CLS63 AMG 2013 timing chain and other advice

[feanor75]

Hi all

New to forum and actively looking to find the right CLS AMG shooting brake (obviously not a lot to choose from as they are rare) this is a car I have wanted since they launched ut, but kids, timing and stuff hasnt made it possible to now.

Test drove one the other day, genuinely lovely car (100k plus miles) but inspection shows it has the thinner timing chain - is this something to address immediately, what experience have you guys had etc running the pre-updated chain?

The car itself drives and looks great and has a decent service history, but dont want to have a massive issue to seal with immediately.

Best

Ste

 

[AMGeed]

I'd look for a 2014> model with the revised timing chain and oil check valves if your budget runs to it.
Great engine but walk away if it misfires. I loved my E63 and still miss it.

 

[feanor75]

Just seen my typo

I'd look for a 2014> model with the revised timing chain and oil check valves if your budget runs to it.
Great engine but walk away if it misfires. I loved my E63 and still miss it.

Had a half day test drive - engine ran fine, but aware of this issue. Thinking of offering deal with cost of replacement in mind?

 

[AMGeed]

Just seen my typo


Had a half day test drive - engine ran fine, but aware of this issue. Thinking of offering deal with cost of replacement in mind?

You'd need to knock a fair bit off the asking price to cover a timing chain/check valve upgrade.
There is a lot of labour involved.

 

[such01]

As my potential purchase 2013 E63 has the newer chain, can i assume that it has the check valve upgrade? How would I check?

 

[feanor75]

Just seen my typo


Had a half day test drive - engine ran fine, but aware of this issue. Thinking of offering deal with cost of replacement in mind?

You'd need to knock a fair bit off the asking price to cover a timing chain/check valve upgrade.
There is a lot of labour involved.

Rang round and got a few quotes ranging between 3-5k which is a lot of money, but also a lot of time off the road, will hold on I think for a later model with upgraded chain and check valves. Shame because I really loved the car, but with high mileage it feels like an inevitable failure at some point.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Good decision.
Late 2014 should be fine. Even some of the earlier 2014 cars have the revised parts.
Not sure on the engine # when the change was made.

 

[feanor75]

^ Good decision.
Late 2014 should be fine. Even some of the earlier 2014 cars have the revised parts.
Not sure on the engine # when the change was made.

Looked at one which was registered in late 2013 and that had the upgraded chain.

 

[such01]

Looked at one which was registered in late 2013 and that had the upgraded chain.

The car I'm looking at has the new chain but engine number 157981 60 009411 indicates it has not had the check valves done, I'm not sure what this means and what could happen if they are not done - what should one be looking out for? Tx

 

[Sam87]

Not a CLS but my friends 2015 W222 S63 AMG has the older chain!
How is that possible?

 

[ivacerk]

Not a CLS but my friends 2015 W222 S63 AMG has the older chain!
How is that possible?

Previous engine failed and someone dropped in a earlier engine in it ?

 

[AMGeed]

Not a CLS but my friends 2015 W222 S63 AMG has the older chain!
How is that possible?

Check the engine number on a datacard to see if it's the original one fitted.

mb.vin : VIN Decoder for Mercedes-Benz

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[ALFAitalia]

Not a CLS but my friends 2015 W222 S63 AMG has the older chain!
How is that possible?

Is he sure which is the new style chain?....have you seen it yourself?

 

[Sam87]

Previous engine failed and someone dropped in a earlier engine in it ?

It's a possibility.... The car is still under Mercedes warranty and it's had so much work done to it recently. I told him to try and get the change chain also if Mercedes would do it

Check the engine number on a datacard to see if it's the original one fitted.

mb.vin : VIN Decoder for Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder retrieves detailed information about the equipment and production details of Mercedes-Benz, smart and Maybach vehicles.

mb.vin

Mercedes VIN Decoder | Free Mercedes-Benz VIN Lookup Tool - MBDecoder

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Thanks! I'll check it out

Is he sure which is the new style chain?....have you seen it yourself?

View attachment 167530

I looked at it and it's definitely the old style chain

 

[feanor75]

Found the perfect late 2013 CLS but just want to sense check some things...
Car has the newer chain
Has FSH, nothing shouting runaway
Looks well kept and generally loved

Looked and read about bore scoring - are there any obvious signs of this without a bore scope, car sounds fantastic however
Boot doesnt open all the way I think as you need to press stop to shut the boot not close
Any other general buyer advice - car is Sep 2013

 

[Zak63SB]

Found the perfect late 2013 CLS but just want to sense check some things...
Car has the newer chain
Has FSH, nothing shouting runaway
Looks well kept and generally loved

Looked and read about bore scoring - are there any obvious signs of this without a bore scope, car sounds fantastic however
Boot doesnt open all the way I think as you need to press stop to shut the boot not close
Any other general buyer advice - car is Sep 2013

I’ve just bought one recently. Boot should open all the way.

 

[jonboyE63]

Found the perfect late 2013 CLS but just want to sense check some things...
Car has the newer chain
Has FSH, nothing shouting runaway
Looks well kept and generally loved

Looked and read about bore scoring - are there any obvious signs of this without a bore scope, car sounds fantastic however
Boot doesnt open all the way I think as you need to press stop to shut the boot not close
Any other general buyer advice - car is Sep 2013

Bore scoring - I thought that was only a Porsche issue (he says hoping his 911 doesn't develop it anytime soon) but seriously, when I was looking into purchasing my E63 I didn't come across any bore score stories or issues..

 

[E55BOF]

I’ve just bought one recently. Boot should open all the way.

The switch is actually two switches in one casing; left side for stop, right side for closing. It's very likely you will hear a slight clunk as it reaches the limit of its travel while opening; they (nearly) all do it, apparently.

OP, if you've found the one you want, go for it. If not, I'll be selling mine soon. Red with an ivory interior, 62K miles, FSH (Main dealer and Wayne Gates), October 2023 registration, engine has all the modified timing chain parts.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[Zak63SB]

The switch is actually two switches in one casing; left side for stop, right side for closing. It's very likely you will hear a slight clunk as it reaches the limit of its travel while opening; they (nearly) all do it, apparently.

OP, if you've found the one you want, go for it. If not, I'll be selling mine soon. Red with an ivory interior, 62K miles, FSH (Main dealer and Wayne Gates), October 2023 registration, engine has all the modified timing chain parts.

Let me know if you're interested.

Out of curiosity how much would you want ?

 

[E55BOF]

I don't know yet; I haven't tried to price it. I'll do a TotalCarCheck check, and see what they think it's worth.