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Mercedes C55: Underpriced Hottie
Why pay the price for a Porsche Boxter and have the
reliability concerns, lack of interior room, and questionable wet weather
handling when for the same price you can own the Mercedes C55 and go faster,
haul more, and enjoy the fact that you can stay on the tail of most any car in
the world costing twice as much?
The answer my friend, is written in the ego of the car buyer. The Mercedes,
despite a bulldog stance, wide tires, and lowered suspension, looks just like
every other ubiquitous C Class price leader. Those who need the attention and
can’t bear the anonymity of the AMG prepared C Class should look elsewhere. The
C55 is like looking at a picture of Pamela Anderson in a sweatshirt.
So why are we so high on this dynamic fast lane demon? Besides the pricing, it
costs less than a SLOWER Corvette convertible, and the fact it can hold four
full sized adults and have room for a few golf club bags, and brakes as well as
a Lamborghini, we are in reality discussing the ultimate Q-Ship, sleeper, it
wasn’t me officer, daily family driver. We must admit that the E55 station wagon
is faster and more unlikely to draw attention, but at $90,000 (US) or so we
would like someone to admire our moveable feast and it never happened even when
we polished the station wagon’s AMG emblem.
In a nutshell, or any other place, we love the C55 for its boyish charm, rough
and ready nature, and ability to provide so much fun without drawing attention
to itself. This is a car for people who like to drive seriously and still need a
commuter car.
The downside of AMG ownership are so-so gas mileage in the high teens, or less
if you can’t keep your foot from constantly tickling the supercharger, a lack of
cupholders, and a ride that can be harsh over under funded roads. In addition,
the AMG package at the heart of this steps up the price over it sister, the
normally aspirated C Class in excess of $10,000. However, a quick check with
www.nada.com reveals that the resale may well return that investment.
So, where does that leave us? Well, the major question is why buy it? Its big
sister, the E55 is notably larger, quicker, and easier to drive although it
costs considerable more. The non-supercharged C-Class sedan is no slouch and
costs over ten thousand less. And, to be honest, with gas prices approaching new
records daily, who wants to pay for the privilege of driving a genuine hottie
when the traffic is most likely bumper to bumper? Well, no one ever said buying
a car was an objective exercise isolated to the left side of the brain. This is
a passion car. It is meant to melt reason and responsibleness in the chirp of
its tires as it flows into third gear.
Mom’s view: This car reminds me of Clark Kent. The only disguise he had
was his glasses and when he took them off it completely changed his personality
and impact. The same could be said for the C55. It looks just like its Clark
Kent sister, the C350, but once the glasses are off there is a totally different
hero waiting to stop evil thoughts form dulling your day.
Smitten, you bet. This guy is what dreams are made of. It’s polite in traffic,
goes about its daily chores without a quibble, and never offends one’s taste
with SUV like handling or safety issues. It is tough, tender, and under the
hood, two-fisted. As Lord Acton said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute
power corrupts absolutely.” I was corrupted, absolutely. And why not. The five
speed automatic transmission with its adaptive software and steering wheel
paddle type shifter is fun to play with even at low speeds. (Although I much
prefer the Bentley GT paddle shifter placement that does not move with the
steering wheel. Of course that little trait costs over $100,000 more.)
The C55 is comfortable to drive and has a host of safety features such as
four-wheel antilock disc brakes and three-point seatbelts with tension limiters
for all occupants, stability control, and eight airbags covering the front and
sides of the interior. Crash test results indicated that the C-Class is at the
top or above average in all areas. And, don’t take traction control for granted
when it rains or snows with all that torque because you’ll need it big time.
Quiet and understated, the interior is quite comfortable, but clearly some of
the interior controls feel a little underpriced. The dash, which has been
redesigned this year, had a fairly easy to operate DVD navigation system, but
the sound system wasn’t up to snuff.
Storage is adequate, but not exceptional inside. The trunk is a good size
considering the compact nature of the vehicle. Of course this large trunk comes
at the price of less legroom for those in the backseat. The driver also has to
deal with rear window controls that are placed on lower part of the door and
take up needed thigh room. Don’t ask how I found out.
Dad’s view: With the elimination of free servicing
and the addition of a hand built 5.5-liter V8 replacing the last model’s six
cylinder engine there is always the chance that if you intend to keep this
vehicle for a long time maintenance could be expensive. As always, with cars
that depreciate more slowly because they are built in limited numbers and have
exceptional performance, we recommend you consider a lease. I have the strange
feeling that in a few years the V8 from the E-Class just might be squeezed under
the hood of this model, but God help the mechanics who would have to change the
plugs. If BMW brings out a M model that can compete with the AMG C-Class look
for this to happen.
The special automatic transmission, there isn’t a standard
trans offered, has three modes including the manual, sport, and standard
setting. Handing the power to this trans is a V8 producing 362 horsepower with
376 pound-feet of torque that can get you to 60 mpg in about five seconds.
However, what makes this performance so remarkable and better in real life than
that of a Corvette, Boxter, or even some Ferrari’s, is its consistency. You
don’t have to worry about a missed shift, or, in the case of the Ferrari, of
getting too far off the cam between shifts to provide consistently remarkable
acceleration. The automatic is especially helpful as most of the power does not
come on until after 4000 rpm meaning you have to keep the engine well revved to
appreciate its spirit.
