C32 AMG, C55 AMG (W203) 2001 - 2007

STS-V beats C55?!

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Old 01-12-2005, 10:55 PM
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Here are some specs, sourced from the February 2005 issue of Car and Driver magazine and posted on AutoWeek 's Combustion Chamber forums":

Estimated base price $75,000

Supercharged and intercooled 32 valve DOHC 4.4 liter Northstar V8
Roots-type supercharger with 12.0psi boost
4371cc (bore was reduced from 93mm to 91mm)
440hp at 6400rpm
430lb-ft of torque at 3500rpm
Redline is 6700 rpm

Six-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

Pirelli Eufori run-flat tires
Front: 255/45R-18 tires on 8.5-inch wide wheels
Rear: 275/40R-19 tires on 9.5-inch wide wheels
Brembo brakes

Wheelbase 116.4 inches
Length/width/height 197.6/72.6/58.2
Curb weight:4300 pounds (!)

C&D performance estimates:
0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds
Quarter mile in 13.8 seconds at 101mph
Top speed: 165mph "drag limited"
Fuel economy:16 mpg city / 25mpg highway
Old 01-12-2005, 10:58 PM
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C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Send me that link if you can because it isnt on Cadillac's website.
Old 01-12-2005, 10:59 PM
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a couple links here:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/futureguide1.htm
http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...4&article=7953
Old 01-12-2005, 11:00 PM
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Well, I guess we have some car enthusiasts who appreciate a job well done by an auto manufacturer, and then we have the Mercedes lovers.
Old 01-12-2005, 11:03 PM
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C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
You're killin me man! That says the year 2006 thanx for the info though!

Wow GM's not playing! They are really going after the Europeans.I think I will delete my other posts.Thanx again for the info!
.

Last edited by ProjectC55; 01-12-2005 at 11:11 PM.
Old 01-12-2005, 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by smgC32
Well, I guess we have some car enthusiasts who appreciate a job well done by an auto manufacturer, and then we have the Mercedes lovers.

If you'd do a history of my posts, you'll see that I've had a lot of issues with my C55 mostly due to reliability and quality (especially compared with my wife's S4, which is a better thought out car imho). So I'm not your typical unconditional lover of Mercedes products.. I do however think the C55 is superior to the CTS-V, which are blowing out rear ends left and right... The STS-V has 440hp yet, C&D estimates only 13.8 quarter at 101mph and they are charging $75K for it??? Sorry, I'm not impressed and would never consider one...
Eric...

Last edited by EKaru; 01-12-2005 at 11:15 PM.
Old 01-12-2005, 11:11 PM
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Yeah, I definitely think the STSV is a nice car. Maybe not on the same level as a Merc - but pretty damn nice for its price. Congrats definitely should be given to GM.
Old 01-12-2005, 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by coolcarlskiC43
You're killin me man! That says the year 2006 thanx for the info though!

Wow GM's not playing! They are really going after the Europeans.I think I will delete my other posts.Thanx again for the info!
.


no prob bro... Yeah it will be out later this year as an 06'... Personally though I'd rather have a slightly used E55 for the same dough or 03' RS6 for less...
Eric...

Last edited by EKaru; 01-12-2005 at 11:27 PM.
Old 01-12-2005, 11:32 PM
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Great Engineering

I appreciate this change in GM engineering philosophy. Considering their source, these two are engineering marvels. I am particularly amazed by their handling prowess.

The STS-V and CTS-V play a key part in the attempt to change the GM/Cadillac corporate image, but the bottom line is there won't be many sold. They are trying hard to retarget their market and image simultaneously. I don't think great engineering can overcome rather poor marketing. Great cars nonetheless.
Old 01-14-2005, 05:53 PM
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C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Originally Posted by EKaru
no prob bro... Yeah it will be out later this year as an 06'... Personally though I'd rather have a slightly used E55 for the same dough or 03' RS6 for less...
Eric...
I have to agree

Originally Posted by rrf
I appreciate this change in GM engineering philosophy. Considering their source, these two are engineering marvels. I am particularly amazed by their handling prowess.

