RE: The £15k C63 AMG: Spotted
Discussion
I really want one, have wanted one since I passed my driving test
The problem is the mileage I'm doing, anywhere between 15-20k miles a year due to the nature of my job, can't do that with a C63
Yet I need the job to be able to afford the C63, what a conundrum
I do feel like it's now or never, these cars will rust and become money pits like the E39 M5, as lovely as they are, they're just way too much to run now
The problem is the mileage I'm doing, anywhere between 15-20k miles a year due to the nature of my job, can't do that with a C63
Yet I need the job to be able to afford the C63, what a conundrum
I do feel like it's now or never, these cars will rust and become money pits like the E39 M5, as lovely as they are, they're just way too much to run now
big_rob_sydney said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
big_rob_sydney said:
Alex_225 said:
I'm a fan of these C63s and obviously owning a CLS63 am a fan of that V8!
I don't think 80k is much of a mileage to worry about and the rest of the car as said is normal C Class. The running costs won't be cheap as realistically 12-14mpg is likely plus proper servicing.
It's a bit like the classic Impreza, went through it's phase where people bought them cheap, ruined many and now they're rarer people appreciate a good one. I suspect the same will happen with these.
Personally I do prefer the E63 and CLS63, not as nimble as one of these I'm sure but don't quite have the same image.
This is getting close to what I was alluding to, but even so, I think it doesn't cover the depth of the discussion enough.I don't think 80k is much of a mileage to worry about and the rest of the car as said is normal C Class. The running costs won't be cheap as realistically 12-14mpg is likely plus proper servicing.
Gameface said:
Low priced C63's attract a certain sort of people these days.
Sadly this is the one thing that puts me off these cars most. Since they have dropped down in value, I have seen a number of people driving them around which gives them a certain image. This is the loudest and most lairy AMG of the time and now it's cheap, people that want a loud and shouty car love these. It's a bit like the classic Impreza, went through it's phase where people bought them cheap, ruined many and now they're rarer people appreciate a good one. I suspect the same will happen with these.
Personally I do prefer the E63 and CLS63, not as nimble as one of these I'm sure but don't quite have the same image.
The sheer age of the car alone means that mechanical parts will inevitably break down. Add old parts, to a powerful engine, where large forces are being introduced, and you have a recipe for all manner of breakages. It is, as has been correctly pointed out, a very basic spec car, with a big engine. Once the engine goes, what are you left with? A s
tty C class in need of an engine, with close to 100,000 miles on it. It will be worthless.Do C63 engines self destruct just before 100k then?
You really are talking rubbish lol.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
big_rob_sydney said:
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
big_rob_sydney said:
Alex_225 said:
I'm a fan of these C63s and obviously owning a CLS63 am a fan of that V8!
I don't think 80k is much of a mileage to worry about and the rest of the car as said is normal C Class. The running costs won't be cheap as realistically 12-14mpg is likely plus proper servicing.
It's a bit like the classic Impreza, went through it's phase where people bought them cheap, ruined many and now they're rarer people appreciate a good one. I suspect the same will happen with these.
Personally I do prefer the E63 and CLS63, not as nimble as one of these I'm sure but don't quite have the same image.
This is getting close to what I was alluding to, but even so, I think it doesn't cover the depth of the discussion enough.I don't think 80k is much of a mileage to worry about and the rest of the car as said is normal C Class. The running costs won't be cheap as realistically 12-14mpg is likely plus proper servicing.
Gameface said:
Low priced C63's attract a certain sort of people these days.
Sadly this is the one thing that puts me off these cars most. Since they have dropped down in value, I have seen a number of people driving them around which gives them a certain image. This is the loudest and most lairy AMG of the time and now it's cheap, people that want a loud and shouty car love these. It's a bit like the classic Impreza, went through it's phase where people bought them cheap, ruined many and now they're rarer people appreciate a good one. I suspect the same will happen with these.
Personally I do prefer the E63 and CLS63, not as nimble as one of these I'm sure but don't quite have the same image.
The sheer age of the car alone means that mechanical parts will inevitably break down. Add old parts, to a powerful engine, where large forces are being introduced, and you have a recipe for all manner of breakages. It is, as has been correctly pointed out, a very basic spec car, with a big engine. Once the engine goes, what are you left with? A s
tty C class in need of an engine, with close to 100,000 miles on it. It will be worthless.Do C63 engines self destruct just before 100k then?
You really are talking rubbish lol.
t and wont buy it. Begone troll.
okenemem said:
what could go wrong hahahaha
Like any high performance car, things can go wrong, however i'd have this all day long over say, an M5 V10 or an RS6 or RS4 which can be horror stories and i think it highlights theres alternative metal out there rather than the go to choice of an M3.Its certainly not for the risk averse but with due diligence, some of that risk can be mitigated. I certainly wouldnt knee jerk in to buying the first C63 i see based purely on price.
