RE: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

RE: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

Sunday 5th July 2020

Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

Small Mercedes, large V8, big appeal - and reasonably little money



That the next Mercedes-AMG C63 will downsize its mighty 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 to a four-cylinder replacement is probably one of the industry's worst kept secrets. Nothing has been directly confirmed, of course - but the rumours haven't been vigorously denied either. We all suspected the day would come that a V8 in a C-Class became untenable; we just all hoped it was further off than 2022.

How different things used to be. Having upgraded the C36 AMG - the first AMG C-Class - from half a dozen cylinders to V8 power with the C43 of 1998, Mercedes then switched back to six with the supercharged C32 early in the 21st century. That wasn't deemed quite suitable, however, and so the AMG C-Class was upsized - and upsized quite drastically. For the 2004 revision of the W203 C-Class, the CLK 55's engine was dropped into the AMG flagship. That was a giant M113 5.4-litre V8, essentially the naturally-aspirated version of the legendary unit detonated by all who had access to SL55, E55 and CL55 accelerator pedals.

Of course, it did the typical AMG numbers: 367hp and 376lb ft was sufficient for 5.2 seconds to 62mph (with just a five-speed auto) and a thunderous charge all the way to 155mph. Cruically, though, the C55 marked a change in direction for AMG after the C32, a more dynamic C-Class range topper that paved the way for its stellar W204, C63 replacement.


Tracks were widened, springs and dampers were stiffened, kinematics reworked and steering quickened. There was proper manual control introduced to the automatic, too, giving the C55 a level of driver focus unheard of in a hot C-Class to this point. It wasn't an E46 M3 to drive (what is?) but the C55 was regarded the dynamic superior of the rather stoic B7 Audi S4. Despite that, the C55 was and remains a rare car. Its £48,000 price back in 2004 is the equivalent of almost £75k today; the BMW had the manual gearbox in its favour, the Audi quattro all-weather usability. Today it's believed there are only 100 left registered in the UK.

This black wagon is one of them, appearing like a great value way into the world of big-engine, small car AMG mischief at £11,995. It's an imported Japanese example, so might require a little more research than a UK domestic market car (it's only had one MOT over here, for example), but on these pictures - and the fact that it passed that MOT without an advisory - the C55 looks a decent one. Indeed given this cars hails from when Mercedes wasn't building vehicles to quite its usual standards, a lifetime in an environment famously kind to the rust-prone might make this C55 an especially good one. The mileage is low at 70,000, the leather looks in really good condition and the dash is unmarked. Of course caution is still to be advised, but it would seem there are encouraging signs. Plus it means you get a cool square numberplate.


Are there any C55 alternatives at £12k? A few. A Volvo will provide plentiful performance and space (if not quite the dynamic grace) for less money in the case of this V70 R, and you could even mimic the Mercedes' JDM status with this imported 850. Sadly there aren't any comparable V8 S4s, though this supercharged V6 model appeals with its later interior, improved dynamics and manual gearbox.

But you want the V8 though, don't you? That's often what it comes back to with an AMG; even though the cars have made huge advances over the years everywhere else, the emotional appeal of having eight cylinders has often proved convincing. There's no doubt at all that we'll miss the inspired combination of hulking V8 and unassuming C-Class body when it eventually goes - so what better time to take the plunge?


SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES-BENZ C55 AMG

Engine: 5,439cc, V8
Transmission: 5-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 367@5,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 376@4,000rpm)
MPG: 24
CO2: 286g/km
Year registered: 2005 (UK 2019)
Recorded mileage: 70,628
Price new: c. £48,000
Yours for: £11,995

See the original advert here


 

Author
Discussion

wiggers

Original Poster:

4 posts

136 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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So nearly bought this when it was local to me end of last year and a couple of grand cheaper. Grrrrrrrr.

fastraxx

8,308 posts

102 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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At least it’s complete with ‘service history’

Leins

9,412 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Nice. The 5.4L V8 was available in the previous shape W202 too, albeit at considerable cost

carinaman

21,209 posts

171 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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That door mirror on the purple 500 looks wrong.

