W204 C63 AMG Saloon
Discussion
Just over a year ago I had a Range Rover and an F-Type R75 Cab, which worked fine whilst my wife was on maternity leave, but the thought process was that when work life resumed we'd need two cars that were suitable for transporting our daughter around and to/from nursery. So I decided to buy an F-Pace SVR to replace the F-Type. However, I was then told they were stopping production of the F-Pace and wouldn't be able to provide me with the car...so I bought an Evoque. Don't get me wrong, it was a very nice car, and it dealt with the nursery run perfectly, but...
It didn't have a V8.
In hindsight, I probably should have just kept the F-Type for another year as the car seat we had (belted for that car as no ISOFIX) would have worked fine, and the lack of boot space for a pram would have only actually been an issue a couple of times, which we could have worked around. Never mind!
I then decided that I'd treat this period as an opportunity to tick off a few "cool" cars from years gone by. So I started searching for some cars - wants were basically interesting with 4 doors! Cars that I gave some serious thought to were the B7 RS4, F80 M3, E90 M3, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the W204 C63 AMG.
I was initially erring towards an F80 M3 as I'm a bit of a BMW fanboy, but became frustrated at the search - it's surprisingly hard to find a good car that isn't (in my opinion) poor value.
So I started looking at these 6.2l V8 monsters, and the idea kept warming on me. I've never been a huge Mercedes fan, but who can ignore that engine?
Within a few days of searching I'd found a car - previous owner had owned it for over 5 years, full service history, 18" wheels so much less risk of cracking (the 19's do it for fun, so good luck to anyone with the roads how they are at the moment!), good price. And, importantly for me, unmodified (apart from possibly some tinted windows). So I bought it!
Here it is on collection day in perfect weather
And a couple of days later after a bath
The car drove faultlessly on the way home, so next step was to fit CarPlay and delve into some preventative maintenance.
It didn't have a V8.
In hindsight, I probably should have just kept the F-Type for another year as the car seat we had (belted for that car as no ISOFIX) would have worked fine, and the lack of boot space for a pram would have only actually been an issue a couple of times, which we could have worked around. Never mind!
I then decided that I'd treat this period as an opportunity to tick off a few "cool" cars from years gone by. So I started searching for some cars - wants were basically interesting with 4 doors! Cars that I gave some serious thought to were the B7 RS4, F80 M3, E90 M3, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the W204 C63 AMG.
I was initially erring towards an F80 M3 as I'm a bit of a BMW fanboy, but became frustrated at the search - it's surprisingly hard to find a good car that isn't (in my opinion) poor value.
So I started looking at these 6.2l V8 monsters, and the idea kept warming on me. I've never been a huge Mercedes fan, but who can ignore that engine?
Within a few days of searching I'd found a car - previous owner had owned it for over 5 years, full service history, 18" wheels so much less risk of cracking (the 19's do it for fun, so good luck to anyone with the roads how they are at the moment!), good price. And, importantly for me, unmodified (apart from possibly some tinted windows). So I bought it!
Here it is on collection day in perfect weather
And a couple of days later after a bath
The car drove faultlessly on the way home, so next step was to fit CarPlay and delve into some preventative maintenance.
CarPlay was pretty easy - module from AliExpress and removing the radio, wiring in the box and putting it all back together. A bit fiddly, but makes a huge difference for a CarPlay obsessive like me!
The service schedule for the MCT gearbox on these is once at, I believe, 31k or 3 years. And that's it. This one had it done at 20k so with it now sitting on 75k I figured it was time to get this sorted - into a MB specialist for a fluid and filter change for the gearbox.
Air filters looked like they could do with a change, so I swapped these out along with changing the brake fluid and rear diff oil (just a standard diff on this car)
The service schedule for the MCT gearbox on these is once at, I believe, 31k or 3 years. And that's it. This one had it done at 20k so with it now sitting on 75k I figured it was time to get this sorted - into a MB specialist for a fluid and filter change for the gearbox.
Air filters looked like they could do with a change, so I swapped these out along with changing the brake fluid and rear diff oil (just a standard diff on this car)
One of the biggest "risks" with these engines is the injectors sticking open, which can cause catastrophic engine failure. The general consensus is if you have no proof of them being done, get it done ASAP.
So after a few days waiting for the post, along with some spark plugs (only 2 years out of the 3 yearly change but figured why not)...I set to work.
These engine bays look so good!
Ready to remove the fuel rail and injectors
Old injectors...
And new ones!
And finally the spark plugs.
So after a few days waiting for the post, along with some spark plugs (only 2 years out of the 3 yearly change but figured why not)...I set to work.
These engine bays look so good!
Ready to remove the fuel rail and injectors
Old injectors...
And new ones!
And finally the spark plugs.
