S205 C63 estate

[Mark83]

Renewed the service plan for another two years so when I come to sell, the new owner gets a car with FMBSH from new.

Insurance renewal time too. Tentatively opened the email and it's increased by £150 to £750. Not great but not bad considering the current trend of big premium increases in the news and on here.

[Mark83]

identti said:

Great write up! I’m also looking at getting a family wagon for similar reasons (currently drive a 987.2 Cayman S).

I’m currently weighing up an S204 with LSD or S205 non S (also just seen your old W204 C63 is up for sale on Autotrader, which looks lovely).

Test drove an immaculate S204 yesterday and the engine is obviously phenomenal, but the gearbox was a bit of a let down in manual mode - massive delay between pulling the upshift paddle and it actually changing up (the ZF 8 speed in my old M135i was miles better and doing what you wanted and doing it smoothly).

How is the gearbox in the S205 compared to the S204?

I saw my old C63 for sale too. If it had come up for sale this time last year, I would have bought it back.

My ZF experience was when my local BMW dealer gave me a M140i for a day and it's a brilliant auto box and better than the S204 in my opinion. Difficult to compare S204 and S205 as I had a DCT M4 in between and the shifts in that were instant, especially on track when pushing on and neither C63s are as good. I've no complaints though in daily use and when I drop a couple of gears for a squirt down a slip road or an overtake. Downshifts can be a little slow though.

[Mark83]

JAMSXR said:

I found the S205 gearbox significantly better than the S204, but still not quite on par with the ZF. Personally I would be going for the Bi-Turbo as a daily, slightly less drama but more competent, reliable and efficient. Sports/valved exhaust is a must! Mine was used for kids, dogs and track days.

S205 is certainly more efficient. The sail function in comfort mode is great for improving the mpg although doesn't work with cruise control, or I've not found a way. The lack of engine braking takes some getting used to though and still struggle to gauge approaching traffic.

Noisy exhaust was a must have for me. 360 camera too. HUD was a nice to have as it's like hen's teeth on the C63s but do really miss it from my M4. Comfort seats are also really comfortable on long drives so don't be put off by them.

What brake pads did you use on track? I've used RS29s on my M3 and M4 and they handled the weight well. I fancy stretching its legs and taking it on a DN track day next year but different pads are a must.

[Mark83]

Service and MOT day.



I dropped it off this morning and they just called. I tentatively pick up... "so it needs quite a bit more doing to it than it was originally booked in for (A2 service). It also needs spark plugs and rear diff oil so can we keep it until tomorrow or re-book in?"

Opting for the service plan saved me a four figure bill as an early Christmas present!

Edit - failed its MOT for cords exposed on the inner edge of the front tyres. I check the main tyre treads regularly to make sure the tyres are good. Wouldn't have seen this unless I got under the car or took a wheel off. That's two decent treaded Michelin Pilot 4S tyres in the bin. A quick Google and I'm not alone. Lots of info online of the same issue. Seems it's toe related so will get an alignment done too.

Edited by Mark83 on Thursday 7th December 16:51

[Mark83]

Two new front Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres fitted this morning for £430. Frustrating to see how much tread there was across the tyres but how little there was at the inner sidewall.

And the geometry that caused it...



MOT chap was a little over-zealous with the brakes and gave me advisories. Pads are maybe 50% worn, no lip on front discs or visible issues, rear discs have a small lip so I'll agree with that one. Brakes are a DIY job for the spring.

Edited by Mark83 on Saturday 9th December 13:21

Edited by Mark83 on Saturday 9th December 17:28

[Mark83]

Service, MOT, the next 12 months breakdown cover and a clean inside and out. Invoice was £0.00. Thank you service plan.

Engine, brake and diff fluid changed, new spark plugs plus all the usual service items.



Next job, buy some new brake pads and discs, and wait for some warmer weather to fit them myself.

[Mark83]

Not yet. I got an advisory for some front lower arm bushes so I am getting these replaced and then I'll do the geometry tweak.

[Mark83]

New year, new bills.

Dropped it off at my local specialist to diagnose the small oil leak picked up at the MOT. It's suffered the same fate as my A/C condenser, stone through it. £700 supply and fit. Lower arm bushes are worn and those are £475 supply and fit each side. All parts are Mercedes OEM.

