Anyone else disappointed with their C63 (W205)?

[Freakuk]

I've had my C63S for nearly 2 years bought new in 2021. Probably done around 6K miles now and so far it's been 99% reliable.

Only really one issue when travelling to the lake district about 9 months into ownership, stuck in traffic and the car started to vibrate heavily, engine was misfiring/not idling as it should, EML came on and luckily I was near an exit so limped off and shut the engine off, 30 seconds later restarted EML gone and it's never missed a beat since. When the car went in for it's first year service I mentioned this but they couldn't find anything in the logs.

Also had a low coolant warning, which again has disappeared and coolant levels were fine.

There's the odd squeak, but this seems to go as the cabin warms up, the seat belt clunking on the pillar is a PITA, will check to see if there's a magnet etc which would resolve this.

[Mark83]

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed with my S205, it does everything I want of it. I owned an S204 previously and while I miss its engine and driver's seat, the S205 is just a better daily driver.

I will add though the S205 hasn't gotten under my skin (yet?) like the S204 did which was somehow more than the sum of its parts.

[Porkupine]

JAMSXR said:

I drove the S204 and S205 before settling on the 205. For me the 204 was a better garage queen and the 205 the more accomplished all rounder. The bi-Turbo is an absolute gem of a motor, one of the best.

However, for months it suffered from some really awful creaking - it really put me off the car at the time. Thankfully I traced it down to the sunroof, applying some conditioner to the rubber seals made it totally disappear.

It’s been on a few track days and performs well, I find the comfort seats brilliant, and by all accounts the motor is very reliable.

No idea what I would replace it with on a like for like basis.

Edited by JAMSXR on Tuesday 17th January 08:38

Interesting. Can I ask which sort of conditioner you used and where you applied it? I may do that as a preventative. As I said in my posts, there is the odd noise at times...they don't bother me too much but I may aswel do what you did as it could be a culprit now or in the future!

[JAMSXR]

Porkupine said:

Interesting. Can I ask which sort of conditioner you used and where you applied it? I may do that as a preventative. As I said in my posts, there is the odd noise at times...they don't bother me too much but I may aswel do what you did as it could be a culprit now or in the future!

“Nextzett 91480615 Rubber Care Stick, 100 Ml, White”

It has a foam pad as the applicator. I just ran it down all the rubber seals on the sunroof.

Stumbled across a thread on MB U.K. forums, I was really happy with the result.

[naefeart]

I've newly bought a FL C63s coupe, but I'm yet to drive it properly as its currently being detailed. I'm slightly worried that when I come across recent W205 C63 threads, owners tend talk about creeks/noises, how they miss the emotive W204's engine, but how the W205 is a better daily driver...! Not much mention of how it makes them feel when out driving around.

I've come from an F90 M5 and previous to that I had a C7 RS6 amongst other things. Great cars, but just a bit too big and heavy for what I wanted; a V8 that was fun to drive. I decided to give V8s one last try before I succumb to EV. The C63s - even the facelift - sounds pretty good to me, better than the M5 which was awfully quiet and at least on par with the RS6. In coupe form the AMG looks quite mean, seating position is fine, the sport seats hold you well and the tech is reasonable up to date. On paper this car ticks all my boxes.

Is the car just too grown up or too competent at the basics? No-one seems to rave about it, certainly not like the W204, but is it just because that car would try to kill you if there was ice/snow or even a little bit of rain?

[Freakuk]

naefeart said:

Is the car just too grown up or too competent at the basics? No-one seems to rave about it, certainly not like the W204, but is it just because that car would try to kill you if there was ice/snow or even a little bit of rain?

It will try and kill you believe me, I was taking mine to get detailed and PPF'd not long after collecting, it was wet and hit standing water around 60mph on a dual carriageway, it went sideways very quickly, had the same in cold/damp weather in comfort also, so I don't think the W205 is lacking in the brown trouser category.

[naefeart]

Freakuk said:

It will try and kill you believe me, I was taking mine to get detailed and PPF'd not long after collecting, it was wet and hit standing water around 60mph on a dual carriageway, it went sideways very quickly, had the same in cold/damp weather in comfort also, so I don't think the W205 is lacking in the brown trouser category.

Well that's a worry Is that with the standard Pilot Super Sports? I think I may just change these to PS4Ss right off the bat.

[Freakuk]

naefeart said:

Freakuk said:

It will try and kill you believe me, I was taking mine to get detailed and PPF'd not long after collecting, it was wet and hit standing water around 60mph on a dual carriageway, it went sideways very quickly, had the same in cold/damp weather in comfort also, so I don't think the W205 is lacking in the brown trouser category.

Well that's a worry Is that with the standard Pilot Super Sports? I think I may just change these to PS4Ss right off the bat.

