Description
Originally a Mercedes-Benz Birmingham dealership demonstrator model. A Knightsbridge based countrywide hotelier (and Mercedes enthusiast) purchased it in 2005 where it was kept by their family until 2024. They were chauffeur driven for 2-3 years prior to my purchase of the car.
There is a substantial service and maintenance history file. The following has also been carried-out since Early August 2024.
Mid-August 2024: Genuine Mercedes-Benz (Brentford) mesh AMG grille clips for front bumper.
Late August 2024: Replacement genuine Mercedes-Benz parcel shelf (typically over £600 from dealer). A second-hand item in very good condition is fitted. Interior trim items for rear seats such as seat-belt cover for rear centre seat. See photos.
September 2024: Left cylinder bank intake pipe. Genuine Mercedes-Benz item A209 528 02 07. See photos.
October 2024: Continental Rear tyres, Mercedes-Benz rocker cover gaskets & oil level sensor, brake pads. Main service @ 103, 321 including spark plugs. October 26th 2024: MOT without advisories.
Early December 2024: Genuine Mercedes-Benz oil cooler gasket replacement. Genuine Mercedes-Benz Poly V-belt & pulley, INA tensioner, Artex water pump, Genuine Mercedes-Benz water pump gaskets. See photos.
Late December 2024: Front lower suspension overhaul including Control arms and ARB drop-links. Parts sourced from Mercedes-Benz Edinburgh, LSH Auto (Mercedes-Benz Birmingham), and Euro Car Parts (1no. Lemforder arm). New Battery fitted with tray fully cleaned of debris. See photos.
March 2025: Front upper suspension overhaul. LSH Auto (Mercedes-Benz Birmingham) supplied front Eibach AMG stamped springs & Mercedes-Benz top mounts. See photos.
Official Bilstein distributor sourced 'B8' front shock absorbers. Note: I know some C55 owners choose the B6 but after numerous calls to official distributors the recommended compatibility is the B8. The handling and particularly ride quality is much improved over the stock AMG shocks which were very firm; somewhat understandable given the car was set up for both road and track (F1 safety/ medical car). The old shocks can be included if you wish as I have no use for them.
Mid-April 2025: Wheel alignment / tracking following front suspension work.
Early May 2025: De-badged rear, paint correction to remove swirl marks. Refit of front AMG mesh grill clips. Headlamp buff. Further information below. Note: The original rear C55 & AMG badges are set-aside and will be included with the car if the new custodian wants to re-fit them. Edit: Front door handles and front lower bumper repainted during rear de-badge.
May 27th 2025: Main Service @ 109, 151
A fraction of the work and maintenance carried-out is reflected in price.
When reviewing the photos, please note the history file laid out in a fan shape is from the previous owner. The files set out in a grid fashion are from myself - August 2024 to present.
The interior has held-up very well for the car's age and use. There are some cabin items such as door pulls/ arms with scratched plastic. In October 2024 the car was professionally detailed inside and out. In May 2025 the bodywork and hand lamps were mopped and polished by my detailer, including front bumper repaint to remove stone marks. Whilst the headlamps were polished - one side is not as clear as the other perhaps due to a past blown bulb (see photos).
The original gear shifter is a bit worn so I have sourced a better quality leather shifter from a CLK which will come with the car. The drivers footwell mat has a hole but I prefer to drive with a thin rubber mat over it to avoid dust and debris getting into the footwell.
The nice flat dashboard top (reminiscent of a E23 6-series) is in perfect condition without cracks. The flat top is a welcome change from the overly curved dash dash tops in a W126, W124 and W211 - always difficult to put papers on when stopping for work/ beverage at a service station.
Air conditioning and heaters work very effectively without issues.
When buying the car there was a sunroof safety recall that has been addressed by Mercedes-Benz Tamworth (LSH Auto). The tilt and slide mechanisms work perfectly as does the internal slider.
The MB Bluetooth device (apparently quite an expensive item if you were to seek one today) is within the centre front armrest and connects without issue. The internal lighting and switch gear are all operational, including the 12V cigarette lighter for phone charging. Speakers are Harmon-Kardon.
The plaque showing the engine builder's name is intact, though the MB star just beneath on the engine cover recently left without saying goodbye. I suspect this happened at the recent service. I may buy a new one from SPR Autos (Stockport) who sell near identical replicas to glue onto the mesh.
