Facelift W212 or...

[Doodle]

...LCI F10 M5?

Things are in a state of flux in the Doodle household, and I'm getting an vehicular itch. The Cupra has reached the point in the lease where I can return it with negligible penalty, and both myself and Mrs D are getting tired of the lack of refinement. I'll get round to shifting the SL imminently, but the plan had always been to drop to just one car - the facelift W212 E63.

However, my head has been swayed by the offerings from Munich, which seem to offer much the same qualities for less outlay. For the same money as an AUC BMW example, I'm looking at E63's that are mostly slightly older/more miles from independent, often non-specialist/non-performance dealers. When adverts are openly pictured with a missing hub cap, wheel rims that look like they've been attacked with an angle grinder, or wheels and tyres that are totally the wrong size it doesn't make a good impression, and I'm struggling a little to justify the premium.

 

[clk320x]

FL W212 E63 - (IMO) the best modern E class AMG ever… do it…

 

[f17ant]

I do like the F10 M5, only issue with them is most of them have been mapped and they don’t like being messed with. I know a few people that have had F10 M5 or M6 and have had a lot of engine issues. I only know 1 M5 that was reliable and it had never been mapped.

They are more capable cars than the W212 E63 (sorry guys) but E63 is more comfortable I’d rather have the E63

 

[SpikyMikey]

That Hyacinth Red wagon is rather pretty, despite the state of the rims and the motley collection of at least 3 different brands of tyre; including a "Three-A", which is a new one on me.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Although I'm after a W212 E63 (although I test dove an E500 the other day....quite impressed!)...I also have recently been looking at the F10 M5 as an option. They look nice are far more reliable than the previous E60 M5 if not played with, the last proper rear drive M5.....and price wise they are a bit better VFM in as much as I can get a bit newer F10 M5 for the same money. Negatives are that they are actually slightly longer than the 212 (they look shorter to me!) and they weigh even more....by about 1505kg which is also surprising.

 

[HB]

The F10 M5 is not in the same league as the 212 E63. Friend had the M5 same time as we had the E63 and even he couldn’t believe how much better the E63 was in terms of

Drama - the noise when you’re pottering about
Comfort - ride is so compliant
Looks - it looks far more premium and luxurious than the M5

The F10 M5 is nice but, the E63 imo and in my friend’s is that it is a superior car.

 

[Doodle]

The proportion of examples advertised as modified seems to be about the same either way, but in either case I'm looking for a standard car.

So far I've only driven 2 E63s and one M5 (none back to back) but I'm not convinced the E63 is actually the more comfortable. Mercedes insist on using stupidly low profile tyres, that extra sidewall on the M5 makes a difference and traditional springs can have a compliance that I find air suspension struggles to match. I walked away from the M5 drive with the impression it was more compliant in comfort mode, but more direct comparison is needed here I think.

 

[AMGeed]

I'd second getting a W212 E63. Superb car.

 

[HB]

The proportion of examples advertised as modified seems to be about the same either way, but in either case I'm looking for a standard car.

So far I've only driven 2 E63s and one M5 (none back to back) but I'm not convinced the E63 is actually the more comfortable. Mercedes insist on using stupidly low profile tyres, that extra sidewall on the M5 makes a difference and traditional springs can have a compliance that I find air suspension struggles to match. I walked away from the M5 drive with the impression it was more compliant in comfort mode, but more direct comparison is needed here I think.

The 213 pre facelift E63s is hugely uncomfortable,the reason I don’t have one. The latest one has been softened slightly but still too hard. Now one the other hand, the latest M5 comp has a subliminal ride and a very high level of refinement…. That’s why it’s parked outside, it’s the better car.

 

[GT3RS]

You’d want an approved main dealer warranty with both of these cars. One question though - which of these two cars is going to bring you bigger maintenance bills over say a few years?

 

[Deano24v]

just my 2p (and ultimately its pinch of salt stuff as ive not owned either car but have been lucky enough to go out in them on more than a few occasions).

I'd agree on the stiffness of the suspension on the E63, its set up a lot more aggressively than an F10 (imo of course).
The interior point is subjective, visually its a lot more attractive but quality wise it i dont think its as good to live with. my last F10 i much preferred to live with over both 2014+ Mercedes I've owned (both premium plus model C and E class-but again not FF AMGs).

 

[Crispian22]

The E63 also has working indicators as standard.......

 

[audiavant]

Ouch!

But funny.

 

[Skd884]

Drive both and purchase the one you prefer, simple

M5 is quick but noise/drama free, a tad bland.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I was trying to see which is rated as the better handling car......reviews are pretty close but the M5 just seems to nudge the win....surprising given its weight.....But whether the average (or above average driver.....as I'm sure we all are on here!!!) would need to be on the track to notice the difference is more of a guess.

 

[Doodle]

You’d want an approved main dealer warranty with both of these cars. One question though - which of these two cars is going to bring you bigger maintenance bills over say a few years?

That would count out the E63, they hardly ever appear in MB stock and they're at a silly premium when they do.

In terms of bigger bills, neither of these are going to be the place to go for frugal running costs but I expect them to be broadly similar.

 

[Rich764089]

You’d want an approved main dealer warranty with both of these cars. One question though - which of these two cars is going to bring you bigger maintenance bills over say a few years?

With the price of those warranties I'd argue you *don't* want one!
Depends on your attitude to risk, but statistically you're likely to lose out getting a warranty. You're just hedging your bets against a big mechanical failure.

 

[GT3RS]

With the price of those warranties I'd argue you *don't* want one!
Depends on your attitude to risk, but statistically you're likely to lose out getting a warranty. You're just hedging your bets against a big mechanical failure.

Lol yes I prefer to have a sizeable slush fund rather than hear the words “Sorry Sir but your engine / gearbox failure is not covered by the extended warranty because it’s a wear and tear item”.

 

[Doodle]

The M5 is a no. Tried a couple of examples, both very nice but it just didn't feel particularly special. For normal driving I could just as easily have been in a well optioned 520d, which could be seen as a plus from some perspectives. Weird exhaust note too.

 

[TrueSpirit]

I would probably skip the m5 and consider the m6 gran coupe which i think is the better bmw offering from that 4.4l engine. but really neither have that 5.5 engine in the e63 which is a torque monster so it was easy for me to pick the e63s last year when there were loads of m6 gran coupes available but for the OP, I suggest you also look at the M6 , it's lighter and sleeker than the m5. But if you find a good e63 amg s, I think its the pick of the bunch but the m6 is quite something too