After looking into the Merc AMG series, I find myself really interesed in the C32/36/43 cars. Since so many people here have such diverse expiences and I trust your input, I thought I'd ask here as well as the Merc forums.

I'm curious to how what they are like to live with as well as any major problems or issues.

TIA,
Daniel

 

I like the C43 AMG. Lots of power for a grocery getter

 

The C32 is a completely different beast from the C36 and C43. The latter are quick, but the 32 is a genuine Vette killer. blown super sleeper grocery getter . . .

problems or issues? That's what warranty's are for!

 

The SL 55 AMG is awesome!
All the AMGs have a suped up supercharged engine, beefed up suspension, and a paddle shifter racing transmission.

 

Some of the fastest production sedans in the world, full warranty, total peace of mind, total build quality.

Sam

 

All awesome cars. My brother is a mechanic @ a MBZ dealership and I've had my share of experiences in Mercedes cars. I personally am not a fan of the C class styling. I remember my brother told me at one of the meetings, the shop forum kept referring to the C class as Crap , but like everyone else said, you have warrenty. In the AMG line, my vote goes to the late 90's E55.

 

I worked for them for a few months. What do you need to know???

Basically, it's higher quality than Merc themselves (handbuilt basically), faster, better, you name it!

 

I've seen some used examples going for reasonable prices lately and it has my curiosity up. I'm looking at the online articles about the C-class cars right now. All the magazines can tell me about the specs and performance but I'm curious about the other stuff; build quality, recalls, etc.

ANy problems I should know about (failures, electrical, etc).

Than you for all the responses.

 

I'm finding that the late 90s C36/43 are my best bet. The C32 is too new.
I can't seem to find any online articles about these two cars. How did they perform (I know they are slower than the newer C32)?

Daniel

 

I've only ridden in a 43 out of the three, and what a cruiser. Too old manish for the next twenty years for me at least. I guess I define old manish as too comfortable, and too easy to get in and out of, and too big .. but it did certainly get up to speed, can't say anything about handling because I didn't drive it, but I imagine it's somewhat like the Audi s8, which I have driven, and it really does feel great - like it's not having 4500 of weight to manuever.

 

I drove a couple of the AMG's on the track, and they are spectacular!

The new E55 AMG is perhaps the best all-around Benz we build. (I work for the MBUSA home office).

-Z.

 

Ditto on the E55. If if gave me the same sense of pleasure the BM does I would have one. Just felt too big and I have BIG problems with an E430 that I used to have.
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Usually the AMG cars are built partially parallel to the normal production cars. This basically ensures that you have the same body quality as a standard Merc. (read: really good) They take a basic shell with a few other standard mounted parts down the road, and add to them the changed dampers, engine, parts of the interior etc.

That basically means that although they are low volume, that they can spend a bit more care on each car.

I think that they actually moved part of the AMG production into the same factory during the later (not latest) c-class build, which means that they could cut down on some costs, but as far as I know, quality was not affected!

On the C-class cars, I don't think that the mods were really extensive. Dampers, engine, exhaust, and a few interior/exterion trim bits, but it made a hell of a difference. I can't really be sure on this though as I was limited mostly to the AMG SLK at the time.

 

The late 80's 560 AMG Hammer is still the ultimate sleeper.

 

Let me put in my $.02. I work in a MB dealer shop. The general consensus is that any MB is only as good as the warranty. You buy it, drive it for 50,000 miles, then trade it in on the new model. They're overengineered, very comfortable and for the mostpart, have plenty of power to play with. So, if you can afford to waste money, go ahead and buy a mercedes. And keep this in mind. 48% of all visits to mercedes service facilities are for major repairs rather than routine maintenance. AND... the average visits by each MB customer per year is 83.

On the other hand, Mercedes will pay for the services up to 50000mi on what's called the flex program and they're warranties are top notch.
I'd personally buy a Porsche.