Ml63 amg

[alex123fra]

Hi all, first time poster. I have owned many cars but never a Merc. Previously Evos, RS4s, Noble, S4s, M3s, latterly a nissan GT-R and a few others (Land Rover).

I have 2 children and they are 2 and 4. Increasingly finding it difficult to fit their things in the GT-R for long journeys so I need something big, practical but also interesting. I have narrowed it down to an RS6, Cayenne Turbo and a (post 2012 ML63 AMG). I am not considering RWD salloons or estates as 4WD is a pre-requisite. The panamera just looks horrific so I can't bring myself to like it.

I have to say I am really drawn to the ML63 as it seems the best of all worlds and the boot is huge. Are there any owners of the newer (post 2012 I think) model who can share their experience with this car? Any dos and don'ts when buying?

The only slight issue is that depreciation seems a lot. 2 year-old cars have dropped 30-40k in value. I suppose that is just average for such a high base new price.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[developer]

Welcome Alex - I can't help you with ML's but I can tell you that the M156 6.2 engine is fab, if you go down that route.

A proper nat asp big cube V8.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I can't think of any regularly posting members with the latest version of the ML63, although there are members with the same engine mated to other chassis, and the same chassis mated to other engines!

It is an awesome car, you'll love it. The ML63, Cayenne, and RS6 are three contenders we've considered for our family car.

We've come close twice to buying Cayennes, but both times ended up with MLs: first was an ML270 over a Cayenne 3.2 petrol (in 2004), and later an ML63 over a Cayenne Diesel S.

I also considered the Macan for my commuting car, but before I had chance to get into one, a great deal came up on an A6 BiTDi Quattro. Sadly an RS6 exceeds the emissions limit for company car use. Not yet arrived though.

You can't go wrong with any of the three cars you mentioned

 

[H20 MRV]

RS6 Estate if it was me.

 

[amdownes]

I too looked at all these three a few years ago and bought the RS6. Mine was the 2010 V10 5.0T Avant fantastic car - I miss it.

 

[alex123fra]

Thanks guys. Yes I have looked at C6 RS6s (V10) and C7 RS6s (V8). I think the latest RS6 is sadly a bit out of my price range although it is a far better car than the V10 version. The V10 doesn't really do it for me as it feels far heavier than it should and understeers a fair bit. One might argue that the Cayenne turbo and the ML63 AMG feel heavy and understeer but I would forgive this due to the sheer size and practicality that they offer over an estate.

RE: Cayenne turbos, there seem to be very few available as porsche approved cars and the ones in my price range (£55-65k) are around 3/4 years old and have a fair number of miles on them (30k+). Maybe they hold their value better over the ML63s, not too sure.

The advantages of the ML63 in my mind so far (over a Cayenne) are:

1. Better ride
2. Newer car for the money
3. Better engine sound
4. Bigger boot
5. Cheaper running costs

Disadvantages:

1. Worse depreciation
2. Not a porsche (not sure that is a big one to be honest)

Ideally a C63 AMG estate or saloon with 4WD would be the sweet spot but they didn't bring the C63 4-Matic to the UK I believe. Quite why, I have no idea as lots of customers would pounce on that and it would take many sales away from audi.

 

[H20 MRV]

E63 Estate? Lots around at good £££ or lease? ( Nothing to do with me btw )

"

MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS AMG ESTATE
E63 5dr Auto

​

Business contract hire
Payment profile: 6 + 23 (24 months)
Mileage: 10000
Maintenance included: No

​

£529.68 + VAT per month​

 

[alex123fra]

E63 Estate? Lots around at good £££ or lease? ( Nothing to do with me btw )

"

MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS AMG ESTATE
E63 5dr Auto

​

Business contract hire
Payment profile: 6 + 23 (24 months)
Mileage: 10000
Maintenance included: No

​

£529.68 + VAT per month​

Interesting. So can one buy E63 AMGs with the 4-Matic 4WD system in the UK? I didn't think you could. I really wouldn't be interested in the RWD car.

 

[The _Don]

Interesting. So can one buy E63 AMGs with the 4-Matic 4WD system in the UK? I didn't think you could. I really wouldn't be interested in the RWD car.

You can order a 4wd e63s from a uk dealer but the car will be LHD only.

 

[alex123fra]

You can order a 4wd e63s from a uk dealer but the car will be LHD only.

