New Member S204 C63 ESTATE PPP

[CastleV8]

Hi guys, I recently picked up this gorgeous C63 Estate with PPP. It's a Jap Import, spotless underneath, came with LSD from factory aswell. I plan to get the km/h cluster swapped to a MPH one, aswell as the COMAND unit to a UK one as SatNav/Radio stuck on Japan region. If anyone has any experience with these conversions please let me know!

Long, sad story short, bought a 2018 GLE63S for me and my wife back in June, part exchanged my MK5 GOLF R32 and my wife's R-Line Tiguan for it. My wife sadly passed away from cancer two weeks after her 30th birthday, approximately 2 years after diagnosis. The GLE was in her name and it was a treat vehicle for us both. I have a 3.5 year old daughter and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier keeping me busy. I was going to keep the GLE but had a few issues with it in my short ownership, and there has always been the association with my wife with it. So I put it on Collecting Cars last week, hopefully that should sell this week. Its a lovely car, such mad performance from an SUV, but it's not quite right for me alone.

Originally I was after a W204 C63 Saloon to replace my Golf R32, which I had for 5 years. But with both cars not really being used, it made sense to drop down to the single car. With my daughter and the dog, I know I wanted/needed an estate. I initially was locked into the idea of getting a C7 Audi RS6 Avant, ideally the Performance Model, (something id potentially consider as a next car in a few years hopefully) I found myself always going back and looking at the S204 C63 on Autotrader/eBay. With this one popping up, wanting one for so long, it's been an itch I've wanted to scratch. So pulled the trigger on it. 2012, with PPP, LSD on Options list aswell as AMG Drivers Package. Its done 48k miles, tax at £345.

My big passion is V8s, in particular American V8s, and although this isn't American, it's got the same character, presence with German build quality and refinement, in an estate of all things, a 6.2L in a small C class estate. It's absolutely brilliant.

I've got a list of things I want/need to do to it.
The front speakers don't seem to work so need to investigate that, I want to get the wheels refurbed and returned to standard guise with the polished lip. Potentially dechrome for a proper stealth look.

Regarding exhaust work I'm a bit torn. I love the standard system, I just want a 'bit more' I know the common thing is to get a Secondary Decat and be done with it, but I don't know how I feel about getting the OEM cut to do so. The other alternative is go big or go home. I'd go for IPE Long Tube Headers with Sports Cats, then Stage 2 Remap at MSL. I'm based in South West so if anyone has any other suggestions that'd be appreciated.

Sorry for the essay/life story, I look forward to chatting to you lot.

Thanks, Josh

 

[SmartAmg]

Josh, very sorry to hear about your Wife.
Lovely C63 you've got there.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi guys, I recently picked up this gorgeous C63 Estate with PPP. It's a Jap Import, spotless underneath, came with LSD from factory aswell. I plan to get the km/h cluster swapped to a MPH one, aswell as the COMAND unit to a UK one as SatNav/Radio stuck on Japan region. If anyone has any experience with these conversions please let me know!

Long, sad story short, bought a 2018 GLE63S for me and my wife back in June, part exchanged my MK5 GOLF R32 and my wife's R-Line Tiguan for it. My wife sadly passed away from cancer two weeks after her 30th birthday, approximately 2 years after diagnosis. The GLE was in her name and it was a treat vehicle for us both. I have a 3.5 year old daughter and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier keeping me busy. I was going to keep the GLE but had a few issues with it in my short ownership, and there has always been the association with my wife with it. So I put it on Collecting Cars last week, hopefully that should sell this week. Its a lovely car, such mad performance from an SUV, but it's not quite right for me alone.

Originally I was after a W204 C63 Saloon to replace my Golf R32, which I had for 5 years. But with both cars not really being used, it made sense to drop down to the single car. With my daughter and the dog, I know I wanted/needed an estate. I initially was locked into the idea of getting a C7 Audi RS6 Avant, ideally the Performance Model, (something id potentially consider as a next car in a few years hopefully) I found myself always going back and looking at the S204 C63 on Autotrader/eBay. With this one popping up, wanting one for so long, it's been an itch I've wanted to scratch. So pulled the trigger on it. 2012, with PPP, LSD on Options list aswell as AMG Drivers Package. Its done 48k miles, tax at £345.

My big passion is V8s, in particular American V8s, and although this isn't American, it's got the same character, presence with German build quality and refinement, in an estate of all things, a 6.2L in a small C class estate. It's absolutely brilliant.

I've got a list of things I want/need to do to it.
The front speakers don't seem to work so need to investigate that, I want to get the wheels refurbed and returned to standard guise with the polished lip. Potentially dechrome for a proper stealth look.

Regarding exhaust work I'm a bit torn. I love the standard system, I just want a 'bit more' I know the common thing is to get a Secondary Decat and be done with it, but I don't know how I feel about getting the OEM cut to do so. The other alternative is go big or go home. I'd go for IPE Long Tube Headers with Sports Cats, then Stage 2 Remap at MSL. I'm based in South West so if anyone has any other suggestions that'd be appreciated.

Sorry for the essay/life story, I look forward to chatting to you lot.