Next bit of maintenance is the power steering reservoir. The fluid is rarely ever changed and the unit has an internal filter, so you have to replace the whole reservoir.
Old fluid coming out...it should be green!
New reservoir fitted and nice new fluid going in - looks a bit better than the old stuff
Another common failure point is the serpentine belt idler pulleys, so it's wise to change them if they've not been done.
The before...I'm very glad I did this as the idler pulleys were all bad and span very noisily and freely. Tensioner was the only one that was still OK but changed it too, of course.
Shiny new pulleys and belt fitted - all works tested and running nice and smoothly with no leaks :thumbsup:
Next on my agenda is touching up the seat bolsters as they're a bit worn - the rest of the seats are generally fine but I'll see how I get on.
Then it'll be put into use as my very fuel efficient nursery run car
Old fluid coming out...it should be green!
New reservoir fitted and nice new fluid going in - looks a bit better than the old stuff
Another common failure point is the serpentine belt idler pulleys, so it's wise to change them if they've not been done.
The before...I'm very glad I did this as the idler pulleys were all bad and span very noisily and freely. Tensioner was the only one that was still OK but changed it too, of course.
Shiny new pulleys and belt fitted - all works tested and running nice and smoothly with no leaks :thumbsup:
Next on my agenda is touching up the seat bolsters as they're a bit worn - the rest of the seats are generally fine but I'll see how I get on.
Then it'll be put into use as my very fuel efficient nursery run car
GR_TVR said:
trevalvole said:
Out of interest, how much was the new power steering reservoir?
I believe the Merc ones can be hard to come by, so I got a Vaico one from autodoc for around £30. The car continues to perform faultlessly, and always puts a big grin on my face.
Recently gone past 78k miles, so treated it to an oil and filter change, both with genuine Mercedes parts.
It really is impressive how it can be just at home doing the nursery run as going for a hoon!
The engine and car in general has so much character, it really is peak car.
And the fuel economy hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I was expecting - it's very good on a run (25mpg+) which helps to counter the "fun" drives. I've averaged 22mpg overall.
All that makes this next part sound silly, but I might have to move it on soon...I've bought an M3 Touring and am running out of space so something has to give.
I will really miss this one, it's definitely got under my skin.
Recently gone past 78k miles, so treated it to an oil and filter change, both with genuine Mercedes parts.
It really is impressive how it can be just at home doing the nursery run as going for a hoon!
The engine and car in general has so much character, it really is peak car.
And the fuel economy hasn't been anywhere near as bad as I was expecting - it's very good on a run (25mpg+) which helps to counter the "fun" drives. I've averaged 22mpg overall.
All that makes this next part sound silly, but I might have to move it on soon...I've bought an M3 Touring and am running out of space so something has to give.
I will really miss this one, it's definitely got under my skin.
Cooper7 said:
Are you able to share details of the CarPlay module as this is something I'm looking to upgrade on my W204?
Thanks
Easily available on AliExpress, about £60. You'll need to have the built in sat-nav module in your glovebox. If you do, it's literally plug and play, takes 5 seconds to install.Thanks
Mr Tidy said:
Shame you are having to part with it, but hopefully a new M3 Touring will make up for it!
Ha yes, the M3 is a lovely thing. Very different cars - I've always been more of a "BMW guy" but bought the C63 on a whim purely to experience the 6.2l V8. And what an engine it is, so much character! I certainly didn't expect to enjoy the car as much as I did, it really is a great package and fantastic value for money in my opinion.CrippsCorner said:
Cooper7 said:
Are you able to share details of the CarPlay module as this is something I'm looking to upgrade on my W204?
Thanks
Easily available on AliExpress, about £60. You'll need to have the built in sat-nav module in your glovebox. If you do, it's literally plug and play, takes 5 seconds to install.Thanks
This is the unit I bought (the NTG 4.5/4.7) - bit more than the glovebox unit and a lot more faff to get it installed, but it works very well!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011602353177.h...
Mpg very impressive, as you say, I really think these are peak car.
The f pace svr I have, through mixed driving is around 21mpg. However I have to admit our of the 6k miles done about 4k is motorway.
Stop start traffic it's 12 to 14 mpg per the car, per my app this is more like 10 to 12 mpg.
But my gosh the noise, it more than makes up for it. I'm staggered mine has a gpf filter.
Do absolutely love the C63, and in my opinion one of the greatest engines to have ever been put in a car.
The f pace svr I have, through mixed driving is around 21mpg. However I have to admit our of the 6k miles done about 4k is motorway.
Stop start traffic it's 12 to 14 mpg per the car, per my app this is more like 10 to 12 mpg.
But my gosh the noise, it more than makes up for it. I'm staggered mine has a gpf filter.
Do absolutely love the C63, and in my opinion one of the greatest engines to have ever been put in a car.
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