RE: Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG | Spotted

[steviespoff]

carinaman said:

That door mirror on the purple 500 looks wrong.

??

[trando]

I had the saloon version of the C55 about 10 years ago and I still regret selling it as it was a great car. There are very few of them around now in decent condition. I should have kept it and looked after it but I px'd it for the new C63 which had just come out....

[ZX10R NIN]

fiju said:

Makes me wonder why the clk55's are so cheap in comparison?

I have wondered why the CLK hasn't reached the heights of the C55 unless you need 5 seats it's actually a bit more practical with the folding rear seats windows that drop away making putting a 50 inch tv in the back a breeze.

I loved mine but prices are rising now especially for the coupes which are harder to find & now prices are firming up & rising slightly only a year ago you could get a sub 100k W209 CLK55 for around 7k.

[stevie777777]

great cars - sold my C63 coupe yesterday - this article makes me miss it even more...

[Sandpit Steve]

apc321 said:

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?

If it’s already registered in the U.K., then the potentially difficult bits like lighting and speedo in MPH will have been done.

The bits to check are the service history (which can be tricky when calling Japan), rustproofing and the radio/infotainment (Japan uses different FM frequencies).That last one can be really annoying on newer models where everything is integrated, will be a couple of grand if you end up at the dealer rather than a scrappy.

Most Jap market cars are well looked after and usually have low miles for the age. Annoying can be various aftermarket electricals like toll booth readers installed in funny places.

On a German car sold worldwide, parts are not normally an issue, as opposed to JDM-only local cars which are ore tricky. Occasionally there will be a piece of trim or a light that was market-specific though. Loads of good forums (here and elsewhere) will help you.

[MickyveloceClassic]

Lovely subtle express - the definitive under-the-radar Mercedes sports saloon.

I’ve driven these on road and track, and they are a super fast-road machine; comfortable and brisk with an innate hand-built feel. As has been said, the front end was elongated to accommodate the 5.5 engine.

I run a 1996 C36 and a 2013 C63, but these are far less shouty.

[DKL]

They are nice machines, an ideal daily really. Not too big but practical enough. Fuel consumption is about 10% better than the equivalent 211 e55.
Shame about the propensity to rust at the back.
I've never found ours "that" quick but I suppose it depends what you compare it to.

[pSyCoSiS]

Fantastic brute of a car. Un-assuming to those who don't know.

Amazing soundtrack and looks uber cool as a wagon.

[d_a_n1979]

Jap import by any chance?

Just looking at the tailgate and size of the number plate etc

[AMGSee55]

d_a_n1979 said:

Jap import by any chance?

Just looking at the tailgate and size of the number plate etc

Yup - referenced in the text

[AMGSee55]

MickyveloceClassic said:

Lovely subtle express - the definitive under-the-radar Mercedes sports saloon.

I’ve driven these on road and track, and they are a super fast-road machine; comfortable and brisk with an innate hand-built feel. As has been said, the front end was elongated to accommodate the 5.5 engine.

I run a 1996 C36 and a 2013 C63, but these are far less shouty.

I’ll always remember on track days how much the interior creaked in fast corners. Although the handling was very good in overall terms, it was a salient reminder as to why race cars do not use 5-door body shells! Excepting the 850Rs but they were cross braced inside the boot IIRC?

Great fun on track though

[MickyveloceClassic]

AMGSee55 said:

I’ll always remember on track days how much the interior creaked in fast corners. Although the handling was very good in overall terms, it was a salient reminder as to why race cars do not use 5-door body shells! Excepting the 850Rs but they were cross braced inside the boot IIRC?

Great fun on track though

Yes, great fun, especially as I was driving a car I didn’t have to pay for at an event sponsored by Pirelli!

I’ve driven my C36 around the Nurburgring some years ago, and, with all due consideration to my own tyres, fuel, repairs and trip home, drove it like it was made of fine bone china...

[braddo]

I love these. I needed some more space after 4 years in a C43 but these weren’t quite big enough.

The understated styling with the great noise make for a compelling package that will become more desirable as cars have become so chintzy in recent years.

[Court_S]

That’s pretty cool, prefer the estates to the saloon. Mercedes makes a good sounding V8.

[fiju]

Rat_Fink_67 said:

If you're a fan of delicate lace effect bodywork . Tidy ones seem to be around the £7500-10000 mark.

Really? Average price is well below £5k. You may have perhaps seen the odd one higher than that, but they must be owned by 'dreamers'.