2016 AMG c63 estate - what to look for

[cduk]

I use my 2016 C63 estate as my daily, in all weathers (heat, intense rain, frosty mornings, snow with winter tyres). Not once have I thought that the car was inappropriate for the conditions. Drive to them, treat it with a bit of respect and you'll be absolutely fine. Be a hooligan in inappropriate conditions and it'll bite you.

See if you can get a test drive on a damp day if you're concerned.

It's actually quite placid in comfort mode, and takes a lot of provocation.

[cduk]

Welshbeef said:

Does anyone know what all the blanked off buttons should be if options are selected in the screen/strip above the trust light switch?

Activate steering assist
Activate active lane keeping assist
Deactivate Parktronic
Activate 360 camera
Switch on HUD

(This is for up to the 2018 model, not sure about the latest & greatest)

[Welshbeef]

cduk said:

Activate steering assist
Activate active lane keeping assist
Deactivate Parktronic
Activate 360 camera
Switch on HUD

(This is for up to the 2018 model, not sure about the latest & greatest)

Thanks.

[dank]

thanks for the advice!

Yes i saw the Brooklands experience and would definitely book myself onto this.

[off_again]

I have a 2016 C63S saloon with pretty much every option. Bought it in November last year and so far it’s been great. Fuel consumption can be an issue and pushing on will really impact it, but hey what should I expect!

Things to note though:

Squeaks - earlier ones did, a lot
Exhaust - performance is louder, but told it makes little difference in power
Smartphone integration is good, just dont expect CarPlay or Android Auto, only on latest models
Tires - I have the Dunlop’s and they are loud! Told Pilot Sports are way better
Traction - took a little time and yes I live in California so weather is generally good, but just be aware. Surprisingly competent in the wet. But big wide tires and shallow grooves will never be perfect. It’s good and traction control is good too.
Gearbox - supposed to be very reliable, but watch for the coolers. Prone to damage, as is cooling system. Seems roadkill will trash it, so watch out.
Gearbox again - comfort in earlier models is ok. Sport does seem to smooth out the changes though, but It also brings in 1st, so be careful
Wipers - seems to be a common thing here in the US, but skipping is an issue. Go with the OEM fit ones and it should be fine.
Tire pressures - go with what is in the door sticker, not the fuel door. They are different and lower really improves the ride.
Carbon brakes - if it has them, they will squeal. But are excellent and work really well, even from cold. Standard brakes are also excellent too. Probably don’t need carbon.

Other than that it’s great. The anonymity is great and not that many people know what it is. But it’s really capable and as a package to live with it’s great. I have the extended warranty until 2022, totally intend to keep this; well until the inevitable push to electric forces us out of these things. What a fitting tribute to fossil fuels!

[Welshbeef]

Is it faster than he 5.5 V8 Bi Turbo E63 ?

[dank]

off_again said:

I have a 2016 C63S saloon with pretty much every option. Bought it in November last year and so far it’s been great. Fuel consumption can be an issue and pushing on will really impact it, but hey what should I expect!

Things to note though:

Squeaks - earlier ones did, a lot
Exhaust - performance is louder, but told it makes little difference in power
Smartphone integration is good, just dont expect CarPlay or Android Auto, only on latest models
Tires - I have the Dunlop’s and they are loud! Told Pilot Sports are way better
Traction - took a little time and yes I live in California so weather is generally good, but just be aware. Surprisingly competent in the wet. But big wide tires and shallow grooves will never be perfect. It’s good and traction control is good too.
Gearbox - supposed to be very reliable, but watch for the coolers. Prone to damage, as is cooling system. Seems roadkill will trash it, so watch out.
Gearbox again - comfort in earlier models is ok. Sport does seem to smooth out the changes though, but It also brings in 1st, so be careful
Wipers - seems to be a common thing here in the US, but skipping is an issue. Go with the OEM fit ones and it should be fine.
Tire pressures - go with what is in the door sticker, not the fuel door. They are different and lower really improves the ride.
Carbon brakes - if it has them, they will squeal. But are excellent and work really well, even from cold. Standard brakes are also excellent too. Probably don’t need carbon.

Other than that it’s great. The anonymity is great and not that many people know what it is. But it’s really capable and as a package to live with it’s great. I have the extended warranty until 2022, totally intend to keep this; well until the inevitable push to electric forces us out of these things. What a fitting tribute to fossil fuels!

Thanks for al this information! I

[off_again]

Welshbeef said:

Is it faster than he 5.5 V8 Bi Turbo E63 ?

Mmm, good question. Probably very close. With the current models the E63 is definitely fast than the C. Lot more power and a pretty different engine (internals and turbos). Oh and 4WD makes a massive difference.

