I've got an overwhelming desire for a C32 AMG
Discussion
An estate version in particular!
After all these 'AMG' articles on PH I've been scanning the classifieds as they seem fast, comfortable and all round decent motors. A bit more low profile than an M3 or S4/RS4!
This looks rather nice @£6k
Anyone have any experiences on them?
After all these 'AMG' articles on PH I've been scanning the classifieds as they seem fast, comfortable and all round decent motors. A bit more low profile than an M3 or S4/RS4!
This looks rather nice @£6k
Anyone have any experiences on them?
TEKNOPUG said:
Is the one in the ad definitely an AMG?
350bhp so reasonable poke. Slush box only and dreaded rust on those vintage Mercs
Yeah, I reckon so. AMGs of the time were very subtle. I'm sure that's a real one.350bhp so reasonable poke. Slush box only and dreaded rust on those vintage Mercs
I've never met anyone who owns one of these. I'd really like to know what they're like - I like them a lot, although I'm decidedly a saloon man rather than estate.
JREwing said:
Yeah, I reckon so. AMGs of the time were very subtle. I'm sure that's a real one.
I've never met anyone who owns one of these. I'd really like to know what they're like - I like them a lot, although I'm decidedly a saloon man rather than estate.
Only suggested it because it's not mentioned anywhere on the add. Certainly looks like one. Supercharged so plenty of torque, will probably suit the auto-box (from an SL500 I think?). Can't help think that it won't be very dynamic though. Personally find the earlier C43 V8 more appealing, even if down on power. Harks from the period of bean-counters replacing engineers at Merc, so never really paid them much interest. Most of the ones of the age you see nowadays are rotten.I've never met anyone who owns one of these. I'd really like to know what they're like - I like them a lot, although I'm decidedly a saloon man rather than estate.
I'm sure someone more enlightening will be along soon
MagicalTrevor said:
An estate version in particular!
After all these 'AMG' articles on PH I've been scanning the classifieds as they seem fast, comfortable and all round decent motors. A bit more low profile than an M3 or S4/RS4!
This looks rather nice @£6k
Anyone have any experiences on them?
Now there is a car that deserves a debadge.... shame about the tailgate rustspots....After all these 'AMG' articles on PH I've been scanning the classifieds as they seem fast, comfortable and all round decent motors. A bit more low profile than an M3 or S4/RS4!
This looks rather nice @£6k
Anyone have any experiences on them?
I picked up a C32 Amg wagon for a good friend of mine this year, and I was its custodian until he could get to the UK to collect.
I loved it personally, not the most driver focused experience, but certainly a quick car. Lovely comfortable cabin, decent handling once you've grown used to the strange steering rack and great brakes too.
The auto box is excellent and suits the general characteristics of the car to a tee IMO. It's an AMG specific box by the way.
Supercharger sounds great, and the punch in 3rd gear at 70mph is astounding given the size and weight of the car.
If you're after a motor that's subtle, but packs a heavy punch coupled with a great load carrying capacity then you'll like the C32. Just brace yourself for terrible fuel consumption, I couldnt get it to return more than about 22mpg on a combined run.
I loved it personally, not the most driver focused experience, but certainly a quick car. Lovely comfortable cabin, decent handling once you've grown used to the strange steering rack and great brakes too.
The auto box is excellent and suits the general characteristics of the car to a tee IMO. It's an AMG specific box by the way.
Supercharger sounds great, and the punch in 3rd gear at 70mph is astounding given the size and weight of the car.
If you're after a motor that's subtle, but packs a heavy punch coupled with a great load carrying capacity then you'll like the C32. Just brace yourself for terrible fuel consumption, I couldnt get it to return more than about 22mpg on a combined run.
Just to counter the critics who say 'they all rust' - they don't all rust.
We have a 2002 (52) E430, so the most rotten prone of all the E-Class models over the years, with the 4.3 V8. It has done 140k miles, lives outdoors all year round, has crossed Europe several times (even in snow), and it is not rotten, not even a spot of oxide on the tailgate or arches.
I expect C-Classes will be similar, good ones will be out there - especially the larger engined models, ours just seems to have a better fit and finish than the lesser E-Classes (we had an E230 previously).
We have a 2002 (52) E430, so the most rotten prone of all the E-Class models over the years, with the 4.3 V8. It has done 140k miles, lives outdoors all year round, has crossed Europe several times (even in snow), and it is not rotten, not even a spot of oxide on the tailgate or arches.
I expect C-Classes will be similar, good ones will be out there - especially the larger engined models, ours just seems to have a better fit and finish than the lesser E-Classes (we had an E230 previously).
