Discussion
Hi all, very new to this. I'm looking for any info on what to look out for on a c63 v8 amg 2014? Any comon faults i shold be looking out for? I've heard they are very tail-happy and can sometimes start slipping at the back even on the straight on motorway?? Which I doubt is really the case but as I've never driven one I don't know😂 I have driven a TVR t350 and that was an experience!! Basically any info will help and be gratefully appreciated.
Do a good history check (I think vcheck is recommended) as I think a lot of these have been crashed. Anything that seems too cheap is probably dodgy. If in doubt walk away, they aren't that rare.
Check everything works, they have quite a lot of electrics etc. Check tyres and brakes are in good condition.
There are a few performance options in that period eg LSD, performance pack, Edition 507 etc however going by your comments the standard car will probably do you fine ;-)
A friend of mine just bought one - here it is with my SLS. He loves it - the steering is brilliant, and so are the seats. You get most of the engine drama of the version in the SLS, too. I was told the earlier cars can suffer from a few engine issues but I can’t remember what it was. His is one of those earlier series one cars which I think look a bit better externally, but the interior in the later ones is nicer. Either way awesome tool.
JDI said:
Thank you Sam def gonna dig into the history of the car.
Julian please can u add a warning when posting such images, I'm.nursing a semi after looking at the sls. Gonna have to go have sit down for a few minutes and compose myself
Ha well it’s sure a cool thing - the Mercedes dealers however - oh my god good luck. Anyway that’s another story.Julian please can u add a warning when posting such images, I'm.nursing a semi after looking at the sls. Gonna have to go have sit down for a few minutes and compose myself
The C63 emphatically does not feel out of its depth around the SLS. Cars don’t get the following the C63 has for no reason. You’ll be so pleased with it. Very best of luck with the purchase.
JDI said:
I've heard they are very tail-happy and can sometimes start slipping at the back even on the straight on motorway??
They've enough power to light the rear tyres up to ~40mph, so if you're careless - or get caught off-guard by the kickdown - in (say,) a hard overtake situation you might feel the car slipping down the camber, which is disconcerting. MB nannyish electronic intervention applies, for things to go badly wrong you need to have instigated it!But more generally they're harmless; if you want to drive like a cabbie in a C220d you can.
I'm very bias but they're cracking cars, I will say that they really benefit from having an LSD it just makes them more driveable everywhere, as others have said check EVERYTHING works & wear levels.
There's a possible injector issue but it's not common but may be worth budgeting for getting the preventative work done, make sure the gearbox changes have been done on time.
Changing to poly bushes (when they wear) makes a nice difference for a small cost increase over the OEM fare, don't do this on the engine/gearbox mounts it brings too many vibrations into the car imo.
There's a possible injector issue but it's not common but may be worth budgeting for getting the preventative work done, make sure the gearbox changes have been done on time.
Changing to poly bushes (when they wear) makes a nice difference for a small cost increase over the OEM fare, don't do this on the engine/gearbox mounts it brings too many vibrations into the car imo.
Information below stolen from the C63 AMG UK group on Facebook. I have a 2018 205 so can't really comment other than I know a couple of people who have a 204 and they really rave about them! They can be tail happy like all powerful RWD cars but correct application of the loud pedal will keep it straight and true. I have driven a TVR Cerebra which was amazing but it was trying to kill me at all times, you have to provoke the C63 as it has traction and stability control to step in and help when you run out of talent. (Not saying you don't have any talent)
W204 C63 Buyers Guide & Modifications guide
(Disclaimer: This is just a guide. May have some errors due to year of car registration.)
💥Pre Facelift W204 C63 (2008-10) 💥
Fog Lights
Straight line across rear diffuser
Comand NTG 4.0 with Flip Up screen
💥Facelift W204 C63 AMG (2011-14)💥
DRL's instead of foglights
Comand NTG4.5 with integrated screen
MCT gearbox (2011/12 onwards) - faster more responsive gear changes, has a Wet Clutch instead of a Torque Converter.
Sport+ and RS (Race Start/Launch) modes
Variants:
Standard 457bhp
Edition 125
⁃ similar to standard
⁃ 2 tone leather interior (optional as well)
Performance pack plus P30/P31 487bhp
- P30 - Prefacelift
- P31 - Facelift
- Not fixed - there might be some overlap in 2010/11 cars
- Prefacelift ones generally have LSD as standard.
