ghibbett
Active Member
Length of ownership = 4 months
Mileage = 2048
MPG = 20.2mpg (18.65mpg calculated)
(new) Faults = None
So now I'm another month into C63 ownership and thought it time to reflect on a couple of aspects of the car that I've really noticed.
Engine braking
This car has serious amounts of engine braking. I guess with 6.2L of rotational friction it is always going to be the case, but there's really no need to use the brakes when using the Manual gearbox mode. It'll be interesting to see how this translates when out on track, something I hope to prove at the 'Ring later this year.
Steering feel
So I've now had my epiphany with the steering. It was whist out of a B-road blast on a cold december day. The roads were very slippery, however this particular road was even more so. I turned into the corner and immediately felt the steering weight change. It was my first warning and was telegraphed beautifully. The car then started to push into a little understeer before the back end stated to also slide. This was all at between 50-60mph and certainly caught my attention, however it was the way the steering communicated the changing grip levels that impressed me. This was the first time I had pushed the front end beyond its limits, and was very pleased to know that the steering can and will faithfully communicate what's going on at the front wheels.
So as for the last month, well the car spent a few weeks sitting at Heathrow whilst I was away over the Christmas period. I'd booked it into the Business car parking and hoped to find a good slot. Did I manage it? Nope. There was another C63 (white coupe) parked in one of those corner-type slots whereby the car sits at 45 degrees to the adjacent slots and therefore has a huge amount of space down each side, however I was not so fortunate. After scouring the car park for 20 minutes I gave up and plumped for a regular slot with one space to my left and a new Jag XF to my right. After 2 weeks I returned and after a good check down each side of the car, found it to be as I'd left it. Result! Obviously this will only be confirmed the next time I wash the car, but I think I may have gotten away with it. It was interesting to compare parking space sizes whilst I was away (in Canada): they're massive in Canada.
One small bonus of going to Heathrow was the tunnel leading to Terminals 1, 2 & 3. I dropped the wife off before parking the car, allowing me a quick tunnel round-trip. The wife filmed a quick few seconds of my first leg. Listen for the exhaust crack during the 2nd to 3rd gear change
C63 Quick tunnel blast - YouTube
As for the present, the C63 is at the dealership having its differential oil changed and having its rattles investigated. On the way down to MB a couple of the rattles were present, but when I took the workshop manager out for a demo drive they miraculously disappeared. Typical. Fortunately I'd prepared a presentation with a description of the rattles, pictures showing the noise locations with preventative pressure points and other details such as occurrence levels. As with these things, I believe the more work you put in, the better the result. Interestingly the workshop manager stated that my documentation will greatly help their discussions with MB regarding getting the work signed-off, which makes sense. They're going to take most of my centre stack and instrument binnacle out, then "re-seal it" (assume they mean add anti-squeak tape), then it will be road-tested by both the technician and workshop manager to ensure they've fixed the issue.
As I'm C63-less at present, I currently I have an '11 plate C180 Sport loan vehicle, as can be seen here:
It's actually an interesting comparison to drive another C-class, both in the fact that it's a non-AMG and also that it's an 11MY car rather than my 13MY car. So what differences have I found:
Exterior
It's certainly a handsome car. I like the colour far more than I thought I would, and also really like the wheels. The only problem is the single weedy exhaust at the back.
Engine
Obviously this is the big one. It's reasonably torquey being a turbo-charged engine, but only once the turbo is spinning. It really shows how much low-end grunt the C63 has. Otherwise it gets the job done reasonably well, although does sound strained above 4500rpm.
Transmission
I have the MCT 'box in my C63, whereas the C180 has the regular auto. I'd take my MCT each and every time. The standard auto is so slow to change gear - both up and down - and can also be a bit jerky on some of the shifts, even when set in C mode. In manual mode there really is no comparison. The only area where the regular auto wins is in pulling away (torque convertor vs wet clutch) where the C63 can feel a bit ponderous as it slips the clutch. This is however easily solved by pulling away in either S, S+ or Manual.
Economy
So far I'm averaging 31mpg according to the on-board display. For the return journey from the dealership to my house, I averaged 33mpg whereas my C63 would have managed 22mpg. So about 50% better however considering the performance difference, I'd be pretty disappointed.
Steering
This is the first thing I noticed. It's much lighter than the C63s with noticeably less self-centering (less castor?), however I cannot yet say whether there's any more or less feel.
Ride
Considering the cars a Sport model and on 17" wheels, the ride is magnificent! And I mean really, really comfortable. Whilst I think the C63 rides well-ish (mine has 18"s), I never thought there'd be this much difference. However the trade off can be felt at turn-in whereby the C180 feels quite wooly compared with the C63.
Seats
The much lauded seats in the C63 means anything else has a lot to live up to. And the seats in the C180? A mixed bag. I think the seat backrest is excellent, offering great support and comfort however the seat cushion is flat, unsupportive and not as comfortable as those in my C63.
