More info about P31…must have option or not?

[Franzino]

Some questions about the P31 Performance pack option on the FL 2012 C63 AMG Estate. Does de P31 pack also have the stiffer sport suspension or is this a separate option from 2012? Besides the fact that this suspension is a little harder, does it also lowers the car more then standard? The C63 AMG I did a test drive with was equipped with the P31 option and it did not feel that hard at all…but I can not compare to a standard C63 without P31 and I'm not 100% sure which suspension the car had?

This is the info I have found about the P31 package… Is this correct?

P30 and P31 are different. P30 had a limited-slip differential and a stiffer suspension. P31 had neither of those, but a stronger engine. Stronger in terms of 30 extra HP and some beefier engine components.

They both have lighter brakes (2-piece rotors), increased top-speed limit (174 MPH vs. 155 MPH) and cosmetics like Alcantara steering wheel.

The extra power in the P31 is definitely noticeable and the lighter brakes reduce unsprung weight so improve handling a little. But the most important of any of these might be the LSD, which is not part of P31. It's an extra-cost option and many P31s had it, but some didn't and some non-P31s had it as well. If I had to choose, I'd probably take a non-P31 with LSD over a P31 without it. The best is both.

There are a lot of improvements in the 2012 and later "facelift" models. They have a better transmission and improved suspension. I'd take a base 2012 with MCT over 2011 P31, especially if the 2012 had an LSD and the 2011 didn't.

I'd avoid a P30. Most people found the suspension too firm and uncomfortable. They dropped that suspension in the P31. No C63 has a soft suspension.

Do you guys think the P31 is a must have option on a C63 AMG? IMO the front brakes are the biggest difference and selling point. The discs (rotors) of the red calipers are a different composite material that is better for heat management. Is the braking force the same as the standard “grey” brakes? Will you notice the difference between the two brakes on the street…?

Or is it only in more extreme situations that the red P31 brakes will be less prone for overheating/fading? I will not drive this car on track, but good brakes is something I find very important on cars (I fitted full AP racing brakes on my other car).

The 487hp from the P31 package is also something that is not so important to me… When you get the car chipped by Eurocharged it will even have more power then the P31.

I was thinking about searching a C63 AMG estate with the following options and P31 is not on my essential wish list. What are your opinions?
- Black exterior color
- Silver 19” spoke wheels- Black interior
- Black leather interior trim (or fitment aftermarket)
- Xenon lights
- Tinted windows rear
- Command online navigation
- Harman Kardon Sound (important for me)
- Media interface for iPod (or fitment aftermarket)
- Heated seats
- Seats with memory
- Auto closing rear trunk / Easy Pack
- Parking Sensors / Parktronic
- Mirror package
- Diff would be nice (or fitment of aftermarket Quaife diff)

 

[def90cars]

I have PP+.

I think the spec of the car in general and the condition is more important.

PP+ does NOT raise the limiter to 174mph - that was AMG Drivers Package.

 

[Franzino]

When I say stiffer sport suspension; I mean the AMG ' Performance' suspension…

 

[BigChap]

It mattered to me, I'm not exactly sure why, maybe the extra exclusivity but primarily the bottom end mods. Most people aren't fussed and rightly so especially if you plan on mapping the car anyway. It is a few extra ££££ to buy but my way of looking at it was that it'll probably still pull in a few extra ££££ when i sell in a few years and I've yet to see one for sale for much less than what i paid nearly 2 years ago.

There is also a grey area regarding the P30/31, perhaps the Don can clear this up, I think the P30 refers to the pre-facelift and the P31 is the facelift as i have a pre-facelift with all the signs of the so called P31 yet on the original bill of sale it's noted as P30.

 

[def90cars]

PP and PP+ are on pre-facelift

 

[ecain63]

P31 was engine with 487bhp, both pre and facelift. In my opinion the P31 represents a resale advantage as good examples of the P31 don't lose a lot of value. I bought my first P31 in 2012 for £35k with 10k on the clock. Bargain I know. It's still worth £30k today as it sold recently for this value. My current one was £35k with 20k on the clock. With the spec I won't lose much value as demand will remain high for P31 due to the new W205 being massively overpriced and lacking the soul of our 6.2 lummp.

 

[BigChap]

PP and PP+ are on pre-facelift

yeah i know, i'm saing that perhaps the PP+ is still referred to as P30 on pre-facelift and only becomes P31 on the facelift going by what my bill of sale says. (i have a 2010 PP+ but states P30 in the bill of sale)

do you have your original bill of sale to compare? perhaps mine is just a typo.

 

[def90cars]

yeah i know, i'm saing that perhaps the PP+ is still referred to as P30 on pre-facelift and only becomes P31 on the facelift going by what my bill of sale says. (i have a 2010 PP+ but states P30 in the bill of sale)

do you have your original bill of sale to compare? perhaps mine is just a typo.

I see.

I do but not with me. I'll look when in the UK next.

 

[ecain63]

p31 has referred to as such in pre and post facelift. P30 was standard guise for pre and post.

 

[farhanali89]

just my 2 cents here, Friend has a facelift C63 running the 18" wheels with maybe 8-9000 miles more than me non performance pack, Eurocharged mapped. General weights were similar at the time we compared the two.

His rolling road figure after the euro charged map were around the 500 mark. My car is a facelift performance pack which books at 487. On a set few rolling runs we compared the difference and the biggest difference we noted was the PP+ car jumps ahead each time we roll off. From the initial pull there was a consistency that I would hop in front straight away to compare the difference im talking his front bumper on my rear passenger door.

as we ran further down I could see his car reeling in and that would explain the advantage of more horse power but it wasn't swiftly pulling back in only gradually.

