Strange post but.....tell me why I shouldn't buy a C63

[Endex]

Sold my E46 M3 and am 'between' cars - had placed an order for a new M135i but having had some time at the wheel of one it's not floating my boat. Been to look at a C63 Coupe today which I really like but know little about living with one.

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[davidjpowell]

They are very quiet and very slow.

I probably made this up. They probably sound very good, go like the clappers and if you like than and can afford to go for one, then you should

 

[Endex]

They are very quiet and very slow.

I probably made this up. They probably sound very good, go like the clappers and if you like than and can afford to go for one, then you should

Sage advice David - thanks.

 

[merc85]

Dont buy one because you dont wanna be doing this all the time lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hAG9iCWiQ

 

[Bron]

I will get hated for this but I do love the c63 however as with all the mainline reviews I think the m3 is a better everyday car, I will only list the bad bits and if you can live with these then buy it; its bumpy, the seats arent as comfortable on long journeys and if you are not slim enough to fit fully in forget it lol, its loud which I love, eats tyres budget 5k miles really, drinks like crazy I get 12-15mpg, I dont think its as well built as the bmws i agree with clarkson on benz build quality the fake leather on the sides are nasty and shows cracks, its an american type muscle car rather than a refined european racer, too many knocks and rattles benz build quality again, rear tyres should have a wider stagger traction isnt as great, looks again its not a curvy designer car its americanish if you know what I mean, alloys crack easy, will not age well, not many come with media interface to connect up ipods etc just aux, the display screen is tiny, its more of a straight line car, tax is £505 lol but yeah I love them apart from that they are great I have noticed many people buy these cars and keep them for less than 6months as the running costs are high that is why several 2011 or later ones will have 4+ owners which also I would avoid as that probably means they were trigger happy and probably spent £0 on any maintenance or care just my opinion I am sure others will have opposing arguements but I think those short term owned ones are likely to be wrecked and abused but hey it is a 6.2 v8 so they have all been abused to some degree

 

[merc85]

i wouldn't have a Bmw e46 they sound absolutely awful and are completely over rated, Bmw for track maybe but Mb for the road everytime. imho

 

[addbuyer]

In reply to previous post:- Owned one since May. Put a new set of tyres on 3000 miles ago and currently 10-15% worn at most. Tyres (good brand) are only £130 each so wont break the bank. Average 18-19 to the gallon but dont do any motorway work so thats not bad for country roads. Drove 617 miles from south of Spain to north in one go and got out feeling like i had only gone round to the corner shop. Rattles... Yes i would agree with that one but its not enough to make me move the car on which i am known for doing in my house. From the above you will tell i dont rag it all over the place or do track days, but yes i have fun now and then. So in answer to your question of how easy it is to live with.... Its a great all round motor that will make you smile when you want

 

[FastLaneJB]

I've a W205 C63S and can get 30+mpg on a long mostly motorway run so the fuel economy can be good if traffic forces you to back off from light speed It's a firm car but not uncomfortable as the seats are good. Tech is great in the W205 and I especially like how the car can drive itself including steering in traffic. The 360 display is also top notch.

Build quality however is a big problem with my car. The trim down on the drivers seat fell off the day I got it. Got that fixed eventually when they replaced the trim however still have the passenger door buzzing at me even with the stereo off on a smooth road. I've not been impressed with the build quality at all.

It's gone back in for about a 6th time in a 1 and a half months I've had it to try and get it fixed. I'm at the point if it's not sorted now I'll be getting a refund and going back to a BMW. Of which model I don't quite know but I do know I've had a couple and they were both solid with zero rattles.

It's a nice car in theory but cannot overlook the shoddy build quality at this price.

 

[flango]

Sold my E46 M3 and am 'between' cars - had placed an order for a new M135i but having had some time at the wheel of one it's not floating my boat. Been to look at a C63 Coupe today which I really like but know little about living with one.

Any thoughts welcome.

Because there are better less flawed compromised cars out there, as already posted M3 is far superior. My CSL was awesome. C63 driving dynamics are poor compared to a beemer and I've done hundreds of laps around the ring in both.

E63 is an awesome car and better than M3 or M5 great handling and power had one around the track at MB world and my times were faster in the E than the C

Hey what do I know though as I've just bought an Audi R8

 

[Little Lofty]

They rattle (worse than any of my vans) and the gearbox is crap, apart from that I quite like mine I don't regret buying it, but I won't be buying another. I did fancy a W205 next, but after ready comments from FastlaneJB amongst others I think it may be my last MB, for a while at least.

 

[Terry_]

I love em.
They are terrific cars. Yes they have their flaws but doesn't every car! Having driven an M3 I found it fantastic in so many ways but it felt like just another M car.
I am not a fan of M cars personally for every day driving. I much prefer the soul and character of an AMG.
If you want to track your car then for sure go for an M car.
But as an everyday car to put a smile on your face a C63 for sure.
Let's see which one becomes more of an icon ....

 

[V8andTurbos]

Only downside imo is,

Stupidly low mpg
Pricey servicing
Ride isn't great
Fairly poor spec in standard form. Doesn't even have a diff unless spec'd

How's steering feel and weight in the E92 M3 compared to the C63? Heard it isn't great

 

[Endex]

Thanks all - a fair spread of views which give food for thought. I know the car has flaws and am aware of most from reading threads on here. I'm not in the flush of youth and am not a 10/10 driver so I'm confident it would be more than I would ever need. I've tried an E9X and I know it is more focussed but I still can't avoid the fact that the NA 6.2 will never be seen again and is something I ought to experience.

