RE: Mercedes C63 AMG (W204) | The Brave Pill

RE: Mercedes C63 AMG (W204) | The Brave Pill

Saturday 19th June 2021

Mercedes C63 AMG (W204) | The Brave Pill

Early C63s are getting cheap. They might not be for long



The values of many ageing performance cars are rarely considered, only crossing the line into mild news when an unexpected auction result (or optimistic advertised price) brings a "how much?" moment. But the prices being asked for some are scrutinized more closely than technology stocks, their every fall or rally carefully analysed as they approach benchmark figures.

The first-generation Mercedes C63 has long been in this latter category. This is a car that has always been regarded as pretty special, but has started to seem much more rare and exotic as the world has moved on and it has become obvious we will never see anything like it again: a C-Class with a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8.

The C63's growing distance from the downsizing Zeitgeist has led to an equal-but-opposite equation to stabilise prices in recent years. One side of this features the entirely expected force of depreciation; a weighty force given that the newest V8-powered W204s are now seven years old. The other is a growing belief that future seekers of late combustion classics are likely to regard the C63 as a truly special outlier, and ultimately be prepared to pay for it accordingly. So although early cars dropped below £20,000 more than five years ago, the rate of decline has since slowed dramatically. Our Pill is one of the first in the classifieds to be offered below £15,000, and you don't need much imagination to see values moving back into positive growth soon.


The story of the C63 is mostly that of its spectacular powerplant. This was the 'M156' V8, an engine that AMG had persuaded Merc's senior management the tuning division should be allowed to develop by itself. Created around the brief of making both road-going and motorsport versions, development was led by Wolf Zimmerman, who later moved to Lotus under Dany Bahar and is now in charge of Ferrari's F1 engines. It featured such exotic tech as a rigid Formula 1 style bedplate to better locate the main bearings, used an aluminium-silicon alloy for both block and cylinder heads and had a forged crankshaft and connecting rods.

Having been introduced at the facelift of the W211 E-Class in 2006, the M156 soon spread throughout the upper reaches of the Mercedes range, with the ML, S-Class, CL, CLS, CLK and SL rapidly gaining it. The big question was which of the smaller AMG variants would also get it. We soon learned it was too big and muscular for the SLK, which stuck with the older 5.5-litre M113. The AMG W203 C-Class had also used this smaller engine, but when Mercedes replaced this in 2007 it was confirmed the successor W204 would move to the M156. The C63 launched in saloon and estate guise the following year.

It was an inspired choice, one of the greatest examples of the small car - big engine combination that has created many performance heroes. The new engine had been downtuned slightly to ensure the cheapest AMG saloon didn't get to be faster than its bigger sisters, officially making 451hp as launched - the contemporary E63 having 507hp - but that didn't stop one U.S. mag from blasting the C63 from 0-60mph in just 3.9-seconds. But having been stung by criticism of the W203 C43 and C55's stodgy handling, AMG also gave the C63 a much heavier package of revisions. These included new front suspension, a much faster steering rack than the regular C-Class and the fully defeatable stability control system it had denied previous C-AMG buyers.


Even in turned down guise the mighty engine gave the C63 a comfortable power advantage over its most obvious rivals. Both the E90 BMW M3 and B7 Audi RS4 made 414hp from their much smaller naturally aspirated V8s, and the torque difference was even more marked. The AMG's 443lb-ft peak might not look outrageous in these turbocharged times, but it beat the Audi by 126lb-ft and the BMW by a massive 148lb-ft. On paper, this was a grenade at a knife fight.

Despite its manifest awesomeness, early critical reaction usually didn't go the AMG's way. Reviewers agreed that the W204 was a huge improvement over its predecessor, but against the sublime M3 it was often found slightly lacking when it came to the sort of apex-fondling ten-tenths performance that turns roadtesters truly frothy. Yet as an all-round proposition the brawnier and rortier Mercedes was close to unbeatable, especially given its low-tenths civility thanks to its smooth shifting autobox, pliant ride and instant go.

The C63 had another superhero ability too, one that many owners would discover on empty roundabouts or quiet industrial estates: a remarkable talent for spectacular, controllable power oversteer. When equipped with the all-important optional limited slip differential the baby AMG's combination of mid-range torque and an indulgent chassis enabled it to be drifted more easily than almost anything else. Which wasn't fast, but was certainly fun.


Our Pill is a 2010 saloon version with the Performance Pack, meaning it has the LSD, with its (just) sub-£15K pricetag seemingly due to both 132,000 miles and what could be anticipated market suspicion over a modest amount of visual non-standardness. None of this is particularly egregious: the spoked alloys have been repainted black, as has exterior badging and boot spoiler, the darkening also extending to rear privacy glass. It has also gained a much more aggressive diffuser element beneath the rear bumper than the one it will have left the factory with, and wears its front numberplate in the unorthodox position inside the windscreen. The lack of a mounting plinth for the plate suggests the car has been running like this for some time. Which, as we all know, is naughty. It also seems to be sitting slightly lower than the standard car.