There will be a weekly increase in miles as these cars need to be run as part of their maintenance & to keep batteries topped up. 16th Aug Miles @ 111, 600. Only 595 variants of the C55 estate were produced worldwide and only 55 examples came to the UK. In context, Mercedes-Benz built 502 examples of both 190E Evo I & 190E Evo 2 homologation road cars for DTM participation. This is a very rare car compared to the 4000+ saloon C55's built.
In period the C55 estate (S203) was also a F1 Safety Car. The front-end is therefore much stiffer than the C32 which it replaced and helps the car handle extremely well. The replacement B8 front shocks are ideal for modern road conditions compared to the firmness of the original AMG shocks. The recent front ARB replacement helps ensure the car continues to handle like it is on rails.
This era of C55 was also the first AMG to feature a quad exhaust. No modern-day fakery here; all pipes are functional.
It has a naturally aspirated hand-built V8 with rear-wheel drive, an almost historic combination as modern ‘full-fat’ performance equivalents use hybrid and turbocharged engines. Comfort (C), Sport (S) and Manual (M) modes are available from the automatic lever. The paddle shifts on the steering wheel can be used with any mode.
The future custodian will enjoy the naturally aspirated V8 growl and instant throttle response. So a firmer press of the throttle in lower gears nudges you into your seat akin to a supercharged E55 for example. This is a nice change from the typical delayed throttle response I have experienced in M-B's - such as W126 300SE, W124 280E, W202 C200, pre-facelift W211 E320 CDI. The reason may be due to being a more modern AMG and it certainly helps in today's driving.
I have now scratched the V8 itch, and what a way to do it. Time for someone else to enjoy it alongside the maintenance and suspension upgrades carried-out. My journeys are also becoming much more local where the car's power is not always useable.
As a 2005 model it is well within the era of galvanised vehicles unlike some pre-2004 Mercedes. Having lived in London for over 90% of its life and garage kept since, there are no rust concerns.
Being a C-class, it avoids the complex SBC braking system from other models of the same period - e. g. pre-facelift W211 E-class, W220 S-class, R230 SL, C215 CL, and supercharged AMG variants of the same engine. It also avoids the costly complexity of the ABC hydraulic suspension from sibling models.
Specification items: Electric tilt/ slide sunroof, Folding electric mirrors, Parking sensors, Bi-Xenon headlamps, Cruise control, Heated front seats, Nappa leather upholstery, Alcantara seat inserts, Electric memory front seats, Electrically adjustable steering wheel, and dual Climate control.
Despite its 5. 4L 362hp engine, it is ULEZ compliant. It is surprisingly fuel efficient, returning just below or occasionally over 30mpg (once 33mpg) on a motorway run. See photos.
The C55 variant of the W203/ S203 uses a CLK (W209) front end, which many agree is better looking and balanced than the rushed fried egg front of the regular C-Class of this era. This was not just a cosmetic preference by Mercedes-Benz. The CLK front-end was to fit the larger V8 engine (as the outgoing C32 AMG was a V6). The previous occasion Mercedes-Benz & AMG carried-out similar design engineering was on the 300E & 300CE AMG (aka 'Hammer') to squeeze a larger V8 into a widened engine bay of the W124.
The C55 is not revered like a E46 M3 or Audi B5 RS4 from the same era; perhaps as it was automatic only and not as dynamic. However the production numbers make it much more exclusive.
The M113 engine is said to be one of Mercedes’ most reliable, using traditional port injection. The same era Audi S4’s and RS4’s use direct injection (which can result in carbon build-up) and have their timing-chain on the bulkhead side of the V8 engine. The C55 is a much more cost-effective option in today’s market.
The competition had higher BHP outputs but could not match the 500Nm torque from the C55’s M113, which is particularly accessible in 3rd gear as it is 'tall'. The M113 engine also had production span of 14 years - from the W210 E430 through to R171 SLK55 roadster - testament to its design and durability.
Cheaper examples of the C55 Estate currently for sale are likely to have much higher mileage and potentially not as well cared for - cosmetically or mechanically. The much higher priced examples perhaps have very low mileage and likely insufficiently used as a result. A cared for C55 should become more valuable as N/ A V8 engines have become a thing of the past. I may be mistaken but only a new Mustang comes to mind.
It's rarity, subtle AMG styling, engine, and F1 connection add to its quirks and charms making it a proper Q-car. The de-badged boot helps with the under the radar and so-called 'sleeper' look. The CLK front-end plus quad exhaust are the only external signs to it being a C55.
Group visits will be turned away. 'Offers' which I feel are disrespectful will be ignored. Thanks for looking and reading.
