I made the leap in late May and am just now finding time to post pics. It was tough saying goodbye to the Crossfire. Found a extremely clean C55 AMG in Charleston, SC at a used luxury car dealership. 32,000 miles on the odo and two prior owners. The dealership made purchasing the car a cake walk and was run by an upstanding young guy (Luxury Cars of Charleston for those interested).

Stats below:

Trade-in:
2004 SSB Coupe
76,000 miles
$6800 trade-in
Notes: needed four new tires ( would have cost me $1100), had a ding in the rear-passenger side quarter panel, needed a complete re-alignment, had a few paint scratches on rear and front bumpers.

New Car:
2006 C55 AMG
32,000 miles
$24,500
Notes: extremely clean, a few small rock chips in lower front bumper, a few hairline scratches in the paint, interior is immaculate

I have spent a fair amount of time over at mbworld.org and my general impression is that the Crossfire forum is a one-of-a-kind car forum. Because of the sheer amount of Mercedes owners there are far too many forums for all C55 or other C-class owners to be drawn to just one forum. Because the Crossfire is such a unique car and this Crossfire Forum is the only substantial Crossfire forum out there, the collective knowledge of the members and the range of topics covered here is staggering.

I will be stopping in from time to time but just wanted to say goodbye and thanks to all of the forum members who have helped me through their knowledgeable responses to posts and detailed DIYs. Because of this forum, I learned how to:

-change my own brake pads
-change my own headlights
-change the crankshaft position sensor
-change the engine air filter
-change my cabin air filter
-change my own oil
-patch a tire
...and the list goes on.

Once thing I will find solace in is the familiarity of the Crossfire and the C55's engine layout. While the C55's 364hp naturally-aspirated V8 monster is much larger and more powerful than the Crossfire's 215hp V6, you will see in my pics that similarities are immediately recognizable.

Thank you everyone and check out the pics on flickr after the jump! I put a few pics of my Crossfire and a few pics of the new car up.

. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Congrats on your new car.

 

Congrats on the sweet new ride, now you can get real service at the dealership!

 

grats on the car. looks good! sorry you had to part with the crossfire but you got a good deal on the mb. hope to see you around with updates on the new car and maybe you can compare the two cars for us.

 

That was part of my logic for the upgrade. While my Crossfire was ticking like clockwork and all seemed to be well with the engine, signs of its age and mileage were beginning to show and in the back of my mind was a nagging voice asking me where exactly I would take the Crossfire for a major fix if something went bad.

Obviously the first thought would have been to take it to a trusted indy, but I don't have one of those.

Of course by that logic alone, I could have bought a lot of different cars which have a fully-supported dealer network and that would have been a lot more fuel efficient and cheaper to maintain! But there was a lot more to the decision than just that.

One thing that reminds me why I chose the C55 is every time I step on the gas and my neck-snaps back from the sheer power of the engine and torque.

 

oh yeah the c55 will put the crossfire to shame when it comes to power. at least the coupe and roadster models anyways

 

If I ever get another car (besides another Crossfire or two) I too will step into a Mercedes.
Impressed with the quality. Good move.

 

Excellent choice, I looked at the c55 before going with my crossfire. I just didn't want to spend over 20k for a car I was only going to drive on the weekends. I plan to upgrade to a AMG car sometime. Keep us updated on what you think!

Cory

 

Hello All:

It has been a while since I posted on this forum. Well long story short, I was in an accident in my C55 (a low-speed accident mind you) and my car is being totaled. The depreciation of the AMGs combined with the extremely expensive components of the vehicle are to blame.

If you are interested, details on the accident and pictures can be found here: C55 Accident - Depressed - MBWorld.org Forums

Needless to say, I am back in the market for a car (sadly), and am seriously considering picking up a SRT-6 (which was originally what I intended to buy instead of the C55 after having my Crossfire Limited). With the deals so good right now on the SRT-6, my interest in getting a lower car payment since my insurance premiums will go up, and the fact that I never really "fell out of the love" with the Crossfire (I would always find myself admiring them when I would see them on the road), in addition to the fact that in spite of my love for the C55 it was sad to have to rack up commuting miles on such an expensive car - it seems like an SRT-6 is the way to go for me. It will be my DD.

