- Joined
- Nov 6, 2007
- Messages
- 13,321
- Location
- North Oxfordshire
- Car
- His - Denim Blue A220 AMG Line Premium / Hers - Obsidian Black R172 SLK55
…E63’s
Almost two years ago I bought a Biturbo E63. I rationalised it by telling myself that it was an itch that had to be scratched. An act of minor insanity that meant I could, at some time in the dim distant future (I hope!), go to my grave saying “remember when?”, rather than “I wish…”.
And then it hit me. I had lived day to day with the surreal nature of the AMG beast; the incongruous blend of luxury saloon and supercar performance. And I was hooked. Every visit to the filling station was a guilty pleasure: each 75-litre fill of 99RON wasn’t just a financial transaction. It was buying another ticket to the illicit fun fair. Every litre pumped was accompanied with a frisson of excitement: the potential for a relentless shove in the back when the loud pedal is prodded; the ability to make a noise like a WWII fighter 'plane whenever the fancy takes; the conversion of rubber to smoke. The hordes of company car drivers, fixated on CO2 emissions and BIK calculations, looked on with envy. The yoghurt-knitting enviro-mental-ists looked on with ill-disguised distain.
Then the doubts crept in. When the time came, what could replace it with? My head said I should return to the world of the sensible CDI, but I secretly knew that would be an unsatisfying path. A grumbling 40mpg oil-burner, however sensible, just isn’t the same as a 500+ bhp petrol V8. So, as approached my self-imposed two-year ownership limit, it was time for some serious man math’s. With an impending need for a(nother) set of tyres, replacement of front discs and pads – at the eye-watering price associated with AMG’s red calliper PPP composite discs – and rear brake pads too, there were already some serious benefits stacking up in the “get rid” pile. But a replacement was still a difficult prospect. How could I preserve access to the fun without the potential for financial ruin?
The W205 C63 is undoubtedly a fine car and definitely a future candidate but, due to its relative youth, used prices are still very strong. And once the plethora of rental cars start hitting the market when they come off lease in another year or two their value will take a big hit. The CLS is lovely, but at the end of the day it’s still an E-Class in an expensive posh frock. So… we’re back to the E63. The underrated gem of the AMG world.
While my current car is loaded with options, many are of limited worth – as a trade-in offer will confirm. Garage door opener? My garage is full of a motorcycle and a work bench; Carbon-fibre engine cover? Carbon-fibre mirror pods? OK, so they provide bragging rights (and add 1mph to the top speed in the shade), but that’s about it. Rear sunblind? In England? Haha! Illuminated door sills? Qué? So what options are really worthwhile? It boiled down the Driving Assistance Package (Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist, etc.) and the frankly wonderful Ventilated Dynamic Multi-Contour Seats. So the search started.
And all of the above is a long way of getting to the fact that I pick up next Friday an 11-month old, ex-dem 2015 E63 in Diamond White with Keyless Go, Night Package, Ventilated Dynamic Multi-Contour Seats and Driving Assistance Package. Mileage: 845. Yes, that’s right, under a thousand miles on the clock. It’s a new car
It’s missing a Reversing Camera (COMAND.co.uk can fix that) and an LSD (Mr. Quaife might come to the rescue on that one), but comes with two years’ servicing thrown in too and more than £30k off its starting price.
Chuffed? You bet
Piccies to follow once I collect it – if it ever stops raining
Almost two years ago I bought a Biturbo E63. I rationalised it by telling myself that it was an itch that had to be scratched. An act of minor insanity that meant I could, at some time in the dim distant future (I hope!), go to my grave saying “remember when?”, rather than “I wish…”.
And then it hit me. I had lived day to day with the surreal nature of the AMG beast; the incongruous blend of luxury saloon and supercar performance. And I was hooked. Every visit to the filling station was a guilty pleasure: each 75-litre fill of 99RON wasn’t just a financial transaction. It was buying another ticket to the illicit fun fair. Every litre pumped was accompanied with a frisson of excitement: the potential for a relentless shove in the back when the loud pedal is prodded; the ability to make a noise like a WWII fighter 'plane whenever the fancy takes; the conversion of rubber to smoke. The hordes of company car drivers, fixated on CO2 emissions and BIK calculations, looked on with envy. The yoghurt-knitting enviro-mental-ists looked on with ill-disguised distain.
Then the doubts crept in. When the time came, what could replace it with? My head said I should return to the world of the sensible CDI, but I secretly knew that would be an unsatisfying path. A grumbling 40mpg oil-burner, however sensible, just isn’t the same as a 500+ bhp petrol V8. So, as approached my self-imposed two-year ownership limit, it was time for some serious man math’s. With an impending need for a(nother) set of tyres, replacement of front discs and pads – at the eye-watering price associated with AMG’s red calliper PPP composite discs – and rear brake pads too, there were already some serious benefits stacking up in the “get rid” pile. But a replacement was still a difficult prospect. How could I preserve access to the fun without the potential for financial ruin?
The W205 C63 is undoubtedly a fine car and definitely a future candidate but, due to its relative youth, used prices are still very strong. And once the plethora of rental cars start hitting the market when they come off lease in another year or two their value will take a big hit. The CLS is lovely, but at the end of the day it’s still an E-Class in an expensive posh frock. So… we’re back to the E63. The underrated gem of the AMG world.
While my current car is loaded with options, many are of limited worth – as a trade-in offer will confirm. Garage door opener? My garage is full of a motorcycle and a work bench; Carbon-fibre engine cover? Carbon-fibre mirror pods? OK, so they provide bragging rights (and add 1mph to the top speed in the shade), but that’s about it. Rear sunblind? In England? Haha! Illuminated door sills? Qué? So what options are really worthwhile? It boiled down the Driving Assistance Package (Distronic Plus, Active Blind Spot Assist, etc.) and the frankly wonderful Ventilated Dynamic Multi-Contour Seats. So the search started.
And all of the above is a long way of getting to the fact that I pick up next Friday an 11-month old, ex-dem 2015 E63 in Diamond White with Keyless Go, Night Package, Ventilated Dynamic Multi-Contour Seats and Driving Assistance Package. Mileage: 845. Yes, that’s right, under a thousand miles on the clock. It’s a new car
It’s missing a Reversing Camera (COMAND.co.uk can fix that) and an LSD (Mr. Quaife might come to the rescue on that one), but comes with two years’ servicing thrown in too and more than £30k off its starting price.
Chuffed? You bet
Piccies to follow once I collect it – if it ever stops raining
