Chi-town

My brother wants to buy a used 2002 MB C32 AMG. Please, help me persuade him otherwise, because apparently he believes the MB to be the better car. However, he is still undecided.

Which car would you choose and why.

Which car is faster?

I told him that it would be a drivers race. The fastest times (stock) that I have seen for the C32 are between 4.7 - 5.6.

Has anyone done a real life comparison between these two vehicles. TIA.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

A brand new IS350 has more appeal and almost-guaranteed reliability compared to a used MB C-Series, even if it is AMG.

A four year old MB will start showing off its age-related troubles by now. Be careful of buying a used MB, especially with the AMG because people ride those cars harder and faster.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

hope that MB is under an extended warranty or you have deep pockets and time

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

If its not the C55 forget it! The C32 is showing its age. The IS is brand new and it will look new for 5+ years. The 4 year old C32 is 4 years old, and if it hasnt had a model change then its due for one. If he was talking a 6-speed MT M3, then maybe I would say M3(I miss MT)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i agree, the c32 is faster, but it's showing its age. i am not surprsied if the c class will have style change soon

and also, it's all about c55 now. c32, people know it's old

STIG

Edmunds said IS350 can hang with C55. I dont know how true it is. but if you watch the BMW330i Vs Is350 video, that's what they said. I would seriously consider C55 used but not C32. just my .02

newr

leave your brother alone.

rx300force

I had C-class before and never again. All MB have a problem with linking engines (I had it @ 85k miles). I say get IS350.

bagwell

if its CPO, C32 would be ok...but it needs the c55 18" wheels!

lexusls430

The IS350 is clearly the choice. As for speed they are both almost identical, they both have lows 5s for 0-60 and both around 13.7 for 1/4 mile.

Hartawan

iTrader: (1)

If you get the C32, youll get an old car feel. If you get an IS350, you get that new car feel and youll feel confident. Likr tqlla3k said if its not a C55 forget it. IMO, the IS looks better than the C even though I am a fan of MB.

dfw350

No it cant, my friend has a '06 C55 AMG, it outhandles and is much faster than the IS.. 0-6 in mid 4s's.. V8

Gojirra99

Don' t let your brother do things you won' t even let your friends do

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

actually more in the mid-high 4s but its still much quicker than the IS350

S L I C K

My cousin had so many problems with his Mercedes-Benz CL600. He got it brand new for roughly $140,000. If a new CL600 has this many problems, imagine what a used C32 AMG is going to be like. Stay away from the Mercedes-Benz.