W204 C63 dad wagon
Discussion
The imminent pitter-patter of small feet meant that the time came to get rid of my 986 Boxster, which I'd thoroughly enjoyed for the past 3 years. I don't use a car for work, so without the ability to transport the family it just didn't make sense to keep it. Once I'd got my head around getting something bigger and more practical, I started looking at secondhand Golf Rs and the like. To be honest, I was never really that interested in them. No emotional pull/appeal for me.
I wanted something that:
1. Would be enjoyable on a just for the hell of it drive whilst still being palatable for the OH and incoming kid
2. Would make me smile without the need to drive it like I stole it (or at least not all the time...)
3. Meets ULEZ requirements
4. Had some personality, made a nice noise and wasn't a 4 cylinder! A naturally aspirated manual would've been the dream ticket.
This is our only car and the other half drives it too, so we wanted something that isn't too big - that ruled out 5 series/E-class type stuff. Ultimately I was deciding between an E92 M3 and a W204 C63. I would've loved a manual M3 saloon, but the OH made it clear she'd prefer an estate and whilst I love a high-revving screamer I thought the AMG would prove more enjoyable at lower speeds.
I was prepared to stomach high running costs so long as the depreciation isn't bad. I did some man maths comparing it against newer stuff like Golf Rs etc, thought it might vaguely work £-wise and then abandoned the calculations in case I'd done them wrong.
After trying a couple of pre-facelift C63s the OH again made her feelings known and the budget went up to get a later, post-facelift estate because it's more modern inside, with bluetooth audio and a few other niceties. The fact that the car I've bought has an LSD and the performance pack is an unexpected bonus - I wanted an LSD but they're pretty scarce in the estates, so I'd removed that from the criteria. The spec is pretty good - no HK (not bothered), no reversing camera (but sensors all round), contrasting leather, auto-everything and a sunroof (useful for hearing the V8).
The long and the short of it is that somehow I've managed to get a 6.2 V8 past the OH as our only car, with only mild disagreement. Suffice to say in-depth conversations on both running costs and other options for the same money have been studiously avoided.
First impressions - the good bits. The engine is a masterpiece. The noise is awesome and it's a bonus that it's not too intrusive in normal use. It pulls incredibly strongly from any revs, breaks traction hilariously easily and overall it just feels like the last of a dying breed. I've only driven it either in stop-start traffic or out on a hoon since getting it, so the current mpg average is 16... I'm not really convinced it'll ever get much more.
First impressions - the bad bits. The exterior is more gangster than I'd like. I don't mind black, but with the wheels and tints it's a bit much. I wasn't really too fussy on colour, I just wanted to avoid a white one. Might get some 18 inch wheels for it as the 19s have a reputation for buckling, the ride would be improved, and because with it being our only car, the wheels are bound to get kerbed at some point.
In the longer-term, I'm hoping it proves predictably expensive but doesn't throw up too many unexpected big bills. Fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and other consumables like brakes are pretty chunky but all forseeable and not that bad at around 5k miles annually. My man maths might work out slightly off given high prices at the moment, but nevermind.
Other than using it, I don't really have any plans for it. There are lots of mods available, but it's already more than fast enough for me. I think I will get some (childish) satisfaction from driving back from the hospital with a new baby in a 480hp V8, even if when I'm inevitably stuck in London traffic passers-by will assume the local drug dealer just got a new car.
I wanted something that:
1. Would be enjoyable on a just for the hell of it drive whilst still being palatable for the OH and incoming kid
2. Would make me smile without the need to drive it like I stole it (or at least not all the time...)
3. Meets ULEZ requirements
4. Had some personality, made a nice noise and wasn't a 4 cylinder! A naturally aspirated manual would've been the dream ticket.
This is our only car and the other half drives it too, so we wanted something that isn't too big - that ruled out 5 series/E-class type stuff. Ultimately I was deciding between an E92 M3 and a W204 C63. I would've loved a manual M3 saloon, but the OH made it clear she'd prefer an estate and whilst I love a high-revving screamer I thought the AMG would prove more enjoyable at lower speeds.
