RE: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

RE: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

Author
Discussion

hoagypubdog

590 posts

143 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Deep Thought said:
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.
True, can't beat V8 AMG for noise but I enjoyed the noise my C32 made

bockaaarck

393 posts

167 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
A carpool article from just over 5 years ago. Is entirely responsible for me owning a C55 saloon now. I had no intention of buying one. But having read the article, I did a search, and a garage a few miles from me had one. Went and had a look, took it for a test drive, and that was it!

In the five years I’ve owned it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen another one parked or on the road. It’s not been too expensive in terms of maintenance. Disks and pads done, had to replace a couple of springs. Also had to do a spark plug change at a major service (2 per cylinder, so 16 plugs all told!).

In terms of driving, it’s a really comfortable, very easy drive. It’s well mannered in day to day traffic. Perhaps the box is not the fastest, but that’s not a major issue, to be honest. It has paddle / button shift on wheel. And the box seems to react well enough to inputs from that.

Other than the burble / gentle rumble. Its easy, at low speeds, to almost forget the potential the car has. Certainly it’s not like an M3, in terms of dynamics, but it’s pretty good. Yes, you’re aware that there’s a big lump in the front. Something my wife takes great pleasure in reminding me (I’m pretty sure she’s not talking about the engine). But the chassis seems to handle the weight very well. Unless you get really over enthusiastic / stupid.

It’s a proper A road / motorway blaster and it does it with ease and comfort. Yes, it can move along B roads fine. But that’s not really the environment where this car shines. It can certainly make very good progress indeed, with a prod of the “Moo” pedal.

The thing I like most about it, is that’s not too “shouty”. It looks, for the most part, like a bog standard C class. I’m pretty sure most people, who pay any attention to the badge on the back. Think I’ve gone to Halfords or eBay and stuck it on myself. It’s got a bullet proof engine, it has a quiet character all of its own. And it can certainly be a hooligan if you want it to be.

Genuinely a pleasurable car to own.........even with the frequent refuelling stops.







Edited by bockaaarck on Sunday 5th July 13:24

Deep Thought

35,724 posts

196 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
hoagypubdog said:
True, can't beat V8 AMG for noise but I enjoyed the noise my C32 made
Oh indeed. The C32 was a great car in its own right.

I had its predecessor - the C36.


Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Rat_Fink_67 said:
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.
Thanks for the info. Is there considerable work involved in transplanting the 5.4L into a W202 do you know?

It’s a pity AMG didn’t offer this engine in the W203 Sport Coupe, like they did the C32. I think Brabus managed to get a 6.1L to fit though


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
Thanks sm, that was some list price for the late 90s. By comparison, I recall an E39 M5 being £58k (subsequently dropped to £52k in 2000), and a B5 RS4 £48k I think

Rat_Fink_67

2,309 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Leins said:
Thanks for the info. Is there considerable work involved in transplanting the 5.4L into a W202 do you know?

It’s a pity AMG didn’t offer this engine in the W203 Sport Coupe, like they did the C32. I think Brabus managed to get a 6.1L to fit though.
It's about as straightforward as any swap goes really. Best bet is to use a W208 or W210 sourced engine, as the W163, W220 and W215 have slight differences with the sumps etc. Other thing to watch is the wiring harness, the C43 uses ME2.0 management, and some of the later engines swapped to ME2.8 (from memory, it's been a while!) which creates a few issues with plug connector compatibility. But if you get an engine out of an early W210 E55 for example, you literally just swap them over and connect the plugs. The standard C43 management will run the engine no problem, although some people get a specific 55 remap. The official AMG conversion also added the CLK55 transmission and diff, but they're not absolute necessities. The gearbox in the C43 had a couple of known weaknesses that were beefed up for the CLK 55, and the CLK diff is also slightly larger with a different ratio too. I did a swap years ago with just the engine and it was perfectly fine, the owner of that particular car had already had the transmission reconditioned though owing to a previous failure.

marcom44

44 posts

103 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
I have just bought a silver one for $8k in NZ with 180km but a full MB history a hell of a car for Corolla money. A few things need fixing but the engine is awesome iis my weekend car and does feel a bit special.

mini me

1,435 posts

192 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
marcom44 said:
I have just bought a silver one for $8k in NZ with 180km but a full MB history a hell of a car for Corolla money. A few things need fixing but the engine is awesome iis my weekend car and does feel a bit special.
Welcome to the fold! What’s broken? Do most of the work on ours myself so maybe have some tips? Do your heated seats work? They are a common issue. At least the seat bases.

fiju

704 posts

62 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Makes me wonder why the clk55's are so cheap in comparison?

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Rat_Fink_67 said:
It's about as straightforward as any swap goes really. Best bet is to use a W208 or W210 sourced engine, as the W163, W220 and W215 have slight differences with the sumps etc. Other thing to watch is the wiring harness, the C43 uses ME2.0 management, and some of the later engines swapped to ME2.8 (from memory, it's been a while!) which creates a few issues with plug connector compatibility. But if you get an engine out of an early W210 E55 for example, you literally just swap them over and connect the plugs. The standard C43 management will run the engine no problem, although some people get a specific 55 remap. The official AMG conversion also added the CLK55 transmission and diff, but they're not absolute necessities. The gearbox in the C43 had a couple of known weaknesses that were beefed up for the CLK 55, and the CLK diff is also slightly larger with a different ratio too. I did a swap years ago with just the engine and it was perfectly fine, the owner of that particular car had already had the transmission reconditioned though owing to a previous failure.
That’s great info thanks. I already have a W163 55, just waiting for something major to go wrong with it! biggrin

fiju said:
Makes me wonder why the clk55's are so cheap in comparison?
I think it’s probably due to their reputation for corrosion. But I do think they are a very appealing package, and still one of the prettiest Merc designs of the modern era

Just need to add some safety car stickers and roof lights!

