C63 - 2 yrs of ownership has now come to an end
Discussion
So the car has now gone after two and a bit years. Have been to the Mercedes dealer, and he had nothing to offer, attended an AMG Performance Event, and wasn't particularly impressed enough to select a replacement, so with a heavy heart, and much lighter wallet, it has now gone.
Things I'll miss:
1) That bloody marvellous engine, there's nothing like it, got better and better as the miles went on. Frightened everyone in front of you, and kept everyone else off your bumper. Cold starts, S+ or Manual that car never failed to excite.
2) The colour and look of the car, mine was Diamond Silver, which looked blue more than silver, the seats were perfect, really supportive, and looked amazing.
3) The snap,crackle and pop while moving through the gears, makes you look like a master behind the wheel
4) Driving past people then flooring it to see the look on their face in the rear view mirror. Priceless.
5) Smoking pretty much most of the cars out there, effortlessly.
6) Not being able to drive back to Affalterbach, cruise control at 155 mph on the Autobahn, and a lovely trip to Stuttgart again in it.
7) I managed to get 10k miles on the original set of rears, and was still road legal!
Things I won't miss:
1) Abysmal fuel consumption, I never got better than 14 mpg, thankfully not a daily driver, so cancelled out running costs
2) Rock hard ride in the 19" alloys, this was most probably down to the atrocious state of British roads. Also never kerbed wheels as much as these ones.
3) No limited slip diff as standard, though I quickly managed to figure out lift off without tail sliding, it could get very unnerving in the wet.
4) Home being broken into within 48 hrs of collecting the vehicle from the dealers. They came specifically for the car, considering our home had never been broken into in the 30 odd years we've lived there, methinks someone within the MB network had a hand in it.
5) Corroded rear hubs and squeaky brakes, never resolved by MB, and an offer to re spray the hubs in silver, left me disillusioned.
6) My bank balance getting destroyed every month in costs. God forbid when I had weeks off, my fuel costs would go into hundreds, and that without going away!
7) Found the limit of the car very quickly, a bad thing as I drove the car as if I was trying to break the world landspeed record.
Now I don't know if I'll sign up for the new one, go to an alternate manufacturer, or be resigned to driving the wife's Q5, but I'm glad I got to experience owning what will be classic car in the future, and the benchmark for a test drive will be " How terrified do I feel behind this wheel"?
Things I'll miss:
1) That bloody marvellous engine, there's nothing like it, got better and better as the miles went on. Frightened everyone in front of you, and kept everyone else off your bumper. Cold starts, S+ or Manual that car never failed to excite.
2) The colour and look of the car, mine was Diamond Silver, which looked blue more than silver, the seats were perfect, really supportive, and looked amazing.
3) The snap,crackle and pop while moving through the gears, makes you look like a master behind the wheel
4) Driving past people then flooring it to see the look on their face in the rear view mirror. Priceless.
5) Smoking pretty much most of the cars out there, effortlessly.
6) Not being able to drive back to Affalterbach, cruise control at 155 mph on the Autobahn, and a lovely trip to Stuttgart again in it.
7) I managed to get 10k miles on the original set of rears, and was still road legal!
Things I won't miss:
1) Abysmal fuel consumption, I never got better than 14 mpg, thankfully not a daily driver, so cancelled out running costs
2) Rock hard ride in the 19" alloys, this was most probably down to the atrocious state of British roads. Also never kerbed wheels as much as these ones.
3) No limited slip diff as standard, though I quickly managed to figure out lift off without tail sliding, it could get very unnerving in the wet.
4) Home being broken into within 48 hrs of collecting the vehicle from the dealers. They came specifically for the car, considering our home had never been broken into in the 30 odd years we've lived there, methinks someone within the MB network had a hand in it.
5) Corroded rear hubs and squeaky brakes, never resolved by MB, and an offer to re spray the hubs in silver, left me disillusioned.
6) My bank balance getting destroyed every month in costs. God forbid when I had weeks off, my fuel costs would go into hundreds, and that without going away!
7) Found the limit of the car very quickly, a bad thing as I drove the car as if I was trying to break the world landspeed record.
Now I don't know if I'll sign up for the new one, go to an alternate manufacturer, or be resigned to driving the wife's Q5, but I'm glad I got to experience owning what will be classic car in the future, and the benchmark for a test drive will be " How terrified do I feel behind this wheel"?
Mine has just gone back to and I was in a similar position. I tried the new M3 and didn't like it, so I've gone sensible until I can get the new C63S (with a new BMW 640d Coupe).
My likes are similar to yours but not so many negatives.
I didn't mind the 19" alloys and thought the ride was perfectly acceptable.
