Weekend, petrol nostalgia vehicle - C55, E55, CL55 or RS4
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
2011 E63 M156 :) - previously: 2016 GLE63 with U21 (missed); 2012 ML550 , ML63 2009 - E550 W212 2010
Weekend, petrol nostalgia vehicle - C55, E55, CL55 or RS4
Formerly driven 550ix, S4 v8, ML63 M156, GLE63 M157, S6 4.0T.
Now driving a Model S and occasionally our Minivan
The Model S does everything quite well and my daily won’t be a gasoline anymore but I am looking for an infrequently driven weekend fun vehicle that gives me that V8 experience. Am just all over the place - what would you do ?
C55- easy maintenance. Probably will never need anything unplanned. Decent sound. convert to manual?
C63 - arguably best sound. No manual. Jerky 7G. Known issues, higher mileage may need overhaul
E55 m113k - Decent sound and power, less connected road feel.
RS4 - carbon cleaning but high reving. Manual.
CL55 - body styling timeless piece of art
Now driving a Model S and occasionally our Minivan
The Model S does everything quite well and my daily won’t be a gasoline anymore but I am looking for an infrequently driven weekend fun vehicle that gives me that V8 experience. Am just all over the place - what would you do ?
C55- easy maintenance. Probably will never need anything unplanned. Decent sound. convert to manual?
C63 - arguably best sound. No manual. Jerky 7G. Known issues, higher mileage may need overhaul
E55 m113k - Decent sound and power, less connected road feel.
RS4 - carbon cleaning but high reving. Manual.
CL55 - body styling timeless piece of art
Last edited by sbaer; Nov 6, 2022 at 10:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
2011 E63 M156 :) - previously: 2016 GLE63 with U21 (missed); 2012 ML550 , ML63 2009 - E550 W212 2010
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 3
05 BMW M3
I had been looking for a C55 for the last several months and finally found one that ticked all the boxes a few weeks ago. Relatively low mileage (60k), stock and never modified, 2 owner car, absolutely immaculate cosmetic and mechanical condition. Purchased the car from CA and had it shipped. It arrived last week and is an absolute blast to drive. Great performance when I want it but can still perform daily functions like running kids to soccer practice. I cant recommend it highly enough. I'm actually shocked that these cars are still relatively cheap. I had wanted a N/A V8 German autobahn missile and the E39 M5, W204 C63 and C55 were on a short list. The M5 had the manual and the high revs and C63 had the sound. But given the age of these cars, the C63 & M5 seem much more temperamental maintenance wise. I had an e46 M3 from new and have experienced the neediness of that era of BMW, as great as it was.
Enter the C55. More than adequate, linear, power. Plenty fast for any public road. Arguably the most reliable drive train AMG ever produced. Easy to DIY on many maintenance items. Consumable parts are much cheaper than other AMG models. The interiors seem to hold up remarkably well. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the car in my short ownership period. The N/A V8 German super sedan are all but extinct. I'm certain there will be increased demand for these cars in the coming years as manufacturers go electric. I think the current C55 market is great value and the costs of ownership will be lower than any other vehicle on your list.
Enter the C55. More than adequate, linear, power. Plenty fast for any public road. Arguably the most reliable drive train AMG ever produced. Easy to DIY on many maintenance items. Consumable parts are much cheaper than other AMG models. The interiors seem to hold up remarkably well. Overall, I'm extremely happy with the car in my short ownership period. The N/A V8 German super sedan are all but extinct. I'm certain there will be increased demand for these cars in the coming years as manufacturers go electric. I think the current C55 market is great value and the costs of ownership will be lower than any other vehicle on your list.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 589
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
I picked up my C55 in 2020 for my wife but I ended up making it my car when my BMW 340i lease expired.
What I love most about the C55 is the reliability. I've owned a ton of BMW's and the constant issues and repair costs really start to detract from the ownership experience.
Additionally it's pretty damn amazing that my 2005 C55 really wasn't that much of a downgrade from my 2018 340i. Equally comfortable, equally fast, and with an upgraded modern head-unit, the C55 even catches up in tech toys (except for keyless go which should have been standard on these cars).
