E63 vs C63s

[remfanuk]

I am hoping to get into an AMG in the near future. I have always wanted a W204 C63 but for a daily it is not practical. So I am considering five year old W205 but also thinking about the W212 E63. Was the engine in the E63 short lived and was it reliable? I am guess i am confused as to why that engine was chosen and was it used in anything else? I am a bit new to AMG so any advice or recommendations appreciated. thank you.

 

[E55BOF]

6.2 n/a or 5.5 BT? I'm gessing you're looking at an early 212 with the 6.2, in which case it was used because it was their flagship V8 until the 5.5 BT was available. Neither engine is unreliable, though neither is as bombproof as the earlier M113K.

Both engines have their fans, and in the real world neither is likely to disappoint you, though they're very different in character; the 6.2 is more 'sporting' - revs higher, more linear in power delivery, and in most people's opinions sounds better, at least stock; the 5.5 BT is more powerful, a torque monster and a worthy successor to the M113K, and like the M113 is much more easily and cheaply tuneable to stupid power if that's your thing.

Even stock, any of the three is a serious threat to the longevity of your driving licence...

 

[st13phil]

Welcome - and your post will definitely open a can of worms...

Unlike @E55BOF, I assume you're asking about the M157 5.5L Biturbo engine in the W212? If so, then as a general rule they are no more and no less reliable than any other good engine. You will read of the odd horror story (often, but not always, on remapped engines), but most run to high mileages without issue. If you do look at one, they are all a bit clattery on idle so that's nothing to be concerned about, but if there's any hint of a misfire at any speed run away. Fast.

The bigger question you need to answer is that the W205 and W212 are significantly different size cars. Do you need the extra room the W212 would give? Or would you prefer the slightly more dynamic performance that the smaller size and lower weight of the W205 can deliver?

My personal view (and I'm biased as I've owned two of them) is that the W212 is a fantastic package that can morph from luxury cruiser to manic performance car just by prodding the pedal on the right. I used them as daily drivers, covering 12-13k miles per year in each of them and they never failed to be anything other than a real joy to drive. The E63 sold in much smaller numbers than the C-Class and good ones can still be found at something of a bargain price because they (wrongly, imo) aren't seen as being as desirable as a C63. I would have another in a heartbeat.

 

[Skd884]

Why is the 204 not practical yet the others are?

Drive a 204 c63 before you pull the trigger.......

 

[E55BOF]

Yawn... that was eleven years ago; the world has moved on since then.

If you want practicality, a CLS63 might also fit the bill. If you want another estate, and a stupidly fast one, the 5.5 BT CLS 63 Shooting Brake (they had the 550 bhp engine as standard) will hit 60 in four seconds...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am hoping to get into an AMG in the near future. I have always wanted a W204 C63 but for a daily it is not practical. So I am considering five year old W205 but also thinking about the W212 E63. Was the engine in the E63 short lived and was it reliable? I am guess i am confused as to why that engine was chosen and was it used in anything else? I am a bit new to AMG so any advice or recommendations appreciated. thank you.

What’s the reason you believe the W204 C 63 AMG is not practical? I can’t think of a reason unless you regularly carry rear seat adult passengers, in which case there are plenty of larger AMG models to try on for size

Neither the M156 6.2 nor M157 5.5 engines were short lived, and both can be found in almost every AMG platform for their generation. The 5.5 never found it’s way into the W204 nor W205 for a variety of reasons, and not because it wasn’t good enough

 

[st13phil]

What’s the reason you believe the W204 C 63 AMG is not practical?

Certainly a question for the OP to answer, but perhaps to do with the higher fuel consumption and EU4 / EU5 emissions status, rather than EU6 for the W205 / M157 W212?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Certainly a question for the OP to answer, but perhaps to do with the higher fuel consumption and EU4 / EU5 emissions status, rather than EU6 for the W205 / M157 W212?

Maybe.

