Tuesday 27th June 2023

Mercedes C63 AMG (S204) | PH Private Area

The age of big engines in small Benzes is done - maybe it's time to relive the glory days...

---

AMG has proven the doubters wrong on enough occasions that we should probably all give the new C63 a chance. Once upon a time, nobody believed AMG could make a hot hatch - then it built (at the second time of asking) a brilliant one. The switch to turbos caused some consternation, too, only for the M177 hot-V to become one of the great turbocharged V8s. And the notion of a street-legal supercar with an F1 powertrain in it seemed like nonsense, right up until the One set a Nordschleife lap record. Every single time that AMG has deviated from tradition, there’s been concern, only for the lineup to emerge stronger than ever for its diversification. So let’s see. Maybe the signs aren’t great so far, but let’s not write off the E-Performance just yet.

In the meantime, what the switch to a hybrid four-cylinder has done for certain is reignited interest in the old C63s. It’s inevitable that a replacement car makes you look more fondly on the model that preceded it, but when those old ones are the W204 and W205 C63 the affection is nothing short of enormous. Especially as they’re quite a bit less money than a new one; this S204 (to give the estate its proper code), as well as being one of the more interesting original C63s out there as a pre-facelift with a limited-slip diff, is also the cheapest in the classifieds at £17,500…

When the great history of AMG gets written, a significant chunk of it ought to be allocated to the C63. Not only did it famously use AMG’s M156 6.2-litre V8 - the first AMG ground-up engine for a Merc, rather than modifying an existing engine - the transformation from C-Class to C63 was much more involved than previous AMGs. Pre-204, the cars were charming old bruisers, but completely dominated - some might say overwhelmed - by huge engines. The C63 changed all that, establishing the modern AMG template by combining the monster motor with a car that could really make the most of it.

That was more than 15 years ago now; however closely we still hold that car to our hearts, and however quickly its icon status was established, there’s no escaping the fact the C63’s time was a while ago now. For some context, a decade and a half before the 2007 introduction of the ’63 AMG had only just made the C36, its first product after officially merging with the Mercedes mothership. These are pretty old cars now.

Still awesome ones, though, as this example shows. There had been big V8s in a C-Class prior to the ’63, but never of such power and potency. 6,208cc meant more than 450hp as standard, when no AMG C-Class had made more than 400hp before. Bizarrely, the C63 was never fitted as standard with a locking differential for a hard-working rear axle; they really need one to make the best of the car, so it’s nice to see that this estate has one fitted. There are a few additional nice spec details, including a Harmon Kardon stereo and pano roof.

The history includes two previous owners and 11 service stamps from Mercedes main dealers; now showing just under 80k, it’s been serviced in March and looks fit for a lot more family fun. The owner has identified some worming on the wheels, but the Continental/Goodyear tyres look good and the overall condition is surely above average. The interior in particular appears to have held up very well.

No doubt a 20mpg, 326g/km AMG won’t get any cheaper to run in the coming years, but with it will surely also come an increased fondness for one of the greatest-ever V8s to reach series production. The C63 never did the traditional AMG thing of plummeting to £5k or so, reflecting the esteem in which it’s always been held. Don’t expect it to become any less loved in the E-Performance era.

---

SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG

Engine: 6,208cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 457@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 442@5,000rpm
MPG: 20.6
CO2: 326g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 79,000
Price new: £51,565 (2009, before options)
Yours for: £17,500

See the original advert here

[Twinair]

Great cars, owned several. Performance Pack and the LSD wagons can be all the car one would ever need. Brilliant memories from a brilliantly analogue experience - get a good one while you still can!

[911Spanker]

Has laquer peel which means a repaint of the panel? Also isn't the facelift with the MCT 'box the one to go for?

[Vsix and Vtec]

Unfortunately, AMG has become somewhat of a victim of its own success. I like Mercedes as a German brand, but i would never own one of the more modern AMG. I would never be able to find one that hasn't been thrashed to within an inch of its life, nor shake the feeling the previous owner likely described themselves as a "certi driver" and I really don't think I'd ever not find it grating to sit at the lights and have people call me "bruv" or "blud". Just not my thing.

[BenS94]

This looks like it should be SOTW rather than this.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've always loved how torquey this engine is for an NA engine, especially when you compare it to the S65 V8 NA in the E9x M3. They also sound lovely to my ears as well, and it is definitely an engine that I'd love to experience one day. I also like the fact that this has an LSD as well, and they are essential for me in a RWD performance car.

[imquitethick]

Are pre-facelift W/S204 C63’s reliable?

Edited by imquitethick on Tuesday 27th June 08:20

[sideways man]

Don’t care if people think I’m a drug dealer, I’d love one.