Not sure what gearbox was with the older E63, but the newer one (the new 9 speed is supposed to be excellent) but suspect it’s the previous gen 7 speed, which is similar to the C63, but won’t change as fast. The 4.0 biturbo also revs faster and harder, so while down on power, being lighter and potentially faster gearbox and an engine that spins faster, it might have the edge.

But, it will be down to traction really. On a quarter mile I suspect the E will have it, power rules. But it should be close. In gear, the E probably has it. Not sure if you got the 4matic E63 though. I believe there were a few sold and it’s popular here I think. That’s probably going to take the run though, traction being better. Oh and the C63 has launch control which works well and gets the 0-60 into the low 4’s with ease.

Good question though. Seen the newer E63 trounce a C63 though. That 4WD and launch has it in the bag. Oh and that the current model has over 600bhp seals the deal.

[TeaVR]

I have a C63 Coupe on a 17. Traded in a Lexus RC-F.

The Merc doesn't feel all that fast. It isn't scary unless you turn things off. It's a lot of fun and makes an epic noise. Best thing about the car is that you can have fun without going light speed.

Build quality......shockingly bad in comparison to the Lexus.

Reliability......hmmmm. Mine broke down day one! But has been fine since.

As loaners, I had an E63s and a GT63. Both faster than the C63, but the E63s is epically quick - an amazing car!

[Welshbeef]

TeaVR said:

I have a C63 Coupe on a 17. Traded in a Lexus RC-F.

The Merc doesn't feel all that fast. It isn't scary unless you turn things off. It's a lot of fun and makes an epic noise. Best thing about the car is that you can have fun without going light speed.

Build quality......shockingly bad in comparison to the Lexus.

Reliability......hmmmm. Mine broke down day one! But has been fine since.

As loaners, I had an E63s and a GT63. Both faster than the C63, but the E63s is epically quick - an amazing car!

C63 is an 8 second car to 100mph - it must be deceptively fast.

[off_again]

TeaVR said:

I have a C63 Coupe on a 17. Traded in a Lexus RC-F.

The Merc doesn't feel all that fast. It isn't scary unless you turn things off. It's a lot of fun and makes an epic noise. Best thing about the car is that you can have fun without going light speed.

Build quality......shockingly bad in comparison to the Lexus.

Reliability......hmmmm. Mine broke down day one! But has been fine since.

As loaners, I had an E63s and a GT63. Both faster than the C63, but the E63s is epically quick - an amazing car!

I agree on the build quality. Stuff like doors shutting (design) is good and solid and the materials quality is good (seats are excellent), but I am not entirely sure it was put together that well. Mine is an Alabama built car (engine still hand built in Germany by a man called Tobias), but there are squeaks and rattles that I wouldnt expect. Same build quality as a Lexus? Yeah, nope.... came from a Cayenne myself and that thing was solid as a brick in comparison.

Performance? Mmmm, odd. Was it an S or not? From what I am told, there is not a huge amount of difference in the raw performance between the two, since its a BHP difference, but not much. But seems strange. The E63, especially the new one, is a monster:

A random YouTube clip showing a C63S on a drag strip running 12.something with a bad launch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ9YZx86WFc

Matt Watson from CarWow doing a comparison between the C63S and the E63S:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KJVR32W1KU

Clearly an extra 100BHP and 4WD make the difference on the launch! But again, getting the quarter mile in 12.something is still super quick, even though it isnt great on the take off. I remember watching a review (think it was CarWow also) where he did 4.1 to 60 multiple times. There is no getting away from it, less than 5 seconds is quick and when you get into the low 4's that impressive stuff!

Interesting comment on the AMG GT though. The base model has the same power as the C63 non-S, but lighter and a better weight spread / balance, so it is quicker to 60. But it does go to show that while power is good, a complete package can change things. I may be wrong, but I think that the M177 / M178 engine in the base GT and the C63 is technically the lowest tune that they do - 469BHP. All other applications have 500+. Oh, and the C63 Coupe has a different rear axle that actually makes it easier to get the power down and hence it has better 0-60 times. I think something might be wrong.

[off_again]

dank said:

Thanks for the info

I won't bother with an aftermarket exhaust, don't want it to sound chavvy and too loud, or invalidate the AMG warranty!

I'll check out the boot liner

thanks

On the exhaust part, thats the advice that I have had. Dont bother.... I have the performance exhaust anyway, but talked to a few owners here and it seems that the consensus is that AMG did their work and that the standard one works really well and isnt that restrictive. While there are a few around, most third-party replacements are rare. If you want to free things up, I am told that its headers and cats is the way to go. This is the restrictive part and swapping them for better downpipes etc, makes a massive difference and does make it louder. I am told a tune, downpipes and less restrictive cats can take you to 650 with ease. Change the turbo and 800 is simple. But this is crazy and only for the brave. Warranty is an issue and given mine is under warranty until 2022, no plans to do anything. Do anything and Mercedes will turn down any warranty work.

