Quaifing the C63
Discussion
Its not the cheapest experiment ever, but after some research and bludgeoning from LSD-pro owners im going to bite the bullet and compare the difference. I'm not going down the OEM route but am instead booking myself in at Birds for their home developed LSD upgrade.
My 2010 PP+ has no LSD and thus far has shown no situation where i have felt it might need one. However, the men in the know seem to think the car will be transformed by the fitting of this item and on the 3rd of August it'll be dropped off for its fitting. On a plus note, they've assures me that the fitting of the Quaife diff will not affect my manufacturer warranty as it is has been developed by Birds for the C63 and has no adverse effect on the mechanics of the car and was only produced as an improved alternative to the OEM unit. Its also visually undetectable vs the standard one and wont need servicing.
Perks of going Quaife: Zero maintenance. Literally a fit and forget item unlike the OEM unit that will wear out over time and needs regular fluid changes. At £1900 fully fitted its cheaper than the OEM unit. The Quaife system is tried and tested. OEM LSD has a 30% lock (im led to believe) and the Quaife has up to 80% (again this is what im told) lock which means that it should be even more manageable in a slide than the OEM item.
I did look at a DIY or independant fit but it seems that Quaife are only distributing through Birds in the UK for the Merc (and BMW) specific items. You can get the old Quaife QDF9V from America but this is actually just a pickup truck / SRT item converted for the C/E/SL63 market and not the same as this home developed, C63 specific part. The QDF9V is about £750 vs about £1200 for the Birds system plus fitting. The QDF9V does work, but im happier to go down the advised route.
So, with that i guess i'll be writing again once its in. I pick the car up on the 10th August so ive got less than 5 weeks to go.
Eddie
Also, anyone else here had this done?
My 2010 PP+ has no LSD and thus far has shown no situation where i have felt it might need one. However, the men in the know seem to think the car will be transformed by the fitting of this item and on the 3rd of August it'll be dropped off for its fitting. On a plus note, they've assures me that the fitting of the Quaife diff will not affect my manufacturer warranty as it is has been developed by Birds for the C63 and has no adverse effect on the mechanics of the car and was only produced as an improved alternative to the OEM unit. Its also visually undetectable vs the standard one and wont need servicing.
Perks of going Quaife: Zero maintenance. Literally a fit and forget item unlike the OEM unit that will wear out over time and needs regular fluid changes. At £1900 fully fitted its cheaper than the OEM unit. The Quaife system is tried and tested. OEM LSD has a 30% lock (im led to believe) and the Quaife has up to 80% (again this is what im told) lock which means that it should be even more manageable in a slide than the OEM item.
I did look at a DIY or independant fit but it seems that Quaife are only distributing through Birds in the UK for the Merc (and BMW) specific items. You can get the old Quaife QDF9V from America but this is actually just a pickup truck / SRT item converted for the C/E/SL63 market and not the same as this home developed, C63 specific part. The QDF9V is about £750 vs about £1200 for the Birds system plus fitting. The QDF9V does work, but im happier to go down the advised route.
So, with that i guess i'll be writing again once its in. I pick the car up on the 10th August so ive got less than 5 weeks to go.
Eddie
Also, anyone else here had this done?
Edited by ecain63 on Monday 8th July 20:48
i am on my 3rd AMG and yet to have a mechanical diff. For everyday driving you don't really need it, although in the C63 the traction control is much more active in the winter months than my C55. If tracking the car and you drive everywhere at high speed then yes. I have looked at quaife and would go for that one if i decide to get it done. No it does not affect warranty as i asked my local merc dealer if they could install it and they were happy to.
ecain63 said:
Its not the cheapest experiment ever, but after some research and bludgeoning from LSD-pro owners im going to bite the bullet and compare the difference. I'm not going down the OEM route but am instead booking myself in at Birds for their home developed LSD upgrade.
My 2010 PP+ has no LSD and thus far has shown no situation where i have felt it might need one. However, the men in the know seem to think the car will be transformed by the fitting of this item and on the 3rd of August it'll be dropped off for its fitting. On a plus note, they've assures me that the fitting of the Quaife diff will not affect my manufacturer warranty as it is has been developed by Birds for the C63 and has no adverse effect on the mechanics of the car and was only produced as an improved alternative to the OEM unit. Its also visually undetectable vs the standard one and wont need servicing.