After the accident the thought struck me, stop wasting your money on cars, just buy a Hyundai or something and be done with them. But I get my joy from driving and working on cars, and I think the SRT-6 would keep my commutes exhilarating and help me maintain my sense of passion for cars.

Looking at two right now:

1. Black 2005 SRT-6, 41,500 miles, Condition: very good, Warranty: none, List: $15,500 - no negotiations as of yet
2. Black 2005 SRT-6, 28,900 miles, Condition, appears to be good, Warranty: unknown, List: $17,000, negotiated price so far $16,000

It will be different going from the luxury of the C55 and roominess, to the cramped quarters of the XFire again, however, I am excited. I am also test driving a 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 this weekend to see how I like it.

Any thoughts/advice you guys can give is much appreciated. If I do buy a Crossfire, it will be nice to come "home" to this (my first) auto forum.

 

You're going to struggle going from the C55 to an SRT6. The SRT has the potential to put out a hell of a lot more power than the C55, but the interior quality is no where near the same. I'm not trying to create a war or say the Crossfire's interior isn't good. It just doesn't hold a candle to the MB interior though.

The SRT is a great car, and if you get it you'll have a hell of a lot of fun. I'd look at the SLK32 though as well, and maybe if you need a sedan a C32.

 

TRAITOR! You started off with a crossfire and you move up to a MB. Now the crossfire is garbage in your eyes... yet you still hang around this place.

Mark my words... one day you will wish you never sold your crossfire!

Just breaking your chops. Couldn't resist... you set yourself up for this!

 

Just for reference, I leave my cars stock. My Limited was stock, my C55 was stock, and if I get an SRT-6 it will be left stock. I just prefer cars that way and makes me worry less (did I already say I am OCD about my cars - who isn't though!?) about reliability and such. I agree that while the "napa leather" in the C55 was nice, those Alcantara seats look comfy!

 

Sorry to hear about the accident and the SRT is a very nice looking car as well. Glad to hear you weren't hurt.

 

Lol I love the Crossfire and am happy to point out the plus side of an SRT over a 55 AMG. Interior wise the SLK wins, everything that you touch is soft and covered in leather with thick padding. Driving the Crossfire my elbows would start to hurt because of the thin padding on the driver side door arm rest and the plastic center console. Funny thing though, I loved the design of the center console, with the spine running through it.

I personally prefer the styling of the SLK 55 to the Crossfire, but of course that's a matter of opinion, but as an aero stand point the Crossfire is the better design. It's much more stable at higher speeds than my SLK, top up or down.

As far as the engine, there is much more I can do with much less money on the SRT. That engine is just built to be added too. Throw on a tune, dCAI, and pulley and you have one hell of a rocket ship. Plus you've only spent $1,500 dollars, and can be done with less if your willing to buy used and are patient. For now though I'm done with more power, and am just enjoying the sound of the V8 with the top down.

Overall the Crossfire and the SLK are both wonderful cars and when it comes down to it pick the car that speaks to you more. This place is a hoot though, so no since in leaving us

 

This forum rocks. The german one (Chrysler whatever dont remember the site in beer fog) is ****. So mean and bad to
Me after my first post in the xf section. Yet again, this forum is fantastic!!!!! Some like, some dislikes but hey, all in all this place rocks!

 

Really? I guess I didn't drive it fast enough last time, I figured the SLK would win that battle for sure.

 

I have Aero Blue SRT with 19,400 miles in great condition. Have it listed for $17,200 and will offer it to you for $16,500. Car is in Ft Lauderdale FL.

Jim cell 954 547 2929

 

While I appreciate the generous offer, these two vehicles I am interested in are 10-40 miles from me (one of which is already registered in my state). I don't know if I have it in me to handle the logistics of a long distance purchase. Thanks though.

 

Nope, at 135+ I get front end lift. I eventually put a front spoiler on to resolve that though.

 

Free advise is worth what one pays for it. With that said, I always go for low mileage when buying used. Lots of minor things can be fixed, but the clock cannot be turned back, not legally anyway. Best of luck with whatever direction you choose.