most of us use Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula which can be found at Walmart. Make sure to also use the Mann HU 718/5 x filter, as it is OEM.
all in all, a VERY capable car for under ~10k. it looks like you've done your homework but just in case you haven't, with about 2k more of mods, you could have a 400+ horsepower luxury, great-condition sedan that handles very similarly to an e46 m3 (which costs around twice as much).
hope you enjoy it!
with regards to reliability, i can tell you that the problems that c32s have are pretty well documented here on the forums. the radiator and intercooler pump are issues that you have already fixed, so that's good. other than that, seat control modules can go bad all of a sudden and drain the battery like crazy (just happened to me) but you can just temporarily unplug it until you buy the new module or fix it any other way. apart from that, a lot of the rubber bushings in the front end will probably need replacing now or in the near future, especially sway bar bushings, end links, and/or control arm bushings.
with regards to engine reliability, i haven't heard of many issues at all... just keep up with oil changes and drive gently until the oil is warmed up (usually after 20-30 minutes of driving). Most of us use Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula which can be found at Walmart. Make sure to also use the Mann HU 718/5 x filter, as it is OEM.
all in all, a VERY capable car for under ~10k. it looks like you've done your homework but just in case you haven't, with about 2k more of mods, you could have a 400+ horsepower luxury, great-condition sedan that handles very similarly to an e46 m3 (which costs around twice as much).
hope you enjoy it!
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 167
Likes: 1
From: Elizabethton, TN
A teal Vespa with tassles and glitter. You know you're jealous.
If youre handy under the hood and take care of the preventative maintenance items you should have a reliable car for a daily driver.
I bought my 02 with 88k on her and drove her daily until she hit around 140k and all I had to have replaced was the CPS, I didnt have the tools with me at the time it failed. The only other issue I had was a defective pulley, the pulley tore off the bearing and shredded belt. I had no issues from that car aside from those. I bought a small pickup as my daily driver and retired the C32 to a whenever I wanted to go fast car, sometimes it would be a couple weeks before I drove her and she fired up every time and purred. Never worried it might leave me stranded.
That is a nice looking C32!!
Andrew
I bought my 02 with 88k on her and drove her daily until she hit around 140k and all I had to have replaced was the CPS, I didnt have the tools with me at the time it failed. The only other issue I had was a defective pulley, the pulley tore off the bearing and shredded belt. I had no issues from that car aside from those. I bought a small pickup as my daily driver and retired the C32 to a whenever I wanted to go fast car, sometimes it would be a couple weeks before I drove her and she fired up every time and purred. Never worried it might leave me stranded.
That is a nice looking C32!!
Andrew