Perks of going Quaife: Zero maintenance. Literally a fit and forget item unlike the OEM unit that will wear out over time and needs regular fluid changes. At £1900 fully fitted its cheaper than the OEM unit. The Quaife system is tried and tested. OEM LSD has a 30% lock (im led to believe) and the Quaife has up to 80% (again this is what im told) lock which means that it should be even more manageable in a slide than the OEM item.
I did look at a DIY or independant fit but it seems that Quaife are only distributing through Birds in the UK for the Merc (and BMW) specific items. You can get the old Quaife QDF9V from America but this is actually just a pickup truck / SRT item converted for the C/E/SL63 market and not the same as this home developed, C63 specific part. The QDF9V is about £750 vs about £1200 for the Birds system plus fitting. The QDF9V does work, but im happier to go down the advised route.
So, with that i guess i'll be writing again once its in. I pick the car up on the 10th August so ive got less than 5 weeks to go.
Eddie
Also, anyone else here had this done?
You should call Kleemann [Mayfield Surrey]. they do LSD's for all Mercs and from memory well less than £1900.My 2010 PP+ has no LSD and thus far has shown no situation where i have felt it might need one. However, the men in the know seem to think the car will be transformed by the fitting of this item and on the 3rd of August it'll be dropped off for its fitting. On a plus note, they've assures me that the fitting of the Quaife diff will not affect my manufacturer warranty as it is has been developed by Birds for the C63 and has no adverse effect on the mechanics of the car and was only produced as an improved alternative to the OEM unit. Its also visually undetectable vs the standard one and wont need servicing.
Perks of going Quaife: Zero maintenance. Literally a fit and forget item unlike the OEM unit that will wear out over time and needs regular fluid changes. At £1900 fully fitted its cheaper than the OEM unit. The Quaife system is tried and tested. OEM LSD has a 30% lock (im led to believe) and the Quaife has up to 80% (again this is what im told) lock which means that it should be even more manageable in a slide than the OEM item.
I did look at a DIY or independant fit but it seems that Quaife are only distributing through Birds in the UK for the Merc (and BMW) specific items. You can get the old Quaife QDF9V from America but this is actually just a pickup truck / SRT item converted for the C/E/SL63 market and not the same as this home developed, C63 specific part. The QDF9V is about £750 vs about £1200 for the Birds system plus fitting. The QDF9V does work, but im happier to go down the advised route.
So, with that i guess i'll be writing again once its in. I pick the car up on the 10th August so ive got less than 5 weeks to go.
Eddie
Also, anyone else here had this done?
Edited by ecain63 on Monday 8th July 20:48
Mark
Slight change to proceedings:
The Quaife goes in on the 29th now and at my local German specialist (who ive used lots on my RS6 and M5 Tourer). Birds were more than happy to send them the parts as its good PR for Birds and in turn my mate gets the work and i get a bit of money off. Now under £1600 fitted.
The Quaife goes in on the 29th now and at my local German specialist (who ive used lots on my RS6 and M5 Tourer). Birds were more than happy to send them the parts as its good PR for Birds and in turn my mate gets the work and i get a bit of money off. Now under £1600 fitted.
Edited by ecain63 on Tuesday 16th July 20:10
ecain63 said:
Slight change to proceedings:
The Quaife goes in on the 29th now and at my local German specialist (who ive used lots on my RS6 and M5 Tourer). Birds were more than happy to send them the parts as its good PR for Birds and in turn my mate gets the work and i get a bit of money off. Now under £1600 fitted.
That's an awesome result, and a much better LSD than OEM to boot.The Quaife goes in on the 29th now and at my local German specialist (who ive used lots on my RS6 and M5 Tourer). Birds were more than happy to send them the parts as its good PR for Birds and in turn my mate gets the work and i get a bit of money off. Now under £1600 fitted.
Edited by ecain63 on Tuesday 16th July 20:10
Zanderman said:
I was looking for a C63 for a while and ended up paying more for one with LSD, a car like this needs it badly!
Thats what im looking to work out. As yet im stuck as to where it might have helped me. Hopefully the difference is noticeable enough for me to feel it on the drive home.In the end for me I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Also I like having a fully spec'd/sorted one!!
Also I like having a fully spec'd/sorted one!!
ecain63 said:
Thats what im looking to work out. As yet im stuck as to where it might have helped me. Hopefully the difference is noticeable enough for me to feel it on the drive home.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff