Feedback on W212 E63 (M157) vs E55 M113K?

[Bootdog]

I'm thinking of moving to an E63 M157 from my current E55 M113K, I'd love to get any feedback from others who have made a similar move.
My main areas of concern are the drive / handling : I like the quick response of the M113K (and I've got an MK Ultra TCU upgrade, so the gearbox isn't as awful as the internet suggests it is).
Is there turbo lag?
One new owner told me that the MCT is a bit slow to get going, is there any truth to that?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm thinking of moving to an E63 M157 from my current E55 M113K, I'd love to get any feedback from others who have made a similar move.
My main areas of concern are the drive / handling : I like the quick response of the M113K (and I've got an MK Ultra TCU upgrade, so the gearbox isn't as awful as the internet suggests it is).
Is there turbo lag?
One new owner told me that the MCT is a bit slow to get going, is there any truth to that?

I think you need to drive one. Both are great engines - in great cars - so it’s not so much about which is best, it’s about which you prefer.

 

[AMGeed]

I went down the same route and bought a W212 E63 biturbo after owning a W211 E55 for 6 years.
I thought I'd miss the E55, but that didn't prove to be the case.

Firstly, the W212 gearbox is light years better than the E55 5 speed box. There is no turbo lag although I remapped mine a month after buying it and that proved to make the car even better. I had the resonator removed and the cracks on the downshift were hilarious.
Don't get me wrong the E55 is a wonderful car, but the E63 is just better all round (IMO) Better gearchanges, quicker, more economical (even with a remap) far more up to date interior. I never regretted the change for a moment.

Just be selective about buying one. Get one with a full service history, preferably main dealer or specialist. Make sure all the electrical options work, see what version map you have (Its £100 to update to the latest. Check discs and pads for wear and if it comes with PirelliP Zero's be prepared to swap them out very quickly. Part worn they are lethal in the cold damp roads.

If I were about to buy another (I sadly sold mine as it wasn't being used much) this one would tick the boxes for me.

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[badgx]

I can confirm, you won't be disappointed with the M157 E63, and that's coming from a M156 owner. I have both M156 and M157, both fantastic, they are unique in their own ways. The M157 will be more fuel efficient to compared to M113k and M156.

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[Bootdog]

Great feedback there, thanks for taking the time to spell it out for me. I did drive one and while in the passenger seat, the pull was incredible, but from the driver's seat it was a bit underwhelming (!).
YouTube seems to have read my mind (skip to 6:57 or so) :

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[badgx]

Agree with Kenny, it's the supercharger effect, the M113k is a baby Hellcat, and a very reliable engine that won't break.

 

[badgx]

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[AMGeed]

Great feedback there, thanks for taking the time to spell it out for me. I did drive one and while in the passenger seat, the pull was incredible, but from the driver's seat it was a bit underwhelming (!).
YouTube seems to have read my mind (skip to 6:57 or so) :

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A remap will sort that feeling out very quickly.

 

[Alps]

Ive been through the range, the E55 is usable power (remaped and downpipes) without getting into too much trouble (speeding), although the m157 e63 I had wasn't your standard bit of kit, this got into triple figures VERY quickly! Standard M157 will be better IMO.

Look out for all the options, also look out for smoke especially on deceleration as the m157 is prone to piston ring failure.

Other than that a good motor, nice size, w212 won't feel big compared to the W211. Just do your checks and take a second pair of eyes with you.

 

[Sam87]

I can't comment for the E class as I've never owned one but my S63 has the m157 engine and I do love it. I don't think you'll be disappointed and like others have said, a remap will make it feel even more alive. I haven't done any power mods to mine but I do love the sound from the exhaust as the m157 engine doesn't sound nice to be honest. They sound a bit like diesel when you have the bonnet up

What colour E55 do you have and how many miles? If it's an interesting colour I might be interested as I've been looking for an E55 Designo for about 8 years now

 

[badgx]

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[ALFAitalia]

Look out for all the options, also look out for smoke especially on deceleration as the m157 is prone to piston ring failure.

Piston ring failure will cause smoke on hard acceleration...not deceleration. Smoke on deceleration is usually either valve stem oil seals or turbo seal/bearing wear.

 

[Bootdog]

I can't comment for the E class as I've never owned one but my S63 has the m157 engine and I do love it. I don't think you'll be disappointed and like others have said, a remap will make it feel even more alive. I haven't done any power mods to mine but I do love the sound from the exhaust as the m157 engine doesn't sound nice to be honest. They sound a bit like diesel when you have the bonnet up

What colour E55 do you have and how many miles? If it's an interesting colour I might be interested as I've been looking for an E55 Designo for about 8 years now

I had heard they are a bit diesely alright.
Mine is silver with the blue-black two tone seats, which I've recently refreshed. It has a nice spec (pano roof and dynamic seats), but probbaly not what you're after if you're looking for a designo one!
2004, 124k miles, Wavetrac LSD, gearbox TCU upgrade (MK Ultra, SLR tune or something like that), g-paddles. No engine mods.
It could do with a bit of cosmetic upkeep, but is in great mechanical shape, and doesn't have much rust.
I will put up a for sale ad when I can (post count). Might say hello to a few new members lol.

