C63 AMG Running Costs
Discussion
I have not had a car for a couple of years and have decided to change this position. I have narrowed down the list to a M3 saloon and a C63 saloon or estate.
The only trouble is that I know little to nothing about the C63 (or owning a Mercedes in general), apart from the fact that I think it is leagues better than the M3 or any other car in the class.
I wanted to gather some more information on the following topics:
- Servicing - I have been told that the cost is around £400 for an A service and £600 for a B, is this correct? Should I expect this to dramatically inflate when I get to a dealer?
- Parts - How much are brakes? I know it likes to munch through tyres and can get a set of P-Zeros for £900, does it require run flats too?
- What are the desired options? I would like Harmon Karmon and bluetooth but don't know what else is necessary.
Any other tips when looking or ones that people have for sale would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
James
The only trouble is that I know little to nothing about the C63 (or owning a Mercedes in general), apart from the fact that I think it is leagues better than the M3 or any other car in the class.
I wanted to gather some more information on the following topics:
- Servicing - I have been told that the cost is around £400 for an A service and £600 for a B, is this correct? Should I expect this to dramatically inflate when I get to a dealer?
- Parts - How much are brakes? I know it likes to munch through tyres and can get a set of P-Zeros for £900, does it require run flats too?
- What are the desired options? I would like Harmon Karmon and bluetooth but don't know what else is necessary.
Any other tips when looking or ones that people have for sale would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
James
I collected my C63 a few weeks ago, so there's only a limited scope I can help you with.
Tyres are not run flat (there's a space saver in the boot) and OEM are conti sport contact 5 for the 18"s.
Options wise, it depends on what you like. HK is popular if you're an audiophile - I don't have it but think the standard stereo is pretty good. However one option that's a must is the LSD.
The PHer you need to speak with is Jackwood who has done over 50k miles in his.
Tyres are not run flat (there's a space saver in the boot) and OEM are conti sport contact 5 for the 18"s.
Options wise, it depends on what you like. HK is popular if you're an audiophile - I don't have it but think the standard stereo is pretty good. However one option that's a must is the LSD.
The PHer you need to speak with is Jackwood who has done over 50k miles in his.
Hava a look here (first post and right at the end)
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/...
I've had mine 2 years, 18000miles:
3 sets of rear tyres
2 sets of front tyres
New front pads and discs - £2300
Roughly 7-23mpg depending how you drive.
LSD oil change at 2000 miles £90
First service was £350
Second was £450
3 year service is big, circa £650.
Desirable options, performance package plus, LSD, COMAND but I think that is now standard. HK stereo and 19" wheels are nice.
What makes you think it is leagues better than the M3? It is not, just more of a muscle car than the M3.
S
3 sets of rear tyres
2 sets of front tyres
New front pads and discs - £2300
Roughly 7-23mpg depending how you drive.
LSD oil change at 2000 miles £90
First service was £350
Second was £450
3 year service is big, circa £650.
Desirable options, performance package plus, LSD, COMAND but I think that is now standard. HK stereo and 19" wheels are nice.
What makes you think it is leagues better than the M3? It is not, just more of a muscle car than the M3.
S
Thank you for all the help, it looks as if the car isn't destructively expensive as I initially thought (apart from depreciation)
Let me qualify the statement of the C63 being better than the M3 - I really enjoyed driving an M3 but felt that it didn't come alive unless you were pushing it really hard. Whereas the C63 I enjoyed all the time and I don't have the talents to get everything out of the M3.
A couple of other questions:
- Does the PPP include an LSD?
- Does the COMAND system include bluetooth?
I have found a couple that I really like, just need to gather all the facts and see.
ETF sentence on the first line.
Let me qualify the statement of the C63 being better than the M3 - I really enjoyed driving an M3 but felt that it didn't come alive unless you were pushing it really hard. Whereas the C63 I enjoyed all the time and I don't have the talents to get everything out of the M3.
A couple of other questions:
- Does the PPP include an LSD?
- Does the COMAND system include bluetooth?
I have found a couple that I really like, just need to gather all the facts and see.
ETF sentence on the first line.
Edited by JDuck on Wednesday 26th September 15:31
JDuck said:
Let me qualify the statement of the C63 being better than the M3 - I really enjoyed driving an M3 but felt that it didn't come alive unless you were pushing it really hard. Whereas the C63 I enjoyed all the time and I don't have the talents to get everything out of the M3.
Agree. I found the M3 to be too tame and un-special-feeling in regular driving. C63 feels special the moment you turn the key 
. N/A 6.2 engine has near 500torque, and 500hp with PPP!Best spec is PPP and LSD. Both are separate options. LSD approx £2k, PPP approx £5.5k. Both deffo worth having, and the only reason i bought mine.
Mine also has Drivers Pack - which is a factory de-limit - it works!