Car is booked in later in the month for all the work. I'll then get the geometry set up. Another bill...

[Mark83]

Car's back. My wallet is considerably lighter.

New oil cooler and lower arms fitted as flagged in the MOT as advisories. They looked at the brakes which were an advisory. They said Mercedes were fishing for work as with my mileage, they're a 2025 job.

Needs a wash though...

[Mark83]

First unexpected repair today since I bought it. Engine management light came on while in France. Seen same day at Mercedes Rennes, and it's a lambda sensor. They said I can drive home or have to fitted tomorrow. I chose tomorrow for peace of mind.

[Mark83]

JAMSXR said:

Good service. I found Mercedes to be the best of the big 3, but my local was Brooklands so that might be why.

Couldn't fault the service. Their excellent English also trumped my average French so felt more inclined to spend my money there.

In other news, there goes my pipe dream of relocating to France with a fast car...

[Mark83]

A St Malo youth fast estates appreciation club member was out papping my car. Luckily it was there in the morning.





So few petrol head cars about in the couple of weeks we were in France.

The showroom at Mercedes gave me a clue why, €60,000 eco tax on the AMG GT 63...



None of the hybrid S63 E though...



Even a 2015 C63S is steep...

[Mark83]

Nothing much to report, nothing spent on the car other than petrol. Averaging 23mpg since I bought it.

I feel bad flirting with F90 M5s on days like today.

[Mark83]

Test driving an X3M at the weekend How bad can the ride be? Never been an SUV fan but lifting a toddler in and out of a car, I get the appeal now.



I'm still 80/20 swaying towards an AUC F90 M5 Competiton and an ideal spec car has appeared on BMW's website. Hmm...



Probably not an ideal time to sell the C63, nothing wrong with it and it's next service and MOT is already paid for through a service plan but might help a private sale should I want to proceed with one of the cars I've seen. I just fancy a change after a couple of years.

[Mark83]

JAMSXR said:

M5 for me, but I’m one of those people who just doesn’t like SUVs. I want my performance car to feel proper, and by proper I mean not jacked up with extra weight.

I’ve gone from an S205 C63, FL5 Type R, 2020 RS4, and now in an F80 M3. Definitely found my happy place in the M3 combined with our family car. The Audi was the most expensive and disappointing of that bunch.

Edited by JAMSXR on Monday 30th September 23:52

I think I'm the same re. SUVs. If I could have a second fun car, I'd be more swayed but this needs to be a do it all car hence swaying heavily towards the M5. I like the idea of finishing work early and squeezing in a track evening every now and again. I can do that in the M5, not in the X3M.

I do still have a saved search for San Marino Blue F80 M3s...

[Mark83]

Expensive month incoming. Insurance, service and MOT. Service plan takes care of the service and MOT at least. The car probably needs two rear tyres and pads and discs all round to avoid any advisories

Car booked in at my local specialist for the brakes. I had grand plans of doing themself but work and life have got in the way.

Kwik-Fit seems the cheapest with their Black Friday discount on a pair of rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

With all that expenditure, I'm less inclined to change cars as what I've spent won't be reflected in what I'd get for it.

Edited by Mark83 on Sunday 17th November 16:56

[Mark83]

Insurance renewed today, £841.

Saw an approved used M5 Comp that ticked all my boxes in the week so phoned the dealer to view it today, seems it ticked someone else's as it had sold with a couple of days of hitting BMW website.

[Mark83]

Rear traction has dropped off a cliff. New set of rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres ordered. £580 at my local Kwik Fit with a Black Friday discount code.

Pads and discs next week. £985 in parts ordered from Mercedes

Service and MOT the week after.

Then hopefully no more car related expenses for a while...

Edited by Mark83 on Wednesday 27th November 15:36

[Mark83]

That's better, I have rear traction again.

Those rear discs aren't looking good. Roll on Tuesday when the brakes will be replaced.

[Mark83]

New Mercedes discs and pads all round supplied and fitted for £1265 at my local AMG specialist, much, much cheaper than leaving it to Mercedes to fit.

Edited by Mark83 on Tuesday 3rd December 16:10