No they're PS4S's on my C63S, standard fitment on my '21

[naefeart]

Freakuk said:

No they're PS4S's on my C63S, standard fitment on my '21

Seriously? Wow. I'm currently running a rwd Jag XJ with new PS4Ss and it's has been quite good (see safe) in the wintery conditions we have just now. It has the same/similar torque to the C63S, so I thought the Merc would be ok.

I'll probably fit new PS4Ss anyway as the PSSs were crap in winter on my old Alpina D3 BTT. Useful to know though.

[LeeM135i]

I love my 205 C63 S Coupe. Makes a killer noise and has more power and character than anything else I have driven. I had a few creaks in mine when I bought it I used Autoglym vinyl and rubber care and did the sunroof, doors, bonnet and boot and it stopped, I redo it every 3 to 6 months and its still quiet.

The drive of the car is different to the 204 for sure. The 204 is more analogue from both the hydraulic steering and N/A engine. The 205 electronic steering rack is very nice and the car turns in much sharper than the 204, especially on the coupe which had a lot more chassis work over the standard car than the saloon/estate.

The mountain of turbo torque makes it very fast but when its cold and wet to needs to be treated with respect, the 204 needs revs to spin the wheels the 205 doesn't. It is very happy pootling around at 30mph but the power will overwhelm the rear tyres if you bury the loud pedal. (it is loud!!)

It can be lively when you hit standing water but if like my car you have the 295/30/20 rear tyres its to be expected. I spent a lot of time looking at Porches before buying the C63 and the Porsche Facebook group has many spins / accidents from standing water.

I usually get itchy feet and want to change cars every 18 months but I've had the 205 for 2 years and haven't even looked at another car. Don't worry about the car you will love it.

[naefeart]

Good to know Lee, I'm very much looking forward to getting to know the car. Funnily enough I have read about some owners having their cars modified to 600+bhp, though I'm surprised that anyone thinks it needs more power, especially with limited rwd traction. Pretty sure I won't need to worry about that.

I have however got some Gummi-pflege ready in anticipation.

[LeeM135i]

naefeart said:

Good to know Lee, I'm very much looking forward to getting to know the car. Funnily enough I have read about some owners having their cars modified to 600+bhp, though I'm surprised that anyone thinks it needs more power, especially with limited rwd traction. Pretty sure I won't need to worry about that.

I have however got some Gummi-pflege ready in anticipation.

There is a German car with bigger turbos which runs around 750bhp, owner videoed it going for 320kph/200mph on the autobahn. He nearly lost it when the wheels spun in 5th gear at about 150mph.

I am more than happy with the 510bhp, can't see me ever needing more, lol.

The 204 was all about the engine, the 205 went after the BW M3/4 so is more focused and tighter. There are plenty of YouTube videos explaining it which I am sure you have watched.

[Freakuk]

LeeM135i said:

naefeart said:

Good to know Lee, I'm very much looking forward to getting to know the car. Funnily enough I have read about some owners having their cars modified to 600+bhp, though I'm surprised that anyone thinks it needs more power, especially with limited rwd traction. Pretty sure I won't need to worry about that.

I have however got some Gummi-pflege ready in anticipation.

There is a German car with bigger turbos which runs around 750bhp, owner videoed it going for 320kph/200mph on the autobahn. He nearly lost it when the wheels spun in 5th gear at about 150mph.

I am more than happy with the 510bhp, can't see me ever needing more, lol.

The 204 was all about the engine, the 205 went after the BW M3/4 so is more focused and tighter. There are plenty of YouTube videos explaining it which I am sure you have watched.

Agreed, I'm not sure how anyone really needs more power than what is standard, I don't think I've ever felt the need to press the loud pedal straight into the carpet because there's so much torque at 50-75% throttle.

[JAMSXR]

Agree with the above RE power. Each to their own, but for me part of the fun is exploiting the engine, and unless you’re on track, there are very few occasions you get to do this. Thankfully, I still find the V8 a pleasurable experience in the lower RPMs.

[HammyHamster]

I had my W204 C63 (performance pack plus, the one with the SLS engine) for 10 years and loved it. But after 10 years it was time to move on, and I got the C63s coupe (facelift). So far, I think it's a real step forwards - it sounds great, the handling is *much* better, the tech is bang up to date (although I think it really should have a touchscreen). I do seem to have a small rattle from the heads up display though, so I'll get that checked out. But apart from that I'm over the moon!

[HammyHamster]

Freakuk said:

naefeart said:

Freakuk said:

It will try and kill you believe me, I was taking mine to get detailed and PPF'd not long after collecting, it was wet and hit standing water around 60mph on a dual carriageway, it went sideways very quickly, had the same in cold/damp weather in comfort also, so I don't think the W205 is lacking in the brown trouser category.

Well that's a worry Is that with the standard Pilot Super Sports? I think I may just change these to PS4Ss right off the bat.

