C63 vs Quattroporte vs M5

[topgunkos]

Given all the the EV regulations incoming I am looking to bite the bullet and get a NA powered car where the engine is the focus before I am not allowed to do so.

So far looking at
W204 C63
E60 M5
Gen V Quattroporte GTS

doesn't necessarily have to be a sedan so could be M6, Granturismo etc the engine is what I am interested in.

Price range 25-30k

What would be your choice in this budget? Any other suggestions I am missing?

[James42]

C63… straight pipe it, might as-well go all out if this is the route you want to go

[Welshbeef]

If it’s the C63 and N/A go for the S204 501 version. Bonkers fast.

V10 M5 is thirsty very thirsty and a small fuel tank - so right now frankly you’d not be able to use it aside from waiting for the petrol queue.

[lukeharding]

A QPV is a gorgeous thing to own. Beautiful to look at, lovely place to sit and sounds fantastic. Always had a hankering for a C63 but the QP is a different league in terms of style.

[NathanChadwick]

You may struggle to get a GTS 4.7 for less than £30k these days. They're anything between £35k-45k these days.

Very different driving experience to the other two. They offer almighty mid-range thump, whereas the QP is all about revving it out to the max; it really depends on your driving style and what you want.

The naturally aspirated E63 AMG is a fabulous thing, not as much low-range thump as the E55 Kompressor or the later turbocharged models, but of the German options, it's the one I'd choose. I'd plump for the Maser, but then I would...

[Terzo123]

The M156 Powered 63 in whatever variant ( C or E Class) would probably be the cheapest to run from the cars you've listed.

Its a fantastic engine.

[Welshbeef]

Terzo123 said:

The M156 Powered 63 in whatever variant ( C or E Class) would probably be the cheapest to run from the cars you've listed.

Its a fantastic engine.

Isn’t there on some years an issue with head bolts?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'm bias but the C/E63 is the pick out of those three the N/A choices the Maserati 4.7 is a peach of an engine & will feel special but they do cost a bit to run.

The three cars not on your list that are worth at least a test drive.

VXR8:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105253...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109217...

RC-F

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109247...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109067...

& of course the Mustang:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108025...

[Terzo123]

Welshbeef said:

Terzo123 said:

The M156 Powered 63 in whatever variant ( C or E Class) would probably be the cheapest to run from the cars you've listed.

Its a fantastic engine.

Isn’t there on some years an issue with head bolts?

Engine numbers from 060658 have the revised head bolts, this will include all facelift W204 C63's and PFL's built from late 2010 onwards.

However the head bolt issue seems to be more of an issue in the USA than over here in the UK.

[LeeM135i]

I went with the C63S coupe. Truly epic car! relaxed enough to cruise in and silly fast and loud when you want it too. Only thing I would say is compared to the other two it is just a fast C class, although the more I read about it the more unique it is. The only body panels it shares with the C class coupe are the doors, boot and roof, the steering rack, brakes are all bespoke. The chassis has reinforcing beams to stiffen it up and an extra AMG piece under the bonnet to lengthen the car so the engine fits.

Maserati is a lovely looking thing and the most exotic of the three with a Ferrari engine! Scares the life out of me with the potential electrical gremlins and issues.

M5 was bit big for me and wouldn't fit in the garage, probably the most engaging and fastest of the three depending on generation.

[ITP]

All 3 have great engines.
Quattroporte for me though, as it has so much more specialness as an ownership proposition than the others, that are fast version of common cars.
The QP5’s only engine choice throughout its life being a V8 Ferrari unit, no 4cyl, no diesels etc.

Pricey to run of course, as it’s basically a ferrari saloon, but I would say borkage factor is far greater on the E60 M5. AMG probably be cheapest to run, but maybe not to insure!

[Peldrigal]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'm bias but the C/E63 is the pick out of those three the N/A choices the Maserati 4.7 is a peach of an engine & will feel special but they do cost a bit to run.

The three cars not on your list that are worth at least a test drive.

The fact that you can have a 5 year old RC-F for less than 30k has made me reconsider my priorities...

[flying-banana]

Jaguar XK 5.0...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021090770...

Maserati GranTourismo...budget only gets a 4.2, whilst it's not stupidly quick, it sounds glorious, and feels properly special...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072253...

Something like an R8 v8 manual might tempt you to stretch the budget a little...def a future classic
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091674...

...or the bravest of brave pills...a TVR Cerbera 4.5...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021081060...

[Mr Tidy]

The only one of those options I have driven was a Quattroporte and it was fantastic!

But a few years later I heard a V10 M5 given the beans under a railway bridge and it just sounded so special.

Although if I had that budget I'd look for the best manual Mustang GT I could find - hopefully much less painful to maintain.

[CarCrazyDad]

3 of my friends actually owned different V10 M5's at time (well, 1 friend and 2 business acquaintances )

They all had huge faults , Rod bearings / Vanos / Gearbox

One had Vanos and Rod bearings go within 3 months of each other

They all sold them

[Fessia fancier]

Another vote for the QP
We have had ours nine or ten years and it now has 120k on the clock
A lovely thing but get the ZF box

[ZX10R NIN]

If you do go for the QP (& why wouldn't you it's a special car) make sure you get a 4.7 or if you do get a 4.2 make sure it's had the Cam Variator issue sorted.

[leef44]

flying-banana said:

Jaguar XK 5.0...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021090770...

Maserati GranTourismo...budget only gets a 4.2, whilst it's not stupidly quick, it sounds glorious, and feels properly special...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021072253...

Something like an R8 v8 manual might tempt you to stretch the budget a little...def a future classic
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021091674...

...or the bravest of brave pills...a TVR Cerbera 4.5...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2021081060...

I like your "outside the box" kind of thinking

[sshenton1975]

Hi OP

I've owned both the E60 and the QPV

QpV is a bit of a let down. Looks and sounds amazing but is not fast and is quite wallowly! You also need very deep wallets.

My E60 had benefited from a new engine from BMW and was absolutely amazing. Not only a great drove but great handling too. Back box delete makes it sound like an F1 car!

[Mark83]

When I bought my C63, I briefly entertained the E60/61 M5 but the prospect of four to five figure bills out the blue were enough for me not to even test drive in the end.

My C63 was perfect. No issues at all. I still have seller's remorse two years later.