Which AMG for me?
Discussion
I have an itch to scratch of the AMG variety. I'm currently driving an E46 M3 Cab which is very nice, I've had it for a few years now and I've decided I fancy a change. I loved the SL350 I owned but I want AMG power...or do I?!
My current considerations, for a budget of £15k or there abouts include the CLK55 AMG and the E55 AMG. Both are slightly more practical than the M3 which is what I'm looking for with the potential threat of babies within the next few years.
However, I have been told that a late CLK500 is more powerful than the CLK55 and the CLS500 also seems to fall within my budget.
I'm also considering the C55 AMG and a car I've fancied for a while, the C32 AMG, which seems to be as quick for less money.
Which direction would you be looking in if you were in my shoes?
My current considerations, for a budget of £15k or there abouts include the CLK55 AMG and the E55 AMG. Both are slightly more practical than the M3 which is what I'm looking for with the potential threat of babies within the next few years.
However, I have been told that a late CLK500 is more powerful than the CLK55 and the CLS500 also seems to fall within my budget.
I'm also considering the C55 AMG and a car I've fancied for a while, the C32 AMG, which seems to be as quick for less money.
Which direction would you be looking in if you were in my shoes?
Try looking at a C43 AMG. Nice car that nobody notices any more, with four doors, bullet proof 306hp engine. Capable of potting along until you give it the boot where it walks up and growls. Just have to be careful that the auto box has been looked after and that oil with filter changed regularly. Apart from possible rust spots which seem to be a typical sickness with W202's, nothing to worry too much about.
Edited by UltimaCH on Monday 11th October 12:39
I've previously owned both an E46 M3 (coupe) and C32.
BMW was a more engaging driver's car, but C32 the best all round car I've ever owned. I only sold as I was heading overseas and didn't get round to owning another as I fancied trying out other cars on my return. Certainly worth looking at them IMO.
BMW was a more engaging driver's car, but C32 the best all round car I've ever owned. I only sold as I was heading overseas and didn't get round to owning another as I fancied trying out other cars on my return. Certainly worth looking at them IMO.
Funnily enough I've had a look at C43's and they do interest me. There is a black one near me with the deep dish AMG alloys and it sounds fantastic.
As for the C32, I've come very close to buying one before, to run alongside the M3. At the time I decided I couldn't justify owning both but now I've started looking again the C32 immediately came to mind. In estate form an de-badged, I don't think there is a greater Q car to own.
As for the C32, I've come very close to buying one before, to run alongside the M3. At the time I decided I couldn't justify owning both but now I've started looking again the C32 immediately came to mind. In estate form an de-badged, I don't think there is a greater Q car to own.
Watch out for gearboxes in C43s too aside from rust, which in 90% of the cars will be lurking. I have also seen rusty C32s.
How much is an SL55 AMG now? If I didn't need 4 seats, I'd own one of them. The sound along is worth your stretching your budget.
But don't think that any of the AMG cars will handle as well as your BMW. You'd need to find a 2.5/15 or 2.3/16 for that level of chassis involvement.
How much is an SL55 AMG now? If I didn't need 4 seats, I'd own one of them. The sound along is worth your stretching your budget.
But don't think that any of the AMG cars will handle as well as your BMW. You'd need to find a 2.5/15 or 2.3/16 for that level of chassis involvement.
One thing to bear in mind - you don't have to go for an AMG to get the V8 experience.
The older 5.0 V8 as seen in the pre-facelift E500 and CLS 500 puts out just over 300 bhp and something like 340 lb/ft pf torque. You also get air suspension (Comfort/Sport/Sport II). It's a kind of AMG-lite (think Audi S instead of RS). The facelift models came in in late 2005 and there was a brand new 5.5 V8 with 380bhp +
I went from a brace of C43's into my pre-facelift E500 and am very happy with it indeed.
Going back to AMG's you've basically got the choice of
C-based cars (C43, C32, C55 and the various CLK/SLK derivatives)
E based cars (E, CLS
S-based (S and CL)
SL
ML
For 15k you're getting into some of the more recent C's (eg C55), E's (55 K). I CL's can be had but they're older at this price. SL 55's are north of 20k.
Best way to think about it is do you want a small, medium or large and work it back from there.
The older 5.0 V8 as seen in the pre-facelift E500 and CLS 500 puts out just over 300 bhp and something like 340 lb/ft pf torque. You also get air suspension (Comfort/Sport/Sport II). It's a kind of AMG-lite (think Audi S instead of RS). The facelift models came in in late 2005 and there was a brand new 5.5 V8 with 380bhp +
I went from a brace of C43's into my pre-facelift E500 and am very happy with it indeed.
Going back to AMG's you've basically got the choice of
C-based cars (C43, C32, C55 and the various CLK/SLK derivatives)
E based cars (E, CLS
S-based (S and CL)
SL
ML
For 15k you're getting into some of the more recent C's (eg C55), E's (55 K). I CL's can be had but they're older at this price. SL 55's are north of 20k.