[playalistic]

If you have the performance exhaust there are a few valve simulator solutions (switchable and not) that will open the exhaust valves 100% below 3k revs. This is a simple plug play thing that I have on mine and it frees up more noise lower down without going fully asbo.

[dank]

Picked up the C63 AMG Estate yesterday evening!!!! I was so excited all day, and it was painful waiting for it to be ready for me to collect. When I went to the dealer to drive it, check it over and then hopefully make the purchase, my first initial impression of the colour / black wheels, overall looks, I was gobsmacked....it's a real monster, looks incredibly mean, not like a normal C class in any real way, looks like it means business. I think it's so much better looking that the RS4 and S4, very muscular and very big! Wheels look huge compared to my 911 Turbo.

Anyway, I had a bit of a drove last night, a guy in a new M4 was trying it on with me immediately and I had a little play, but didn't want to be one of those guys who wraps up his new car within the first few hours.

Car sounds amazing, very throaty, like a deep growl, roar, and the pops and bangs on down changes are addictive, wish it did this a little bit more though, but maybe then it would get on your nerves!? A few of the down change bangs and growls literally had me laughing out loud, insane sound! I love the start / cold start sound, ferocious growl, like a race car idling, love this! Interior is black napa leather and I think its a very nice place to be, steering wheel is superb, chunky and well designed, really liking the AMG silver spoke and the flat bottom, generally i am so happy with the interior, all the buttons etc etc, no idea what half of them do yet, but that's fun finding out all the bits it can do.

Ride is firm, and potholes and rough surfaces do judder the spine as has been mentioned, much harder than my S4. As a comparison, it's not in the same league, the AMG is miles ahead in all aspects, ,aspects the S4 look like a boring small estate. The power delivery form the AMG is also very different. Initially driving it, I didn't feel it felt that fast, not as fast as my 911 turbo, but then in sport+ i floored it and the way it picked up speed was like a freight train, very very fast / 911 fast. I was a bit reluctant to do this too much as I really not used to RWD with such power. I need to really read up on the vest way to drive it, not lifting off throttle mid corner etc etc, so any advice on driving style would be helpful. So it feels like there is a slight dead zone on the throttle peddle, on slight, then the power is there, gearbox amd changes very different from the S4 which felt like crisper / quicker changes than the AMG. The AMG feels much more mechanical, brutal and almost industrial, the noise, the bangs and pops, like a sledge hammer!

One thing I would like opinion on, is that the red triangle traction control light seems to come on at odd times, after acceleration in a straight line, the lifting off the throttle, after a few seconds the red triangle and a beep.... driving along maybe 50mph, steady cruising, red triangle and beep, so it seems to be coming on at odd times, that don't feel like i am pushing the car in any way, or going round a corer at speed etc, i am driving very carefully... so what does this actually mean??? Is it just saying there is a little loss of traction? I am slightly worried that in the wet this might turn into an unexpected spin, as it's bone dry and very hot currently, so should not be loosing traction, slippery at all??? any advice about this to put any fears to bed....oh yes also i was in comfort, not sport+....

Overall though i am very impressed by it, the looks are incredible, have a had several people staring at it.

Tyres are Michellin Pilot sports I think, i can double check incase this is the reason???

few pics

[dank]

[dank]

[playalistic]

Lovely car. Just treat it with respect like a normal rear-drive car and you'll be fine.

Pretty sure the red triangle is the car telling you you're too close to the car in front at your given speed (yes, it really does that) or the pre-safe crash protection thing - if it's that malfunctioning check the sensor at the front is clean. The TC icon is the yellow car with skids behind it if I remember correctly.

[dank]

thank you!

ah yes, ok that reassures my mind, was worried the car was loosing traction!!!

dumb question now, how do you put the car in manual, so you can just use the paddles, as i suspect manually controlling downshifts will mean more pops and bangs!

[playalistic]

dank said:

thank you!

ah yes, ok that reassures my mind, was worried the car was loosing traction!!!

dumb question now, how do you put the car in manual, so you can just use the paddles, as i suspect manually controlling downshifts will mean more pops and bangs!

It's the gear cog looking button on the left hand side of the touchpad thingy. I'd recommend you take a look at setting the 'individual' mode so you can switch everything to the right setting collectively. Mine is customised to put everything in sport+ and the transmission into manual mode automatically. Have a read through the owner's manual

[dank]

Ok so just went out for my 4th drive of the day! Lots of fuel used today and set up the individual setting / manual / sport+ and goodness what a monster!!! Popping and banging and growling on down changes, some bangs sounded like gun fire. So loud!!! And the whole car felt much more responses and so fast. What’s Jekyll and Hyde car!!!!! Amazing thing