Hello to all, I am looking to buy a used C63 or a G55. I a C55 and a SLK55 right now I would like to trade in the SLK55. I just don't know what to do.
what would u do?

 

I'd keep the slk55 trade the c55 for the g55 as a c63 owner they seem to be the most popular selling amg maybe even c class. I am a huge fan of the g wagen way more rare and exclusive then the c63.

 

2 complete different cars...

 

i LOVE g wagons. can you get both?

if i were in your situation, if you have the SLK55 with the M152, sell the C55 and buy the G55. if you have the SLK55 with the M113 and you are eventually looking to buy an update C63, i would sell the C55 and SLK55 and get a '11 c63 to tide you over since they can be had pretty reasonably. then sell it and get the new engine c63 whenever that appears.

if you can swing a g63.. DO IT. the g63 is the baddest vehicle on and off the road. if i had a chance to get one at a great price, i would trade my C63 in a heart beat. if i have a good year, i am getting one anyway. what a machine!

 

keep in mind g55's are military vehicles. they rattle like crazy, ride rough and savage beasts getting 8-12mpg. a c63 can easily replace the slk55 and c55. having owned a slk55 and driven every amg car out there... its pretty useless as car other than a to b and having fun. you go to the grocery store its like toilet paper or paper towels? lol. I say sell them both get the c63 and put a wiestec on it. unless you live somewhere you actually need a g-wagon/jeep etc... not to mention g-wagons hold their value like crazy, even a high mileage used one will cost you more than a c63 unless its an older non supercharged one which is not really worth owning.

 

You know absolutely nothing about the G-Wagen based on your comments.
Have you ever owned one and if you have and found like they "rattle like crazy", then what you owned was junk.

Just your "driven every AMG car out there" is absurd....
Big difference between "driving" and "owning"....

 

im going to refrain from an all out pissing match. however when g's are new they arent bad noise wise i've heard some that are super quiet. The fact is that the interior was designed as an after thought and you get alot of extra squeaks and rattles because of it. the new g63's are much improved and its obvious. Sorry i havent driven any euro amg's, pre 90's, clk55 dtm, r63 (only 30 of them, ive seen one though) or a clk gtr . But having driven and worked on every other normal u.s. road legal car i think i know a thing or two. have you had to put a wiper motor in your g yet?

 

No pissing match, just trying to get down to reality which owners can better dictate then one who only has brief driving experiences.

You've "heard"...so much for your comments...
Driving and working on a vehicle is much different then owning and living day to day with a vehicle.
How was the interior designed as an after thought ????
Please expound on what you've "heard".
I currently own three AMG builds...2008 CLK63 Black Series, 2005 G55K and a 1999 C43.
All less problematic and better build quality then standard Mercs.

Have you ever owned an AMG?

 

Wasn't going to touch this one with a 10 foot pole.. I think he is thinking of 1979's G wagen. The 1990 + shares not much in common with the utilitarian 4x4 of earlier years other then the body style.

I have never driven a CLK DTM or heck even seen one but I bet it rattles like no one business its a race car for the street they all do...

Every car rattles when unqualified people take them apart and then don't put them together right...

 

The original G-Wagen was designed as a military vehicle much like the H1 Hummer and Land Rover Defender.
The development started in the early seventies and to this day it still retains the original exterior design.
It's a truck, not a SUV and has what some may consider a harsh suspension.
It wasn't until 2002 that Mercedes imported the vehicle for the North American market. Nothing was an "after thought" as all G's are built by Steyr in Austria. Much of the assembly is by "hand".
Having owned two, a G55 NA and a G55 Kompressor, they remain tight and rattle free. Biggest problem is window regulator failure. Besides that not much more then normal maintenance.

I own another of AMG's "race cars for the street"....it's very tight, the coil overs give a firm ride but it's "rattle free".

When a buyer pays $150K+, they tend not to put up with even "delivery" rattles...Would you or would you quickly have it back with the dealer?