The car is a 2012, 1 owner car with less than 12k miles and an interesting spec combination which appeals after my M3. It's on 18s which I specifically want as my M3 was. I value road feel more than size - link below:
Approved Used 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG in Skipton for sale

 

[RJ C63]

Looks good go for it. Great car for a daily driver and that noise....

 

[Endex]

Only downside imo is,

Stupidly low mpg
Pricey servicing
Ride isn't great
Fairly poor spec in standard form. Doesn't even have a diff unless spec'd

How's steering feel and weight in the E92 M3 compared to the C63? Heard it isn't great

E92 steering feel and weight was ok, much better than current model electric set up but is difficult to compare with the C63 as I haven't driven either for a prolonged period.

 

[DuncS3]

duplicate

 

[GazzyFizzle]

I was set on buying an E9X M3 for ages, drove a couple, and decided that was it.

Having had E46's in the family for ages, I figured the E9X M3 was the next logical choice. But I kept hearing the odd C63, and was intrigued by the noise/looks of it. So I went and had a test drive... The rest is history.

The M3 is more precise and a sharper 'tool' to use for sure, but there's something about the sledgehammer precision of the C63 which just appealed to me.

I suddenly remembered, I'm not the stig, I'm not a car journo, I just like cars.... I like the noises they make, the way they make me feel, etc.

The W204 C63 and the E9X M3 are both stunning cars to my mind, but from a personal perspective, the C63 just made me feel that bit better, and made me smile that little bit more.

 

[Jovie]

No reason not to buy

Having owned an E46 an E92 and now a C63, I will say this.

I should have kept my E46. It was a full spec low mileage FSH example in carbon black with ACS3 suspension, exhaust, intake and map.
It would have been my weekend toy.

I wouldn't buy another E92, they are very nice to look at and incredible to drive hard but I just never gelled with mine. V8 too muted, needed high revs for any performance, seating position too high, and somehow it never felt special.

I must admit there was a gap of 3 years before I got the C63 and apart from the narrow rear end and tyres I love it.

It's not hooligan, but that start-up noise is lovely (E46 cold start? but with bite and intention).
You can drive it around like an every day C class and wonder why those in the know are looking.
If you want some noise and performance without breaking the law you can have it in Sport and enjoy the pops and higher rev gear changes, but if you really want to rag it then you can have it in Sport+ or manual.
The HK sound is decent, the satnav is quite good.
The squeaks and rattles are similar to what you would have experienced with the E46 (except on a younger car).
Steering feel is probably on a par with the E92 but it seems to be very sensitive to suspension set up, air pressure etc. (19" wheels).
Mine has the LSD which does the E46 type 'grinding' when cold but is excellent when 'driving with the rear'.
It does feel heavy and especially will for you coming out of an E46.

I had the use of a Porsche 911 C4s 991 (current model) after I had already bought the C63 and that is a total licence losing hooligan.
It is the slightly grown up brother of the E46 if you are looking for something similar.
It looks beautiful, but is not as fast as you would think, it handles fantastically and the driving position is spot on.

But it is too noisy and uncomfortable for every day use.

I would love to have one,---but not instead of my C63.

There is no other car I would like to have as a daily driver at this moment than my C63 and when I get tired of mine I will park it and keep it for occasional use.

 

[Endex]

Having owned an E46 an E92 and now a C63, I will say this.

I should have kept my E46. It was a full spec low mileage FSH example in carbon black with ACS3 suspension, exhaust, intake and map.
It would have been my weekend toy.

I wouldn't buy another E92, they are very nice to look at and incredible to drive hard but I just never gelled with mine. V8 too muted, needed high revs for any performance, seating position too high, and somehow it never felt special.

I must admit there was a gap of 3 years before I got the C63 and apart from the narrow rear end and tyres I love it.

It's not hooligan, but that start-up noise is lovely (E46 cold start? but with bite and intention).
You can drive it around like an every day C class and wonder why those in the know are looking.
If you want some noise and performance without breaking the law you can have it in Sport and enjoy the pops and higher rev gear changes, but if you really want to rag it then you can have it in Sport+ or manual.
The HK sound is decent, the satnav is quite good.
The squeaks and rattles are similar to what you would have experienced with the E46 (except on a younger car).
Steering feel is probably on a par with the E92 but it seems to be very sensitive to suspension set up, air pressure etc. (19" wheels).
Mine has the LSD which does the E46 type 'grinding' when cold but is excellent when 'driving with the rear'.
It does feel heavy and especially will for you coming out of an E46.

I had the use of a Porsche 911 C4s 991 (current model) after I had already bought the C63 and that is a total licence losing hooligan.
It is the slightly grown up brother of the E46 if you are looking for something similar.
It looks beautiful, but is not as fast as you would think, it handles fantastically and the driving position is spot on.

But it is too noisy and uncomfortable for every day use.

I would love to have one,---but not instead of my C63.

There is no other car I would like to have as a daily driver at this moment than my C63 and when I get tired of mine I will park it and keep it for occasional use.

Jovie - thanks, great comparative real world analysis from someone who's tried them all. I've run out of reasons to say no and placed a deposit on a coupe in Palladium Silver - as much for my daughter as me; she has more pictures and video of it on her phone than I do!!

 

[Endex]

I suddenly remembered, I'm not the stig, I'm not a car journo, I just like cars.... I like the noises they make, the way they make me feel, etc.

The W204 C63 and the E9X M3 are both stunning cars to my mind, but from a personal perspective, the C63 just made me feel that bit better, and made me smile that little bit more.

Thanks Gazzy - your rationale matches mine! Deposit placed just need to finalise deal and delivery date.