I think the slightly different internals on the performance pack do help quite a lot in terms of general response as the engine seems to rev a lot quicker.

It is not a significant difference and had the said conditions been any different it may run in his favour or mine so yes generally with the map you would make up the same power if not more.

 

[seesixtythree]

What does a mapped P31 engine produce bhp wise - surely if you compare a mapped P30 against mapped P31 the P31 would produce more power as it has more to begin with right?

 

[neilrr]

Does it add a rorty torty exhaust note that other motorists will find spellbinding when they are in the same tunnel as you?

 

[BigChap]

just my 2 cents here, Friend has a facelift C63 running the 18" wheels with maybe 8-9000 miles more than me non performance pack, Eurocharged mapped. General weights were similar at the time we compared the two.

His rolling road figure after the euro charged map were around the 500 mark. My car is a facelift performance pack which books at 487. On a set few rolling runs we compared the difference and the biggest difference we noted was the PP+ car jumps ahead each time we roll off. From the initial pull there was a consistency that I would hop in front straight away to compare the difference im talking his front bumper on my rear passenger door.

as we ran further down I could see his car reeling in and that would explain the advantage of more horse power but it wasn't swiftly pulling back in only gradually.

I think the slightly different internals on the performance pack do help quite a lot in terms of general response as the engine seems to rev a lot quicker.

It is not a significant difference and had the said conditions been any different it may run in his favour or mine so yes generally with the map you would make up the same power if not more.

interesting, you should get a eurocharged remap and report back with your findings!

 

[ecain63]

What does a mapped P31 engine produce bhp wise - surely if you compare a mapped P30 against mapped P31 the P31 would produce more power as it has more to begin with right?

Results will be the the same in theory but the P31 will be free revving in comparison. Also, if you have an LSD the power will be of use to you rather than leaving you sat spinning one wheel!

 

[Franzino]

It mattered to me, I'm not exactly sure why, maybe the extra exclusivity but primarily the bottom end mods. Most people aren't fussed and rightly so especially if you plan on mapping the car anyway. It is a few extra ££££ to buy but my way of looking at it was that it'll probably still pull in a few extra ££££ when i sell in a few years and I've yet to see one for sale for much less than what i paid nearly 2 years ago.

Extra exclusivity? I don't see it? A C63 AMG will always be some sort of exclusive car; with or without the P31 option… They are both great machines.

Resale value is of zero concern to me… I will buy this car for me and not for the next owner. I tend to keep every car at least 5 years if I like the car and longer if I love them. So with or without P31 the value between the two will likely be almost the same in 5 years time and resale value will depend more on the mileage then the P31 option.

Personally; the better brake discs (rotors) is something that might appeal me…. I like good brakes; but if the standard ones have the same braking performance on the street then the P31 brakes then it's also ok for my street use. I think the red braking calipers look out of place and are to striking for this type of car. The grey calipers look way better and more understated. I also don't like the interior with alcantara inserts… I want full leather

Still, did not found a definitive answer if the P31 pack also includes internal changes to the C63 engine or if it's only a remap?

I did found a German C63 2012 brochure that stated that the AMG Performance suspension was not part of the P30 Performance package and was a separate option…. There is no mention of the P31 option…? I was under the impression that P30 was the performance option in the pre-FL model (until 2011) and that P31 was the performance package on the FL model (from 2012).

 

[developer]

Have you raised your P31 query here?

https://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatelounge/registration/welcome

 

[Franzino]

Have you raised your P31 query here?

https://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatelounge/registration/welcome

Thanks; I will check it out....

After reading the German 2012 C63 estate brochure I'm realy confused about the P30 / P31

In the AMG option list it is stated the following:
P30 AMG Performance Package: €6.461
- Icreased power till 487ps /hp
- Intake manifold in titan grey
- Brake calipers in red
- AMG high performance brake discs at the front
- AMG performance steering wheel Leather Nappa / Dinanica

The AMG Performance suspension is a stand alone option of €1.130

 

[ecain63]

Performance pack did not have increased power. Only Performance pack plus has this. The engines on the PPP had parts taken from the SLS to reduce the weight of internals.

 

[ecain63]

Not sure how difficult it is to understand really. Here goes, again.

Performance Pack (2008 to 2009/10):

No power upgrade (keeps P30 engine)
Performance Suspension an option
Suede steering wheel grips
Carbon boot lip
Red callipers
2 peice rotors
LSD as standard

Performance Package Plus (pre and post facelift) (2010 to 2013):

487bhp P31 upgrade Inc uprated internals.
Grey intake manifold
Red callipers
Single piece composite ali/steel rotors
Carbon boot lip
Suede wheel grips
Couple of trim options
LSD not standard. Now cost option.
Performance Suspension an option.

507 edition (2013>)

As above P31 but with 507bhp
LSD
Different wheels
Body decals
507 badges

Point to note is packages may differ in different countries.

 

[The _Don]

Not sure how difficult it is to understand really. Here goes, again. Performance Pack (2008 to 2009/10): No power upgrade (keeps P30 engine) Performance Suspension an option Suede steering wheel grips Carbon boot lip Red callipers 2 peice rotors LSD as standard Performance Package Plus (pre and post facelift) (2010 to 2013): 487bhp P31 upgrade Inc uprated internals. Grey intake manifold Red callipers Single piece composite ali/steel rotors Carbon boot lip Suede wheel grips Couple of trim options LSD not standard. Now cost option. Performance Suspension an option. 507 edition (2013>) As above P31 but with 507bhp LSD Different wheels Body decals 507 badges Point to note is packages may differ in different countries.

A few errors above -

Original pp cars were not fitted with red calipers and performance suspension was standard fitment not optional.

The lsd was a optional extra for the c63 507 model.