C63 AMG owning/buying advice
Discussion
So my wife has been hankering a C63 AMG for a while and a change of job means she hands her company car back and gets a car allowance instead. Started looking at the market and you seem to be able to get a W204 for about £15,000 or W205 for about £28,000.
At this point she is unsure if to get saloon or estate.
Looks wise, the W204 catches the eye more in our opinion, but interested in which people think is the better car? What are the key ‘gotchas’ to look out for when considering one and where would your money go? £15k on a W204 which arguably would depreciate less but cost more long term in ownership and repair bills or £25k on a W205 which hopefully would be more reliable and possibly a nicer place to be and spend less time in the garage.
Yes it’s a big difference in price and probably strange to compare the 2 but that’s just where we are at, shes’s wanted one for a while.
We keep going back and forth between the 2 so interested on peoples thoughts on both cars, especially from someone who has owned both.
Is it really going to ruin us running costs wise or on the whole are they pretty bullet proof?
Any thoughts or advice is more than welcome and great fully received.
Edited to say....I think an added complexity, is there a big difference between pre and post face lift W204? Obviously puts the window even bigger in terms of £15k-£25k for W204 and prices starting at £28k for a W205.
First world problems and all, but comments and advice welcome
At this point she is unsure if to get saloon or estate.
Looks wise, the W204 catches the eye more in our opinion, but interested in which people think is the better car? What are the key ‘gotchas’ to look out for when considering one and where would your money go? £15k on a W204 which arguably would depreciate less but cost more long term in ownership and repair bills or £25k on a W205 which hopefully would be more reliable and possibly a nicer place to be and spend less time in the garage.
Yes it’s a big difference in price and probably strange to compare the 2 but that’s just where we are at, shes’s wanted one for a while.
We keep going back and forth between the 2 so interested on peoples thoughts on both cars, especially from someone who has owned both.
Is it really going to ruin us running costs wise or on the whole are they pretty bullet proof?
Any thoughts or advice is more than welcome and great fully received.
Edited to say....I think an added complexity, is there a big difference between pre and post face lift W204? Obviously puts the window even bigger in terms of £15k-£25k for W204 and prices starting at £28k for a W205.
First world problems and all, but comments and advice welcome
Edited by itz_baseline on Monday 22 June 22:14
Had both, can't mention the running costs other than fuel fuel fuel
Blew the top half of the engine on the NA which merc mostly paid for at the time. So far no problems with the TT
The W204 when on it and in the mood probably was the funner car - raw, visceral, etc
The W205 does this also but at 90%, the party trick is when you whack it in comfort it really does quiet down and become a relaxing drive, something the NA could never do
I do really miss that V8 NA brutality but then again I never do fully appreciate cars until I get rid of them
Blew the top half of the engine on the NA which merc mostly paid for at the time. So far no problems with the TT
The W204 when on it and in the mood probably was the funner car - raw, visceral, etc
The W205 does this also but at 90%, the party trick is when you whack it in comfort it really does quiet down and become a relaxing drive, something the NA could never do
I do really miss that V8 NA brutality but then again I never do fully appreciate cars until I get rid of them
Edited by Roguexcess on Tuesday 23 June 08:21
Wondered if I could piggy back on this - Specifically looking for running costs info from owners of W205s - I'm considering getting into a W205 C63 Estate in the near future and keen to know what range people get from a tank, average mpg for mixed use and also brake disc and pads costs.
Please please pleeeease don't say 'you don't buy a C63 if you care about MPG' ... 'Ha, don't get an AMG if you want low fuel costs' ... I get it - I am not for a minute expecting it to get anything resembling good MPG, but it will be a daily family car and I just like to have an idea of running costs in my head and an idea of how often i'll have to stop for fuel on a long journey when making any purchase - So whilst I appreciate it's a performance car and do not expect low running costs, I just like knowing what the running costs might potentially be and experienced owners are the only reliable source of that information.
Please please pleeeease don't say 'you don't buy a C63 if you care about MPG' ... 'Ha, don't get an AMG if you want low fuel costs' ... I get it - I am not for a minute expecting it to get anything resembling good MPG, but it will be a daily family car and I just like to have an idea of running costs in my head and an idea of how often i'll have to stop for fuel on a long journey when making any purchase - So whilst I appreciate it's a performance car and do not expect low running costs, I just like knowing what the running costs might potentially be and experienced owners are the only reliable source of that information.
