C32 first impressions

[ash-h]

Hi

I`ve had my C32 AMG one week (02 car from main dealer) and want to share my impressions so far...
Things I like
Car is dominated by its engine, excellent performance (my previous fastest car was a Nisaan Skyline GTR), sounds nice
Outstanding fuel economy (30mpg during gentle driving)
Spec is superb TV/phone/NAv
I love the underestated looks but most people know what it is a dont tailgate!
Very practical family car

Things I dont like
Jerky gearbox at low speeds combined with Supercharger tripping in and out
Sterring is set up for motorways - lazy response
Damping on on bumpy b-roads could be better- seems nervous


Overall very happy, would be interested to hear the views of others.... :-D

 

[ddentrec]

The following is all true, with no blagging:

Due to a very serious quality issue with my wife's new C-Class a while back, DaimlerChrysler lent her a brand new E55 AMG whilst they sorted out the C-Class replacement from the factory. They did this to keep us sweet as court action was looming...

Now, I do not care for so-called 'performance' cars: I have never owned one and never want to. And I frown upon the 'boy racers' who drive them.

So, DC UK deliver the E55 with 162 miles on clock. I get in and there I am with my pipe and slippers, sucking my Wurthers Original sitting in an E55. 'Not bad' I think.

With young kids & wife watching I turn the key.

The engine 'bark' was so loud my 5 year-old burst into tears and ran into the house. My wife was not impressed, and nor were the neighbours.

But I was hooked. Totally. After week of driving it it completely changed my view of the 'performance' world. What a machine. What an engine. What a sound!!!!! Was the only time in 20 years of driving that BMWs did not tailgate me.

If I had the money I would buy an C55 estate: no question.

Power corrupts. Good.

 

[angus falconer]

Hi there,

I can't comment on C32 but can compare to previous generation AMG C Class, the C43.

Car is dominated by its engine, excellent performance

Same for the C43. A bit down on power over yours - 306 BHP and 200 BHP per ton - but in this case a big rumbly V8 that revs out fantastically well. Old shape E55 even more so.

(my previous fastest car was a Nisaan Skyline GTR),

I came from a 240BHP Nissan 200SX with various mods. Was looking at Skylines but my wife wanted me to get something "sensible". So I got a 4 door Merc hehehe.

sounds nice

see above

Outstanding fuel economy (30mpg during gentle driving)

err..V8's...no.........

Spec is superb TV/phone/NAv

Yes - I got all that

I love the underestated looks

me too - both the 32 and 43. C43 is a real sleeper - it's on old-shape Merc, often used as a mini-cab - hehehe. I have surprised a lot of people in supposedly quicker cars. I think the E55 even more ridiculous - just a bit too long and wide for me in central London. I fancy a C32 Est next. Although, if I had a spare £50k it would go on a C55 est.

but most people know what it is a dont tailgate!

They do look tough. Esp new C55 with quad pipes. And anyway a quick flex of the right foot sees off most challengers

Very practical family car

Yep. My mum likes it, my wife likes it, my 11 month old baby likes it. And so do all my petrol head mates Big boot, great seats, good visibility, quiet (when going slowly)

Things I dont like

Jerky gearbox at low speeds

Mine is OK - although you can confuse it a bit sometimes by throttling on and off round town. If I had tiptronic overide I would sometimes use it to bypass this.

Combined with Supercharger tripping in and out

Doesn't apply for me - just a blig blustering V8, power all over the place

Steering is set up for motorways - lazy response

Yes this is an old Mercedes trait. Even more so on the C43, much less so that on the very latest model. Oddly enough I don't mind as it encourages me to cruise quickly rather than enter into Nurburgring fantasies. I tested a Scooby WRX STI Type R thingumy jiggy and decided that when I eventually crashed I would be going so fast that it would be too final for my liking.

Damping on on bumpy b-roads could be better- seems nervous

Very good damping on mine, even on 55k miles. I was very used to Nissan dampers (and third party replacements) going off in less than 30k miles

Overall very happy, would be interested to hear the views of others.... :-D[/QUOTE]

I love my C43 - 2 years in and no plans to change.