Dilema and advice needed
Discussion
Hi Guys, I recently sold my TVR Cerbera because my wife hated how low it was and scrapped over speed bumps. I'm considering a C63 Estate or E63 Estate in the hope the power will keep me happy and the practicality will score some brownie points. Other than the obvious difference in physical size of the cars, can any of you comment on what they are like, whether one is better than the other etc.? I've seen this E63 for sale which looks good value but can't find much info on the internet about what these are actually like to live with https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
At one stage I was thinking Maserati GTS but can almost picture my wife rolling her eyes. Then RS6 but some horror stories surrounding servicing put me off, same for the M5. I'm happy to spend up to 30k.
Thanks!
At one stage I was thinking Maserati GTS but can almost picture my wife rolling her eyes. Then RS6 but some horror stories surrounding servicing put me off, same for the M5. I'm happy to spend up to 30k.
Thanks!
Or this - this might be a stupid question but this mentions BiTurbo on the badge https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Does this tick all the boxes with LSD, HK, FMBSH, PPP? https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I did exactly what you're planning, went from a '98 4.5 Cerbera to a C63. My Wife didn't like the Cerbera either and she hates the Merc too. Two very different cars, the TVR always made me a tad apprehensive every time I fired it up and drove away, the Merc feels like any other car and doesn't stir the emotions as much. The Merc cannot match the Cerbera's road presence but there again you don't get every boy racer goading you to race them.
Performance wise, the Merc is quicker, road holding and handling is arguably better and it makes a nice noise but you don't hear much of it in the cabin. Fuel economy is about the same, servicing is cheaper but parts can be expensive. Traction control is obtrusive but can be turned down or off and does help out in the wet with all the power available.
Performance wise, the Merc is quicker, road holding and handling is arguably better and it makes a nice noise but you don't hear much of it in the cabin. Fuel economy is about the same, servicing is cheaper but parts can be expensive. Traction control is obtrusive but can be turned down or off and does help out in the wet with all the power available.
Firstly, the C63 and E63 are completely different prospects. The C class is obviously much nimbler and better suited to hystling down fast A roads, the downsides are (imo after going to an E class) you can see where merc economised on the C platform and it doesn't feel quite as special as the E & S. Being popular with a certain demographic it doesn't have the best of ownership images and it's getting harder to find one that hasn't been abused. Heavy on tyres and drinks fuel.
The E63 is a strange old thing and something of a marmite car. I think it's the best car I've ever owned - it actually looks much more aggressive in the metal - the front track is hugely wider and rear wheels are supercar wider, it has a certain Q car aspect but you won't mistake one for a tarted up diesel AMG line. The seats are incredibly comfortable, the cabin is well built and it feels like an absoloute panzer tank. the 3 pointed star on the bonnet constantly reminds you that you're in a 'proper' merc.
Engine wise - there is the 6.2 litre NA which was replaced by the 5.5 bi-turbo. The turbo is obviously easier to tune, the only real tuning option for the NA is a supercharger, but honestly if you have the performance pack and think the car is too slow you are insane - day to day I barely use 10 percent of the throttle - it jas so much torque in comfort mode it starts in second gear to avoid lighting the tyres up. If you have enough road space it loves to drift and is best described as a NASCAR trappef in a berlin taxi.
Noise wise the bi-turbo is more muted, in comfort mode in the cabin under 3k you barely hear the engine beyond a deep burble, but once you open her up in any of the sport settings its like being in a submarine with depth charges going off. I've had a lot of lovely engines but the AMG 6.2 is one of the finest sounding I've ever owned.
Running cost wise - insurance on the E is ok - only paid 60 quid a year more than my E350 diesel. Conti tyres are 240 front, 300 rear - will last 3k-18k miles depending on your right foot. 3 year service plan from mercedes is 45 a month. MPG - runs on super, lowest 4.5 mpg in heavy stop start traffic, best 26-27 on a 60 mph motorway cruise - average daily about 16-18 in comfort.
daily driving is a pleasure - car has so much torque you just put it in drive, dab the throttle and it rolls along with no effort.
downsides to the E - its a fair old tank so you need a lot of roadspace to use ant of its performance, the rims are 900 a go and very easy to kerb - a 3mph brush took a 3 inch chunk out of my tyre - even in comfort the suspension is pretty hard so you spend a lot of time driving around pot holes, speed bumps are still a problem - the air dam is low, and there isn't much play in the suspension so you have to still roll over them slowly.
