OPPOinions on 2005/6 C55 AMG?

"davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com" (davesaddiction) 07/30/2019 at 11:03 • Filed to: None

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Friend is thinking of getting one.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:09

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No idea about ownership but they’re super cool and a relative unicorn.

Ssfancyfresh > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:14

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I’ve always liked the blue glass on certain Mercs of that era

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:14

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You don’t often see them, and they’re cool, but the letter is “E” for me from this era of AMG 55's

benn454 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:18

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Used German luxury car?

How big is their repair and maintenance budget? 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Tripper 07/30/2019 at 11:18

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davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > benn454 07/30/2019 at 11:21

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Right.

I told him to get a PPI. Said his coworker is becoming a part owner of a little Mercedes shop in town, and the car is there. Only 50k, but interior damage of some kind? Not sure.

Wouldn’t be his daily driver. 

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:24

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The only thing I don’t like about the C from this era is that it was the pinnacle of all that is wrong with sedans. There was no reason to have four doors on something so tiny, it should have just been a coupe.

My late FIL had a CLK with this engine and it was a screamer. Very well mannered, but would gladly kick the tail out when pressed. A bit of a sleeper when 99% of all CLKs were running around with the 220-ish hp 3.5 V6

superdave847 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:24

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I’ve always thought these are a great value.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2019 at 11:29

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Definitely a sleeper! 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2019 at 11:30

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Unless you get the DTM. =)

Jordan > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:35

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The C55 uses the M113 engine, which is a very reliable engine. I’ve seen some E55 AMG’s with the same engine with 400k miles pop up for sale. Solid transmission too. However, the C55 is still a W203 C Class. That means it’ll be prone to rust, electrical problems, suspension problems, interior falling apart, etc.

Tell your friend to get an E55 instead.

Jordan > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:35

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The C55 uses the M113 engine, which is a very reliable engine. I’ve seen some E55 AMG’s with the same engine with 400k miles pop up for sale. Solid transmission too. However, the C55 is still a W203 C Class. That means it’ll be prone to rust, electrical problems, suspension problems, interior falling apart, etc.

Tell your friend to get an E55 instead.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Ssfancyfresh 07/30/2019 at 11:36

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Came here to agree. When not beat up (ie not rusty) these are gorgeous and imo comparable to the W123 level of  aesthetic appeal (I know these are not descendants of the W123)

Tripper > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:48

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With my favorite wheel style too, you shouldn’t have!

M.T. Blake > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 11:57

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Any smaller sedan with a big engine is fun. They can’t get much cheaper than they are now. Granted they won’t be going up in value anytime soon either. 

Thomas Donohue > Tripper 07/30/2019 at 12:40

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I go just a little later with t he last refresh of the W211

2007-2009 E63 ( or the sleeper E550)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jordan 07/30/2019 at 12:57

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Thanks for the info. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > M.T. Blake 07/30/2019 at 13:12

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So, buy, hoon, and put away wet? 

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 13:24

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Fantastic engine. The C’s have some annoying interior issues (door handles, HVAC flap arms, trim falling off, fit & finish) , and the occasional electronic issue (lots of instrument cluster failures, comms problems, etc) but really I can’t hate on them too much . That stuff just reminds you that you’re in the “baby Benz”, ‘twas ever thus since the 190E . Those engines do not die, they just leak oil. Transmissions will exceed 200k with good service as well, no mean feat behind a torque monster. I’ll always prefer the E class, but really these are fun for the money.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench 07/30/2019 at 13:39

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Thanks for the input!

How’s life? =)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 15:42

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Tfritsch nailed it. Excellent engine and trans combo. Same as my 210 E55 actually. Stay on top of the maintenance schedule and they'll run forever.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 07/30/2019 at 15:55

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Thanks!

Renescent > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 16:02

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Everything you’ve read below could happen but hasn’t happened on mine... 184k miles on, largely, routine maintenance over my 8 years of ownership . The only thing I didn’t do myself was replacing the conductor plate when the transmission went wonky.

Bulletproof engine, no antiquated tech, none of the expensive worries you get with the E/S class (ABC, soft close, push button, etc.), and wide availability of parts (except front bumper covers *grrrr*) that can be easily DIY’d. The only problem I read/see/hear with any regularity is valve cover leaks.

Wants to be daily driven, instant smiles, great exhaust note, fairly flingable, but you’ll get 20 MPG if you’re light on the pedal and you’ll replace back tires at a 2:1 rate versus the fronts (wheels are offset).

Probably at the lowest depreciation curve, last real low volume AMG, an absolute sleeper.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Renescent 07/30/2019 at 16:07

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Thanks!

RallyWrench > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2019 at 16:52

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You bet! Life is life, motoring through summer. H oping for a couple of mountain trips with the family, planning work on the car, looking for employment opportunities, the usual ;) Did a couple hundred mile rip up to Big Sur and over the mountains the on a pretty special backroad a couple of weekends ago, which was amazing. It was the first time I’ve taken it out to just whale on it for awhile, I’ve been doing a bunch of work to it so I needed that . I need to do a summer project update and share some pics, come to think of it... How about you?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench 07/30/2019 at 17:23

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Mountains... I need more mountains... That Big Sur trip sounds great. Need a few hours of back road therapy myself soon.

Crazy to think only a couple more weeks til school (and soccer season) starts for our crew . Been a good, busy summer. Need to remember to rest more next summer - ha! Last few weeks we had my sister’s family visiting from California and then my little brother’s family visiting from China. Was so great to spend time with them and let the kids get some good cousin time in. Trying not to thing of all the projects around the house that aren’t getting done... Kids will have a week away at the in-laws right before school, so maybe I’ll make some headway then.