C55

[ghm]

I am looking for a new (to me) DD, should be reliable, not too expensive to maintain, and a good drive. I found a 2006 C55 AMG with 76K miles which I am going to look at in the next couple of days. Any suggestions on what to look out for beyond general condition? I believe the M113 is fairly robust but am not really familiar with it. If not this C55, any other thoughts for a DD? Thanks!

[msq]

Nice cars, but I am not too sure of using C55 as a DD if you are located in NJ. Those low profile/hard tires with that torque make them useless in the snow. If you have a "winter car" that is a different story. I had a C43 for years and I only used it for ~6 mos a year, mostly because I did not want the car taking a beating from winter/salt/rocks of the northeast winters. However even if I did want to use it in winter, it would have been useless in snow. You can get snow tires and put weight in the trunk, start in 2nd etc., but it will not be a hassle free winter experience.

[ghm]

Good point msq, and something I have to think about. I have a 300TE 4-matic which is not getting much use, to the point where I might have to sell it. Maybe I should hang on to it for the worst of the winter. 500E and Cab are hibernating in the garage so DD would have to live outside.

[maw1124]

I think the TE 4Matic is your beater, and you split the nice Garden State Days in the 500E and Cab. But that’s just me. I certainly wouldn’t be putting the C55 (or E55, or S55, or SL55, or any other post ‘99 AMG) outside while the W124s live inside. Again, maybe that’s me. But it seems like less is more. Beat the W124 wagon around, drive the others sparingly, and bring in the new age AMG when you’re done with the 124 fix or have more garage space.

That said, what is your daily commute like? Is it a true daily commute or “work from home” DD duty?

GL

Cheers,

maw

[ghm]

Thanks, maw. I drove the C55 today. It's certainly a beast but I think I am going to pass. It could be a nice addition to the stable but not sure about as a DD. Round trip commute is 85 miles, local roads and highway.
If anyone is looking for a C55, here is the link:
https://www.autolineva.com/used/Merc...ccabb5ddf1.htm

[mikeym]

Thanks, maw. I drove the C55 today. It's certainly a beast but I think I am going to pass. It could be a nice addition to the stable but not sure about as a DD. Round trip commute is 85 miles, local roads and highway.
If anyone is looking for a C55, here is the link:
https://www.autolineva.com/used/Merc...ccabb5ddf1.htm

Ha, the ad says it is a base sedan. Tell them to hire a real marketing person.

Separately, 85 mile commute....I thought mine was bad at 26....

[samiam44]

For long comuting- get a 2005-6 diesel. Reliable and inexpensive. Lots of interchangeability, so you can upgrade brakes/wheels and change struts & springs to make it sportier.

[Melville]

There are a lot of good arguments here against ghm getting a C55 for a daily driver, but they are all outweighed by the indisputable and scientific fact that having it would be awesome. Especially on a commute like that which probably includes a lot of highway. Get it!!!

[ghm]

There are a lot of good arguments here against ghm getting a C55 for a daily driver, but they are all outweighed by the indisputable and scientific fact that having it would be awesome. Especially on a commute like that which probably includes a lot of highway. Get it!!!

Bringing this thread to conclusion -- passed on the C55 but picked up a 97 C36 as a DD. Well maybe not when it snows, but hopefully most of the rest of the year. FL car, 93K miles, paint could be better but otherwise pretty good. Spent a couple of days in FL, then back to NJ via the Orlando-Washington auto train. For those not familiar, Amtrak runs a daily service, load up in FL in the afternoon and wake up the next morning just South of DC. Its very popular with the snow birds but only about 80 cars on this trip, less than one-third of full capacity. Pics attached, auto train unloading (needs to be turned but I can't figure out how to do that) and C36 in my driveway.

[TimL]

Congratulations on your purchase! The C36 is an amazing car and to my mind more raw fun than the 3- valve v8 engines that followed in the C43 and the C55.

[Duh_Vinci]

Very nice find, enjoy!

Regards,
D

[TerryA]

Congrats on the C36. I looked at a beautiful 97 before I purchased my 500E. It looked just like yours and was perfect w/ about 20K miles but he wanted to much. I liked the 97 which had a tad more HP + a 5 Speed Trans.

Anyway, Good Luck w/yours.

Keep it OUT of the SNOW!!

lol

[msq]

Congrats. The C36 is a great car. I don't think you can go wrong with this.

[Harv]

Was this the C36 on Hemmings?

[ghm]

Thanks all, appreciate your replies. Harv, found it before Christmas in MBCA Classifieds, but took some time to conclude the purchase. My first venture beyond W124!

[Harv]

It probably was the same car. It had those same dimples on the front bumper. Looked like a clean car.