S205 C63 estate

[Mark83]

JAMSXR said:

You’ve had some nice blue cars, will the C63 make it to the ring?

Edited by JAMSXR on Sunday 5th February 07:14

Unlikely. Our first baby is due in six weeks so will be a while until I can get back out there. It's probably not the best of cars to lap either but would be nice to open it up on the autobahn.

[Mark83]

jwwbowe said:

Brilliant nice colour they are quite understated compared to a M car IMO, good to see it being pressed into proper estate duties to How does it compare to the S204 in terms of boring stuff like ride comfort, rear seat space etc? I’d consider both a S204 or S205 to replace our family bus and things like this are now a consideration

Both have decent rear leg room although an adult will be a little squashed behind me in the 205 and I'm only 5'10. Both swallow the garden shed with the rear seats folded. Not tried it in the 205 but the 204 swallowed my bike with both wheels left on.



S204
I swapped the fragile 19s for 18 and the ride improved massively.
The engine is the reason to buy the car alone.
Driver's seat is probably the most comfortable seat I've sat in.

S205
Firm ride on the 19s and clenched a few times with surprise potholes. Considering some 18s for next winter.
Infotainment is obviously a step up.
LSD as standard
Better MPG
Easily tuned
A better daily driver

I would have bought either and was looking at both. My priority was a car that offered value for money. It just so happens this S205 came along.

[JAMSXR]

Mark83 said:

JAMSXR said:

You’ve had some nice blue cars, will the C63 make it to the ring?

Edited by JAMSXR on Sunday 5th February 07:14

Unlikely. Our first baby is due in six weeks so will be a while until I can get back out there. It's probably not the best of cars to lap either but would be nice to open it up on the autobahn.

I know that feeling, ours is 14 months old. Bikes and cars took a bit of a back seat for the first 6-12 months.

Took mine around Goodwood a few times, wrong tool for the job but good fun nonetheless.

[jwwbowe]

Mark83 said:

Both have decent rear leg room although an adult will be a little squashed behind me in the 205 and I'm only 5'10. Both swallow the garden shed with the rear seats folded. Not tried it in the 205 but the 204 swallowed my bike with both wheels left on.



S204
I swapped the fragile 19s for 18 and the ride improved massively.
The engine is the reason to buy the car alone.
Driver's seat is probably the most comfortable seat I've sat in.

S205
Firm ride on the 19s and clenched a few times with surprise potholes. Considering some 18s for next winter.
Infotainment is obviously a step up.
LSD as standard
Better MPG
Easily tuned
A better daily driver

I would have bought either and was looking at both. My priority was a car that offered value for money. It just so happens this S205 came along.

Thanks good to know. We had a Mk7 Golf R estate when the first small one arrived, it was just about big enough to clobber all the paraphernalia that they come with, now the second one is here it is a bit of a squeeze (my bike had to have the wheel off). But the killer on it was the ride, would make me wince in mech sympathy over certain unavoidable potholes and it was on 18s. I think a C segment car would probably be big enough and like you for a well looked after s204 or s205, though your comment on the ride of the s205 makes me think I’d need to seek out a nasty bit of road on a test drive. I’m intrigued by a good E63 W212 also.

Edited by jwwbowe on Sunday 5th February 13:45

[Mark83]

I was looking at, and about to buy a facelift W212 E63 until my mate who's a Mercedes specialist and a local specialist strongly suggested the S205 over the 5.5 W212. They said the 4.0 is more reliable and robust than the 5.5. One example that stuck in my head was any turbo work on the 5.5 is an engine out job rather than on top of the engine like the 4.0. Maybe the pre-facelift with the 6.2 is the safer bet but they're over 10 years old now.

Edited by Mark83 on Sunday 5th February 13:43

[jwwbowe]

Mark83 said:

I was looking at, and about to buy a facelift W212 E63 until my mate who's a Mercedes specialist and a local specialist strongly suggested the S205 over the 5.5 W212. They said the 4.0 is more reliable and robust than the 5.5. One example that stuck in my head was any turbo work on the 5.5 is an engine out job rather than on top of the engine like the 4.0. Maybe the pre-facelift with the 6.2 is the safer bet but they're over 10 years old now.

Edited by Mark83 on Sunday 5th February 13:43

on the TT 5.5 well noted. We’ve had VAG cars for a long time as A. We get on with them and B. We have an excellent VAG specialist nearby. A switch to Mercedes would mean a new hunt for another specialist, is there an AMG tax in your experience? There very much is with RS (not so much S cars) our specialist warns me away from a C7 RS6 anytime you care to mention them for that very reason as a lot of the parts (even outside of the engine & box) are bespoke to the RS cars.