The STS-V and CTS-V play a key part in the attempt to change the GM/Cadillac corporate image, but the bottom line is there won't be many sold. They are trying hard to retarget their market and image simultaneously. I don't think great engineering can overcome rather poor marketing. Great cars nonetheless.
And the GM's ,Fords,Chrystlers and Dodges seem to be going Retro now.Back to the days of RWD,old historic body styles with the old names and 300+ and 400+hp V8's. Some manual,some automatic

Last edited by ProjectC55; 01-14-2005 at 05:59 PM.
Old 01-14-2005, 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by BenzoAMGpower
seriously i dont care what anybody says, the interior quality on the Cadillac STS and CTS-V are garbage compared to the C55 and C32!!!
Agreed all american cars interiors are garbage. Doesnt matter what brand... The STS-V and CTS-V cant compare to anything from AMG.
Old 01-14-2005, 10:47 PM
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I guess I would have had a better case statement if my title was STS-V vs. C32, which have similar times at the Ring. These cars don't compete with each other as they are in different classes, but none the less, it makes an interesting comparison. Very impressive for a Caddy that weighs about 600lbs more than a C32 to perform so well. Same for the CTS-V. As for a previous statement about the C55 handling better because it is significantly lighter, I don't think that you would say a SL55 AMG handles worse than a C55 because it is heavier.
Old 01-14-2005, 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by smgC32
I guess I would have had a better case statement if my title was STS-V vs. C32, which have similar times at the Ring. These cars don't compete with each other as they are in different classes, but none the less, it makes an interesting comparison. Very impressive for a Caddy that weighs about 600lbs more than a C32 to perform so well. Same for the CTS-V. As for a previous statement about the C55 handling better because it is significantly lighter, I don't think that you would say a SL55 AMG handles worse than a C55 because it is heavier.

Obviously weight doesn't hold through for all cases, but it is definitely a factor in most cases... If a heavy car handles well it simply means that it's a well engineered car. The Audi RS6 is a phenomenal machine and it's absolutely mind blowing that it had lap times better than some serious sports cars.. The E55 on the other hand is heavy and it feels heavy when the roads get twisty...
Eric....

Last edited by EKaru; 01-14-2005 at 11:15 PM.
Old 01-15-2005, 12:23 AM
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Originally Posted by neoprufrok
So I answered my own question:

Yes, the C55 is faster than the STS-V around the 'ring (est 8min 31sec) but the STS-V is faster than the E55amg which is more its competitor. The STS is a bigger car by far than the C55 - so I don't think you can compare the two. Comparing the C55 with a CTS V is much more apt.

I'm surprised still how fast the STS-V gets around the ring. So even though I know a few here dislike Caddy's in general - I like the STS-V.

8:20 --- Audi RS6 (2002)
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3 (12/2000)
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS (10/1998)
8:22 --- Mercedes-Benz C55 (07/2004)
References:

All times in bold print were tested by Horst von Saurma, sport auto magazine


I was just wondering if you happen to have a link to these lap times.. how did you compile them?
Eric...
Old 01-15-2005, 02:47 AM
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Originally Posted by EKaru
I was just wondering if you happen to have a link to these lap times.. how did you compile them?
Eric...
I acutally did a google search for them, and came up with the same list posted at various sites - so I figured it must have been somewhat accurate.

Here's a thread from germancarfans.com:

GCF Nurburgring Thread

I believe over at Supercarfreak.net they started to compile these times from various sources (mostly Top Gear, Car, EVo, etc) and then they updated it every once in awhile.

Thus, its not controlled for driver, weather, road conditions, etc - but it gives you an idea of the rough times between cars.
Old 01-15-2005, 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Fr0zen
Agreed all american cars interiors are garbage. Doesnt matter what brand... The STS-V and CTS-V cant compare to anything from AMG.
you forgot to mention the exterior aswell.............lol :p
Old 01-15-2005, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by neoprufrok
I acutally did a google search for them, and came up with the same list posted at various sites - so I figured it must have been somewhat accurate.

Here's a thread from germancarfans.com:

GCF Nurburgring Thread

I believe over at Supercarfreak.net they started to compile these times from various sources (mostly Top Gear, Car, EVo, etc) and then they updated it every once in awhile.