The selling dealer loves capital letters, but also promises both a full history and a recent service. The MOT history doesn't throw up anything too alarming, but features two fails for worn rear tyres - these coming two years and 16,000 miles apart - plus two more recent advisories. Running costs will always be spicy - a 20mpg global average is a good score, tax is full wallop and anyone with an imperfect insurance record is likely to have to dig deep. Mechanically they are regarded as being tough, but even small issues can bring big bills.

Our Pill shows where the bottom of the market is at present, a place that is always going to require a more robust attitude to risk than paying more for an obviously cherished example. Or, summarized: small car, big engine, modest price.


See the full ad here


Author
Discussion

The1Driver

Original Poster:

727 posts

151 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I have alot of love for the C63, more so for the facelifted wagon. Regarding this particular car, the placement from the front reg and modified diffuser is a major turn off for me.

anonymous-user

53 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I’d enjoy restoring this to it’s former glory. It looks alright - just needs to be de-chavved/de-Birminghammed.

richinlondon

591 posts

121 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I always worry about the treatment from previous owners when they make awful mods like this

Don1

15,936 posts

207 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Alloys can come like that from the factory, but an easy job to get them resprayed in brilliant silver.

Word of warning - use the parking brake otherwise they corrode and replacements are £600ish at a local specialist (go on, ask me how I know).

Front brakes £700ish.

I was impressed at the change in driving manners following a gearbox service. A lot less dull witted in town driving.

All in all - find a good one, spend the money and enjoy. I adore mine. Even with the 19" wheels on it.

BarcelonaLewis

150 posts

135 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I never thought I'd be saying this, but our next family wagon will most likely be a plug-in. In 5 years time the demand for petrol stations will be significantly lower, and in 10, 15, 20 it'll surely be difficult to fill up - that doesn't seem to be taken into account when people pre-empt future values of cars like this.

Bright Halo

2,951 posts

234 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Good car with a great engine.
Finding one in decent condition that has been well looked after is getting difficult and unfortunately they now don’t have a good image.
We had a facelift saloon in fire Opal red and absolutely loved it!
I think values for this type of big engined will firm up and even rise somewhat when people realise it is their last opportunity to experience these large capacity fossil burners before we are all forced down the ev route. Later when ownership becomes virtually impossible due to fuel availability and tax costs values will then plummet.

whp1983

1,168 posts

138 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Always tempted never did it…. They’re just in that awkward chav chariot phase at the moment that E46 M3s went through a while back…. Good to get a clean one and then as numbers dwindle due to bad maintenance and driving it’ll be a classic.

apm142001

275 posts

88 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
BarcelonaLewis said:
I never thought I'd be saying this, but our next family wagon will most likely be a plug-in. In 5 years time the demand for petrol stations will be significantly lower, and in 10, 15, 20 it'll surely be difficult to fill up - that doesn't seem to be taken into account when people pre-empt future values of cars like this.
I won’t be getting a plug-in anytime soon, for various reasons, but very much agree with the rest. Petrol probably will remain available for quite a while, but as users fall away prices will surely rise steeply as a much smaller buyer base has to cover the production costs. And that’s before future governments tax it by several hundred per cent because raising fuel prices won’t be the vote-loser it still is currently, if the majority no longer need it. So if 20mpg hurts now, it’s only going to get worse! Which is a shame as I’d love one of these (though one that’s as AMG intended, rather than this particular this festival of chav).

stuart100

447 posts

56 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
BarcelonaLewis said:
I never thought I'd be saying this, but our next family wagon will most likely be a plug-in. In 5 years time the demand for petrol stations will be significantly lower, and in 10, 15, 20 it'll surely be difficult to fill up - that doesn't seem to be taken into account when people pre-empt future values of cars like this.
That’s hugely pessimistic. Petrol and diesel cars will still be able to be bought new in nearly 10 years time. Hybrids for another 15. There will be a huge amount of ICE cars on the road in 10-15 years time. Perhaps in 20 years you will see a few petrol stations disappearing. I can’t see a Mad Max situation of finding petrol hard to find anytime soon.

cerb4.5lee

30,197 posts

179 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
This is definitely a car that you buy for the engine and they make an awesome noise I reckon. I've always wanted one but I wish these were offered with the option of a manual gearbox though.

I had a manual E92 M3 but I always wanted this engine in the M3 though for sure. I personally prefer torque over high revs and that is the C63s trump card I reckon.

