Living with a Mercedes C63
Discussion
I have a void in my life that i have never owned and ran my own V8 (currently have a RRC but its a non runner so doesn't count)
This i was hoping to fulfil by buying an E90 M3 at some point next year, possibly May/June time as the way work is at the moment it would be a waste of time purchasing now as the car would sit for weeks at a time, however i heard an E63 go past me last night and it rekindled my initial liking for the C63,
The Mercedes makes more practical sense to me than the M3 as it comes in an Estate, i was hoping for some feedback on what they are like to live with daily/running costs etc
Servicing at the dealers in the M3 can be frightening, i have previous experience of this and the E90 is no different, however I'm not sure if the same applies for the Mercedes
MPG isn't a HUGE factor tbh, a car like this will never be great on fuel, and we have a TDi Golf that can be used as the beater/shopping car, the mercedes would primarily be a toy that CAN be pressed into daily service IF required
Any feedback, information would be greatly appreciated
This i was hoping to fulfil by buying an E90 M3 at some point next year, possibly May/June time as the way work is at the moment it would be a waste of time purchasing now as the car would sit for weeks at a time, however i heard an E63 go past me last night and it rekindled my initial liking for the C63,
The Mercedes makes more practical sense to me than the M3 as it comes in an Estate, i was hoping for some feedback on what they are like to live with daily/running costs etc
Servicing at the dealers in the M3 can be frightening, i have previous experience of this and the E90 is no different, however I'm not sure if the same applies for the Mercedes
MPG isn't a HUGE factor tbh, a car like this will never be great on fuel, and we have a TDi Golf that can be used as the beater/shopping car, the mercedes would primarily be a toy that CAN be pressed into daily service IF required
Any feedback, information would be greatly appreciated
Thanks for the replies, I'm not a member on MBClub but may join up in due course
Im in no hurry to purchase anything yet, however i want to research the Mercedes before making a move, I'm familiar with BMWs, not so with Mercedes or the prices of parts/servicing or what the cars are like to live with, i need to try one back to back with the M3 also
Servicing would be done at the main dealer, i have 2 friends that are MB Techs to undertake any other necessary repairs outwit servicing.
Im in no hurry to purchase anything yet, however i want to research the Mercedes before making a move, I'm familiar with BMWs, not so with Mercedes or the prices of parts/servicing or what the cars are like to live with, i need to try one back to back with the M3 also
Servicing would be done at the main dealer, i have 2 friends that are MB Techs to undertake any other necessary repairs outwit servicing.
Just having a look on forums it seems servicing for the C63 is between £350-500 depending on whats required, as i expected
Unless, in the unlikely event BMW have dropped their servicing prices for the E90 from when i owned an E46, insp 2s were coming in at £1200 a significant difference.
Lets get one thing straight however, this is NOT a thread purely to know running costs, its also about living with the car on a day to day basis
Unless, in the unlikely event BMW have dropped their servicing prices for the E90 from when i owned an E46, insp 2s were coming in at £1200 a significant difference.
Lets get one thing straight however, this is NOT a thread purely to know running costs, its also about living with the car on a day to day basis
As stated, I doubt the running costs are vastly different - the C63 has the bigger engine but it's no more complex, if anything probably less complex than the M3's engine, but in the premium brand sector, looking at the ///Ms, AMGs, RS's etc, it's unlikely there are any bargains to be had.
I've not driven either so I can only guess at the day to day living with one. In terms of living with them, they are probably easy enough I'd imagine, though I've not driven them, aside from cracking engines and potentially harsh suspension setups, they are just RWD coupes / saloons, so not on another planet in terms of practicality to the cooking models from each marque. I've only ever seen a few C63s around my way, but I've seen dozens of E9X M3s, including plenty in some speedbumped areas and steep-ramped multistory car parks that my lowered Leon Cupra R couldn't get near.
On the road, I doubt there is much in it in terms of raw performance on the road, unless you really want to chuck your licence in the bin. The M3 is revvier, with a high redline and more of a screaming tone, the C63 is gruntier, the 63 engine always reminds me of a German engineer's take on the best bits of American V8s.
If I was in the position to have either, I think it would be the C63 for me. They just seem that bit more special, perhaps because I seen 10 M3s for every C63, but the Mercedes just wins it I think.
I've not driven either so I can only guess at the day to day living with one. In terms of living with them, they are probably easy enough I'd imagine, though I've not driven them, aside from cracking engines and potentially harsh suspension setups, they are just RWD coupes / saloons, so not on another planet in terms of practicality to the cooking models from each marque. I've only ever seen a few C63s around my way, but I've seen dozens of E9X M3s, including plenty in some speedbumped areas and steep-ramped multistory car parks that my lowered Leon Cupra R couldn't get near.
On the road, I doubt there is much in it in terms of raw performance on the road, unless you really want to chuck your licence in the bin. The M3 is revvier, with a high redline and more of a screaming tone, the C63 is gruntier, the 63 engine always reminds me of a German engineer's take on the best bits of American V8s.
If I was in the position to have either, I think it would be the C63 for me. They just seem that bit more special, perhaps because I seen 10 M3s for every C63, but the Mercedes just wins it I think.