Harmon Kardon - very good.
Reversing camera - have it but wouldn't bother me if it didn't.
19" wheels - look better, but 18" apparently ride better?
Mines an 11 plate, done 15k miles, and seems to average 18-19mpg. Build quality is solid. Might sell soon, but struggling to find something to replace it with
Bluetooth is part of COMAND, although full telephone prep was extra which allows the car to see your address book, otherwise you have to manually load the contacts.
Fuel costs will be a biggie too, don't underestimate it, 200miles to a tank at best.
6000miles out of a set of tyres was road use and running it in - factory Yokohamas
Apparently, the 155mph limiter only kicks in when in 7th gear using Sport or Comfort mode - manual or lower gears such as 6th let it go above 155. So I have heard
Fuel costs will be a biggie too, don't underestimate it, 200miles to a tank at best.
6000miles out of a set of tyres was road use and running it in - factory Yokohamas
Apparently, the 155mph limiter only kicks in when in 7th gear using Sport or Comfort mode - manual or lower gears such as 6th let it go above 155. So I have heard
Was having a drink with a pal who had recently lease hired one of these - £450 per month - which sounds to me like an absolute bargain - even before negotiations MB are quoting £585 on their website and contracthireandleasing are offering much cheaper deals.
Just wish I could persuade Mrs K to change her old C class for one as I need the RR for car towing.
Just wish I could persuade Mrs K to change her old C class for one as I need the RR for car towing.
First service completed today ( 1 year old, 11,321 miles).
Service A - £250.00 (with mild haggling).
Brake pad wear - fronts 20%, rear 10%.
Tyres - 6mm front (original), 5mm rear (2nd pair).
Average fuel - 19.7mpg
Second year tax - £450
All in all, very happy for the performance and feel good factor.
Service A - £250.00 (with mild haggling).
Brake pad wear - fronts 20%, rear 10%.
Tyres - 6mm front (original), 5mm rear (2nd pair).
Average fuel - 19.7mpg
Second year tax - £450
All in all, very happy for the performance and feel good factor.
switched from an m3 saloon - great car and great handling - but you have to rev the bejeezus off it for it to sing....
C63 gives you more easily accessible rewards without having to drive like a lunatic - constantly ;-)
Question - in the manual its says use 98 petrol as otherwise fuel economy will be affected - really???? Is it really a zero sum game - ie pay less get worse economy, pay more get better economy - just seemed odd they'd called out economy for using 98 rather than just performance - ho hum - I'm sure Mr V-Power loves Merc for making a C63 thats for sure....
Also - there's so much chat about the LSD etc - honestly unless you're doing track days can you really tell the difference - I cant (my M3 had an M-diff, the Maserati had a slippy diff) - but I cant tell the difference - I'm certainly not a pro, but I do enjoy an annual trans european / mountain pass hoon - I think its just bravado bullcrap IMHO... (now I'll get my coat)
C63 gives you more easily accessible rewards without having to drive like a lunatic - constantly ;-)
Question - in the manual its says use 98 petrol as otherwise fuel economy will be affected - really???? Is it really a zero sum game - ie pay less get worse economy, pay more get better economy - just seemed odd they'd called out economy for using 98 rather than just performance - ho hum - I'm sure Mr V-Power loves Merc for making a C63 thats for sure....
Also - there's so much chat about the LSD etc - honestly unless you're doing track days can you really tell the difference - I cant (my M3 had an M-diff, the Maserati had a slippy diff) - but I cant tell the difference - I'm certainly not a pro, but I do enjoy an annual trans european / mountain pass hoon - I think its just bravado bullcrap IMHO... (now I'll get my coat)
SimNugget said:
I've had mine 2 years, 18000miles:
3 sets of rear tyres
2 sets of front tyres
New front pads and discs - £2300
Roughly 7-23mpg depending how you drive.
LSD oil change at 2000 miles £90
First service was £350
Second was £450
3 year service is big, circa £650.
Desirable options, performance package plus, LSD, COMAND but I think that is now standard. HK stereo and 19" wheels are nice.
What makes you think it is leagues better than the M3? It is not, just more of a muscle car than the M3.
S
£2,300 for one set of pads and discs? Ouch! Hopefully my CLK63 discs aren't quite as expensive as the PP+ breaks, although I've heard of brakes being £750 per front disc.3 sets of rear tyres
2 sets of front tyres
New front pads and discs - £2300
Roughly 7-23mpg depending how you drive.
LSD oil change at 2000 miles £90
First service was £350
Second was £450
3 year service is big, circa £650.
Desirable options, performance package plus, LSD, COMAND but I think that is now standard. HK stereo and 19" wheels are nice.
What makes you think it is leagues better than the M3? It is not, just more of a muscle car than the M3.
