Advice on C63 AMG Estate

Advice on C63 AMG Estate

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boardinscotland

Original Poster:

1,219 posts

195 months

Thursday 20th April 2017
quotequote all
Hi all

Just thought I would pop my head in here for a few bits of advice from the Pistonheads knowledge bank.

Am thinking about one of these to replace my Insignia VXR and was wondering about parts cost and servicing. Not bothered about fuel or tax as the VXR is the top band along with 23mpg so am used to it and I also run a TVR Tuscan 4.3, however servicing and parts was wondering costs of Discs and Pads and the annual servicing?

I notice a lot do not have the LSD. Was looking at possibly phoning up about this one..Then putting it into Birds for a Quaife Diff as it is only 25 miles away??

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...


I also quite like the red ones however am I right in thinking this seems about £5k over priced

http://www.castlemotors.com/used-mercedes-benz-c%2...


Finally quick on would probably get a set of 18" wheels with winter tyres so how do they handle them?

Many thanks

G

Edited by boardinscotland on Thursday 20th April 13:49

hairybiddy

68 posts

171 months

Thursday 20th April 2017
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I got one recently, my requirements were 18” wheels (19”s reportedly have a habit of cracking going over potholes!) and not white! :-) I also didn’t want privacy glass as I find the merc standard tint too dark for my tastes and I like to see through the windows at night! I was looking at main dealer examples as the price difference between main dealer and private was in many cases none existent and a manufacturer warranty provides peace of mind. Mine was 27.5 52k miles for a 2012 but was 600 miles away in Scotland at a dealer. £50 on easyjet and a long drive back and I couldn’t be happier. Amazing things, I can’t imagine what would replace it when the time comes..

https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/home servicing look here, put in a reg and mileage and it will show you what it needs and costs to give you an idea just play with the mileage to get an idea..

You are right about the standard LSD, I don’t think I saw many cars with one, and I ended up with one without. In the cold/wet and turning out of sharp junctions It would defiantly benefit from one and I keep looking at the birds quaifs approx. £1500 fitted I understand. But wonder if I can justify it as 90% of the time I wouldn’t need it and the traction control does a pretty decent job.. I’m sure I will toy with this idea for some time to come though and will always wonder what if, many positive reports over on mbclub.co.uk when they had a group buy!
I would say the one you linked to is at the higher end of the price range defiantly, but red is a rare colour and its parked under a fighter jet so that must add on some £££. I found most dropped a good few K from their initial opening price when I was watching the market..

I didn’t have winter tyres over the last few months, cold heavy rain requires some care, and the tiny little bit of snowy slush we had made for exciting driving up relatively modest hills! In actual snow without winter tyres I think you would be stuffed. But German taxi drivers go everywhere in c class and e classes on winter tyres so I’m sure they cope fine on them
Hope that helps,

boardinscotland

Original Poster:

1,219 posts

195 months

Thursday 20th April 2017
quotequote all
Hi

Many thanks for your reply and helpful info. I was looking at RS4 for the 4 wheel drive as I am up in the hills a lot through the yearbut as you say the Germans manage and think the Winter tyres would make a big difference. Also as regards Birds I did read the review in Mbclub and does seem a good upgrade. If I did get the silver car may as well get it done at the same time as like yourself it is 500 miles away (albeit I am up North ;-).

Interesting about the 19".s. Bit like my Spider wheels on the TVR think they were made of chocolate.

Also thanks for the link. Will have a play.

G


hairybiddy said:
I got one recently, my requirements were 18” wheels (19”s reportedly have a habit of cracking going over potholes!) and not white! :-) I also didn’t want privacy glass as I find the merc standard tint too dark for my tastes and I like to see through the windows at night! I was looking at main dealer examples as the price difference between main dealer and private was in many cases none existent and a manufacturer warranty provides peace of mind. Mine was 27.5 52k miles for a 2012 but was 600 miles away in Scotland at a dealer. £50 on easyjet and a long drive back and I couldn’t be happier. Amazing things, I can’t imagine what would replace it when the time comes..

https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/home servicing look here, put in a reg and mileage and it will show you what it needs and costs to give you an idea just play with the mileage to get an idea..