Thanks for your input, i think i will try and arrange some test drives of the two after the festive period if the weather allows as i am out of the country until 23rd December,
I am leaning towards the C63, purely because they are available in Estate form, sound absolutely bonkers and they are more exclusive than the BMW, however this is based on having no experience of one from behind the wheel, things may change after having driven one, I'm hoping that this won't be the case
I am leaning towards the C63, purely because they are available in Estate form, sound absolutely bonkers and they are more exclusive than the BMW, however this is based on having no experience of one from behind the wheel, things may change after having driven one, I'm hoping that this won't be the case
Well, I have owned my C63 saloon for two years from new and it has been my daily driver.
I love it.
I have been looking to get a diesel as a daily due to racking up the mileage on the C63 but have spent a fair few months undecided as I just can't seem to face not driving the Merc...LOL
What I love about it is that it can be mild mannered through the town and in traffic but switch it to Sport mode and give it some stick and it still makes me grin. The noise is fantastic and the twitch of the rear end (controllable) gives your ego a huge dose of manpoints....
Getting around 19mpg on average with mainly short dual carriageway bursts and town driving which isn't bad.
Rear tyres are the thing though. I run Conti Sport 5's and its very much a 2:1 ratio with rear to front wear. Prices vary but have paid £270 each to £197 each. Now on third set of rears at 35,000.
Servicing prices are bang on what you have mentioned and mine is now coming up to it's A2 service which I am sure will be around the £450 mark.
Other than that, the only reason I am getting a diesel is my mileage is going to go up next year due to business and I don't want to do that in the C63. Not that it can't handle it but purely because it will upset the resale value IMHO.
As an estate, I think the C63 would be a fantastic load hauler if you need that amount of space with the grunt of the V8.....
If you go for it, you will enjoy it. The noise is addictive....
I love it.
I have been looking to get a diesel as a daily due to racking up the mileage on the C63 but have spent a fair few months undecided as I just can't seem to face not driving the Merc...LOL
What I love about it is that it can be mild mannered through the town and in traffic but switch it to Sport mode and give it some stick and it still makes me grin. The noise is fantastic and the twitch of the rear end (controllable) gives your ego a huge dose of manpoints....
Getting around 19mpg on average with mainly short dual carriageway bursts and town driving which isn't bad.
Rear tyres are the thing though. I run Conti Sport 5's and its very much a 2:1 ratio with rear to front wear. Prices vary but have paid £270 each to £197 each. Now on third set of rears at 35,000.
Servicing prices are bang on what you have mentioned and mine is now coming up to it's A2 service which I am sure will be around the £450 mark.
Other than that, the only reason I am getting a diesel is my mileage is going to go up next year due to business and I don't want to do that in the C63. Not that it can't handle it but purely because it will upset the resale value IMHO.
As an estate, I think the C63 would be a fantastic load hauler if you need that amount of space with the grunt of the V8.....
If you go for it, you will enjoy it. The noise is addictive....
Edited by KevF on Thursday 29th November 09:00
Thanks Kev, thats EXACTLY the type of information that i was after,
We don't necessarily NEED an estate, however we have a Spaniel and the main dog carrying duties would be done using the Golf, however it would be handy as Dog paws on my leather seats in any car is strictly taboo
Tyres were as predicted, pretty much the same as the M3 was a few years ago, I'm now looking forward to a few weeks at home over the festive period to carry out some test drives
We don't necessarily NEED an estate, however we have a Spaniel and the main dog carrying duties would be done using the Golf, however it would be handy as Dog paws on my leather seats in any car is strictly taboo
Tyres were as predicted, pretty much the same as the M3 was a few years ago, I'm now looking forward to a few weeks at home over the festive period to carry out some test drives
I can't add anything constructive to this at all, but personally, cash allowing the C63 estate is my ideal do it all type car, dog in the boot, bikes on the back / roof, a stunning sound track and a lovely interior. If the drive is anything like my old mans C220 saloon (along with the quality interior feel, I have been in an C63 and loved the interior) then it should be a fantastic car.
The only thing that made my eyes water was the VED @ £1000 a year, the mpg etc can be rationalised in my mind, but that is bonkers!
The only thing that made my eyes water was the VED @ £1000 a year, the mpg etc can be rationalised in my mind, but that is bonkers!
I'd guess that the M3 will probably be more fun at 8/10ths and above, and the C63 will be more fun the rest of the time. And in traffic. And in multistoreys, and tunnels, and garages, and near walls, and at traffic lights. Just get the C63. Wonderful noise. You will forgive everything and anything for that noise, I don't think the M3 would be as characterful.
Admittedly, I've only passengered in a C63 (at MB World) and heard the two fairly often from outside. I do at least own a large V8, so I'm assuming I know what you'll like about the experience. You said you've never owned a V8. The C63 is more 'V8' than the M3. Get the C63
Admittedly, I've only passengered in a C63 (at MB World) and heard the two fairly often from outside. I do at least own a large V8, so I'm assuming I know what you'll like about the experience. You said you've never owned a V8. The C63 is more 'V8' than the M3. Get the C63
James Dean said:
Have you thought about the E60 M5 in estate form, with the V10?
Aren't M5 Tourings quite hard to come by? The M5's V10 does trump the two V8s being previously considered this thread, even more so when a decent exhaust is added into the mix.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCtJVbJEHZg
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