Run in with a C32 AMG
Discussion
And very fast it was too!
I was hustled by one of these the other day. I was cruising at around 85-90 when one of these glued itself to my rear bumper (most unusual for a Merc driver!) so I decided to pull to the middle lane and let him past. Over the next few miles we were in a position whereby one would catch up with the other and vice versa. It wasn't until the traffic thinned out that he dropped the hammer. I couldn't resist either, so planted it in 4th at about 85mph. This thing had decent shove! Not exactly beaten but I couldn't pass him up to about 140 as he was edging away slowly.
They're a supercharged 3.2, right? It must have had at least 350bhp. Talk about Q car!
I was hustled by one of these the other day. I was cruising at around 85-90 when one of these glued itself to my rear bumper (most unusual for a Merc driver!) so I decided to pull to the middle lane and let him past. Over the next few miles we were in a position whereby one would catch up with the other and vice versa. It wasn't until the traffic thinned out that he dropped the hammer. I couldn't resist either, so planted it in 4th at about 85mph. This thing had decent shove! Not exactly beaten but I couldn't pass him up to about 140 as he was edging away slowly.
They're a supercharged 3.2, right? It must have had at least 350bhp. Talk about Q car!
Great stuff - very rare to see about really! Probably rarer to see being driven quickly 
Yep supercharged 3.2 of 350bhp or thereabouts. I think they're quite easy to tune with a remap and/or different pulley, which is quite exciting. The Autocar test car was a fair bit quicker than the E46 M3, but I reckon it was a magazine special!
Yep supercharged 3.2 of 350bhp or thereabouts. I think they're quite easy to tune with a remap and/or different pulley, which is quite exciting. The Autocar test car was a fair bit quicker than the E46 M3, but I reckon it was a magazine special!
Yes, more Q than a BMW or Audi, which look far more aggressive. I must say the Mercedes range of models is vast and very confusing - you don't always know what's supercharged or turbocharged as 'Kompressor' is only used on the non AMG cars as far as I can tell. Plus there are so many engines in the range: various 3+ litre 6 cylinder, 4 and 5 - 5.5 litre V8s and 6+ litre V12 engines. Plus there are the mental Kleemans and brabus cars.
Is the new CLS Brabus Rocket the fastest Mercedes out there? Or is it the SLR or even the SL65 AMG?
Actually, speaking of the SL65, I knew a guy at college when I was doing a postgrad course who had an old shape one. It was very impressive even in central London - masses of shove I recall though strangely subdued at the same time. Great for lazy, fast cruising.
Is the new CLS Brabus Rocket the fastest Mercedes out there? Or is it the SLR or even the SL65 AMG?
Actually, speaking of the SL65, I knew a guy at college when I was doing a postgrad course who had an old shape one. It was very impressive even in central London - masses of shove I recall though strangely subdued at the same time. Great for lazy, fast cruising.
Top Trump said:
Yes, more Q than a BMW or Audi, which look far more aggressive. I must say the Mercedes range of models is vast and very confusing - you don't always know what's supercharged or turbocharged as 'Kompressor' is only used on the non AMG cars as far as I can tell. Plus there are so many engines in the range: various 3+ litre 6 cylinder, 4 and 5 - 5.5 litre V8s and 6+ litre V12 engines. Plus there are the mental Kleemans and brabus cars.
Is the new CLS Brabus Rocket the fastest Mercedes out there? Or is it the SLR or even the SL65 AMG?
Actually, speaking of the SL65, I knew a guy at college when I was doing a postgrad course who had an old shape one. It was very impressive even in central London - masses of shove I recall though strangely subdued at the same time. Great for lazy, fast cruising.
Is the new CLS Brabus Rocket the fastest Mercedes out there? Or is it the SLR or even the SL65 AMG?
Actually, speaking of the SL65, I knew a guy at college when I was doing a postgrad course who had an old shape one. It was very impressive even in central London - masses of shove I recall though strangely subdued at the same time. Great for lazy, fast cruising.
One can order (though it's not in the catalogue) an SL73. Bascially the Zonda engine.
They're quite quick....
I LOVE those wheels on the C32! I'd go for a saloon though 
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Performance difference between the C32 and C55 is minimal or nothing. However you may be surprised to hear the 5.5 V8 is supposedly lighter and has lower centre of gravity than the supercharged V6 (supercharger on top between the cylinders..).
. Performance difference between the C32 and C55 is minimal or nothing. However you may be surprised to hear the 5.5 V8 is supposedly lighter and has lower centre of gravity than the supercharged V6 (supercharger on top between the cylinders..).
