C55 AMG Experience...
Discussion
Hi,
I am looking at changing my car and the C55 AMG seems to fit the bill.
There seems to be a lack of these on the 2nd hand market and prices vary from £15k to £30k. I would be looking at an early one with ideally around 60k miles.
What sort of running costs should I expect?
Any know problems?
What are desirable options to have?
Any owners like to share their experiences?
Thanks
I am looking at changing my car and the C55 AMG seems to fit the bill.
There seems to be a lack of these on the 2nd hand market and prices vary from £15k to £30k. I would be looking at an early one with ideally around 60k miles.
What sort of running costs should I expect?
Any know problems?
What are desirable options to have?
Any owners like to share their experiences?
Thanks
derin100 said:
Wow, fantastic looking car mate...this had made me want one even more!How long have you had it and have you had any issues?
Hi,
I have a C55 and it's a good car, more subtle than an M3 but just as quick.
MPG is 25/26 on the motorway with sub 20 in town.
It's very quiet, refined and sensible.
If you can manage the running costs (its a lot more expesive than a Focus) then I would recommend one.
Best of luck.
Keith
I have a C55 and it's a good car, more subtle than an M3 but just as quick.
MPG is 25/26 on the motorway with sub 20 in town.
It's very quiet, refined and sensible.
If you can manage the running costs (its a lot more expesive than a Focus) then I would recommend one.
Best of luck.
Keith
I haven't had mine long...only about 3 months and have used it fairly sparingly.
As Keithcollins said it's a more subtle car than an M3 but very fast if you open it up. I read an EVO review somewhere online that summed it up as something along the lines of: " For most normal drivers they'll be happier 90% of the time with the C55 over the M3 and it's only that 10% of time spent near the limit that the M3 is more involving". But I figured that most people who write for EVO may be pretty 'hard-core' or 'macho' and that the C55 would be the clear winner for a VERY ordinary driver like me!
Somehow the performance figures I read somewhere (maybe in the handbook?) sounded a little conservative to me. It feels MUCH faster than my BMW E39 540i Touring (and that isn't exactly slow)...and so it should with nearly 100 bhp more in a smaller car and 510 Nm of torque...but the figures IIRC weren't vastly different? Not 0-60 anyway. Maybe I need to get all the figures out side-by-side and compare?
I haven't really got into looking at mpg figures yet as I have only been using it daily over the past couple of weeks (whilst another car of mine is away having some paintwork...W201 190E
) but it doesn't seem too horrendous. My daily drive is on easy open country A-Roads of about 10 miles each way...think I'm maybe getting about 22-23 mpg. I'm taking it on a proper run to the Dordogne in a couple of weeks so I'll be able to report back on mpg on a trip like that then.
I haven't had any issues (except I'm having to put two new back tyres on) but I was also careful to buy one with an MB Tier 1 warranty. I also have this paid up for a full further year starting in December! It had also just recently had it's 'big service' including all 16 spark plugs!
As Keithcollins said it's a more subtle car than an M3 but very fast if you open it up. I read an EVO review somewhere online that summed it up as something along the lines of: " For most normal drivers they'll be happier 90% of the time with the C55 over the M3 and it's only that 10% of time spent near the limit that the M3 is more involving". But I figured that most people who write for EVO may be pretty 'hard-core' or 'macho' and that the C55 would be the clear winner for a VERY ordinary driver like me!
Somehow the performance figures I read somewhere (maybe in the handbook?) sounded a little conservative to me. It feels MUCH faster than my BMW E39 540i Touring (and that isn't exactly slow)...and so it should with nearly 100 bhp more in a smaller car and 510 Nm of torque...but the figures IIRC weren't vastly different? Not 0-60 anyway. Maybe I need to get all the figures out side-by-side and compare?
I haven't really got into looking at mpg figures yet as I have only been using it daily over the past couple of weeks (whilst another car of mine is away having some paintwork...W201 190E
) but it doesn't seem too horrendous. My daily drive is on easy open country A-Roads of about 10 miles each way...think I'm maybe getting about 22-23 mpg. I'm taking it on a proper run to the Dordogne in a couple of weeks so I'll be able to report back on mpg on a trip like that then.I haven't had any issues (except I'm having to put two new back tyres on) but I was also careful to buy one with an MB Tier 1 warranty. I also have this paid up for a full further year starting in December! It had also just recently had it's 'big service' including all 16 spark plugs!
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm used to the fuel consumption as I have an ST220 which does 25mpg on a long run and far less around town. I also only do about 6k a year.
