Thoughts on C55 AMG?
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Originally Posted by PCH CRUISE
its pretty fast, but it depreciates pretty damn bad... and worse it looks like a c230 with amg kit 
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As a very happy owner of a C55, how can I not respond to this thread?
I think the C55 is a great 4 door performance sedan for the road. As in the case of all AMG cars, the best thing about it is the engine. Hand built 5.4 L V8 making 362 HP and 376 lb-ft torque. Unlike the M3, most of the power is accessible in the low-mid rpm range, meaning you don't have to rev the engine very high to get the full torque and acceleration.
0-60mph in 4.7-5.0 seconds, 1/4 mile in low-mid 13's. Pretty much on par with the M3 and faster than the S4 (but obviously slower than the upcoming RS4).
The most noticeable difference compared to the older C32 AMG is the great improvement in HANDLING.....that's right, I said HANDLING.
Most people assume that all AMG cars can't handle very well. Compared to the C32, the C55 got a 14mm wider front track, 20% stiffer springs and a completely revised ESP system which mimics a mechanical LSD. The C55 also has a quicker steering ratio (2.8 turns lock to lock), making the steering feel much more responsive.
The improvement in handling is illustrated by higher slalom speeds, and skidpad numbers compared to the C32. In fact, the numbers are just slightly lower than the benchmark M3 in this class of cars.
Nurburgring lap time of the C55 is 8.22 minutes, which is exactly the same as the E46 M3. It is faster than the B6 S4 Avant (8.29 minutes), and quite a bit faster than the C32 it replaced (8.37 minutes).
Evo magazine also did a direct comparison test between the B7 RS4, M3 CS (competition package), and stock C55 around their benchmark 1.8 mile test track in Jan 2006. The RS4 was clearly the fastest with a lap time of 88.6 seconds. The M3 CS was a full 1.2 seconds slower at 89.8 seconds. The pleasant surprise was the narrowed tired C55 was only 0.3 seconds behind the M3 CS at 90.3 seconds.
Of course, the price for this improved handling is a harsher, bumpier ride compared to the C32, but the C55 is still not as harsh/loud as a M3.
As a track car, the M3 is still king. Even though the C55 seems to be just as fast, the M3 still has superior steering feel, braking feel, and superior sense of "balance" when carving up a track. The M3 inspires more confidence when at the handling limits.
Bottom line: The M3 is still the best bet if you want a superior track car. But the C55 is a better road car because it is more comfortable but doesn't really give up that much in terms of handling prowess on the streets. The RS4 is the new benchmark now in terms of straightline acceleration and handling in terms of lap times, but is quite a bit more expensive. The S4 is the slowest, but offers the security of AWD and a manual transmission which the C55 doesn't.
In regards to the looks of the C55, it has a completely revised and 8cm longer front end compared to the standard C-class to accomodate the 5.4L V8. But I agree that the front apron, side skirts, rear skirts and quad exhausts are a bit understated and only a keen eye can tell the difference compared to a standard C230 or C350 sport sedan. The most obivous cosmetic changes for the C55 are the quad exhausts, different front end structure and grill, lip spoiler on the trunk, and 4 piston brake calipers on large drilled brake discs behind the AMG 18" alloy wheels.
I think the C55 is a great 4 door performance sedan for the road. As in the case of all AMG cars, the best thing about it is the engine. Hand built 5.4 L V8 making 362 HP and 376 lb-ft torque. Unlike the M3, most of the power is accessible in the low-mid rpm range, meaning you don't have to rev the engine very high to get the full torque and acceleration.
0-60mph in 4.7-5.0 seconds, 1/4 mile in low-mid 13's. Pretty much on par with the M3 and faster than the S4 (but obviously slower than the upcoming RS4).
The most noticeable difference compared to the older C32 AMG is the great improvement in HANDLING.....that's right, I said HANDLING.
Most people assume that all AMG cars can't handle very well. Compared to the C32, the C55 got a 14mm wider front track, 20% stiffer springs and a completely revised ESP system which mimics a mechanical LSD. The C55 also has a quicker steering ratio (2.8 turns lock to lock), making the steering feel much more responsive.
The improvement in handling is illustrated by higher slalom speeds, and skidpad numbers compared to the C32. In fact, the numbers are just slightly lower than the benchmark M3 in this class of cars.