Deep Thought said:
Like any high performance car, things can go wrong, however i'd have this all day long over say, an M5 V10 or an RS6 or RS4 which can be horror stories and i think it highlights theres alternative metal out there rather than the go to choice of an M3.
Its certainly not for the risk averse but with due diligence, some of that risk can be mitigated. I certainly wouldnt knee jerk in to buying the first C63 i see based purely on price.
If you are really risk adverse you can stump for a Lexus IS-F. I think they hover a bit above this price point mind you - yet rarity and reliability might make it the more cost effective car. Its certainly not for the risk averse but with due diligence, some of that risk can be mitigated. I certainly wouldnt knee jerk in to buying the first C63 i see based purely on price.
I still think it will fall from £15k - the previous model (the C55 and C32 on the W203 chassis) can be had for peanuts - as can the previous previous model (the C43 and C36 on the W202 chassis) for even less.
Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
LexyLex said:
If you are really risk adverse you can stump for a Lexus IS-F. I think they hover a bit above this price point mind you - yet rarity and reliability might make it the more cost effective car.
I still think it will fall from £15k - the previous model (the C55 and C32 on the W203 chassis) can be had for peanuts - as can the previous previous model (the C43 and C36 on the W202 chassis) for even less.
Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
The C63 was the first C AMG to really compete with the equivalent M cars. Plus it has that engine. I still think it will fall from £15k - the previous model (the C55 and C32 on the W203 chassis) can be had for peanuts - as can the previous previous model (the C43 and C36 on the W202 chassis) for even less.
Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
That should help keep the values from plunging too much.
Previous incarnations of C class AMGs were never seen as good as the equivalent BMW M cars. But saying that decent examples of them are holding value and some are stating to go up.
LexyLex said:
If you are really risk adverse you can stump for a Lexus IS-F. I think they hover a bit above this price point mind you - yet rarity and reliability might make it the more cost effective car.
Agreed. LexyLex said:
I still think it will fall from £15k - the previous model (the C55 and C32 on the W203 chassis) can be had for peanuts - as can the previous previous model (the C43 and C36 on the W202 chassis) for even less.
Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
Do they though? A good C55 is going to be nigh on £10K. Thats for a 2004 car, so thats "only" a £5K drop for a car 4 years older and the previous gen. We could see a situation like the 350Z / 370Z. 350Z's are around £5+ upwards to nigh on £10K, which seems to be keeping the price of a 370Z above that.Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
A C32 seems to be able to be bought for around £3,000 ish but those cars are from an era when Mercedes rusted badly, so i'd say on close inspection, the price reflects the money needing spent to make it prestine. Lets say a prestine one is worth £5-6,000 thats maybe an 02/03 car. And they werent great cars or great engines - unlike say an M3 of that era.
But i agree with you - and i never said otherwise even if maybe others did - these cars will still drop in value, however thats a lot of performance for the money and the worst of its depreciation is over.
Deep Thought said:
LexyLex said:
If you are really risk adverse you can stump for a Lexus IS-F. I think they hover a bit above this price point mind you - yet rarity and reliability might make it the more cost effective car.
Agreed. LexyLex said:
I still think it will fall from £15k - the previous model (the C55 and C32 on the W203 chassis) can be had for peanuts - as can the previous previous model (the C43 and C36 on the W202 chassis) for even less.
Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
Do they though? A good C55 is going to be nigh on £10K. Thats for a 2004 car, so thats "only" a £5K drop for a car 4 years older and the previous gen. We could see a situation like the 350Z / 370Z. 350Z's are around £5+ upwards to nigh on £10K, which seems to be keeping the price of a 370Z above that.Prior AMG C classes have fallen to near shed of the week values - why won't this - at nearly 10 years old it's worth 25% of it's cost new. Another 5 years and 40k miles it will lose that again - and will through up some age related issues as well as any design/engineering related faults (headbolts, speed plates, EIS faults etc).
A C32 seems to be able to be bought for around £3,000 ish but those cars are from an era when Mercedes rusted badly, so i'd say on close inspection, the price reflects the money needing spent to make it prestine. Lets say a prestine one is worth £5-6,000 thats maybe an 02/03 car. And they werent great cars or great engines - unlike say an M3 of that era.
But i agree with you - and i never said otherwise even if maybe others did - these cars will still drop in value, however thats a lot of performance for the money and the worst of its depreciation is over.
I bought my 1996 C36 when it was 10 years old, and 80,000 miles for £5k. It was a tidy, full-histories car with the odd cosmetic blemish.
You can’t get a ten year old AMG for anything like that now, even allowing for inflation adjustment.
I’ve still got the car, thirteen years later, and my insurance company value it significantly higher than the purchase price, despite its 120,000 miles.