Rat_Fink_67

2,309 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Leins said:
That’s great info thanks. I already have a W163 55, just waiting for something major to go wrong with it! biggrin
No probs! As for the W163, barring rust they're pretty bulletproof so should give you plenty of "smiles per gallon" yet! thumbup

fiju said:
Makes me wonder why the clk55's are so cheap in comparison?
The W209 CLK55 seems to suffer from being the most mass produced of the AMG models, without having the USP of a supercharger or turbos etc, and consequently amongst AMG aficianados seems to be regarded as the "least special". The earlier W208 was relatively rare, and the W209's contemporaries in the AMG line-up all had something a bit extra to bring to the table; be it the C55 having a bespoke nose and being quite hard to come by, or the supercharged M113 fitted in the the rest of the cars. The SLK 55 was obviously packing the same N/A motor but a bit more niche due to it being smaller and a roadster etc. Just from what I've picked up over the years anyway.

Personally though, I'm a coupe fan anyway so really like the CLK. As noted previously, they're a really pretty shape, and the bodykit adds just enough aggression. 360+ hp isn't to be sniffed at either! Bit of a bargain really.

fiju

704 posts

62 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Yes indeed. You can pick up a w208 clk55 for £2.5k. That's almost shed money.

Honk

1,985 posts

202 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
Had a C55 AMG for 2 years. Thank fk for the Tier One warranty.

Rat_Fink_67

2,309 posts

205 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
fiju said:
Yes indeed. You can pick up a w208 clk55 for £2.5k. That's almost shed money.
If you're a fan of delicate lace effect bodywork laugh. Tidy ones seem to be around the £7500-10000 mark.

AMGSee55

629 posts

101 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
bockaaarck said:
A carpool article from just over 5 years ago. Is entirely responsible for me owning a C55 saloon now. I had no intention of buying one. But having read the article, I did a search, and a garage a few miles from me had one. Went and had a look, took it for a test drive, and that was it!

In the five years I’ve owned it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen another one parked or on the road. It’s not been too expensive in terms of maintenance. Disks and pads done, had to replace a couple of springs. Also had to do a spark plug change at a major service (2 per cylinder, so 16 plugs all told!).

In terms of driving, it’s a really comfortable, very easy drive. It’s well mannered in day to day traffic. Perhaps the box is not the fastest, but that’s not a major issue, to be honest. It has paddle / button shift on wheel. And the box seems to react well enough to inputs from that.

Other than the burble / gentle rumble. Its easy, at low speeds, to almost forget the potential the car has. Certainly it’s not like an M3, in terms of dynamics, but it’s pretty good. Yes, you’re aware that there’s a big lump in the front. Something my wife takes great pleasure in reminding me (I’m pretty sure she’s not talking about the engine). But the chassis seems to handle the weight very well. Unless you get really over enthusiastic / stupid.

It’s a proper A road / motorway blaster and it does it with ease and comfort. Yes, it can move along B roads fine. But that’s not really the environment where this car shines. It can certainly make very good progress indeed, with a prod of the “Moo” pedal.

The thing I like most about it, is that’s not too “shouty”. It looks, for the most part, like a bog standard C class. I’m pretty sure most people, who pay any attention to the badge on the back. Think I’ve gone to Halfords or eBay and stuck it on myself. It’s got a bullet proof engine, it has a quiet character all of its own. And it can certainly be a hooligan if you want it to be.

Genuinely a pleasurable car to own.........even with the frequent refuelling stops.







Edited by bockaaarck on Sunday 5th July 13:24
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-carpool/mercedes-benz-c55-amg-ph-carpool/32073
I presume you mean this one? wink Best car I ever owned biggrin

supacool1

365 posts

178 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
I love that. Do prefer a wagon.

Didn't they use an estate for the Medical and safety car in F1 a few years ago? I remember hearing them rumble around.

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
supacool1 said:
I love that. Do prefer a wagon.

Didn't they use an estate for the Medical and safety car in F1 a few years ago? I remember hearing them rumble around.
Yep, it was used as Sid Watkins’ medical car in 2004, while the SLK55 was the traffic blocker


cheddar

4,637 posts

173 months

Sunday 5th July 2020
quotequote all
s m said:
164mph in 4th thumbup

bockaaarck

393 posts

167 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
AMGSee55 said:
.......
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-carpool/merced...
I presume you mean this one? wink Best car I ever owned biggrin
Damn it, yes! I consider you wholly responsible for my current situation. biggrin

edc

9,231 posts

250 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
Loved my one. Fairly subtle and not so in your face. Prefer the look and lines to the later C63. Some minor mods and 400bhp/400lbsft.

leglessAlex

5,384 posts

140 months

Monday 6th July 2020
quotequote all
I've always wanted to stuff the runing gear from one of these into an old, W108 stack headlight Merc, Binky style.

If it's anything like the successor, it'll be an amazing car. I had a W204 C63 estate, and honestly it was so much more than the sum of it's parts. Ruinous running costs aside, I should never have sold it. Big, big mistake.