Looking to buy an E63, what to look out for?

[amzchhabra]

Hi All

I have been lurking around on these forums for years, attended a couple of meets and have been a Mercedes driver for as long as I can remember!

After numerous Mercs, all of which have been Diesel, its finally time I step into the AMG marque and have ultimately decided a W212 E63 is for me.

Budget is around £35k and so far I believe I can pick up something relatively decent for that money, being a 2014 (14/64) car with circa 30k miles.

My main things I am looking for is anything unmodified, no remaps etc, ideally main dealer, and something with full MBSH. Main dealers seem to be quite lacking at that price point, as its not really retail territory for something of that age, however there are a few.

Main question is, is there anything I should be looking out for either in the history or general things I need to be aware of in purchasing something such as the above? Looking through the forums apart from the odd timing chain issue (which i believe was resolved in cars built 2014 onwards), i cannot see many, or any threads on troublesome E63's and the M157 engine appears to be reliable.

Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[c_200k]

They are amazing cars and tbh honest I had mine for over a yr and did 20k in it and it never missed a beat.

One thing is make sure you get a diff fitted, makes a massive difference to the way the car drives, feels more planted and you aren't wasting all that power.

 

[Mauro]

Buy from a main dealer with full MBSH.

You will also get a full 2 year AMG warranty.

 

[st13phil]

You will pay a premium for a main dealer car, but as others have already said, you get a two year warranty in return.

The W212 in general is well screwed together and the E63 doesn’t have any particular faults. The one caveat is that some W212’s have interior creaks and rattles which can be irritating, so go for a test drive on a bumpy road with the radio turned off and have a good listen!

The basic spec is pretty extensive, but extra toys are good to have. Make sure you do your homework on what’s standard and what extras are on your must have, nice to have and not bothered lists. Some cars (typically ex-MBUK management cars) are absolutely loaded and worth seeking out as they don’t command much of a price premium over a base-spec car, but are always more desirable and easier to sell on when the time comes.

Other than that, take a good look at the condition of brake discs, pads and tyres and negotiate on price if necessary.


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[Kei]

Make sure you do your homework on what’s standard and what extras are on your must have

Other than that, take a good look at the condition of brake discs, pads and tyres and negotiate on price if necessary.

Pretty much this. I assumed mine would have folding back seats as standard as my other Mercs all have had but gutted to find out it's actually an option and mine didn't have it!
Mine also came with pads with only 2mm left all around, not much engine oil and a puncture in the front left tyre. That was like £650 right off the bat.

 

[st13phil]

Mine also came with pads with only 2mm left all around, not much engine oil and a puncture in the front left tyre. That was like £650 right off the bat.

Ouch! (Unless you knew about it before you paid for the car...)

 

[amzchhabra]

Thanks guys, I didn't realise about the 2 year MB AMG Warranty, i was under the impression it fell under "used car" and came with a 1 year! That makes a massive difference!

In terms of options, I currently have a 2015 E350 Cab, and that has virtually everything I want in standard guise, the AMG car comes with a lot more, so happy on that front even with a standard car.

Creaks, not fussed, my cab creaks so much now its ridiculous, I have had it since new, everything rattles 19k miles in! I suspect it wont be so bad and really wont be noticeable under heavy acceleration or the volume turned up

Looking forward to this now, hopefully the car I have my eyes on is still around in 3 weeks time when I am ready to push the button...

 

[cfoster]

I bought my W212 e63 estate a few months ago, late a 2014 with 24k on the clock, so far VERY pleased with it, doesn't quite feel as raw to drive every day as my previous M4 BMW was but overall I much prefer the merc. The only for me that lets it down in comparison to the BMW is the sat nav feels a little dated comparing the two. Bought mine from a main dealer and it came with the 2year warranty, they wouldn't budge much on price (paid more than £35k but they chucked some bits in like paint and interior protection stuff etc....

Go for it though you won't be disappointed!

 

[amzchhabra]

Thank you all for the great replies!