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

134 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Pre facelift m156 you might need to have the head bolts done as a precaution and then maintenance is your regular German stuff. Door mechanisms, electric seats/steering wheel can have gremlins, that sort of thing. Some of it is unique to the 63, most isn’t but still quite expensive as it’s a merc.
The finish on some of the interior is dodgy, the chrome coating on plastic can peel, but the seats are very comfy.
But that noise and that kick in the back is so worth little niggles that you’d expect on any 10 year old car.
Owners group on fb is a bit of a mixed bag though. Lots of people having to do their own maintenance for the first time as they’ve spent all their money on petrol, insurance and bling. biggrin

The suspension setup is also reported to eat the inside edge of the tyres. Front and rear so not just a “what do you expect with all that torque” thing

Edited by talksthetorque on Saturday 19th June 09:02

thenobbler

74 posts

225 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
stuart100 said:
That’s hugely pessimistic. Petrol and diesel cars will still be able to be bought new in nearly 10 years time. Hybrids for another 15. There will be a huge amount of ICE cars on the road in 10-15 years time. Perhaps in 20 years you will see a few petrol stations disappearing. I can’t see a Mad Max situation of finding petrol hard to find anytime soon.
I suspect the truth is somewhere in between. Politicians will hammer the green agenda for us and not them (they keep their cars, right?), and renewables may well come on faster than the sceptics believe possible, but at the same time I expect buyer resistance based on price and range will be a powerful factor unless some new technologies make batteries cheaper and lighter and charging faster.

Unless something changes radically then I’ll be keeping it just the way it is chez nobbler - tax friendly Pace for local journeys out to 50-60 miles, bonkers SL63 for longer jaunts and holidays. And cocking about, obvs.

Always did fancy a C63, but I agree with the previous poster’s fear and loathing of a chav chariot. Stock, low miles and impeccable history for me (which of course takes it up into different price territory. Great choice of Pill this week!

The Rotrex Kid

30,192 posts

159 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I very, very nearly bought one last year ('09 Saloon in black with PP) for around £13k. I talked myself down off the ledge though after worrying myself about the huge possible bills. There are some nice cars out there but the money has definitely gone up a lot over the last 12 months, and then some dealers are going way above the 'book' values as well!

luggie

18 posts

228 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Went to buy one of these the other week from a well known performance centre in the north of England. Agreed price etc, went for test drive upon where it decided it would try & smoke us out from under the bonnet. Didn’t buy it surprisingly biggrin

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
Pills and old Merc C63 AMG mentioned in the post title.
Unfortunately the German whip does have that sort of ownership profile for recreational chemicals in some places so if you’re put off by ‘image’ as many on here are, it might not be the car for you!

Bright Halo

2,951 posts

234 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
luggie said:
Went to buy one of these the other week from a well known performance centre in the north of England. Agreed price etc, went for test drive upon where it decided it would try & smoke us out from under the bonnet. Didn’t buy it surprisingly biggrin
Possibly cam cover oil leak which is common. Oil leaks out and lands on the exhaust manifold then smokes like mad.
Had it on ours. Merc fixed it foc even though it was years out of warranty. They are gasket less and just rely on sealant which seems strange to me.

Uncle John

4,271 posts

190 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
This one has blatantly been Barried for the town centre one way grand prix.

Wouldn't go near it.

Alex_225

6,234 posts

200 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I love the M156 V8, it's an awesome engine and one I opted for in my CLS63. I also rather like the C63, it's a lot more lairy than the likes of the CLS or E63.

The only trouble I have with the C63 is that it appealed to a certain type of driver. In many car videos you'd see it clinging to the rear bumper of super cars and being driven hard. For example there was a guy who had one, used to park it directly outside Costa (next to my office in London) right on a corner in everyone's way. Casually walk back to the car, then insist on taking it high up into the revs so we could all hear him pull away. Bell end. That kind of driving didn't seem uncommon in these which is a shame.

So sadly I think a modified one like this would conjure up that kind of driving and put me off.

That said a mint, standard example in years to come will be a lovely thing and I've seen some on here or other groups who cherish their C63s. Those are the ones that do appeal! smile

sideways man

1,307 posts

136 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
After driving one at Brooklands Mercedes world, I fell in love with these. Refined when tricking along, sounds like the devil when floored. 20mpg is just about bearable for me, I hope to get one soon…Maybe not this example, £5k more gets you a mint one.

I used to have a Sunbeam Lotus; same ethos as these, cracking engine in a normal car. It also did around 20mpg laugh

Edited by sideways man on Saturday 19th June 10:08

Court_S

12,764 posts

176 months

Saturday 19th June 2021
quotequote all
I like these, just not this example!

I want a facelift estate. Unfortunately these are young through that bad period that lots of performance cars go through when they reach or get near rock bottom price wise. They often fall into the hands of idiots, but the C63 will come through it. The E46 M3 has.