Borrowed a C63 for the weekend...
Discussion
My friendly local MB dealer has lent me a C63 for the weekend, as I'm thinking of swapping from the M3. It will be interesting to have the comparison after living with the e90 M3 for the last 2 years - I will post my thoughts if anyone's interested! The C63 has all the toys: Power upgrade PPP, LSD, Distronic etc.
Initial thoughts are: The engine and exhaust note are fantastic, lots of low down torque and effortless acceleration. Interestingly, the M3 V8 feels more potent and manic at the top part of the rev range. This facelift car has the new MCT gearbox which is not quite a double clutch (wet clutch instead of a torque converter) which I'm told is much better than the previous slushbox. Apparently it's meant to swap cogs in 100ms in manual mode but it doesn't feel that responsive to me, maybe I just need to get know it a bit better. Handling wise, my impression is that the M3 is better - more composed, more agile, and lighter. This car has the 18" wheels and standard AMG suspension so it would be interesting to see if 19" and the AMG Performance suspension closes the gap at all. Interior on the C63 is fantastic, the seats are superb. But I think the iDrive is significantly better than Mercedes Comand. All IMO of course.
Not sure which I prefer at the moment TBH. Both have pros/cons.
Let's hope the rain stays away this weekend
Initial thoughts are: The engine and exhaust note are fantastic, lots of low down torque and effortless acceleration. Interestingly, the M3 V8 feels more potent and manic at the top part of the rev range. This facelift car has the new MCT gearbox which is not quite a double clutch (wet clutch instead of a torque converter) which I'm told is much better than the previous slushbox. Apparently it's meant to swap cogs in 100ms in manual mode but it doesn't feel that responsive to me, maybe I just need to get know it a bit better. Handling wise, my impression is that the M3 is better - more composed, more agile, and lighter. This car has the 18" wheels and standard AMG suspension so it would be interesting to see if 19" and the AMG Performance suspension closes the gap at all. Interior on the C63 is fantastic, the seats are superb. But I think the iDrive is significantly better than Mercedes Comand. All IMO of course.
Not sure which I prefer at the moment TBH. Both have pros/cons.
Let's hope the rain stays away this weekend
Yes I'm certainly interested in your thoughts and comparisons!!
Out of interest, how many miles has the C63 you've been given got? From experience they not only get noticeably quicker but also noticeably louder with age. This is comparing 2 x new C63s (<100 miles) vs an 8000 mile example.
Also regarding the 19"s, you will find they'll give slightly more weight to the steering but at the expense of a little low-speed ride comfort. However the 18"s and LSD will make for a beautifully progressive and throttle adjustable rear end.
I look forward to hearing more :-)
Out of interest, how many miles has the C63 you've been given got? From experience they not only get noticeably quicker but also noticeably louder with age. This is comparing 2 x new C63s (<100 miles) vs an 8000 mile example.
Also regarding the 19"s, you will find they'll give slightly more weight to the steering but at the expense of a little low-speed ride comfort. However the 18"s and LSD will make for a beautifully progressive and throttle adjustable rear end.
I look forward to hearing more :-)
ghibbett said:
Out of interest, how many miles has the C63 you've been given got? From experience they not only get noticeably quicker but also noticeably louder with age. This is comparing 2 x new C63s (<100 miles) vs an 8000 mile example.
I drove a demo C63 coupe with 500 miles (non-pp+) before Xmas, and recently bought a C63 saloon with 10000 miles (PP+, LSD etc). BIG difference in performance between the two cars Ok, so I've been making the most of the sunny weather and went for a little road trip with my mate tagging along in his 997.2 C2S PDK. This C63 is really growing on me! The sounds it makes when you do a flat upshift from 2nd to 3rd, or when it auto-blips on a downshift is hilarious. I don't think I would ever tire of it. Acceleration wise, there wasn't much in it compared to the C2S. Compared to the M3 it's noticeably quicker in a straight line, although it's not night and day as the M3 is obviously still a very fast car.
My biggest concern with this car is the standard AMG suspension. It feels a bit too wallowy. If I jiggle the steering wheel at 70mph you can feel it moving on it's suspension and bushes quite a bit. For me personally, I think I would have to spec the uprated suspension, but I have no idea if that makes the everyday ride quality unbearable or not.