⁃ Dark Grey intake manifold, red calipers, uprated brakes, SLS internals, Alcantara steering wheel, stiffer springs, carbon spoiler, (LSD is an option)
507 edition 507bhp
⁃ Bonnet vents, side decals, alcantara gearknob gaiter, forged wheels & PPP features
Black Series - the Don!!! 💥💥
Common issues:
1. Noisy lifters - ticking noises on 1st cold start of day, usually last 5-10mins. Usually indicative of low oil level. Wear & tear item & part due to design. Changing them does not necessarily guarantee no noise. Certain oil brand like Liqui Moly helps.
2. Camshaft adjuster - metallic rattle for 5-10secs cold or warm start. Again, its a wear & tear item. Will require changing once it gets worse.
Genuine MB part is costly.
Other options are from @63everything on Insta
https://www.63motorsports.com/m156-shop/amg-camsha...
3. Rocker cover crack / gasket leak. Best to change whole cover as it comes with gasket as part of set. Usual cracks will not be visible until heated up.
4. OEM Multispoke wheels are soft & prone to cracks
5. Transmission can breakdown if regular burnouts. Steering pump at risk with multiple donuts too.
6. Rear subframe rust if car has not been maintained well. The rust issue is now more common, especially in pre facelift ones 9-10yrs car. The rust happens inside out.
7. Headbolt issue - Prefacelift cars. Check if engine number ending 60 060658 and above for reassurance.
Headbolt issues are more common in US, as per online findings. Less common in UK.
8. Injectors will need checking during major service as they can get stucked open, causing hydrolock. (Some correlation with mapped cars but random)
❗️Advisable to change whole set of injectors now as cars are >8yrs and injectors gets clogged and do fail. ❗️
9. Paint issue - Fire Opal Red is known to have micro blisters - MB aware and will need strip down to bare metal and repaint
10. Crankcase ‘Upper Sump’ oil leak - due to factory sealant perishing with time. This has become more of an issue of late. Different degree of leak with different cars. Some gets worse, some just remains oil damp around the lower case. Can be monitored and remain the same for years or it can worsened. No set pattern. Major job as its engine out job.
‘Mid sump’ oil leak is less costly, only require transmission out.
‘Lower sump’ is the easiest fix.
11. Brake lines prone to corrosion. Usually done together with corroded rear subframe.
12. Idler pulleys and aux belt should be checked at alternate service intervals. The belt may fray and pulleys degrade and give way without warning.
Fuel consumption:
Fuel Average 15-17mpg combined
Town driving can go as low as 13-14
Asbo mode down to 9-12mpg
Granny mode doesn’t exist as the exhaust sound is too addictive and theatric.
Maintanence:
1. Tyres - depends on how heavy your right foot is, rear tyres can last between 3k miles to 8.5k miles.
2. Servicing is fairly decent. Not anymore than other marque.
3. Annual road tax is HIGHEST! £600 (2021/22)
Insurance:
💥POTLUCK! 💥
Can vary from £350 to £4500
⁃ Variable factors eg Age, Address/Area, No Claims bonus, Mods, Garage or not, Previous similar experience.
⁃ No point asking on FB group. Just call around and ask for quotes
⁃ Examples are Chris Knott, A-plan, Adrian Flux, Admiral, Sky insurance, Keith Michaels
⁃ Remember all these are brokers.
Servicing:
⁃ For MB main dealers and those who wants to keep FSH, then MB service plans are recommended.
⁃ Independent Specialist Garages are recommended if you are not fuss. They are better in fact. There are a few recommended ones depending on where one is based. Prestige Car Service & MBS Southampton are 2 very good ones in the South Coast.
Modifications:
1. Exhaust mods - prices may increase due to annual inflation
£250-300 Secondary decat 20% louder
+ £200-250 resonator delete +5%
£500-600 Primary decat +40%
£3000 Headers with sport cats & resonator +50-60% (+5% with resonator delete as well)
£2600 Headers no cats +80%
Maybe more depending on perception.
££££££ Add supercharger to headers - UNLEASH THOR!!!! 💥💥💥
2. £500-1200 Remap - Eurocharged V7 / MSL / Celtic tuning / DMS
⁃ All maps listed above more or less the same. All stable. Difference is the 5-10bhp top end for bragging rights.
3. Aftermarket wheels - check link in another announcement for offsets and online comparison calculator to check if they fit.
4. LSD ~£1500 - Quaife or Wavetrac
5. Suspension
⁃ H&R lowering springs - Part number HR 29028-1
⁃ H&R coilovers best value for bucks
⁃ KW DDC - Top dog!
