hello everyone,
I'm currently driving an BMW E46M3 which is a 4-yr old car. I'm now 2 months pregnant and will be a mom soon. I realise the M3's won't be suitable for me in the future therefore here I am in the market shopping for cars again. I've done some research on the 4-doors sedans which are comparable to the M3 and C55 is what I've came up with. (I might be a mom soon, but I do not wish to compromise the joy of speeding) Am I making the right choice?
How much is a C55 and how long is the wait if there's one? How does it compare to the E46M3?
Any reply thanks in advance.
Regular driver

since your having a baby and you still want performance and luxery, I say go for the C55.. it handles just as well as the M3, is faster in the str8 line, has more power, has a more reliable motor, is more roomy, is more comfortable, and has 4 doors!!

I think the keyword is "suitability". Will the M3 be a thing of the past because of 2 doors? Or is it the manual shift? Or perhaps the semi harsh ride characteristics? If you don't want to give up the 6sp, Cadillac CTS-V might be an option. The ride should be significantly better than the BMW along with similar acceleration. If an automatic trans. is in your future, definitely test drive the C55.

The C55 offers a noticeably softer ride, more attractive interior, and the convenience of four dours. The C55 will not be as agile as the M3, and is only available as a slushbox... there is no manual option, nor is there an SMG equivalent. If you enjoyed the M3 as a true sports car (manual) and you're looking for something with similar performance, manual gearbox, posh interior, and the convenience of four doors: You should also take a look at the new 2005 Audi S4.

I'm w/ Talos, if you want to stick w/ a manual and need four doors w/ ample power, test drive the S4, but if you don't mind the auto, ck out the C55...you won't be dissappointed...you'll feel all the creature comforts as soon as you get in compared to that of the M3, and it has great anchors for your carseat(s) in the rear too!!

I swear those guys on the M3 boards all but have me talked out of an M3. The C55 is an awesome choice for a lead foot momma with baby in tow. I actually drove 3-series coupes during my first childs early years and am no worse for wear. I think the C-class is a very well built car and you wouldn't be missing the M3 a whole lot even with the slushbox.

there is no wait where i am... two local dealers have c55's on there floors.

Get the E500 wagon.

M3 and C55 are two different animal, I can't really tell you which is better.
I love my M3 it looks good, handling and control near perfect (it'll be perfect if it's a coupe ).
I just got my C55, it's my wife car....It's really don't feel like a C class at all,
it's really comfortable the AMG seat is great, the feeling is not as dynamic as the M3 but really powerful. The NAV system and the Sound System is way better than my M3. And the Sound of the exhauts is a joy... I love it. The handle is still a bit soft but better than the C32 and the S4. But no complaint since it's a sedan.....so far that's my first two days and 100 miles experience.

Go for the C55 it has a intergrated Child protection system, it's perfect if have kid or plan to have one. I agree with most people it's great daily car compare to the M3....the only downside is $$$ on your gas bill.

IMO, the 2 clear contenders are the S4 & C55 AMG.

Both have excellent safety, power, handling, braking, interiors, & comfort.

The C55 AMG is more powerful (especially if the S4 is auto), & has better balanced handling (less understeer). It is also more comfortable (better ride quality).

The S4 might have an edge in safety in snow due to AWD, but the A4 wasn't as good as the C-Class in gov't crash tests. The S4 has a slightly better interior, but the quality difference is subtle at best.

Subjectively, the C55 AMG looks better than the 05 S4 IMO (the 05 supposedly is facelifted, doesn't look as good as the 04 S4 IMO).

Why compare the 2005 C55 to the 2004 S4? Make it fair... 2005 C55 to 2005 S4.

ok, and the C55 is still faster and more luxerious... :v

No... the '05 Audi S4 is generally regarded to be more luxurious than the C55. Also, the 2005 Audi S4 costs approximately $8000 less.

Invoice for the 2005 Audi S4: $42,244
Invoice for the 2005 MB C55: $50,128

I was comparing the 05 C55 to the 05 S4 in terms of styling so I'm not sure what you mean. In terms of performance, I assume the 05 S4 carries over largely unchanged.

Thank you for all the inputs. 4-doors sedan is definately more durable for me. I've neither driven the new S4 nor the AMG C-Class but however, I did had the chance to take the V6-Turbo version of the S4 out for a ride before. My impression of the car was just par. The turbocharged V6 engine was a thrill to drive and 4 firm grips at the wheels gave me security at fast turns. But the car has no mid-range power which I pursuit and expected. The transmission was rather alittle sluggish and not as precise to my standard. Moreover, the turbo on the S4 reflects it's untamed behavior incomparison to NA Engine's even power distribution at low-end. Maybe it's my personal preference but I like the power of the car to be delivered consistantly and smoothly instead of the "boost" feel from the turbo. And that explains why the E46M3 is parked in my garage. I understand the 05 S4 has a V8 wraps underhood but the overall road feel of the Audi is not what I'm looking for. Plus the traffic in where I live has become a great issue. Manualmatic just don't seem to adapt well in this situation. I once had a cramp on my left foot due to the "parking-lot" effect during rush hour on 405.
At this point of my evaluation, C55 takes the crown for it's durability of the 4-doors, safety and auto trainy. But I need to schedule an appointment with the dealer for the test-drive if they have one available and hopefully ASAP before I can make fast decisions. Pressure on me I have to get this over with. With my pregnancy, in few months I won't be able to buckle up and test drive any cars. If having a kid is not an issue here, I would rather drive home a SLK55 which I've been anticipated before I know a kid is coming to my life :p

I would recommend contacting Fletcher Jones Mercedes, as you obviously are within driving distance. It is the largest Mercedes Dealership in the world.

congrats w/ the baby

4-door is the way to go if you gonna have a kid. The C55 isn't selling as expected, so there should be some at different dealership around SoCal. The new S4 might be harder to get because I have only seen few at the dealership.

I'd say test drive the new S4 and see if you like it or not. The way I look at it, the S4 is in the middle of the M3 and the C AMG which has some characteristic of the M while having more of the luxury feel inside like the AMG.

The C55 IMO it's a nice car and some improvement over the C32, but you have to ask is it worth the extra $5-6k over the new C32 price wise which we all know that as soon as the new 3-series hits the showroom, MB is not going to stand around and sell the current W203 for another 3-4 years. The C55 I perdict will be like the C43 which will only be sold for about 2 years and then comes the all new C-class.

I would just like to thank CBRCAB for allowing me to put him in the "I'm not a jacka$$" club. So many M3 owners (definitely not all) seem to just come here to bash away and perpetuate the cycle, but he spoke the gospel. They are different cars, they do have different problems, plusses, and feels. Thank God they build them both in my opinion. Otherwise we would have some mutant love child car and nobody would be happy at all. This wasn't designed to draw flames. I just was impressed with his post. Thank you.

Without driving it, how do you know what the road feel is like?

The Audi S4 also has the durability of four doors, safety, and auto tranny. Additionally, it has the convenience and safety of quattro and costs $8000 less.