Would it be foolish to trade my 04" S430 AMG package for a C55
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From: Atlanta GA
E55 Flint Grey/Merlot
Forget the age thing and go with what makes you smile when you get behind the wheel. I know guys in their early 20's who would never be caught dead in anything smaller than an S Class. And men well over 60 who think the E Class size is just too big and unwieldy.
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
Originally Posted by vitaman
Forget the age thing and go with what makes you smile when you get behind the wheel. I know guys in their early 20's who would never be caught dead in anything smaller than an S Class. And men well over 60 who think the E Class size is just too big and unwieldy.
how s that breakin going? I still wait for your report of 911 vs C55
cnt
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Originally Posted by cntlaw
Man-Du,
I know how you feel. It is indeed not a easy 'decision' because you should not have ended up a situation of a decision at all. Based on your careful consideration about budget, I am sure you had spent a lot of time to think through to choose a S430. Adding all that time and thoughts to add the AMG package, that was a hell of an investment already. To me, it is too early to change your car at 3800miles - even I know many people in HK do this sort of 'smart silly thing'. It is in a way , more 'forgivable' as we pay high tax for luxury cars, and the 'only way' we can drive different new super cars is to keep the car for not more than 1-1.5 years and trade it for new ones by cutting the loss to minimal (maximized cash flow to be precise). That applies to ppl who does not want to wait for availabilities in the used market. A kind of effective self cheating I suppose.
S430 is already a high perfromance street car, take into the consideration that you were not into the tracks things. I can image your age 29 must look very handsome on a luxury white painted big top MB saloon already. How many cars can we own in life, there is no ending. Considering age 29, you have a long way to go , and why in a hurry? Besides, don't listen to how wonderful AMGs really are now, MB will come up with more and more new super cars in the next 2-3 years; and the new C .....so I guess you should not narrow down your choice to the C55 W203.
I just learned that the CLK is already 'facelifted' to the same new C interior before its true coming facelift. If you shift to a CLK from a S, you lose more than a big luxury interior and big trunk, you also lose 2 doors.
I wish I could buy that S430 from you to fill the place of my good old pal W210. My wife will like the white S430 for sure.
See the handsome looking S350 parked next to my C.
And , this is my ex-W210 would make my wife feel looking old whch I disagreed:
I know how you feel. It is indeed not a easy 'decision' because you should not have ended up a situation of a decision at all. Based on your careful consideration about budget, I am sure you had spent a lot of time to think through to choose a S430. Adding all that time and thoughts to add the AMG package, that was a hell of an investment already. To me, it is too early to change your car at 3800miles - even I know many people in HK do this sort of 'smart silly thing'. It is in a way , more 'forgivable' as we pay high tax for luxury cars, and the 'only way' we can drive different new super cars is to keep the car for not more than 1-1.5 years and trade it for new ones by cutting the loss to minimal (maximized cash flow to be precise). That applies to ppl who does not want to wait for availabilities in the used market. A kind of effective self cheating I suppose.
S430 is already a high perfromance street car, take into the consideration that you were not into the tracks things. I can image your age 29 must look very handsome on a luxury white painted big top MB saloon already. How many cars can we own in life, there is no ending. Considering age 29, you have a long way to go , and why in a hurry? Besides, don't listen to how wonderful AMGs really are now, MB will come up with more and more new super cars in the next 2-3 years; and the new C .....so I guess you should not narrow down your choice to the C55 W203.
I just learned that the CLK is already 'facelifted' to the same new C interior before its true coming facelift. If you shift to a CLK from a S, you lose more than a big luxury interior and big trunk, you also lose 2 doors.
I wish I could buy that S430 from you to fill the place of my good old pal W210. My wife will like the white S430 for sure.
See the handsome looking S350 parked next to my C.
And , this is my ex-W210 would make my wife feel looking old whch I disagreed:
I walked away.....
As I was waiting in the MB dealership office, I was offered to search the net (bad mistake) I read this tread again and have decided to keep my S.
