Mercedes E63 AMG W212 6.2 or 5.5?
Discussion
EarlOfHazard said:
Thank you for your response. Bummer about the gearbox, is it really that bad? In what is it bad, dumb witted?
It's actually not bad at all. It just prevents you really enjoying it which is hugely frustrating. Imagine you line up your favourite roundabout then straight, planning on a high rev entry then nailing it onto the straight, loving the shove and the noise. Except the bloody thing shifts up and kills the movement. Manual is overridden and sport isn't much fun. Others may disagree though.I drove the 6.2 before buying an XFR instead. With most of the torque high up in the rev range you need to rev it to get the enjoyment/shove out of it, but with so much power that means license losing speeds even in 1st/2nd.
Masterpiece of an engine no doubt, but in real world driving I expect the 5.5TT is by far the better option, unless you're planning on tracking it.
Masterpiece of an engine no doubt, but in real world driving I expect the 5.5TT is by far the better option, unless you're planning on tracking it.
I have owned both , currently run a 212 E63 5.5 wagon. The 6.2 quite quite raw and the gearbox was v old, the 5.5 seems soo much more powerful and the mct gearbox is better. Also it does the blips on the downshift which the 6.2 didnt do.
Plus the 5.5 is very tuneable , 700+ easy.
I am sure you will love whatever you decide as they are both great.
Plus the 5.5 is very tuneable , 700+ easy.
I am sure you will love whatever you decide as they are both great.
Isn't the gearbox in the early 212 generation E63s (with the 6.2 NA engine) essentially the same MCT one as fitted to the later 5.5TTs?
I know the 211 gen E63 had the torque convertor 7-gtronic box, which was much slower, but having driven a 212 6.2 on track I didn't have any major concerns with the 'box... it's slower than the ZF 8 speed or the latest DCTs, but still very good
I know the 211 gen E63 had the torque convertor 7-gtronic box, which was much slower, but having driven a 212 6.2 on track I didn't have any major concerns with the 'box... it's slower than the ZF 8 speed or the latest DCTs, but still very good
I’ve had them both and the 5.5 TT torque suits the cars MO better.
It also allows you to access the fun in more situations, whereas you have to use all of the revs in the N/A which isn’t possible everywhere.
The 5.5 have proven very reliable and tuneable.
6.2s are also reliable from 2011+. The w211 and early 212s suffer from the very common headbolt issues and camshaft wear that is a big job to repair.
The MCT box is ok - not as smooth as the ZF 8 Speed in the RS6 and not as quick changing as the M5 DCT. It’s the one disappointment/niggle in an otherwise awesome package.
It also allows you to access the fun in more situations, whereas you have to use all of the revs in the N/A which isn’t possible everywhere.
The 5.5 have proven very reliable and tuneable.
6.2s are also reliable from 2011+. The w211 and early 212s suffer from the very common headbolt issues and camshaft wear that is a big job to repair.
The MCT box is ok - not as smooth as the ZF 8 Speed in the RS6 and not as quick changing as the M5 DCT. It’s the one disappointment/niggle in an otherwise awesome package.
Not quite the same car but I had an SL63 with the N/A engine and the wonderful MCT autobox, I also spent 4 hours thrashing the SL63 with the 5.5 twin turbo engine around Brooklands.
After my session driving the N/A engined car home I decided that I really liked both, you could really enjoy ringing the N/A engine out to max revs for the sound. But the 5.5 sounded the same but had a bit more grunt low down plus easily tuned.
The MCT autobox is very good indeed if you can get it in the car of your choice do so.
Before buying the SL I tried an Aston Martin V8s soft-top with a paddle shift that was truly awful compared to the MCT.
After my session driving the N/A engined car home I decided that I really liked both, you could really enjoy ringing the N/A engine out to max revs for the sound. But the 5.5 sounded the same but had a bit more grunt low down plus easily tuned.
The MCT autobox is very good indeed if you can get it in the car of your choice do so.
Before buying the SL I tried an Aston Martin V8s soft-top with a paddle shift that was truly awful compared to the MCT.
Cactussed said:
Oddly I'm looking at both of these also.
I was under the impression that the late 6.2s had the MCT box which blips on downshifts?
Correct. I had a punt in a 2011 W212 (6.2 NA) this week which had the MCT gearbox.I was under the impression that the late 6.2s had the MCT box which blips on downshifts?
Great package; very subdued down low (feels like a 500), but holy God, when you open the taps...
5.5 Biturbo is a different level of performance low down, but they're more expensive to buy and costlier to maintain. Swings and roundabouts; I'm a huge fan of the E39 M5, hence I found a lot to like in the NA E63.
Spoke to my Mercedes mechanic today, he has been seeing issues with both the 5.5 TT / 6.2 NA
Anyone suffered issues? Has it been widespread?
I’ve heard, timing chain stretch on 5.5 and some turbo issues.
On the 6.2 some talk of issues with timing / chain / component failure / fatigue in that area.
Anyone any insight to this?
Anyone suffered issues? Has it been widespread?
I’ve heard, timing chain stretch on 5.5 and some turbo issues.
On the 6.2 some talk of issues with timing / chain / component failure / fatigue in that area.
Anyone any insight to this?
giggity said:
Spoke to my Mercedes mechanic today, he has been seeing issues with both the 5.5 TT / 6.2 NA
Anyone suffered issues? Has it been widespread?
I’ve heard, timing chain stretch on 5.5 and some turbo issues.
On the 6.2 some talk of issues with timing / chain / component failure / fatigue in that area.
Anyone any insight to this?
It's well documented that the M156 (6.2 engine) suffered from disintegrating head bolts, allegedly fixed on later models but still relevant. Most people I know either ignored or fitted ARP bolts as replacements. Also a few reports, mainly in the US though some over here, of cams and buckets failing, though not something I've personally come across.Anyone suffered issues? Has it been widespread?
I’ve heard, timing chain stretch on 5.5 and some turbo issues.
On the 6.2 some talk of issues with timing / chain / component failure / fatigue in that area.
Anyone any insight to this?
The M157 (5.5 engine) also has a rattle which has been identified and documented but not too drastic in the grand scale of things. It's cured by fitting a couple of non-return valves in the head to prevent the oil draining down leaving the chain guides without lubrication. I actually had this done when I owned mine, as a partial (60%) goodwill gesture from Mercedes. A lot of my friends have these engines yet I've only known of one with turbo issues (letting oil through) but the particular car had led a very hard life...
I'd choose the M157 every time, it just seems more suited to the E Class.
Thanks daveenty - fully aware of the M156 head bolts / pre-facelift issues. I know that MSL and Weistec offer a fix for the issue, however I’m hearing people suffering issues on post facelift cards. Understand all you hear online is normally grumbles about things however need to think about this.
Interesting how polarising the thoughts are between M156 / M157
I can either go for for C63 W204 or CLS63 W218 and I’m not sure - always wanted the C. But the thought of a CLS W218 has really grown on me.
Interesting how polarising the thoughts are between M156 / M157
I can either go for for C63 W204 or CLS63 W218 and I’m not sure - always wanted the C. But the thought of a CLS W218 has really grown on me.
Edited by giggity on Saturday 22 June 01:38
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