 

[remfanuk]

What’s the reason you believe the W204 C 63 AMG is not practical? I can’t think of a reason unless you regularly carry rear seat adult passengers, in which case there are plenty of larger AMG models to try on for size

Neither the M156 6.2 nor M157 5.5 engines were short lived, and both can be found in almost every AMG platform for their generation. The 5.5 never found it’s way into the W204 nor W205 for a variety of reasons, and not because it wasn’t good enough

sorry...poor choice of words. what i meant in terms of being a practical for us is that it is too old...i would be mostly happy to get a w204 but unfortunately someone else in my family believes they have a valid opinion on this! . i currently run an 2017 audi s4 avant which is a nice car but not exactly thrilling to drive...plus i am erring on the side of needing something a little smaller.

wasn't sure what other applications used the 5.5BT and only really considered an E63 due to it's lovely looking interior...coming from an audi that is important to me. i did try a c43 estate before going with the s4 avant because the interior felt like a nicer place to be. so thank you for putting my query as to the the 5.5's worthiness into context.

Why is the 204 not practical yet the others are?

Drive a 204 c63 before you pull the trigger.......

View attachment 120314

i did test drive a w204 estate C63 prior to testing and discounting the c43. i loved the engine but it felt old and tired inside...not this particular example but that interior in any w204...i did have a w204 for almost 5 years but having had something more modern i dont think i could go back.

Welcome - and your post will definitely open a can of worms...

Unlike @E55BOF, I assume you're asking about the M157 5.5L Biturbo engine in the W212? If so, then as a general rule they are no more and no less reliable than any other good engine. You will read of the odd horror story (often, but not always, on remapped engines), but most run to high mileages without issue. If you do look at one, they are all a bit clattery on idle so that's nothing to be concerned about, but if there's any hint of a misfire at any speed run away. Fast.

The bigger question you need to answer is that the W205 and W212 are significantly different size cars. Do you need the extra room the W212 would give? Or would you prefer the slightly more dynamic performance that the smaller size and lower weight of the W205 can deliver?

My personal view (and I'm biased as I've owned two of them) is that the W212 is a fantastic package that can morph from luxury cruiser to manic performance car just by prodding the pedal on the right. I used them as daily drivers, covering 12-13k miles per year in each of them and they never failed to be anything other than a real joy to drive. The E63 sold in much smaller numbers than the C-Class and good ones can still be found at something of a bargain price because they (wrongly, imo) aren't seen as being as desirable as a C63. I would have another in a heartbeat.

i dont intend to remap anything as reliability and keeping big bills at bay that comes with tuning is top of my list.
you pick up on a good point about the size difference. i would like something smaller than my s4 avant in terms of length so dont really need anything so large...i have yet to sit in an e class so only basing my liking of the interior from photos/videos. i like the luxury it appears to offer. i was sat behind a c63 w205 estate in traffic yesterday...it was a dull grey colour and other than the exhausts nothing picked it out as being a special car which disappointed me to the point i thought about audi rs6's! i know, theyre not particularly modern or up to date inside...for the price point i am looking at, but with a v8 and amazing looks, they reappeared on my radar. however, i expect the rs6 avant to be similarly one dimensional as my s4.

 

[Rich764089]

If you want something smaller than your S4, the E63 is definitely not at option, it's way bigger than an S4.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If the W204 feels old, and you consider the S4 to be at the upper limit in terms of size, and you have discontinued the C43, then that would limit your choice of AMG models to the W205 C63, a CLA 35/45 or an A-Class saloon 35.

 

[remfanuk]

i did consider an a45 for a time but the car previous to the s4 was a mk7 golf gti...i dont want to go that small and in terms of size etc, i think i am back to the car that started me thinking about a change, w205 c63...think the grey one i saw yesterday might not be the right colour but probably the right car. thanks for the input guys...but before i make any commitment i am just gonna compare sizes with s4 and e63...just to be sure.

 

[remfanuk]

2015 e63 width 187cm, length 489cm...s4 avant width 202cm, length 474cm. surprising about the width.

 

[st13phil]

surprising about the width.

Are you comparing like with like?

