C55 AMG - Sensible?

[cronk-flakes]

Long story short - after finalising my new job role, I'm moving back to the UK and I need a car.

I was going to just buy a hot hatch and be done with it, but I love the thought of an overly powerful exec car.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3577847.htm

Insurance quote comes in at £1800 for the C55 (I'm 23), so it kind of sounds like the perfect match. Big V8, comfy seats and a lot of power.

What are everyones thoughts on the C55? I'm not expecting maintenance to be small (petrol, servicing etc...) but does anyone have any first hand experience with these?

[StottyZr]

I like the title. Sensible? Yes, possibly with obscene levels of man maths

Go for it if you can afford, should be a cracking car. I've never owned a big V8 but the advice I hear around here quite often is to keep a few thousend saved just incase something goes pop.

[badlands1]

If you likey you buyee.

Go for it dude.

[Johnboy Mac]

StottyZr said:

keep a few thousend saved just incase something goes pop.

+1 to that. I'd be concerned about g/box problems and the odd electrical fault.

[Johnboy Mac]

I ment to say the tinted windows are off putting imo.

[cronk-flakes]

Johnboy Mac said:

+1 to that. I'd be concerned about g/box problems and the odd electrical fault.

Hmmm - I'll have to look deeper into the potential pitfalls. Thanks for the input.

The tinted windows don't really bother me... Although it does make it look a bit naff, now that you have mentioned it. That can always be changed, though! (I assume...)

[Johnboy Mac]

cronk-flakes said:

Hmmm - I'll have to look deeper into the potential pitfalls. Thanks for the input.

The tinted windows don't really bother me... Although it does make it look a bit naff, now that you have mentioned it. That can always be changed, though! (I assume...)

Besides the naff bit , I was referring to what the previous owner was like - spend money on tints and not on something more important that's unseen. It's not a fair indication but....

Edited by Johnboy Mac on Friday 3rd February 11:21

[jimxms]

If it suffers with the same issues as the E55 gearbox, then make sure you get a good warranty from the dealer and take someone with you who knows about the Merc gearbox problems before you buy.

I just got an E55 and narrowly escaped a £2200 bill for a gearbox rebuild - paid for by the dealer.

Took over a month tog et the work done tho

[joebongo]

I'm intrigued - what are the 'box problems? I always thought Merc boxes were the most solid bit of their cars (going from my old W124 experience admittedly).

[cronk-flakes]

jimxms said:

If it suffers with the same issues as the E55 gearbox, then make sure you get a good warranty from the dealer and take someone with you who knows about the Merc gearbox problems before you buy.

I just got an E55 and narrowly escaped a £2200 bill for a gearbox rebuild - paid for by the dealer.

Took over a month tog et the work done tho

Ouch!! That doesn't sound so appealing! Are there any recommended inspectors that could give it a good look over, beforehand?

[jimxms]

joebongo said:

I'm intrigued - what are the 'box problems? I always thought Merc boxes were the most solid bit of their cars (going from my old W124 experience admittedly).

Well the problem is actually with the radiator- the seals are ste and can allow coolant from the engine to mix with transmission fluid. This eats the torque converter and other bits causing massive damage and a hefty repair bill.

What's worse is that if it is caught before it does massive damage, you can mask the minor damage by simply flushing the transmission fluid and all the symptoms of the problem disappear for a few thousand miles.

[PaperCut]

Have you thought about an Audi S4 4.2 V8, with a manual, or do you want an auto? - you should be able to get a newer S4 with your budget?

The AMG is nice though!

[jimxms]

cronk-flakes said:

Ouch!! That doesn't sound so appealing! Are there any recommended inspectors that could give it a good look over, beforehand?

Cant recommend anyone unfortunately, but can offer some basic advice...

1) Drive the car like Miss Marple. If you hear any rumble (like going over a rumble strip) in the mid/rear of the car at 1500-2000 RPM walk away

2) If you get any juddering when pulling away or when the tranny shifts. Walk away

3) If the service history or receipts show an unusual number of tranny fluid flushes (more than 2 at 100k miles), walk away.

4) See if you can find any reference to the radiator being changed. Valeo is the make of the crap radiators (in general) but its a bit hard to see from looking in the engine bay if the radiator has been swapped for a decent one.

Edit to add more:

Also if the car was serviced by indie's in the latter part of its life, give them a call and see if they can offer you any more info on the cars history.

I did this after purchasing mine, and found out that my car was notorious with them and the previous owner spent a fortune getting everything from the fuel pump to the suspension replaced.

Edited by jimxms on Friday 3rd February 11:53

[devnull]

mbclub.co.uk is an excellent source of info on the valeo rad issue.

[pdavison]

I've owned one and loved it almost as much as it loved petrol!

Seriously underrated car with plenty of go but really subtle looks wise. I never had any issues with it and only had standard servicing costs & it makes a lovely noise when you want it to.

Go for it if you want something a little different.

[cronk-flakes]

Thanks for all of the info, guys! I really appreciate it.

I guess I'll do my homework and try to find the best example for the money. I'm aiming to move within walking distance of the office, so it will only really be used at weekends, hence the big V8

I've looked at the S4's, but my close friend is currently looking at getting the S4 Avant, and my old man has an RS4, so I thought I should take a different direction!

Thanks again, fellas!

[rj1986]

Just remember, even though its a £60k car now down to 12k, it will still have the servicing and running costs of a 60k car.

Im learning that the hard way.

[jimxms]

rj1986 said:

Just remember, even though its a £60k car now down to 12k, it will still have the servicing and running costs of a 60k car.

Im learning that the hard way.

Don't be a wuss, get stuck in yaself

I've done the sparks, belts, filters, gaskets, engine oil, coolant, rear diff oil and brake pads in mine - its all pretty easy stuff.

[tomsugden]

A mate of mine bought an S55 AMG a couple of years ago, and it's an amazing bit of kit. Every toy you can imagine in it, fast as fk, and completely reliable thus far.

[funkyrobot]

Is this the right info for this car?

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mercedes-benz...

If so, read before you buy.