I would argue that the early cars, in good condition, are rising in value now. The C32s are more complex, prone to rot, and still falling. C55s are thin on the ground, and really good cars are five-figures still.
In terms of comparison, it’s interesting to check the European car sales sites where prices are significantly higher.
I’ve also bought a 2013 C63, on the basis of the positive affiliation with my original AMG. I saved up for a fully warranted low mileage main dealer facelift car, and fully expect it to depreciate, albeit gently.
In terms of running costs, I’m really pleased. Insurance is under £200 a year, as I’m a low-mileage 50 something living in a rural area, and after an 80 mile trip yesterday, the car was showing 25.5 mpg.
When I bought my 36, the image had slipped to the level where the early 63s may be at the moment. Any affordable performance/ aspirational saloon car is likely to follow this path. The 36 has emerged; no self-respecting wannabe gangsta wants a 22 year old bright red Merc.
You can’t get a ten year old AMG for anything like that now, even allowing for inflation adjustment.
I’ve still got the car, thirteen years later, and my insurance company value it significantly higher than the purchase price, despite its 120,000 miles.
I would argue that the early cars, in good condition, are rising in value now. The C32s are more complex, prone to rot, and still falling. C55s are thin on the ground, and really good cars are five-figures still.
In terms of comparison, it’s interesting to check the European car sales sites where prices are significantly higher.
I’ve also bought a 2013 C63, on the basis of the positive affiliation with my original AMG. I saved up for a fully warranted low mileage main dealer facelift car, and fully expect it to depreciate, albeit gently.
In terms of running costs, I’m really pleased. Insurance is under £200 a year, as I’m a low-mileage 50 something living in a rural area, and after an 80 mile trip yesterday, the car was showing 25.5 mpg.
When I bought my 36, the image had slipped to the level where the early 63s may be at the moment. Any affordable performance/ aspirational saloon car is likely to follow this path. The 36 has emerged; no self-respecting wannabe gangsta wants a 22 year old bright red Merc.
cramorra said:
Head bolts to start with in a pre 2012 PP which at that price would almost be a write off
Performance pack break discs weigh in at almost 10% of the asking price of that beauty... so worth checking if they are well ( they last a lot longer than the normal discs though)
Otherwise it s well built
If it s an 08 car it will have the performance pack plus rather than performance pack which throws in a free mech lsd which is nice to have there are other things too worth checking (p30 in specs)
Problems with the ( now quite outdated) command screen can let it end up stuck not fully closed and drain the battery and it eats rear tires for breakfast
Should be in the brave pill for the driving experience alone especially in winter
I mostly miss mine for the sound especially on startup and the low speed rumble....
The spec of this looks nice most of them have black seats which is boring ( the leather isn’t as good as it looks and the side bolsters wear)
My main reason against buying one now is that too many drive them now with their head bolted on the wrong way ( or do Burberry caps not fit if the screen puts points to the front) who paint their callipers red to make them look like a PP
I loved mine in the four years I had it and all in all did not have roomy probs
I debadge all my cars at the back just like the smoother looks
Where I grew up more than 80 percent of Benzes, BMW and Audi’s are debadged only jsp cars have lots of letters at the back I was really surprised that in the UK most cars wear the full Lametta
Now proudly own possibly the only debadged Lexus GSF in the country
Tend to avoid buying advice from someone who has to make two edits to their post and still cant spell brake discs. Performance pack break discs weigh in at almost 10% of the asking price of that beauty... so worth checking if they are well ( they last a lot longer than the normal discs though)
Otherwise it s well built
If it s an 08 car it will have the performance pack plus rather than performance pack which throws in a free mech lsd which is nice to have there are other things too worth checking (p30 in specs)
Problems with the ( now quite outdated) command screen can let it end up stuck not fully closed and drain the battery and it eats rear tires for breakfast
Should be in the brave pill for the driving experience alone especially in winter
I mostly miss mine for the sound especially on startup and the low speed rumble....
The spec of this looks nice most of them have black seats which is boring ( the leather isn’t as good as it looks and the side bolsters wear)
My main reason against buying one now is that too many drive them now with their head bolted on the wrong way ( or do Burberry caps not fit if the screen puts points to the front) who paint their callipers red to make them look like a PP
I loved mine in the four years I had it and all in all did not have roomy probs
I debadge all my cars at the back just like the smoother looks
Where I grew up more than 80 percent of Benzes, BMW and Audi’s are debadged only jsp cars have lots of letters at the back I was really surprised that in the UK most cars wear the full Lametta
Now proudly own possibly the only debadged Lexus GSF in the country
Edited by cramorra on Friday 17th May 08:21
Edited by cramorra on Friday 17th May 08:40
How is a £1500 bill going to write off on a £15k car or if you mean after you buy it and all of sudden after 12 years working fine it fails? What % of cars with the old head bolts actually fail?