Ah ok. That is less than ideal. I really think MB need to make this a standard option for UK customers.

 

[developer]

I understand it's a packaging issue, rather than a marketing issue - shame, as it would be great.

Our continental neighbours can buy an E-Class with four-wheel drive, which Merc calls 4Matic. It’s not possible to build a right-hand drive version of the 4wd E because the driveshaft for the front wheels comes out of the gearbox just where the right-hand drive steering rack sits (the bit the steering column comes out of).

 

[alex123fra]

I understand it's a packaging issue, rather than a marketing issue - shame, as it would be great.

Our continental neighbours can buy an E-Class with four-wheel drive, which Merc calls 4Matic. It’s not possible to build a right-hand drive version of the 4wd E because the driveshaft for the front wheels comes out of the gearbox just where the right-hand drive steering rack sits (the bit the steering column comes out of).

Yes I read this somewhere else too. Hopefully in future if they decide to cater for 4WD RHD markets from the outset, there won't be an issue (just like with Audi, Porsche, Lambo, VW etc). They will just need to spend the extra R+D to develop this from the ground up.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks guys. Yes I have looked at C6 RS6s (V10) and C7 RS6s (V8). I think the latest RS6 is sadly a bit out of my price range although it is a far better car than the V10 version. The V10 doesn't really do it for me as it feels far heavier than it should and understeers a fair bit. One might argue that the Cayenne turbo and the ML63 AMG feel heavy and understeer but I would forgive this due to the sheer size and practicality that they offer over an estate.

RE: Cayenne turbos, there seem to be very few available as porsche approved cars and the ones in my price range (£55-65k) are around 3/4 years old and have a fair number of miles on them (30k+). Maybe they hold their value better over the ML63s, not too sure.

The advantages of the ML63 in my mind so far (over a Cayenne) are:

1. Better ride
2. Newer car for the money
3. Better engine sound
4. Bigger boot
5. Cheaper running costs

Disadvantages:

1. Worse depreciation
2. Not a porsche (not sure that is a big one to be honest)

Ideally a C63 AMG estate or saloon with 4WD would be the sweet spot but they didn't bring the C63 4-Matic to the UK I believe. Quite why, I have no idea as lots of customers would pounce on that and it would take many sales away from audi.

ML63 it is then

It's a nice day, so go and get one bought and post some photos of it tonight!!

 

[alex123fra]

ML63 it is then

It's a nice day, so go and get one bought and post some photos of it tonight!!

I'd like nothing more. The weird thing is, my wife doesn't want me to get an ML63 and only wants a Cayenne turbo. She somehow thinks MB is the work of the devil and is totally unable to articulate why. I'd call it badge snobbery but I am not sure it even qualifies as such in this case

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ask your wife to have a go in all three, and then you/she can decide whether to go for the ML63 now, stretch now for the Cayenne, or wait for the Cayenne to drop in value a little.

Or do what I would do, assuming you don't need the extra size or weight (for towing) of a full-size SUV...

...buy a brand new Macan Turbo - they're a bargain IMHO.

 

[alex123fra]

Ask your wife to have a go in all three, and then you/she can decide whether to go for the ML63 now, stretch now for the Cayenne, or wait for the Cayenne to drop in value a little.

Or do what I would do, assuming you don't need the extra size or weight (for towing) of a full-size SUV...

...buy a brand new Macan Turbo - they're a bargain IMHO.

Yes I saw the Macan Turbo at a Porsche dealership yesterday. Looks great but a little small in the rear and in terms of boot space. They also lack a V8 which is a large reason for me considering the ML63 and Cayenne turbo. I just love a V8 engine sound.

 

[Ropz69]

I have a ML63AMG 2014, and it's great when we ordered it my wife wanted red brake callipers which suited me fine as this only comes with the performance pack, which I must say makes a huge difference. I also have young children and got the rear DVD system, comes with wireless head phones and remote for each screen. This is priceless!!!!!!

 

[boxbrownie]

Ah ok. That is less than ideal. I really think MB need to make this a standard option for UK customers.

Its coming, the new platform and trans design allows for RHD, as witness the new GLK coming to these shores soon, before on the old platform it was only available in LHD.

Besides MB need to get 4matic on the car range soon as BMW are leaving them for dead on their cycle plans.