Any reason not to buy a W205 C63?
Discussion
In short, there's nothing else I want, I want one badly, I have wanted one badly for a long time, so is there any reason I shouldn't?
The only other cars on my 'want' list (996 Turbo, SL55, R33 GT-R) are not in any way viable as everyday cars and are arguably significantly more expensive to look after.
The C63 appears to offer everything I want in one package, and it appears to be incredibly reliable. I have scoured the internet, and it seems that, even after 7 years, there are no major, serious issues to be aware of on the W205.
I just can't see a logical reason that's stopping me from treating myself and buying something I really want and which I can see myself owning for a long time…
The only other cars on my 'want' list (996 Turbo, SL55, R33 GT-R) are not in any way viable as everyday cars and are arguably significantly more expensive to look after.
The C63 appears to offer everything I want in one package, and it appears to be incredibly reliable. I have scoured the internet, and it seems that, even after 7 years, there are no major, serious issues to be aware of on the W205.
I just can't see a logical reason that's stopping me from treating myself and buying something I really want and which I can see myself owning for a long time…
Edited by Buffy d on Friday 25th March 09:36
From what I understand, it's potential for ruinous bills exceeds the 204.
Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
I've got a 2021 C63S, premium plus and so far clocked about 4K miles, but it is my daily.
I came from a Cayman 981 GTS, that I'd had from new but was 6 years old and 40K miles.
I wanted a big V8 before EV's become the norm, I only buy new/ex-demo cars so time is limited and the the W205 is the last of the V8 C63's
I've had no reliability issues, but it's heavy by comparison to the Cayman (obviously), does 20 to the gallon, needs servicing every year and tax is £490, so not cheap to run. I'm not sure I could hustle it like the Cayman but it seems pretty planted.
I get the odd brake assist/adaptive cruise unavailable messages on the dash which is down to cold air/condensation covering sensors, I've had limp mode once but off/on and it's been fine since.
It's crazy fast and addictive, makes a great noise, I'm not sure why people need 800hp and decatted exhaust if I am honest.
Obviously 4K miles and 1 year old probably doesn't tell you much. HTH though.
I came from a Cayman 981 GTS, that I'd had from new but was 6 years old and 40K miles.
I wanted a big V8 before EV's become the norm, I only buy new/ex-demo cars so time is limited and the the W205 is the last of the V8 C63's
I've had no reliability issues, but it's heavy by comparison to the Cayman (obviously), does 20 to the gallon, needs servicing every year and tax is £490, so not cheap to run. I'm not sure I could hustle it like the Cayman but it seems pretty planted.
I get the odd brake assist/adaptive cruise unavailable messages on the dash which is down to cold air/condensation covering sensors, I've had limp mode once but off/on and it's been fine since.
It's crazy fast and addictive, makes a great noise, I'm not sure why people need 800hp and decatted exhaust if I am honest.
Obviously 4K miles and 1 year old probably doesn't tell you much. HTH though.
I've recently bought a 2016 C63 for pretty much the same reason, I wanted to daily a V8 before they're not widely available or viable.
I came from a modified RS3, so far the C63 is a more relaxed and quieter car, and I feel like I'm less likely to get in trouble with it. RS3 was always eager to drive fast and sounded amazing when being wound out, C63 is much more of a cruiser but is still plenty fast.
Fuel economy isn't amazing but not far off the RS3, does about 320 miles on a 60 litre tank, RS3 did 320 on a 50 litre. RS3 felt faster but I'll get the C63 modified soon so interesting to see how that feels.
Interior wise, C63 looks nicer but the quality is really quite poor. The centre stack in the C63 is dreadful, I'd advise any finish but the piano black. Mine has a rattle in the gauge cluster which is apparently quite common, and it drives me mad. Never had a single rattle on the RS3. Other than that slight niggle, everything else lovely and v comfy.
Spec wise I specifically went for a non S car. Don't want the bigger brakes or the electronic diff, rather have a mechanical one and I'm going to tune the car so power difference makes no difference. Mine is blue with silver wheels.
Any Qs, ask away
I came from a modified RS3, so far the C63 is a more relaxed and quieter car, and I feel like I'm less likely to get in trouble with it. RS3 was always eager to drive fast and sounded amazing when being wound out, C63 is much more of a cruiser but is still plenty fast.
Fuel economy isn't amazing but not far off the RS3, does about 320 miles on a 60 litre tank, RS3 did 320 on a 50 litre. RS3 felt faster but I'll get the C63 modified soon so interesting to see how that feels.
Interior wise, C63 looks nicer but the quality is really quite poor. The centre stack in the C63 is dreadful, I'd advise any finish but the piano black. Mine has a rattle in the gauge cluster which is apparently quite common, and it drives me mad. Never had a single rattle on the RS3. Other than that slight niggle, everything else lovely and v comfy.
Spec wise I specifically went for a non S car. Don't want the bigger brakes or the electronic diff, rather have a mechanical one and I'm going to tune the car so power difference makes no difference. Mine is blue with silver wheels.
Any Qs, ask away
Edited by tril on Friday 25th March 23:53
Have a 2018 C63S coupe, had it for a couple of years (15k miles) and other than a service and a lot of fuel its only cost me a £240 coil pack which from the forums is a known issue. It will return over 30 mpg on a motorway run, 15mpg around town or when driven with enthusiasm.
It's a lovely car makes every journey feel special and makes an epic, epic noise.
