£20k Mercedes C63 AMG (W205) | Spotted
Better late than not at all, the turbo C63 is down to £20k - tempted?
There’s little in this world quite so appealing as the bargain supersaloon. While the affordable side of the equation seems to get more expensive every year, the charm of a very simple recipe never fades: you need a large, mutli-cylindered engine, ample space for four, an epic soundtrack and just enough subtlety to blend in where required. It’ll be brilliant.
AMG are of course masters of the craft, and plenty of Affalterbach four-doors have reached bargain territory over the years, but the ‘205 era of C63 tends to be overlooked a little. Or certainly it feels that way. Lacking the iconic 6.2-litre engine or the notorious 2.0-litre one, it seemingly sits at neither end of the C-Class AMG spectrum. But it was always a great car, still blessed with plenty of V8 swagger despite the turbos, more fun than the contemporary M3 more of the time, and easily superior to the RS4 as a fast estate. It wasn’t perfect - the interior was iffy even in period - but it probably was the best in its class.
And now that C63 is £20k. It feels like that’s taken longer than it once would have (the new price was around £60,000), but such is the world of used cars post-Covid: everything combustion-powered is holding on to its value better than it used to. Not ideal for true bargain hunting, though reassuring for buyers as their £20k isn’t worth £10,000 the year after. Hopefully.
In 2026, £20,000 buys a 10-year-old C63 with 10 services and a smidge over 80,000 miles to its name. Note that this isn’t an S, with more than 500hp and an electronically controlled diff; it’s the ready salted C63 with a mechanical LSD and just the 476hp - more than enough to be getting on with. These earlier cars had the seven-speed rather than the nine-speed auto as well, and the latter gearbox is worth getting if possible.
Nevertheless, this is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in a handsome, discreet saloon for the price of a small Chinese crossover - there’s plenty to like. As well as the service record, the MOT history is excellent and the condition seems pretty good (weird purple accents notwithstanding). Those tyres look like Michelins, too.
Indeed perhaps the biggest hurdle will be ignoring the older C63 for this one. Because it’s also possible to spend £20,000 and buy quite a nice W204, probably with even sturdier residuals thanks to the engine. As something to use on an occasional basis, that’s always going to be persuasive. But for something to use regularly with a healthy dollop of V8 goodness, there’s surely plenty in the turbo C63’s favour. And hopefully there’s more to come - next stop £15k…
SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES-AMG C63 (W205)
Engine: 3,982cc twin-turbo V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto with lock-up clutch (MCT), rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 476@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 479@1,750-4,500rpm
MPG: 34.5 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 192g/km
Year registered: 2016
Recorded mileage: 81,520
Price new: £59,795 (2015, before options)
Yours for: £19,975
Nice to see one that's not black or white too!
It looks like they've had it a while for whatever reason - 16th May @ £22975, 21st July @ £20975 and the most recent 6th August @ £19975.
Maybe if they bothered to spend 10mins polishing the exhaust tips it would have found a new home already.
One of these was an option to replace my Wife's 335i, but we ended up getting an F80 M3.
The earlier sat nav screens really do make it look tacky. But, the engine itself, that's a gem and makes a wonderful noise. Effortless torque.
Really does improve the look and feel of the interior.
W205 if you want a more useable, everyday car with bearable fuel economy!
W205 if you want a more useable, everyday car with bearable fuel economy!
I had a 2017 model very similar to this one in poverty white so it went under the radar a bit, and with care I could easily get mid 30s on mpg on a long run which made it more viable for everyday use. I could also get single digits quite easily mind you.
I swapped mine at 60k miles and 6 years old when it needed a reasonable amount of work doing, and they had one of the last 2023 'S' coupes in the showroom. The gearbox on the newer model is much better, would concur with the article to get the 9 speed if you can, but the 7 speed is ok, just a little slow. You won't get a 9 speed for anything close to this price though.
I also wouldn't get one without the switchable sports exhaust...
There are many aftermarket screen upgrades available which closely match the later screen styling (or look better!).
Its not a fortune to do either.
There are many aftermarket screen upgrades available which closely match the later screen styling (or look better!).
Its not a fortune to do either.
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