Opinions please: 6.2 c63 vs e63 estate. Does the e63 feel massive to drive?!

[damurphster]

I was focused on a C63 but I reckon I might struggle with the reduction in size over my current E61 550i touring.

The car is going to be the family wagon, shifting bikes etc.

I really fancied the smaller C63 for driving fun but maybe the E63 makes more sense for me.

Anyone able to compare the driving experience between them?

Does the E63 estate feel massive and heavy compared to the C63 estate.

its highly unlikely I am going to be able to do any type of back to back testing.

 

[AMGeed]

I have the saloon and although slightly bigger, it doesn't feel it once inside.

This one, with a rebuilt Biturbo engine is for sale. (Its been sold by the original poster, but up for sale again) An absolute bargain and a better engine too(one for M156 owners)

E63 Biturbo PPP Estate

 

[350cls]

Having once owned an E61 545i touring a few years ago. Was a good car. I have owned E46 estates also so very much on point with the E class and Class equivalent estates. The 5 series as you know has great size loading area. The 3 is ok but just that more restricted.

Regarding the ride and feel of the E63 6.2 saloon the shell of the car just shrinks around you it feels more like a 3 series when on the twistys but weirdly enough very roomy for long journeys and so on. Owned my 2009/59 E63 for 8 months now hasn't missed a beat. I really adore my car drives fantastic as a family everyday car.

 

[350cls]

One for the M156 owners. They sound better than the M157 To

AND YOU KNOW IT

 

[st13phil]

The W/S212 E63 chassis is massively superior to the W/S204 C63, so any advantage you may think the C63 has by being physically smaller doesn’t translate to the driving experience. When pressing on, the E63 feels really alive and responsive and is incredibly easy to place accurately, yet it can also do the lazy luxury car bit that the C63 can’t. It really does feel much smaller than it looks.

The added bonus of an S212 E63 is that you can move a wardrobe at warp speed

 

[AMGeed]

One for the M156 owners. They sound better than the M157 To

AND YOU KNOW IT

No arguement.
But try getting 700bhp out of one with just a remap

1-1 I believe.

 

[350cls]

No arguement.
But try getting 700bhp out of one with just a remap

1-1 I believe.

Fair statement Roger, you Win .
In all seriousness I wouldn't want a map it's more than fast enough for me. Like our previous E55k mine was more than enough for me stock

 

[AMGeed]

Fair statement Roger, you Win .
In all seriousness I wouldn't want a map it's more than fast enough for me. Like our previous E55k mine was more than enough for me stock

I'm in no rush to re map either Tom. Just enjoying it as it is for the moment. But there will come a time................

 

[Atavus]

See if you can blag a drive of an S63. After that the E63 will feel compact and nimble. I’m starting to believe it’s the sweet spot in the range.

 

[John]

I think a lot of perception around differences in car sizes is psychological.

It will take a little bit of time to get used to the larger size but the differences are not as pronounced as you might think.

If you park a current C Class next to a current E and S Class, the last two of course are bigger but the difference is bugger all.

Usually it's just the length of the vehicle as widths are not massively different.

 

[DavidL]

Not exactly what you want but close enough. We have an s211 and a s203, both 55s. The e class is the better car hands down. It is larger but I'd argue that the interior advantages easily outweigh the exterior size change. In fact we have had a conversation about Mrs L having an e class as her daily rather than the c55 as on the whole she prefers driving the e especially for longer distances.
Don't get me wrong the c class is a great little car and for me as a daily it would be fine but usually its only me in it. Its far more pointy than the e class and goes well enough
I'm sure most people think we have one silver merc estate as they look very similar in size.
If its a choice of the 2 buy the e class.