I've had my eyes peeled for a well cared for, well priced C55 or CLK55 for a little while now. They pop up at great prices but I haven't found a well priced one that's also well cared for yet. I'm a Tesla owner who's always going to have a solid ICE car on hand. My 1995 LS400 is going with my daughter soon and one of THESE is the perfect replacement as my new forever ICE car!!
So under rated and under valued in New Zealand - you can pick them up for around $15K {$30K + in Australia} More power and torque than the M3 and S4 of the day, with super reliability. What's not to like?!
Good review .. Don't forget the W209 , CLK55 AMG , 2 door pillarless coupe , 4 seater , much better looking than the sedan in my opinion. Another plus is that C55 and CLK55 's do not have SBC brakes or ABC suspension like the E class , both of which can be troublesome and expensive to maintain . 2005 build cars have bigger brakes , 6 piston front Brembos and two piece rotors , same as later C63 's. Definitely these cars are the most reliable , easiest to maintain AMG's ever made.
Very nice video again. I agree with the comments by LE555 and have been very pleased with my 2003 CLK 500 Cabrio which with it’s 306 hp V8 is plenty enough on UK crowded roads. It had 60,000miles on the clock when I bought it 5 years ago and it had a short lived clicking noise from the dash when starting or stopping the engine. I thought it must be a very simple job to sort that out and was a little surprised at how readily the seller accepted my quite low offer! 😊The ac vent actuators are prone to fail and it is 7 to 10 hours to remove the centre console and dash and correct. ( last week I finally had a new stepper motor and actuator fitted) The ac blowing cold on the passenger side but not on the drivers side is a known sign of low ac gas. No sign of rust anywhere on my CLK and will continue to enjoy it.
Hi. Yea my C32 has the dreaded stepper motor noise. Did you change the stepper yourself. I believe its above the command unit. l was thinking of just cutting the power to it to stop the noise as a quick fix. cheers
Was just about to mention this; the C55 has a different front clip to other (W203)C-Class models, but executed so subtly by Mercedes most people didnt even notice. its got the front clip apart from the grille and hood star from the AMG CLK
Watching this review a second time, I'm noticing how much equipment USA C55's did not get. We did not get Parktronic, LSD, folding mirrors, and automatic climate control. LSD should have been standard. Don't care about automatic climate control. Ours is manual temp control so easy to adjust and does not constantly move ac stepper motors. BTW, stepper motor is a dash top off operation. It's about a three hour job to remove the top and is not difficult in this car.
I think actually the C/E 55 was initially equipped with one twin tail pipe, but sales were improved in the US with a quad pipe option, so this became a feature and then standard. You keep referring to this C55 as "a sleeper" which, hardly but traditional AMG styling hurt American sales compared to the M-cars, so it is worth noting. The meme is AMG were for older people, the M-cars for younger people. To truly crack the American market AMG needed to be more for younger people, so they gradually transformed into Black Series and "carbon matte" paintwork with yellow stripes and completely unnecessary air scoops. It was a long process essentially begun with the quad pipes we first saw on the 55s, which were an immensely popular addition. I do have a contemporary Hirsch Saab I'd call a sleeper. It's grandma's car and 4-cyl but 305hp. The only difference to the 185hp version is a little reindeer badge. Okay and twin 2.5 pipes. The camshaft in my M103 190E is too lumpy to call that car a sleeper but nobody still expects it to take on LS motors and turbos okay, so it's a sleeper among tuners I reckon. I think however, if you have a genuine anything AMG performance model badging, you kind of burned the word sleeper with the sales contract. 😂
Hi MGUY. we have a c32 in the family but a C55 had been spotted at a fantastic price in the rare Grey colour which l adore in Melb.. Unfortunately, At $19,999 with 160k kms it sold before l had a chance to see it. cheers
Hi. I’m looking to get a C55. I am a bit picky and it seems that the Harman Kardon stereo-option is quite rare? Does anyone here know if the H/K-stereo is any good and if I should keep looking for a car with this option or not? I am based in Europe btw. Thank you.
C55 is better for being simpler. As noted, no Airmatic or ABC. No troublesome SBC. And no PSE with vacuum door locks and tubing to contend with. M113 maintenance is the same as M112 so very easy. The size is smaller than W210 and W211 so very nimble on twisty roads and in town.
Nice car, unfortunatelay the mercedes of this era tends to rust away in no time. also the center console with these blank switches and the silver plastic buttons on the steering wheel look very cheap.
I daily my C55 and it has been so cheap to run for an AMG although it does burn a little oil. Absolutely great cars!
Where you live?
@@rayb8732 Northern NSW
What oil leaks do you have??
@@mdey81_79 none, they just burn a little oil.
Never seen a C55. Super rare.
I've had my eyes peeled for a well cared for, well priced C55 or CLK55 for a little while now. They pop up at great prices but I haven't found a well priced one that's also well cared for yet. I'm a Tesla owner who's always going to have a solid ICE car on hand. My 1995 LS400 is going with my daughter soon and one of THESE is the perfect replacement as my new forever ICE car!!
So under rated and under valued in New Zealand - you can pick them up for around $15K {$30K + in Australia}
More power and torque than the M3 and S4 of the day, with super reliability. What's not to like?!
Good review ..
Don't forget the W209 , CLK55 AMG , 2 door pillarless coupe , 4 seater , much better looking than the sedan in my opinion.
Another plus is that C55 and CLK55 's do not have SBC brakes or ABC suspension like the E class , both of which can be troublesome and expensive to maintain .