[Mark83]

I'm poking fate with a pointy stick here but my S204 was faultless apart from servicing which wasn't cheap for the big B (£1000+) service, although that was cushioned by a £40/m service plan. Too early to say in S205 experience but fully expecting AMG tax like the M tax I paid on my M3 and M4.

Edited by Mark83 on Sunday 5th February 17:57

[Mark83]

jwwbowe said:

on the TT 5.5 well noted. We’ve had VAG cars for a long time as A. We get on with them and B. We have an excellent VAG specialist nearby. A switch to Mercedes would mean a new hunt for another specialist, is there an AMG tax in your experience? There very much is with RS (not so much S cars) our specialist warns me away from a C7 RS6 anytime you care to mention them for that very reason as a lot of the parts (even outside of the engine & box) are bespoke to the RS cars.

I did look at C7 RS6s too as I love the exterior design however the interior and infotainment looks dated now, that coupled with one parked on the drive, visible from the road, would lead to some sleepless nights, awaiting a break in for the keys.

Specialist wise, Gareth at Ace Engineering in Billingshurst (West Sussex) is brilliant for all things AMG, he's a Mercedes specialist and wish I lived closer to him.

[Court_S]

That’s a great looking car op. The estate estate was the best looking of this era C class (sane as the previous gen too).

They make a great noise too.

[Mark83]

I hoped for over 30mpg but I was making good progress in places.



I'd be very happy with this two car garage. I miss my old 200 Cup and fancy another for track days.

[Mark83]

Decent MPG on the way home. Almost 600 miles this weekend and no discomfort. Comfort spec FTW.

[ftogpx]

What a small world! I bought Mark's S204 C63 back in Dec 2019! Congrats on the news of the new arrival mate - your life is about to change in many wonderful (and some not so wonderful ) ways. I bought your old C63 because I'd just had my first.... and now I've got two!

The new car looks great! Love the blue!

You'll be happy to know the old girl is still going strong... she's had many a trip to North Wales to blow the cobwebs away, and is a constant source of irritation to the other parents when driving off from the nursery pick up I've had a map and secondary cat delete to give a bit more sound on full throttle, and I couldn't resist a bit of dechroming and adding the 19s back (cos I'm a tart ).

I've been toying with replacing her for some time now... purely because I feel like a bit of a change (I also had the coupe version before this) and as you say, the ride quality is pretty bad on the 19s (not ideal as a daily driver family car with our shocking roads). But tbh, I just can't find something suitable to replace it with... I test drove the S205 C63, F80 M3, an S212 E63, and an Audi RS6 C7. All have clear plus points over the S204 C63 (mainly daily driver comfort, interior improvements, and looks - especially the RS6!). But ultimately, they just couldn't replicate the soul and emotional response I get from the 6.2 V8. Perhaps when we look to move to a two car family I'll have more success replacing her with a dedicated sports car, but as a single 'do it all' family car, she's def a keeper!

[Networkgeek]

Mark83 said:

I hoped for over 30mpg but I was making good progress in places.

I'd be very happy with this two car garage. I miss my old 200 Cup and fancy another for track days.

Fantastic C63, I really do like these cars. I really thought about buying one but decided to go for a BMW M2 instead. Talking of Clio RS200's, I still daily drive mine.

It does make me chuckle how many owners of really fast cars, either want a Clio RS or have one tucked away. It really is only a matter of time before the Clio RS start shooting up in value, well, that's what I keep telling my other half .

[Mark83]

ftogpx said:

What a small world! I bought Mark's S204 C63 back in Dec 2019! Congrats on the news of the new arrival mate - your life is about to change in many wonderful (and some not so wonderful ) ways. I bought your old C63 because I'd just had my first.... and now I've got two!

The new car looks great! Love the blue!

You'll be happy to know the old girl is still going strong... she's had many a trip to North Wales to blow the cobwebs away, and is a constant source of irritation to the other parents when driving off from the nursery pick up I've had a map and secondary cat delete to give a bit more sound on full throttle, and I couldn't resist a bit of dechroming and adding the 19s back (cos I'm a tart ).

I've been toying with replacing her for some time now... purely because I feel like a bit of a change (I also had the coupe version before this) and as you say, the ride quality is pretty bad on the 19s (not ideal as a daily driver family car with our shocking roads). But tbh, I just can't find something suitable to replace it with... I test drove the S205 C63, F80 M3, an S212 E63, and an Audi RS6 C7. All have clear plus points over the S204 C63 (mainly daily driver comfort, interior improvements, and looks - especially the RS6!). But ultimately, they just couldn't replicate the soul and emotional response I get from the 6.2 V8. Perhaps when we look to move to a two car family I'll have more success replacing her with a dedicated sports car, but as a single 'do it all' family car, she's def a keeper!

