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Man seeks W212 E63

Doodle

MB Enthusiast
Joined
May 3, 2005
Messages
6,329
Location
Echo Beach
Car
Superb 365 wagon
Definitely facelift, ideally I'd like an estate but I don't think that's going to be feasible. like for like it seems to be a 4k premium and I'm struggling to justify that when the saloon will do just as well. I'm discounting anything that's obviously rough or has been tuned, preferably buying from a dealer for some level of guarantee.

I've lined up half a dozen candidates; 2013-2015, 50-90k miles, from standard spec to loaded with distronic and dynamic seats. A couple of them look super clean and one of those is a 1 owner from new.
  1. The age range should all be the newer camchain if I'm not mistaken?
  2. How effective are the vented seats? I'm not expecting super chilled given it uses fans rather than a peltier, but is it enough to help avoid a sticky back on summer drives?
  3. I'm wavering over the distronic/driver assist option. Not sure how much I'll use it, but am also wondering if it were to fail is it a showstopper (i.e. the car is unusable until you sort it/won't pass an MoT?)
  4. Any other pointers to be aware of?
Been watching the market for a little while now, one thing I have noticed is the amount of private adverts apparently asking dealer money or beyond. Unsurprisingly they don't seem to be getting any takers.
 
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Try find one, unmolested with low mileage maybe 1 or 2 careful owners. It may take a while to find a perfect example, some may have low spec and others may have everything but with higher miles and worn seat bolsters. You may have to be a little flexible too 😉 👍

Here's my humble story. I paid £31k back in Oct'22 for my beloved W212 E63 in pearl white. It had a mear 24k on the clock and the inside still smells like new. When I open the boot, i saw a golf club membership & unopened golf towel package hiding next to the spare wheel. At the front when I opened the bonnet also saw it had a trickle charger connector plumbed in at the front battery terminal. For me these were positive indicators. My car also came with a private number plate and i saw it had H.R. Owen dealership printed at the front and rear number plate, who are dealers specialising in prestige cars and also a main dealer for Lamborbini.

So I was fully confident and knew it came from a good home. Took about 6 months to find the right one and in that time I must have seen a dozen, some were dressed up to look good and others were blatantly tortured by previous owners.

Take your time, touchwood a suitable car will come along soon.

One other thing if I could suggest, please consider a budget for tracking, immobiliser and a Faraday box to place keys in 👍
 
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Picked mine up a few months ago. Initially I thought I had to have an S wagon, with certain options dynamic and multi-contour seats, distronic in anything other than silver or black. Soon realised an S is limited and so were the colour offerings. So dropped the need for a S to open up the choice.

I'd highly recommended the dynamic seats, the cooling option is OK as you say it's a fan so it has its limitations yet the seats themselves are very impressive and will imo help having them come resale, same as distronic and drivers pack which is why I held out for them as in my quest to find one everyone stated them as key options to have.

I'd also be looking for a full Main dealer history car or at very least a merc specialist such as msl.

One thing I'd say which Badgx has said budget for something like a Autowatch Ghost immobiliser £500 for some peace of mind and something I can't recommend highly enough buy from a well known dealer, main dealer if you can as these are getting old, are highly strung. The first repair bill was £2400, distronic radar sensor, Passenger seat module, and some suspension components needed replacing due to wear which was all covered under warranty. Keep in mind most people trade in or upgrade rather than fixing a car especially if they've had it a year or two.

Also budget in for a set of michelin Pilot Sport 4S if the car you're looking at has the factory fit pirelli p zero as they again imo are woeful tyres. You'll be looking at £800-£900 for the set.
 
Great car the W212. Still miss mine 9 months after selling.
I think I sold mine cheaply at £26500 for a 64plate with 36k miles and FMDSH.

If I were looking now, these two would be top of my list.


 
I've hardly been driving mine. Decided to take it out today and the battery was almost flat but probably made worse because of my dashcam. All charged up now.

I'm the second owner , i have put on 20k miles on it and it now has 36k miles . S version, stock engine but I stuck a catback flappable exhaust on it to allow it to sing the song of its people without any shyness. The stock exhaust was decent but this is a different league, it gets boatloads of positive attention with this exhaust. I have the original exhaust.

Dynoed it at MSL and it has around 630hp stock. I'm on the fence on what to do with it, either use it sparingly or get rid of it to a good home. It's a phenomenal car but I never get to drive it without the family so its rather pointless. I used to get to escape on road trips often before but my wife has clipped my wings and the only time recently I got to take it out on a trip the front tyres were worn too much on the insides so I cut that short.

They're definitely great cars. S amg estates are very rare. That would be my pick but the saloon is great too. Happy hunting, there's a ton of them out for sale at the moment
 
Well FWIW, I've had my wagon a year. Had full history including a huge MB service and inspection before I bought.
And its STILL needed a coil pack and both post cat O2 sensors over the last 12 months.
However, they're minor things that cost buttons.
I removed the centre resonator and am happy with the noise. I'll also be remapping it but otherwise, the best mod I've made is bigger sidewalls on the tyres.
I initially wanted distronic, but it would;dn't get much use and costs ££ if it goes wrong, so I'm no longer bothered about not having it.
Massage and cooled seats are ace on a long journey, so worth having.
Otherwise, it's the usual stuff. Minor stuff will fail but any competent DIY or mechanic can sort them. Otherwise, it seems v robust.

As a family daily, it's brilliant and the wagon is just brilliant, It'll swallow a wardrobe whole without quibble, but remains surprisingly engaging and fun to drive, despite its size. Steering is great, brakes are adequate.
I'm curious to know whether an LSD would make much difference, but it feels like a lot of £ for what is essentially the family bus...
 
I've hardly been driving mine. Decided to take it out today and the battery was almost flat but probably made worse because of my dashcam. All charged up now.