Very true...but if you take a Merc apart they tend to go back without fit problems. Much different then an American car that is difficult to match the original factory fit.

 

Hello to all. Thx for all the input. It has helped a lot. what I think I am going to do I ditch the SLK55 and get the G55. I love the C63 and will own one soon. I just feel better in the G55 this is the one I am looking at
What do u thanks?
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...gIndex=2&Log=0

 

Very nice....white is fairly rare and great that it's CPO'd....
Make an initial offer around $69K.....

Ed A.

 

You're gonna go from an SLK55 to an '08 G55 for $70k?

Get ready to get disappointed. That truck is a pig with dated interior and amenities and out of warranty. It also has the old. 5spd which is a drinker on the highways

If you're looking for a truck a newer ML63 or GL550 is a way better choice in every measurable aspect.

 

I believe the vehicle that the OP is looking at is a CPO...hence a one year warranty that can be extended to a total of 7 years and 100K miles from date of delivery.

Dated interior? - Compared to what...AMG trim very nice.
Pig? - 0-60 in a little over 5 seconds..not bad for a 3 ton vehicle.
Old 5 speed? - Works great in combo with the G55K

Sounds like more comments from one who has never owned a G-Wagen.
I've got an 05 G55K that still is at 50% +value after 8 years....
It's as much fun to drive as any of the other five Mercs I currently own..!

It's a real truck, not a SUV like the ML63 and GL550 that your recommend.
It also will depreciate at a much lower rate then the ML or GL....
Not for everyone, more of a rugged "cult like" vehicle not a "see yourself coming and going" soccer mom GL or ML

Some of us like the mundane, others prefer exclusivity in owning a low production vehicle....

 

And apprarently you like the mundane...driving a military vehicle is about as exclusive as driving a Yugo....

We get it...you have one...it doesn't mean your opinion is more valid. It just means you are justifying your purchase.

You're right. I never have owned one and i never will. Just like i will never own an H1 or a Lincoln Town Car....

My father in law has an 09 and i drive it all the time. I've driven it on long road trips and around the city over the past 3 years.

Yes its a pig...you even mentioned "not bad for 3 tons" It drives likes its 4 tons and it constantly reminds you. Try to take on on ramp at more than 40 and everyone is fearing for their lives. A little agility wouldnt hurt...especially if we have AMG badges...but then again it is a 3 ton military based truck

And yes the interior is dated. That design is from '07 with the old Command system, seats and sound system. Step into a '10+ model.

There are better and newer trucks at that price

 

You are so correct, just ask yourself, so I'll graciously accept the "mundane" label...

I'm more a Merc enthusiast, don't have to have the newest like you at a premium...
Prefer buying trade-ins from those that take the initial hit...

The G55 is a truck, not an SUV and it has it''s inherent design oddities...
Buyers know that and have no problem with it.
You probably wouldn't like a LR Defender...
Both are more "masculine" then the SUV's you prefer.

If I want to go very,very quick around corners I drive one of my other cars...
Each one has it's purpose...

 

Is the price of that g55 kinda high for the high mileage ??? I woudln't sell the slk55 it's a great car after driving both the slk55 and C55 and I chose the c63 just for practicality. being able to put things in it and take people places... a two seat drop top is in the future when i can afford more then one car same with a G for winter

 

Its about time we got some real MEN in here with their manly rides

 

There might be nothing hotter on the planet then a fine lady with a tripple black G Wagen

 

I agree with the idea that there is nothing hotter than a fine lady in a triple black G-wagon, but you lost me when you labeled Kris Jenner a a "fine lady".

 

I was thinking more of something like this...

