C63 Estate v 535D Touring

[Andshill7]

I wish there was a like button or something. Some of the responses have been brilliant!

To start with, it was a strange comparison, but it was a real situation comparison - get the car I really want (C63) or go for the more everyday type of car with the aim of saving money.

I really like the fact that the numbers stack up in favour of the Merc when you include depreciation. And that's a good point as I noticed the C63 holds it's value pretty well for the type of car ( after initial new car drop). I also like (and have imagined many times) , the thought of pulling away from those tolls in the V8

The reason I didn't consider an RS4 was because I need to do the awful thing of fitting a towbar (detachable) so I can put my bike carrier on the bike when we go to France. Also, despite the boot being slightly smaller, it's more usable in the Merc than the Audi. Plus, having driven an Audi for many years, I want to get away from that dead steering feel.

The BMW 335i sounds a great car. Loved the soundtrack btw. But the C63 is in a league of it's own for noise and fun factor. I think to better it, I'd have to go to some serious money stuff.

I'm more sold on the C63 than ever!

Thanks all

[Shiv_P]

You'll love the C63, you can't not

[hufggfg]

Good man, you're going to absolutely love it.

[Atmospheric]

Agreed. OP, stop mucking about with the diesel idea and get the C63.

[k-ink]

Reading this thread has made me want a C63. I'll add it to my list

[gizlaroc]

Andshill7 said:

The BMW 335i sounds a great car. Loved the soundtrack btw. But the C63 is in a league of it's own for noise and fun factor.

Absolutely, the C63 is just glorious in the way it sounds.

Try and make sure it is at least a facelift car though, from 2011 onwards, as the build and interior quality is a different league.

[RobM77]

To be honest I was disappointed when I tried an RS4. To me it combines the worst of both cars on this thread: the running costs of the C63 and the driv.. no actually, I think it's more dull to drive than a 535d, or at least the 520d I have experience of.

[ghibbett]

As mentioned earlier (page 2) by another PH'er, you'll never say 'I regret owning a C63'. I certainly didn't.

Highlights were definitely the two road trips, firstly to Belgium (Spa) and secondly to Austria. Even managed 186mph on the way there
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFcj81z_98c

Gave it a good send off too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWqZaaKvyOA

[k-ink]

Awesome

[Andshill7]

Love the vids!! That grey colour is my fave! I'm hoping to get a grey one (2013 model) with black wheels, but I don't mind the 18" wheels as they look sweet too!

This car is incredible!!

Thanks again everyone for your opinions. Been great reading them all! Just hope one comes available soon now haha!

[Andshill7]

Love the vids!! That grey colour is my fave! I'm hoping to get a grey one (2013 model) with black wheels, but I don't mind the 18" wheels as they look sweet too!

This car is incredible!!

Thanks again everyone for your opinions. Been great reading them all! Just hope one comes available soon now haha!

[scherzkeks]

gizlaroc said:

Absolutely, the C63 is just glorious in the way it sounds.

Try and make sure it is at least a facelift car though, from 2011 onwards, as the build and interior quality is a different league.

If it suits you. I tend to prefer the older interior. More utilitarian and less stylized; suits a Merc better IMO. The pop-up navi design was also nicer, and there was no difference in the build quality.

[gizlaroc]

Nooooo!!!




Vs....




Every pre facelift I have been in has really poor plastics everywhere, the facelift is back to soft touch materials everywhere.

[Ares]

hufggfg said:

Ares said:

I do get that. But does aural pleasure take a car from exciting to dull? I'd say there was a lot more to it.

If my car sounded like an AMG, it wouldn't make the car demonstrably more exciting.

For me personally, the sound isn't the most important part, it's the way the power is delivered. A diesel generally gives you a big slug of low down torque, then runs out of puff. A petrol engine is less torquey low down, but then really chases the higher revs, developing ever more torque and becoming more exciting. For me, the nature of a petrol engine means I'll always enjoy driving one vastly more. To be honest, with the new generation of turbo petrol engines, the difference is less stark, but it's still there.

Personally, I prefer a NA petrol that feels almost gutless at bottom end but loves to rev. I don't really want "easily accessible" performance in the way people use the phrase these days. I love cars because I actually enjoy driving, not because I want to just get it out of the way quickly with minimum effort.

Totally get it....except when its mated to an 8sp ZF box. Both just give near silence, seamless shift and constant power. The Diesel delivery is just smoother. Contentious perhaps, but true.

[cerb4.5lee]

It just has to be the C63 and whenever I hear one it puts a big smile on my face so I can only imagine how much enjoyment the driver is having.

A powerful Diesel engine is a tool to do a job, a 6.2 V8 petrol engine is something to enjoy and raise a big smile and it wins hands down for me.

[scherzkeks]

gizlaroc said:

Nooooo!!!




Vs....




Every pre facelift I have been in has really poor plastics everywhere, the facelift is back to soft touch materials everywhere.

Funny you say that, as the only part that has worn and looks low quality on my pre-facelift is the soft-touch on the center console. The hard stuff still looks new.

[Andshill7]

Well I finally found the car I wanted. After getting the all important approval from the boss, I placed a deposit on a lovely palladium silver C63 with black wheels - my #1 choice (from GC motors in Harrogate). Placed a £2k deposit on it and was all excited to collect the thing next week... until I got a phone call about 1.5hrs later to say that they had made a mistake and already taken a deposit on it before I did.

Considering that the sales exec had to speak to the manager to approve the deal I had agreed, I really don't believe this. My feeling is that they probably got a better offer and took it. Gutted!

So now I'm back to square one in trying to find my c63!!

[Hangcheck]

Soov535 said:

A C63 is of course a much more desireable car, but it will cost double at least to insure,

My C63 cost me an extra £70 to insure than a 2.0TDi worth 6 times less.

[Wills2]

Ares said:

abarber said:

Ares said:

They do drive different. But as both are mated to an autobox, the notion of 'press the go pedal, go quite fast, slow down, repeat.' is horse st. You press the pedal and just go, and go, and go, and go. The diesel drives a lot better with the 8sp ZF box and is a lot smoother in its drive. The petrol creates a jerkier gearshift and is often left hunting for the right gear, or having to drop too many gears and leaving the drive 'jolt-ier'.

The 640i is inferior in every way to the 640d except engine note. I can't see the 5 being any different.

But that notwithstanding, the petrol is no less boring than the diesel, or vice versa.

I really enjoyed driving the 535i. The N55 with the ZA 8 speed gearbox is a great combination. The one I drove was a non-msport model with adaptive drive, which really helped the ride. A lovely sonorous engine note too and a pleasure to keep signing along. I'm afraid the 535d left me pretty cold.

Each to their own

Intrigued as to how it "left you cold" compared to "really enjoying the drive" of 2 identical cars with a different fuels?

If there was a manual gearbox in there, I'd agree. But when the ZF box is seemless in it's shifts (although moreso in the diesel), I'm struggling to see how two identical cars can be deemed SO different?

Because a petrol engine and a diesel engine are utterly different? My 335d had 3.0 engine my M3 has a 3.0 they couldn't be more different.

And yes the 335d left me cold, boring, boring, boring....

[Hangcheck]

Andshill7 said:

So now I'm back to square one in trying to find my c63!!

Keep looking. I waited for about a year to get the spec I wanted. They're out there.