C63 to E400 AMG... or BMW 64D Msport?

C63 to E400 AMG... or BMW 64D Msport?

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notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Friday 20th March 2015
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The lease on my C63 coupe is up in September and I'm wondering what to replace it with. I am lucky enough to have a variety of fun cars (including an SLS roadster biggrin) and the C63 replacement will be my everyday work car, covering about 15k pa. With my sensible head I am consisering a 640D but today stumbled across an E400 AMG coupe which looks very good and may work better for me than even the C63 by being a little less hardcore. I haven't had a test drive of the E400 yet but was very impressed by the 6 series.

With my non sensible head I'm also seriously considering a second hand F Type V8s roadster...

Any thoughts?

simonbamg

767 posts

122 months

Friday 20th March 2015
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My C63 goes back on 30th march (sad, sad day), ive gone for an E350 cdi coupe, test drove the 400 but the 350 isn't far behind in terms of everyday performance and a fair bit cheaper so if your sensible head rules that day, i'd recommend.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Changed OH C63 for an Alpina D3 & I can't fault but I have to say the E350 is a good car & would be my pick

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Thanks guys, I think for me an E350 diesel might be just a bit too sensible. Did either of you consider a 640d out of interest?

ecain63

10,588 posts

174 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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My father in law has a 640d (my dad has a new 535d) and it really is a fantastic all rounder as cars go. Excellent performance and superb economy (60mpg+ if tickled). He actually forgets to fill it up it's that good on the fuel. However, despite its excellent ability, it's a proper bore. It's got a very narrow power band, lacks any sort of engine note and is aimed at drivers who will treat it with respect rather than generous right-footedness. It's just got no life to it! Having come from the previous shape, V8 powered 645i he is not 100% happy with his lot, no matter what the numbers say on the performance stats. Notax, I feel you will get bored of the 640d in weeks!


My suggestion: Why not just buy the C63 at the end of the lease and enjoy it for what it is? There will never be another like it, and although the new C63 will be 100 times quicker, better on the fuel and less rattly, it won't have that stonking great lump under the bonnet. It's your call, but having met you a few times and seen how you 'use' your cars I don't think you'll be happy with the diesels of either marque. Life is too short!

Eddie

MrOrange

2,031 posts

252 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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A C63 is too hardcore? Really? How about a GWizz, or an IQ?

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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notax said:
Thanks guys, I think for me an E350 diesel might be just a bit too sensible. Did either of you consider a 640d out of interest?
The 640d didn't wow me it's just as sensible as the 350 if you want an exciting E Class why not get the E500 with the 4.7 twin turbo V8 410bhp 440ft/lb or if you just get a re map 498bhp 531ft/lb toque and it's stealthy car especially if you de badge it.

Or you could keep the C63 or go for a pre reg delivery mileage E63 on a great lease deal

If it has to be an exciting diesel get an Alpina

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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Eddie, I do agree with you - and as we both know, I do like to pedal hard at times smile The thing is that I very rarely use all the C63's power in day to day driving - sadly a decent phone and satnav is usually more important! As you know, I do have various fun cars too and was just thinking about being a bit sensible with the day to day one. I am suffering from a bad back as well, so something with a more compliant ride than the C63 would be a bonus... Keeping the C63 is tempting - I can buy it for £35k, when it will be 2 years old and have 20k miles on it. Also still immaculate.

My alternative plan is to sell my two TVRs (Chimaera and Tamora/T350 conversion) and buy an F Type V8S convertible to replace them and my C63 as my daily driver. I could do with reducing my car collection, the problem is this would leave me with 5 vehicles, none of which has four seats. But my man maths and logic is thinking I could always hire one on the odd occasion four seats are needed...

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
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MrOrange said:
A C63 is too hardcore? Really? How about a GWizz, or an IQ?
Or an F Type V8S... see post above biggrin

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Saturday 21st March 2015
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
The 640d didn't wow me it's just as sensible as the 350 if you want an exciting E Class why not get the E500 with the 4.7 twin turbo V8 410bhp 440ft/lb or if you just get a re map 498bhp 531ft/lb toque and it's stealthy car especially if you de badge it.

Or you could keep the C63 or go for a pre reg delivery mileage E63 on a great lease deal

If it has to be an exciting diesel get an Alpina
Thanks, as mentioned in above posts, for a work car I was thinking of focusing more on the comfort, driving environment and non rep mobile image this time - and leaving the excitement to my other cars. However, the F Type V8S may just be the best of both worlds...

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Sunday 22nd March 2015
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notax said:
Thanks, as mentioned in above posts, for a work car I was thinking of focusing more on the comfort, driving environment and non rep mobile image this time - and leaving the excitement to my other cars. However, the F Type V8S may just be the best of both worlds...
I agree for what your needs are I think the F type covers it

Jon1967x

7,177 posts

123 months

Tuesday 24th March 2015
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I've a 640d and it's as good as diesels get - the delivery is just way different to petrol and getting into the aston is a much greater sense of speed and excitement even though it's not that much quicker. For covering the ground very quickly and without drama the 6 is a great option. There are plenty of days when I'd pick the 6 first. There are of course days when I wouldn't. In a mixed garage it's a sensible but not too sensible an option to eat the miles.