I'd go with mileage, condition, service history and specification, not necessarily which model. Early W204 models can suffer head-bolt problems. A well looked after W204 with some extras, like the performance pack, could be a far better bet than the standard later model. Both models are fairly bomb proof and there's not a lot to choose in their performance model for model. If you want a bit more grunt then look for a 507 or S variant. I like the throttle response of the W205, it's much quicker to react than the W204 but I much prefer the dash and screen on the earlier model. But things like that are just personal choice, neither model will disappoint. Good W204's won't suffer so much depreciation and it's the last model with the big motor and that's a big attraction for some. Neither will be economic on fuel or rear tyres but otherwise aren't particularly expensive to run. I get regularly 20mpg from my W204 and its reached 29.7mpg before on a run. If it were me, I'd opt for a late W204 over an early W205.
UltimaCH said:
jet_noise said:
Mercedes buying guide sticky is a good start.
Just learned something. Didn't know is existed, so I'll be jumping over there immediately. Thanks for the tip
My 2p...
...had a (just) pre facelift PPP W204 having had a W209 CLS63.
The occasions where the C could be enjoyed small compared to the CLS. Roads clear and well sighted enough to enjoy more than 50% of the performance rare. When they are it was brilliant but otherwise, meh.
Of course the engine is fab.
Seats were particularly uncomfortable. More than anything it was this that made me sell. Far too narrow. And I'm on the skinny side!
Whiff of the taxi about the interior.
Plenty of info available about potential hydraulic tappets, head bolts and gearbox valves about.
Had a W205 c63 for two years now and it’s been remapped for 13 months of that time.
I use it as a daily and commute from Chichester to the new forest often for work, done about 28k miles in them two years. Running costs haven’t been to bad 1 set of front and rear discs with pads costing around £700 fitted.
On my 2nd set of rear tyres around £400 a pair and on my 3rd set of front tyres around £300 a pair.
I had the gearbox and diff oil changed a few weeks ago through choice it wasn’t due this cost £300.
Ona run I average 28-30 mpg on my 65 mile drive one way.. and when pushing on or messing around this drops to around 18mpg ish..
Iv had no issues been a fantastic car a seriously quick with the remap. Comfy to drive when in comfort pretty hard in sport + as to be expected.
I think for the money performance and smiles it’s fantastic.. I’m struggling to look for a replacement next year!
Not many things keep with it on a long straight.
I use it as a daily and commute from Chichester to the new forest often for work, done about 28k miles in them two years. Running costs haven’t been to bad 1 set of front and rear discs with pads costing around £700 fitted.
On my 2nd set of rear tyres around £400 a pair and on my 3rd set of front tyres around £300 a pair.
I had the gearbox and diff oil changed a few weeks ago through choice it wasn’t due this cost £300.
Ona run I average 28-30 mpg on my 65 mile drive one way.. and when pushing on or messing around this drops to around 18mpg ish..
Iv had no issues been a fantastic car a seriously quick with the remap. Comfy to drive when in comfort pretty hard in sport + as to be expected.
I think for the money performance and smiles it’s fantastic.. I’m struggling to look for a replacement next year!
Not many things keep with it on a long straight.
Thanks all for the replies, really appreciate it. I’ve read the buyers guide so thanks for the tip and I’ve started a long trawl of figuring out spec and prices.
Not desperate to get one so will keep looking until the right one comes along.
Thinking we are will look for a face lift W204 (possibly pre-face lift if it’s a stunner with low miles) as I like the idea of the last NA big V8s. They will never go back to NA and I can see the prices holding up stronger long term.
We are also going to go for an estate as not only is it useful but I like the fact that it’s a bit more subtle to those not in the know (if there’s such a thing as a subtle C63 AMG that is). And I could be completely wrong here, but I suspect and estate will have been better looked after and less likely to have been owned by a younger boy racer who can’t afford the upkeep of the car as an estate just doesn’t fit their image. Could be completely wrong...but that’s my fuzzy logic.
Any other tips or advice more than welcome or any specialist Indy garages in the Huddersfield area for servicing etc.
Things like what tyres do people go for, do you buy brake pads and disks from something like GSF car parts or replace with something different (sounds crazy but I used to own a Clio V6 and pads and disks all round were over £1,400 from Renault but the same part codes were basically £500 from GSF).
Do timing chains need replacing? Anything else I should look for in terms of history of a car?