6. Carbon exterior
⁃ Xtreme carbon UK
⁃ Unit17
⁃ Vogue Automotive
⁃ BOCA - Europe
⁃ RW carbon - US
⁃ Mode carbon - US (££££) - not reliable anymore
7. Carbon interior & Carbon steering wheel
⁃ @carbon_revolte on Insta is top notch!
8. Carbon air intake
9. Caliper repainting
⁃ £100 per corner - Paint on wheel
⁃ £500-800 Remove & spray paint
10. Security - GHOST recommended.
11. Tyres - Michelin PS4S or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics or Supersports
13. Superchargers - Weistec / ESS tuning
(PM for more info)
W204 C63 Buyers Guide & Modifications guide
(Disclaimer: This is just a guide. May have some errors due to year of car registration.)
💥Pre Facelift W204 C63 (2008-10) 💥
Fog Lights
Straight line across rear diffuser
Comand NTG 4.0 with Flip Up screen
💥Facelift W204 C63 AMG (2011-14)💥
DRL's instead of foglights
Comand NTG4.5 with integrated screen
MCT gearbox (2011/12 onwards) - faster more responsive gear changes, has a Wet Clutch instead of a Torque Converter.
Sport+ and RS (Race Start/Launch) modes
Variants:
Standard 457bhp
Edition 125
⁃ similar to standard
⁃ 2 tone leather interior (optional as well)
Performance pack plus P30/P31 487bhp
- P30 - Prefacelift
- P31 - Facelift
- Not fixed - there might be some overlap in 2010/11 cars
- Prefacelift ones generally have LSD as standard.
⁃ Dark Grey intake manifold, red calipers, uprated brakes, SLS internals, Alcantara steering wheel, stiffer springs, carbon spoiler, (LSD is an option)
507 edition 507bhp
⁃ Bonnet vents, side decals, alcantara gearknob gaiter, forged wheels & PPP features
Black Series - the Don!!! 💥💥
Common issues:
1. Noisy lifters - ticking noises on 1st cold start of day, usually last 5-10mins. Usually indicative of low oil level. Wear & tear item & part due to design. Changing them does not necessarily guarantee no noise. Certain oil brand like Liqui Moly helps.
2. Camshaft adjuster - metallic rattle for 5-10secs cold or warm start. Again, its a wear & tear item. Will require changing once it gets worse.
Genuine MB part is costly.
Other options are from @63everything on Insta
https://www.63motorsports.com/m156-shop/amg-camsha...
3. Rocker cover crack / gasket leak. Best to change whole cover as it comes with gasket as part of set. Usual cracks will not be visible until heated up.
4. OEM Multispoke wheels are soft & prone to cracks
5. Transmission can breakdown if regular burnouts. Steering pump at risk with multiple donuts too.
6. Rear subframe rust if car has not been maintained well. The rust issue is now more common, especially in pre facelift ones 9-10yrs car. The rust happens inside out.
7. Headbolt issue - Prefacelift cars. Check if engine number ending 60 060658 and above for reassurance.
Headbolt issues are more common in US, as per online findings. Less common in UK.
8. Injectors will need checking during major service as they can get stucked open, causing hydrolock. (Some correlation with mapped cars but random)
❗️Advisable to change whole set of injectors now as cars are >8yrs and injectors gets clogged and do fail. ❗️
9. Paint issue - Fire Opal Red is known to have micro blisters - MB aware and will need strip down to bare metal and repaint
10. Crankcase ‘Upper Sump’ oil leak - due to factory sealant perishing with time. This has become more of an issue of late. Different degree of leak with different cars. Some gets worse, some just remains oil damp around the lower case. Can be monitored and remain the same for years or it can worsened. No set pattern. Major job as its engine out job.
‘Mid sump’ oil leak is less costly, only require transmission out.
‘Lower sump’ is the easiest fix.
11. Brake lines prone to corrosion. Usually done together with corroded rear subframe.
12. Idler pulleys and aux belt should be checked at alternate service intervals. The belt may fray and pulleys degrade and give way without warning.
Fuel consumption:
Fuel Average 15-17mpg combined
Town driving can go as low as 13-14
Asbo mode down to 9-12mpg
Granny mode doesn’t exist as the exhaust sound is too addictive and theatric.
Maintanence:
1. Tyres - depends on how heavy your right foot is, rear tyres can last between 3k miles to 8.5k miles.
2. Servicing is fairly decent. Not anymore than other marque.
3. Annual road tax is HIGHEST! £600 (2021/22)
Insurance:
💥POTLUCK! 💥
Can vary from £350 to £4500
⁃ Variable factors eg Age, Address/Area, No Claims bonus, Mods, Garage or not, Previous similar experience.
