RawAMGpower

I just placed an order for a C55 that is going to be built in January. I asked my dealer if it was at all possible to get this option apparently it is call Thermotronic? He emailed Stratos Nicolaides who is a AMG Product Specialist and Product Manager. This was his response.

"Thermotronic is not available for MY05 and MY06 on the C Class. The decision was made from Germany. (Originally MBUSA was working on offering this as a delayed option, this has changed.)"

So, I guess this option will not be in either the 05 or 06 models, but possible the 07 models for the US market.

Maybe mrkbbd got confused and was looking at the inside of a CLK that has this option.

rguy

I am not going to say I told you so, but I will re-admonish not to believe what MBUSA says about delayed availability. Virtually 100% of the time it means it isn't going to happen.

mrkbbd

sorry about taking so long, but the car was sold a week and half ago, the guy had not picked it up, but the sold sticker was in the window

noka

Thanks for replying but it could not have been a US-spec C55.

Rgds,
Norm

MassiveAttack

If it wasn't a US-spec C55, what was it? And how did it end up at that dealer? Someone needs to call this dealer and find out.

rguy

I am not saying this is how it was done, but there are all sorts of grey market importers who bring euro versions to the states. They usually offer a substantial discount as well, especially when a car is super hot here but has been out for a year or more there.

noka

Euro cars often incur high federalization charges (customs paperwork, bumper and taillight mods to comply with DOT, etc), which often brings the car price to something approaching US-spec prices, and sometimes even exceeding that. For a model that was never shipped here (e.g. Euro '95 E34-M5 with Nurburgring suspension package and 6-spd tranny, 340HP 3.8 inline 6, last of the handbuilt ///M cars; not to mention exterior and interior colors unavailable here) it was often worth it to some.

Rgds,
Norm