 

[Bootdog]

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That is NOT helping my decision

 

[Bootdog]

Thanks for the stem seal info, wasn't really aware of that one, will take a look at that side of things too.
I'm trying not to read up too much on the problems they have, just trying to find out if anything is catastrophic (doesn't seem like it, bar the odd 1 or 2 which is normal)

 

[AMGeed]

Thanks for the stem seal info, wasn't really aware of that one, will take a look at that side of things too.
I'm trying not to read up too much on the problems they have, just trying to find out if anything is catastrophic (doesn't seem like it, bar the odd 1 or 2 which is normal)

Be careful of any M157 engine that misfires. Possibly a bad tune, plug or faulty coil pack.
There have been incidents where the conrod has bent due to misfiring on the M157 and its worth mentioning even if the occurance is rare. It's an expensive rebuild if that happens.
Have a read of MBWorld forum to see the problem and results on the M157.
Another weak point is oil leaking from the cam magnets into the loom. (Same as the M271 engine) Unplugging the lead and checking for oil inside the plugs is worth doing for peace of mind. I'm sure the wire blockers for the M271 would fit the same plugs and eliminate the problem.

Although I remapped my own engine, I'd avoid buying one that's been remapped previously unless its been done at an established and recommended Mercedes tuner (MSL/GAD/Big Fish for eg) with accompanying proof of the work done. It's easy to overboost the engine to gain big numbers to boast down the pub at the expense of reliability and a safety net. It's not necessary as a simple Stg 1 remap should see 660-690bhp easily and well over 1000nM of torque. That's what will push you back in the seat!
Good luck finding a good example. They are out there, also, like C63's a few abused ones too.

 

[badgx]

^^^X2

 

[TrueSpirit]

The prices of the S versions has dropped a lot, they have an LSD as standard. I wouldn't pay 25k for a non-s at the moment including those nice red ones, they're overpriced IMO.

One thing I'll say is I know folks tune their M157s but the stock S I owned for 3+ years had enough power already. I had it dynoed and it was 535whp after 35k miles on the clock and crank torque of around 840nm. I'd say the AMG engine that will kick it's a$$ is the V12 tt otherwise this one is immense.

In terms of the underwhelming feeling from the drivers side, It's all about refinement with the facelift w212, it feels like a luxury car most of the time, really easy to drive and steer and they overdid the sound insulation too I think so an exhaust mod might liven it up.


The transmission does shift very fast in sport plus and manual. On my prefacelift M156 it is almost instantaneous but less refined and more jerry than the facelift M156 which is super smooth in any mode.

I went the other way, sold my M157 as we are doing an extension this year on our house and i had an E93 m3 which i thought i could make do with but couldn't i missed the w212 and bought a w212 M156. I'd look into this model too if I were you. I used to own a w211 m156 e63 and the ride quality was unbeatable but the 212's handling is much improved. It's incredibly stable, fantastic chassis albeit on a large car. I'd check out the M156 W212, a facelift S and Non-S. I'd say 22k is the sweet spot for a non-s facelift and there's also a facelift S currently going for similar money- definitely look at that. The S has nappa leather etc intelligent lighting etc as standard. One point important for me at least was rear foldable seats, dynamic seats and distronic - my S didn't have those and that's the only reason I let it go after 3 years or I'd never part with it. Most people won't care for massaging seats etc but I sometimes do 500+ miles a day on road trips and that and distronic are v useful to me at least but probably not for most people.

 

[jonboyE63]

I've had my W212 5.5 for 6 years, 3 without a map & the past 3 years with a MSL stage one. The car made 525bhp before & a proven safe 625bhp after the map & as AMGreed mentions the difference is outstanding.
From both the passenger seat & drivers seat i can certainly confirm it doesn't feel remotely underwhelming.
Adding the remap also removes the 155mph limiter & after a few autobahn runs over the years i've seen E63S top speed indicated on mine.
Fuel consumption is slightly better than before the map but this is irreverent as we don't buy these cars for MPG figures.
Fully documented service history is key, needs to be on time every time & any other advisories dealt with when required.
Mine has never let me down, not once has it not started, been driven & not put a smile on my face

 

[Rich764089]

Others have already nailed it. The 212 M157 is without doubt the best all rounder I've ever owned, and is a real sweet spot in my opinion. The engine is absolutely epic with a map - how many ICE cars can give >1,000nM torque? You will certainly not be bored/underwhelmed, it's supercar quick once rolling and hilarious fun.
Agree with @AMGeed re. Resonator delete.

Re. Your gearbox comment, I've personally never understood the criticism. I think the MCT is really very good, way better than previous MB boxes. There is a minor delay with the paddles, but you very quickly get used to that. Coming from the 5 speed, there's no comparison.

There's enough tech to do most things modern owners want without being OTT techy.