Other must have options for me would be PP+ and LSD. The HK sound system is fantastic but I haven't used it hardly at all because I love listening to that engine! Distronic radar cruise is pretty cool but quite pricey so not sure I would have that.
ghibbett - it has just under 8000 miles on the clock and is certainly loud enough! Good tip on the 19"s - the steering is a bit light on this car but has a decent amount of steering "feel".
Phooey - do you think the difference was due to mileage or more the PP+?
My biggest concern with this car is the standard AMG suspension. It feels a bit too wallowy. If I jiggle the steering wheel at 70mph you can feel it moving on it's suspension and bushes quite a bit. For me personally, I think I would have to spec the uprated suspension, but I have no idea if that makes the everyday ride quality unbearable or not.
Other must have options for me would be PP+ and LSD. The HK sound system is fantastic but I haven't used it hardly at all because I love listening to that engine! Distronic radar cruise is pretty cool but quite pricey so not sure I would have that.
ghibbett - it has just under 8000 miles on the clock and is certainly loud enough! Good tip on the 19"s - the steering is a bit light on this car but has a decent amount of steering "feel".
Phooey - do you think the difference was due to mileage or more the PP+?
Edited by HammyHamster on Saturday 16th June 16:37
HammyHamster said:
Phooey - do you think the difference was due to mileage or more the PP+?
Probably a combination of both mate, but deffo a good percentage down to the PP+. I've also heard a few reports from those that have owned/driven both the non-PP+ car AND a PP+ car - that the performance pack makes a noticeable difference to performance (and i think sound?)LSD is a must if you like to wag the tail!
Tyre wear and fuel economy is a bit batty, but not surprising given the weight of the car, size of the rubber, and power and torque etc etc (although i have upgraded to 265 rears from 255 = worthwile)
re suspension - it's not as nimble as an M3, and doubt the suspension upgrade would make it either. It does however ride fine imo and once used to it's weight, you can push it along quite briskly.
I drove an M3 DCT coupe last year. Gearbox, and engine noise in the last few k before red-line was the M3's plus points, but the car just didn't put a smile on my face like the C63 does
I can confirm that you never tire of the noise these cars make. 2 years and 49,000 miles later it still makes me giggle.
Rear tyre wear is heavy. Absolute max from a rear set is 7000 miles of my wife does most of them. 5500-6000 miles much more the norm. Definitely worth sticking with the 18s if you are doing a lot of miles. The ride is better as is steering feel and progressiveness. Also the Continental M0 5P is only available in 18" size for his car. 19s were never developed. The car can feel soft in roll, but it actually suits the character of the car. This isn't a pretend racer like an M3. It's no good as a track car at all do of you do even the occasional trackday you might want to look elsewhere.
Most amazingly, I am still on the original disks and pads after 49k miles! When I'm driving it (about 50% of the time) I almost always drive it in manual with Sport traction control or traction control off. This probably saves a lot of brakes as I use engine breaking coming down through the gears and the TC isn't as active which does eat brakes.
Amazing car and in estate form a very very practical one too.
By the way, the diff is ace and I would recommend it as number one option if you like to slide a car around.
Rear tyre wear is heavy. Absolute max from a rear set is 7000 miles of my wife does most of them. 5500-6000 miles much more the norm. Definitely worth sticking with the 18s if you are doing a lot of miles. The ride is better as is steering feel and progressiveness. Also the Continental M0 5P is only available in 18" size for his car. 19s were never developed. The car can feel soft in roll, but it actually suits the character of the car. This isn't a pretend racer like an M3. It's no good as a track car at all do of you do even the occasional trackday you might want to look elsewhere.
Most amazingly, I am still on the original disks and pads after 49k miles! When I'm driving it (about 50% of the time) I almost always drive it in manual with Sport traction control or traction control off. This probably saves a lot of brakes as I use engine breaking coming down through the gears and the TC isn't as active which does eat brakes.
Amazing car and in estate form a very very practical one too.