The W212 E-Class is 187cm across the car, but 207cm across the mirrors. Cars don't actually vary that much across their width (except extreme examples like ultra compact vs S-Class), but I don't believe the S4 is as wide as a W212.

 

[Rich764089]

2015 e63 width 187cm, length 489cm...s4 avant width 202cm, length 474cm. surprising about the width.

Yes that is surprising. Is the E63 estate a smidge longer than that?

I had an S4 Avant and now have an S212 E63. The E63 is undoubtedly much bigger in every way, externally, internally, boot space, etc. The rear seats and boot are the biggest difference, but the bulk of the car makes it feel much bigger on the road IMO. I would thoroughly recommend the E63, it's fantastic, but if size is an issue I'd make sure you properly test first.

The main reason I sold my S4 Avant is because it wasn't big enough for me.

I would have thought a mk7 golf is more similar in size to an S4 than an E63. The mk7 estate boot, for example, is WAY bigger than an S4 Avant.

 

[Steve84N]

S4 Avant is 1847mm wide without mirrors and the E63 is 1854mm...

 

[remfanuk]

Are you comparing like with like?

The W212 E-Class is 187cm across the car, but 207cm across the mirrors. Cars don't actually vary that much across their width (except extreme examples like ultra compact vs S-Class), but I don't believe the S4 is as wide as a W212.

I just went with the specs on Autotrader...presuming that they were comparing widths over the same part of the car...but...that is whopping difference and on reflection it can't be right. i will have to look elsewhere for definitive widths. wikipedia says the width of that E class is 1854mm. the s4 it says is 1842mm so only 12mm in it...for an E class i could live with the tiny extra width. length for the E is 4895mm and the s4 4717mm...so is a good 17cm longer...for the estate which i dont necessarily need to have...though the saloon is still 15cm longer than my car. hmmm...gotta try an E63 out i think.

Yes that is surprising. Is the E63 estate a smidge longer than that?

I had an S4 Avant and now have an S212 E63. The E63 is undoubtedly much bigger in every way, externally, internally, boot space, etc. The rear seats and boot are the biggest difference, but the bulk of the car makes it feel much bigger on the road IMO. I would thoroughly recommend the E63, it's fantastic, but if size is an issue I'd make sure you properly test first.
The main reason I sold my S4 Avant is because it wasn't big enough for me.

I would have thought a mk7 golf is more similar in size to an S4 than an E63. The mk7 estate boot, for example, is WAY bigger than an S4 Avant.

i see youre also from lincs...we are kinda in the back of beyond for having e63's etc on our doorstep. are all e63's around 2015/2016 4 wheel drive? if so, how have you have the difference when comparing the s4?

 

[Rich764089]

hmmm...gotta try an E63 out i think.

see youre also from lincs...we are kinda in the back of beyond for having e63's etc on our doorstep. are all e63's around 2015/2016 4 wheel drive? if so, how have you have the difference when comparing the s4?

Are you also in Lincs? Whereabouts? I don't think I've seen another here!
No, in the UK market the 212 E63 was only RWD. other countries got 4WD.
It's a very different driving experience and I much prefer it. I had the sports diff on the S4 which got rid of all understeer and allowed a little tail slide on hard acceleration. The quattro is amazing for all weather acceleration and security. The E63 is a more engaging drive, more characterful, and you need to drive it more, and be careful in the wet! Great fun and brutal compared to the S4. Both S4 and E63 were mildly modified though, so may not be comparing like for like.

 

[AMGeed]

are all e63's around 2015/2016 4 wheel drive?

Unfortunately the W212 E63's in the UK are RWD only. Only LHD US and Euro cars got the AWD option in the W212.
You need to look at the later W213 E63 for AWD, but there is a big mark up in price.
Drive a W212 and you won't be disappointed. Fit a Quaife or Wavetrac LSD and you are good to go.
Amazing cars, although I am biased.

 

[Rich764089]

Unfortunately the W212 E63's in the UK are RWD only

You mean fortunately right