⁃ No point asking on FB group. Just call around and ask for quotes
⁃ Examples are Chris Knott, A-plan, Adrian Flux, Admiral, Sky insurance, Keith Michaels
⁃ Remember all these are brokers.
Servicing:
⁃ For MB main dealers and those who wants to keep FSH, then MB service plans are recommended.
⁃ Independent Specialist Garages are recommended if you are not fuss. They are better in fact. There are a few recommended ones depending on where one is based. Prestige Car Service & MBS Southampton are 2 very good ones in the South Coast.
Modifications:
1. Exhaust mods - prices may increase due to annual inflation
£250-300 Secondary decat 20% louder
+ £200-250 resonator delete +5%
£500-600 Primary decat +40%
£3000 Headers with sport cats & resonator +50-60% (+5% with resonator delete as well)
£2600 Headers no cats +80%
Maybe more depending on perception.
££££££ Add supercharger to headers - UNLEASH THOR!!!! 💥💥💥
2. £500-1200 Remap - Eurocharged V7 / MSL / Celtic tuning / DMS
⁃ All maps listed above more or less the same. All stable. Difference is the 5-10bhp top end for bragging rights.
3. Aftermarket wheels - check link in another announcement for offsets and online comparison calculator to check if they fit.
4. LSD ~£1500 - Quaife or Wavetrac
5. Suspension
⁃ H&R lowering springs - Part number HR 29028-1
⁃ H&R coilovers best value for bucks
⁃ KW DDC - Top dog!
6. Carbon exterior
⁃ Xtreme carbon UK
⁃ Unit17
⁃ Vogue Automotive
⁃ BOCA - Europe
⁃ RW carbon - US
⁃ Mode carbon - US (££££) - not reliable anymore
7. Carbon interior & Carbon steering wheel
⁃ @carbon_revolte on Insta is top notch!
8. Carbon air intake
9. Caliper repainting
⁃ £100 per corner - Paint on wheel
⁃ £500-800 Remove & spray paint
10. Security - GHOST recommended.
11. Tyres - Michelin PS4S or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics or Supersports
13. Superchargers - Weistec / ESS tuning
(PM for more info)
Awesome cars.
I've had mine approaching 6 years now. Not really sure what I'd ever replace it with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC_XBkcfD0U
I've had mine approaching 6 years now. Not really sure what I'd ever replace it with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC_XBkcfD0U
The info posted by Lee above rings true to me, although I understood you could see low to mid 20s mpg on a run? There might seem to be a long list of potential issues, but my impression overall is that these cars suffer fewer common expensive issues than most other German performance cars, probably about as safe a bet as you can find without going for a Lexus IS-F.
The biggest risk I see with C63s isn't really anything to do with the car itself, more some of the prior owners and how they may have treated the car - find a good one and I think you'd be very happy.
Good idea.
Where in the country is the car? My best result with a PPI (on a C55) was getting the selling dealer to take it to a local Merc specialist, MBS Southampton, I paid them £80 and in return they told me not to touch it with a bargepole. Which wasn't the result I wanted, but was the one I needed (I subsequently bought a different example). They were cheaper and better than the regular non-specialist inspectors I've used (AA, Clickmechanic) which have missed some stuff.
If you can find a good Merc specialist nearby and the seller will take it there, they can get the car up on the ramp and inspect it properly, they'll know what to look for, and if there are any issues they can quote to fix, so you'd know what you're in for. Eg MBS did a STAR diagnostic too.
Otherwise I'm 50/50 on getting an AA or RAC inspection, they'll find some stuff but I'm not convinced they'll necessarily find the expensive issues, and you can probably spot some things yourself.
May be worth joining mbclub forum to ask for a recommended specialist in the area.
Where in the country is the car? My best result with a PPI (on a C55) was getting the selling dealer to take it to a local Merc specialist, MBS Southampton, I paid them £80 and in return they told me not to touch it with a bargepole. Which wasn't the result I wanted, but was the one I needed (I subsequently bought a different example). They were cheaper and better than the regular non-specialist inspectors I've used (AA, Clickmechanic) which have missed some stuff.
If you can find a good Merc specialist nearby and the seller will take it there, they can get the car up on the ramp and inspect it properly, they'll know what to look for, and if there are any issues they can quote to fix, so you'd know what you're in for. Eg MBS did a STAR diagnostic too.
Otherwise I'm 50/50 on getting an AA or RAC inspection, they'll find some stuff but I'm not convinced they'll necessarily find the expensive issues, and you can probably spot some things yourself.
