Elideli

I'm intensively looking for a C32 or C55 and I have found one C55 which seems to be very clean but has a accidents.

-There are two insurance claims in the car's history report, one at $8K (rear ended) and the other claim at $2.7K (right front).
-The car had three owners and the last one has been driving it since 2007.
-Both of the accidents occurred between 50K and 60K miles.
-The dealer was asking $9.5K, said won't go lower than $9K and I'm sure I can put some additional pressure to get it at $8.5K

I'm wondering if these claims are scary enough to walkaway, I thought that a $8K claim on a C55 isn't a big deal, and since it's rear damages then I shouldn't really worry. There isn't any salvage or rebuilt title in the car's history report and the dealer confirmed that there is no frame damage, only trunk, suspension, bumper and tailight were damaged.

What do you think? Is this a good deal?

PJmak

To be honest id pass. Ive looked into multiple c55s on my search to the right one and I walked away from a few that had minor accidents.

Considering the price these cars go for nowadays, I wouldn't even bother with something like that.

Between all the accidents ad repairs and three owners with low miles....the car probably never got proper service. Plus you are at the 75k mark which is right before most of the major services are due on most mercedes cars.

Whats your budget for a c55?

PJmak

8k rear end damage is more than the bumper for sure. The qt. panel must have been damaged.

Elideli

My budget is around $10K USD but I'm in Canada, it's much harder to find these cars. My other alternative is a one owner 2004 C32, garage kept, never winter driven and only 28K miles. He is asking $12.5K USD non-negotiable. The car looks new. Not sure if I should pull the trigger. I want something that will last for a few years.

benzslo

I'd go with a 55 over the 32, 8 days a week.

Elideli

Do you mind elaborating? I don't see a big difference between the two.

Maffu313

I had a C32 which I traded for a C55 just earlier this year, and I too would recommend the C55.

First off is to understand what you plan on doing with the car, if you plan on spending moderate amounts of money to upgrade the power on the car, the C32 is the way to get the best HP/$, but if you're willing to spend big $$, then the C55 is the way to go. If you want a car that you're not going to be doing much modding (power-wise), I'd go for the C55 just because it's simpler for maintenance (being a NA and all).

I personally find the C55 plenty fast enough in stock form, and don't plan on doing any power upgrades. The interior feels more refined than the C32 and the look is much more modern (but that's also highly subjective). The shocks/springs and suspension overall is a lot better in the C55 than the C32 (stock vs stock, but that can be remedied with an aftermarket coil-over setup). I also prefer the exterior styling of the C55 over the C32.

So overall, aside from the general hassles of R&M on a supercharged engine vs NA engine, there isn't much difference from the 32 to the 55 (aside from the subjective personal preferences). The both cars are well documented in problems:
C32 - leaky intercooler & faulty radiator (valeo ones were bad, but Behr ones in late '03 and in '04 were okay), pulleys/belts need to be checked every now and then to make sure they're not about to fall off/shatter
C55 - leaking valve gasket covers

EDIT: The seats in the 55 are also a lot nicer than in the 32, they 'hug' you a lot more

Viper98912

Go with a C55 that doesn't have so much negative history.

PJmak

Id rather have a higher mileage\serviced car over a lower mile car with shady history.

91RS

Pass. I will never buy a car that has been in an accident ever again. There can be so much hidden damage that wasn't repaired or wasn't repaired properly either because on an incompetent body shop or because the insurance company demanded the car be "repaired" that way.


The C230 I had that had been wrecked seemed like it wasn't bad as the paint looked as good as factory (which is the only reason I went through with buying it because I thought if the paint looked that good it couldn't have been that bad) but underneath the right strut tower was bent and the frame rail had been pulled using heat (a big no no). I paid to have the strut tower pulled into alignment and they me the frame rail and all the parts that had been replaced (even the whole right front door had been replaced). The car should have had the frame rail replaced which would have totaled the car even though it was wrecked when it was only 2 years old. I traded the car after having it for 6 months and took a bath. There will be other cars come up for sale.

Elideli

Thanks everyone for your advice, I will pass on this for sure.

Nonetheless, I have been able to get one from an AMG fanatic with extensive service history. I'm extremely excited!!! I will create a separate thread on Sunday to present my new baby as it's one of a kind, not your typical C32. To be continued...

PJmak

benzslo

Maybe not outwardly obvious, but the 55 is just such a better package overall in pretty much every way. W203 is probably one of my least favorite MB's in the last40 years, the 32 is an early 203 and 55 is a later one, almost everything is improved. Interior being the big one for sure. Body styling. And I'd much prefer the engine in the 55. The 55 has a slightly different front end, used from the 209's, subtle difference but much more attractive.

Justin9212

Where in Canada are you? I am in Buffalo NY and am considering selling my 2006 C55 with 120K, clean carfax, no issues, would want about $9K for it.

Gramma_Benz

yes, a C32 is more likely to be problematic.

Chest Rockwell

I'll weigh in here. I've put about 14k trouble-free miles on my '06 C55, while my brother has had blower bearing issues, tensioner issues, and some minor electrical gremlins I believe (chime in if you want brother). I love the relative simplicity of the N/A M113, and the SOUND! Similar power output, but the v8 rumble beats blower whine, for me at least.