2010 vs 2011 E63

[tonysmb]

If you're looking at a car in the changeover period which seems to be the case, I'd strongly suggest that you drive both. I can't comment on the E63 specifically but I have experience with both engines in the SLs and whilst both are good (maybe great?), they are different. Both provide decent performance but I think the 6.2 needs to be 'driven' just a tad more than the 5.5. I suspect that most people would find either to be perfectly agreeable but on balance I prefer the way the 5.5 drives. Only just though and I'd be very happy with either. I have nothing against NA V8s, having a TVR V8 which I've kept for 15+ years simply because I like it and can't really find a decent replacement - the SLs are great but different to TVR and you'll find the same with an E.

I'd also suggest that you check out the slight changes with the dash displays on the E, which changed around 2011 IIRC. Others have mentioned head bolts but there's plenty about it online.

ETA: Thinking about it, as the car is likely to be a few years old, I'd probably prioritise condition, ownership & service history, colour/spec etc rather than holding out for a specific engine

 

[Technoholic]

Thanks for all the advice so far.
Ignoring the engine dilemma for a minute, if I was to push my budget, perhaps I’d even consider selling the TVR and the X5, I really love the looks of the CLS shooting brake, drove a 63 at MB world and it was fantastic. Providing I can live with the slightly less practical boot etc, should I be swayed towards or against those? If I sold both the cars, I could probably get a CLS and still have a bit left over for a weekend toy of sorts.

 

[st13phil]

If you need real carrying space, then it has to be the E-Class.

The CLS has a more "premium" feel to the interior, and despite being on essentially the same platform the CLS and the E-Class drive differently, so once again you need to try them both out.

 

[Technoholic]

Here's the option list for the E63 I linked previously, thoughts?

003 MANUAL DATE-CONTROLLED VEHICLE
050 AEJ 09/2
102 CONTROL PRODUCTION TEST 2
108 CONTROL CODE MARKETING
200A LEATHER
201A LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
213 SPEED-SENSITIVE POWER STEERING/VARIO STEERING
218 REAR-VIEW CAMERA
230 PARKING GUIDANCE
236 ADAPTIVE REAR INTERIOR LIGHT
249 INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR MIRROR,AUTOMATICALLY DIMMING
250 AMG DRIVER PACKAGE
255B MB MOBILO WITH DSB AND GGD
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
279 ELECTRONIC GEAR RANGE SELECTION
281 AMG PERFORMANCE STEERING WHEEL
283B AIRBAGLABLE - ENGLISH
287 THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
291 PELVIS AIRBAG (PELVISBAG)
294 KNEE AIRBAG
297 ELECTRIC ROLLER SUN BLINDS IN REAR DOOR LH AND RH
305B HEAD UNIT LANGUAGE - BRITISH ENGLISH
309 CUP HOLDER
335B INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/HU LANGUAGE - ENGLISH
386 UNIVERSAL TELEPHONY PACKAGE
409 FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT MULTICONTOUR SEAT
413 PANORAMIC SLIDING SUNROOF/GLASS SUNROOF
427 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
43P CONTROL CODE MARKETING
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
471 MECHANICAL LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL
475 TIRE PRESSURE CONTROL
488 CHASSIS WITH STEEL/AIR SUSPENSION
512 COMAND APS WITH DVD CHANGER
518 UNIVERSAL COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE (UCI)
537 DIGITAL RADIO STANDARD DAB (DIGI. AUDIO BROADC.)
537L GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
543 SUN VISOR WITH ADDITIONAL FUNCTION
551 BASIC ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM (ATA)
581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
5XXL EUROPE
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
608 AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM SWITCH (IHC)
619 CORNERING ILLUMINATION
621 HEADLAMP WITH ILS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
650U CALCITE WHITE - STANDARD FINISH
666 PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/O TIE-DOWN HOOKS
669 SPARE WHEEL / FOLDING WHEEL
670 RESIDUAL ENGINE HEAT UTILIZATION (MRA)
772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE-FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRT
793 AMG 19" DOUBLE-SPOKE WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES
800 CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR
80N STEUERCODE WERK SINDELFINGEN/GRAZ
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
817 SIREN BRACKET FOR INCREASED THEFT PROTECTION
82T STEUERCODE FUER BAULOSE
840 DARK TINTED GLASS
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 SENSOR SYSTEM AND ANTITHEFT ALARM SYSTEM
885 HIGHTEN THEFT PROTECTION
89V SPEED- + LOADINDEX ZR19 XL+ZR19 XL
915 FUEL TANK WITH GREATER CAPACITY - VOLUME 2
928 EXHAUST GAS CLEANING WITH EURO 5 TECHNOLOGY
942 LOAD COMPARTMENT PACKAGE
954 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
966 COC PAPER EURO 5 TECH. W/O REGIST. CERT. PART 2
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
A21 SHIFT BY WIRE
A50 ENGINE BRACKET VARIANT
A51 VS-F VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH VGS 3
B12 WHEEL REPLACEMENT TOOL
F212 MODEL SERIES 212
FS COMBI - VEHICLE
G930 TRANSMISSION CODE VERSION 30
GA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
H73 TRIM PIECES - CARBON HIGH GLOSS
HA REAR AXLE
K10 SOFTWARE CONTROL FOR STATIC CURVE ILLUMINATION
K11 ADAPTIVE STOP LIGHT FLASHING
K14 CONTROL CODE FOR SERVICE INTERVAL 20000 KM
M156 V8 GASOLINE ENGINE M156 - AMG
M63 6.3 LITER DISPLACEMENT
P09 SUN PROTECTION PACKAGE
P35 LIGHT PACKAGE (FFO)
P54 THEFT PROTECTION PACKAGE
R RIGHT-HAND STEERING
R01 SUMMER TIRES
U01 REAR BELT STATUS INDICATION
U18 AUTOMATIC CHILD SEAT RECOGNITATION (AKSE)
U25 ILLUMINATED DOOR SILL
U26 FLOOR MATS - AMG
U72 DVD PLAYER WITH REGIONAL CODE 2, EUROPE, JAPAN
VL FRONT AXLE HALF, LEFT
VR FRONT AXLE HALF, RIGHT