AC43

11,433 posts

207 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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Love these. Simple formula, very effective.

benzinbob

750 posts

55 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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Cool car but I’d still go for that Volvo v70r..

I’ve been trying to work something out for a while now and need some advice- why shouldn’t I buy a Japanese import? I hear they’re pretty strict with MOTs and things like that, and they love their cars over there..seems like a no brainer to get a car from over there?

hoagypubdog

590 posts

143 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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Strange thing was it was slower to 60 than the c32 that came before.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Leins said:
Nice. The 5.4L V8 was available in the previous shape W202 too, albeit at considerable cost
Yes, I wondered if that would be the subject of this thread as they are pretty rare ( 29 Rhd? )


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
hoagypubdog said:
Strange thing was it was slower to 60 than the c32 that came before.
No, it isn't.

This is a time when MB was very conservative about its performance figures. You'll find this out-drags the E55 (and probably every other AMG of the day) but you dont want to advertise that fact when you're also trying to sell hundred grand cars.

I believe the SLK32 AMG was once the fastest car MB made but you weren't told that. The AMG models were also way faster than the equivalent 600 V12 models (SL, S) but you can't have the smaller engine trumping the flagship!

Another thing about this C55 - they actually have longer front ends (A pillar forward) than the regular W203 to accommodate the V8. It's really a CLK front. I mean how much would that have cost to engineer, considering the numbers actually sold?

mini me

1,435 posts

192 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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My current car is a C55 wagon just like this although not an import. Probably one of the best cars I have owned as a sensible family car. Only real downside for me is the fuel consumption combined with a pretty small tank (55l I believe) means almost every time I say to the mrs “let’s take the merc” it’s almost always followed by “ will just have to put some fuel in on the way”

sideways man

1,306 posts

136 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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That does look to be in great condition, from the photos. I’m considering a C63, but I’d give that some serious thinking over.

BUG4LIFE

2,006 posts

217 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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Love these (especially the estate). Tough to find a good one though so I’d certainly consider an import.

Pablo16v

2,071 posts

196 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
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There's one of these near my folk's house and it's properly unloved. Never cleaned, covered in seagull poop and the front arches are showing signs of starting to rust. I feel sorry for it.

Leins

9,412 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
s m said:
Leins said:
Nice. The 5.4L V8 was available in the previous shape W202 too, albeit at considerable cost
Yes, I wondered if that would be the subject of this thread as they are pretty rare ( 29 Rhd? )
That’s the number I’ve heard too, but I don’t ever remember seeing one for sale. There was a LHD one on mobile.de a year or so ago, for €39k IIRC. Which is probably similar to the conversion cost when the first owner sent his C43 back to AMG

Love to know how many were estates too. I know the engine can really get a move on in my ML, so I’d love to try it in a 90s C-Class

As for the W203, I remember Chris Harris had one as a long-termer with Autocar, and seemed to like it. From memory, it replaced a B6 S4 Avant

Rat_Fink_67

2,309 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Leins said:
s m said:
Leins said:
Nice. The 5.4L V8 was available in the previous shape W202 too, albeit at considerable cost
Yes, I wondered if that would be the subject of this thread as they are pretty rare ( 29 Rhd? )
That’s the number I’ve heard too, but I don’t ever remember seeing one for sale. There was a LHD one on mobile.de a year or so ago, for €39k IIRC. Which is probably similar to the conversion cost when the first owner sent his C43 back to AMG

Love to know how many were estates too. I know the engine can really get a move on in my ML, so I’d love to try it in a 90s C-Class

As for the W203, I remember Chris Harris had one as a long-termer with Autocar, and seemed to like it. From memory, it replaced a B6 S4 Avant
Of the 29 RHD C55 W202 conversions, only 3 were estates. Only 2 are said to still be on the road. I only ever saw one in person during 14 or so years working on Mercs at dealers and specialists. It was a saloon, and talking to the owner at the time it cost £32k for the conversion. Slightly more than normal as he also specified the optional 18" split rims as well, and AMG kept the original engine, transmission, diff etc involved in the work. I'm a big W202 AMG fan though, and the slightly more redneck "stick a 5.4 M113 in from one of the other models" conversions are great fun too.