ChocolateFrog said:
cramorra said:
Head bolts to start with in a pre 2012 PP which at that price would almost be a write off
Performance pack break discs weigh in at almost 10% of the asking price of that beauty... so worth checking if they are well ( they last a lot longer than the normal discs though)
Otherwise it s well built
If it s an 08 car it will have the performance pack plus rather than performance pack which throws in a free mech lsd which is nice to have there are other things too worth checking (p30 in specs)
Problems with the ( now quite outdated) command screen can let it end up stuck not fully closed and drain the battery and it eats rear tires for breakfast
Should be in the brave pill for the driving experience alone especially in winter
I mostly miss mine for the sound especially on startup and the low speed rumble....
The spec of this looks nice most of them have black seats which is boring ( the leather isn’t as good as it looks and the side bolsters wear)
My main reason against buying one now is that too many drive them now with their head bolted on the wrong way ( or do Burberry caps not fit if the screen puts points to the front) who paint their callipers red to make them look like a PP
I loved mine in the four years I had it and all in all did not have roomy probs
I debadge all my cars at the back just like the smoother looks
Where I grew up more than 80 percent of Benzes, BMW and Audi’s are debadged only jsp cars have lots of letters at the back I was really surprised that in the UK most cars wear the full Lametta
Now proudly own possibly the only debadged Lexus GSF in the country
Tend to avoid buying advice from someone who has to make two edits to their post and still cant spell brake discs. Performance pack break discs weigh in at almost 10% of the asking price of that beauty... so worth checking if they are well ( they last a lot longer than the normal discs though)
Otherwise it s well built
If it s an 08 car it will have the performance pack plus rather than performance pack which throws in a free mech lsd which is nice to have there are other things too worth checking (p30 in specs)
Problems with the ( now quite outdated) command screen can let it end up stuck not fully closed and drain the battery and it eats rear tires for breakfast
Should be in the brave pill for the driving experience alone especially in winter
I mostly miss mine for the sound especially on startup and the low speed rumble....
The spec of this looks nice most of them have black seats which is boring ( the leather isn’t as good as it looks and the side bolsters wear)
My main reason against buying one now is that too many drive them now with their head bolted on the wrong way ( or do Burberry caps not fit if the screen puts points to the front) who paint their callipers red to make them look like a PP
I loved mine in the four years I had it and all in all did not have roomy probs
I debadge all my cars at the back just like the smoother looks
Where I grew up more than 80 percent of Benzes, BMW and Audi’s are debadged only jsp cars have lots of letters at the back I was really surprised that in the UK most cars wear the full Lametta
Now proudly own possibly the only debadged Lexus GSF in the country
Edited by cramorra on Friday 17th May 08:21
Edited by cramorra on Friday 17th May 08:40
How is a £1500 bill going to write off on a £15k car or if you mean after you buy it and all of sudden after 12 years working fine it fails? What % of cars with the old head bolts actually fail?
On topic
% are difficult to obtain... seems in the states it was a bigger issue or got more publicity... in Europe MB was also less forthcoming with repairs if your car was out of warranty although them changing the bolts imo acknowledges a design issue
Head bolts can fail ANY time with little notice and have failed after 30k miles of working fine
If they fail and you don’t spot early signs than the bill is far higher as you don’t swap head bolts but the engine- last time I spoke to somebody this was iro 20k - surely a rebuild might be cheaper but not lots.... put that in relation to your 15k
Make if that what you will
Now prices have come down I d by a later model for peace of mind and prob either not a Performance Pack or if would have converted brake discs to SL AMG ones
Have fun
Edited to add
your eclectic list of seasoned performance cars gives you obviously extensive experience of the risk and bills potentially associated with ownership
Edited by cramorra on Monday 27th May 15:21
(as well as lots of other reasons of course....)MickyveloceClassic said:
When I bought my 36, the image had slipped to the level where the early 63s may be at the moment. Any affordable performance/ aspirational saloon car is likely to follow this path. The 36 has emerged; no self-respecting wannabe gangsta wants a 22 year old bright red Merc.
Well said and what a beautiful carArt0ir said:
Well said and what a beautiful car
Kind words, thank you. If I’ve got an appreciating AMG and a depreciating one, I’ve got a balanced life.
In terms of mileage, our less miles-squeamish European cousins have several Cs, Es and S-class cars with this engine for sale with in excess of 200,000 kms. Even a Black Series C.
MickyveloceClassic said:
Art0ir said:
Well said and what a beautiful car
Kind words, thank you. If I’ve got an appreciating AMG and a depreciating one, I’ve got a balanced life.
In terms of mileage, our less miles-squeamish European cousins have several Cs, Es and S-class cars with this engine for sale with in excess of 200,000 kms. Even a Black Series C.
But a nice one to have to make
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