My C63 AMG Estate
Discussion
C63 Build Thread
I thought I would start a readers ride thread for my c63 estate.
This is my second c63 and I have owned it since March 2015.
I have had several M Cars in the past but there was something about the C63 that I just can't ignore.
I first spotted this 2009 C63 estate at Mercedes Perth in Scotland, a full 750 miles away from where I live. I wasn't even looking for another car as I had just sold an e39 m5, reluctantly!
Anyway, the C63 was priced well and was relatively unique given that estates were rare and white ones, even rarer!
The car had 50k miles on the clock, had some good factory extras and I had the security of buying from a dealership.
So, I called them up and left a deposit with a view to collecting it if it was as described. I asked them to provide me a some detailed photos of the car and any imperfections and they duly obliged even including one of those videos.
I flew up 2 weeks later (they had an issue returning the wheels) and enjoyed my drive down, the perfect shakedown to find any niggles. The car performed the journey back with no issues.
Roll on to May 2015 and one part of the car that was lacking was a limited slip differential. Some say you don't notice but you really do. Pulling out of junctions, the car doesn't grip.
So it was booked into Eurocharged in Watford for a Quaife differential to be fitted.
The result was night and day and the car become a lot more driveable.
December 2015 - I took my car in for a rolling road session at Evolve, 499bhp. Not bad for a barge.
February 2016 - new rear tyres needed - not much of a surprise really! I opted to keep the Conti's and had a drive out with some friends which included a leisurely stroll up santa pod.
March 2016 - front passenger side puncture - another new conti!
April 2016 - I ended up buying my old z3m coupe so I think between April and June, I drove the c63 less than 300 miles whilst either using the wife's Abarth 500 or the z3m.
The c63 sat with its new brother
July 2016 - The next aspect of the car I had to address was the chrome trim - it just didn't suit the car. Now, my car already had black wheels but I think having the chrome wrapped improves the car.
I also had the callipers professionally painted red with new AMG logos - it sets the car off nicely and the callipers deserve to be seen due to their size!
January 2017 - resonator delete. This almost made the car too loud but I persevered for 1 month and then had this changed for a valvetronic IPE system - which I managed to source for a good price - lightly used but much more cost effective than new and also enabled me to start the car from cold without the characteristic 'bark' when needed.
Some shots of the IPE prior to fitment
May 2017 - Front Grille - I had been meaning to change this for about 8 months after I bought a replacement from CKS but finally got round to it. Subtle change!
Wheel refurb - although the wheels were kerb free, I was never that happy with the main dealer refurb prior to purchase - as Fa wheels told me when they redid the wheels, it was a 'cheap' job. Be wary of main dealers and wheel refurbs. There was also evidence that the wheel had been repaired prior to the refurb but that's still up for debate.
I also had new tyres all round - Michelin PS4S, lovely.
July 2017 - another bloody puncture, 200 miles on the new tyres! Bloody annoying but my local tyre place came up trumps and matched camkill for a PS4S, thanks Kingston Wheel and Tyre!
August 2017 - some practical uses for the C63......
A mates wedding
A Costco run
Sept 2017 - I took the c63 to Blenheim palace for the Sunday service meet, great fun despite the weather however we did somehow end up in Bicester Village.
That's all for now and the car is sat on 61k miles, still enjoying the car!
I thought I would start a readers ride thread for my c63 estate.
This is my second c63 and I have owned it since March 2015.
I have had several M Cars in the past but there was something about the C63 that I just can't ignore.
I first spotted this 2009 C63 estate at Mercedes Perth in Scotland, a full 750 miles away from where I live. I wasn't even looking for another car as I had just sold an e39 m5, reluctantly!
Anyway, the C63 was priced well and was relatively unique given that estates were rare and white ones, even rarer!
The car had 50k miles on the clock, had some good factory extras and I had the security of buying from a dealership.
So, I called them up and left a deposit with a view to collecting it if it was as described. I asked them to provide me a some detailed photos of the car and any imperfections and they duly obliged even including one of those videos.
I flew up 2 weeks later (they had an issue returning the wheels) and enjoyed my drive down, the perfect shakedown to find any niggles. The car performed the journey back with no issues.
Roll on to May 2015 and one part of the car that was lacking was a limited slip differential. Some say you don't notice but you really do. Pulling out of junctions, the car doesn't grip.
So it was booked into Eurocharged in Watford for a Quaife differential to be fitted.
The result was night and day and the car become a lot more driveable.
December 2015 - I took my car in for a rolling road session at Evolve, 499bhp. Not bad for a barge.
February 2016 - new rear tyres needed - not much of a surprise really! I opted to keep the Conti's and had a drive out with some friends which included a leisurely stroll up santa pod.
March 2016 - front passenger side puncture - another new conti!
April 2016 - I ended up buying my old z3m coupe so I think between April and June, I drove the c63 less than 300 miles whilst either using the wife's Abarth 500 or the z3m.
The c63 sat with its new brother
July 2016 - The next aspect of the car I had to address was the chrome trim - it just didn't suit the car. Now, my car already had black wheels but I think having the chrome wrapped improves the car.
I also had the callipers professionally painted red with new AMG logos - it sets the car off nicely and the callipers deserve to be seen due to their size!
