C63 Estate - the "sensible" family car
Discussion
The perfect car for a long haul, I drove a C63 back to back against my F80 M3 and was impressed by the softness and GT nature of the car.
Lovely lazy V8 and soft ride would munch the miles very well, the M3 felt like a rabid nutter in comparison, I was surprised at the lack of engine noise on WOT at about 80mph but very relaxing to drive and cruise around in.
Enjoy!
Lovely lazy V8 and soft ride would munch the miles very well, the M3 felt like a rabid nutter in comparison, I was surprised at the lack of engine noise on WOT at about 80mph but very relaxing to drive and cruise around in.
Enjoy!
t about glitter in cars (or anywhere) until you've experienced the Asda Cinderella dress. It's ludicrous. 
GrantB5 said:
That would have pi**ed me off with the tow bar on my front plate... that wasn't an accident.
I doubt it was deliberate. Most french people don't see cars as things to care for, dents are just a natural part of life, bumpers are for bumping against when parking. I remember in Bordeaux walking along the street, getting past four or five cars in a row before finding one without obvious body damage.great write up OP....great to see another estate C63, love the colour.
I too managed to somehow justify a sensible estate car and got a 2012 FL estate (in boring white, but not complaining) with 14k miles on the clock from a dealer. 20 months of ownership now and I can't imagine what I'd replace it with (RS6 perhaps but plenty more ££).
My two brats (sorry girls) also have made the rear of the car their own...i don't bother going in until its time for the weekly (ok 2 weekly), clearout!
Done plenty of tip trips, and long trips with another one to Belgium next weekend.
I too managed to somehow justify a sensible estate car and got a 2012 FL estate (in boring white, but not complaining) with 14k miles on the clock from a dealer. 20 months of ownership now and I can't imagine what I'd replace it with (RS6 perhaps but plenty more ££).
My two brats (sorry girls) also have made the rear of the car their own...i don't bother going in until its time for the weekly (ok 2 weekly), clearout!
Done plenty of tip trips, and long trips with another one to Belgium next weekend.
They look good in white, thanks for sharing! I was just keen to avoid black when I was looking.
I'm still loving the ease of the practicality for 5 people and the accessibiity of the power when it's only me.
I'm now 9 months and @5k in now and my only niggle is a rattle in the roof lining behind / around the sunroof which it's going into the dealer to be sorted (under warranty is my expectation!) at the beginning of September.
It's an utterly ridiculous car, and the fact you can get a roofbox on it, fill the boot, pop the kids in the back makes it all the more special for not being boring when it could be so easily as a family car (like our Touran).
I'm still mystified as to why it sounds 11/10 outside but only 5/10 inside...
Edit to add - pic of it having managed the cruise to Cornwall with alarming ease over Easter, if you look closely you can see the 50k flies I executed with the roofbox... yuk
I'm still loving the ease of the practicality for 5 people and the accessibiity of the power when it's only me.
I'm now 9 months and @5k in now and my only niggle is a rattle in the roof lining behind / around the sunroof which it's going into the dealer to be sorted (under warranty is my expectation!) at the beginning of September.
It's an utterly ridiculous car, and the fact you can get a roofbox on it, fill the boot, pop the kids in the back makes it all the more special for not being boring when it could be so easily as a family car (like our Touran).
I'm still mystified as to why it sounds 11/10 outside but only 5/10 inside...
Edit to add - pic of it having managed the cruise to Cornwall with alarming ease over Easter, if you look closely you can see the 50k flies I executed with the roofbox... yuk
Edited by krisdelta on Saturday 19th August 00:29
sagarich said:
Do any of the drive mode setting alter exhaust noise/tone? Or are they purely dynamic and ride quality settings?
On the C63 it's just the throttle / gearbox attitude. On the E you can play with suspension too. The newer 4l models have (I believe) an optional switchable sports exhaust. krisdelta said:
sagarich said:
Do any of the drive mode setting alter exhaust noise/tone? Or are they purely dynamic and ride quality settings?
On the C63 it's just the throttle / gearbox attitude. On the E you can play with suspension too. The newer 4l models have (I believe) an optional switchable sports exhaust. Great thread.
I too have a c63 estate in white and have had it for two years!
Superb sound, great practicality, I really can't think of anything to replace it with....