Watch the motoman videos on YouTube, he explains just how special the C63 is and how the coupe is the most special of them all (sorry to the 4dr, wagon and convertible owners).
If you have specific questions ask away.
It's a lovely car makes every journey feel special and makes an epic, epic noise.
Watch the motoman videos on YouTube, he explains just how special the C63 is and how the coupe is the most special of them all (sorry to the 4dr, wagon and convertible owners).
If you have specific questions ask away.
The coupe is the best of the lot. But I don't think they have the charm of the 204.
My experience is that they are quite robust cars, the drive train espsecially. I commuted 100miles a day in mine for a year, and no issues. The ride is crap and interior quality is a bit naff, the wood is better than the piano black.
My old s205 is actually up on autotrader at the moment, it's last owner only appears to have covered 2.5k miles in two years in it...
My experience is that they are quite robust cars, the drive train espsecially. I commuted 100miles a day in mine for a year, and no issues. The ride is crap and interior quality is a bit naff, the wood is better than the piano black.
My old s205 is actually up on autotrader at the moment, it's last owner only appears to have covered 2.5k miles in two years in it...
the 205 seems also longer then the 204, I believe 100 or so mm? forgot.
somehow I find by looks the 205 look big (4-door at least) the 204 (4-door) looks 'ok' while in pictures the 205 looks good, in the real world they look 'big' had a good look a few days back when such car was parked 2 days in front of my house, then I thought, nope, not for me.
I must say I do not need a big car, its only me no kids or so and I like more the cars around 4 meter and 2-door favorite.
although some with around 4.55 or so meter could also be nice, but then the lines have to be good, like say a AMG GT (S/R) or a SLS but those are euhm expensive.
I would love a SLK 55 AMG R171 with good suspension/bushes and a stronger engine then the M113, or supercharged, or a C63 6.2 engine or a smaller bi-turbo engine in such, so you can have a SLK 55 AMG with 500+ hp, not that I need it, but I like it when such is hidden in a smaller car.
somehow I find by looks the 205 look big (4-door at least) the 204 (4-door) looks 'ok' while in pictures the 205 looks good, in the real world they look 'big' had a good look a few days back when such car was parked 2 days in front of my house, then I thought, nope, not for me.
I must say I do not need a big car, its only me no kids or so and I like more the cars around 4 meter and 2-door favorite.
although some with around 4.55 or so meter could also be nice, but then the lines have to be good, like say a AMG GT (S/R) or a SLS but those are euhm expensive.
I would love a SLK 55 AMG R171 with good suspension/bushes and a stronger engine then the M113, or supercharged, or a C63 6.2 engine or a smaller bi-turbo engine in such, so you can have a SLK 55 AMG with 500+ hp, not that I need it, but I like it when such is hidden in a smaller car.
sanguinary said:
From what I understand, it's potential for ruinous bills exceeds the 204.
Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
I'm quite surprised to hear that. From searching online there don't appear to be any common problems that occur and that you need to be aware of, but I could be wrong! Do you have any examples of that?Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
The e-diff is only on the S and I'd be buying a non-S model
SmithCorona said:
What is it you are coming from? It's an OK car. I'm not sure they are a long term proposition.
I have a supercharged E92 M3, so the C63 would be joining that The reason the C63 appeals to me is that it's also got massive V8 performance, but in a slightly softer and less raw package than the E92 M3. I had a CLS55 as an everyday car for a year as I always wanted something with the M113K engine, but it wasn't for me. It felt gigantic, it was too soft and you felt too isolated from the driving experience, and it also felt slow compared to the M3.
The C63 would be replacing my E86 Z4 3.0si Coupé. I love it, and it's small and fun to drive, but it has some shortcomings: it is a little short on space and practicality for an everyday car, and it also has the worst ride of any car I've ever owned, the electric power steering isn't great and neither is the gearbox, and it's noisy and unrefined. I do really enjoy driving it, but, ironically, it actually feels more hardcore than the M3 and I want my everyday car to be a little softer
sanguinary said:
From what I understand, it's potential for ruinous bills exceeds the 204.
Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
I’ve never heard of one failing. Can you enlightened us and the cost or are you just speculating?Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
sanguinary said:
From what I understand, it's potential for ruinous bills exceeds the 204.
Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
I’ve never heard of one failing. Can you enlightened us and the cost or are you just speculating?Great car, not as raw as the 204, but the interior is much more on spec for a modern car.
It has a very clever electronic rear diff, only found on the C63 I understand. Very expensive if it fails. Very, very expensive!
But, to be fair, they do appear to be fairly robust. Just keep some cash aside, just in case!
Tall_Blk said:
I’ve never heard of one failing. Can you enlightened us and the cost or are you just speculating?
All I’m suggesting is like any other similar mark of car, if something fails, it tends to be an expensive fix. Probably could have worded it better. The 205 is a more complex unit than the 204, so by default the bills have more potential to be ruinous.The 205, probably isn’t at the same stage yet, but with the 204 being reasonably affordable, some people tend to buy it, run it on a shoestring until they can’t afford it, or something fails. You see plenty of high owner cars, which have been treated like that.
AMGs aren’t cheap to run, so as long as the OP is fully aware of that pre purchase and has some backup, all will be good.
I mentioned the diff above. I’ve seen that first hand on the S and it wasn’t pretty. The OP since said they weren’t looking at an S though, so that example was moot at the point that was mentioned.
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