C32 vs C55

[Bob_Defly]

I am in the market for used AMG Mercedes, either car will probably have mileage of around 50K-60K miles. And I will be adding around 20K miles per year.

Is there a huge difference in fuel economy between these two cars? I'm not concerned if it's only 1-2mpg but if the gap is huge then it makes a difference. Hoping for about 22mpg+..?

Also, are either of these cars known for good enough build quality to do interstellar mileage?

[slk 32]

I have both the SLK 32 and the SLK 55- so different cars- same engines!

regarding fuel economy- the 32 is better- although it is as powerful it uses a supercharger so if you drive it with a light right foot ( not easy!!) then the charger does not engage whereas the 55 just has a monster engine

32 circa 22-23 round town 28-30 on a longer run ( motorway)
55 circa 15-18 round town 23-25 on a longer run


regarding issues- the 32 engine is pretty much bulletproof- i had the kleemann pulley upgrade a couple of years ago and it still is fantastic

no problems with the 55 either- both are understressed

at the age you are looking ( especially on the 32) rust is the issue- check around the wheelarches and also rear boot lid lock. these would have been coveredwith the 8 year merc warranty ( providing you had full MBSH. )Mine was repaired under warranty but is now coming back :-(

either way- pick a good 'un and you won't regret it. both the c32 and c55 are understated in a way that the M3 could only dream of- certainly helps when pressing on

good luck

[wotnot]

slk 32 said:

32 circa 22-23 round town 28-30 on a longer run ( motorway)

Hugely impressed with that. I average around 21 in town if I'm lucky and I have never averaged 30 in the four years I've owned my C32. On a trip to darkest mid Wales, away from motorways I managed 29 once. Maybe I've got a bit of a lead foot.

Biggest problem with my car is rust. Tried talking to Mercedes about it (I had the full Merc history) and they told me it was due to stone chips. My ae - it's all over the place. Having said that, the bonnet is covered in stone chips. Never had a car so badly affected.

Anyway, I'm now getting rid of it purely because of the amount of rust that is now bubbling through along with some fairly expensive jobs just over the horizon. Its replacement is going to be a C55 as a believe they are a genuine step up and they've now dropped into my budget. I only bought the C32 in the first place because I couldn't afford a 55 but I can honestly I've had a great 4 years with it.

Which ever one you pick you'll have a barrel of laughs in it.

[Bob_Defly]

I'm also concerned about rust. But the C32 really fits my budget better, in terms of initial cost and running costs. Was the steel at this time particularly poor quality or something?

If rust starts coming through, how easy is it to fix?

[chiefski26]

Buy a c55 much much better car.

[SLacKer]

Having owned both the SLK32 and C32 I can say that rust is not inevitable. Both my cars were rust free so don't condemn the C32 just for that as they vary. There was also a warranty to get it repaired if the car had full MB Service History so some may have been done.

However I believe the C55 uses better steel so does not suffer the rust issue unless it has been abused. Also the dashboard is more modern and depending on age you may get a DVD based COMAND rather than the CD one. The front lights have clear lenses and the rear has a lip spoiler and quad exhausts and looks the part whilst still remaining discreet.

I managed 30+ MPH on a regular motorway run as long as you are gentle with the right foot but they are not an economy car.

Don't discount the CLK55 unless 4 doors is an absolute must.

[ghibbett]

SLacKer said:

I managed 30+ MPH on a regular motorway run as long as you are gentle with the right foot but they are not an economy car.

That is an extremely gentle right foot

[SLacKer]

ghibbett said:

SLacKer said:

I managed 30+ MPH on a regular motorway run as long as you are gentle with the right foot but they are not an economy car.

That is an extremely gentle right foot

Too right. I was doing a regular 140 mile trip M40, M25 etc. and found with moderate driving and use of the cruise control I could get 30+ over the distance. I also found it to be very comfortable as well.

Check for boot seal leaks as well. Mine had a small leak as it was parked on a slope and water collected at the base of the rear window. It wasn't the rubber but the seal between the rubber and the metal flange. I took it off and used plumbers boss white on the lip and put the rubber back and no more leaks.