ya the look alone is worth it to trade in the c32
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...45#post1339845

 

Any high res ones???

 

Trade in my SuperchargedV6 for a V8
no way...

 

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d/53138

Info here... in German

Translated:

Mercedes C 55 AMG: Small power station
If in April the new C-class goes to the start, Mercedes crowns the series with that 367 HP of strong C 55 AMG - the sportiest and highest performance C-class, which gave it ever.
If the predecessor, C used 32 AMG, still another six cylinder with compressor loading, then new C draws its strength for 55 AMG from the full capacity. The V8 with 5,5 litres capacity generates 367 HP and a maximum torque of 510 Nm, therefore 13 HP and 60 Nm more than the predecessor. Thus the AMG, which it will give as combination and sedan, storms in 5.2 seconds (t-model: 5,4) of zero on speed 100. 200 km/h is in 18.6 seconds (t-model: 18,8) reached its. The maximum speed is, as with Mercedes usually, electronically on 250 km/h limited. The V8 is to consume on the average only 11.9 litres on 100 kilometers and is classified into the pollutant class euro 4.

The power transmission to the rear wheels takes over a five-course mechanism, which can be served both over tipptasten at the steering wheel and over the selector lever manually. So that the potent C-class was up to to the achievement attack of the engine also, the complete drive strand was strengthened, which entrusts chassis again co-ordinated, the ESP with new traction function adapted and a high speed brake assembly with the delay. An oil cooler at the Hinterachsdifferenzial ensures for a healthy temperature household, in the highly loaded construction unit.
The V8 needs place
Optically C sets 55 AMG off by a again drawn front portion of hood, fender, headlight and radiator grille - from its series brothers . The adjustments became necessary by the space requirement of the eight-cylinder, which requires a 80 millimeter longer porch. Further recognition characteristics are a broader trace in front, standard 18-Zoeller with tires of the dimension 225/40 on the front and 245/35 on the rear axle, a small tail spoiler for the sedan as well as a four-tubing exhaust system.

In the interior leather-referred sport seats, a AMG Kombiinstrument with four classical round instruments and a sport steering wheel characterize the Topversion. Top are with C 55 AMG also the prices. Starts the normal sedan with 27.898 euro (C 180 K) and the t-model with 29.638 euro, then C will have to be had 55 AMG probably not under approximately 62,000 euro.

 

13 HP more... an extra 60Nm of torque.

Plus all the changes (fixes?!) in the new W203.5

I am negotiating a trade-in already!

 

Let us know how your deal goes, on a first release its going to be a high price and your going to have to work out all the bugs..

 

The C55 will be about the price of a 1 year old E55. Make your choice.

 

I dont see the 55 will be any superior than the 32. Those numbers from the 55 can EASILY achieved by most of the moded 32 in here.

But look closely at the front brakes! I think they're the 8-piston E55 brakes.

 

I highly doubt a C55 will cost near 80k! If so I would take a E55 any day of the week (W211 2003's are in the high 70's and that is for a base car with 14k miles). Given the reality of a $55,000 C55 (with navi and xenon’s -- both optional on a E55 pushing its price even higher) I think the C55 is a better "deal." 30k is a large amount of money.

If the C55 has better chassis dynamics than the C32 it would be worth an upgrade but if it is more nose heavy forget about it. I still have faith AMG learned with the C32 and that the C55 will be a nice surprise.

After spending more time in my 2001 V8 AMG, I now realize I personally am more "at home" in a V8 powered car than in a blown V6. The V6 might be supercharged but the torque and consistency of the V8 out shines the Kompressor V6 (and any ability to stress the V6 any further). I personally am glad to see a V8 in the W203 but I wish it were the new 400 hp direct injection gas motor to be released in about a year and not the fairly weak 3-valve motor (weak in a hp/liter rating).

 

You are correct in saying that the brakes are not the sme 4 pots as on a C32 but they are not the E55's 8 pots. From what I have read, the SLK and C55's have new brembo 6 pots but (from my eyes) that car in the link above has the smallish 4 pots seen on the C32. Something tells me the US spec car migh have 4 pots and the euro cars the 6 pots. If so get ready for a back lash! Audi took the 4 pot brakes off the us spec S4 this year and put whimpy sliders on instead. Who says US drives dont drive hard?