View
A strange one this. Looking out over the bonnet is so different as the bonnet is just flat. There are no deeply dished contours as per my C63, just flat bonnet sloping away to the nose of the car. Interestingly it makes the car feel smaller when manoeuvring. Odd.
Display
This car does not have COMAND and I think the main display above the radio is smaller? It's certainly not as sharp with its graphics, and also has the ugly yellow colours for the menu bars (13MY cars changed to silver). This makes quite a big difference to the perceived quality of the cabin.
Instruments
Who ever thought that grey numerals on a white background was a good idea? (comparatively) Difficult to read and cheap looking, this is something that is a big improvement with the white on black with red dials of the C63. Bearing in mind that this is the part of the cabin you look at most, it's important that it looks good. Then again, one man's Picasso is another man's rendering of a turd, so what do I know.
Indicators
MY13 was the changeover point whereby the indicator was moved to the conventional position (9 o'clock) rather than the 7:30 - 8:00 position as before. This means I've increased my cruise control speed whilst trying to indicate right etc. As with all things, you soon get used to the difference, but what's also interesting is that the stalk is also different. Well actually it's not that interesting, but I thought I'd point it out.
Mirrors
Despite being a facelift model, I think there's been a subsequent change of wing mirror. When indicating I can see the mirror repeaters flashing from the driver's seat in my C63, but cannot in the C180.
So overall, and in re-reading the above, it appears that I don't really like the C180. This is in fact not true as it's a decent vehicle, but there are just a number of small differences that, well, make a difference. Is the C63 worth all that extra £££ over a cooking C180? To the average Joe no, not at all. But there are more differences to the two than just a bigger engine and firmer ride. The C63 does undoubtedly feel like a more premium product that the C180, with many special touches or differences that do, er, make a difference. Then you add the powertrain into the mix and it almost feels like a totally different car. But also one that rattles (at present).
Finally I want to end with a quote by MB Club member Seven, who made the following comment on one of my many threads whilst I waited (and waited!) for my C63 to be built and delivered:
You know what, this is so accurate. I've been through the same emotions: after taking delivery, thinking how much I had spent/was spending on the car and the fact it can function in getting me from A to B just as well as my daily hack, which is *considerably* cheaper. But now it's starting to come together more. I think the slippier conditions help as it means you can indulge in all sorts of low-speed slides and general antics that bring a huge smile to my face. And it just works well as a general package. It's comfortable, reassuring in its handling, all the electronic frippery works well with good integration yet it can be a proper hooligan just as well. And there's always that fantastic noise. Snarling, crackling and parping when you want it to, or smoothly pulsating in the background when you don't. I'm really falling for the car
Mileage = 2048
MPG = 20.2mpg (18.65mpg calculated)
(new) Faults = None
So now I'm another month into C63 ownership and thought it time to reflect on a couple of aspects of the car that I've really noticed.
Engine braking
This car has serious amounts of engine braking. I guess with 6.2L of rotational friction it is always going to be the case, but there's really no need to use the brakes when using the Manual gearbox mode. It'll be interesting to see how this translates when out on track, something I hope to prove at the 'Ring later this year.
Steering feel
So I've now had my epiphany with the steering. It was whist out of a B-road blast on a cold december day. The roads were very slippery, however this particular road was even more so. I turned into the corner and immediately felt the steering weight change. It was my first warning and was telegraphed beautifully. The car then started to push into a little understeer before the back end stated to also slide. This was all at between 50-60mph and certainly caught my attention, however it was the way the steering communicated the changing grip levels that impressed me. This was the first time I had pushed the front end beyond its limits, and was very pleased to know that the steering can and will faithfully communicate what's going on at the front wheels.
So as for the last month, well the car spent a few weeks sitting at Heathrow whilst I was away over the Christmas period. I'd booked it into the Business car parking and hoped to find a good slot. Did I manage it? Nope. There was another C63 (white coupe) parked in one of those corner-type slots whereby the car sits at 45 degrees to the adjacent slots and therefore has a huge amount of space down each side, however I was not so fortunate. After scouring the car park for 20 minutes I gave up and plumped for a regular slot with one space to my left and a new Jag XF to my right. After 2 weeks I returned and after a good check down each side of the car, found it to be as I'd left it. Result! Obviously this will only be confirmed the next time I wash the car, but I think I may have gotten away with it. It was interesting to compare parking space sizes whilst I was away (in Canada): they're massive in Canada.
One small bonus of going to Heathrow was the tunnel leading to Terminals 1, 2 & 3. I dropped the wife off before parking the car, allowing me a quick tunnel round-trip. The wife filmed a quick few seconds of my first leg. Listen for the exhaust crack during the 2nd to 3rd gear change
C63 Quick tunnel blast - YouTube
As for the present, the C63 is at the dealership having its differential oil changed and having its rattles investigated. On the way down to MB a couple of the rattles were present, but when I took the workshop manager out for a demo drive they miraculously disappeared. Typical. Fortunately I'd prepared a presentation with a description of the rattles, pictures showing the noise locations with preventative pressure points and other details such as occurrence levels. As with these things, I believe the more work you put in, the better the result. Interestingly the workshop manager stated that my documentation will greatly help their discussions with MB regarding getting the work signed-off, which makes sense. They're going to take most of my centre stack and instrument binnacle out, then "re-seal it" (assume they mean add anti-squeak tape), then it will be road-tested by both the technician and workshop manager to ensure they've fixed the issue.
