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C63 Coupe "Soup to Nuts"

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Khamen

Khamen

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Joined
Jan 15, 2012
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196
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C63 AMG Coupe
New to the forums but as I mentioned in my "Introduce yourself" thread, I thought I'd start a thread on the whole experience of buying, driving and running a C63 Coupe from new.

I'm sure there are a hundred threads on the forum re specific queries and questions, but not sure if anyone has started and kept running a "long term test" on this model.

I was lucky enough to order my new car yesterday. It's due for delivery on the new plate in late March or early April, so the waiting starts here. This is my first new Mercedes, and also my first AMG so it should be an interesting learning curve.

I'll post a few thoughts on the buying experience, test drive, spec, etc in a follow-up post shortly rather than stretch this opener to 100 lines...

Cheers
K
 
C63 thread - brace yourself

incoming.jpg
 
I was going to say expect the following

1. Rust
2. Rip off dealers
3. More rust
4. Dissappointment at the dealers
5. A breakdown
6. So more rust
7. A breakdown
8. Selling it and feeling relief....

Kidding, sure the car will be awesome and if I had the money to own one and drive it without worrying re costs, its exactly what I would buy.
 
Not really the C63, Steve, but you did manage to rather accurately describe the W203 experience (from what I've heard - never attempted to buy one)
 
neilz said:
Not really the C63, Steve, but you did manage to rather accurately describe the W203 experience (from what I've heard - never attempted to buy one)
Click to expand...
Depends on the car/engine etc. Some taxi 203s done steller miles no sweat, others never see anything other than a mechanics lift and spanner.

My last 211 was fine and was spookily reliable. I'd be honest have another and be a bit slower. This car's on failure 3 (failure rendering it unusable) and the last car I did the same miles in and no bother.
 
Seems a mixed batch, wonder how reliable C63s are. Hope Khamen keeps us updated - you would've thought the most advanced cars would have the most to go wrong but they could have the most effort put into quality control with them
 
Khamen said:
New to the forums but as I mentioned in my "Introduce yourself" thread, I thought I'd start a thread on the whole experience of buying, driving and running a C63 Coupe from new.

I'm sure there are a hundred threads on the forum re specific queries and questions, but not sure if anyone has started and kept running a "long term test" on this model.

I was lucky enough to order my new car yesterday. It's due for delivery on the new plate in late March or early April, so the waiting starts here. This is my first new Mercedes, and also my first AMG so it should be an interesting learning curve.

I'll post a few thoughts on the buying experience, test drive, spec, etc in a follow-up post shortly rather than stretch this opener to 100 lines...

Cheers
K
Click to expand...

On behalf of the masses of ordinary AMG appreciating MB owners let me warmly welcome you to the forum - you may need to refer to this warm welcome now and again :thumb:.

Good luck.
 
At least the tag monsters have no hope in this thread!
 
I think another member gets one in March also. You could do it together. Report on the cars that is:)
 
Why do I sense I have opened a can 'o worms? ;)

Well, I'll see how it goes and if the flames get too hot I can always go hide in a corner...

No willy-waving intended, the idea is to have an objective view on costs, ups and downs.

Ok, so...


The brief was to get something to replace an aging Golf. I'm hardly Jim Clark but I am comfortable with some rwd oomph and have a bit of track experience. I wanted something that could be used as the daily driver but at the right time could put a smile on my face.


The list was boiled down to the usual suspects - M3 or 1M from BMW, the new 911, a Nissan GTR and ofc the C63 coupe.


To cut a long story short, after driving the Nissan I knew I'd lose my license within a week. The Porsche is a fine machine but when pretty much everything is (an expensive) extra it soon gets rather pricey for a Carrera S.


BMW disappointed - I didn't drive the cars as the local dealer never even bothered to return a number of calls or mails requesting info and a date for a test drive. Oh dear. If they can't return a call then how could I trust them to look after a car? I have driven the V8 M3 on a number of occasions on road and track though, and although I like them a lot they can be a bit high strung when pushing on.


So, Mercedes...


I called the local dealer yesterday morning and was offered a test drive that afternoon. Good start.


The showroom staff were friendly, courteous and efficient, and after a quick cuppa and a browse arounf the numerous AMGs on show I was taken out by the sales guy for the test drive.


The test car was the C63 saloon with PP. I know it seems to be the fashion but I wasn't taken too much with the white paintwork and 19" black multi-spokes, but that's just my taste I suppose.


Objectively the things that stood out on the test drive were the directness and weighting of steering, torquey low-down grunt and the user-friendliness of the MCT 7-speed 'box. I know it gets some slating in the press but once you got your hgead around how many ways there are to change gear I found it stress-free and amply responsive enough for road driving.


And then there were those little blips on the downshift of course, which brings us to the noise.


Dear god! Not sure about super unleaded, this thing sounds like it's been feeding on a cocktail of orphans and small planets. I'm sure a lot of people on the forums are every familiar with the sound of the 6.2L V8 but this was my first experience of it - what an engine, what a noise! guaranteed to bring out the kid in you.


