C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

Will c32 price take a dive with C55 coming out?

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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 04:44 AM
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Will c32 price take a dive with C55 coming out?

You guys think the c32's price is going to take a dive when the new c55 comes out? Im thinking I either want to do some mods to my c32 or get rid of it now at top value. I have a 03 with 18k miles on it, every option available, how much do you think i could fetch before and after the c55 release? Whats the smart thing to do here guys?
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 01:37 PM
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It is probably down already about $10k.

When you hit 50k miles or 4 years, it will take an additional $10k hit in price.

C32 out warranty (50k + miles) is about $34k.

It would take a lot of C55 inventory , to reduce the C32 price, much.

I think the total production numbers are much smaller than Audi.

Don
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 05:10 PM
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Especially with this kind of vehicle (high-end performance), most of the owners/purchasers are very aware of news relating to their car. You can bet that at least 80% of the C32 owners or prospective purchasers out there know that the C55 is coming. People tend to think "the newer model is the better model" so they 'knee jerk' react by discounting the older model before the new model even comes out (which they already have done with the C32). Without beating a dead thread (see "C32 as a classic, C55 as a cow"), I think that there actually may be a backlash against the C55 and in favor of the C32 after the C55 comes out and does not knock the critics off of their collective feet. In an absolute sense, the C55 will probably be a better vehicle (yes, I said it!), but, in price relative terms, a used C32 will be a better bargain.
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 07:39 PM
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Initially, I was scared that the C55 would offer a big improvement in performance and looks. The way I see it, the C55 offers only a slight improvement in all areas. It doesn't look all that different to me. The straight line numbers won't beat the best figures published for the C32 (0-60 4.6, 1/4 mile 13.0@107) by very much, if at all. At best it may end up averaging 1-2 tenths quicker in the 1/4 mile and possibly 1-2 MPH higher on the trap speed. Also, much tougher to mod. Bottom line: I don't see C32s taking a huge hit because of the C55. In fact, all of the low mileage C32s available in the low $40's will seem like bargains when people visit dealers and spec out C55s at $60,000+.

Kevin
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 08:15 PM
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I tend to agree that C32 values should not be adversely affected by the introduction of the C55. All things considered, the 3-year production run of the C32 will guarantee that we have a rare car.

Further, to those who are willing to modify their vehicles, the easy ability to use pulley kits to significantly increase the power of a C32 remains an advantage. To get more power out of a C55 will likely require converting it to force induction, at which point it will be a monster, but the effort and price to do that is clearly significantly more than installing a pulley kit on a C32.

Finally I'm rather curious to see the C55 torque curve. Although V8's generally have wider torque bands and higher peak torque than an equivalant V6, the twin-screw supercharger gives the C32 a nice wideband torque curve so its possible that even with 2 less cylinders we have more torque over more of the rpm range than the C55. (All we know is that the C55 has a higher peak torque number.)

I guess we'll all find out by the fall. Hopefully by then my C32 will be at at least stage 1.
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 09:15 PM
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seems like everything uses the 5.5 ltr

This will be one in a few cars that they made without the 5.5 ltr engine. A blown 6 is quite a unique item for them. I for one, think this car is great and am quite content knowing that it was one of if not the fastest 4 door built in 02. The difference in times is minimal but, you have more that you can add with a normally aspirated V8. Can put a blower on that one and get about 500hp. Yikes...Im still cool with my V6.
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 10:03 PM
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ya probably like everything else
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 10:13 PM
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No C55 envy

If I had a SLK32, I would be wanting to switch to the SLK55. The appearance is totally different. Moreover, if the SLK55 gets a 7 speed, all the more reason to trade. However, the AMG C Class owners can sleep easy. The C55 is the lamest "upgrade" since the replacement of the 96 Impala SS by the current generation of Impala-Mutant.
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Old Feb 29, 2004 | 11:59 PM
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I'm looking for a C32 because it is going to be a classic. Just like vinmac32 said, this is the only 3.2L amg out there now!!! and it was only made for 3 yrs in the U.S. (02,03,04?)
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 12:08 AM
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yes, but not a whole lot. The C43 didn't have much impact on C36's resale value did it?
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 12:20 AM
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Question: do you think that when the c43 came out, was the c36 was looked down upon more?
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 05:30 AM
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Originally posted by sicc-made-c32
Question: do you think that when the c43 came out, was the c36 was looked down upon more?
don't think so, the C36 was unique in it's own way and it's still one of the most saught after used MB in the used car market. There are pros and cons for the C36 and C43 that makes them stands out from each other. I think C32 and C55 will have the same type of pros and cons as well.
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 06:02 AM
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Of course the C32's resell value will take a dive. How much? Well that we'll have to see.
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 10:40 AM
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Originally posted by oggle
Of course the C32's resell value will take a dive. How much? Well that we'll have to see.
I dont think so. The dive has happened. A 40k car is no longer in the same market as a 65k C55. Look at cars like the old S4 and old M3 neither took a dive and have held good values since the new model came out
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 11:10 AM
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I agree with the last post. People who were comfortable looking at $40K used C32s aren't suddenly going to be able or willing to pay 50% more to get a new C55. The two cars are serving different markets by virtue of their price difference. In fact, I see the C55 being a very tough sell as the used 2003 E55s slide down into that price range. The C55 won't have much time to make its stamp in the market before it has to compete with those.