What are service costs? Do people stick to main dealers or indy specialists?
The other car im considering is the M3 but I won't be taking the car to the edge of its limit so I think the comfier and more practical C55 has the edge.
I'm used to the fuel consumption as I have an ST220 which does 25mpg on a long run and far less around town. I also only do about 6k a year.
What are service costs? Do people stick to main dealers or indy specialists?
The other car im considering is the M3 but I won't be taking the car to the edge of its limit so I think the comfier and more practical C55 has the edge.
Mine is all Maindealer.I don't know if this is a prerequiste of keeping the Tier1 warranty intact? I suspect it is.
One useful bit of advice the previous owner did give me was to 'shop around' the maindealers on service costs. He did this and played one off against the other on the last major service and got the price down VERY significantly!
In terms of rarity and few coming up for sale I can't really comment. However, mine is the estate version. I don't know whether it's true or not (maybe someone more knowledgable than me on the matter can confirm or dispel?) but the previous owner told me these were the cars they used for F1 Medical Cars and that all C55 Estates were only built by MB within a single month period (although there is a wide variation between when cars were actually registered). So I think C55 Estates in RHD format maybe be quite rare?
As said, I'm going on a short trip to France in a couple of weeks...by which time my 540i Estate may finally be ready. If so I may just put both cars up for sale at the same time...on a whichever goes first...goes first basis. I just have far too many cars at the moment!
What I can confirm to you (and from my website you'll see I'm obviously a fairly dyed-in-the-wool BMW fan so it irks me somewhat to admit it) that IMHO compared to an E46 M3 this is a far, far better car in the real world! If nothing else the finish is just much better.
One useful bit of advice the previous owner did give me was to 'shop around' the maindealers on service costs. He did this and played one off against the other on the last major service and got the price down VERY significantly!
In terms of rarity and few coming up for sale I can't really comment. However, mine is the estate version. I don't know whether it's true or not (maybe someone more knowledgable than me on the matter can confirm or dispel?) but the previous owner told me these were the cars they used for F1 Medical Cars and that all C55 Estates were only built by MB within a single month period (although there is a wide variation between when cars were actually registered). So I think C55 Estates in RHD format maybe be quite rare?
As said, I'm going on a short trip to France in a couple of weeks...by which time my 540i Estate may finally be ready. If so I may just put both cars up for sale at the same time...on a whichever goes first...goes first basis. I just have far too many cars at the moment!
What I can confirm to you (and from my website you'll see I'm obviously a fairly dyed-in-the-wool BMW fan so it irks me somewhat to admit it) that IMHO compared to an E46 M3 this is a far, far better car in the real world! If nothing else the finish is just much better.
derin100 said:
...IMHO compared to an E46 M3 this is a far, far better car in the real world! If nothing else the finish is just much better.
Really? That has always been my problem with the w203. The centre console and door cards in particular seem to me to be very wanting for substance and quality. I cannot stand the blocks of four switches in the console and the door-mounted window switches (should be on the transmission tunnel). By contrast, the E46 interior is hewn from the solid. Is it better than it looks?Does anyone know if it is possible to have the C55 AMG without the bodykit and without the comedy quad exhausts?
Finally: Derin, I'm surprised you tolerate those non-standard drug dealer tints.
Trust me...and though it irks me somewhat to admit it...the quality of the interior finish and materials is far superior to the E46 M3...E90 M3 interior is a different matter which is lovely.
One does actually get used to the window switches being on the doors...they're the same in the two E39s that my wife and I have and on my 840Ci Sport and on the E38s that I have had in the past:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_bl...
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
I didn't spec the car from new but those tints are actually "Option 840: Dark-tinted rear windscreen/rear side windows" from the factory when new according to the spec sheet I have with the car. On a saloon I think they wouldn't look so good (for example, I hate seeing E39 M5s with them) but on the estate IMHO I think they do actually look nice.
One does actually get used to the window switches being on the doors...they're the same in the two E39s that my wife and I have and on my 840Ci Sport and on the E38s that I have had in the past:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/blue740i/bmwc_740i_bl...
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
I didn't spec the car from new but those tints are actually "Option 840: Dark-tinted rear windscreen/rear side windows" from the factory when new according to the spec sheet I have with the car. On a saloon I think they wouldn't look so good (for example, I hate seeing E39 M5s with them) but on the estate IMHO I think they do actually look nice.
I am not sure why someone would compare a sports saloon with a fairly large estate car? I mean, you can compare anything you like but not sure it will be a very useful exercise.