2005 build cars have bigger brakes , 6 piston front Brembos and two piece rotors , same as later C63 's.
Definitely these cars are the most reliable , easiest to maintain AMG's ever made.
I got one and love it.
No my friend, the C55 looks better than the CLK 🖕🏾
@@mrb8158 My opinion , coupes always look better than sedans.
@@Leo555ZZZ maybe becuase u are gay or something? 💯
@@mrb8158 MY opinion , maybe because all the best supercars in the world are coupes , in case you have not noticed.
Very nice video again. I agree with the comments by LE555 and have been very pleased with my 2003 CLK 500 Cabrio which with it’s 306 hp V8 is plenty enough on UK crowded roads.
It had 60,000miles on the clock when I bought it 5 years ago and it had a short lived clicking noise from the dash when starting or stopping the engine. I thought it must be a very simple job to sort that out and was a little surprised at how readily the seller accepted my quite low offer!
😊The ac vent actuators are prone to fail and it is 7 to 10 hours to remove the centre console and dash and correct. ( last week I finally had a new stepper motor and actuator fitted)
The ac blowing cold on the passenger side but not on the drivers side is a known sign of low ac gas.
No sign of rust anywhere on my CLK and will continue to enjoy it.
Hi. Yea my C32 has the dreaded stepper motor noise. Did you change the stepper yourself. I believe its above the command unit. l was thinking of just cutting the power to it to stop the noise as a quick fix. cheers
@@mercamg9312 Stepper motor is a dash top off operation. It's about a three hour job to remove the top. Not difficult.
I got mine for 9k in New Zealand. What a bargain love it
Bargains to be had in an economy where everyone is fleeing!
Good review. Fun fact: The C55 has a longer front than all other 204 models so the V8 fits in. It's the front of the CLK. Kind regards from Germany.
I actually read that but forgot to mention it! Thanks for watching!
*203 models
Was just about to mention this; the C55 has a different front clip to other (W203)C-Class models, but executed so subtly by Mercedes most people didnt even notice. its got the front clip apart from the grille and hood star from the AMG CLK
Was contemplating selling my A209 CLK55 Cabriolet and getting one of these.
Love these. They look tuff and stylish at the same time but not overdone. Beautiful car
Watching this review a second time, I'm noticing how much equipment USA C55's did not get. We did not get Parktronic, LSD, folding mirrors, and automatic climate control. LSD should have been standard. Don't care about automatic climate control. Ours is manual temp control so easy to adjust and does not constantly move ac stepper motors. BTW, stepper motor is a dash top off operation. It's about a three hour job to remove the top and is not difficult in this car.
If you were looking to buy one in Melbourne, do you know where you would go to get a pre purchase inspection done?
I would google an independent Mercedes service centre in the area you're interested and give 'em a call - most good shops will do a PPI
I think actually the C/E 55 was initially equipped with one twin tail pipe, but sales were improved in the US with a quad pipe option, so this became a feature and then standard.
You keep referring to this C55 as "a sleeper" which, hardly but traditional AMG styling hurt American sales compared to the M-cars, so it is worth noting. The meme is AMG were for older people, the M-cars for younger people. To truly crack the American market AMG needed to be more for younger people, so they gradually transformed into Black Series and "carbon matte" paintwork with yellow stripes and completely unnecessary air scoops. It was a long process essentially begun with the quad pipes we first saw on the 55s, which were an immensely popular addition.
I do have a contemporary Hirsch Saab I'd call a sleeper. It's grandma's car and 4-cyl but 305hp. The only difference to the 185hp version is a little reindeer badge. Okay and twin 2.5 pipes.
The camshaft in my M103 190E is too lumpy to call that car a sleeper but nobody still expects it to take on LS motors and turbos okay, so it's a sleeper among tuners I reckon.
I think however, if you have a genuine anything AMG performance model badging, you kind of burned the word sleeper with the sales contract. 😂
Best review or this car, thank you!
Hi MGUY. we have a c32 in the family but a C55 had been spotted at a fantastic price in the rare Grey colour which l adore in Melb..
Unfortunately, At $19,999 with 160k kms it sold before l had a chance to see it. cheers
Great review! I have two of these, best car ever!
Hi. I’m looking to get a C55. I am a bit picky and it seems that the Harman Kardon stereo-option is quite rare? Does anyone here know if the H/K-stereo is any good and if I should keep looking for a car with this option or not? I am based in Europe btw. Thank you.
Good question - don't know the answer to that
Not many in Australia , going up in price every time I look .I love this car.
up in price suits me as i'm lucky enough to have one. only seen another one twice.
C55 is better for being simpler. As noted, no Airmatic or ABC. No troublesome SBC. And no PSE with vacuum door locks and tubing to contend with. M113 maintenance is the same as M112 so very easy. The size is smaller than W210 and W211 so very nimble on twisty roads and in town.
Great video and cool car.
What about the C32 AMG 😢
That too!
Is look so nice
It’s a beautiful car and I love it, how do I convince my wife that it’s a good buy. She feels like it’s a bit updated
It’s more environmentally friendly to drive a 20 year old ICE car than a brand new EV?
Honesty, I spent more time to look for the place to click onto and leave a bad review than watching the video.
Nice car, unfortunatelay the mercedes of this era tends to rust away in no time.
also the center console with these blank switches and the silver plastic buttons on the steering wheel look very cheap.
Agree with that - but it's fun to drive lol!
Pre-facelift you would be correct. 2004-2007 w203 the rust issues were sorted
@@KingofInterns well, mostly sorted from what I gather.
The radio/monitor was rubbish. Best to replace it if you buy a used one.