By the way, the diff is ace and I would recommend it as number one option if you like to slide a car around.
chiefski26 said:
Wow original pads at 49k miles on a c63!
It's pretty mental isn't it? It's even done a few laps of Bedford. I think a lot is to do with running manual mode and using engine braking where possible (just to hear that blipped down shift as much as anything) and partly to do with the Merc dealer. Pretty sure that if the car had been going into a Porsche stealer they would have tried to replace them after 20k. At last service the service guy Valle me and said "the pads and disks are heavily worn, but at this rate they should be ok to go til the next service" It's in for it's next service on Monday and I'll tell them I know about the pads and I'm just going to drive it until the warning light comes on. Disks and pads are both going to need doing so no point in worrying about scoring the disks with pads burnt down to the rivets at this point. Just going to use them until they're complete toast.
Quite interested in how a current M3 driver is finding the C63 since I'm very tempted at purchasing a new C63 towards the end of the year, got a test drive booked for August and I'm probably going to look at an M3 too.
Since there seems to be a few C63 drivers here i was wondering how many bought one from new and if so is it worth picking up that service package for £40 a month for 3 years?
Also tempted by the factory collection option
Just hoping the test drive sells me on the car
Since there seems to be a few C63 drivers here i was wondering how many bought one from new and if so is it worth picking up that service package for £40 a month for 3 years?
Also tempted by the factory collection option
Just hoping the test drive sells me on the car
Ok guys n gals, I've come to the end of my weekend with the C63 so I thought it was time for my closing thoughts.
I think what it ultimately comes down to is this; the M3 is a better car at 9/10ths, it has deeper reserves of grip, handling, poise, balance, whatever you want to call it. However for the rest of the time when you're not driving at 9/10ths, the C63 has more appeal. It has a lot of character, it's fun to drive even at low speeds. The power is so accessible due to the torque, it's effortless performance and thoroughly addictive. The M3 seems to goad you on and make you drive like a lunatic, probably due to it's more revvy, zingy engine. The C63 on the other hand just punches you down the road with no effort at all.
They are both fabulous cars and I don't think you could go wrong with either.
I think what it ultimately comes down to is this; the M3 is a better car at 9/10ths, it has deeper reserves of grip, handling, poise, balance, whatever you want to call it. However for the rest of the time when you're not driving at 9/10ths, the C63 has more appeal. It has a lot of character, it's fun to drive even at low speeds. The power is so accessible due to the torque, it's effortless performance and thoroughly addictive. The M3 seems to goad you on and make you drive like a lunatic, probably due to it's more revvy, zingy engine. The C63 on the other hand just punches you down the road with no effort at all.
They are both fabulous cars and I don't think you could go wrong with either.
Thanks for sharing your views.
I think you've hit the nail on the head; the M3 is the better car by measureable specifics, however the MB is just a good all rounder. My thought are that the M3 would make the better 2nd car / weekend toy etc, whereas the C63 is the better day-to-day prospect.
So anyway, the big question is are you going to be chopping in the M3 for a C63?
I think you've hit the nail on the head; the M3 is the better car by measureable specifics, however the MB is just a good all rounder. My thought are that the M3 would make the better 2nd car / weekend toy etc, whereas the C63 is the better day-to-day prospect.
So anyway, the big question is are you going to be chopping in the M3 for a C63?
ghibbett said:
So anyway, the big question is are you going to be chopping in the M3 for a C63?
I'm extremely tempted! I'm just running through the options with the dealer. However I think there is quite a wait to get a car as there is a backlog at AMG (can't build the engines fast enough apparently). ghibbett said:
Out of interest, if you did change what do you think you would miss the most from the M3?
2 things - changing gear (manual box) at 8500rpm, and when you really want to take the car by the scruff of it's neck and go for it. But, as I said before, how often do you get to do either of those things on the road? Damn I sound old and boring!I notice you get your new motor soon, what spec did you go for? I like the new Magnetite Black.
Phooey said:
I wonder how different that would be if the M3 had DCT?@hammyHamster - I have gone for a palladium estate with privacy glass, option 18" wheels and am currently trying to justify the £1750 for the LSD. I still have time to amend my spec so will see regarding anything else.
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