Vic55

I currently have a 2003 M3 SMG and a 2004 E55. I can get a new C55 for 500 over invoice but will have to get rid of my M3. I know for the most part the pro's and con's of both the M3 and the C55 but wanted to get some opinions from maybe some people who have owned both or driven both extensively.


I have been using my M3 as my daily driver and the E55 is more of a weekend runner. The C55 would be for daily use. I am also considering the CLK55 but the price tag on that car is almost 20k more and although money is not the underlying factor I have to consider it in the equation. Is the CLK55 faster than the C55? I drove the C55 the other day but there was too much traffic where I test drove it so I really didnt get a true readout on its capabilities. I appreciate all your input.

BenzoAMGpower

teh C55 is a great daily commuter, very comfortable to drive and if u ever sit in traffic, u r sitting surrounded by comfort features taht MB has to offer. The car is very responsive and Id definately take it over an M3. The C55 and the M3 pulled hte same times on teh nurburgring track, but the C55 offers a more comfortable ride. The C55 and CLK55 should be equally fast. Gettinga C55 is definately a great choice.. i say do it.

rockintunes23

No, keep the m3. In a year or so, the body will change on the C Class.

BenzoAMGpower

im pretty sure that the C55 will pretty much go unchanged until 2008 though!!!

IdriveFast

i think you asking the wrong crowd...im gonna go out on a limb for you and say no.....

you already have the E55, which is essentially a better C55. thats the thing about AMG, each amg model is a better version of the one under it.
CLK55->CL55->CL65, C55->E55->S55, SLK32/55 -> SL55-> SL65 and so on...

you already have a M3 and a E55. I dont see the point in owning a C55 if you have a E55. Keep your M3. then you'll have your coupe and your sedan. no point in having two sedans....


now im not saying i think M3 is the better or faster car than the C55... im 3-1 against the M3 and im in a C32, not even C55. But if you already have a E55, keep your M3.

Plus most M3 owners find that the C32 C55 cars arent for them.

hope this helps...

IdriveFast

its hard to say which is faster, C55 or CLk55... the C55 is lighter so in theory it should b faster. but amg cars have a serious off the line traction problems, so the extra weight of the CLK55 could contribute to a little more traction off the line than the C55 resulting in faster 0-wutever times.... its hard to say

rguy

Honestly, I would use the E55 as your daily driver and the M3 as your weekend car. You don't really need a new car if you flip their use. Then you have your tighter handling, rougher riding, more racecar-like maxxed out engine on the M3 and you have your softer riding, softer handling, better traffic handling, luxury boat for every day.

As far as IdriveFast's comment that every higher numbered AMG is better than the one under it and, within a type of car, every "higher" classed AMG is a better version of the one below it, I would strongly disagree. I had an E55 AMG on order but cancelled it for a C55. The 55's are sportier and the 65's are autobahners. The easiest way to tell this is to look at the Kompressor V8 which is very sporty versus the Biturbo V12 which is uber smooth. Or you could take a look at the suspension setup. Very firm on the 55's and a good deal softer on the 65's. The 55's are more connected, the 65's are more disconnected. They were designed from the get go to satisfy different customers or at the least, different needs of customers.


As far as the class issue, I can supercharge the C55 for less money than the E55 costs and have enough left over for a LSD and about $10k of other things, but I can't give the E55 a real (non-air) suspension, a ~600 lbs weight reduction, and real brakes (vs. brake-by-wire). The E55 interior isn't even that much bigger, the rear leg room is only 2.5 inches bigger and the front legroom is only .2 inches bigger. That is a lot of weight for 2.7 inches of more space. I am certainly not bashing the E55, S55, CL55, or others, but I don't think they are better, just different. It seems that generally the "higher" the class, the more the cars are built for cruising, and the "lower" the class, the more the cars are built for handling and driver involvement.

I don't feel the E55 is a weekend car for hard driving, but it is a wonderful ludicrously fast luxo-barge. I don't feel the M3 is too much of a daily driver unless it is your only car, mini-vans and suv's exempted.

Maybe this is an option you hadn't thought of? Sometimes the answer can be right under your nose. Try it before making a decision, maybe you are just craving more of a mercedes feel during the week and maybe using the M3 on the weekends will help you enjoy it's character better. Who knows? Good luck.

LaZyC230K

i think you should keep your M3, because a C55 is basically a same class of car as the M3. No reason to put 15k more for a about the same car. But if it is a for a CLK Cabriolet, i'll tell u to go for it, becuz convertable is cool to me, haha. Good luck getting your car tho.

SiLvaC32

where can u get C55 for 500 over invoice???

Anaheim_Drew

Sounds good to me... go for the C55.....

DbleNckel

if it ain't broke don't fix it....you're fine as is....

cntlaw

Vic

It is the first time I heard a E55 is the weekend car!
I salute you , a man of wealth, a true car lover!

( Friend of mind here has a Porsche Turbo as a weekend car, that makes sense because he don't drive on week days at all.)

Get rid of the M3 and get the C55. Don't listen to what we say. We are just 'average' guys.

cnt
p.s. the E55+M3 costs 2 million HKDollars here, fuel is USD1.7 per litre ; so my view may not be correct in your case.

viper

Ditch the M3 and get an SLK32 AMG instead. You will have the power of the C55 and since the SLK32 AMG is new for 2005 you won't have to worry about the C-class makeover. Plus you will have a convertible for those nice weather days in LA.

SiLvaC32

u mean the SLK55 rite??

viper

Yes you are correct. The new 2005 roadster with the exact same engine as the C55. Its just a bit more money but it will be immune to redesign for a few years.

Vader13

Quality problem
I am reverse, I will keep my C32 and trade C230K in for a 25K down on a E55....
GO all BNZ...

FrankW

if you need 4 door, then sure...why not.

if you don't...then don't bother.

If you already have the E55, why would you want the C55? Personally I would be much happier w/ the M3 and the E55 in the garage instead of the C55 and the E55 in the garage.

oggle

Sometimes I wish I had gotten the M3 instead. But like others have said, you already have an E55. Why get a C55 to go along with it?

Maestro

The E55 should actually be more of a "daily driver" than the M3, as it is far more comfortable, roomy, and luxurious. I'm not sure why you're driving them the way that you are. The M3 is much more agile, and there's the fact that you are able to drive it as a sports car is meant to be driven (Stick). The C55 is more luxurious and comfortable. Personally, i'd take the M3 over the C55.

FrankW

u should've gotten the C32 biotch!!!!....hehe

Guest0001

absolutely no point. Keep your M3.

oggle

*sigh*

Hmmm let's see what the next M3 will look like.

Maestro

A 400hp V8 behemoth.

BlackC230Coupe

Its probably gonna look ghey like james! :p

oggle

If that's the case, FORGET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!