I was prepared to stomach high running costs so long as the depreciation isn't bad. I did some man maths comparing it against newer stuff like Golf Rs etc, thought it might vaguely work £-wise and then abandoned the calculations in case I'd done them wrong.
After trying a couple of pre-facelift C63s the OH again made her feelings known and the budget went up to get a later, post-facelift estate because it's more modern inside, with bluetooth audio and a few other niceties. The fact that the car I've bought has an LSD and the performance pack is an unexpected bonus - I wanted an LSD but they're pretty scarce in the estates, so I'd removed that from the criteria. The spec is pretty good - no HK (not bothered), no reversing camera (but sensors all round), contrasting leather, auto-everything and a sunroof (useful for hearing the V8).
The long and the short of it is that somehow I've managed to get a 6.2 V8 past the OH as our only car, with only mild disagreement. Suffice to say in-depth conversations on both running costs and other options for the same money have been studiously avoided.
First impressions - the good bits. The engine is a masterpiece. The noise is awesome and it's a bonus that it's not too intrusive in normal use. It pulls incredibly strongly from any revs, breaks traction hilariously easily and overall it just feels like the last of a dying breed. I've only driven it either in stop-start traffic or out on a hoon since getting it, so the current mpg average is 16... I'm not really convinced it'll ever get much more.
First impressions - the bad bits. The exterior is more gangster than I'd like. I don't mind black, but with the wheels and tints it's a bit much. I wasn't really too fussy on colour, I just wanted to avoid a white one. Might get some 18 inch wheels for it as the 19s have a reputation for buckling, the ride would be improved, and because with it being our only car, the wheels are bound to get kerbed at some point.
In the longer-term, I'm hoping it proves predictably expensive but doesn't throw up too many unexpected big bills. Fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and other consumables like brakes are pretty chunky but all forseeable and not that bad at around 5k miles annually. My man maths might work out slightly off given high prices at the moment, but nevermind.
Other than using it, I don't really have any plans for it. There are lots of mods available, but it's already more than fast enough for me. I think I will get some (childish) satisfaction from driving back from the hospital with a new baby in a 480hp V8, even if when I'm inevitably stuck in London traffic passers-by will assume the local drug dealer just got a new car.
I think we have a similar mindset :-) I had a highly modified MK1 TT roadster and then when our first child was on the way I realised something more practical would be needed.
My more practical was a 5.0 V8 - CLS 500 with AMG kit, wheels etc which was lowered on the air suspension and straight piped :-)
I still miss that car and yours is absolutely lovely.
Enjoy
My more practical was a 5.0 V8 - CLS 500 with AMG kit, wheels etc which was lowered on the air suspension and straight piped :-)
I still miss that car and yours is absolutely lovely.
Enjoy
Thanks all - it is indeed a lovely motor, really happy with it.
I actually found the role through the C63 group on Facebook, agree that it is an excellent resource.
Good to see some agreements on the wheels! I'm on the lookout for a set of 18" wheels to fit this. I'll look to have those in silver. I'll replace the existing ones when the current tyres are done. Lots of life left in them when I bought the car but I am rapidly addressing that! If I don't find a set of 18s then I'll refurb the existing ones. Much to my frustration, after worrying about the OH kerbing one, I proceeded to do it myself earlier today. Extremely annoying!
I actually found the role through the C63 group on Facebook, agree that it is an excellent resource.
Good to see some agreements on the wheels! I'm on the lookout for a set of 18" wheels to fit this. I'll look to have those in silver. I'll replace the existing ones when the current tyres are done. Lots of life left in them when I bought the car but I am rapidly addressing that! If I don't find a set of 18s then I'll refurb the existing ones. Much to my frustration, after worrying about the OH kerbing one, I proceeded to do it myself earlier today. Extremely annoying!
