W204 C63 or w212 E63?

[C36fan]

 

[cfoster]

I have owned both C63 PP and currently have an W212 E63 estate. For me the E63 wins hands down on everything. Its a big car but doesn't feel big when driving, the interior is miles nicer and more refined, the engine note is awesome and it feels a hell of a lot quicker! I actually have it up for sale at present (fancy a convertible!) as well if you fancy a test drive (no pressure to buy but the noise of the thing may do it for you!). I'm in Essex so not far....

 

[Skd884]

If you want a raw car that gives you a buzz and enjoyment purchase the c63, if you want big bhp and a very big and heavy car that's far more refined and bland in comparison go for the e63.

 

[Skd884]

Thanks so much everyone for the replies - really helpful.

To be honest I’m quite surprised that there’s as much support for the E - I had anticipated a lot of comments around the C being the last of the big-bore atmospheric V8s and how the turbo’d M157 doesn’t compare, so really appreciate the counter perspective.

Shows why it’s so helpful getting real owners’ opinions, rather than rely on road test reports from journos driving them for a few hours on tracks and specially-selected mountain roads!

Next step for me will be a thorough test drive of them both, ideally back-to-back... will let you know how I get on (if there’s interest!). That said, i did see a beautiful (hyacinth?) red E63s this morning while out and about and have to say it looks rather more special in the “wild” than the photos do it credit for... errring that way right now!

Cheers

The n/a 6.2 is raw with character in abundance, the 5.5 very bland in comparison but with far more bhp.

If you enjoy the thrill of driving there is a clear winner.

 

[jayboy222]

Another vote for the E63 from me, but it depends on what you're looking for. The E63 defo blends into traffic a lot more and I prefer the more spacious interior but can appreciate that the C63 is more focussed and better for B roads.

 

[Psilonaught]

a lot of folks don't appreciate that the wagon, especially if you remove the parcel shelf, amplifies the exhaust in the car. The m157 with stock exhaust is NOT a bland car, what rot!

Oh and it is faster ha!

 

[daveenty]

The n/a 6.2 is raw with character in abundance, the 5.5 very bland in comparison but with far more bhp.

if you want big bhp and a very big and heavy car that's far more refined and bland in comparison go for the e63.

I see a pattern here.

Ever driven an E63 with an M157 in it? I owned one for over 3 years and I can assure you, even when it was standard, it was anything but bland...

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I see a pattern here.

Ever driven an E63 with an M157 in it? I owned one for over 3 years and I can assure you, even when it was standard, it was anything but bland...

I agree, the M157 is definitely not bland. We have cars with both engines, and although the M156 has an incredible musical range, it doesn't mean the M157 sounds bland. They're both fantastic nines, they just sing a different tune

 

[cfoster]

Another one that completely disagrees, if anything the C is blander than the E (owned both and both awesome cars, although prefer the E hands down...)

 

[c_200k]

I've owned a standard prefacelift C63, modified facelift C63 and W212 Prefacelift PPP E63 and facelift E63 Biturbo plus a few others.

All 4 of them were amazing in their own way, The C63 if I owned one again would have to be a facelift modified, for me it wasn't ideal as a daily. The E63 would have to be a facelift most likely an S. Go for a test drive and see which fits your needs or which you like. Buying a car based on other peoples opinions isn't something I would advise.

For example I also had an F10 M5 which had an amazing interior but I hated it. There are people out there who swear by it and say it's the only performance car to buy. Same with the RS4 had a 14 plate and also hated that too.

 

[JDL60]

No way is the 157 bland!

 

[MOR8A]

M157 on cold start up................enough said.

 

[AndyRC]

Hi all, long time lurker but first time poster... thinking about returning to the Mercedes fold and specifically back to AMG (having had an R170 SLK32 AMG years ago)

I’m currently driving a 997 generation Porsche 911, which is a wonderful car, but too small for two young kids in the back and so it doesn’t get used as much as it should.

I’m contemplating either a w204 generation c63, or a biturbo facelift 212 e63, and have a handful of questions I thought you might be able to help with...

- the car is going to be used for weekends and occasional work duty...Both cars are going to feel less “immediate” than the 911, but is there so much difference between E and C as driving machines day-to-day?

- has anyone used forward-facing child seats in a 204 coupe? Is there really much more space than a 911 behind a 6’+ driver? (Have tried the seats and there seems to be more, but keen to hear from anyone who uses a coupe with kids!)

- if I go for a 204 (coupe or saloon), what’s the general opinion on the 507 edition over standard? Worth the extra £10k they’re fetching, or just likely to hold value better long term?

Any help much appreciated!

C63 is an epic car , my comment as others have said, is the back of a C63 coupe is not an easy place to get in or out of. We only use ours for stowing coats but it's still a stretch. I wouldn't want to be putting a little one into a child seat.

 

[supermonkeyman]

I've been thinking about getting a c63 or e63 for the past couple of months but now leaning toward keeping normal car to crunch the miles and getting a 964 too and if the 964 proves reliable as a daily driver then will just use that

The joys of not having kids!

 

[mark44]

Ultimately its always going to be a win-win choosing between these cars, there is no wrong answer only personal preference. Both are faster than you'll ever really be able to exploit on the public highways.

I thought I wanted an E for the extra luxury, but then tried the C and was sold with the rawness. I just connected more with it.

I've got 2 young kids and never found it too small going away - even when they were smaller and you need even more kiddy paraphernalia. Only ever considered the estate versions.

If you were carting adults in the back regularly, you would undoubtedly want more rear space but as a secondary weekend car occasionally used for longer journeys and holidays - it's perfect for us (well me anyway).

With that said, if I didn't have a family I expect a manual 911 in some form would be the weapon of choice...

 

[mark44]

I think your decision is heavily influenced by your starting point.
Coming from something staid (BMW 330d) meant I wanted the polar opposite.
If coming from something more raw (say a C63), I suspect the refinement would be much higher up the list.