My mpg was 18.3 over 18500 miles.
Costs not too bad, but my fuel costs have now halved with the 640d.
I really didn't like the lack of integration between COMAND and the dashboard and the terrible rattles.
My rears had 4mm when they went back after 11k miles which was impressive although I did back off the last 2 months to make sure that I didn't have to replace them. Fronts last 16k miles.
Loved the car and really miss the noise and sense of occasion it provided. Turned heads everywhere, especially with the crazy and perfect exhaust note.
Glad to say I enjoyed the last of the proper V8 engines from Mercedes.
I'll go an listen to my tractor now...
My likes are similar to yours but not so many negatives.
I didn't mind the 19" alloys and thought the ride was perfectly acceptable.
My mpg was 18.3 over 18500 miles.
Costs not too bad, but my fuel costs have now halved with the 640d.
I really didn't like the lack of integration between COMAND and the dashboard and the terrible rattles.
My rears had 4mm when they went back after 11k miles which was impressive although I did back off the last 2 months to make sure that I didn't have to replace them. Fronts last 16k miles.
Loved the car and really miss the noise and sense of occasion it provided. Turned heads everywhere, especially with the crazy and perfect exhaust note.
Glad to say I enjoyed the last of the proper V8 engines from Mercedes.
I'll go an listen to my tractor now...
I'm a year in and to be honest I'm glad I opted to keep this three years (at higher cost 
) because within the next twelve months I just won't be done with it. I'm even considering stumping up the GMFV at the end and owning it for good. The only thing I think I might enjoy as a replacement is the new Mustang, should it get that 500hp package we are promised a year or so after launch.
If it really does drop like a stone though, financially I might have to see sense and let it go. But, we'll see.
) because within the next twelve months I just won't be done with it. I'm even considering stumping up the GMFV at the end and owning it for good. The only thing I think I might enjoy as a replacement is the new Mustang, should it get that 500hp package we are promised a year or so after launch.If it really does drop like a stone though, financially I might have to see sense and let it go. But, we'll see.
The 2 years with my C63 came to an end all too quickly..
the LSD was a must for me despite the ridiculous impact on the otherwise BARGAIN lease price. (think it was another £80 a month on top of the £518 for the rest of the car!!!)
Eurocharged restored the hidden 50hp after one month.
"Running costs"
18.5mpg over 24000 miles.
one service
one repair under warranty - car alarm solenoid
I paid to have a less stupid than stock rear wheel alignement which makes a HUGE difference to tyre wear
Thats it...easily my best car to date yet...(includign M5(E39) M5(E60) M3(E46) M3(E90)
Although my E63 is growing on me....think we need a track day soon to cement our relationship
the LSD was a must for me despite the ridiculous impact on the otherwise BARGAIN lease price. (think it was another £80 a month on top of the £518 for the rest of the car!!!)
Eurocharged restored the hidden 50hp after one month.
"Running costs"
18.5mpg over 24000 miles.
one service
one repair under warranty - car alarm solenoid
I paid to have a less stupid than stock rear wheel alignement which makes a HUGE difference to tyre wear
Thats it...easily my best car to date yet...(includign M5(E39) M5(E60) M3(E46) M3(E90)
Although my E63 is growing on me....think we need a track day soon to cement our relationship
We had our C63 for Four years ours had the LSD I changed the exhaust system changed the alloys for a lovely set Stance SC-6 rims H&R Springs a re map & some K&N's.
I couldn't fault the car my OH used it daily & it never missed a beat fuel consumption was in the 19's the Vredestiens I fitted after the originals wore out I can't fault, our MB dealer was okay but the specialists I used was much better, the New M3 arrived in November didn't like it so that went yesterday.
The C63 went at the beginning if Jan sold it for a great price I think the upgrades helped & was replaced by an Alpina D3 which is a great car it doesn't have the engine note but it does have a nice enough one, it's no C63 but a great car no less.
I couldn't fault the car my OH used it daily & it never missed a beat fuel consumption was in the 19's the Vredestiens I fitted after the originals wore out I can't fault, our MB dealer was okay but the specialists I used was much better, the New M3 arrived in November didn't like it so that went yesterday.
The C63 went at the beginning if Jan sold it for a great price I think the upgrades helped & was replaced by an Alpina D3 which is a great car it doesn't have the engine note but it does have a nice enough one, it's no C63 but a great car no less.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 1st February 16:18
Thanks for the very honest review 
I'm actually looking at 09/10 C63s now and never realised not all came with LSD. Test drove one but of course never really got to provoke the tail end out although I notice it's pretty easy to make the TC light turn on.
Used to own a E92 M3 Comp Pack and that was brilliant although also very heavy on the wallet...
I'm actually looking at 09/10 C63s now and never realised not all came with LSD. Test drove one but of course never really got to provoke the tail end out although I notice it's pretty easy to make the TC light turn on.Used to own a E92 M3 Comp Pack and that was brilliant although also very heavy on the wallet...
MagicMike said:
So the car has now gone after two and a bit years. Have been to the Mercedes dealer, and he had nothing to offer, attended an AMG Performance Event, and wasn't particularly impressed enough to select a replacement, so with a heavy heart, and much lighter wallet, it has now gone.
Things I'll miss:
1) That bloody marvellous engine, there's nothing like it, got better and better as the miles went on. Frightened everyone in front of you, and kept everyone else off your bumper. Cold starts, S+ or Manual that car never failed to excite.
2) The colour and look of the car, mine was Diamond Silver, which looked blue more than silver, the seats were perfect, really supportive, and looked amazing.
3) The snap,crackle and pop while moving through the gears, makes you look like a master behind the wheel
4) Driving past people then flooring it to see the look on their face in the rear view mirror. Priceless.
5) Smoking pretty much most of the cars out there, effortlessly.
6) Not being able to drive back to Affalterbach, cruise control at 155 mph on the Autobahn, and a lovely trip to Stuttgart again in it.
7) I managed to get 10k miles on the original set of rears, and was still road legal!
Things I won't miss:
1) Abysmal fuel consumption, I never got better than 14 mpg, thankfully not a daily driver, so cancelled out running costs
2) Rock hard ride in the 19" alloys, this was most probably down to the atrocious state of British roads. Also never kerbed wheels as much as these ones.
3) No limited slip diff as standard, though I quickly managed to figure out lift off without tail sliding, it could get very unnerving in the wet.
4) Home being broken into within 48 hrs of collecting the vehicle from the dealers. They came specifically for the car, considering our home had never been broken into in the 30 odd years we've lived there, methinks someone within the MB network had a hand in it.
5) Corroded rear hubs and squeaky brakes, never resolved by MB, and an offer to re spray the hubs in silver, left me disillusioned.
6) My bank balance getting destroyed every month in costs. God forbid when I had weeks off, my fuel costs would go into hundreds, and that without going away!
7) Found the limit of the car very quickly, a bad thing as I drove the car as if I was trying to break the world landspeed record.
Now I don't know if I'll sign up for the new one, go to an alternate manufacturer, or be resigned to driving the wife's Q5, but I'm glad I got to experience owning what will be classic car in the future, and the benchmark for a test drive will be " How terrified do I feel behind this wheel"?
Things I'll miss:
1) That bloody marvellous engine, there's nothing like it, got better and better as the miles went on. Frightened everyone in front of you, and kept everyone else off your bumper. Cold starts, S+ or Manual that car never failed to excite.
2) The colour and look of the car, mine was Diamond Silver, which looked blue more than silver, the seats were perfect, really supportive, and looked amazing.
3) The snap,crackle and pop while moving through the gears, makes you look like a master behind the wheel
4) Driving past people then flooring it to see the look on their face in the rear view mirror. Priceless.
5) Smoking pretty much most of the cars out there, effortlessly.
6) Not being able to drive back to Affalterbach, cruise control at 155 mph on the Autobahn, and a lovely trip to Stuttgart again in it.
7) I managed to get 10k miles on the original set of rears, and was still road legal!
Things I won't miss:
1) Abysmal fuel consumption, I never got better than 14 mpg, thankfully not a daily driver, so cancelled out running costs
2) Rock hard ride in the 19" alloys, this was most probably down to the atrocious state of British roads. Also never kerbed wheels as much as these ones.
3) No limited slip diff as standard, though I quickly managed to figure out lift off without tail sliding, it could get very unnerving in the wet.
4) Home being broken into within 48 hrs of collecting the vehicle from the dealers. They came specifically for the car, considering our home had never been broken into in the 30 odd years we've lived there, methinks someone within the MB network had a hand in it.
5) Corroded rear hubs and squeaky brakes, never resolved by MB, and an offer to re spray the hubs in silver, left me disillusioned.
6) My bank balance getting destroyed every month in costs. God forbid when I had weeks off, my fuel costs would go into hundreds, and that without going away!
7) Found the limit of the car very quickly, a bad thing as I drove the car as if I was trying to break the world landspeed record.
Now I don't know if I'll sign up for the new one, go to an alternate manufacturer, or be resigned to driving the wife's Q5, but I'm glad I got to experience owning what will be classic car in the future, and the benchmark for a test drive will be " How terrified do I feel behind this wheel"?
moffat said:
I'll go an listen to my tractor now...