Truthfully I'd rather have an E39 m5 or a C63, or even another SL55, but the cost of running those cars and the massive headaches that WILL happen keep making me happy with my C55 as my daily.
If money is no object, go for the E39 M5, C63, or an AMG with the 55k.
But if you want bang for the buck and a cheaper and low maintenance 3rd car for the weekend, the C55 won't let you down.
What I love most about the C55 is the reliability. I've owned a ton of BMW's and the constant issues and repair costs really start to detract from the ownership experience.
Additionally it's pretty damn amazing that my 2005 C55 really wasn't that much of a downgrade from my 2018 340i. Equally comfortable, equally fast, and with an upgraded modern head-unit, the C55 even catches up in tech toys (except for keyless go which should have been standard on these cars).
Truthfully I'd rather have an E39 m5 or a C63, or even another SL55, but the cost of running those cars and the massive headaches that WILL happen keep making me happy with my C55 as my daily.
If money is no object, go for the E39 M5, C63, or an AMG with the 55k.
But if you want bang for the buck and a cheaper and low maintenance 3rd car for the weekend, the C55 won't let you down.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 47
Likes: 3
05 BMW M3
I picked up my C55 in 2020 for my wife but I ended up making it my car when my BMW 340i lease expired.
What I love most about the C55 is the reliability. I've owned a ton of BMW's and the constant issues and repair costs really start to detract from the ownership experience.
Additionally it's pretty damn amazing that my 2005 C55 really wasn't that much of a downgrade from my 2018 340i. Equally comfortable, equally fast, and with an upgraded modern head-unit, the C55 even catches up in tech toys (except for keyless go which should have been standard on these cars).
Truthfully I'd rather have an E39 m5 or a C63, or even another SL55, but the cost of running those cars and the massive headaches that WILL happen keep making me happy with my C55 as my daily.
If money is no object, go for the E39 M5, C63, or an AMG with the 55k.
But if you want bang for the buck and a cheaper and low maintenance 3rd car for the weekend, the C55 won't let you down.
What I love most about the C55 is the reliability. I've owned a ton of BMW's and the constant issues and repair costs really start to detract from the ownership experience.
Additionally it's pretty damn amazing that my 2005 C55 really wasn't that much of a downgrade from my 2018 340i. Equally comfortable, equally fast, and with an upgraded modern head-unit, the C55 even catches up in tech toys (except for keyless go which should have been standard on these cars).
Truthfully I'd rather have an E39 m5 or a C63, or even another SL55, but the cost of running those cars and the massive headaches that WILL happen keep making me happy with my C55 as my daily.
If money is no object, go for the E39 M5, C63, or an AMG with the 55k.
But if you want bang for the buck and a cheaper and low maintenance 3rd car for the weekend, the C55 won't let you down.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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C55 AMG T with Kleemann K2 and some stuff: 414 hp and 562 Nm :-)
Recently I drove through Germany at Autobahn again, all day long. It transforms when you pass 105 miles/h!
Then you suddenly realize what the car was made for, it all comes together.
It´s a pity so few owners can´t experience that. Imagine going 100 - 155 for hours, it´s next to ****!
The car is NOT for sale, just love it!! Haha! It´s a keeper.
Last edited by amgen; Nov 11, 2022 at 02:41 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 589
Likes: 12
From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
Relatively low mileage (60k), stock and never modified, 2 owner car, absolutely immaculate cosmetic and mechanical condition. Purchased the car from CA and had it shipped. It arrived last week and is an absolute blast to drive. Great performance when I want it but can still perform daily functions like running kids to soccer practice.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 4
2011 E63 M156 :) - previously: 2016 GLE63 with U21 (missed); 2012 ML550 , ML63 2009 - E550 W212 2010
Was close on the C55 and C63 but really wanted a manual V8 so ended up with a Mustang Bullitt. If I get bored with it eventually I'll jump on either C as backup. Having had so many Euro vehicles over the years I thought why not try something else for now. Maybe someone commercializes that C55 manual swap that a few have done. It would be perfect in my opinion.