[Alex_225]

Vsix and Vtec said:

Unfortunately, AMG has become somewhat of a victim of its own success. I like Mercedes as a German brand, but i would never own one of the more modern AMG. I would never be able to find one that hasn't been thrashed to within an inch of its life, nor shake the feeling the previous owner likely described themselves as a "certi driver" and I really don't think I'd ever not find it grating to sit at the lights and have people call me "bruv" or "blud". Just not my thing.

I must admit, even as an AMG owner (07 CLS63) I'm inclined to agree with you. The AMG brand has been somewhat watered down, not only with certain specs for even the slowest models but even the 43/53 models which personally I don't feel tick the AMG box like the full bore 63 models.

I think cars like the A45/CLA45 having fallen into affordable ranges and now being modified and driven round by the types of people you mention puts them where Evos/Imprezas were 10+ years ago.

I know not all these cars fall into these types of hands having seen them on here and admiring various AMGs but the brand definitely now has a certain, 'type'. That said, I think Audi's RS brand isn't far off sadly.

All that aside, I do like anything with that M156 engine. Great engine and hopefully not too many models fallen into nefarious hands haha

[anonymous-user]

Vsix and Vtec said:

Unfortunately, AMG has become somewhat of a victim of its own success. I like Mercedes as a German brand, but i would never own one of the more modern AMG. I would never be able to find one that hasn't been thrashed to within an inch of its life, nor shake the feeling the previous owner likely described themselves as a "certi driver" and I really don't think I'd ever not find it grating to sit at the lights and have people call me "bruv" or "blud". Just not my thing.

Hardly the case for an S204.

[J4CKO]

Vsix and Vtec said:

Unfortunately, AMG has become somewhat of a victim of its own success. I like Mercedes as a German brand, but i would never own one of the more modern AMG. I would never be able to find one that hasn't been thrashed to within an inch of its life, nor shake the feeling the previous owner likely described themselves as a "certi driver" and I really don't think I'd ever not find it grating to sit at the lights and have people call me "bruv" or "blud". Just not my thing.

Bloody hell man, just come out and say what you are thinking

[mooseracer]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

Vsix and Vtec said:

Unfortunately, AMG has become somewhat of a victim of its own success. I like Mercedes as a German brand, but i would never own one of the more modern AMG. I would never be able to find one that hasn't been thrashed to within an inch of its life, nor shake the feeling the previous owner likely described themselves as a "certi driver" and I really don't think I'd ever not find it grating to sit at the lights and have people call me "bruv" or "blud". Just not my thing.

Hardly the case for an S204.

Agreed. A45 though.....
Mind I drive a m140 so can't throw stones

[Iamnotkloot]

BenS94 said:

This looks like it should be SOTW rather than this.

What the……..,

[CalisenQX]

Looks good from where I’m sitting.
A brave purchase given expected running costs though I would’ve thought.

[Vsix and Vtec]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

Hardly the case for an S204.

Those who say "got an AMG, innit" are unlikely to even know its an S204. They'll just see those 3 little letters and that it can be had for what thier budget allows. I'd suggest it being an estate probably saves it a little, but then you only have to see the Chrysler 300c thugs to realise this isn't always the case.

[nelmo]

We may not like yoofs ragging these cars (and others) about but at least they are using them for what they were designed for....unlike the white-haired guys sedately pottering around in 911s that I see regularly...

Admittedly, I am biased - my 20 year old son (first job, living at home, lots of spare cash) has a 2011 C63 AMG and it is the MOST awesome sounding road car I have personally seen (except for maybe a couple of Maserati's). We just went on a week long trip round France and my ears are still ringing - read all about it here:

https://zerolifebuild.blogspot.com/2023/06/beauty-...

[anonymous-user]

nelmo said:

We may not like yoofs ragging these cars (and others) about but at least they are using them for what they were designed for....unlike the white-haired guys sedately pottering around in 911s that I see regularly...

Exactly. Don't go for this "gagged by youths" stuff. Just stinks of old man with his porsche that he doesn't drive to keep the miles off.

[911Spanker]

Are these at a high risk of being nicked or are they too old for that now?

[Alex_225]

911Spanker said:

Are these at a high risk of being nicked or are they too old for that now?

Probably a bit old now to be fair. I guess it's most likely to be stolen for a joy ride than these organised thefts to order of these expensive newer cars.

[Matt_T]

Can someone explain why they are badged 6.3 but the engine is a 6.2?

[86wasagoodyear]

"It’s inevitable that a replacement car makes you look more fondly on the model that preceded it.." says the article. And nowadays that's true - but it wasn't the case until about 10 years ago. Since then, new has absolutely not meant better. Too heavy, too complex, too much useless impractical tech, too expensive to both build and buy, too boring & unengaging to drive (especially at road speeds). Hence today's rose-tinted views of previous models such as this C63.