I am sure that my BMW 550 is also 90% of the car my GT3 is (in normal or some other specific use) but beyond that its just pointless tbh.
I am sure that my BMW 550 is also 90% of the car my GT3 is (in normal or some other specific use) but beyond that its just pointless tbh.
But a C55 and an E46 M3 aren't so vastly different in size/scale? That's surely why the MB C-Class and the BMW 3-Series (and dare I add Audi 4s )so often come up against each other in comparisons?
550 vs 911 are (granted) poles apart (i.e mid-sized saloon vs 'sports' car) and so comparisons would be irrelevant.
550 vs 911 are (granted) poles apart (i.e mid-sized saloon vs 'sports' car) and so comparisons would be irrelevant.
Ok...just got back this morning in mine from a 2000 mile trip to the South of France.
Impressions:
Car performed magnificently throughout; comfortable, very fast when needed and rock-steady on Autoroutes; superb handling and brakes on twisty bits. More of a car than I am a driver!
Didn't encounter a single car in France that could touch it (but then they don't seem to have a lot of performance cars in France?)
Whilst sticking in the main to French speed limits (110kph and 130kph as appropriate) on cruise control and with the aircon off for the most part I managed 26 mpg. Not too bad for a 5.5L V8?
Minus points?
1)Fuel tank seems slightly small for a car of this capacity. This meant one was stopping depressingly often or wondering if one would get caught out having to refuel at the Autoroute filling stations where Super Unleaded was currently 1.46 Euros a litre!
2)Rain sensitive wipers don't seem to be the cleverest pupil in the class. Either that I was doing something wrong...must read the handbook.
Impressions:
Car performed magnificently throughout; comfortable, very fast when needed and rock-steady on Autoroutes; superb handling and brakes on twisty bits. More of a car than I am a driver!
Didn't encounter a single car in France that could touch it (but then they don't seem to have a lot of performance cars in France?)
Whilst sticking in the main to French speed limits (110kph and 130kph as appropriate) on cruise control and with the aircon off for the most part I managed 26 mpg. Not too bad for a 5.5L V8?
Minus points?
1)Fuel tank seems slightly small for a car of this capacity. This meant one was stopping depressingly often or wondering if one would get caught out having to refuel at the Autoroute filling stations where Super Unleaded was currently 1.46 Euros a litre!
2)Rain sensitive wipers don't seem to be the cleverest pupil in the class. Either that I was doing something wrong...must read the handbook.
Edited by derin100 on Sunday 8th November 11:21
Austin3000 said:
Gastro said:
My C55 AMG Estate is up for sale at the dealers.... 30k miles.
Let me know if you are interested.
I'm still looking for a good one at a reasonable price.Let me know if you are interested.
What sort of spec, colour snd price?
Cheers
http://www.mercedes-benz.motortrak.com/matrix.php?...
Its fully loaded, 3 owners, and great condition.
Up at £23k..... but I suspect you could get it for less than that.
Mine will be for sale soon!
Currently away having bonnet resprayed to remove any stone-chips and thus will be pristine.
Has a FULL year (actually over at the time of writing!) Mercedes Benz Tier 1 Warranty already in place and paid for.
Full 12 months MOT just done and 6 months Tax just put on it and two new back tyres.
Full MB Service history (obviously) with last being the BIG one with all 16 spark plugs etc. Over 6000 miles until the next service is due which will be a minor.
'54 Plate, 53K miles (last 3K essentially one easy trip to France by me and my wife).
£18950
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
Currently away having bonnet resprayed to remove any stone-chips and thus will be pristine.
Has a FULL year (actually over at the time of writing!) Mercedes Benz Tier 1 Warranty already in place and paid for.
Full 12 months MOT just done and 6 months Tax just put on it and two new back tyres.
Full MB Service history (obviously) with last being the BIG one with all 16 spark plugs etc. Over 6000 miles until the next service is due which will be a minor.
'54 Plate, 53K miles (last 3K essentially one easy trip to France by me and my wife).
£18950
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/index.php?spg...
madou said:
derin100 said:
Mine will be for sale soon!
What will be the next project ?It has only 61K miles On the clock which I believe to be absolutely genuine but MOT records only go back to 2006 and sadly the owner before the previous lost the history book and Mikey_W has kindly checked (and not unexpectedly) the MB records no longer exist on a car of this age.
It'll be 'nice' though I promise!
ETA early in the New Year hopefully!Edited by derin100 on Monday 7th December 19:25
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