Best way to think about it is do you want a small, medium or large and work it back from there.
ML is a big no for me, I'm not a 4x4 fan. 4/5 seats is the minimum so that means the SL and SLK are out too. I'd probably say the CL and S class are too large.
That leaves me with the C's and E's including the CLK. I'm tempted to say the C43, as good as it is misses the cut due to age.
That leaves me with the C's and E's including the CLK. I'm tempted to say the C43, as good as it is misses the cut due to age.
Republik said:
ML is a big no for me, I'm not a 4x4 fan. 4/5 seats is the minimum so that means the SL and SLK are out too. I'd probably say the CL and S class are too large.
That leaves me with the C's and E's including the CLK. I'm tempted to say the C43, as good as it is misses the cut due to age.
The C43 is a good car, most are under the cut for emissions tax. More a cruiser than a scratcher. The C32 is a different beast - loads more power, sharper handling. The C55 is an ideal combo - newer C Class chassis re-united with V8 grunt.That leaves me with the C's and E's including the CLK. I'm tempted to say the C43, as good as it is misses the cut due to age.
When you look at E's you get some kit not available on C's - for me, anyway, self levelling and air suspension are important elements you can only get on E's and up. And if you want a Kompressor V8 (bhp up into the mid-high 400's) you need E's and above.
If the question is "what's the maximum AMG available for £15k?" you'd end up with, say, a C55 or E55K.
If the question is "what's the cheapest way to get AMG grunt?" then the answer is more C43, C32 or non-Kompressor E55.
With the older cars then you need to check for rust, gearboxes, consumables, etc etc.
There are some very good ones out there but also a lot of money pits.
BTW when I had one kiddo the C43 saloon was big enough.
When I got to two the C43 Estate was better.
Now they're a bit older we lug camping gear about plus maybe bikes. And sometimes their pals in seven seat mode. And we've started doing long continental blasts. For all that I went for a E Class (the seven seat option is not available on a C Class estate. Same for air susp and self levelling as per previous post)
When I got to two the C43 Estate was better.
Now they're a bit older we lug camping gear about plus maybe bikes. And sometimes their pals in seven seat mode. And we've started doing long continental blasts. For all that I went for a E Class (the seven seat option is not available on a C Class estate. Same for air susp and self levelling as per previous post)
Top answer mate 
I'm looking for an AMG which will cope with an expanding family, not for a few years yet. Something with the longevity to keep me interested in 3/4 years time. I never do many miles (14,000 in the M3 in the last 2 years) but what journeys I do tend to be long ones - Manchester to London is a regular.
For my budget I want a good spec with lowish miles (max of about 75k) which may be optimistic for an E55k. The CLK is large enough at the moment but the 3 doors may be a problem down the line.
From that description I guess I'm looking at the C32 again!
I'm looking for an AMG which will cope with an expanding family, not for a few years yet. Something with the longevity to keep me interested in 3/4 years time. I never do many miles (14,000 in the M3 in the last 2 years) but what journeys I do tend to be long ones - Manchester to London is a regular.
For my budget I want a good spec with lowish miles (max of about 75k) which may be optimistic for an E55k. The CLK is large enough at the moment but the 3 doors may be a problem down the line.
From that description I guess I'm looking at the C32 again!
Edited by Republik on Tuesday 12th October 17:09
Republik said:
Top answer mate
I'm looking for an AMG which will cope with an expanding family, not for a few years yet. Something with the longevity to keep me interested in 3/4 years time. I never do many miles (14,000 in the M3 in the last 2 years) but what journeys I do tend to be long ones - Manchester to London is a regular.
For my budget I want a good spec with lowish miles (max of about 75k) which may be optimistic for an E55k. The CLK is large enough at the moment but the 3 doors may be a problem down the line.
From that description I guess I'm looking at the C32 again!
I do a regular run to Gatwick from South Birmingham and get 32MPG on a steady run from the C32. It is also the most comfortable car to drive over long distances and has the extra advantage that it is not in your face so much and doesn't attract the wrong sort of attention.I'm looking for an AMG which will cope with an expanding family, not for a few years yet. Something with the longevity to keep me interested in 3/4 years time. I never do many miles (14,000 in the M3 in the last 2 years) but what journeys I do tend to be long ones - Manchester to London is a regular.
For my budget I want a good spec with lowish miles (max of about 75k) which may be optimistic for an E55k. The CLK is large enough at the moment but the 3 doors may be a problem down the line.
From that description I guess I'm looking at the C32 again!
Edited by Republik on Tuesday 12th October 17:09
They suffer from a few minor electrical gremlins and are of course susceptible to Kompressor pump failure (although none of mine have ever gone). Also the memory seats can drain the battery but there is a simple fix for that. So get a good one and enjoy.
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