caliboy

Hey e55 guys, i usually hang out in th c class forums, however my lease is up within this next year and I'm trying to guage how the market will be in about a year with some of the current used amg's to consider an upgrade.

Having said that here is what I am looking for in my next car:
1) Definite upgrade to performance oriented car from..slow, but nice c-class

2) Budget will be $40k max and current lease is due exactly 1 year from now.

3) FYI I am 27 y/o and currently also drive a 2005 s2000 honda which at least gives a very nice quenching to my performance biased side for now. Keep in mind I love the feel of that car which handles and revs like something from heaven, but low end torque and space with new baby sucks!

4) Based on that here are My top choices: in no particular order
USED E55AMG 2003 and up

USED CL55AMG 2003 and up
USED CL600 2003 and up with intention of renntech chip upgrade

USED S55AMG 2003 and up
USED S600 2003 and up with same renntech chip possible upgrade
and maybe USED SLK55AMG, but would need xtra car/beater for space.

EDIT: C CLass will be gone within year and s2000 4 months after that.

eddietr

Don't know about you, but when we had our baby I went to four doors. So I would think I'd rule out the CLs.

And do the SLKs make sense when you already have the S2000?

If it were me, and I had a hard budget of $40k, I'd go for the E55. I haven't priced them out but I would assume a $40k E55 would be lower mileage, newer, better condition than a $40k S55 or S600 would be (if those can even be had for $40k)

caliboy

PICS of the players:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=953

CL55
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...&end_year=2007
&doors=&transmission=&max_price=45000&cardist=7 08

CL600
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=1&cardist=26

S55:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=890

S600:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=1&cardist=437

SLK55AMG:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=301

blackbenzz

I think the only cars listed that might be in your price range in a year is the E55 and MAYBE the S55. Go with the E55

Vetluver

CL600 is tuff to beat. If you need 4 door E55 is great. SLK55 is nice but needs a supercharger to run with the others. S is a tank and even with scads of power is still a behemoth. I get tired of driving big cars so I tend to go towards smaller packages. Although the E55 is heavy it still feels small due to the power to weight ratio.

I've driven the CLs and love them. I just don't like the styling of that iteration. I much prefer the 2007s but obviously you'll have to wait for that one to age a bit to afford it. You've got a difficult decision grass hopper.

caliboy

Thanks for the advice so far guys and also take into consideration and a second look at the plummeting prices on 03-04 Cl55/ cl600/ s600

Cl class was in the mix because I have seen and sat in that car before and the back seat although uncomfortable to get too could fit a baby seat for 3-4times a week when she would come be in the car with me vs when she is in my fiance's car which will always obviously be and currently is baby practical.

2K6E55

Yeah, I vote for the E55 as well.

CyE55

I would look at 2004 and up, preferably 2005 and up, just so you have some warranty room, or CPO for sure. Keep in mind, with new baby, you're going to have some expenses that you haven't budgeted for, and maintenance on AMG or any higher end MB can be scalding.

Cyrus

caliboy

lol! you couldn't have put it into better words....... my gut feeling right now
----- S class will be too big/tank like probably for me
----- E 55 probably the most likely candidate and the one my heart will probably give into
----- Cl 55/ especially 600 it's tough to argue with the possibility a having a car that can be tuned to near super car numbers for the unlikely times that I would be driving by myself and get ego/foot happy!
Problem is that I'm worried Cl might feel like a behemoth too in handling

I have to test drive all these cars..... within the next 6 months what a tough task that will be!

Slk55amg: I think you are right 355hp somehow does not seem to cut it any more with the way all these evo's and sti's and future/current M3/S4's out there. Would suck to get my next car and still get embarrassed/be intimidated and not even try again fo 3-4 years like I do now with my c-class

caliboy

That's an excellent point Cyrus..... I have to say I have been and hopefully will continue to be blessed so far with everything. I will be finishing my anesthesia residency within the next few years and should be in financially even better situation that I'm in right now.
However, in the mean time as most of you with kids know there are new expenses always ongoing with kids and a car with a warranty to relieve some those expenses is always welcome.

BTW technical question on all these bigger cars, not including the slk55
for those of you who have driven most of them..........which car handles the best/is most agile out of this bunch?

BlownV8

Nope, the CL feels light on its feet due to the ABC suspension. You can really throw this car around as if it were 1000 lbs or so lighter. The ABC suspension has some issues but when it's working correctly it is simly awesome.

The CL's are probably out but the E55 is still in the mix.

All the cars you listed will be much faster than your current ride. They may not be as fun to drive as your S2000 but if you have a baby on board that shouldn't be your main priority.

Advantage E55.

The E55 is making more sense with each line I read. It has plenty of room for your child seat. It is quick. It's safe. Not to mention, the E55 will be a blast to drive.

The CL will be uncomfortable,at best to maneuver a baby in and out and probably unsafe at worst. You may pull a back muscle trying to cortort your body to get the baby in and out of the baby seat mounted behind the passenger seat. You will, in all probability, accidentally bump your child's head against the door frame trying to get her/him in and out. The CL is an amazing car but it appears that it may not be the best fit for you at this time.

AMG_55

IMO
youre looking at the wrong cars.
E39 M5 in showroom condition is what you need.
if you kept the s2000 then an e55 wouldve been perfect but since youre getting rid of it then i suggest you get something that can do more than go straight very fast

i dont know how much you like driving, probably enough b/c you have a s2000, but an e55 will not satisfy your driving needs. when you push it you can tell that the car is not enjoying it at all and is not "with you". you will not get the type of satisfaction you get when doing perfecr heel and toe or nailing the apex and then letting the rear dance around. not gonna happen.

2MANYCARS

E39 M5!!!! hahahahaha, what was I thinking saying that in a Mercedes board?

E55 would be my first and ONLY choice given the choices, S and CL are too mature to me; SLK55s are nice, but hey, you have an S2K, what do you need another roadster for?

SteveFox

I was in somewhat of the same situation(got a baby coming in 3 weeks!!!) you will be in some months ago. I had a CL55(2002) and was contemplating the exact same cars as you except the slk. And for the same reasons too. I went with the S over the E 'cause at 6'6" it was a little harder getting in the E than the S. I chose the 55 over the 600 because it was more fun to drive. The 55 felt closer to a sports car(still far though) than the six. The six feels like a super quick limo. If you are real tall(probably not if you have an s2000) go with the S55 if not then the E55 should do you just fine.

Good luck and congrats on the baby.

Jspeed

Cl600!