I give up

Hi there - I am new to this forum and was tinkering with the idea of upgrading my modded C32 for an E55 . My faithful C32 is pushing close to 300 kw (410hp) on the back wheels with all its mods and I am hoping to go a similiar route with an E55, only more power. My question is - what are some of the common problems with the E55. I know about the airmatic suspension, but are there more serious problems with the E55? I unwitteningly bought a 2002 C32 which turns out had a design flaw on the camshaft resulting in a misfire, followed by my total engine destruction when modified. The idiot that I am, I then bought a used 2002 motor and dropped it in - 6 months down the line guess what happened? I am now on engine number 3, but this one comes from a 2004 SLK 32 and goes like a rocket, but without adding nitrous (which I would never even consider), I am pretty much maxed out on mods. I can pick up a 2004 or 2005 E55 with 60 000 on the clock at a good price. Is there a specific year which is better or should stay away from. The mods I was planning are similiar to the ones on my C32 - crank pulley, air filters, complete new exhaust and de-cat, ECU tune and I/C pump for a start. How do these cars handle these mods or are they like the C32 which always seem to break? I have accepted that I spend a lot of my time/money at AMG getting things repaired - but that is worth the moments these amazing cars give me.

TopGun32

The c32 handles and brakes better.... steering feel is better and feels like a fast little car.

The e55, is a monster that isolates the speed its traveling. Not very good handling car and brakes are lazy until you really squeeze them. However its avery good family car that can make you smile driving around town or on th highway.


C32 less reliable than my E55 and it has alot more electrical issues.

I have both and C32 is probably the worst vehicle I have ever owned.

Right now my C32 transmission is done, due the famous radiator coolant into the transmission.

If you want a bigger car, get a E55. If you still want a smaller sporty car, buy a BMW 335 and tune it.

I give up

Thanks - you just answered my next question. I have just got rid of my 2008 Chevy Lumina SS after 3 months of ownership because it was a big lumbering beast. Way too big and heavy, handles like a pregnant cow and couldn't brake. The N/A 6 litre V8 was also very lazy on take off and only managed 0-60 in 6 seconds so I got hammered by everything. I love my C32 because it is so nimble and I can really throw it around in the corners. I don't like big cars and would probably been disapointed with an E55. I am also not a big fan of the C63 because of its price and my modded C32 eats the stock ones for breakfast. Guess I will just have to wait for the new C- class 5.5 liter twin turbo V8 - only 3 more years!

320 dreamer

what mods are on your c32? 410 rwhp is a bold statement for a car that fully modded sees about 375 rwhp. any dyno sheets to support it?

GT-ER

Yeah, the E55 can accelerate like a rocket, and will brake awesome in a panic stop...but that's it. It's "boaty" in the curves and brake FEEL kinda sucks.

GT-ER

I know someone with an SRT6 that put down 370whp on a mustang dyno. That's about 420 or more on a dynojet.

E55Dimon

Has anyone mentioned that the E55 also looks 10x better than the C32?
A friend has a c32 modded and I'd take the "boaty" E anyday.

TopEndS62

AGREED... timeless design

I give up

I only have my dyno sheet from my original motor which claims 267kw on the rear wheels - thats 363hp without all my newer mods. Since then I have changed to a fresher 2004 SLK motor with its heads and cams done running a 181 crank pulley and a 5mm smaller S/C pulley. Also my exhaust - we have very few laws governing C02 emissions or noise here in South Africa so we get away with long tube headers, no cats at all and a 76mm exhaust all the way to the back. I have also had my I/C pump upgraded since the last dyno and my ECU redone for 95 octane. I still want lose the weight of my 2 electric front seats and install lightweight buckets and stiffen my suspension. My C32 beats a standard 2 door 2011 M3 DCT and hammers a standard C63. Fast enough?
Ps. this was dynoed where I live in Johannesburg at 6000ft above sea level.
I will get a new dyno sheet done to prove my claim.

TopEndS62

By the sound of things... just get the e55. appears to me more reliable.

Sher Judge

South Africa was known for Mental/Demon fast C32's back in 02 & 03, they were so fast here @ the time, that they scared the living hell out of many road racers in any type of sports sedan or sports car

I give up

I can't believe it - another MB world member here in Jhb S.A. These overseas dudes don't believe what we do to our cars - they haven't met Carlos at AMG who does anything you can think of and more to your car. You should see the C32 with all the mods plus nitrous running close to 470 rwhp at altitude.

I give up

Nope - a fully modded C32 runs 450rwhp. Then you still have avgas and nitrous to play with.