Nurburgring lap time of the C55 is 8.22 minutes, which is exactly the same as the E46 M3. It is faster than the B6 S4 Avant (8.29 minutes), and quite a bit faster than the C32 it replaced (8.37 minutes).
Evo magazine also did a direct comparison test between the B7 RS4, M3 CS (competition package), and stock C55 around their benchmark 1.8 mile test track in Jan 2006. The RS4 was clearly the fastest with a lap time of 88.6 seconds. The M3 CS was a full 1.2 seconds slower at 89.8 seconds. The pleasant surprise was the narrowed tired C55 was only 0.3 seconds behind the M3 CS at 90.3 seconds.
Of course, the price for this improved handling is a harsher, bumpier ride compared to the C32, but the C55 is still not as harsh/loud as a M3.
As a track car, the M3 is still king. Even though the C55 seems to be just as fast, the M3 still has superior steering feel, braking feel, and superior sense of "balance" when carving up a track. The M3 inspires more confidence when at the handling limits.
Bottom line: The M3 is still the best bet if you want a superior track car. But the C55 is a better road car because it is more comfortable but doesn't really give up that much in terms of handling prowess on the streets. The RS4 is the new benchmark now in terms of straightline acceleration and handling in terms of lap times, but is quite a bit more expensive. The S4 is the slowest, but offers the security of AWD and a manual transmission which the C55 doesn't.
In regards to the looks of the C55, it has a completely revised and 8cm longer front end compared to the standard C-class to accomodate the 5.4L V8. But I agree that the front apron, side skirts, rear skirts and quad exhausts are a bit understated and only a keen eye can tell the difference compared to a standard C230 or C350 sport sedan. The most obivous cosmetic changes for the C55 are the quad exhausts, different front end structure and grill, lip spoiler on the trunk, and 4 piston brake calipers on large drilled brake discs behind the AMG 18" alloy wheels.
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Apr 21, 2006 at 11:40 PM.
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To add to PC Valkyrie's excellent comparison, the C55's interior is quite a bit better than the standard C-class. The AMG leather sport seats are just as comfortable as the S4's Recaro's and with the stitching and alcantara leather inserts - they look really nice too
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Hi Marc!
Like Marc I had a C55 for about six months and then moved to the M3. I generally agree with him in that it is a heavier car but it was fantastic and I really enjoyed it alot. I would definetly choose the C55 over the S4, it is quite a bit faster and handles better as well. Lap to lap comparos with the standard M3 were a statistical wash. Its a bit of a sleeper, doesn't inspire confidence as well as an M3 but it can be pushed and is a stunning touring car. The interior looks similar to the std C-class but the leather was first class, better than most anything I have had including my M3 and my wife's 745Li.
The motor is awesome, sounds great, power everywhere. Speedshift is great, very useable. My biggest complaint was ESP. It will let you play a little (My PS2's got burned down in a hurry) but it won't let you slide much. you definetly will not be dissappointed.
Like Marc I had a C55 for about six months and then moved to the M3. I generally agree with him in that it is a heavier car but it was fantastic and I really enjoyed it alot. I would definetly choose the C55 over the S4, it is quite a bit faster and handles better as well. Lap to lap comparos with the standard M3 were a statistical wash. Its a bit of a sleeper, doesn't inspire confidence as well as an M3 but it can be pushed and is a stunning touring car. The interior looks similar to the std C-class but the leather was first class, better than most anything I have had including my M3 and my wife's 745Li.
The motor is awesome, sounds great, power everywhere. Speedshift is great, very useable. My biggest complaint was ESP. It will let you play a little (My PS2's got burned down in a hurry) but it won't let you slide much. you definetly will not be dissappointed.
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Originally Posted by PCH CRUISE
its pretty fast, but it depreciates pretty damn bad... and worse it looks like a c230 with amg kit
the c55 at least has the clk front clip. c32 depreciated HARD and the c230 w/ amg kit looks almost identical. thing i like about c32 is its modability. not a whole lot out there, but 350-380rwhp is just a few boltons awayi think the c55 has a pretty fresh look and interior. compared to m3, i think m3 still has a more visceral feel, but as a car it is not really rare. still a fantastic car, however. the thing about amg cars, i.e. n/a amg cars, is that there's not much differentiation to base models. that said, the c55 is a great car i think but it is still an entry level. nonetheless, i really like the idea of a big n/a motor in a small car. the c55 has a few subtle touches which make it a little special
Last edited by KompressorKev; Apr 21, 2006 at 10:11 PM.
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