Ahoooo

Yesterday I test drove a 1998 C 43 AMG at a local Pre-owned Luxury Import store that they wanted $38K for it with 31k miles. Reviews said 0-60 in 6.4 sec with the V8 it has. It felt heavy but did have torque. I like my CLS better.

Now I find the successor is the C 32 AMG.
http://www.m-benz.com/future/c32-02.html
http://forums.vwvortex.com/vwbb/Foru...ML/000031.html

I can't even find a price for this beast on KBB.com or Edmunds.

Is this car in the same class as 2001 M3?
Thanks.



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2001 CL Type S
San Marino Red/Parchment
non-nav/wheel locks
splash guards/PIAA 19169 road lamps
Xephyr Performance CAI
V1 Piggy Squealer
Red Painted Calipers
Shine by Meguiars #7 and Gold Class

F=ma_RENAMED

Yeah I would consider the RS4 and the AMG C32 the only competition for the E46 M3.

If the AMG came in a 6 speed (like the 4 cylinder models do ) I would take it in a heartbeat over the M3.

As it is, I couldn't stand to drive a performance car with an automatic.

I would say though, that the C32 probably does have more straight line potential than the BMW does. Intercooling or some kind of alcohol/water injection and you can run a smaller pulley for more boost. The M3's 3.2 Liter squeezing 100+ hp/liter N/A is about as high as it gets...

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Kenny
Slow TL

phil2

i cant believe that mercedes refuses to come out with a 6 spd in this car, its absolutely rediculous. i have to say hands down that the m3 would be my choice...cuz its an actual sports car & it screams $$$$$$...where the mercedes is an over priced c class with a nice motor!!!

definately not worth 50000+

just my $.02

Beltfed

If you remember Don Schroeder's article (god rest his sould) in C & D- I hate this magazine, but Don was a great editor. He tested the C43, E36 M3, Saab Viggen, Audi S4, maybe something else....anyway, the C43 did somewhat poorly. Between its Auto only tranny, descent handling, ok steering, and its $55k price tag- it didn't place well.


The new C32 is a hot car, the styling does alot for the new Cclass (plus its built on a new platform where the SLK32, and CLK55 are not)....and its in M3 territory, price and performance (I drove a Leguna Seca Blue M3, with a sticker of $53k), the C32 isn't much more than an M3 with toys....but its still a 4 door auto, the M3 will still be the more exciting car.

But, the C32 is still a very cool fast limited Benz....whats not to like.

phil2

Beltfed

what is not to like is the fact that the average joe does not know that its anything more than a c class. i cant see spending that much on a c32 when there are 17 yr old kids around here driving the c240 with rims on em, looking just like it.

Beltfed

That is true, and will always be an issue (even with BMW M cars)-the E46 M3 body parts are already available....but with the AMG body sculpting on the C32...unless these kids are willing to spend big $$$ on a Brabus or Lorinsor kit...the car still has a somewhat Unique appearance, but its still a Cclass car.

Plus, the only people I would be concerned with is the kids with slammed C240's....you roll up next to him(them) with a C32- you'll be like "whats up bitch" .

Seriously, though...if you have a C32, the important thing really is that "you know what it is."

BarryH

I traded in a '97 C36 AMG for a TL-S (I had a deposit on a C32 and canceled it). The C36 was a great car but the ride is incredibly rough if you live in a metro area with bad roads and pot holes. The crowning on the roads in NJ is so bad, the ultra-wide tires made the car feel like a carnival ride sometimes. I replaced four wheels and tires ($500 a pop) due to pothole damage and you basically can't drive the car in the winter without snow tires. The C36 has 285 LB FT of torque, over 90% is available at 2000 RPM. It was an incredibly fast and composed car. The C32 makes 350 HP and can easily take on the new M3. One of the car mags just did a comparison between the European versons of the new M3, C32, and Audi RS4 Avant. Each had strengths and weaknesses. MSRP on the C32 is about $55K and there is currently a pretty long waiting list for the car. If you live in a place like Florida, California, or Texas where the weather and roads are decent and you can drive the car the way it is meant to be driven, I'd say go for it. Otherwise I'd think twice about using a high-perforance car as a daily driver in most major metro areas. Just my two cents from experience.

Type S Smokes All

i'd drive that

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Nick
01' Cl-S Silver/ Black W/ Navi and Spoiler
V-1 Radar Hard Wired, Limo Tint all around
Comptech Headers, Sways, Springs, and AEM CAI
I've got one of the CLS's from the fast batch.
Lead Foot!

astro

I want one, too bad about the waiting list and no SMG option...


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Astroboy out...

2001 Acura CL Type S: Comptech: Headers, filter, sways, springs, koni shocks, Volk Racing SE37's in 18", goodridge braided brake lines, AEM CAI (blue), APEXi V-AFC, full kicker system, 13" Brembo's on the way with slotted discs for the rear
1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo: H&R Springs and sways, Bilstein shocks, ported and polished, crillo rods, new valvetrain
1995 VW Golf: 1999 VR6 Swap, H&R Coil Overs, neuspeed strut bars, neuspeed sway bars, 2.5" Stainless TT exhaust w/ Borla, 13" AP Racing big brakes

phatpat

Does anyone know what the price range is for the new C32 AMG? I can't find it ANYWHERE. And when is it going to be released?