You are right about the standard LSD, I don’t think I saw many cars with one, and I ended up with one without. In the cold/wet and turning out of sharp junctions It would defiantly benefit from one and I keep looking at the birds quaifs approx. £1500 fitted I understand. But wonder if I can justify it as 90% of the time I wouldn’t need it and the traction control does a pretty decent job.. I’m sure I will toy with this idea for some time to come though and will always wonder what if, many positive reports over on mbclub.co.uk when they had a group buy!
I would say the one you linked to is at the higher end of the price range defiantly, but red is a rare colour and its parked under a fighter jet so that must add on some £££. I found most dropped a good few K from their initial opening price when I was watching the market..

I didn’t have winter tyres over the last few months, cold heavy rain requires some care, and the tiny little bit of snowy slush we had made for exciting driving up relatively modest hills! In actual snow without winter tyres I think you would be stuffed. But German taxi drivers go everywhere in c class and e classes on winter tyres so I’m sure they cope fine on them
Hope that helps,

VX0075

226 posts

170 months

Saturday 22nd April 2017
quotequote all
Had my estate 18months, no real issues (touch wood) although did buy from a merc dealer and got 2 years warranty...not changed brake pads but didn't seem overly expensive (believe the PPP has upgraded brakes which are a bit more expensive but to be honest my wear hasn't been too much in the 10-12k miles I've done so far.

Great car, plenty out there at present, I have 19" on mine and no real drama... Didnt need winter tyres on mine but was a mild winter plus the Goodyears I have on it now are loads better in the wet then the Conti's I had.

All the best, you'll love it!!

LLCool_K

65 posts

88 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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I have had my 2010 C63 estate for just over a year now. Very much enjoy it, a real do anything car, but I am sure I won't need to elaborate on that.

I have PPP which means LSD, easy way of telling is red calipers and half suede steering wheel. The car has a reputation of being tail happy, of course it is if provoked, but decent tyres and a sensible progressive attitude when pressing on retains very good traction imo.

PPP car also comes with composite front brake discs, which are chuffing expensive to replace (I speak from experience), I think I paid around £3k for discs and pads all round, fitted at MB.

I did drive a few cars without the LSD, it quickly became a must have.

When I purchased I was ideally after a face-lift car with PPP (LSD), estate, fewer than 45k miles, in grey with black leather and Harman Kardon for under £30k. Couldn't make it happen so settled for pre face-lift with all other criteria met. Wish I had held out a bit longer but was coming under increasing pressure from OH to get a car which could carry bikes and luggage with ease.

Servicing is every 12 months, costs for PPP car is £400 one year, £900 following year. Budget for a set of rear tyres every 6000 miles or so. The factory Black 19" wheels I have are as soft as puppy ste. I have had two cracks in mine since ownership.

Edited by LLCool_K on Thursday 27th April 15:38

boardinscotland

Original Poster:

1,219 posts

195 months

Friday 2nd June 2017
quotequote all
Hi all

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up buying on condition and got a lovely red 2013 model with 26000miles on the clock. I will be upgrading to the quaife diff soon. Drove from near Edinburgh to Cornwall to trade in and collect as Castle motors had it priced wrong.
516 miles on the way back up the road and really got to know it. Found it comfortable on the motorway and then on the twistys a really accomplished piece of kit.

Look forward to pushing it a bit more but already love it.




Edited by boardinscotland on Friday 2nd June 15:13

OddCat

2,515 posts

170 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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boardinscotland said:
Drove from near Edinburgh to Cornwall to trade in and collect as Castle motors had it priced wrong.
You drove to trade and collect because the price was wrong ? Ehh ?

Great looking car !

boardinscotland

Original Poster:

1,219 posts

195 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
quotequote all
OddCat said:
boardinscotland said:
Drove from near Edinburgh to Cornwall to trade in and collect as Castle motors had it priced wrong.
You drove to trade and collect because the price was wrong ? Ehh ?

Great looking car !
Cheers

Sorry will clarify. Initially the price was too high but when I spoke to them, they realised the guy who does the website had priced it wrong so it was reduced by about 10%. Then came in my price range so shot down to do a trade in.

Was never a major fan of red cars but it really suits that colour.

G

hairybiddy

68 posts

171 months

Saturday 3rd June 2017
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great choice, do update us if you get the quaife.

great timing too, suns out, windows down TUNNEL!!! biggrin