The sales guy was an understanding passenger and allowed an extension of the drive to take in some twisty local roads, rather than just the inevitable straight-line blast on a dual carriageway. He did ask that I didn't destroy the tyres as it was the bosses car, but I got a good feel for the dynamic capabilities. Much more impressed with the handling than I had been expecting. In the past I've driven fast Mercs and they've been hedge-seeking hot-rods. This had plenty of balance and a really adjustable rump. Nice!


In fact I was so impressed that when we got back I spec'd and ordered one. It made sense to get it on the new plates, but to be honest the lead time on the order took it to end March/early April anyway.


Spec and options up next.


K
 
 
Hi and welcome to the forum,I bet you can`t wait
 
Word of warning(mainly to myself)- I'm expecting flak for a few things from those in the know on what I finally ended up buying, but more on that later.

I suppose the curious thing was that I ended up ordering the coupe when I had driven the saloon. The dealership had a C250 coupe in the showroom but not the C63. However, as it's the same chassis I felt comfortable that the saloon experience would be "representative" shall we say.

Base spec:

Magnetite Black Metallic
Designo leather interior - red/black

Options

One of the things that came as a pleasant surprise is that these things come pretty well equipped as standard. In the past I remember an old C-class I owned that as basically a body shell, engine and seats with everything else an option.

In the C63 things like the designo leather, coms and ICE package, sunroof, parking sensors, memory seats, etc come as standard.

Shame the slip diff doesn't come as standard if you ask me when the whole point is it's a performance car. Anyway extras...

Performance Package plus

OK, shoot me down but this is the one I DIDN'T take. The PPP is a £5,200 option on the price list and effectively swaps out some of the internals for the equivalents from the SLS (pistons, conrods, etc). Net result = +30bhp. On top of that they stick some random carbon fibre on the boot, paint your brake callipers red and put some alcantara on a bit of the steering wheel. I was told that it also slightly firms up the suspension, but no mention of this in the literature.

Now to be honest if you aren't happy with the engine and it's standard 450bhp I'm not sure 480bhp is going to move you to another level of performance. It's an AMG. It's a machine that I hope would be engineered for performance as standard. Offering a "Performance Package" for this car sounds to my cynical side like opportunism. It's like trying to sell Esther Ranson teeth extensions.

Anyway that's why I didn't buy it. I'm sure someone will tell me I just blew it at the first hurdle, but I fail to see the value in a splash of paint and a furry steering wheel.

What I did end up with:

19" Muti-spoke titanium grey alloys
Slippy Diff
Privacy Glass
Harman Kardon system
Reversing Camera - completely superfluous on retrospect, but nevermind

And that's about it.

Final price per list came to a touch over £62k. Worth bearing in mind that the first year RFL is £1000 (£460 after that).

I usually replace cars after 3 years and therefore a finance deal makes sense. I work in the finance business so know all the little tricks, but the M-B Agility (personal operating lease basically) offer currently running is actually a good deal.

After a 12% discount and small part-ex for the Golf I ended up with a 12,000 mile p.a., 36 month contract at £720 per month.

One thing I would point out is the excess mileage charge. According to the dealer it is "supposed to be" 16p per mile on AMGs. On the contract it says 9p per mile. This actually makes a difference as you are better off over the 3 years going with a lower contracted mileage and paying the excess, as it will be a lower total than the increase in monthly charge for taking e.g. a 15k p.a. contract.

As far as securing the order for build queue the official line is apparently a £5k deposit on order, but I told them they could have £2k now which they accepted. Not sure how much was policy and how much dealer blah.

Right, so there we are. Car ordered. Overall I was very impressed with the service from the dealer if I'm honest. The only sterotypical "value add" they looked to slip past me was around the GAP insurance of course which I was expecting, but to be honest I was ok to take it noting that I would have a small equity gap for about 6 months.

Deal done, roll on delivery...

K
 
Khamen said:
OK, shoot me down but this is the one I DIDN'T take. The PPP is a £5,200 option on the price list and effectively swaps out some of the internals for the equivalents from the SLS (pistons, conrods, etc). Net result = +30bhp. On top of that they stick some random carbon fibre on the boot, paint your brake callipers red and put some alcantara on a bit of the steering wheel. I was told that it also slightly firms up the suspension, but no mention of this in the literature.

Now to be honest if you aren't happy with the engine and it's standard 450bhp I'm not sure 480bhp is going to move you to another level of performance. It's an AMG. It's a machine that I hope would be engineered for performance as standard. Offering a "Performance Package" for this car sounds to my cynical side like opportunism. It's like trying to sell Esther Ranson teeth extensions.

Anyway that's why I didn't buy it. I'm sure someone will tell me I just blew it at the first hurdle, but I fail to see the value in a splash of paint and a furry steering wheel.
Click to expand...

You seem OK...keep it up... :)
 
Thanks for the welcomes folks.

Oh, and I also took the 36 month minor damage insurance for £450. I'm not great when it comes to detailing/dent/scratch repairs so this just suits me to have rogue shopping trollies covered

K
 
Hi Khamen. Good to read your thread - do ignore any '63 naysayers that pop up though. It looks like you know your onions, and a great choice you made too. Not at all jealous, me... ;)

Have fun!
 
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