503C43 ////AMG

I have decided to see if I can locate a TRUE W202 C55 (not that I am going to purchase it) just to see if one is out there for sale and how much the asking price is.

A TRUE W202 C55 was an option offered by AMG's manufaktur division (special division of AMG that does custom work to customers cars). For a mere €30,000 you could have your C43 transformed into a TRUE W202 C55. They received upgraded transmission parts (fixed the needle bearing issue), upgraded rear differential (from the CLK55 I believe), floor pan clearance modifications for the new diff, tuning, and upgraded M.E. programing (to support the new 5.4L motor). So there is more to a TRUE C55 than just a motor swap but I would venture to say that a swapped C43 may be a tiny bit quicker than a TRUE C55 as I would imagine they would be a little lighter (I could be wrong).

I thought I would start by determining how many W202 C55's were produced.

Below are the production numbers for the W202 C36, C43, and C55 (split up by U.S imports and world wide numbers)

US IMPORTS (note less C36's were imported to the U.S market than C43's but more C36's were produced for world wide markets)

C 36 AMG

1995 401
1996 296
1997 199

TOTAL C36's IMPORTED TO THE U.S. = 896


C 43 AMG

1998 788
1999 546
2000 91

TOTAL C43's IMPORTED TO THE U.S. = 1425

C 55 AMG

0 1999
0 2000


World wide numbers for the C-AMG cars
Here are the international numbers for the C-AMG cars (from the C63 press release a while ago).

C36 AMG (W202); 1993-1997: 5400
C43 AMG (W202); 1997-2000: 3850
C55 AMG (W202); 1999-2000: 59


So it turns out 59 C55's were produced between 1999-2000, below is the break down:

C55 AMG (W202); LHD = 30
C55 AMG (W202); RHD = 29

I would be surprised if there are ANY W202 C55's out there for sale but it's not going to stop me from looking.

If you happen to locate a TRUE C55 for sale PLEASE post a link to it here. Please do not post links to C55's unless they have been VERIFIED.

KJI3jflarryfe93

you'd be a great detective Jason!
open your own bureau like Mike Hammer

strange there are NO genuine C55 owners on the w202 forum?

popey24

I believe there is not much difference in weight between C43, C43 with 5.5 engine and original C55.
I preferred to keep the differential with the short transmission. It should be good for a top speed of 283 km/h before the rpm limiter stops aceleration. For me it is enough, I never tested. With the short transmission the acceleration should be better.
With an engine swap you also have the possibility to take a later M113 model (from W209 f.e.) and you can obtain 50hp more than with an original C55.

hoontastic

400hp would really make me want an LSD

ProjectC55

The W202 has a much bigger differential and axles as well therefore making it heavier.We share our diff and axles with the C280.
The C55 also has a more heavy duty diff compared to the C280 diff.

However the c280 sure has held up very nicely to the torque that the 5.5l motor delivers because I have never had a glitch in the rear end of my car.

I guess a testament to how well MB overbuilds or builds their parts. The c55 shares the same diff as the w210 e55 and look how well those diffs standup when you put a Kleeman supercharger on a w210 e55..

503C43 ////AMG

UPDATE:

I located a W202 C55 that was for sale in Japan a couple years ago (they were asking over $70k but again this was a couple years ago)

But I can assure you there are no W202 C55's for sale at this moment (at least not that I can find).

The hunt continues....

Here is some more info I have found on the W202 C55:

The upgrade also includes a complete new gearbox and overall transmission. The updated instrument cluster bears the AMG logo and a 300*km/h scale card.

Bloc engine (M113.983)

5.5 liter (5'439*cm³) V8 longitudinal at 90° (made from aluminum alloy)
Cylinder head, crankcase and cylinder head gasket*: taken from the 5.0 litre M113.961 engine
Crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods*: new components manufactured by AMG
Re-designed camshafts with cams specially designed for the engine
Valves seats*: taken from the engine M113.961

Transmission (722.636):

Five speed Speed shift transmission*: gearbox taken from the Mercedes-Benz W208 CLK 55

Electronic fuel injection:

New controller (Bosch HMS 7.0) with modified data settings for extra power output and optimum exhaust emissions

Exhaust system:

Except a new middle and tail silencer – the upgraded C 43 uses the same exhaust system as the original model

Rear axle general:

New rear axle centerpiece*: i=2.82 with new drive shaft
New rear axle wheel flange
New propeller shaft with 4-arm flanges – PCD=110*mm
Floor pan

The floor pan of the upgraded C 43 (under the rear seats) had to be modified in order to accommodate the larger rear axle center piece


Oh there were 7 Estates that were converted to true W202 C55's

KJI3jflarryfe93

man, I would löööööööve to get my hands on one of these hard to get automobiles.
Maybe the owners of these cars had tucked them away in a dehumified garage?
Low mileage cars will be expensive in the future as collector items!

a.baccari

Hello friends ... Your hunt is over. I drive one of 59 "true" C55 AMG. The only throughout America (South, Central and North). I´m new here at forum, so I can send photos via email to you guys can post.
This is the only C55 imported to Americas... Is in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Imported by general director of Mercedes Benz of Brazil in 1999. Here is the chassis number to confirm it... WDBHA33G1XF834133

Engine number 11398360006580

Transmission number 72263601279929

MarcusF

Fantastic!

503C43 ////AMG

It may be the only C55 imported by AMG but I had found a C55 that was imported to Florida a couple years back. This was sourced in europe and purchased used then shipped to Florida.

Cool that we have a member who owns one of the rarest W202's out there

DRBC43AMG

Welcome and great to have a real C55 owner here on this forum

KJI3jflarryfe93

hola amigo.
you can post pictures in the photo gallery.
interior and outside pictures of your car.

silverjimm

Awesome! A True Collector car! and Welcome to the forum!!

a.baccari

Hello friends... Thanks for the warm welcome

I will take detailed photos this week to post here in the forum

Happy New Year to all

Mob

Wow, this thread is interesting.

Welcome a.baccari - I think it's soo cool you have one of the rarest 202's, take care of it man.

Nachtsturm

Do you just want this from a rarity stand point or collectors car? Otherwise I do not see the point, as purchasing it will be cost prohibitive, unless you get extremely lucky and find the one for sale in the states.

Importing costs of a car are insanely expensive. That combined with the exchanges rates just gets plain out of hand. I love the Focus RS in Europe. I really looked into purchasing one and bringing it here. Even talked to someone who imported the old RS. Long story short that focus would cost me over 50k. Just insane to me.

I would venture to say you could pick up a nice low mile 2003-2005 E55 AMG for the same or less.

BTW: Cool post. Never knew it existed.

a.baccari

Hi guys... The pictures of my C 55 are available in the photo gallery. The Title is W202 "true" C 55 AMG 1999 (Brazil)

Thanks

ProjectC55

Which photo gallery?

ob1kenobi

click on his name or handle then view public profile. Gallery should be on the right hand side.

a.baccari

Hi friend.. click here : True C 55 W202 Brazil

Mark.D

This one has been on the internet forever. Awesome color:





If I can remember correctly, also had two tone orange and black interior.

503C43 ////AMG

One of the special designo colors, I have seen a neon lime green one as well... SUPER RARE!

BulldogBros

Still looking for a C55? I know of one available right now.

svt ricco

Is it from silver arrow?

BulldogBros

No it is not. PM me if you really are keen.