I hope the C55 has the 6 pot brakes from the SLK55 and 4 pots in the rear for that is what the C32 needed stock! If not it is an easy OEM upgrade and factory brakes are fairly cheap too!

I have video showing 2 C55's on the ring testing in Gernamy and one has 4 pots while the other has 6 pots. Lets keep our fingers crossed!

 

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/d..._detail?skip=6
.
(Refresh screen (F5) if you get an error on above link !!!)
.
I guess no change for the brakes

 

if the SLK (lighter than a C55) has 6 pot fronts and 4 pot rears and the C55 has the same brakes as the C32, something is seriously wrong. I would but th SLK brakes in a heart beat but why should we have to do that!?! I can small roated pads and glazed/warped rotors once again!

Look at the AMG web page photos of the SLK55 I love those brakes!

 

As much as I love the much improved interior and exterior, I wouldn't go trading in my car for that. I'd rather wait for the NEXT C and trade in then, because it ain't gonna be that much longer after the C55 comes out.

 

Beautiful car...just beautiful.

Do you think the new Nav will work in a W209 and if so where to get one?

sjclk

 

Beautiful car.....but I past.....the SLK55 has more to go as a 2th car than a C55 for me..

 

The performance increase is too minimal to warrant a trade-in. If I were to trade my C32 in, it will at the very least, be an E55.

 

what the heck quad exhust pipes from the dealer, now that dope!

 

All the 55's have them

Well, maybe not the N/A ones.

 

Those pics look really good. I am really hoping that i can purchase a C55. I realize that this question may have been answered already (did a search, did not find the answer), but is there a tentative date for the release of the C55? I went to my local dealership 2 days ago and they said that they weren't aware of a C55 being produced or released anytime soon. They figured if anything, 2006. If it is 2006, i can't wait and may have to look into purchasing a C32.

 

Ditto. This C55 is a slight improvement in exterior looks and performance. The dials are where it really improved things. But still its 95% the same thing I have now. Used 2003 E55s will be available for $60K before you know it (late 04?). That is my next car.

Kevin

 

I guess you should find another dealer. The official press release has been out, they are still day-dreaming. If I remember correctly, the car will launch at the Geneva Auto Show in April. It will be a 2005 car in NA, should see the first one arriving in Aug/Sept.

 

sweet ride, but I would not trade my 32 for it...I'd rather go for an e55, it would be more of an upgrade and less of a lateral move.

 

Harris, thanks for the reply. I would hate to go to the next nearest dealership (Austin) about 65 miles away. But i guess if i have to then i will. They did tell me that i can put 1K down for a deposit to hold a place for me when it comes time to order one. I told them i would wait till i got more info on the car itself. Thanks again!

 

Accomplice,

While the E55 will most certainly fall in value, I highly doubt it will be worth 60k in late 04. Look at a used S55 from 2003 or a CL55 and you will see that the Kompressor cars fall very slowly.

In the current market it is harder to come across an E55 than an SL55. The E55 will fall but I cannot see it falling 20k in 8 months. That is just too much to ask I think. That would come out to a 23-25k hit in a year! Lets hope that E55 is not that low in demand.

Having said all that, I must agree that if you are going to take the hit to upgrade to C55 just go find a slightly used E55 for around 80k and enjoy that instead. It is just that much better I think. Couple more miles on the E55 (and an oil change) and it will all be worth it. She just wants to go for a run!

When I had a C36, most fellow C36 owners did not run out and buy a C43 in 1998 for most agreed that it was not that big of a step forward. While the C55 has a better interior I do not see massive amounts of C32 owners flocking to place orders for a C55. But all said I do think the C55 addressed many of the issue I found lacking in my C32. Times change and of course things improve.

 

Maybe we can do a C55 exhaust transplant to our C32! And also the mini spoiler as a bonus!!