P4T said:
Have a friend who owned a C32 AMG saloon for a couple of years and he loved it. Having been in it only on a couple of occasions the only memory I have is that it went like stink!... Buy one!
These are the ones to go for, I would say. Relatively cheap to buy, but make sure you buy well. AMG stuff is notoriously complex. The older models might not have the badge tax an older M5 would have at the point of sale, but they can still be pricey to fix. But oh my, they are good cars. I can still remember being absolutely mesmerised seeing a silver CLK55 drive past me as I was walking down a lane in the Lake District. A thing of beauty.
EDIT: Sorry, I meant the first generation C36 was the one to go for. And the one I had been looking at recently.
Edited by Baryonyx on Friday 31st August 17:30
Been looking for an estate to ferry shyte around. This look v promising.
Good road test by Paul Frere here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2002-mercede...
Any more knowledge out there on prices, issues etc?
Good road test by Paul Frere here: http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/car/2002-mercede...
Any more knowledge out there on prices, issues etc?
Hmm... it'll be a gamble, for sure. There will be rust.
But, it's a peach of an engine. My SLK32 has never let me down in 3 years and ~30k miles (now on 67k). The gearbox is better than the one in an equivalent non-AMG car - it has different software - but you need to drive it and pay particular attention to how it picks up and locks up under light throttle at town speeds.
I can't comment on the electrics, as I believe the C32 had a later generation of kit inside it. The electrics in mine are all fine. If it has the same AMG seats as mine, the heating element is probably not working. Learn to live with that.
As for longevity, I have a colleague who has a 2001 SLK32 and he's done 150k in that. He had to have work done on the supercharger at around 120k. BTW the engine & blower are the same as the ones in the later Chrysler Crossfire SRT6, so there are more sources of parts from breakers than just Mercs.
I service mine at a local indie who's brilliant. There's no equivalent of the 'M' tax in terms of parts and labour cost for these cars' mechanical parts. I had new front pads and discs on mine for £300 last month. Also, insurance is way cheaper for me than on an E46 M3.
It may be a flawed package (the SLK32 sure is), but you may come to love it like I do.
Haggle hard, run it for 6 months, make up your mind then. If you can buy a warranty for it, do so - it'll give you some cover in the event of engine/gearbox/charger failure.
JDFI!
Edited to add: Should you be in the slightest bit interested in economy, I put U95 in mine, and if I sit with cruise on at 65 on the motorway, I can just squeeze 29.5mpg out of it on a real brim to brim test. Realistically, expect closer to 20 if you're any fan of the anvil, and probably 12-15 when hooning properly.
But, it's a peach of an engine. My SLK32 has never let me down in 3 years and ~30k miles (now on 67k). The gearbox is better than the one in an equivalent non-AMG car - it has different software - but you need to drive it and pay particular attention to how it picks up and locks up under light throttle at town speeds.
I can't comment on the electrics, as I believe the C32 had a later generation of kit inside it. The electrics in mine are all fine. If it has the same AMG seats as mine, the heating element is probably not working. Learn to live with that.
As for longevity, I have a colleague who has a 2001 SLK32 and he's done 150k in that. He had to have work done on the supercharger at around 120k. BTW the engine & blower are the same as the ones in the later Chrysler Crossfire SRT6, so there are more sources of parts from breakers than just Mercs.
I service mine at a local indie who's brilliant. There's no equivalent of the 'M' tax in terms of parts and labour cost for these cars' mechanical parts. I had new front pads and discs on mine for £300 last month. Also, insurance is way cheaper for me than on an E46 M3.
It may be a flawed package (the SLK32 sure is), but you may come to love it like I do.
Haggle hard, run it for 6 months, make up your mind then. If you can buy a warranty for it, do so - it'll give you some cover in the event of engine/gearbox/charger failure.
JDFI!
Edited to add: Should you be in the slightest bit interested in economy, I put U95 in mine, and if I sit with cruise on at 65 on the motorway, I can just squeeze 29.5mpg out of it on a real brim to brim test. Realistically, expect closer to 20 if you're any fan of the anvil, and probably 12-15 when hooning properly.
Edited by CarZee on Friday 31st August 18:01
The C32 is brilliantly understated (I had a rare sighting of one parked in central London recently) and I think that series of C Class are one of the best looking saloon cars made.
I couldn't resist a V8 though, so plumped for a C43. It is surprising how much the auto box suits these cars. A manual would feel a bit wierd (and i normally hate autos).
I couldn't resist a V8 though, so plumped for a C43. It is surprising how much the auto box suits these cars. A manual would feel a bit wierd (and i normally hate autos).
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