One thing I did forget to ask, do the cars come with Keyless-Go as standard? I see in most pics a start button, however do they all have Keyless Entry too?

 

[Jim W]

Thank you all for the great replies!

One thing I did forget to ask, do the cars come with Keyless-Go as standard? I see in most pics a start button, however do they all have Keyless Entry too?

I bought a 6.3 E63 new in 2011. Keyless Go was not available at the time I ordered. I think it was offered with the 5.5k facelift.

 

[st13phil]

On the saloon, Keyless-Go was always a cost option (code P17). If the car has a Start button then it has keyless entry.

If you’re buying from a main dealer, ask them for a copy of the OASIS report for the car which will tell you all the standard kit and the options fitted. Be aware that some things that were options earlier in the model run became standard as the W212 was in run out by late 2015 / early 2016. For example, I bought an early 2015 car and was surprised to find that it didn’t have a reversing camera. It turns out that became standard kit in late 2015.


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[Jim W]

Keyless Go was not an option when I ordered my 6.2 E63 December 2010 for April delivery. My previous S Class had it, I asked for it but I couldn’t order it for the E63.

 

[st13phil]

Keyless Go was not an option when I ordered my 6.2 E63 December 2010

Sorry I should have been more specific in that Keyless-Go was always an option on the facelift saloons. As you say, it wasn’t available at all on the early pre-facelift cars (not sure if it was ever available on the pre-facelift cars).


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[bluestreak]

in had few issues:

parking sensors wasn't working - fixed by software update, not sure how come they wasn't working in a first

DAB radio had problems with reception - another software update

Maps have never been updated - this is free for first three years as long as it is requested at service time

It is probably obvious e63 is a big girl, front bumper chips quite easily.

contour seats is a thought after option, good for resale as it is relatively rare.

reverse camera is a useful option and easy retrofit

 

[cfoster]

I didnt think my one had keyless go when looking at the pics as I could see the key hole, however, some dealers remove the button thing when its stored (god knows why), was pleasantly surprised when I picked it up and it had the button on it!!

Reverse camera is VERY handy as the estate is a long old girl. I also have cameras on each wheel and a rooftop camera thing (360 cam?) which is cool and handy when squeezing into parking spaces! Park assist is on there as well although still nervous about it parking itself!

 

[bluestreak]

360 cam is very useful indeed, I wish I had one though. It is not to be confused with reverse camera in terms of retrofit simplicity. The former is eye wateringly expensive

 

[amzchhabra]

Thank you to all of those who replied, you will be pleased to know I have put a deposit down on an E63 today and will be picking her up Monday 30th!

Pics to follow!

 

[HB]

On the saloon, Keyless-Go was always a cost option (code P17). If the car has a Start button then it has keyless entry.

If you’re buying from a main dealer, ask them for a copy of the OASIS report for the car which will tell you all the standard kit and the options fitted. Be aware that some things that were options earlier in the model run became standard as the W212 was in run out by late 2015 / early 2016. For example, I bought an early 2015 car and was surprised to find that it didn’t have a reversing camera. It turns out that became standard kit in late 2015.


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Let me fill you in on the keyless go rip off. Our car didn’t have the option, we got it brand new from stock. Now, it had the keyless locking so , I asked the service guy why have the keyless lock /unlock and no keyless engine start? He said , if you have keyless lock /unlock , the circuit for keyless go is there too. So he goes onto the parts dept , comes out with a start button, sticks it in and hey presto, it works perfectly. They wanted I think £800 from the options for a start button- the dealer gave it to me for nothing.
Sensational car we did 36k in 2 years with not a blip.

 

[Psilonaught]

I got my late (Dec) 63 plate with 29k on the clock over the summer from Mercedes of Leicester for £36k, which i thought was ok value given the 2 year warranty

Stunning cars - mine is the wagon in pearly white. Only mods i have done are to swap the mirrors for black ones.

 

[Ross RENDER]

Please have a look at mine I'm selling... Mercedes-Benz E Class 5.5 E63 AMG MCT 5dr