I am planning on getting the GS430 in a couple of years after my lease is up, because I think it's priced reasonably ($55k loaded) for what it is. But, if the Mercedes is in that price range also, then it's a no brainer -- I'd choose the classier, more powerful, nicer-interior, better-looking Benz

Just worried that the C32 is gonna turn out to be more of a Chrysler than a Mercedes...

Patrick

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'01 Black/Tan CL-S w/ Navi & spoiler
AEM CAI
Comptech headers & sway bars
Toyo Proxes T1-S 235/45ZR17 tires
15% tint, Infinity Perfect sub/PPI amp

'97 Acura Integra LS

"You don't need a shopping cart wing to go fast..."

gavriil

You cannot find the MSRP anywhere cos it has not been announced for the US yet. It is expected though that the MSRP for the C32 will be $51K and for the SLK AMG $57K.

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Gabriel
CL Type S
Mag Racer #1

soopa

Here is my problem with the C32...

Like... 4 kids I know drive brand new C240's...

And most of the people I know really wouldnt know the difference between a C240 and a C32 unless their behind the wheel.

So... I would be driving a $50,XXX car that everyone thought was the same car as the high school kid down the street that is driving a C240 for what like 29k?

That might not matter to some... but that makes a huge difference too me.

Its one thing having to justify my Acura (which nobody takes seriously) because Im not dropping major cash on it. Its only 32k.

But if I drop 50-60k on a car... I want everyone to know. heh

The same KINDA goes for an M3... but the benefit of the M3 is that even my moron friends who think their cars guys (but arent) know what the //M means.

C32 dont mean a damn thing to the f- nuts.

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2001 Acura 3.2 CL Type-S
San Marino Red (Navigation)
PIAA 19173 Ion Yellow Fogs • Valentine 1 • Xephyr CAI

"Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's relativity." -Albert Einstein

Beltfed

You can be sure, the C32 will not be like a Chrysler.....overall Benz quality has gone down- due to lower costs of vehicles (from previous models)....but its still a 350hp German rocket.

I liked the C36, 43, and like the new C32.....but I definitely wouldn't get one...plus I like to lease, and AMG cars lease like shit (M cars aren't too bad, had a 95 M3 and 10 months with a 00 Mcoupe).

To some I guess, the "C" in Cclass with always stand for "Cheap."

Beltfed
01 CL-S
00 Viper GTS

Rod

Well it's an awesome car, I'd love one, but 50K+ for a C-class doesn't seem worth it. Hard choice, but with the waiting list and premium you're gonna have to pay, I think it's definitely not worth it. In that price range you have much worthwhile competition.

Red Rider

Ahoooo,check out the June edition of Car and Driver for a preview.Personally i fell in love with it after reading the article,i'd make it it my next car if i could afford it.
As far as comparing to the M3,here is the quote from Car and Driver.
"Inevitably,the C32 faces a shootout with the M3.But in reality,the AMG is a different animal,less narrow in it's sporting focus,yet still combining sledgehammer performance with relaxed handling,cultured comfort,and practicality.All in one.
By the way,they LOVE the auto trans,and quote 0 to 62 in 5.2,identical to BMW'S claim for the new M3.
I like the fact that it's not an M3,also 4 doors and room for 4 adults if needed.Not bad for a car that tops out at 175 without the speed restricting chip!!

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San Marino Red
Spoiler
Comptech Headers
Comptech Sways

Ahoooo

Holy Shit Red Rider!
Did you say tops out at 175 mph?
Sleeeeeper!!!
That is why I opted not to get spoiler on
my CL-S. Sleeper! Hmmmmmm...

Where I'm in Boston traffic every day I enjoy the automatic transmission but wouldn't mind having a faster car with automatic.

Just saw a Red M5 in the parking lot here at work. Mean looking!

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2001 CL Type S
San Marino Red/Parchment
non-nav/wheel locks
splash guards/PIAA 19169 road lamps
Xephyr Performance CAI
V1 Piggy Squealer
Red Painted Calipers
Shine by Meguiars #7 and Gold Class

Red Rider

Ahoooo,yeah i don't have the article in front of me,i'm at work,but AMG will remove the chip routinely for any customer who requests it and that takes the top end to 175.The article also said certain customers request a different final drive and that takes it up over 190 i believe !!
Go check out the article,it's still on newsstands The same article reviews the SLK,same engine,200 pounds less.



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San Marino Red
Spoiler
Comptech Headers
Comptech Sways

Ahoooo

Cool!
Thanks Red Rider!
Ahoooo

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2001 CL Type S
San Marino Red/Parchment
non-nav/wheel locks
splash guards/PIAA 19169 road lamps
Xephyr Performance CAI
V1 Piggy Squealer
Red Painted Calipers
Shine by Meguiars #7 and Gold Class

proactive

In that link it says:

"Price 53,000.00 -- USD"

I like the inside and the numbers, but not the outside or the price.

sigs21

Get the M3... the interior is so much nicer.. and you make the 330ci look like them.. unless your getting into the CLK 55 the v-8 beast.. but 66k to much.. would not get a MB that cost like 66k that everybody thinks you paid 30k for.. Get a 30k remove the badges and get the AMG kit... my $.02 i am looking at the convertable m3.. sweet..

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01- Acura CL silver 3.2-s
20% tint 35%front window
Bose Mods.. Mod's to come headers and springs