AWDman

saw it at the cspot presentation yesterday. the 2004 c230 sport sedan 1.8 has the amg package, large rotors, large calipers. the front is lower than the c32 unless they did that for the event. actually looks nicer than a c32 imho -it had the 5 star wheels with the staggered 225/245 tire fitment.

they were 4 c32s there giving folks joyrides. the drivers were hammering them, sliding a bit in esp off mode. one driver was admonished after doing a smoky burn...the tires had to last the whole session it seems.....

the c32 howls at WOT....i guess you have to be outside the car to hear it.

AWDman

sorry, hadn't noticed this thred:-

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=65500


the tires were inflated 50 psi.

s4iscool

yup, thats why i wont get another AMG. MB dillutes the rap outta their "special" cars. Why bother when a c230 looks as good

AWDman

maybe they just dressed up it up with the kit?

driving back home from Cspot I passed a phoenix yellow M3....I had a pang of remorse.....but hell if i had come from a bmw event and passed a c32 in my m3 i would have felt the same.....

oh to have as much moolah as the sultan of brunei.......i think i'd outdo him automotively.....

Guest0001

Thats pretty screwed up and Im not even an AMG owner. I know the heart of the car is the engine but it should ATLEAST look different from regular C-Class. BMW does a lot better job in protected there M brand and keeping it exlusive IMO.

LorinserCClass

ACTUALLY last time I was looking at a 3 series I coulda sworn you could get the M body kit on your car if you get a 'sports option'. I dunno about you but 349HP is WAAAAYY better than 179HP I wouldnt mind a C32/55

GDawgC220

I think with the 330, you can get the sport package which includes M body kit, upgraded suspension, wheels and upgraded engine by software (I think it adds 10-15 more horses with ECU tuning)...

s4iscool

Right but no power dome on the hood and the vents on the sides...rear apron with quad exhaust, etc.

C32 is great and would have remained exclusive had MB not started slapping its parts on the other C's

AWDman

having a longer nose, the quad exhausts etc...there will be a distinction between the regular MBs and the AMGs.

I'm still hoping it was just a kit. I know you can special order a regular c class in this manner.

the m3 does look significantly different from the sports pack 330. no comparison in terms of looks actually, m3 unmistakably way ahead.

s4iscool

I see that longer nose as a negative...these cars need shorter overhangs not longer. I didnt think a few mm's would make such a visual difference but the pics loook odd

dewuser

Thanks for the update AWDman

Don't forget to POST SOME PICS! So for those that can't make it or missed it, get a least a glimpse of what went on.

AWDman

in general benz is turing out some very tasteful cars. thank god they don't have a chris bangle in their house. i have to give them credit before hand but i guess we all need to see the c55 up close and personal before a final opinion.......

oggle

Just another way for MB to screw with you and make you feel bad, so that you'll want to upgrade to the latest cars of theirs.

There is a distinction from the 05 C32AMG vs. non-AMGs. The CLK headlights and longer nose. Just not the ones from the previous years.

Vader13

I just traded my ML for one of these (hated that thing). Black 04 C230 Sedan Sport. The dealer gave me back 6 grand too.
I payed 37 with Tax and licence and 6 grand back.
I payed cash for the ML for 44K
I think I got a fair deal
Very fun car. My garage looks better with a daily driver and a weekend *** kicker C32
edit, they had a used 02 C32 capri blue with 35,000 miles on it for 40K
at Fletcher in Newport Beach,
Its still on the lot.

rrf

Oggle is right, it is all about making you want to upgrade to the latest. But this is an especially mean spirited move. Regarding upgrading: due to the nature of the market competition and the lack of real research put into this "new" model I have a feeling this one may actually backfire, by just ****'n off the present AMG owners.

They in fact "tarnish" the AMG badge when they pull these stunts, that is something beancounters have a hard time counting.

These moves are not accidents, they are fully planned, but the minds making the decisions have to be questioned.

Thai

I am still in shock that they are gonna put the C32 engine into a CROSSFIRE!!

But, ya right, at least, you guys don't have Chris Bangle!

FrankW

for those that thinks C-class by having the AMG makes anything less of the C32, I wonder why you guys bought the C32 in the first place.

AMG kit like I've said in other threads has been available before or at the same time as the C32 debuted back in 2001. It has been an option for almost all the countries other than US and Canada. You guys sound like you've never seen any other C-class other than the C32 that has the AMG kit.

bajaiman

Some of the AMG owners bought their AMG cars for their stealthiness…I would’ve put “C180” badge on the C32 if I ever have the chance to own one

VancouverC32

I too am pissed at the introduction of the C230 sedan. In Canada it is priced at virtually the starting level of the C240, with 17" wheels, sports package, etc.. I would have bought this last year or waited if I had known. As mentioned in many other threads, I find the dealers and MB very evasive about giving out too much information, which I find frustrating and misleading. Will I buy another MB, probably not.

AWDman

yesterday- the c230k was up on the revolving pedestal. very nice in tectite gray. the c55 was on the floor. got a good look at the longer nose - not very noticable imho. from the back you see the 4 pipes and lip spoiler so there's no mistaking a c55 for c230....but from other angles especially from a distance it's going be be difficult.

MB displayed next to BMW. didn't see any M models. i did see petter solbergs wrc sti and jutta klienshmidts (sp) taureg from paris dakar. aside from the above- a ho hum show...

s4iscool

I saw an M3 for sure, but I stayed in their booth for maybe 15 seconds.

The 230 did look good, I think it had the nav as well, while the C55 did not have nav. The C55 looked ok, and the rear exhaust definetely had two mufflers, so they clearly modified the spare tire well to fit this.

jbcritch

The 330 or any 3 series can be upgraged with the "sport package," but does not have "M" trim as many are stating. I just got rid of my 330cic (convertible) and had it fully loaded with the sport package...that is simply the upgraged shocks and M wheels/tire package, and the steering wheel is replaced with an M wheel. The trim is updated with "titanium" (silver) paint.

I think you guys are talking about the new 330 with the performance package - designed to remind folks of the days gone by with the E36 M3 which you could get in 4 doors.....it has engine upgrages that add 10 hp over the 330, along with a different body kit that looks more M-like, but still not the M kit. BMW says it will not make a USA 4 door M3 to compete with the C32, and this is as close as they are willing to go with it....
interestingly enough, you can now get the Performance package on the 3 coupe and 3 convertible....not offered last year.....

FrankW

the performance package (ZHP) bodykit is from the M Gmbh and it's called a M tecnik kit. It's just not the bodykit used for the M3.

smgC32

Does anyone remember the 1994 325is M tecnik? This was a pre-M3 offering identical to the 95 M3 without the 3.0ltr motor and was more expensive than the M3 when it was released! Ouch...

FrankW

don't know about the it...sorry.