Kevin
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 12:42 PM
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I would definitely consider a 2003 used E55 over a newer C55, at a future date.

on
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 01:57 PM
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Originally posted by Accomplice8
I agree with the last post. People who were comfortable looking at $40K used C32s aren't suddenly going to be able or willing to pay 50% more to get a new C55. The two cars are serving different markets by virtue of their price difference. In fact, I see the C55 being a very tough sell as the used 2003 E55s slide down into that price range. The C55 won't have much time to make its stamp in the market before it has to compete with those.

Kevin
Im predicting that if the C55 is in the mid 60k range, it will not sell well. It will be a flop, thats right a flop. A car that expensive with marginal performance (if any) gains over the C32, wont be looked at by the target market (S4, C32, M3 buyers, even though the C32 was already a bit more in $$)


Like you said with the E55 coming down into the used market, the C55 will hardly be in demand. Mind you, in 2006 we will be seeing the new V8 M4 and most likely the RS4 with over 400 twin turbo HP will be out in 2005 as well...both in the same price range.
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 08:18 PM
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Originally posted by sicc-made-c32
Question: do you think that when the c43 came out, was the c36 was looked down upon more?
not sure... but the c43 msrp came out $500 cheaper compared to the c36 msrp... c43 numbers were just a few tenths faster here and there than the c36..other numbers were fairly similar...
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 09:46 PM
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Originally posted by Accomplice8
I agree with the last post. People who were comfortable looking at $40K used C32s aren't suddenly going to be able or willing to pay 50% more to get a new C55. The two cars are serving different markets by virtue of their price difference. In fact, I see the C55 being a very tough sell as the used 2003 E55s slide down into that price range. The C55 won't have much time to make its stamp in the market before it has to compete with those.

Kevin
It will hurt new C32 sales, or whatever's left over. And when C55's start appearing on the used-car market, the C32's price will be affected.

I could be wrong, but that's what I foresee.
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Old Mar 1, 2004 | 09:48 PM
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Originally posted by s4iscool
Im predicting that if the C55 is in the mid 60k range, it will not sell well. It will be a flop, thats right a flop. A car that expensive with marginal performance (if any) gains over the C32, wont be looked at by the target market (S4, C32, M3 buyers, even though the C32 was already a bit more in $$)
Hard to say though, because the C240's are still selling, despite being slower and more expensive than the C230 sedans. Only difference? 6 cylinders vs. 4.
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 01:29 PM
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C55 cost....

Not sure why folks think the C55 is coming in at 60 large. I think it will be more like 54 or 55 grand. There is no R&D in making the tried and true V8. The weight I hear is about the same, so the only things that I see costing more are the steering wheel gadgets (paddles), the silver logo on the seat backs, the new dash look and dials, and I hear bigger wheels. Well nothing to make there since they have all this stuff in the parts bin. I would be surprised to see it at 60k.
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 01:53 PM
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well my guess is that there will be more options that can hike up the price.

I think overall the base msrp will be the same or maybe 1-2k more. Remember c32 went up in price from 02 to 03 and 04 as well though it was under 1k.

They save costs in the engine but then they spent more on the suspension and extending the front end and making it unique. I can see the bigger wheels as an option here in the US.

It will probably msrp around 54k is my guess with options driving it up to 60 - 62k.

My c32 was almost 58k after all was said and done so I don't think that 60k is much of a stretch for prospective c55 buyers.

Prasith
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 02:27 PM
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You have good points but remember the CLK55 is now basically the same car as the C55 but costs $15k more?! MB needs to do something with the CLK55s output
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Old Mar 3, 2004 | 04:57 PM
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Originally posted by Prasith32
well my guess is that there will be more options that can hike up the price.

I think overall the base msrp will be the same or maybe 1-2k more. Remember c32 went up in price from 02 to 03 and 04 as well though it was under 1k.

They save costs in the engine but then they spent more on the suspension and extending the front end and making it unique. I can see the bigger wheels as an option here in the US.

It will probably msrp around 54k is my guess with options driving it up to 60 - 62k.

My c32 was almost 58k after all was said and done so I don't think that 60k is much of a stretch for prospective c55 buyers.

Prasith
what was the OTD price for your car? $58k? did you get discount on it?

when I first got mine the OTD was $60k.
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