Any reason not to buy a W205 C63?
Discussion
SmithCorona said:
Oh well, if Chris Harris says it then my opinion is invalid.
Of course, he owned one for years, drove it tens of thousands of miles and formed a full real world opinion as opposed to a day long paid jaunt around estriol or wherever.
Ironically, that video is what made me order one because I had test driven and found it "meh" - but watched that a few times and thought "I'll buy one anyway as I maybe didnt get the whole experience and Chris Harris thinks its good" - I watched it many times as mine was being built. Six-ish years later, my opinion is still "meh".
The F80 M3 is a better drivers car, the RS4 of the same era is better built and more comfortable, and there are more characterful engines in the 5.0s that JLR and Lexus have/had.
The 205 isn't the best c63 estate, and, ignoring tech and overall power, the c55 is a better daily. The 4.0 TT is probably fourth in the hierarchy of modern AMG engines.
If I have to point to a respected motor journalist from Top Gear to validate my opinion (as seems to be the precedent) then I'll pick Clarkson's Times review of the 205 63 - that's bang on the money without the rose tinted spectacles.
Finally, have I used all of the horsepower on a public road and wrung through the gears?
Well, if I answer yes I am certain you will jump on me and suggest that I am irresponsible, have broken the speed limit and killed all the local wildlife because "blah blah gear ratio, tops out at whatever in fourth etc.". However, I have, in Germany - where it is entirely legal to do so - and, as mentioned, on track. The same in the M5C, and many other things.
Have you used all of the horsepower in third and fourth?
I have yes in third a few times - not often - never in 4thOf course, he owned one for years, drove it tens of thousands of miles and formed a full real world opinion as opposed to a day long paid jaunt around estriol or wherever.
Ironically, that video is what made me order one because I had test driven and found it "meh" - but watched that a few times and thought "I'll buy one anyway as I maybe didnt get the whole experience and Chris Harris thinks its good" - I watched it many times as mine was being built. Six-ish years later, my opinion is still "meh".
The F80 M3 is a better drivers car, the RS4 of the same era is better built and more comfortable, and there are more characterful engines in the 5.0s that JLR and Lexus have/had.
The 205 isn't the best c63 estate, and, ignoring tech and overall power, the c55 is a better daily. The 4.0 TT is probably fourth in the hierarchy of modern AMG engines.
If I have to point to a respected motor journalist from Top Gear to validate my opinion (as seems to be the precedent) then I'll pick Clarkson's Times review of the 205 63 - that's bang on the money without the rose tinted spectacles.
Finally, have I used all of the horsepower on a public road and wrung through the gears?
Well, if I answer yes I am certain you will jump on me and suggest that I am irresponsible, have broken the speed limit and killed all the local wildlife because "blah blah gear ratio, tops out at whatever in fourth etc.". However, I have, in Germany - where it is entirely legal to do so - and, as mentioned, on track. The same in the M5C, and many other things.
Have you used all of the horsepower in third and fourth?
Interesting about 4th best engine in the C63 are you including the C36
4.0 TT
3.0 supercharged
6.2 V8 NA
5.5 V8 NA
No, the 6.0TT V12 I drove in a CL65, about a decade or so ago - it was like a butter, similar to the electric car feel of today.
I always dreamed of an SL65, but I couldn't afford a new one (any oneone would be mad to IMO) and there was never the right spec in used when I was looking (and there are better v12 options in reality!).
I always dreamed of an SL65, but I couldn't afford a new one (any oneone would be mad to IMO) and there was never the right spec in used when I was looking (and there are better v12 options in reality!).
I have a W205 C63s saloon and owned an F80 before
They are quite different.
The F80 is more raw with a better steering feel and feels more planted. I also think it looks more aggressive (matter of taste if you like that)
The C63s sounds (much) better, steering is quite light, is a fair bit quicker (on the straight at least).
I think on paper the F80 is a better car, but I enjoy the C63 more
They are quite different.
The F80 is more raw with a better steering feel and feels more planted. I also think it looks more aggressive (matter of taste if you like that)
The C63s sounds (much) better, steering is quite light, is a fair bit quicker (on the straight at least).
I think on paper the F80 is a better car, but I enjoy the C63 more
SmithCorona said:
It depends what you baseline it against.
Steering isn't very good in a 205, its reasonably direct but turn in could be far sharper and there is no feel - certainly not a patch on an M product, or many JLR. Rear end isn't twitchy on it either, extremely predictable.
Also, you can absolutely feel the weight of it, espescially the rear of the estate, and especially on track - which I took mine on.
I drove mine, properly, in all weather; it just isn't that good a car. The f90 comp is night and day a better car, apart from the lack of estate tailgate.
Each to their own. Having spent quite some time in an F80 I would pick the C63 each time. The extra weight over the rear on the estate, coupled with the lovely V8, only added to the experience on track - it’s by no means a precision machine but that was half the fun for me.Steering isn't very good in a 205, its reasonably direct but turn in could be far sharper and there is no feel - certainly not a patch on an M product, or many JLR. Rear end isn't twitchy on it either, extremely predictable.
Also, you can absolutely feel the weight of it, espescially the rear of the estate, and especially on track - which I took mine on.
I drove mine, properly, in all weather; it just isn't that good a car. The f90 comp is night and day a better car, apart from the lack of estate tailgate.
hungry_hog said:
I have a W205 C63s saloon and owned an F80 before
They are quite different.