I have wasted 1 week of my life losing sleep and focus over a car. At the end at least I didn't lose $16K on the trade within only 4 months of ownership. Pretty sad as I drove away, I knew that the C55 was a hot car, and the CLK is absolutely gorgeous, but I followed my heart (as well as my wallet) and left with the White S. I will very well consider the "potential" of this S-Class. I will be now investing into some good wheels and perhaps a window tint. I thank everybody again for helping me make this decision. I was going through too many cars in the past year. I had an 02 M3 which I stepped up to a 911. Then my wife decided for a family, which is now being post poned.
I traded my 03 996 C2 for the S430 in July this year, and then she trades her ML family car for the G. It's crazy to loose so much money on depreciation. Keep in mind that I am not rich or wealthy, I am just amongst the working class. But work extra-extra hard to enjoy life.
"Rich people don't have to work", I do. :p
Many thanks for all the Benz owners!
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
'08 SL65
Good decision. You will be glad you did this as more time goes by.
Down the road you might want to look into an S55 Starmark. I bought my E55 Starmark over a year ago and I love it more each day I drive it. If I was able to find a Starmarked '01 or '02 S55 (non-supercharged) @ a fair price, I'd be seriously tempted.
Down the road you might want to look into an S55 Starmark. I bought my E55 Starmark over a year ago and I love it more each day I drive it. If I was able to find a Starmarked '01 or '02 S55 (non-supercharged) @ a fair price, I'd be seriously tempted.
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98 W210 Advantgarde
I'm sure you'll get over the urge soon......here's a few ideas for you're S - chrome on white is a subtle combo, without looking too pimp (sorry for the OT AMGers):
Last edited by Whitey; Oct 23, 2004 at 02:00 PM.
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
Originally Posted by Man-Du
As I was waiting in the MB dealership office, I was offered to search the net (bad mistake) I read this tread again and have decided to keep my S. I have wasted 1 week of my life losing sleep and focus over a car. At the end at least I didn't lose $16K on the trade within only 4 months of ownership. Pretty sad as I drove away, I knew that the C55 was a hot car, and the CLK is absolutely gorgeous, but I followed my heart (as well as my wallet) and left with the White S. I will very well consider the "potential" of this S-Class. I will be now investing into some good wheels and perhaps a window tint.
I had an 02 M3 which I stepped up to a 911. Then my wife decided for a family, which is now being post poned.
I traded my 03 996 C2 for the S430 in July this year.
I have wasted 1 week of my life losing sleep and focus over a car. At the end at least I didn't lose $16K on the trade within only 4 months of ownership. Pretty sad as I drove away, I knew that the C55 was a hot car, and the CLK is absolutely gorgeous, but I followed my heart (as well as my wallet) and left with the White S. I will very well consider the "potential" of this S-Class. I will be now investing into some good wheels and perhaps a window tint. I had an 02 M3 which I stepped up to a 911. Then my wife decided for a family, which is now being post poned.
I traded my 03 996 C2 for the S430 in July this year.
Great man. Amazing that you managed to change a luxury super car every year. We are all happy for you and hope to soon see that new 20" wheels on your S430 (just noticed the tail lamps on the S430 is already a facelift ). You must know one thing, you did not really 'waste' your time. Wonder who in this forum, no matter how rich, could really sleep that well when think about buying new Mercedes Benz? 'Do nothing' is also a decsion. I am doubt, CLK55, C55 are "hot" may be just because we read too many R&T mags and this fantastic MBWORLD forums. Our pedestrians here will pay more attention when I drive my wife's Z3 than my C55 (I am look 'younger' on the Z3 too). Just take a look of the faces of those proud S owners
I am doubts if they care a AMG pass them by. One will not look 'old' but rather look "young and successful and have a good taste" being on the new S430 with plenty bucks for mods. cnt
p.s. Apologisies to all, I been writing a lot lately to kill time as I am on long work stay in Manila.
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98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally Posted by cntlaw
p.s. Apologisies to all, I been writing a lot lately to kill time as I am on long work stay in Manila.
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Alright
I hope you're more into Pinays than Pinoys :v , I am from Manila living in the States married to a Chinese Woman from Hong Kong. I am going to Hong Kong and Macau this December and back home to the Philippines for January. My family runs one of the first Lexus dealers back home. I am hoping to bring in more AMG's there.
