W212 E63 Running Costs

[spikeymikey12000]

Running costs. I used to have an M4 and now need an estate car thanks to 2 dogs so thinking about an E63 estate. Have seen a lovely looking 2014 with low mileage, looks in good condition, service history etc. This would be our family car and I would use it for business. Would probably do about 15k per annum and mix of town, country and motorway driving. I’m assuming an average of about 22mpg and for servicing have a really good German car specialist locally. Can anyone help me with how often servicing intervals are and how long tyres last you etc. I know it depends on use and I’m obviously thinking about an E63 for a reason but plenty of time it would just be cruising about. I’m expecting higher costs than the M4 and just trying to suss it all out.

[Turboteeth2001]

I ran a 2013 car for just over three years and averaged just under 20mpg.
General running costs were bearable apart from the need to replace all four discs and pads which was quoted at £3k.
Great car, super reliable and relatively discrete.

[Fulla]

I moved from a BMW E91 335i touring to a 2015 E63 estate in Nov. 51k miles 2 owners full MBSH and it honestly looked like a car that was almost new inside and out.
Live in London so during week short local runs and at weekends longer.
Average mpg seems to be around 15. But have seen 22 over Xmas when we had longer drives on motorways.
We upgraded as we needed more space for us and a dog.
I love that it can be a luxury cruiser one moment then rabid nutcase the next.
The chassis has really surprised me. Nice in comfort mode, taking speed bumps with ease.
Then the 2 further sport settings have been great on twisty A and B roads.
Ours had the luggage/storage kit. 2 runners in the boot and a fe items to hold stuff secure.
I use it all the time and it's been fantastic when transporting fragile items, well worth seeking out if required.

[E63eeeeee...]

2014 Estate here. Owned for 3.5 years, maybe 18k miles in that time and now at about 68k. Services once a year, not eye-watering so I've stuck with Mercedes dealers. 18-25 mpg. Parts for the front brakes were £800ish from memory. Get the tracking done or it will eat front tyres. Other than that one of the fabric intake pipes started to unravel and I bought a new one.

Will be looking at replacement brake pipes soon, and the famous rear subframe corrosion has started but not yet reached the point where Mercedes will do the (almost) free replacement under the corrosion warranty - apparently you just have to pay for any replacement bolts and fixings if yours can't be re-used.

Overall, feels pretty sensible for a batst 550bhp thing that sounds like the wrath of god, looks like butter wouldn't melt and makes me smile. Certainly cheaper to run than my F10 BMW 550i was.

[kritter86]

I own a CLS 63 Shooting brake so same engine. I have had mine for 3 years, tyres are expensive but servicing would be £700-800 for a large service and £400 for a minor from memory. MPG wise you can get over 30 on a run at sensible speeds. I think I have averaged 25 mpg over the 20k miles and over 3 years of ownership. As others have mentioned, the brakes can be expensive.

Only other thing I would add is I have had to change some of the coil packs (4 of 8) so far.

[Cactussed]

I've had my 2015 E63 estate for a bit over a year now.
Sadly it got rear ended just before Xmas, only a 20mph nudge but the insurer wrote it off. After a lot of pointless arguing (and me and the repairer pointing out there was only cosmetic damage), I've bought it back and fitted a new rear bumper and towbar (instead of the impact bar) and am now driving it again.
It's been v reliable overall and easily one of the best family cars I've owned. Miles better than the E61 M5 estate I had.
Gearbox can sometimes be clunky at low speed occasionally (eg when it decides to change gear at a roundabout), but its great when moving and one of my favourite bits of the car.
Steering feel is superb. Being RWD, you have to pay attention when hoofing it, but that's part of its attraction for me, rather than a point and shoot which can get dull (see V10 RS6).
Trying to decide if I put a Quaife on it. 99% of the time it goes to Tesco or the motorway, but occasionally I wonder.
Rear tyres do wear, slightly more on the inner edges but I'd say you'll get through a set of rears every 12-18 months. I've fitted higher profile sidewall tyres to mine (255 40 19, 285 35 19) which not only fills the arches better (I think) but also improves ride comfort and pothole resistance. Speedometer now also reads 100% accurate.
Brakes aren't cheap and the factory pads throw a lot of dust. Next time round I'll be getting some 390mm front discs and different pads all round.
I've replaced 2 coil packs (easy DIY, about £40 each) and both post cat O2 sensors (easy £20 job for a garage with a ramp and maybe £70 for a sensor?).
I've also had it mapped by MSL which is worthwhile IMHO. It's frankly hilarious now and overtaking in rural Europe is a doddle.
It swallows all our luggage (went to Italy last year, France this year) and anything else you care to name, but remains entertaining to drive.
Economy depends on a lot of things, but I've seen just over 30mpg at 70mph average. Overall usage I'd say around the 20mpg area but we don't live in town any more and I've other cars for fun driving.
Interior feels very solid and well made. Ours is on nearly 80k and the inside looks nearly brand new (other than dirt from kids rugby).

In many ways, its everything I wanted my old Alpina B10V8 to be, but which was hampered by old gearbox technology.

Its a 10/10 from me.

ETA: last service was a major. Fluids (oil, coolant, brake), all 8 plugs, 1 coil pack, a post cat O2 sensor, filters etc. Think it was £800ish from my indy.

Edited by Cactussed on Wednesday 28th February 13:10