S
Noticed this thread re running costs and although mine is not a C63 it is similar engine and I have had an interesting experience lately at the main dealer.
My car is a B63 Brabus and has done 26,000 miles. The car computer said it needed a D Service and I received a quote of £330 incl VAT from the main dealer. That said the service assistant then ran through a vast number of "mandatory" items such as plugs, oil and air filters etc adding another £450!!! I asked why they believed my car needed these items when my comp indicated a D service only was necessary and was told that when they went onto their national computer, the system told them that my car needed these further mandatory items at its stated mileage. I was told that the D service was a very minor service (so why £330!?). Then I was told that the 8 spark plugs was a very very special deal to me at £26 each!! Couldn't believe it so I went to a trusted local garage and they quoted £12 each for OE plugs!! I called back the Merc dealer and booked for the D Service only (I want the Merc stamp) and said I would talk to their parts and service manager about the appalling pricing and probably unnecessary servicing when I call in for the ludicrously priced 1.5 hours D service for the princely sum of £330 next Monday!!!
My car is a B63 Brabus and has done 26,000 miles. The car computer said it needed a D Service and I received a quote of £330 incl VAT from the main dealer. That said the service assistant then ran through a vast number of "mandatory" items such as plugs, oil and air filters etc adding another £450!!! I asked why they believed my car needed these items when my comp indicated a D service only was necessary and was told that when they went onto their national computer, the system told them that my car needed these further mandatory items at its stated mileage. I was told that the D service was a very minor service (so why £330!?). Then I was told that the 8 spark plugs was a very very special deal to me at £26 each!! Couldn't believe it so I went to a trusted local garage and they quoted £12 each for OE plugs!! I called back the Merc dealer and booked for the D Service only (I want the Merc stamp) and said I would talk to their parts and service manager about the appalling pricing and probably unnecessary servicing when I call in for the ludicrously priced 1.5 hours D service for the princely sum of £330 next Monday!!!
I also got stung that way during a recent service. Transmission oil and spark plugs were the two notably expensive items recently. One was at 40k miles, the other at around 50k miles?
On mine at 55k miles in 2.5 years now. Mine has only been on track once for a couple of laps. Wouldn't really recommend it as a track car at all. It really kills the tyres (Conti 5P's) and brakes.
Havin said that, I'm still on my original set of brake disks and pads. At 55k miles!! That is bloody impressive.
Rear tyres, I reckon 7k miles out of a set is average going. Fronts probably 15-18k miles.
Other than that the car is bullet proof. Did have one minor mishap last month when one of the power steering hoses burst and dumped the power steering fluid. Mercedes Assist collected it within 20 minutes, I had an E-Class replacement car within and hour and had my own car back in just over 24 hours. Good service.
Bluetooth is standard on all Medcedes C-Class cars. You don't need COMAND. HK is ok, don't know if I'd bother with it again. DAB is nice. If you like to switch the traction control off and slide the car around then you need the LSD. If you never switch it off then no need for the LSD. The ride on 18's is much better, you can get winter tyres that fit, and you can also get the excellent Conti 5P tyre which you can't get in the 19" sizes. As for the Performance Pack Plus I don't have it, and think it is an expensive option. I have never once thought, you know what, this car needs more power... The engine is stonking. It gets better as it gets more miles on it too.
Only thing I would do is try and find a nice facelift car to get the newer MCT gearbox.
Other than that, go for it. They are brilliant every day cars.
On mine at 55k miles in 2.5 years now. Mine has only been on track once for a couple of laps. Wouldn't really recommend it as a track car at all. It really kills the tyres (Conti 5P's) and brakes.
Havin said that, I'm still on my original set of brake disks and pads. At 55k miles!! That is bloody impressive.
Rear tyres, I reckon 7k miles out of a set is average going. Fronts probably 15-18k miles.
Other than that the car is bullet proof. Did have one minor mishap last month when one of the power steering hoses burst and dumped the power steering fluid. Mercedes Assist collected it within 20 minutes, I had an E-Class replacement car within and hour and had my own car back in just over 24 hours. Good service.
Bluetooth is standard on all Medcedes C-Class cars. You don't need COMAND. HK is ok, don't know if I'd bother with it again. DAB is nice. If you like to switch the traction control off and slide the car around then you need the LSD. If you never switch it off then no need for the LSD. The ride on 18's is much better, you can get winter tyres that fit, and you can also get the excellent Conti 5P tyre which you can't get in the 19" sizes. As for the Performance Pack Plus I don't have it, and think it is an expensive option. I have never once thought, you know what, this car needs more power... The engine is stonking. It gets better as it gets more miles on it too.
Only thing I would do is try and find a nice facelift car to get the newer MCT gearbox.
Other than that, go for it. They are brilliant every day cars.
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