January 2017 - resonator delete. This almost made the car too loud but I persevered for 1 month and then had this changed for a valvetronic IPE system - which I managed to source for a good price - lightly used but much more cost effective than new and also enabled me to start the car from cold without the characteristic 'bark' when needed.
Some shots of the IPE prior to fitment
May 2017 - Front Grille - I had been meaning to change this for about 8 months after I bought a replacement from CKS but finally got round to it. Subtle change!
Wheel refurb - although the wheels were kerb free, I was never that happy with the main dealer refurb prior to purchase - as Fa wheels told me when they redid the wheels, it was a 'cheap' job. Be wary of main dealers and wheel refurbs. There was also evidence that the wheel had been repaired prior to the refurb but that's still up for debate.
I also had new tyres all round - Michelin PS4S, lovely.
July 2017 - another bloody puncture, 200 miles on the new tyres! Bloody annoying but my local tyre place came up trumps and matched camkill for a PS4S, thanks Kingston Wheel and Tyre!
August 2017 - some practical uses for the C63......
A mates wedding
A Costco run
Sept 2017 - I took the c63 to Blenheim palace for the Sunday service meet, great fun despite the weather however we did somehow end up in Bicester Village.
That's all for now and the car is sat on 61k miles, still enjoying the car!
Edited by Carlton Banks on Tuesday 26th September 13:30
Great taste in cars 
didn't realise you'd given the exhaust a tickle or I'd have asked to hear it - I'm convinced these are far too quiet in the cabin! It looks great in white and still pretty subtle.
The LSD is well worth investing in? I'm already struggling in "comfort" pulling away from a junction on a damp morning.
Having been in to my local dealer recently I've been told by no less than three techies to hold on to the 204 as the newer car has dreadful build quality - which is a crying shame. Hopefully the new 4matic cars will be better.
didn't realise you'd given the exhaust a tickle or I'd have asked to hear it - I'm convinced these are far too quiet in the cabin! It looks great in white and still pretty subtle. The LSD is well worth investing in? I'm already struggling in "comfort" pulling away from a junction on a damp morning.
Having been in to my local dealer recently I've been told by no less than three techies to hold on to the 204 as the newer car has dreadful build quality - which is a crying shame. Hopefully the new 4matic cars will be better.
Jonny_gti said:
Great work so far bet the Quaife Diff and remap made the world of difference, I agree with why the go to car is the little Abarth so easy and fun to drive quick with the little crackles and pops from the exhaust. Tidy Z3M also mate.
Indeed, it's just sometimes a bit easier to leave it anywhere without worrying!Brilliant post, OP. Very much enjoyed reading.
I too have a 2010 PPP Wagon, wife has a 2009 Golf GTI (plus a 2013 Gold 2.0 TDI company car).
Just like you I wasnt really looking for a C63, wanted an estate to cart bikes around and do general stuff in, then stumbled upon my C63, which has factory LSD associated with the PPP upgrade from Mercedes. I too have had it remapped, but left the exhaust factory spec as I quite like the silence when motorway cruising.
I found similar problems with the same wheels. Had mine refurbished and painted in spring. Makes a big difference to the overall look of the car.
Had a few niggles to fix along the way, new ESP unit and speed sensors, cost quite a bit, new valve in the torque converter etc. New discs and pads all round was a shocker too at £3k (two part rotors).
Not too sure I agree with people talking about how tail happy they are, it takes quite a bit of provoking to get it to misbehave, perhaps more to do with decent rubber and the LSD?
Being a wagon too, avoids some of the stereo types that comes with this marque too, or so I keep telling myself.
Waffling on now, but was warmed to see an owner with such a similar story and ethos to mine. FWRIENDS.
ETA: Sorry for the bump.
I too have a 2010 PPP Wagon, wife has a 2009 Golf GTI (plus a 2013 Gold 2.0 TDI company car).
Just like you I wasnt really looking for a C63, wanted an estate to cart bikes around and do general stuff in, then stumbled upon my C63, which has factory LSD associated with the PPP upgrade from Mercedes. I too have had it remapped, but left the exhaust factory spec as I quite like the silence when motorway cruising.
I found similar problems with the same wheels. Had mine refurbished and painted in spring. Makes a big difference to the overall look of the car.
Had a few niggles to fix along the way, new ESP unit and speed sensors, cost quite a bit, new valve in the torque converter etc. New discs and pads all round was a shocker too at £3k (two part rotors).
Not too sure I agree with people talking about how tail happy they are, it takes quite a bit of provoking to get it to misbehave, perhaps more to do with decent rubber and the LSD?
Being a wagon too, avoids some of the stereo types that comes with this marque too, or so I keep telling myself.
Waffling on now, but was warmed to see an owner with such a similar story and ethos to mine. FWRIENDS.
ETA: Sorry for the bump.
Seeing these estates makes me wish I'd have gone for one now! Love that dark grey colour suits it perfectly.
Had my saloon about 6 months now and thought all the LSD talk was exaggerated at first but now had a few rainy days it deffinatly needs it! Even in the dry pulling out of tight turns/ T junctions etc it spins with the slightest prod of the peddle.
Had my saloon about 6 months now and thought all the LSD talk was exaggerated at first but now had a few rainy days it deffinatly needs it! Even in the dry pulling out of tight turns/ T junctions etc it spins with the slightest prod of the peddle.
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