I'm the second owner , i have put on 20k miles on it and it now has 36k miles . S version, stock engine but I stuck a catback flappable exhaust on it to allow it to sing the song of its people without any shyness. The stock exhaust was decent but this is a different league, it gets boatloads of positive attention with this exhaust. I have the original exhaust.

Dynoed it at MSL and it has around 630hp stock. I'm on the fence on what to do with it, either use it sparingly or get rid of it to a good home. It's a phenomenal car but I never get to drive it without the family so its rather pointless. I used to get to escape on road trips often before but my wife has clipped my wings and the only time recently I got to take it out on a trip the front tyres were worn too much on the insides so I cut that short.

They're definitely great cars. S amg estates are very rare. That would be my pick but the saloon is great too. Happy hunting, there's a ton of them out for sale at the moment
What exhaust have you fitted? I'd also keep it and aim to get out in it more. For the money what would you replace it with?
 
I'm discounting anything that's obviously rough or has been tuned, preferably buying from a dealer for some level of guarantee.
  1. The age range should all be the newer camchain if I'm not mistaken?
  2. How effective are the vented seats? I'm not expecting super chilled given it uses fans rather than a peltier, but is it enough to help avoid a sticky back on summer drives?
  3. I'm wavering over the distronic/driver assist option. Not sure how much I'll use it, but am also wondering if it were to fail is it a showstopper (i.e. the car is unusable until you sort it/won't pass an MoT?)
  4. Any other pointers to be aware of?
Been watching the market for a little while now, one thing I have noticed is the amount of private adverts apparently asking dealer money or beyond. Unsurprisingly they don't seem to be getting any takers.

1. Correct
2. They are ok and redistribute the air within the cabin. On a hot day 25-30degs they do an ok job, but beyond that you sit there willing it to get colder and faster haha!!
3. Personal opinion is that it’s a nice to have. I had it on a couple of previous AMG’s and never really used it. Others will disagree though which is fair enough.
4. I like dynamic seats, but not enough to be deal breakers. LSD helps traction, some either an S model or the option ticked if not. Again though not a deal breaker. Satnav and centre screen is very dated, can be upgraded but as tech moves so quickly it’s not something I personally worry about.

As many have mentioned condition should be number 1 priority even over spec. You can be waiting an eternity for the correct spec to come along. Do not exclude buying privately. Whilst some privately priced cars are comparable to that of some trade cars, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be considered. You can buy an aftermarket warranty that’s just as good if not better than what a run of the mill dealer would sell with the car. If buying from a Dealer with warranty and come back is a priority, then you should consider Mercedes Benz dealers, or ones that are very well established or are Independent specialists. Outside of that then a Trader is a trader. Some but not all will pick the car up cheaply and make it look presentable. As long as this is reflected in the price then fair enough.

Key things to check when buying;

General condition of bodywork, alloys, tyres, discs, pads etc.

Tell tale signs of a wear and care - steering wheel alcantara, door sill entry points, tyre type, tyre erratic wear, different tyre brand same axle, drivers bolster, trim discolouration, entertainment screen scratches, interior trim scratches, seat belts discoloured, wrong carpet set, misaligned badges, misaligned panels, poorly painted panels, overspray, damaged alloys, badly scuffed alloys, badly refurbished alloys, exhaust tips dirty / scratched, under bonnet condition (split intake hoses / oil spillage from filler spout, gaskets leaks, water bottle leaks, insulation missing, drain holes blocked, misaligned bonnet latch).

Service history is up to date.

MOT history is decent / recalls done

Any parts replaced, upgraded or work carried out etc are accounted for with receipts etc

Exhaust mods, lowering, maps etc do not bother me as long as I know the history and where these types of things have been done. Based on this and the owner I steer clear or proceed.

Good luck with the search and look forward to seeing what you buy

Jules
 
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We'll need to do some photo shoot there, can't wait to see the Black Series again 😃
 
Funnily enough I've looked at 3 now from main dealers and they've all been, for want of a better word, crap. The one with the bejewelled frame around the clock was a particular delight!

I need to do some ringing around for insurance as the initial inquiries have been laughable; I'm not expecting it to be cheap but no way am I entertaining 3 times what I paid on the Cupra.
 
Well this hasn't ended up quite the way I expected; I'm now the beneficiary of a Skoda Superb. I'm a little sad to be missing out on the E63 but in fiscal terms it's too good to refuse, and etiquette dictates you wouldn't turn down such an offer anyway.

It's a wagon with the hot TSI 4x4 drivetrain, plenty of equipment and some outrageous paint, so still gives me what I was looking for from the E. I had the same engine in my Cupra so am familiar with the platform (high 300s is within easy reach, and you can parts bin pick on the chassis side - TTRS brakes for example). Back to defector's corner for me then!
 
I drove a Superb saloon a few times, albeit fifteen years ago. I was quite impressed and it was like a tardis inside. So much room!
 
These new skodas are plagued with electrical issues especially the key fobs for kessy! I had a hire octavia and got left stranded when the battery needed changing, thankfully was only at the local gym and not in Manchester like the previous day!
 
Well this hasn't ended up quite the way I expected; I'm now the beneficiary of a Skoda Superb. I'm a little sad to be missing out on the E63 but in fiscal terms it's too good to refuse, and etiquette dictates you wouldn't turn down such an offer anyway.

It's a wagon with the hot TSI 4x4 drivetrain, plenty of equipment and some outrageous paint, so still gives me what I was looking for from the E. I had the same engine in my Cupra so am familiar with the platform (high 300s is within easy reach, and you can parts bin pick on the chassis side - TTRS brakes for example). Back to defector's corner for me then!
Pics please!
I'm hoping you've been brave enough to go for Dragon.
 

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