Thanks, Josh

Welcome to MBClub!

Josh, I’m sorry to hear about your wife.

Congratulations on your new car. The 6.2 litre V8 has character by the bucketload. I’d be tempted to hold fire in expensive exhaust modifications until COMAND and the cluster have been replaced.

I forget the details now but a few years ago someone was shocked at how much it cost to sort these things out. The parts were expensive and it was’t a straightforward swap, although perhaps that’s changed now.

Sorry to hear about the issues with your GLE. They’re usually great cars so you must have been unlucky, so it’s best to move it on as you are. Good luck with the sale on Collecting Cars

 

[zipdip]

Welcome aboard sorry to hear about your wife.

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

Good morning and welcome….

 

[Notwen]

Sorry to hear about your wife.
Your C63 is very nice, it came up for sale just after I bought my C63 PPP and I pawed over the images as a comparison to my purchase.

 

[CastleV8]

Appreciate the comments guys, much appreciated. I plan to sort the conversions first then sort some cosmetic stuff. Does anyone know of a company/business that has experience in the cluster/comand conversions? Many thanks

 

[CastleV8]

Sorry to hear about your wife.
Your C63 is very nice, it came up for sale just after I bought my C63 PPP and I pawed over the images as a comparison to my purchase.

View attachment 161776

I was looking at your thread before I bought mine. Very nice indeed!

 

[ZeeDee]

Hi guys, I recently picked up this gorgeous C63 Estate with PPP. It's a Jap Import, spotless underneath, came with LSD from factory aswell. I plan to get the km/h cluster swapped to a MPH one, aswell as the COMAND unit to a UK one as SatNav/Radio stuck on Japan region. If anyone has any experience with these conversions please let me know!

Long, sad story short, bought a 2018 GLE63S for me and my wife back in June, part exchanged my MK5 GOLF R32 and my wife's R-Line Tiguan for it. My wife sadly passed away from cancer two weeks after her 30th birthday, approximately 2 years after diagnosis. The GLE was in her name and it was a treat vehicle for us both. I have a 3.5 year old daughter and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier keeping me busy. I was going to keep the GLE but had a few issues with it in my short ownership, and there has always been the association with my wife with it. So I put it on Collecting Cars last week, hopefully that should sell this week. Its a lovely car, such mad performance from an SUV, but it's not quite right for me alone.

Originally I was after a W204 C63 Saloon to replace my Golf R32, which I had for 5 years. But with both cars not really being used, it made sense to drop down to the single car. With my daughter and the dog, I know I wanted/needed an estate. I initially was locked into the idea of getting a C7 Audi RS6 Avant, ideally the Performance Model, (something id potentially consider as a next car in a few years hopefully) I found myself always going back and looking at the S204 C63 on Autotrader/eBay. With this one popping up, wanting one for so long, it's been an itch I've wanted to scratch. So pulled the trigger on it. 2012, with PPP, LSD on Options list aswell as AMG Drivers Package. Its done 48k miles, tax at £345.

My big passion is V8s, in particular American V8s, and although this isn't American, it's got the same character, presence with German build quality and refinement, in an estate of all things, a 6.2L in a small C class estate. It's absolutely brilliant.

I've got a list of things I want/need to do to it.
The front speakers don't seem to work so need to investigate that, I want to get the wheels refurbed and returned to standard guise with the polished lip. Potentially dechrome for a proper stealth look.

Regarding exhaust work I'm a bit torn. I love the standard system, I just want a 'bit more' I know the common thing is to get a Secondary Decat and be done with it, but I don't know how I feel about getting the OEM cut to do so. The other alternative is go big or go home. I'd go for IPE Long Tube Headers with Sports Cats, then Stage 2 Remap at MSL. I'm based in South West so if anyone has any other suggestions that'd be appreciated.

Sorry for the essay/life story, I look forward to chatting to you lot.

Thanks, Josh

Welcome Josh. My heartfelt condolences on your tragic loss, I can't imagine what you've been through buddy.

I ran a PPP wagon for 3 years as our sole family car. It's a real gem of a car and I still miss it. I had the secondary cats removed and also a Celtic tuning remap put on the car - I would wholeheartedly recommend both of those mod, it really livens the car up. I didn't get the remap for the power gains (hardly noticeable compared to a PPP anyway) but the map opens the throttle at the top end a bit more and it gives a bit more induction noise and urgency when opening the taps. Together with the cat delete it was a noticeable improvement. I would give this a try first before going the LTH route.

I also considered moving to a C7 RS6 Performance during my owership as they look mega - but I came away from the test drive quite disappointed. The ride comfort is much better and it has a sense of occasion, but I found the steering so numb and there was just no excitement compared to the C63. It felt like a muted, floaty boat in comparison. So def not an upgrade for me, but worth a test drive when the time comes.

If the front speakers aren't working, it might be an issue with the amp?

 

[CastleV8]

Welcome Josh. My heartfelt condolences on your tragic loss, I can't imagine what you've been through buddy.

