W204 C63 AMG - What do I need to know?

[h17jde]

krisdelta said:

+1 if the ride isn’t a problem and you’re not killing tyres / wheels then stick with the 19”, they do look fantastic. I’m in Honfleur currently, will report in at the end of the week.

Agreed - I'm comfortable with the ride as it is. I just have to stay focused and avoid the pot holes!

How did you get on in Honfleur?

I've now booked my car in for a paint correction and protection with a rather special place around the corner from me - Universal Classic Cars. I'll post some pictures when they are done with it (end of September).

Still totally in love with this car, and so is everyone else apparently. Starting the v8 is a great way to start a Friday!!

[Mark83]

I recently bought one too so a handy read for me. I'd been toying with getting one for ages and finally the right spec popped up and went for it.

I'm swapping the 19s for 18s imminently, not that the ride is bad but more for the 19s being prone to cracking. A more compliant ride and cheaper and tyres are a bonus though. Ideally be looking to get a set of Michelin Pilot Sports on these following user reviews.

Plans for the future? I'll be buying some winter tyres. I looked at remapping but it has PPP and feels powerful enough at the moment. I'd like to add a Quaife LSD too to put down the power it already has.

[hairybiddy]

h17jde said:

Back to concerns, I’ve got a rather strange ‘grinding’ noise on the occasional start up. It lasts no longer than a second, and it’s on the initial fire up. Anyone else heard this before?

I had the same thing, was really worried it was gearbox or something. Found the 2 rear heat shields had corroded off and rattled at some frequencies.. check those for that noise. there are some more near the front too.

other than that, mine is a 2012 estate on 67000 miles 15000 of which were mine and its still great! I have no idea what I could replace it with without going the complete opposite way to a lightweight 2 seater.. Perhaps I have reached my automotive peak in car ownership..

[davyvee]

Thoughts on 18" tyres?

I found a 18" set of the lovely amg five spokes on ebay and they came with Poteneza S001. Rears were on the limit so put on PS4s.

I think the Bridgestones were been better tbh.

Edited by davyvee on Sunday 19th August 10:28

[Don1]

I'm thinking about decent aftermarket alloys - stronger, lighter,look like the black series....

[Yex 450]

Picked up my 2013 507 Coupe in Magno Platinum about 2 weeks ago...................why on earth did I not buy one of these before

A truly ridiculous machine that really make me smile. The only downside at the moment is the need for an LSD to be fitted and that is being sorted in two weeks when a Quaife is going in. Once that is fitted I reckon the car will handle beautifully It was specced with the AMG suspension and came with new tyres, new pads all round and new front discs fitted less than 1,000 mile ago so I reckon it will handle perfectly once the LSD is in

[Yex 450]

Don1 said:

I'm thinking about decent aftermarket alloys - stronger, lighter,look like the black series....

Don, any pointers here ?

I think I need to keep the forged set away from the crap roads we have currently so anything that looks like them would be a good pointer

[Don1]

I'm currently teasing myself with the options at R-Tec (St Albans). They say they are all TPMS OK, blah, but really I'm trying to decide about style and strength...

As I don't need to change the tyres just yet, I'm taking my time.

But these keep taking my eye...


Hub V5 - https://www.rtecshop.co.uk/wheel_detail_page.php?c...

£1240.96 for PS4s, the wheel and TPMS done. How much are people wanting to buy original 19" AMG alloys for?

Edited by Don1 on Wednesday 22 August 11:07

[Yex 450]

I like them a lot

According to a post on the MB Forums the forged alloys on a 507 go for over £600+ VAT via the dealers

I've been looking at this selection from a place near to me. I can get 4 * PS4's fitted for £745 locally last time I looked so a reasonable cost to put something strong on the car and keep the 507 forged alloys away from our dreadful roads until I sell them or pass them on with the car and sell the other set

https://alloywheels.com/vehiclesearch/select/1188/...

[Don1]

Dammit. Factory aren't sending them to the UK any more. :-/

[kxaddict]

I'm just over a year into owning a 2013 C63 saloon. It's a brilliant car and I also share others thoughts on decent next cars to move too...

Mine has a few nice bits done including exhaust/ map and carbon goodies.