Sher Judge

The E55K defnitely the way to go, but finding a decent one in South Africa, can be difficult. Also be prepared to lose all Mobilo warranty if you go full out modding.

Modding The Beast, ah what a pleasure just be prepared to spend what you paid for your Beast, should anything go wrong. Lots of electronics but it becomes a

Sher Judge

Great to see a fellow South African, yes they do not know of Carlos our very own AMG man. What a gentleman.

Wait for the C63 Black coupe, that's the car you want. Best option in my opinion.

I give up

Nicely put. My C32 cost R 170 000.00 and 2 engines and many mods later I spent
R 250 000.00 on it. If I sold it I could get R 150 000.00 - thats AMG dedication.
Love to get a Black series, but a used 2004/5 E55 is at my spending limit. Mods will have to be done as I get extra cash. I am off the E55 idea because of its size and handling. I would love to build (get Carlos to build) a C55 with an E55K motor.

Sher Judge

Absolute pure pleasure is the CLK63BS

Why don't you get a CLK55 and get Carlos to charge it, with all his magic. Also the C55 route sounds good too. Even better get a CLK63 and get Carlos to charge it.

Let us know what happens

I give up

I saw what happened to an SLK55 that he charged - it had so much power it ripped the centre hubs off both back wheels on take off. After that was sorted out he demolished 2 gearboxes in quick succession and now the car is gathering dust in a corner at AMG. I love the CLK55, but supercharging one is too expensive and as you have mentioned it will break a lot. Time to sit down and do some serious thinking.

Exotic-metal55

Go for th E55! It is really a no brainer! Sounds like power is more your deal and cabin room. AMG`s are really just great luxury , straight line power cars at the end of the day. If hard G`s in the turns is your deal, then you need to look to another brand.

moosejaw

Well the problems with E55s are not only isolated to the airmatic.....
They have a issue with the fuel tank where it seeps gas into the passenger compartment.
You will notice the smell and the check engine light.

There have been a few stories of m113K blown motors and it was something to do with cylinder #8. However they have recently come out with a new fuel rail that should address those problems.

Lumina SS handles about the same as a E55.

The C32 is the most reliable car I had ever owned. HOwever right after i sold it at 70K miles, the new owner ha a ton of problems.

I give up

Your monster E55 is what got me going in the first place! I have also followed the thread on your old C32 so I know the deal. I also agree that no AMG will ever out corner an M series BMW or modified rice rocket - I am not into that. The Lumina was a pig with no brakes or 'off the line' acceleration and required so much modifying and cash that I just gave up. There is something special about all AMG's that keeps me loyal and the E55 is a great platfrom to build on. I am just worried that I will hate the handling and sheer size and end up selling another car - I lost a lot of cash on my Lumina after only owning it for 3 months.

Sher Judge

Those were the 7 speed shifters, the client was had they adapted the real 5 speed high torque shifter used even in the 65's, they would not have had this problem

Anything is possible, people with ideas, that's where all the problems come along.

320 dreamer

its not that i dont believ you guys just asking for supporting info. its easy to say 410 to 450 rwhp but another altogether to prove it. as for the difference between the s/a cars and the american cars there isnt much we cant do if we want to. longtubes are common any and all head work and bore the engine as big as possible. in the lower 48 the sky is the limit with the exception of cats and even then theres race cats and states were they arent any emissions testing

we have race fuel available to 113 octane nos is a common mod here also . the srt6 running 370 rwhp is not uncommon but no 410 as he claimed. no mention of what type of dyno he was on.

Sher Judge

Hey 320 Dreamer, all is good, I still hav'nt had a chance to put up some of my cars on this site. But I tell you, I have a 2011 CL65 with upgrade twin turbo W216 facelift, with serious work that was done by our very loyal and dedicated AMG South Africa. That car is so mad and bad, we killed everything in site exept a Veyron which was not around one afternoon midweek, where it's come with your precious what ever, from Lambos(I love my Gallardo) to Spyker, to even some serious other AMGs, ferraris, 997's another one of my favorites a re-worked 2011 997 twin turbo PDK, that thing is mental, but once we hit 180Km/h, my heavily modded CL65, sling shots away. Facts and figures some where, but when you have money to play with it's good. A Bentley Super Sports is what I'm driving for a daily driver, untill my W216 CL63TT arrives in September. It never stops... Just got to love it. So everytime you hear about these cars in South Africa, they are at least 4 X more than your retail price in the Continental USA. So when the feeling arises to mod them, you talking loads and bundles of money saved for the men and their toys.

pullejo

I had nightmares with my C32 after 60k. Full rebuild on the motor...lots of other stuff too.

But it was a damn fun little car.