Thus, its not controlled for driver, weather, road conditions, etc - but it gives you an idea of the rough times between cars.

Thanks for the link... Yeah obviously the real kicker is that the times were not done in controlled conditions, but the RS6 is fantastic... Have you driven one?
Eric..
Old 01-15-2005, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by EKaru
Obviously weight doesn't hold through for all cases, but it is definitely a factor in most cases... If a heavy car handles well it simply means that it's a well engineered car.
This is exactly my point. Caddy's engineers have done a fantastic job with this platform and have designed a car to actually feel like you are on the pavement, not the water. As for the Ring, the STS-V is six seconds quicker at 8:31 vs 8:37 for the C32. And the heavier SL55 AMG put down a lap time of 8:06!
Old 01-15-2005, 01:54 PM
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Originally Posted by smgC32
This is exactly my point. Caddy's engineers have done a fantastic job with this platform and have designed a car to actually feel like you are on the pavement, not the water. As for the Ring, the STS-V is six seconds quicker at 8:31 vs 8:37 for the C32. And the heavier SL55 AMG put down a lap time of 8:06!

I want to see lap times for these cars done with the same driver, road conditions, weather etc... I bet the lap times would be very different because these variables can make a significant difference in lap times... As far as weight is concerned, there's engine power, weight balance, suspension set-up.. A 4,000 lb car with a sports suspension is going to handle better than a 3000 lb Buick... Cars are just too damn heavy these days. The STS-V at 4,295 weighs more than a 1994 BMW 750iL which weighed 4,235.. My favorite BMW motorsport model is still the E30 M3, followed by the E36, and E46 because the car progressively got bigger & heavier.. The reason I went for the C55 instead of E55 because the E55 felt like a boat in comparison..
Eric....

Last edited by EKaru; 01-15-2005 at 02:02 PM.
Old 01-15-2005, 02:55 PM
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'15 E350 4M Sport
Anyone know how the C55 did at the 'ring'?

Rgds,
Norm
Old 01-17-2005, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by EKaru
Thanks for the link... Yeah obviously the real kicker is that the times were not done in controlled conditions, but the RS6 is fantastic... Have you driven one?
Eric..
Dealer let me ride in it but not drive it haha. Amazing car -fromt he pass seat it feels as if it handles so much better than what you would expect for a car that size and weight. Then again, I have never driven an M5.
Old 01-17-2005, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by noka
Anyone know how the C55 did at the 'ring'?

Rgds,
Norm
LOL Norm!

If only you read my thread more carefully...

From the top of the list I posted....

8:20 --- Audi RS6 (2002)
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3 (12/2000)
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS (10/1998)
8:22 --- Mercedes-Benz C55 (07/2004)

8:23 --- Aston Martin DB7 GT (2003)
8:23 --- Porsche 996 Carrera 4
8:24 --- Subaru Impreza WRX STi (2004)
Old 01-17-2005, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by neoprufrok
LOL Norm!

If only you read my thread more carefully...

From the top of the list I posted....

8:20 --- Audi RS6 (2002)
8:22 --- BMW E46 M3 (12/2000)
8:22 --- BMW M Coupe, 321 PS (10/1998)
8:22 --- Mercedes-Benz C55 (07/2004)

8:23 --- Aston Martin DB7 GT (2003)
8:23 --- Porsche 996 Carrera 4
8:24 --- Subaru Impreza WRX STi (2004)
Sorry about that! I went completely past it because I figured it would be near the bottom or off the chart.

Rgds,
Norm
Old 01-17-2005, 11:16 PM
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I don't care who drives the car - on the same day, same conditions, the STS-V is going to beat the C32, but not the C55. 7 seconds is huge. Why don't you make the same argument about the C55 beating the RS6 due to driver and weather differences? Those two cars are only 2 seconds apart...

And what about that pig of a car, the X5 special? At close to 5,000lbs, it must be a misprint that it turned better than a 7:50? Or Hans must have cut a few burms across the infield? BMW's feat is a remarkable engineering accomplishment as was the 959 project car.
Old 01-18-2005, 12:31 AM
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Yeah Norm, its pretty impressive that a C55 can go around the ring that fast - faster (roughly) than a Carrera 4. But again, its just rough estimates.


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