Thanks in advance. Will keep people updated on how the search is going.
Not desperate to get one so will keep looking until the right one comes along.
Thinking we are will look for a face lift W204 (possibly pre-face lift if it’s a stunner with low miles) as I like the idea of the last NA big V8s. They will never go back to NA and I can see the prices holding up stronger long term.
We are also going to go for an estate as not only is it useful but I like the fact that it’s a bit more subtle to those not in the know (if there’s such a thing as a subtle C63 AMG that is). And I could be completely wrong here, but I suspect and estate will have been better looked after and less likely to have been owned by a younger boy racer who can’t afford the upkeep of the car as an estate just doesn’t fit their image. Could be completely wrong...but that’s my fuzzy logic.
Any other tips or advice more than welcome or any specialist Indy garages in the Huddersfield area for servicing etc.
Things like what tyres do people go for, do you buy brake pads and disks from something like GSF car parts or replace with something different (sounds crazy but I used to own a Clio V6 and pads and disks all round were over £1,400 from Renault but the same part codes were basically £500 from GSF).
Do timing chains need replacing? Anything else I should look for in terms of history of a car?
Thanks in advance. Will keep people updated on how the search is going.
Funnily enough Throttle House have just done a bit of a back to back on these cars. I like this channel and if you can put of with some of the more juvenile parts it may be of some use?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLxzxsLf1g&t
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLxzxsLf1g&t
Got one last month with 33k having sold my e92 m3. Can confirm having done over 1500 miles since in Europe that these cars are absolutely ridiculous, does cruising and unabashed mentalism easily, whilst carrying a shedload of luggage with ease. Good luck with the search, they are fantastic.
Interesting to hear your thoughts of the Merc against the M3, typically people slate the M3 for no low down power but being a sharper tool for track driving.
Given you have owned both close together I would love to hear your initial thoughts. The C63 looks lovely and sounds like you have had a good trip already!
Si
Given you have owned both close together I would love to hear your initial thoughts. The C63 looks lovely and sounds like you have had a good trip already!
Si
Getting ready next week to pull the trigger on a 2013 W204 coupe. It is a iridium silver with the imprtant option 471 LSD. It has 10'000km on the clock and is like new. The previous owner (car dealer) would take it out for a spin from time to time, but seeing what he has stocked in his shop, I guess he had plenty of choice.
SiT said:
Interesting to hear your thoughts of the Merc against the M3, typically people slate the M3 for no low down power but being a sharper tool for track driving.
Given you have owned both close together I would love to hear your initial thoughts. The C63 looks lovely and sounds like you have had a good trip already!
Si
I loved my e92, sounded fantastic and revs more like a bike than a car. I had a manual non EDC and it was a super sharp driving tool, you definitely notice the extra weight of the Merc especially on the tighter stuff where the M feels glued to road whereas the Merc a bit more wallowing but you just learn to drive differently. I haven't got a slip diff at the moment and that makes a huge difference to how the two drive, sport esp in the Merc is a laugh but untamed whereas MDM mode in the m3 allows you to slip in a controlled way. Undoubtedly the M had the edge as standard but noticeably less overall power and overtaking shove, the 63 just absolutely launches when you put your foot down. Even in standard tune I'm not sure much could keep up with it, feels stronger than advertised power and certainly more than the m3. Wavetrac and MSL tune due this year then I think it will be quite a weapon, might try some H&R springs to tighten things up or ultimately get the electronic coilovers. Can't see myself replacing it anytime soon!Given you have owned both close together I would love to hear your initial thoughts. The C63 looks lovely and sounds like you have had a good trip already!
Si
tjlazer said:
I loved my e92, sounded fantastic and revs more like a bike than a car. I had a manual non EDC and it was a super sharp driving tool, you definitely notice the extra weight of the Merc especially on the tighter stuff where the M feels glued to road whereas the Merc a bit more wallowing but you just learn to drive differently. I haven't got a slip diff at the moment and that makes a huge difference to how the two drive, sport esp in the Merc is a laugh but untamed whereas MDM mode in the m3 allows you to slip in a controlled way. Undoubtedly the M had the edge as standard but noticeably less overall power and overtaking shove, the 63 just absolutely launches when you put your foot down. Even in standard tune I'm not sure much could keep up with it, feels stronger than advertised power and certainly more than the m3. Wavetrac and MSL tune due this year then I think it will be quite a weapon, might try some H&R springs to tighten things up or ultimately get the electronic coilovers. Can't see myself replacing it anytime soon!