May be worth joining mbclub forum to ask for a recommended specialist in the area.
Edited by samoht on Monday 23 October 22:36
AmyRichardson said:
JDI said:
I've heard they are very tail-happy and can sometimes start slipping at the back even on the straight on motorway??
They've enough power to light the rear tyres up to ~40mph, so if you're careless - or get caught off-guard by the kickdown - in (say,) a hard overtake situation you might feel the car slipping down the camber, which is disconcerting. MB nannyish electronic intervention applies, for things to go badly wrong you need to have instigated it!But more generally they're harmless; if you want to drive like a cabbie in a C220d you can.
Only issue I had with mine was a cracked wheel common on the 19’s and £600 for a single wheel from merc, and a bonnet sensor broke £15 for a new one.
Great daily and sound fantastic, I do quite fancy another estate this time.
Thanks for the info especially about merc garage and costings will ask the seller if he's happy to get it checked out.
samoht said:
Good idea.
Where in the country is the car? My best result with a PPI (on a C55) was getting the selling dealer to take it to a local Merc specialist, MBS Southampton, I paid them £80 and in return they told me not to touch it with a bargepole. Which wasn't the result I wanted, but was the one I needed (I subsequently bought a different car). They were cheaper and better than the regular non-specialist inspectors I've used (AA, Clickmechanic) which have missed some stuff.
If you can find a good Merc specialist nearby and the seller will take it there, they can get the car up on the ramp and inspect it properly, they'll know what to look for, and if there are any issues they can quote to fix, so you'd know what you're in for. Eg MBS did a STAR diagnostic too.
Otherwise I'm 50/50 on getting an AA or RAC inspection, they'll find some stuff but I'm not convinced they'll necessarily find the expensive issues, and you can probably spot some things yourself.
May be worth joining mbclub forum to ask for a recommended specialist in the area.
Where in the country is the car? My best result with a PPI (on a C55) was getting the selling dealer to take it to a local Merc specialist, MBS Southampton, I paid them £80 and in return they told me not to touch it with a bargepole. Which wasn't the result I wanted, but was the one I needed (I subsequently bought a different car). They were cheaper and better than the regular non-specialist inspectors I've used (AA, Clickmechanic) which have missed some stuff.
If you can find a good Merc specialist nearby and the seller will take it there, they can get the car up on the ramp and inspect it properly, they'll know what to look for, and if there are any issues they can quote to fix, so you'd know what you're in for. Eg MBS did a STAR diagnostic too.
Otherwise I'm 50/50 on getting an AA or RAC inspection, they'll find some stuff but I'm not convinced they'll necessarily find the expensive issues, and you can probably spot some things yourself.
May be worth joining mbclub forum to ask for a recommended specialist in the area.
Good advice from samoht ^ up there.
I had a 2013 C63 Wagon but didn't like it much. Good points: the engine (which is a masterpiece), steering, cabin quality, seats, practicality.
Bad points: dim witted gearbox, lack of traction, 19" wheels made of cheese, fuel consumption.
It also suffered from the 'big car with immense power' effect, in that you could go very fast very quickly, but if you did there wasn't the handling or brakes to reassure. As a result, you mainly pootle around and then the noise inside the cabin - which is well insulated - wasn't really evident. Sure, it sounded great to pedestrians, but inside the car, not so much.
The car wasn't to my taste, but a lot of people love them.
I had a 2013 C63 Wagon but didn't like it much. Good points: the engine (which is a masterpiece), steering, cabin quality, seats, practicality.
Bad points: dim witted gearbox, lack of traction, 19" wheels made of cheese, fuel consumption.
It also suffered from the 'big car with immense power' effect, in that you could go very fast very quickly, but if you did there wasn't the handling or brakes to reassure. As a result, you mainly pootle around and then the noise inside the cabin - which is well insulated - wasn't really evident. Sure, it sounded great to pedestrians, but inside the car, not so much.
The car wasn't to my taste, but a lot of people love them.
Thank you one and all for ur advice. I've got a viewing arranged for next weekend and will get the car che ked out by mercedes Coventry. I'm looking to keep the car for a year and use as weekend car during summer. I'm looking to upgrade to the 4.0 c63 v8 biturbo 2015 next year and with that in mind I'm concerned I may be stuck with a 6.3 litre monster which may take a while to sell on. I don't mind waiting a cpuple of months to sell on but don't want it sat around for 6 months +
Does anyone have any experience with selling this particular model on? Amy advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Does anyone have any experience with selling this particular model on? Amy advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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