W204 C63 Purchase??just can’t

[Sydoo]

Evening,

So I am currently driving a W205 C250 AMG Line estate which is a superb all rounder, as a family car it ticks all the boxes. For a petrolhead like me though it lacks in the excitement/drive ability stakes, spends most of its time on a 24 mile round trip commute at odd times because I work shifts. The C250 is up for sale and as and when I get a taker for that then the hunt is on.

Amongst my group of friends we have started to buy back into a bit of driving to,e now the kids are getting older and it’s easier to justify the odd Sunday here and there to meet up for a blast and a breakfast. That being the case I started to look at the options, it makes sense for me o run a cheap daily back and forth to work and consider something nice for the weekends. I want some proper theatre though, after a week of commuting I want the weekend car to excite me every time I get in it. Being a bit of a BMW fan I naturally looked at em E9x M3 but quickly got put off by the need to do rod bearings and actuators immediately after purchase to avoid big bills. Also read from owners how the engine excitement is so high up the rev range that you just can’t access it easily on today’s roads.

This lead me to a facelift W204 C63 which appears to be drama from he minute you turn the key, power is much more accessible and genuinely seems to excite all that drive it. I did lots of research and am aware of the head bolt issue on pre-fl cars (hence looking at fl) but aside from that I could not really find many issues arising from the facelift car.

Then I ventured onto a worldwide MB forum where a lot of members are based in the states and read numerous threads about failures/repairs running into thousands for fl cars, warnings of not to buy without a warranty and suchlike. Talk of injector issues and all manner or other wallet quenching problems.

I am struggling to find anything to support this UK wise, in fact a couple of articles I have read referred to it as one of the few super saloons you coul run without warranty?

Looking for opinions/experiences one way or the other, I think 99% it’s the car for me as it allows me to enjoy driving again but with the added practicality of all 3 of us being able to go out in it for Sun lunch or whatever which a number of previously considered 2 seaters cars didn’t. If I am able to source an estate then even better as we can but the dog crate in the back too!

I am pinning quite a lot on th C63 being the answer to all my needs which is supported by a lot of the videos I have with watched, just needed to sound those in the know out about potential common/expensive problems on the fl cars?

Si

 

[Steve84N]

I've had a facelift C63 estate for just over a year and taken it from 40k miles to 59k. I got it from a main dealer with a 2yr AMG warranty. I've had some electrical gremlins with an SRS airbag controller going bad and some wiring chafing under the seat that caused some errors. All fixed under warranty.

No issues with the engine and it doesn't use too much oil. Getting about 18-20mpg on my commute and it's a brilliant daily if you can afford the petrol. It's always fun, even tootling as the engine sounds just as good at low revs as it does up top.

Do it.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

When was the facelift introduced?

 

[Rich H]

I bought a 3 year old W204 C63 2 years ago without a warranty.
I had to spend £800 having the air con compressor replaced.
Still glad I did it.

 

[Neiltodd]

No issues with mine.

 

[AL3X]

I’ve had both a pre and post facelift...sold the pre 5 years ago, partly with worries of the head bolt issues at the back of my mind. I’ve been through a few different cars since and nothing gave me the same buzz. I’m now back in a late ‘13 facelift, best thing I ever did in my opinion. I hope this is allowed but I would join the C63 AMG UK group on Facebook, for a bit more inside info. They’re a very reliable motor if looked after properly, just make sure you are fully aware of the costs before you go ahead.

 

[Mark83]

When was the facelift introduced?

2011.

We have a 2011 FL estate and it's a great do everything car. I've done the M3 and they're great cars at 8-10/10ths. The C63 is great up to 8/10thsths but lacks that M car magic near the limit. It's more fun, more of the time as you don't get near the limit on the road. There's a sense of occasion from when you turn the key.

It has just ticked over 34k miles and touch wood, proving reliable.

 

[Iggu]

Yeah do watch out for the aircon. Common problem and a pricey one to fix. Otherwise mine (ran as a daily commuter/school run saloon and a North Wales blaster) was totally bullet proof for the 2 years I owned it. They feel tough as tanks.

 

[Sydoo]

Thanks all, that is encouraging to hear - as I say my own research hasn't really identified anything of major concern on the FL cars so was shocked to see these threads from across the pond suggesting otherwise. My budget will just about put me in an AUC from Mercedes which obviously has the luxury of a 2 year warranty which I guess is extendable and would be attractive.

I will admit I hadn't read about the air con issue so thats useful to know.

AL3X - thanks for the info, sadly (or not depending on your viewpoint!) I am not a member of FB so won't be able to jion the group you mention.

Mark83 - sort of cofirm my thoughts around the M3, I am not a track person so will only ever be used on road and I just don't think we have the roads to reach those higher limits of the rev range to enjoy its 'M-ness' so your pretty much driving around in a 3 Series most of the time, all be it with a nice engine!

