On the hunt for a C63...

[zenman63]

You could be different and look at the ML63, more powerful and more room.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704254787223

 

[Mercy Me]

I checked out all the competition before purchasing my C63 AMG.

The Audi RS4 is a beautifully made car, better than the C63 in terms of build quality but, imo, slightly anodyne in the way it drives on UK roads. As a motorway or fast A road cruiser when conditions are poor it has no equal.

Again imo, The BMW M3, has an engine, which is just not a match for the C63 and sounds, err, rather disappointing. Its brakes are at best just about satisfactory for fast road driving but do not inspire confidence of the RS4 or the C63 AMG PP. The ride and handling are very good though.

With the C63 AMG, what sold it for me was the naturally aspirated 6.3 litre V8 engine, which is an absolute peach and the sound it makes, which is awesome.

The Performance Pack upgrade gives it mind blowing performance and the knowledge that the uprated engine internals are up for it. The uprated brakes inspire confidence and the ride / handling is good.

Yes, there is a potential fly in the ointment with the head bolt issue on the pre 2011 cars but this can be rectified for about £2k IF there is ever a problem.

 

[GreetMe]

I don't think its a long delay as such, with my old pre facelift C63 it just wasn't quick enough.
You would press the paddle, then car would think about shifting, and then shift.

That's it exactly. It's as if the car considers whether to change gear before doing it.

Good afternoon stranger, it's been a while pal!

You can buy a '13 plate on for £25k:
Mercedes-Benz C Class 6.3 C63 AMG MCT 7S 4-MATIC 4dr

Hello, mate. Good to hear from you.

Nice cars in both links but I'd prefer a trade purchase.

You could be different and look at the ML63, more powerful and more room.

Mercedes-Benz M Class 6.2 ML63 AMG 7G-Tronic 5dr

Not a fan of those at all. I'm sure they're very capable but they're not for me.

I checked out all the competition before purchasing my C63 AMG.

The Audi RS4 is a beautifully made car, better than the C63 in terms of build quality but, imo, slightly anodyne in the way it drives on UK roads. As a motorway or fast A road cruiser when conditions are poor it has no equal.

I'd agree with that. It felt very accomplished and the interior was really, really nice but it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Again imo, The BMW M3, has an engine, which is just not a match for the C63 and sounds, err, rather disappointing. Its brakes are at best just about satisfactory for fast road driving but do not inspire confidence of the RS4 or the C63 AMG PP. The ride and handling are very good though.

With the C63 AMG, what sold it for me was the naturally aspirated 6.3 litre V8 engine, which is an absolute peach and the sound it makes, which is awesome.

The Performance Pack upgrade gives it mind blowing performance and the knowledge that the uprated engine internals are up for it. The uprated brakes inspire confidence and the ride / handling is good.

Yes, there is a potential fly in the ointment with the head bolt issue on the pre 2011 cars but this can be rectified for about £2k IF there is ever a problem.

The C63's engine is the real draw for me. I'll turn a blind eye to lots of minor shortcomings elsewhere just to get my hands on one.

 

[Walski]

An estate would be ideal but I'd also consider a saloon. Can you PM me details/pics?


I can't pm as havent enough posts but if you text your email to 07711359809 I'll send details

 

[GreetMe]

I can't pm as havent enough posts but if you text your email to 07711359809 I'll send details

Thanks. I'll do it now.

 

[GreetMe]

Over £3k for a tier 1 warranty on a 10-plate.

 

[BlackC55]

I have pm'd you about a C63 estate.

 

[GreetMe]

I have pm'd you about a C63 estate.

Thank you. I've replied.

 

[GreetMe]

The current shortlist is a W204 C63, E90 M3 or B8 RS4. The only one I haven't test driven is the BMW but I'm told you have to wring its neck to get the best out of it which wouldn't suit my driving style at all.

I'm driving an M3 and a C63 this weekend. I want to at least try the M3 before ruling it out.

 

[adz87kc]

The current shortlist is a W204 C63, E90 M3 or B8 RS4.

The B7 RS4 engine had problems getting filled with sludge from the positive crank ventilation as far as I recall and as such they almost never made the stated factory 420hp. 400hp was on a good day on a stock car but it could be temporarily remedied with what is commonly referred to as a 'carbon clean'. That and the DRC dampers/valves fail more than they should.

These issues may or may not have been fixed on the B8 RS4 but it's something to look into maybe if it's still on the shortlist?



E9X have issues with their throttle actuators which can make them go into limp home mode. If you fancy one of these check it's been remedied or has a BMW warranty.
Also they can be prone to big end bearing failure- again, BMW warranty.


