W204 C63 - Anyone Owned Coupe AND Saloon?

[Sydoo]

So being a huge convertible fan the only way I can combine the W204 (don’t like CLK63) with open air motoring is with a coupe. The panoramic roof being the closest i can get.

I also like the individual rear seats but not 100% on the shape of the rear three quarter panel, some photos it looks ok and in others not so.

It will be a second car and not daily’d the 4 seats and ample boot should suffice, however I did watch a CarWow video on the stock C Class coupe where it suggested the rear seats were very cramped and an adult would struggle.

I then swung to the saloon, after all it can be had with a sunroof albeit not a pan roof. It has more rear seat space and an extra 2 doors so no waiting for seats slide, clambering into the back for passengers etc.

I wondered if anyone had owned both and could advise about the above and whether there are any other ‘+’ or ‘-‘ points I have overlooked between coupe and saloon?

I have examples of both in my AutoTrader saved ad’s list!

Si

 

[markjay]

The traditional argument in favour of the Coupe (apart from style) is that it is lighter than the saloon (the removal of the two rear doors makes a significant difference to the car's weight), which obviously improves performance.

Also, the W204 Coupe was in production for one more year after the production of the saloon was stopped, so budget-permitting with the Coupe you can get a younger car.

The above is generic for the W204, BTW... not specific for the C63.

 

[DRBC43AMG]

I'm looking to puchase a W204 C63 coupe. Didn't know they were lighter but it's quiet understandable considering they don't have the rear doors. Have you an idea on weight differences? Perhaps that's also a reason the BS was a two door version.

 

[markjay]

Incidentally, the coupe is the lighter model, and the convertible is usually the heavier one - losing the roof does not help with weightloss overall, because the loss of rigidity needs to be compensated by reinforcing the remaing structure, which means adding more heavy metal. The roof provides rigidity using relatively little metal, in comparison. Which is why compared to an estate, saloon, and convertible, the coupe will always be the lighter car.

 

[markjay]

I'm looking to puchase a W204 C63 coupe. Didn't know they were lighter but it's quiet understandable considering they don't have the rear doors. Have you an idea on weight differences? Perhaps that's also a reason the BS was a two door version.

It can be difficult to work-out the exact weight difference between a saloon and a coupe because the kerb weight varies depending on the options fitted to the car, but I recon that losing the two rear door saves around 30Kg or so.

 

[DRBC43AMG]

True, depending on options the weight is going to be different. Any ideas of the "base" weight of the saloon, estate and coupe?

 

[AMV]

I thought i remember reading somewhere on here that the Saloon was actually lighter then the coupe. Maybe on a 0-62 subject i can't remember.

Anyways not bothered about that.

Personally i love the panoramic roof as i have one on my E350 Cdi Coupe.

The negatives of the coupe to me is that i don't think it looks aggressive enough, and the seats are the same as a normal c class afaik.

Also the C63 was launched as a saloon/estate. Unless its a 507 or BS i don't think i would take a coupe over a saloon.

Personal Choice!

 

[Steve84N]

Conventional wisdom fails here as the saloon is lighter than the coupe because of the heavy glass roof compared to a sunroof.

Quite a lot of people prefer the look of the saloon on the 204, me included. With the 205 the coupe looks better but they actually improved the body and gave it wider arches/track width.

Another thing to note is that the seats in the front of the saloon are arguably nicer. They have deeper side bolsters as they don't need to fold. They do hug you very nicely.

 

[Sydoo]

Interesting thanks guys, that’s some useful pointers; also as my wife pointed out in a conversation this afternoon - although the 4 seats of the coupe would suit us as a family 3, there would come an issue if we picked the in-laws up (occasionally happens) as we would be short a seat, whereas the saloon has the benefit of a middle seat.

I did love my pan roof in my W205 C250 I had - nearly always had it open either tilt/fully open and would make a great way to enjoy the noise!!!!!!!!

But a saloon just adds that modicum more of useablilty........hmmmm

Si

 

[markjay]

Conventional wisdom fails here as the saloon is lighter than the coupe because of the heavy glass roof compared to a sunroof...

This may be the case, but then you are comparing two cars with different spec (one with pano roof, one without). The C63 for example is lighter than the C63S, etc. But with the same spec.... the Coupe will always be lighter.

 

[Steve84N]

Your point is moot because all UK C63 coupes have a panoramic roof and all saloons have a sunroof. Ergo, the saloon is lighter!

 

[Skd884]

Uk c63Bs has a full metal roof.

 

[markjay]

Uk c63Bs has a full metal roof.

BS also has much less creature comforts, to reduce weight.

 

[Steve84N]

Yes alright but he's not buying a BS...

 

[Steve84N]

BS also has much less creature comforts, to reduce weight.

Nope. Same interior although you could option it without rear seats.

 

[Skd884]

BS also has much less creature comforts, to reduce weight.

Only 20kg lighter.

 

[markjay]

Only 20kg lighter.

As any F1 engineer how much they would be willing to give for a 20Kg reduction.........

 

[Steve84N]

That quoted difference is probably if you've specced the rear seat delete. Any realist will tell you that 20kg isn't noticeable in a car weighing in the region of 1,700kgs...

The Black Series has a wider rear axle from an E Class (likely to be heavier), wider bodywork (heavier), bigger oil and transmission coolers (heavier), bigger brake discs (lighter than standard but slightly heavier than PP/PPP brakes). It really wasn't about weight on this one.

 

[fabes]

It is cramped (relatively speaking) in the back of the C coupe

That's one reason I went for the E class coupe

And as regards the marginal weight discussion, with more than adequate power on hand for UK road, it's a moot point really
On a track, yes, but on a UK road.....?

However, on a track, where the weight is becomes more interesting.
A low srengthened heavy convertible vs a top heavy (Pano roof) coupe is a different trade off

 

[Skd884]

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