In peoples experience is the warranty pretty easy going if purchased from Mercedes, in that do they just get stuff sorted out or is it a bit of battle - I guess this could be a bit dealer specific in some cases?

Si

 

[Steve84N]

Mine was easy with the warranty work, it's Mercedes Bristol.

I tooled around in an SLC300 and an E350d whilst it was being fixed.

 

[abar121]

Facelift car here and faultless. The later M156 are really bulletproof and without direct injection and turbo complications.

They are very hard to beat, feeling special with that V8 rumbling soundtrack even when tootling around. Can't beat an NA 6.2 for instant thump and throttle response either.

I have driven the M3 E92 and do like them, but they do feel like 2/3rds of the engine, which is basically the case. Better i you want to track it though for sure.

 

[cobra7]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 63

Head bolt issue? not something I've heard about, should I be worried?

And can anything be done now to prevent it happening??

 

[NeilCerb42]

When I was looking for a C63 I took the view that I would get as later car as I could, as normally the last of the line are the most sorted.

Last March I got a 14 plate with 22000mls on the clock, unfortunately this was no guarantee of trouble free motoring. In total its been off the road for 8 of the last 12 months, firstly having the exhaust cam adjuster replaced on the left hand bank, then 16 new followers on the left hand bank. Neither of these repairs rectified the issue, even though the repairing dealer said it was fixed. The car is now off the road again awaiting repair after I had oil samples analysed and it revealed high quantities of copper and tin were present.

Find a good one and you'll love it. The M156 is a gem of an engine when its running right.

 

[Sydoo]

I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 63

Head bolt issue? not something I've heard about, should I be worried?

And can anything be done now to prevent it happening??

The pre-facelift has the head bolt issue, not sure what year your car is but well documented although after a certain engine number all should be good.

Si

 

[Sydoo]

When I was looking for a C63 I took the view that I would get as later car as I could, as normally the last of the line are the most sorted.

Last March I got a 14 plate with 22000mls on the clock, unfortunately this was no guarantee of trouble free motoring. In total its been off the road for 8 of the last 12 months, firstly having the exhaust cam adjuster replaced on the left hand bank, then 16 new followers on the left hand bank. Neither of these repairs rectified the issue, even though the repairing dealer said it was fixed. The car is now off the road again awaiting repair after I had oil samples analysed and it revealed high quantities of copper and tin were present.

Find a good one and you'll love it. The M156 is a gem of an engine when its running right.

Interesting to read and sorry to Harare you have been without the car, like you say on the basis of it being a very late car you would think all gremlins sorted but perhaps not.

From what I hav read your definitely in the minority in terms of the facelift car (no consolation to you I realise!) did you buy approved used, have these been warranty repairs or have you had to shell out for the fix??

Si

 

[Sydoo]

As a side note I have booked a test drive on Mon of a ‘12 plate saloon with 24k and 1 owner from new so we’ll see how it goes!?!?!?!? In the interest of fairness I have also booked a test drive in an ‘09 plate M3 DCT straight afterwards.

Will report back Mon PM........

Si

 

[Steve84N]

You have to ask yourself what sort of life a car with low miles has actually had. You might imagine that when it has been used it's more likely to have been driven hard. Then you've got the multiple owners who rag it silly before selling it on quickly when they realise they can't afford it really. A lot of the damaged engines are people not respecting them enough whilst they're still warming up each time.

Mine was a dealer demo then one owner for 5yrs and 40k miles. Now I will be using it as a daily for a few years and whilst the miles are climbing quickly they are easy unstressed miles.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Only thing that worries me with my facelift is the cam adjuster issues, majority are bulletproof yes but there are some uk horror stories

I’m sure a few weeks back someone in the Facebook group’s engine had gone on him, low miler as well. Eager to find out what happened

Just take a look at ‘Tasos Moschatos’ (I think it’s his name) videos on YouTube to see the issues on these cars

 

[Sydoo]

Ok so update.......

The test drives didn’t take place as I got called into work I have however found another C63 which is of interest to me and not far away.

Although I haven’t driven one yet or the M3, I think I have read enough to know the C63 will be the car for me.

The car in question looks cracking, nice miles but not too little and completely standard which is something I was very much set on.

The current owner has only owned it a month which I know with these isn’t unusual although he says it’s due to another car becoming available which he wants but if that sells in the meantime he will keep C63.

The sceptic in me worries he might be offloading it so quickly due to a problem, however it’s got full MB history and proof of a clear STAR scan.

I was wondering do MB offer a pre-purchase inspection or similar which I could pay for just to get a bit of piece of mind it’s not a lemon??

Si

 

[AMGeed]

I was wondering do MB offer a pre-purchase inspection or similar which I could pay for just to get a bit of piece of mind it’s not a lemon??

Si

This is where finding a good MB indy pays off. Most offer an inspection service which would be way cheaper than the extortionate main dealer hourly rate.
If you post your location, maybe someone can suggest a decent indy nearby.