Photo of mine below, absolutely filthy, wheels are supposed to be black with a polished lip.
Kris, I am not far from you have have a set of 18's taking up space, will pm you.
I too have a c63 estate in white and have had it for two years!
Superb sound, great practicality, I really can't think of anything to replace it with....
Photo of mine below, absolutely filthy, wheels are supposed to be black with a polished lip.
Kris, I am not far from you have have a set of 18's taking up space, will pm you.
So, an update on the "noisy" car - a year and approx 7k miles in.
It's still a great all rounder, easy to drive and park, easy to get 5 people in, easy to use £70 of fuel in the blink of an eye. So far, so normal.
Over the summer I (and vocal passengers who shall remain nameless) were starting to tire of the "sporty" ride, courtesy of the very low profile tyres on the 19" wheels that are a factory option on the car. With the increasing volume of potholes and degrading road surfaces, it felt like it was "skipping" if during a turn or accelerating - not particuarly inspiring, especially in the wet.
A very nice PH'er (Carlton Banks) sold me a set of the standard 18" wheels from his collection, which I've had shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymettric 3's - this has transformed the car - it's far far better on the roads and just feels more controlled. The ride has smoothed out and it feels more drivable and is much nicer to be in.
This means tyre roar is much reduced, comfort is up and the engine / exhaust noise comes more to the fore - just how it should be.
Yes, it's slightly less sexy on the 18" wheels, but this is an estate car and it is a family car - so I'll find a way to fight off the lady folk who persist due to the awesomeness of my family wagon.
In terms of problems, it's only a rattle in the roof liner that's caused me woe in the last year, it took 3 visits to the dealer to fix - and I'm writing this before I test drive it now its just returned from it's third visit- assuming that it is indeed fixed.
In all fairness to Guildford Mercedes, their customer service has been exceptional and despite being dubious of main dealers with a couple of poor experiences under my belt, they've provided top notch aftersales support and picked up and dropped the car back each time even though I am not convinced it's a warranty item.
Next step is to consider how to release a bit more noise from the car without upsetting anyone and I think investing in an LSD can only be worthwhile too.
It's still a great all rounder, easy to drive and park, easy to get 5 people in, easy to use £70 of fuel in the blink of an eye. So far, so normal.
Over the summer I (and vocal passengers who shall remain nameless) were starting to tire of the "sporty" ride, courtesy of the very low profile tyres on the 19" wheels that are a factory option on the car. With the increasing volume of potholes and degrading road surfaces, it felt like it was "skipping" if during a turn or accelerating - not particuarly inspiring, especially in the wet.
A very nice PH'er (Carlton Banks) sold me a set of the standard 18" wheels from his collection, which I've had shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymettric 3's - this has transformed the car - it's far far better on the roads and just feels more controlled. The ride has smoothed out and it feels more drivable and is much nicer to be in.
This means tyre roar is much reduced, comfort is up and the engine / exhaust noise comes more to the fore - just how it should be.
Yes, it's slightly less sexy on the 18" wheels, but this is an estate car and it is a family car - so I'll find a way to fight off the lady folk who persist due to the awesomeness of my family wagon.
In terms of problems, it's only a rattle in the roof liner that's caused me woe in the last year, it took 3 visits to the dealer to fix - and I'm writing this before I test drive it now its just returned from it's third visit- assuming that it is indeed fixed.
In all fairness to Guildford Mercedes, their customer service has been exceptional and despite being dubious of main dealers with a couple of poor experiences under my belt, they've provided top notch aftersales support and picked up and dropped the car back each time even though I am not convinced it's a warranty item.
Next step is to consider how to release a bit more noise from the car without upsetting anyone and I think investing in an LSD can only be worthwhile too.
Nice write up, I’m currently contemplating one of these to replace my E91 BMW in the next year. I’ve also been looking at an E90 M3 saloon, but I do prefer an estate.... Some of the M3 saloons do seem expensive when compared to equivalent C63’s.
My preferrence is a facelift wagon, ideally with the performance pack option, which seems to be quite a rare on the estates. I much prefer the 18’s on these, especially when debadged, quite stealth, well apart from the noise!
My preferrence is a facelift wagon, ideally with the performance pack option, which seems to be quite a rare on the estates. I much prefer the 18’s on these, especially when debadged, quite stealth, well apart from the noise!
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