Some things to look for from experience;

- Tyres last max 4k miles experience
- MPG is typically below 15 around town, maybe 20's on a run.
- This thing gets hot...REALLY hot. I also live on the AMG screen to keep an eye on oil temps.
- Keep an eye on pulleys and belts, they can be prone to loosening/ wearing out and snapping completely (even under 20k miles) as they're made of cheap plastic. I've just swapped all mine out as there were some whining noises coming from the bay, but symptoms aren't always evident and if they do fail then potentially £££££
- Did I say terrible MPG? I think its down to the miniature fuel tank too

The only realistic replacement I currently see would be a 507 or BS...Love it.

[hungry_hog]

I've had mine (2012 coupe) for almost 4 years, fantastic car, although realistically too quick for town. The temptation to drive like a bell end is strong.

Couple of things to check for - crabbing/vibration on full lock. Mine had a steering column issue, 2k to fix.
Air con. As mentioned the car get extremely hot without it!

I need 4 doors now so looking for a W205 C63/W212 E63. I would get the W204 saloon/estate but fancy a change

Edited by hungry_hog on Thursday 23 August 17:43

[Carlton Banks]

Great choice!

Mine is in this readers ride thread

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I have had mine for over 3 years now and am tempted to get something else - perhaps a new c63 estate or an rs6....

[PorkRind]

I cant sing my cars praises highly enough, only wish i'd had the budget to get the 507 with a diff. Nothing that MSL cant sort out though ! Theyre not all that bad on fuel either for a 6.2 - around town 18-20 on a motoway run i've had 29 @ 77mph. more like 25 @ 85 mph though.

Edited by PorkRind on Friday 31st August 18:34

[HocusPocus]

Lovely noise from my 2014 c63 estate. Bought mine off MB dealer online after listening to the F1 medical car lap Monaco. First drive when it was delivered. Glorious sound.
Averages 17mpg and on 3rd set of tyres at 14k miles. Now on Pirelli which feel stickier than Contis. MB dealers know how to charge for servicing.
Sometimes touch 130mph in right conditions on way to work ... wthout breaking the law in Isle of Man. 😁

[logit]

HocusPocus said:

Lovely noise from my 2014 c63 estate. Bought mine off MB dealer online after listening to the F1 medical car lap Monaco. First drive when it was delivered. Glorious sound.
Averages 17mpg and on 3rd set of tyres at 14k miles. Now on Pirelli which feel stickier than Contis. MB dealers know how to charge for servicing.
Sometimes touch 130mph in right conditions on way to work ... wthout breaking the law in Isle of Man. ??

Lol I must be driving mine wrong! Just about to replace my rear Contis after 12k miles (and they're still at 3mm) and the fronts are still going strong. I'd like to think I push on when the conditions allow (including a 2500 mile road trip around italy and the alps last year.) Are you guys doing burnouts and doughnuts or something

[HocusPocus]

Never burnouts or donuts on open roads. Just daily driving, but using available performance on derestricted roads when roads are quiet (which is most of the time). I guess my c63 likes to get through its boots.

[Booyakajon]

I've just returned from a 2500 mile road trip round Europe. Managed 23mpg on the long journeys with cruise control set at 140kph. Touched 160mph on the autobahn though It was a fantastic trip. Need to fill up 9 times though!

[Bincenzo]

A really useful thread, thanks. I’m looking at either an RS4 Avant or the C63 estate as a daily driver. Budget around £25-30k, although like to keep it at the lower end if I can get a good example.

I’m a massive fan of performance cars and have a relatively dull A/B road commute so like to liven it up with some spirited driving wherever possible.

I’ve had an S4 Avant before and have driven a fair amount of Audi S/RS product but have never stepped into an AMG. I understand the interior build quality is very different and that there are some issues with pre 2011 engines. Other than that, is there anything I should really look out for. I’ m used to a fairly expensive running costs.

Thanks in advance for any top tips. I have enquiried about one for sale at an Indy in Manchester. If anyone spots a good example, please let me know.

[krisdelta]

Hey Mark, still enjoying the Aston? All the facelift cars have the updated headbolts that were issue on some earlier engines IIRC and interior is far far nicer.

They seem pretty robust overall, the services alternate between A and B, the latter being more pricey and the MCT needs an oil change every 37k. Pretty heavy on tyres and the 19” wheels prone to cracking due to the minuscule rubber and crappy uk roads.

Brakes aren’t cheap, but I’ve only used about 20% of mine in 12k. LSD is pretty rare, but a simple retrofit. I’ve had the resonator deleted to aid V8 deliciousness whilst avoiding MOT censure.