In addition to the wheels on the "to-do" list, the other thing that could do with sorting is the driver's bolster. It's particularly vulnerable on these and they're easily brushed on the way in/out. Anyone got any recommendations for how/where to sort it? On my old 986 I used a leather care/colouring kit but I'm more reluctant given the mix of colours going on here. Ideally I'd use some sort of recommended mobile service that doesn't require taking the seat out of the car.
Edited by OM98 on Monday 23 August 16:05
Lovely car OP, you made the right choice over an E90 M3, ive had both. Looks like yours is a PPP car by the brakes.
If the wheels are too much, refurb in the original diamond cut finish or shadow chrome powder coat I would recommend. Painting them silver I don’t recommend.
I ran mine for a year and sold it 3 weeks ago,it needed rear tyres, a service and a cam cover, genuinely the best car I’ve owned.
Fuel isn’t as horrendous as the internet will have you believe, I averaged 18mpg in mine over the year
If the wheels are too much, refurb in the original diamond cut finish or shadow chrome powder coat I would recommend. Painting them silver I don’t recommend.
I ran mine for a year and sold it 3 weeks ago,it needed rear tyres, a service and a cam cover, genuinely the best car I’ve owned.
Fuel isn’t as horrendous as the internet will have you believe, I averaged 18mpg in mine over the year
OM98 said:
In addition to the wheels on the "to-do" list, the other thing that could do with sorting is the driver's bolster. It's particularly vulnerable on these and they're easily brushed on the way in/out. Anyone got any recommendations for how/where to sort it? On my old 986 I used a leather care/colouring kit but I'm more reluctant given the mix of colours going on here. Ideally I'd use some sort of recommended mobile service that doesn't require taking the seat out of the car.
I used a it from Colourlock to refurbish the seats in my 130. It was about £70 and has made a big difference.Edited by OM98 on Monday 23 August 16:05
My seats went from this
To this
Court_S said:
I used a it from Colourlock to refurbish the seats in my 130. It was about £70 and has made a big difference.
My seats went from this
To this
Thanks - I think I'll give them a call to see what they've got in the way of colour match. Looking up using the VIN seems to give a range of red options. It's the same stuff I used on my 986. It worked well on that, I just really don't want to cock these up!My seats went from this
To this
Thanks all for the comments - it's good to be a member of the club!
Alfred Pina said:
I bloody love cars like the C63 and I commend your decision process. I have put myself off owning one solely due to the automatic 'box, but I haven't actually driven one. Yours with the performance pack is at the top of the desirability tree.
Very well played.
Agree - the autobox was a factor that put me off too. I couldn't figure out a relatively modern ULEZ compliant alternative (E39 M5 would be the dream otherwise), so in the end I compromised on that rather than get something with less interesting powerplant. The facelift box is notably better than the pre-facelift torque converter and the torque means the engine suits an auto in general. It's great for mooching around lazily (I often just leave it in "C" when pottering about), but there's no doubt that it's not as good when you're on it - time will tell how I gel with it. Executing a heel and toe downshift in a manual with this engine would be awesome. Very well played.
1350 miles in the last month thanks to a couple of weddings up north, and not a lot to report, which is rather pleasant. Sure to smash the 7kish I thought we'd do in a year which might not help the depreciation side of things, but thanks to the noise and acceleration I'm ignoring that.
The appetite for V Power is predictable. I'm getting 16ish in town and 25 on a run, with the average since I got it being 22. I've seen a few tales of people getting 30 on a motorway, but I can only assume they put several bricks underneath the throttle to get close to that. It's annoyance is that this means little more than 300 miles from a tank.
The only other thing that's bugging me is the tendency of some people to drive like utter bellends around it, seemingly convinced that I'd like to lose my license in a race with them.
The appetite for V Power is predictable. I'm getting 16ish in town and 25 on a run, with the average since I got it being 22. I've seen a few tales of people getting 30 on a motorway, but I can only assume they put several bricks underneath the throttle to get close to that. It's annoyance is that this means little more than 300 miles from a tank.
The only other thing that's bugging me is the tendency of some people to drive like utter bellends around it, seemingly convinced that I'd like to lose my license in a race with them.
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