Orion Blue Metallic, that’s what the paint is called and the main reason I decided to write up this Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG. One of the other reasons is that I’ve always felt this car was overlooked due to the its successor being the tire slaying C63 AMG. Those cars continue to fall in pice but it will be a few more years before they reach the bottom of the depreciation curve. The C55 is already close and will likely drop down a little further in the next couple of years. If you enjoy the “double bubble” headlight style of the W203 then this car has to be at the top of your list as it is the most aggressive looking one you could buy. What I find appealing is that even in AMG form, it still retains a clean sleeper look. Were it not for the matte black Vertini wheels, I think this car would be able to fly way under the radar, a bonus when you’ve got 362 hp on tap. If I were to take this home I’d probably swap them out the wheels for a nice brushed aluminum multi spoke from the AMG catalog, but I have to admit the concave style does add a certain badass element to the car. I think that has to be one of the most appealing things about the C55 AMG, it can be made to look like a mundane country club classic or a aggressive Autobahn animal. All you need to do is change a few minor things to tip the scales in either direction and I have to say, this car strikes a nice balance between the two.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG on eBay
Year: 2005
Model: C55 AMG
Engine: 5.4 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 123,423 mi
Price: $13,900 Buy It Now
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT LIST:
DVD Command Navigation System ($2210)
Premium Package ($925)
Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers
Rain Sensing Wipers
CD Player
CD Changer
Phone Equpiment ($765)
Telephone
Sirius Satellite Radio ($699)
Power Tilt &Â Sliding Tinted Sunroof w/1-Touch Open/Close
Lighting Package ($790)
HID Headlights
Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 Digital Surround Sound System
12 Speakers
7.1 Channel Amplifier
Digital Dynamic Volume Control
Fiber Optic Communication Among Components
Orion Blue Metallic Paint ($680)
10-Way Power Front Seats
Drivers Adjustable Lumbar Support
3 Position Memory
Easy Exit Feature
Heated Front Seats
18″ Custom Black WheelsVEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS:
5-Speed Automatic Transmission w/Dual Shift Mode
5.4L AMG SOHC SMPI 24-Valve Aluminum Alloy V8 Engine
362Â Horsepower
376Â FT/LB Torque
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Cruise Control
Quad Polished Stainless Steal Tips
Programmable Daytime Running Lights
Halogen Front Fog Lamps
AMG Nappa Leather Upholstery w/Alcantara Shoulder Inserts
3-Spoke Powered Leather Trimmed Sport Steering Wheel
Automatic Dual Zone Climate Control
Inside the C55 is standard W203 with a few of the usual AMG improvements. Deeply bolstered Nappa leather seats, speedometer that reads up to 200 mph and of course those AMG/V8 notation ins the gauge cluster. Many have called the W203 interior basic but I think that as time has gone on we can look back and see it as wonderfully simple. Sure compared to the many infotainment center focused interiors of today it might seem archaic but I stand by it as a good design for the era. As is the case with most AMG models, my biggest problem with the interior is between the front seats. You’re only allowed to select gears via a 5 speed automatic and for many that is a deal breaker. Normally I would be in that camp as well but having driven many other W203s over the years, I’m actually ok with the lack of a 3rd pedal. Even with the beefier AMG suspension and vented disc brakes, I don’t think of this car as being a driver focused machine. The quad tailpipes and 5.4L V8 co-produce a song that everyone in the car will enjoy and do so repeatedly in a straight line. That’s the kind of experience you can share with friends, unlike hustling a car at breakneck speeds around a track or canyon roads. Having sat in the back of a ’03 C-Class on many occasions I can say that it’s not the most comfortable of places, rear seat legroom is in short supply but it’s not unbearable. I’d have felt much better about the situation if I was being treated to the AMG experience. The fact that BMW didn’t make a 4 door M3 during this period further makes the case for the C55 and I think that it really stands alone as the fast compact four door luxury car of the era. The B6 Audi S4 is a hot mess compared to this car, far less luxurious and less reliable. I even prefer the styling of the Mercedes to the Audi, something I can rarely say.
Overall I think the C55 is one of the best performance bargains currently available. $14k for a solid luxury car that should continue to age well is a deal, especially one like this that’s fully loaded. HID headlights, 12 speaker Harmon Kardon surround sound system, and navigation elevate this example above the competition, rain sensing wipers and a rear sunshade don’t hurt either. But again, the most important option in my eyes the gorgeous Orion Blue Metallic paint. Next to Designo Matte Grey it is my favorite of Mercedes’ paint options and I think it works particularly well on this car. It would look really good in a garage between to a E63 AMG wagon in the aforementioned Designo Matte Grey and a Pewter Silver SLS. Yes, I think that’d be quite a nice quiver of hardware, quite nice indeed.
Cheers,
-Andrew