No they're PS4S's on my C63S, standard fitment on my '21

That's interesting, my car came with Michelin Pilot Super Sports (Mercedes MO fitment). They seem good although would probably prefer the PS4S. But I didn't think they do a Mercedes MO fitment in those?

The Continental ContiSport Contact 7 also looks very good, possibly better than the PS4S according to the reviews.

[Porkupine]

JAMSXR said:

“Nextzett 91480615 Rubber Care Stick, 100 Ml, White”

It has a foam pad as the applicator. I just ran it down all the rubber seals on the sunroof.

Stumbled across a thread on MB U.K. forums, I was really happy with the result.

Thank you sir.

Regarding tyres, mine are currently mixed and that is how it came from the dealer.
Luckily, my tyre size is available in M01 in the PS4S. I will get these changed over in the next month or so, I have Pirelli on the front and Faulken on the back, as it came from the dealer! I am convinced this is giving me a worse ride than I should have and more road noise. Annoyingly, the tyres all have good tread, in fact the rears are brand new. Such a shame.

Lovely to read thoughts of curent owners above. I drove my car into London yesterday for work. Must admit, I kept it in 'slippery' mode and I did see a car in a ditch on its side just after I left home, so that made me very nervous about the conditions. However, managed to get there in one piece with gentle throttle. So it can be driven daily, which is what I bought it for.

Regarding power, having only had mine a short time, I haven't felt the full force of what it can do just yet. Will have to wait for Spring I guess and in the meantime use it for commuting and other daily duties. So far, I absolutely love it. The performance car I have enjoyed the most before this would be a 911 Turbo and its party trick is the rapid pace in a straight line which was addictive and of course the handling. This car is certainly more of an event to drive than the 911; I haven't tested the handling to a great extent and in a straight line it won't probably be as quick as the Turbo, but I think it may be more fun in a way especially because the Turbo just didn't provide the theatre due to lack of noise. Also for me and my situation at the moment, it is more practical (I have the estate). Really looking forward to warmer weather!

[carbonblack]

I bought an approved used C63S in 2022 after coverting them for years. It was slightly lighter on options that I wanted but I'm really glad I picked up an S as the buckets are really nice (although admittedly not actually that comfortable )

I've not driven many miles, less than 3k due to work and it being a weekend car, and my thoughts thus far:

Pros

• The noise
• It's quick
• The engine is a masterpiece IMO, the way it revs with no lag is very very impressive
• The looks

Cons

• Build quality a bit ropey - faded front canards on the bumper, a small area of paint bubbling on the plastic roof rails, caliper lacquer peel and this is an approved used from a main dealer.
• Traction - very hard to put power down in this sort of weather on supersports

Other

• Fuel - 15mpg isn't uncommon though it was expected
• Renntech EVM module isn't worth getting on a pre-facelift - it has no real difference except in comfort mode

Okay, the cosmetic issues are hopefully be easily rectified (trim and paint is not covered by warranty, sir)... but still, I'm not that impressed by the three MB dealers I've dealt with locally for parts/servicing requests, nor the fact the 'warranty' has no paint/trim cover.


I've had PS4s on another car and they're good, but still in sub 5 degree weather they're not great (which is to be expected)

I'm going to look at trying to Conti Sport 7s athough I expect cold performance to be similar, they're meant to be better in the wet from what I read.



I guess for me, whilst I love the engine, the noise and the looks, I'm still wondering if it's a case of don't meet your heroes. It's extremely difficult to use all 510hp even in the dry. For me, not sure what the next move would be c.2011 R8 V8 or V10 but they may be a bit old hat in comparison to a 7 year old newer Merc, or maybe a Cayman of some kind or maybe stick with the Merc!

[Freakuk]

carbonblack said:

For me, not sure what the next move would be c.2011 R8 V8 or V10 but they may be a bit old hat in comparison to a 7 year old newer Merc, or maybe a Cayman of some kind or maybe stick with the Merc!

I came from a 981 Cayman GTS to my '21 C63S, completely different animals. The Cayman is much more of a drivers car, sublime handling, mine was PDK and the gearbox is just a class above what's in my C63S. The C63 is a much bigger heavier car, and I still don't have the front end confidence like the Cayman had even though there's a strapping V8 over the front axle.

Saying that there is a real sense of occasion when you jump in the Merc, it's far more practical to the point Mrs Freak will actual drive it, she didn't even like being a passenger in the Cayman. It makes a lovely noise and the power delivery is eye watering and there isn't any noticeable lag.

[carbonblack]

Interesting to hear a comparison.

The C63 is a big and heavy old thing, although I’m under no illusions that I could fulfill the C63s true potential on road or track.

I can feel the extra 3-400kg over other RWD cars which is why a Cayman does seem interesting.

That said, tickling the throttle to get the V8 noise is addictive!! I’m glad I got one knowing full well the new one would be a 4cyl.