 

are ya'll aware 90's g-wagons in the us are grey market converted to for u.s. legalization from an outside company with no affiliation to benz? hence the interior being an after thought. Even after benz actually started officially selling them in the u.s. the interior still left alot to be desired compared to other models. Like i said the latest one is much much better. I owned an slk300 than a slk55 and now a c63. I agree ownership is different. I typically only see cars when they have problems, which gives me alot better perspective than someone who has test drivin a car once which is what your assuming im talking about. Most first time g-wagon owners arent happy because they dont know what they are getting themselves into. I love g-wagons, they are great. The 55's sound almost the same as an slr from the similar side exit exhaust. Sure id expect someone to brring there car in to get rattles fixed but there is a difference in rattles/squeaks and normal operation. Its a fine line on a gwagon and its only going to get so good. all the 55's cup/feather the tires overtime unless rotated religously. There are no tire choices for the speed rating other than factory equip'd which kind of sucks. There is only a front toe adjustment so there is no compensation for alignment pulling (camber/caster). As for reliability they are stout. Ive seen a bunch of broken wiper motors though.

p.s. i drove a sl65 black series the other day and it rattled horribly, its a shame too with the hardtop. ive driven 170 slk's that rattle less and thats saying alot. still a sick car though, and definately not intended for daily use.

amgs do hold up better they are built to be driven hard much like g-wagons. But most dont so they hold up alot longer - like amg brakes typically lasting 50k+ for one set of pads.

 

Of course but that's not the subject at hand...
Please try to stay focused and not deflect to another subject !

We agree on something...ownership versus test driving or even you repairing is a much different experience.

Those that aren't happy with a G-Wagen purchase have deluded themselves into thinking that it's not a truck.
It's a truck plain and simple, not a SUV or crossover.
I've owned two G-wagens, an 03 G55 and currently an 05 G55K...

Tire choices are limited, but no different then the limited choices I have with my CLK63 Black Series.
My G's tires are eight years old, not rotated regularly and show no signs of cupping or feathering.
Window regulators are problematic as are steering dampers on early builds.
Would I buy another G..sure would.
They are an iconic vehicle not for everyone and if you understand them then you have a smile on your face.

My involvement with "unique" cars goes back to the late sixties with muscle cars. In the late seventies my interests went to English cars, Aston Martins and Jags. Mid eighties went German with BMW and finally Mercedes.
When younger active in all forms of competitive motor sports.
I've owned and showed 99 point concours vehicles.
Several of my cars have been featured in enthusaist magazines.

I currently own six Mercs, all low production unique models.

My 1988 300CE which has been modded with a period TurboTechnics twin turbo kit and just completed a replica and accurate AMG widebody build was purchased new by me in May of 1988. I've owned it for twenty five years.

My newest is a 2008 CLK63 Black Series with only 8K miles previously owned by Chip Ganassi.

A 1994 E320 Cabriolet with 45K miles, a 1999 C43 with 55K miles and a 1971 280SL with 75K miles.

And of course the subject 2005 G55K with 55K miles.

I'm an enthusiast, a collector, a restorer and also mechanically adept.
I have no real problems with any of my cars, keep them maintained and all are solid with no rattles.

Any "unique" car needs to be maintained , more so then a daily driver.
The majority of buyers of newer cars be they a G-wagen or a Black Series tend not to know what they are getting into.
They will shift in and out of the latest and greatest losing much money in the transaction. As they say at times more money then brains...

I like this kind of a buyer as I can then purchase a three year old "unique" vehicle for a 50% discount and keep it for as long as I want with minimal depreciation !

 

I have learned a lot from this thread on G-Class...really make me want to own one. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be practical for my usual high speed, long distance drive if I can only have one car.

 

Hello to all. I test drove a the C63 and all I have to say is what a car. I fell in love. and to day I just got back after test drive the G55 and all I have to say is what a truck. and the winner is the G55 I will be placing a bid tonight for $69,599 I hope that take it. if you have never driven a G55 go out and rent one for the night and get ready to have a lot of fun. the C63 is a lot of fun don't get me wrong but the G55 is just stupid. But I will be back to the C63 forum when it comes time to buy one!