I am thinking about buying an AMG Merc?

I am thinking about buying an AMG Merc?

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# Lord Lucan #

Original Poster:

234 posts

192 months

Monday 24th November 2008
quotequote all
Hi all been a FMC fan for a very long time and I am now getting itchy feet, tbh i cant make my mind up between the following cars:

C55 AMG

I like the lines the fact there is a thumping V8 under the bonnet plus it is a nice compact saloon, question is what are the pitfalls of ownership mechanically and are there anyitems to be particularly aware of when purchasing such a vehicle?

E55 AMG

I like the lines the fact there is a thumping V8 under the bonnet plus it is a decent sized saloon with a big boot something I have to think of having three kids, question is what are the pitfalls of ownership mechanically and are there anyitems to be particularly aware of when purchasing such a vehicle?

Sorry if these cars above have similar problems however never ventured much into Merc's in the past but i do feel this could be my first time and as such I would like to pick your collective brains for advice and guidance before parting with my hard earned cash for obvious reasons.

Thanks in advance all assistance will be gratefully received

amg master

625 posts

196 months

Monday 24th November 2008
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hi mate i had a c55 amg for nearly 3years it was fantastic had no problems with it.i done nearly 40000 miles in it had 2 change the front pads 3 times and changed the rear tyres about 4 times apart from that no real problems at all.
sounds great and feels realy compact and nice and discreet if you dont like people looking at you.

all the best with your choice, hope that helps.

# Lord Lucan #

Original Poster:

234 posts

192 months

Tuesday 25th November 2008
quotequote all
thanks for the response so rear tyres are an issue I like the sound of that tbh and brake pads sounds like you drive it how it was intended how was it for space inside and is the boot a decent size as I think these points will be key to me making a decision between a C class or an E class me thinks

James_EHF

123 posts

186 months

Tuesday 25th November 2008
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What model E-Class are you looking at, W210 or W211 E55?




pdavison

1,637 posts

278 months

Tuesday 25th November 2008
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I've got a C55 (currently for sale) and it is a stunning car to drive.

Drop me a line if you any more info or a chat about it.

Accelerated

973 posts

228 months

Wednesday 26th November 2008
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Go for the W210 E55, the V8 really suits the car, its also extremely roomy and very docile for everyday use, until you decide to floor it of course and all hell breaks lose !

This one looks like a good one, and it seems all common issues have been addressed, quite a few more on the PH classifieds to, as you can tell I’m a big fan!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C69568

superlightr

12,861 posts

264 months

Wednesday 26th November 2008
quotequote all
Accelerated said:
Go for the W210 E55, the V8 really suits the car, its also extremely roomy and very docile for everyday use, until you decide to floor it of course and all hell breaks lose !

This one looks like a good one, and it seems all common issues have been addressed, quite a few more on the PH classifieds to, as you can tell I’m a big fan!

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C69568
Hmmm lovely. Very nice. Like it a lot.

# Lord Lucan #

Original Poster:

234 posts

192 months

Wednesday 26th November 2008
quotequote all
great example still getting to grips with model numbers so I assume W210 is the earlier model with W211 being the newer option defo prefer the later W211 model personally if I go for an E55 jury still out is it me or do the C55's seem a rarer car to try and find??

That one with the link is a beuatiful car by the way the up side of the earlier model is of course the VED bracket as it makes it very affordable car to own but I think I am seriously thinking W211 at the moment for the E55 still have not seen many C55's in the market place though

James_EHF

123 posts

186 months

Thursday 27th November 2008
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211's are lovely (I've had a few!) but if it's your first AMG a 210's not a bad place to start at all, and it being more than half price cheaper should be a bonus these days!

RE the C55, I don't know if you would consider an estate, but this is certainly very nice

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-05-REG-MERCEDES-BENZ-C5...

# Lord Lucan #

Original Poster:

234 posts

192 months

Thursday 27th November 2008
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never gave the estate much thought tbh in either C or E guise but thinking about it having 3 kids and a wife it might be a better option now that is great at making things more complicated now damn decisions decisions I knew this would get complicated now need to speak to her indoors and see where I go from here, now got to look at the estate options and see which makes more sense for me and the family.

Any how is there anything I need to pay special attention too when going to view these vehicles when I get round to it like is this Command thingy a must have also what does it do? Sorry to sound like a dummy but this is a whole new world to me tbh

angusc43

11,508 posts

209 months

Thursday 27th November 2008
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C55's are fabulous - starting to appear in the high £teens now.

Don't discount C32's - some of the very best can be had for £15k, good early private ones down to the £10k mark.

E55's (W211) also fablulous. I have no direct experience

Yes you want COMAND - most AMG's are pretty loaded and I'd be surprised if they didn't have it. Linguatronic (voice activation) a nice to have.