Braking is quite good with exceptional feel compared to
non-AMGised Mercedes models. Handling is extraordinary considering that this is
a sedan. Although not as smooth as the 3-Series BMW, the Mercedes can stay
focused quite well. In fact, you would be fool hearted to push this car to its
limits on public streets since even the most able vehicles still can’t defy the
laws of physics.
I truly enjoyed the value this car represented. It is the
least expensive AMG Mercedes offers and they didn’t scrimp. Standard features
include a sport suspension, 17-inch wheels, 10-way power seats, leather most
everywhere, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon
stereo and CD player, driver’s computer, and a sunroof. Few options are offered
with the most interesting being the navigation system, satellite radio and an
integrated cell phone.
The new C55 is much improved over the previous models, especially in handling
where the modified front axle bearings and rear modified spring link make for a
more stable ride in heavy cornering.
Working woman’s view: Being in the business field
the first question that comes to mind is why pay extra for something that can’t
be enjoyed on a regular basis. It is not that you can’t hammer around town in
the C55 and accelerate boy racer style whenever you want, but the reality is
that acceleration quickly loses it appeal when it becomes impractical. Let’s
look at the facts. Once you get over the novel new paint concept that Mercedes
says is much more resistant to chips thanks to ceramic particles, and the
sedate, but comfortable interior, you are going to pay $16,000 (US) or more for
the AMG C Class over the C350. Besides the AMG modifications that enable it to
stop and handle better, that additional sum enables the supercharger and
additional two cylinders to puff up your power from the stock car’s 268
horsepower to 258 ft-lbs. of torque @ 2400 rpm to the C55’s 362 horsepower and
376 ft-lbs. of torque @ 4000 rpm. In addition better seating, a standard
sunroof, ventilated disc brakes all around, more than double the number of
speakers, a bit more room here and there, much larger tires with P205/55HR16 on
the standard model and P245/35ZR18 on the C55, are all part of what you are
paying for when you order the AMG.
Gas mileage wise the 16.4 gallon tank need premium fuel and the difference is
quite remarkable with the six cylinder C350 given you 20/29 mpg and the AMB C55
just 17/22. If you live in the United States you are going to have to pay a
gas-guzzler tax for the high performance AMG Mercedes, They tote around about
3500 pounds each making them quite lean.
There are really a lot of extras with the AMG besides the speed. However, some
features such as GPS are optional which I find unusual for a car in this price
range. I also didn’t like the way the AMG version, although easy to park with
under a 36 turning radius, rides on certain types of roads. The tires tend to
follow diamond cut concrete roadways and the tire thud over poorly maintained
infrastructure. On the other hand, this is one of the easiest to drive high
performance vehicles I have ever tested and certainly easier to live with on a
daily basis than a Porsche Boxter or standard transmission BMW M sedan.
It is very difficult to compare resale values between these two models in that
they are new this year with many improvements and more powerful engines. But,
the facts are that if you use percentages the AMG is the better buy in terms of
resale and if you take the depreciation in terms of dollars the C350 is the
better buy. However, after the first few years the AMG holds sway as the better
deal in both areas. I recommend you lease the AMG for four years, the length of
the warranty, and after that time see if Mercedes is not going to stuff a larger
5.4-liter, supercharged-and-intercooled 24-valve V-8, producing 469 horsepower
and 516 pound-feet of torque. engine under the hood and turn the C-Class AMG
into the fastest sedan on this planet.
Unemployed male rapper’s view: I have decided to
return to school and follow a liberal arts degree. In other words, I am going to
school to avoid a long-term commitment to work. As such, the C55, one of my
favorite cars ever, is a dream for me, unless you decided to buy some of my
music, or even listen to it at http://www.simple-thoughts.net
Anyway, the sound system and the radio reception are not of the quality I would
encourage. It is good, but not great. As for living with the AMG on a daily
basis, I would say that if you have a place to air it out on occasion if would
be worth the fuel, but it is not a babe magnet and certainly isn’t going to get
you compliments from frilly females. Thus, if you love to drive, appreciate
quality, and have an adventurous side that enjoys destroying the egos of those
driving most anything else on the road, this is a might fine car once you meet
the prerequisite of having the credit. (Notice the use of prerequisite as I
register for my classes.) The split folding seats, staunch suspension, and
fairly easy to use function gauges and buttons are satisfactory. What isn’t is
the spine straightening acceleration from such a pedestrian looking sedan. Still
my favorite, but I’m falling behind in the buyer demographic department.
Family conference: We highly recommend the much-improved E350 sedan, and,
for the same money, and the new M Class Mercedes SUV is also priced similarly
and very user friendly. But those who are interested in an AMG product can’t go
wrong with this C55, the least expensive model to employee the handmade
supercharged engine. It does as advertised. We were sad to see if go. For a list
of all the major vehicle manufacture websites, including motorcycles, and
trucks, click on
http://www.reacheverychild.com/business/auto/index.html
Written by the Car Family
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