I here what you are saying and I haven't been fortunate enough to have experienced the awesome C63 but I understand totally where you are coming from and we have only come from a 4 pot petrol Audi TTS into a 640d and the noise the 640d makes is woeful in comparison but compared to a C63 you must want to jump in front of a bus! I really like the 6 series because its good looking for a BMW I think and it has a lovely interior but the engine really weakens the package for sure and it reminds me how nice a petrol engine is regardless of cylinders or capacity and how they beat a diesel hands down apart from the fuel costs.
cerb4.5lee said:
I here what you are saying and I haven't been fortunate enough to have experienced the awesome C63 but I understand totally where you are coming from and we have only come from a 4 pot petrol Audi TTS into a 640d and the noise the 640d makes is woeful in comparison but compared to a C63 you must want to jump in front of a bus!
I really like the 6 series because its good looking for a BMW I think and it has a lovely interior but the engine really weakens the package for sure and it reminds me how nice a petrol engine is regardless of cylinders or capacity and how they beat a diesel hands down apart from the fuel costs.
I totally agree with you I really like the 6 series because its good looking for a BMW I think and it has a lovely interior but the engine really weakens the package for sure and it reminds me how nice a petrol engine is regardless of cylinders or capacity and how they beat a diesel hands down apart from the fuel costs.
but if Mercedes actually sold their 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 diesel in the UK, I might be persuaded otherwise, our D3 sounds okay but I really miss our C63 anyway here's a snipet of the cake & eat scenario we could have if they did sell them here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIIIyOwSak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkkB2hm3fS0
cerb4.5lee said:
I here what you are saying and I haven't been fortunate enough to have experienced the awesome C63 but I understand totally where you are coming from and we have only come from a 4 pot petrol Audi TTS into a 640d and the noise the 640d makes is woeful in comparison but compared to a C63 you must want to jump in front of a bus!
I really like the 6 series because its good looking for a BMW I think and it has a lovely interior but the engine really weakens the package for sure and it reminds me how nice a petrol engine is regardless of cylinders or capacity and how they beat a diesel hands down apart from the fuel costs.
I actually really like the 640d, it is a great place to spend time and although the engine sounds crappy, at higher revs it's made better due to the fake noise. I like the fact it revs to the redline unlike other diesels too.I really like the 6 series because its good looking for a BMW I think and it has a lovely interior but the engine really weakens the package for sure and it reminds me how nice a petrol engine is regardless of cylinders or capacity and how they beat a diesel hands down apart from the fuel costs.
The problem is that I never really fancy going out for a proper drive - I used to do that a lot, although a 100 mile spirited drive would cost about £60 just for fuel haha
I really miss my C63 but I certainly don't miss the large bills that were due this year had I kept it:
1. New brakes (£500+)
2. Major service including gearbox oil change (£600-£700)
3. VED (£500)
I understand that's part of owning a car like that but I did specifically do 2 years to avoid some pain.
I've recently had the 640d chipped which has really helped and I know changing to Michelin Pilot Super Sports will also help.
I'm pretty determined to only keep this car for just over 2 years and plan to get into new C63 or an M5 next.
ZX10R NIN said:
I totally agree with you but if Mercedes actually sold their 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 diesel in the UK, I might be persuaded otherwise, our D3 sounds okay but I really miss our C63 anyway here's a snipet of the cake & eat scenario we could have if they did sell them here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIIIyOwSak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkkB2hm3fS0
Kind of pointless to have a V8 diesel though.... it does sound great but the mpg is appalling for only 310 or so bhp. but if Mercedes actually sold their 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 diesel in the UK, I might be persuaded otherwise, our D3 sounds okay but I really miss our C63 anyway here's a snipet of the cake & eat scenario we could have if they did sell them here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWIIIyOwSak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkkB2hm3fS0
MPG in the 640d is interesting, it's crap on short journeys when the engine is cold and it's cold outside - 20mpg or so, but once warm and on a longer run - 40mpg+ is impressive.
moffat said:
MPG in the 640d is interesting, it's crap on short journeys when the engine is cold and it's cold outside - 20mpg or so, but once warm and on a longer run - 40mpg+ is impressive.
We mostly do high mile runs in ours but I agree it does surprise me how long it takes the engine to get to temperature versus a petrol for sure, I really like the range on the 640d and the less fuel station visits too.Good to hear you have chipped yours and it has crossed my mind too, also interesting that you mention tyres because we are coming close to some new rears and not sure which way to go with them and they seem pretty expensive from the quick look I have had.
Pleased you are enjoying the car and I love the looks and interior its just deep down I really like petrol engines that's my problem but I do also like the 40 mpg it offers with the performance you get as well.
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