As for the W203 C55, I like them too, I PDI'd and serviced quite a few back when they were current so spent quite a lot of time behind the wheel. I know they get panned as not being as competent or engaging as the equivalent M3 on a B-road blast, but that's not really what they're about for me. Similarly to the W202 C43, the C55 is a relatively relaxed and refined way to eat up miles, whilst still being able to put a V8 induced smile on your face in a way the C32 never quite seemed to manage. Great value now, and underrated in my opinion.

ispcarsurvey

103 posts

219 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
I owned 1 for over 6 years and replaced with a BMW 335D just before lockdown. Struggled to find anything I wanted to replace it with. In the end thought I'd go for something more sensible with better fuel consumption. Over the 6.5 years and 40k miles it averaged 22mpg. Short journeys were 15-18ish. Motorway run at normal speeds 23-26mpg.

The car kept getting niggly issues (air con broke every year), rust on the rear arches and the front end is different from other C Classes. Which was annoying when the other half knocked the front end in a car park (front dropped into pot hole with a big puddle). However, the extra running costs are negated by no/limited depreciation. On running costs, consumables were also pretty cheap - discs and pads both about £250, tyres less than £500 for all 4. Seems to be the generation before all the AMG parts increased in price.

I wouldn't hesitate buying another.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Leins said:
s m said:
Leins said:
Nice. The 5.4L V8 was available in the previous shape W202 too, albeit at considerable cost
Yes, I wondered if that would be the subject of this thread as they are pretty rare ( 29 Rhd? )
That’s the number I’ve heard too, but I don’t ever remember seeing one for sale. There was a LHD one on mobile.de a year or so ago, for €39k IIRC. Which is probably similar to the conversion cost when the first owner sent his C43 back to AMG

Love to know how many were estates too. I know the engine can really get a move on in my ML, so I’d love to try it in a 90s C-Class

As for the W203, I remember Chris Harris had one as a long-termer with Autocar, and seemed to like it. From memory, it replaced a B6 S4 Avant
I have seen a few for sale Leins

One just before lockdown ( https://youtu.be/tV8dZ4EVnlc ) and another one on carandclassic that was a re-import from Japan



I’m impressed if the later one is notably faster than the C32 AMG though - the earlier one wasn’t

apc321

54 posts

123 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
benzinbob said:
Cool car but I’d still go for that Volvo v70r..

I’ve been trying to work something out for a while now and need some advice- why shouldn’t I buy a Japanese import? I hear they’re pretty strict with MOTs and things like that, and they love their cars over there..seems like a no brainer to get a car from over there?
Several cars that I like (eg. This C55 estate, Volvo V70r, Mercedes E350 CGI estate, VW Passat R36 estate) are Japanese imports which have been imported into the UK by specialist dealers.

In general they seem to have good spec, be in good colours, and not unreasonable prices bearing in mind the mileage and condition.

I dont really care if the sat nav is in Japanese as I very rarely use one, or if the mileage reads in km.

I guess that the only disadvantage may be Japansese specific parts that are hard to get in the UK and would have to be improted in the event of a problem. But I would have thought that most parts would be the same.

Is there anyone on here can could enlighten me on this?

Deep Thought

35,720 posts

196 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
hoagypubdog said:
Strange thing was it was slower to 60 than the c32 that came before.
I'd be buying this for the V8 rumble not the out and out speed of it.

The C32 was probably the weakest for noise and sense of occasion IIRC.


ocrx8

867 posts

195 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
s m said:
I have seen a few for sale Leins

One just before lockdown ( https://youtu.be/tV8dZ4EVnlc ) and another one on carandclassic that was a re-import from Japan



I’m impressed if the later one is notably faster than the C32 AMG though - the earlier one wasn’t
Back in the day when MB charged for a stereo!