If you want to knw more about all of then try the MB Club forums - lots of threads and owners there.

I'm on my second AMG (C43) and will go for a C32 of C55 next (funds determine which one).

These newer cars are fairly complicated (lots of electroncs for example) so an MB warranty could be worthwhile - £700-is pa)

marc.l

822 posts

226 months

Thursday 27th November 2008
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I would go for the Estate, cant see as the saloon offers any thing over it. I`ve got a w211 E55 estate and love it 14k mikes in 6 months....and fairly cheap to run (for a 500hp car).

angusc43

11,508 posts

209 months

Friday 28th November 2008
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Yeah - get an estate.

When we went from 1 to 2 kids I sold C43 saloon for estate.

It's easier to load plus in comes with rood rails so you can add roof box/bike rack/whatever.

We use the box when we go off for a week or so - still dragging a baby buggy around plus scooter/bike WHY for the older one.

I personally prefer the look of all the estates - C's or E's of any generation.

If you've got 3 kids then an E probably makes more sense. The C is is not a big car inside.

One small downside - if you like your music you'll ideally want a Bose/HK set up with a hidden sub to make up for lack of shelf speakers.

# Lord Lucan #

Original Poster:

234 posts

192 months

Friday 28th November 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for taking the time people after reading the last couple of posts things are becoming clearer and I am beginning to err on the side of an E55 Estate as my daughter is 7 and the twins are nearer 3 now and the idea of the hidden sub does sound attractive. I will be looking to use the car everyday and have some fun as well, are the MB club forums free to access or do you need to be a member of the club to gain access?

Also you got a link as I love cars and going to shows etc do they do all this sort of thing as well?

angusc43

11,508 posts

209 months

Friday 28th November 2008
quotequote all
[quote=# Lord Lucan #]Thanks for taking the time people after reading the last couple of posts things are becoming clearer
[/quote]

Welcome

[quote=# Lord Lucan #]and I am beginning to err on the side of an E55 Estate as my daughter is 7 and the twins are nearer 3 now
[/quote]

If I had 3 I'd have an E


[/quote]and the idea of the hidden sub does sound attractive.
[/quote]

Yep - mine is a simple after-market fit and looks kind of OK. To have one properly retro-fitted is fiddly and expensive (hence my suggestion about getiing a proper one for "free"

[quote=# Lord Lucan #]I will be looking to use the car everyday and have some fun as well
[/quote]

Yeah - AMG's are great at both - great tradeoff

[quote=# Lord Lucan #]are the MB club forums free to access or do you need to be a member of the club to gain access?
[/quote]

You can sign up for free. I pay a bit more and get the print magazine

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/index.php?

There'a a lot on there from owners of W211's - some E55's.

[quote=# Lord Lucan #]Also you got a link as I love cars and going to shows etc do they do all this sort of thing as well?
[/quote]

I don't have a link and don't really do shows - have a look at Dec's Performace Car though - The C43 is in there :-)

Good luck

Let us know how the search goes

angusc43

11,508 posts

209 months

Friday 28th November 2008
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Quick thought - don't discount the facelift E500's. If you can find one with all the toys they are v fast (380BHP) with air suspension (comfort/sport/sport2) and also have the 7 speed gearbox.

As with any of these history is everything a merc warranty a v good idea

vinnie83

3,367 posts

194 months

Saturday 29th November 2008
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W211 E55 AMG is a hell of a lot quicker than the C55 AMG - E55 AMG is supercharged so a lot more HP and a MONSTER amount of torque.

No idea of ownership costs of C55 but I imagine it's a lot cheaper than the E55.

Fuel in the E55 is reaaaaaly bad. Rear tyres are eaten up. Brakes aren't cheap (because of the fly by wire braking system only main dealers can change them).

You really want a warranty with the E55 because unfortunately they weren't the best of the well built Mercedes era, and mine had a few £1000's of warranty work done.

They do however make an awesome noise, and will out accelerate 99.9% of cars you would consider to be fast!

Jack Blag

941 posts

214 months

Saturday 29th November 2008
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I don't know what your criteria or budget is, but I would have this...
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MERC...

chiefski26

815 posts

202 months

Saturday 29th November 2008
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too expensive with that mileage ?

boyzee

250 posts

195 months

Sunday 30th November 2008
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This is my E55 AMG,i have owned it two years and have done over 20k miles with it.I have had new front disc,s pads front and rear,new crank,cam,water sensors fitted but i have loved every mile i have travelled in this car.I also own some other high performance cars but this is my favorite one it is a great family car (i have 3 grandchildren) and theres plenty of room plus large boot.You wont get much better for the mony these are going for.