Mercedes Benz VIN decoded at VIN Decoder for Mercedes-Benz

 

[st13phil]

Here's the option list for the E63 I linked previously, thoughts?

Items listed below were optional extras, all the rest was standard:

218 REAR-VIEW CAMERA
250 AMG DRIVER PACKAGE
297 ELECTRIC ROLLER SUN BLINDS IN REAR DOOR LH AND RH
386 UNIVERSAL TELEPHONY PACKAGE
409 FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT MULTICONTOUR SEAT
471 MECHANICAL LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL
475 TIRE PRESSURE CONTROL
840 DARK TINTED GLASS
H73 TRIM PIECES - CARBON HIGH GLOSS
P09 SUN PROTECTION PACKAGE

 

[Technoholic]

Ok thanks, so it’s missing a few potentially nice options but it’s not a bad start to see what sort of prices I’m aiming for and what options are key

 

[AMGeed]

Be aware that the CLS is a 4 seater not 5 like the E class.
Just in case you really need that extra seat on occasion.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Be aware that the CLS is a 4 seater not 5 like the E class.
Just in case you really need that extra seat on occasion.

The estate is a 5 seater.

 

[AMGeed]

The estate is a 5 seater.

Doh......course it is

 

[Technoholic]

Hypothetically, does a C class feel much different from an E class in terms of luxury, refinement etc? I’m not sure a c class would be big enough for the family but just wanted to explore the option.

 

[st13phil]

Yes, they feel totally different. Aside from the increased space (especially in the back), the higher equipment levels and better ride, the E-Class chassis is significantly better than the C-Class.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Hypothetically, does a C class feel much different from an E class in terms of luxury, refinement etc? I’m not sure a c class would be big enough for the family but just wanted to explore the option.

Yes - the interior feel and luxury took a backwards step from the outgoing models but the E still feels that bit more premium.