Enjoy your stay...don't wander too far, as I know you know that they kidnap Chinese business people there for big bucks.
Enjoy your stay...don't wander too far, as I know you know that they kidnap Chinese business people there for big bucks.
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
Originally Posted by Man-Du
I hope you're more into Pinays than Pinoys :v , I am from Manila living in the States married to a Chinese Woman from Hong Kong. I am going to Hong Kong and Macau this December and back home to the Philippines for January. My family runs one of the first Lexus dealers back home. I am hoping to bring in more AMG's there.
Enjoy your stay...don't wander too far, as I know you know that they kidnap Chinese business people there for big bucks.
Enjoy your stay...don't wander too far, as I know you know that they kidnap Chinese business people there for big bucks.
Man-du
The internet makes the world much smaller.
I will be staying long till end of the year.
My biggest problem with Manila is not kidnap issue but
I really need a strong Volvo and a driver to keep me safe
on the roads to Gazon City :p
Can you do me a Volvo rental ? Any models regardless of year
cnt
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From: HK (but constantly travelling)
98 W210 Advantgarde
Originally Posted by cntlaw
Man-du
The internet makes the world much smaller.
I will be staying long till end of the year.
My biggest problem with Manila is not kidnap issue but
I really need a strong Volvo and a driver to keep me safe
on the roads to Gazon City :p
Can you do me a Volvo rental ? Any models regardless of year
cnt
The internet makes the world much smaller.
I will be staying long till end of the year.
My biggest problem with Manila is not kidnap issue but
I really need a strong Volvo and a driver to keep me safe
on the roads to Gazon City :p
Can you do me a Volvo rental ? Any models regardless of year
cnt
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Oh Crap....
Dealer just called me for a ridiculous deal. $4K off sticker and full trade value on my S. I don't know now, it all looks too tempting. Well, If I post pics tomorrow, you all will know I bought it.
It's Quezon City by the way, that's where I was born. You know, you can hire a driver for about $10.00
It's Quezon City by the way, that's where I was born. You know, you can hire a driver for about $10.00
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
Originally Posted by Man-Du
Dealer just called me for a ridiculous deal. $4K off sticker and full trade value on my S. I don't know now, it all looks too tempting. Well, If I post pics tomorrow, you all will know I bought it.
It's Quezon City by the way, that's where I was born. You know, you can hire a driver for about $10.00
It's Quezon City by the way, that's where I was born. You know, you can hire a driver for about $10.00
I am in Makati, not many great cars here; hardly see a MB.
I did once spot a new SLK200K and even a SL500 when I was in a taxi near Manila city.
Guess you just managed to change to a comfort S from being the M3 and 996 owner; and now isn't a bit rush to go back to racing cars.
Anyway, we will be delighted no matter which decsion you have made
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From: Hong Kong
C55AMG W203; 330i E90
Originally Posted by FrankW
trade it in for the E55... 
And, I thought he said he don't want to look old on the S; a E does not help that much . My worries are neither the C55 is young enough for him, 'cause he had owned 911 and M3 before.....
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After further looking into and lots of insomnia
The verdict is in....I kept the S-Class and bought a used 350Z ($19,200) to play with. This car only has 16K miles. No where near the HP, speed and pizzazzz as the C55 but I get to keep my white W220. Thanks for all your input again.
Thank you Thai, you're absolutely right!
Thank you Thai, you're absolutely right!
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Originally Posted by Thai
I would keep the S430...going to a C55 is stepping down (to most ordinary, non-car enthusiast people), if you care about those things. Upgrade...not downgrade, even at your age.
SO true.
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From: Earth
W208 CLK320 & E39 M5
Originally Posted by Man-Du
The verdict is in....I kept the S-Class and bought a used 350Z ($19,200) to play with. This car only has 16K miles. No where near the HP, speed and pizzazzz as the C55 but I get to keep my white W220. Thanks for all your input again.
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From: From Oxnard; living in Ocean View Hills, San Diego, CA
'01 C320 SS
Originally Posted by Whitey
Dude, just hit the bars in Metro Manila and get yourself a hot pinoy, lol
