E63 - Slightly Disappointed

[amdownes]

There's absolutely no doubt whatsoever that on pure functionality and financial terms, an E63 makes no sense whatsoever - something that I knew 100% before I elected to buy one. If you only realise that after you've made the purchase then disappointment is likely to follow.And that's why, to me, the purchase made sense (sort of!). It's emotional. Every morning when I start the car up it makes me smile. Every time I use the performance I feel exhilarated in the same way that gunning a big bike makes me feel. And all that from a well-appointed luxury car that I can pootle around in relatively unnoticed if I choose to. If you don't feel that way then an E63 (or any AMG) is almost certainly the wrong car for you.

For me, I have already had the experience of 'supercar' type performance in the RS6 V10. If I had come from a V6 or less powerful engine – yes I probably would be more impressed by the E63. I remember finding any excuse to take the Audi out to post letters 100 yards down the road and to buy stuff from supermarkets we already had. I think we had more shampoo than Boots at one point! I am over this now.

So for me the performance of the car is a given and not unexpected. This has made me start to look at other aspects of the car, namely the technology of the car and the E63 packaging.

Others on the forum have stated that Merc technology is 10 years out of date – it shouldn't be and whilst I fully buy into the stealth look, the growling exhaust note and blip of throttle on start up fit scares passengers and is anything but understated.

 

[whitenemesis]

If you want technology go for the S class, fully optioned, it must have more cutting edge toys than any other marque.

 

[amdownes]

OP I share your pain in as much as buyers remorse is an unpleasant feeling

Out of interest what is is that made you feel the RS6 was "better"/more deserving of its price tag ?

I looked closely at an RS6 prior to buying my last AMG and could find two areas where, subjectively, it could be seen as superior to the equivalent AMG car.

1 - The grip afforded by Quattro - a positive factor but at the cost of a degree of fun in my opinion

2 - The infotainment systems - I agree these are a good way ahead of the MB system in terms of ergonomics and integration. I couldn't however discern additional core functionality over what is available via Comand and various other MB systems.

Both of the above are available on models throughout the A6 range so in my view don't tick the "so what else does it do for the money" box. Putting performance aside the only major differentiator that I could in the cabin was the RS sports seats.

I bought the E63 because I wanted a powerful V8 well appointed Estate car. I moved from the RS6 simply because I wanted a change. My initial comments about being a little disappointed was not about comparing the RS6 and the the E63, but looking across the other cars I have - BMW 640 and Golf R and in my view the technology on the E63 is just not up there with the others. For me I struggle also with the general E63 packaging but this may just be me.

 

[bellers]

I've traded an Evoque to buy the C63. You should borrow one and try that for technology. You've arrived before the Nav lets you speak the route and in the middle of a 'phone conversation music starts playing so you can't hear whats being said. I looked at an RS4 and an S4 for the 4 wheel package but the grunt and sound of the 63 won me over.

 

[rsk21]

I bought the E63 because I wanted a powerful V8 well appointed Estate car. I moved from the RS6 simply because I wanted a change. My initial comments about being a little disappointed was not about comparing the RS6 and the the E63, but looking across the other cars I have - BMW 640 and Golf R and in my view the technology on the E63 is just not up there with the others. For me I struggle also with the general E63 packaging but this may just be me.

By technology i'm assuming you mean the nav/ent/ car setup stuff.

Agreed it lags BMW and VAG from an "ooh look at that" perspective but ultimately does all the same things.

Powerful, V8, well appointed and with plenty of "look where the money's gone" factor = Range Rover Supercharged perhaps ?