Not many people own the E63 and a lot of people dismiss the car but the fact is it is a supercar hiding in an E class - the engine is probablt the most charismatic mercedes ever made, and they are rare as hens teeth. Tenorite grey is a lovely colour.
I would say try both - i have an E bias as i love the jekyll and hyde character of the E, and day to day its the most comfortable relaxing car I've ever owned - but the C is more of a hooligan car.
The E63 is a strange old thing and something of a marmite car. I think it's the best car I've ever owned - it actually looks much more aggressive in the metal - the front track is hugely wider and rear wheels are supercar wider, it has a certain Q car aspect but you won't mistake one for a tarted up diesel AMG line. The seats are incredibly comfortable, the cabin is well built and it feels like an absoloute panzer tank. the 3 pointed star on the bonnet constantly reminds you that you're in a 'proper' merc.
Engine wise - there is the 6.2 litre NA which was replaced by the 5.5 bi-turbo. The turbo is obviously easier to tune, the only real tuning option for the NA is a supercharger, but honestly if you have the performance pack and think the car is too slow you are insane - day to day I barely use 10 percent of the throttle - it jas so much torque in comfort mode it starts in second gear to avoid lighting the tyres up. If you have enough road space it loves to drift and is best described as a NASCAR trappef in a berlin taxi.
Noise wise the bi-turbo is more muted, in comfort mode in the cabin under 3k you barely hear the engine beyond a deep burble, but once you open her up in any of the sport settings its like being in a submarine with depth charges going off. I've had a lot of lovely engines but the AMG 6.2 is one of the finest sounding I've ever owned.
Running cost wise - insurance on the E is ok - only paid 60 quid a year more than my E350 diesel. Conti tyres are 240 front, 300 rear - will last 3k-18k miles depending on your right foot. 3 year service plan from mercedes is 45 a month. MPG - runs on super, lowest 4.5 mpg in heavy stop start traffic, best 26-27 on a 60 mph motorway cruise - average daily about 16-18 in comfort.
daily driving is a pleasure - car has so much torque you just put it in drive, dab the throttle and it rolls along with no effort.
downsides to the E - its a fair old tank so you need a lot of roadspace to use ant of its performance, the rims are 900 a go and very easy to kerb - a 3mph brush took a 3 inch chunk out of my tyre - even in comfort the suspension is pretty hard so you spend a lot of time driving around pot holes, speed bumps are still a problem - the air dam is low, and there isn't much play in the suspension so you have to still roll over them slowly.
Not many people own the E63 and a lot of people dismiss the car but the fact is it is a supercar hiding in an E class - the engine is probablt the most charismatic mercedes ever made, and they are rare as hens teeth. Tenorite grey is a lovely colour.
I would say try both - i have an E bias as i love the jekyll and hyde character of the E, and day to day its the most comfortable relaxing car I've ever owned - but the C is more of a hooligan car.
I recently went from a C63 (PPP) to an E63s both in estate guise and I agree with pretty much everything the poster above has said.
It feels so much more refined, seats especially. The main reason I chose to change was the rear seat space in the C is miniscule. My eldest is only 10 but it was getting to the point where he couldn't sit behind me when I was driving.
That's mine. Very rare in the S form. My dealer tells me they only sold 165 of them in the UK and only 19 of those were estates.
It feels so much more refined, seats especially. The main reason I chose to change was the rear seat space in the C is miniscule. My eldest is only 10 but it was getting to the point where he couldn't sit behind me when I was driving.
That's mine. Very rare in the S form. My dealer tells me they only sold 165 of them in the UK and only 19 of those were estates.
Edited by wistles on Friday 16th June 09:48
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