That’s great thanks for the insight, that sort of confirms what I thought. I want theatre at the end of my working week, 6 days on commuting in my 998cc Citroen C1 needs to be followed by grin inducing fun, but on the odd occasion sit in ‘C’ and plough up the motorway with the family in comfort and luxury. The need to spend on an M3 in terms of actuators, rod bearings and exhaust work before you turn a wheel also puts me off a little.
I just need to decide on which body style and colour, also could do with a test drive but don’t know how that sits in the current situation?!?
Si
My thoughts: currently on second W204, first was a saloon, present one is late model low mileage coupe with AMG LSD, exterior carbon pack etc. Love them both but coupe looks more dramatic but no difference In performance
Buy the best you can afford £15k model will be an early tired car, but get a good one and You will be pleased
Running costs aren’t too bad for the type,of car. Compared with the E60 V10 M5 I used to run that is !
Steve
Buy the best you can afford £15k model will be an early tired car, but get a good one and You will be pleased
Running costs aren’t too bad for the type,of car. Compared with the E60 V10 M5 I used to run that is !
Steve
I had a w204 estate with PP from new to 50 k miles over 8 years, swapped it for a w205 63’s’ estate last year in which I have done about 5k to date.
The W204 was great, the engine is the main event, the economy was around 18 mpg for the duration of my ownership, I’m not sure it ever went above 25 mpg even though I did take it on some uber long motorway trips in excess of 700 miles. It was well built and always felt exciting. It was extremely reliable, it did seem to get through a lot of rear tyres.The fuel tank is way too small.
The W205 is quite different, although the engine is again the star of the show, it is much more refined, it feels much more sprightly. It gathers speed at an impressive rate, you need to remind yourself to keep an eye on the speedo. It easily hits 28 mpg on longer runs, I've seen 33 when driving at a steady 70mph. It is almost too tech, the driver options are laughably extensive, it has gadzillions of aids and warnings, all of which are impossible to ignore and some of which appear to switch themselves on, such as the multitude of cameras if you get too close to anything. This can be annoying. I don’t personally think that the ride is too harsh, my wife actually said that she thought that it was significantly more comfortable than the W204.
Both had the premium sound install from the factory, I changed the speakers in the W204 to Morel speakers and that made the sound go from OKish to truly outstanding, albeit for about £700. I’ll endure the slightly underwhelming Burmester in the W205 for the foreseeable future.
They are both brilliant, you would struggle not to have fun in either of them. MPG worries are forgotten in the first week, so don’t lose any sleep over that. They are both highly effective at covering big distances quickly, but they are more ‘sports car’ than GT, so don’t expect them to float down the road, especially with the bigger wheel rims.
Just to warn you that there is a very, very, long wait if you order a new one and they won’t tell you that when you order it..........
The W204 was great, the engine is the main event, the economy was around 18 mpg for the duration of my ownership, I’m not sure it ever went above 25 mpg even though I did take it on some uber long motorway trips in excess of 700 miles. It was well built and always felt exciting. It was extremely reliable, it did seem to get through a lot of rear tyres.The fuel tank is way too small.
The W205 is quite different, although the engine is again the star of the show, it is much more refined, it feels much more sprightly. It gathers speed at an impressive rate, you need to remind yourself to keep an eye on the speedo. It easily hits 28 mpg on longer runs, I've seen 33 when driving at a steady 70mph. It is almost too tech, the driver options are laughably extensive, it has gadzillions of aids and warnings, all of which are impossible to ignore and some of which appear to switch themselves on, such as the multitude of cameras if you get too close to anything. This can be annoying. I don’t personally think that the ride is too harsh, my wife actually said that she thought that it was significantly more comfortable than the W204.
Both had the premium sound install from the factory, I changed the speakers in the W204 to Morel speakers and that made the sound go from OKish to truly outstanding, albeit for about £700. I’ll endure the slightly underwhelming Burmester in the W205 for the foreseeable future.
They are both brilliant, you would struggle not to have fun in either of them. MPG worries are forgotten in the first week, so don’t lose any sleep over that. They are both highly effective at covering big distances quickly, but they are more ‘sports car’ than GT, so don’t expect them to float down the road, especially with the bigger wheel rims.
Just to warn you that there is a very, very, long wait if you order a new one and they won’t tell you that when you order it..........
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