The F80 is more raw with a better steering feel and feels more planted. I also think it looks more aggressive (matter of taste if you like that)
The C63s sounds (much) better, steering is quite light, is a fair bit quicker (on the straight at least).
I think on paper the F80 is a better car, but I enjoy the C63 more
I appreciate this view and it tells me a lot and certainly makes the C63 sound like the right car for me They are quite different.
The F80 is more raw with a better steering feel and feels more planted. I also think it looks more aggressive (matter of taste if you like that)
The C63s sounds (much) better, steering is quite light, is a fair bit quicker (on the straight at least).
I think on paper the F80 is a better car, but I enjoy the C63 more
While I love BMWs, the F8x M3/4 do nothing for me. I've driven them before, and while I think they look better than the C63 (the F80 in particular), I think they sound awful and noise is such a big part of a car like this for me.
I have a supercharged E92 M3, which isn't going anywhere, so I don't need the C63 to be the last word in absolute involvement or driving dynamics, because I already have a car like that
Buffy d said:
I appreciate this view and it tells me a lot and certainly makes the C63 sound like the right car for me
While I love BMWs, the F8x M3/4 do nothing for me. I've driven them before, and while I think they look better than the C63 (the F80 in particular), I think they sound awful and noise is such a big part of a car like this for me.
I have a supercharged E92 M3, which isn't going anywhere, so I don't need the C63 to be the last word in absolute involvement or driving dynamics, because I already have a car like that
Do you have a readied thread on that great sounding supercharged v8 M3?While I love BMWs, the F8x M3/4 do nothing for me. I've driven them before, and while I think they look better than the C63 (the F80 in particular), I think they sound awful and noise is such a big part of a car like this for me.
I have a supercharged E92 M3, which isn't going anywhere, so I don't need the C63 to be the last word in absolute involvement or driving dynamics, because I already have a car like that
Buffy d said:
I appreciate this view and it tells me a lot and certainly makes the C63 sound like the right car for me
I tend to think of the BMW variants as the more serious, straight laced option and the AMGs are a demonstration of the German sense of humour. Both excellent cars in their own right, but built to suit two different types of driving.Edited by sanguinary on Tuesday 19th April 18:54
Welshbeef said:
Is there any formal laptimes by same test driver of the M3 and C63 to clarify what the difference is. Factually for nearly everyone the result wouldn’t make one jot of difference
There's this evo head-to-head video if that's any good? F80 M3 was marginally faster:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf67GoQhFMk
I've owned an M4 which was followed up by a W205 C63s.
Hands down for me the 63s was better in every way, my M4 had P Zeros and the stock gearing with boost coming in at 2/3k used to spin up the tyres, having it in MDM mode (traction half off) was way too snappy, kicking the rear end slightly when changing 2/3 when the tyres were a little warm and at times accelerating round corners in MDM mode. The car nearly sent me into a hedge once and didn't inspire much confidence. I'm sure Pilot sports would of fixed this somewhat.
I personally found the steering in the C63 better, the M4 with different driver modes just added weight to the wheel really, the C63 was better for power, low down grunt, noise and even cornering. Could enjoy the C63 at low speeds with the V8 but also the brutal overtaking power and whilst being on the heavier side, the car held it's own against many bigger cars, Rs6's, M5s, even a performante once!
If I had the choice I'd go C63 every time, the only downfall I saw was the interior rattling, centre dash, pan roof (most mercs do this eventually) and the seats which I think is a side effect of listening to loud music.
Hands down for me the 63s was better in every way, my M4 had P Zeros and the stock gearing with boost coming in at 2/3k used to spin up the tyres, having it in MDM mode (traction half off) was way too snappy, kicking the rear end slightly when changing 2/3 when the tyres were a little warm and at times accelerating round corners in MDM mode. The car nearly sent me into a hedge once and didn't inspire much confidence. I'm sure Pilot sports would of fixed this somewhat.
I personally found the steering in the C63 better, the M4 with different driver modes just added weight to the wheel really, the C63 was better for power, low down grunt, noise and even cornering. Could enjoy the C63 at low speeds with the V8 but also the brutal overtaking power and whilst being on the heavier side, the car held it's own against many bigger cars, Rs6's, M5s, even a performante once!
If I had the choice I'd go C63 every time, the only downfall I saw was the interior rattling, centre dash, pan roof (most mercs do this eventually) and the seats which I think is a side effect of listening to loud music.
Blown2CV said:
sanguinary said:
Mine's a W204, but you get the idea. Note the fuel gauge, note the range.
If that doesn't put you off... absolutely go for it!
the w205 is considerably better on fuel though. Also faster If that doesn't put you off... absolutely go for it!
however the NA is awesomeReally easy to do so - more could be done if you really tried.
I guess in theory a 500 mile range could be done.
The engine is so tractable so smart (cylinder deactivation) and for a turbo offers such a great sound.
Chris harris you tube video on this 20mins + it’s great in depth review. He also hugely rated it as a very fast road car.
The LSD mechanical on the non S is better IMHO. It doesn’t have any failure issues whereas the S is electronic and I’ve read of some issues - but who knows how many instances it really is.
chinnyman said:
In thinking of changing my 2012 XFR for a C63 W205. I'm averaging 19MPG at present, which is affordable but just annoying filling up so frequently.
My driving is predominantly Town or A roads. Would the Mercs mpg be any better?
I get 18 in town and 28 on A roads....short answer "marginally". This is a not a car you buy for mpgMy driving is predominantly Town or A roads. Would the Mercs mpg be any better?
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