My friend's Dad has a saloon C32. He sometimes allows my friend to drive it. All I can say is that they fall in the category of "F-ing Quick".
I was in the car with his Dad driving. Nailed the accelerator at 90mph and we were at 120 in what seemed a split second!
The strange thing is - most probably due to a supercharger as opposed to a turbo charger - theres no real sudden boost of power. Yes you feel that nice pushing sensation in your lower abdomin upon full whack, but you soon get used to it, so never really feel the speed. Add to the refinement of the Mercedes motor, and you struggle to feel the difference between 40 and 140! (Although peering out the window is a sure sign as to your speed)
Darren
I was in the car with his Dad driving. Nailed the accelerator at 90mph and we were at 120 in what seemed a split second!
The strange thing is - most probably due to a supercharger as opposed to a turbo charger - theres no real sudden boost of power. Yes you feel that nice pushing sensation in your lower abdomin upon full whack, but you soon get used to it, so never really feel the speed. Add to the refinement of the Mercedes motor, and you struggle to feel the difference between 40 and 140! (Although peering out the window is a sure sign as to your speed)
Darren
I remember Autocar's road test/comparison of the C32 when it was new against the E46 M3. It did 0-60 in 4.6s which is blindingly quick. I always suspected, however, that it was a "magazine special" with a little more power than quoted... If the C32 is that much quicker 0-100 than the C55 that may confirm that, given they're supposed to be similar power figures, and it is claimed the C32 engine is heavier than the V8.
pentoman said:
Great stuff - very rare to see about really! Probably rarer to see being driven quickly
Yep supercharged 3.2 of 350bhp or thereabouts. I think they're quite easy to tune with a remap and/or different pulley, which is quite exciting. The Autocar test car was a fair bit quicker than the E46 M3, but I reckon it was a magazine special!
Yep supercharged 3.2 of 350bhp or thereabouts. I think they're quite easy to tune with a remap and/or different pulley, which is quite exciting. The Autocar test car was a fair bit quicker than the E46 M3, but I reckon it was a magazine special!
I had a C32 AMG, ran it for 3 years 62k miles and it was fantastic to drive. A colleague has an M3 and in a straight line It would always beat him
, around corners not quite so goodI've been enjoying one since the autumn. Lucky to get 30mpg at best, but lots of fun - a real performance bargain and very rare.
Not so sure about the electronic 155mph limit - this one is supposed to be stock:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aTi4BtJeJG
Not so sure about the electronic 155mph limit - this one is supposed to be stock:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aTi4BtJeJG
I have one of the last saloons, and as suggested it is quick with a capital F, and is indeed as subtle as it is quick. So few around so people have no idea that they're any different from any other C-Class.
I too suspect that the Autocar Roadtest car was a particularly healthy model managing 4.6s - around 400bhp would be required, which to be fair is easy enough with a chip and pully. Alternatively an LSD may have helped it off the line a little.
Last month we managed to get four C32 AMG together, along with two SLK32 AMG and a variety of other tasty Mercs. Possibly the biggest single gathering of the 32s in the UK ever!! Photo here:
I too suspect that the Autocar Roadtest car was a particularly healthy model managing 4.6s - around 400bhp would be required, which to be fair is easy enough with a chip and pully. Alternatively an LSD may have helped it off the line a little.
Last month we managed to get four C32 AMG together, along with two SLK32 AMG and a variety of other tasty Mercs. Possibly the biggest single gathering of the 32s in the UK ever!! Photo here:
Edited by Bobby Dazzler on Saturday 17th February 22:17
I was looking at one of these before I bought my CL, didn't know they were that quick!!
Just been looking at the new shape E55 prices and my god what a bargain they are becoming...Seen some as low as £25k, now that must be a good buy??? Are these very quick machines?
T.
Just been looking at the new shape E55 prices and my god what a bargain they are becoming...Seen some as low as £25k, now that must be a good buy??? Are these very quick machines?
T.
Edited by Big T on Sunday 18th February 08:25
Big T said:
I was looking at one of these before I bought my CL, didn't know they were that quick!!
Just been looking at the new shape E55 prices and my god what a bargain they are becoming...Seen some as low as £25k, now that must be a good buy??? Are these very quick machines?
T.
Just been looking at the new shape E55 prices and my god what a bargain they are becoming...Seen some as low as £25k, now that must be a good buy??? Are these very quick machines?
T.
Edited by Big T on Sunday 18th February 08:25
Scarily porsche embarrassing quick
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