I ran a PPP wagon for 3 years as our sole family car. It's a real gem of a car and I still miss it. I had the secondary cats removed and also a Celtic tuning remap put on the car - I would wholeheartedly recommend both of those mod, it really livens the car up. I didn't get the remap for the power gains (hardly noticeable compared to a PPP anyway) but the map opens the throttle at the top end a bit more and it gives a bit more induction noise and urgency when opening the taps. Together with the cat delete it was a noticeable improvement. I would give this a try first before going the LTH route.

I also considered moving to a C7 RS6 Performance during my owership as they look mega - but I came away from the test drive quite disappointed. The ride comfort is much better and it has a sense of occasion, but I found the steering so numb and there was just no excitement compared to the C63. It felt like a muted, floaty boat in comparison. So def not an upgrade for me, but worth a test drive when the time comes.

If the front speakers aren't working, it might be an issue with the amp?

Thanks mate, appreciate it! Regarding the speakers going to try investigate this weekend, bit of an odd one. I have test driven a C7 RS6 and I did like it, but at heart I've always wanted a C63, have done for years, plus half the money!

When you had the secondary decat with a map, did you have much in the way of pops and bangs? The factory exhaust on the GLE63s is quite hilarious as it does this in Sport + and it's quite addictive

I think I'm going to get the conversion bits sorted first, then move onto some cosmetic mods, then the exhaust.

 

[Skd884]

So so sorry to hear about your wife

Congrats for your m156 i have owned mine from new they are special cars and i can highly recommend this

 

[ZeeDee]

Thanks mate, appreciate it! Regarding the speakers going to try investigate this weekend, bit of an odd one. I have test driven a C7 RS6 and I did like it, but at heart I've always wanted a C63, have done for years, plus half the money!

When you had the secondary decat with a map, did you have much in the way of pops and bangs? The factory exhaust on the GLE63s is quite hilarious as it does this in Sport + and it's quite addictive

I think I'm going to get the conversion bits sorted first, then move onto some cosmetic mods, then the exhaust.

The M156 in its standard form isn't the engine for pops and bangs (sadly, or maybe not sadly depending on whether you like them lol). You can get some cracks on the overrun but nothing like you'll get in the turbo models that came after. The secondary cat delete and remap will give you what you have at the moment, but just turned up 15-20%. LTHs... well, that's a different question entirely!

 

[GarethBo]

Hi guys, I recently picked up this gorgeous C63 Estate with PPP. It's a Jap Import, spotless underneath, came with LSD from factory aswell. I plan to get the km/h cluster swapped to a MPH one, aswell as the COMAND unit to a UK one as SatNav/Radio stuck on Japan region. If anyone has any experience with these conversions please let me know!

Long, sad story short, bought a 2018 GLE63S for me and my wife back in June, part exchanged my MK5 GOLF R32 and my wife's R-Line Tiguan for it. My wife sadly passed away from cancer two weeks after her 30th birthday, approximately 2 years after diagnosis. The GLE was in her name and it was a treat vehicle for us both. I have a 3.5 year old daughter and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier keeping me busy. I was going to keep the GLE but had a few issues with it in my short ownership, and there has always been the association with my wife with it. So I put it on Collecting Cars last week, hopefully that should sell this week. Its a lovely car, such mad performance from an SUV, but it's not quite right for me alone.

Originally I was after a W204 C63 Saloon to replace my Golf R32, which I had for 5 years. But with both cars not really being used, it made sense to drop down to the single car. With my daughter and the dog, I know I wanted/needed an estate. I initially was locked into the idea of getting a C7 Audi RS6 Avant, ideally the Performance Model, (something id potentially consider as a next car in a few years hopefully) I found myself always going back and looking at the S204 C63 on Autotrader/eBay. With this one popping up, wanting one for so long, it's been an itch I've wanted to scratch. So pulled the trigger on it. 2012, with PPP, LSD on Options list aswell as AMG Drivers Package. Its done 48k miles, tax at £345.

My big passion is V8s, in particular American V8s, and although this isn't American, it's got the same character, presence with German build quality and refinement, in an estate of all things, a 6.2L in a small C class estate. It's absolutely brilliant.

I've got a list of things I want/need to do to it.
The front speakers don't seem to work so need to investigate that, I want to get the wheels refurbed and returned to standard guise with the polished lip. Potentially dechrome for a proper stealth look.

Regarding exhaust work I'm a bit torn. I love the standard system, I just want a 'bit more' I know the common thing is to get a Secondary Decat and be done with it, but I don't know how I feel about getting the OEM cut to do so. The other alternative is go big or go home. I'd go for IPE Long Tube Headers with Sports Cats, then Stage 2 Remap at MSL. I'm based in South West so if anyone has any other suggestions that'd be appreciated.

Sorry for the essay/life story, I look forward to chatting to you lot.

Thanks, Josh

You can change the settings in the Radio by accessing the Service menu, change Region codes, kph to Mph etc. i have the Command system with Factory DVD Media system in my 2011 E-Class. Can change dvd region in this menu, if you have cameras or fit one you van switch it on and off here. Youtube has video on how to access this menu. Alternatively using an obd diagnostic, Carly device or similar they can recode as well. Or take to an independent Merc Specialist. They will have the Mercs Factory diagnostics. They will charge you but you know its correctly done.