As I'm C63-less at present, I currently I have an '11 plate C180 Sport loan vehicle, as can be seen here:
It's actually an interesting comparison to drive another C-class, both in the fact that it's a non-AMG and also that it's an 11MY car rather than my 13MY car. So what differences have I found:
Exterior
It's certainly a handsome car. I like the colour far more than I thought I would, and also really like the wheels. The only problem is the single weedy exhaust at the back.
Engine
Obviously this is the big one. It's reasonably torquey being a turbo-charged engine, but only once the turbo is spinning. It really shows how much low-end grunt the C63 has. Otherwise it gets the job done reasonably well, although does sound strained above 4500rpm.
Transmission
I have the MCT 'box in my C63, whereas the C180 has the regular auto. I'd take my MCT each and every time. The standard auto is so slow to change gear - both up and down - and can also be a bit jerky on some of the shifts, even when set in C mode. In manual mode there really is no comparison. The only area where the regular auto wins is in pulling away (torque convertor vs wet clutch) where the C63 can feel a bit ponderous as it slips the clutch. This is however easily solved by pulling away in either S, S+ or Manual.
Economy
So far I'm averaging 31mpg according to the on-board display. For the return journey from the dealership to my house, I averaged 33mpg whereas my C63 would have managed 22mpg. So about 50% better however considering the performance difference, I'd be pretty disappointed.
Steering
This is the first thing I noticed. It's much lighter than the C63s with noticeably less self-centering (less castor?), however I cannot yet say whether there's any more or less feel.
Ride
Considering the cars a Sport model and on 17" wheels, the ride is magnificent! And I mean really, really comfortable. Whilst I think the C63 rides well-ish (mine has 18"s), I never thought there'd be this much difference. However the trade off can be felt at turn-in whereby the C180 feels quite wooly compared with the C63.
Seats
The much lauded seats in the C63 means anything else has a lot to live up to. And the seats in the C180? A mixed bag. I think the seat backrest is excellent, offering great support and comfort however the seat cushion is flat, unsupportive and not as comfortable as those in my C63.
View
A strange one this. Looking out over the bonnet is so different as the bonnet is just flat. There are no deeply dished contours as per my C63, just flat bonnet sloping away to the nose of the car. Interestingly it makes the car feel smaller when manoeuvring. Odd.
Display
This car does not have COMAND and I think the main display above the radio is smaller? It's certainly not as sharp with its graphics, and also has the ugly yellow colours for the menu bars (13MY cars changed to silver). This makes quite a big difference to the perceived quality of the cabin.
Instruments
Who ever thought that grey numerals on a white background was a good idea? (comparatively) Difficult to read and cheap looking, this is something that is a big improvement with the white on black with red dials of the C63. Bearing in mind that this is the part of the cabin you look at most, it's important that it looks good. Then again, one man's Picasso is another man's rendering of a turd, so what do I know.
Indicators
MY13 was the changeover point whereby the indicator was moved to the conventional position (9 o'clock) rather than the 7:30 - 8:00 position as before. This means I've increased my cruise control speed whilst trying to indicate right etc. As with all things, you soon get used to the difference, but what's also interesting is that the stalk is also different. Well actually it's not that interesting, but I thought I'd point it out.
Mirrors
Despite being a facelift model, I think there's been a subsequent change of wing mirror. When indicating I can see the mirror repeaters flashing from the driver's seat in my C63, but cannot in the C180.
So overall, and in re-reading the above, it appears that I don't really like the C180. This is in fact not true as it's a decent vehicle, but there are just a number of small differences that, well, make a difference. Is the C63 worth all that extra £££ over a cooking C180? To the average Joe no, not at all. But there are more differences to the two than just a bigger engine and firmer ride. The C63 does undoubtedly feel like a more premium product that the C180, with many special touches or differences that do, er, make a difference. Then you add the powertrain into the mix and it almost feels like a totally different car. But also one that rattles (at present).
Finally I want to end with a quote by MB Club member Seven, who made the following comment on one of my many threads whilst I waited (and waited!) for my C63 to be built and delivered:
You know what, this is so accurate. I've been through the same emotions: after taking delivery, thinking how much I had spent/was spending on the car and the fact it can function in getting me from A to B just as well as my daily hack, which is *considerably* cheaper. But now it's starting to come together more. I think the slippier conditions help as it means you can indulge in all sorts of low-speed slides and general antics that bring a huge smile to my face. And it just works well as a general package. It's comfortable, reassuring in its handling, all the electronic frippery works well with good integration yet it can be a proper hooligan just as well. And there's always that fantastic noise. Snarling, crackling and parping when you want it to, or smoothly pulsating in the background when you don't. I'm really falling for the car
yes the colour scheme really makes a huge difference!