Congratulations on your second!

Great to hear you're still enjoying it. I've never had so much seller's remorse than seeing you drive off and ever since to be honest. It's the one car I've owned that I would buy again.

Sounds like you've looked at every car I also looked at too before I settled on this one. I don't blame you for wanting keeping your car, it was faultless when I had it and loved owning it.

I can see myself keeping this long term and buying a fun car to compliment it once we've recovered financially from our son's arrival and the extension.

Latest car related purchase

[Mark83]

Networkgeek said:

Fantastic C63, I really do like these cars. I really thought about buying one but decided to go for a BMW M2 instead. Talking of Clio RS200's, I still daily drive mine.

It does make me chuckle how many owners of really fast cars, either want a Clio RS or have one tucked away. It really is only a matter of time before the Clio RS start shooting up in value, well, that's what I keep telling my other half .

I have a lot of love for M2s, I'm sure you're enjoying it.

Genuinely loved my Clio 200 Cup and such fond memories, particularly on track; a great duel at Oulton and a three-way battle with two other 200s around Spa. Both ending in boiled brake fluid and taking too much of a liberty into a safe chicane with run off. I'm keeping an eye out for a clean Meglio 200 at a sensible price.

[Green2JZWagon]

Absolutely awesome car in a beautiful colour!

[Networkgeek]

Mark83 said:

I have a lot of love for M2s, I'm sure you're enjoying it.

Genuinely loved my Clio 200 Cup and such fond memories, particularly on track; a great duel at Oulton and a three-way battle with two other 200s around Spa. Both ending in boiled brake fluid and taking too much of a liberty into a safe chicane with run off. I'm keeping an eye out for a clean Meglio 200 at a sensible price.

The M2 is utterly fantastic, it's incredibly comfortable, effortlessly fast and the soundtrack from the N55 engine is lovely. But, I still look forward to driving my Clio Cup every day. They're just so much fun and now I have the M2, I don't crave more power from the Clio.

If you can find a good Meglio, you'll be onto such a winner. I had a play with a Meglio at Thruxton last year, I believe it was running 280/290bhp and at no point could my Clio keep up.

Spa is a fast circuit, how did the Clio get on there? I found mine was somewhat down on power at Thruxton when compared to the speed of all the other cars.

[CB 987]

Mark83 said:

Congratulations on your second!

Great to hear you're still enjoying it. I've never had so much seller's remorse than seeing you drive off and ever since to be honest. It's the one car I've owned that I would buy again.

Sounds like you've looked at every car I also looked at too before I settled on this one. I don't blame you for wanting keeping your car, it was faultless when I had it and loved owning it.

I can see myself keeping this long term and buying a fun car to compliment it once we've recovered financially from our son's arrival and the extension.

Latest car related purchase

I can recommend a car seat protector mat under the isofix base to reduce the indentations in the leather. I have used them for years in our cars and it has helped reduce wear and any permanent marks. I think ours are the Diono Ultra Mat ones, but there are loads of options.

Cheers.

[Mark83]

Networkgeek said:

The M2 is utterly fantastic, it's incredibly comfortable, effortlessly fast and the soundtrack from the N55 engine is lovely. But, I still look forward to driving my Clio Cup every day. They're just so much fun and now I have the M2, I don't crave more power from the Clio.

If you can find a good Meglio, you'll be onto such a winner. I had a play with a Meglio at Thruxton last year, I believe it was running 280/290bhp and at no point could my Clio keep up.

Spa is a fast circuit, how did the Clio get on there? I found mine was somewhat down on power at Thruxton when compared to the speed of all the other cars.

I was at Oulton last year in my M4 Comp having a nightmare in the rain. The fastest car that day was a Meglio on wets. It was comically fast and on rails, obviously racing wets aided massively but still.

Spa - I was full throttle, a lot. I could have read a book down some of the straights but still great fun through the corners. Cheap enough and slow enough to fully to commit into Blanchimont.

Five year plan is keep this and add a 718 GT4 but a bit of me loves driving a cheap car hard. I had just as much fun on track with my CIio, DC2 and mk2 MX5 as I've had in M3/4 and Exige.

Edited by Mark83 on Thursday 23 February 10:16

[Mark83]

CB 987 said:

I can recommend a car seat protector mat under the isofix base to reduce the indentations in the leather. I have used them for years in our cars and it has helped reduce wear and any permanent marks. I think ours are the Diono Ultra Mat ones, but there are loads of options.

Ordered. Thanks for the recommendation. The old towel can go back in the airing cupboard.