Food for thought buddy. I guess you already know most of this stuff but I wouldn't want anyone to get a nasty surprise

 

[adz87kc]

Over £3k for a tier 1 warranty on a 10-plate.

Approved used mercedes come with 2 year warranty.
Might find one in your price range there (or perhaps could source one) with the warranty for peace of mind

 

[GreetMe]

The B7 RS4 engine had problems getting filled with sludge from the positive crank ventilation as far as I recall and as such they almost never made the stated factory 420hp. 400hp was on a good day on a stock car but it could be temporarily remedied with what is commonly referred to as a 'carbon clean'. That and the DRC dampers/valves fail more than they should.

These issues may or may not have been fixed on the B8 RS4 but it's something to look into maybe if it's still on the shortlist?

As far as I'm aware the coking problem is still there on the B8. And, yes, a carbon clean will remedy it... for a while.

I've owned a few S/RS Audis over the years, including a C5 RS6 for a while. The previous owner had completely ripped out the DRC and replaced it with coilovers. So that just left another Audi bugbear: the suicidal Tiptronic gearbox.

E9X have issues with their throttle actuators which can make them go into limp home mode. If you fancy one of these check it's been remedied or has a BMW warranty.
Also they can be prone to big end bearing failure- again, BMW warranty.

I've been warned about the big end bearing failures. Whatever car I decide on, a manufacturer's warranty will be factored into the purchase.

Food for thought buddy. I guess you already know most of this stuff but I wouldn't want anyone to get a nasty surprise

Approved used mercedes come with 2 year warranty.
Might find one in your price range there (or perhaps could source one) with the warranty for peace of mind

Adding Tier 2 on a lower mileage car reduces the price a lot. That's another option.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

With a £25k budget I'd be definitely aiming for a facelift pal, it's a massive step up in terms of interior quality and the engine had less issues.

 

[GreetMe]

With a £25k budget I'd be definitely aiming for a facelift pal, it's a massive step up in terms of interior quality and the engine had less issues.

I'd really like to go for a facelift but it's proving very difficult to find a decent saloon/estate at a trader for that price.

All of the traders I've spoken to seem reluctant to talk about head bolt issues. I've asked three of them so far if they have knowledge of the work having been done on their cars. Their answers were all very similar: "It's an issue that's been blown out of proportion. This car has full MBSH; if there had been a problem with the head bolts it would have been picked up by now."

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Might be wrong but I don't think the head bolts issue affects the facelift.

 

[GreetMe]

Might be wrong but I don't think the head bolts issue affects the facelift.

No, it doesn't. What I mean is I've been asking that question about pre-facelift cars (because of my budget).

 

[Deleted member 37751]

No, it doesn't. What I mean is I've been asking that question about pre-facelift cars (because of my budget).

Ok, I see, another reason to stick with the facelift if you can then pal.

How did the M3 test drive go?

 

[GreetMe]

Ok, I see, another reason to stick with the facelift if you can then pal.

If I can find one that I can afford... :fail

How did the M3 test drive go?

I'm heading off in a few minutes to drive them both. :bannana:

 

[Deleted member 37751]

If I can find one that I can afford... :fail

Patience my dear boy!

I'm heading off in a few minutes to drive them both. :bannana:

I owned an E90 M3 manual for a short period of time and it was a really sharp car, deceptively quick, pretty poor exhaust note though (as is the case with all BMWs imo)

Have fun today, I'm sure after the drives it'll be clearer what you want from a car.

 

[GreetMe]

Patience my dear boy!

I've heard this word before but its meaning is lost on me.

I owned an E90 M3 manual for a short period of time and it was a really sharp car, deceptively quick, pretty poor exhaust note though (as is the case with all BMWs imo)

The one I drove today was a DCT. It felt nicely balanced through corners but it was a bit sluggish until I got right to the top of the rev range (which I was expecting) and, yes, the sound it made was very disappointing.

Have fun today, I'm sure after the drives it'll be clearer what you want from a car.

Yes, it will, mate: a facelift C63 with PPP. WHAT A CAR. :bannana: I test drove what should have been an identical car last year but my experience today couldn't have been more different. I knew it would be chuffing quick but the car I drove today steered better, gripped better and the MCT snapped up and down the gears almost as quickly as the DSG in my Golf. I can only think that the one I drove last year was a lemon.

I drove the M3 first and had already decided that it wasn't the car for me before I got near the C63. Thirty seconds in the Merc just confirmed it.

I must have one.