Mosdef

1,733 posts

226 months

Wednesday 25th March 2015
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ZX10R NIN said:
The 640d didn't wow me it's just as sensible as the 350 if you want an exciting E Class why not get the E500 with the 4.7 twin turbo V8 410bhp 440ft/lb or if you just get a re map 498bhp 531ft/lb toque and it's stealthy car especially if you de badge it.

Or you could keep the C63 or go for a pre reg delivery mileage E63 on a great lease deal

If it has to be an exciting diesel get an Alpina
Did the UK every get the E500 with the engine you mentioned? I thought after the last naturally aspirated engine, they dropped the V8 and have only just replaced it (in coupe and carboy form so far) with the E400. Pity really, I would be very interested in an E500 if they made it, something more along the lines of the Audi S6 or BMW 550i. Mercedes are missing a trick in my book, the AMG models have such high performance that it's difficult to really use them properly and a softer, better riding car with a decent V8 would be a very attractive ownership proposition.

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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Mosdef said:
ZX10R NIN said:
The 640d didn't wow me it's just as sensible as the 350 if you want an exciting E Class why not get the E500 with the 4.7 twin turbo V8 410bhp 440ft/lb or if you just get a re map 498bhp 531ft/lb toque and it's stealthy car especially if you de badge it.

Or you could keep the C63 or go for a pre reg delivery mileage E63 on a great lease deal

If it has to be an exciting diesel get an Alpina
Did the UK every get the E500 with the engine you mentioned? I thought after the last naturally aspirated engine, they dropped the V8 and have only just replaced it (in coupe and carboy form so far) with the E400. Pity really, I would be very interested in an E500 if they made it, something more along the lines of the Audi S6 or BMW 550i. Mercedes are missing a trick in my book, the AMG models have such high performance that it's difficult to really use them properly and a softer, better riding car with a decent V8 would be a very attractive ownership proposition.
Yes the E500 did get the 4.7 Twin Turbo V8 they're rare but they are out there in fact I think they were the first to get it, I think they came in from 2012 here are a few for sale.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Mosdef

1,733 posts

226 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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Never realised they did that engine in any E class derivative, shame they don't do it in the saloon.

What a Qcar that would be!

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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They did do it in the Saloon Coupe & Convertible the problem is finding one for sale as they didn't sell in great numbers so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled as well as being available in the S Class & CL.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 28th March 10:56

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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I didn't realise that model existed either, good 0-60 and mpg combo, but far too much of a Q car for my tastes - I prefer at least a dash of AMG smile

Going back to the original thread, I still haven't made my mind up. I'm intending to arrange an extended test drive in a V8S F type to see whether it would suit me as a daily driver and in the meantime Mercedes are hoping to find me an E400 AMG to test drive too.

Jon1967x

7,177 posts

123 months

Friday 27th March 2015
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Based on the infamous last top gear you may find the f type to be to in your face as an every day car. 'm sure on a quick test it will put a grin on your face, maybe less so after a 150 mile drive if that's what you do.

I'm looking to change from my 640d after nearly 3 years and I'm drawn to an Audi s7. Something about the another v8 is calling me and its relatively stealth for an Audi

notax

Original Poster:

2,091 posts

238 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
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Jon1967x said:
Based on the infamous last top gear you may find the f type to be to in your face as an every day car. 'm sure on a quick test it will put a grin on your face, maybe less so after a 150 mile drive if that's what you do.

I'm looking to change from my 640d after nearly 3 years and I'm drawn to an Audi s7. Something about the another v8 is calling me and its relatively stealth for an Audi
Thanks, I haven't watched that Top Gear yet. Interesting to see you also own a Vantage S, I sold mine recently. I tend to drive about 10-15k of business miles a year. Mixture of motorway when necessary, but also A and B roads when possible. I do drive 2-300 miles fairly often but also have a T5 van I've been using sometimes to keep the C63 lease car mileage down, so could possibly use that for some longer drives - good fun to hustle along now that it puts out 180bhp and even handles pretty well now too...

I have to say, the 640d I test drove was surprisingly entertaining on a back road thrash (for me if not the poor sales guy passenger). How have you got on with yours?

I'm also a massive fan of V8s - I have three at the moment biggrin

Jon1967x

7,177 posts

123 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
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notax said:
I have to say, the 640d I test drove was surprisingly entertaining on a back road thrash (for me if not the poor sales guy passenger). How have you got on with yours?

I'm also a massive fan of V8s - I have three at the moment biggrin
I really like it. I've the GC which is slightly longer than the coupe and said to handle better as a result. As I mentioned before, driving a diesel is different in the way it delivers it's power, but knock it into sport and you can scare most things especially once you're moving (but not the other company you're talking about, but then you got other stuff when you want a serious thrash). But to soak up a 3 hour journey doing 40+mpg and use half a tank it has a real appeal.