The £15k C63 AMG: Spotted
The iconic W204 AMG continues to depreciate; this one has the Performance Pack, too...
Alright, confession time: there's not much more to say about the original C63 AMG in this Spotted that hasn't been said in countless eulogies before. It's the foundation of modern AMG, combining a monstrous powertrain with palpable luxury and genuine dynamism - a formula Mercedes had struggled to conjure up convincingly beforehand. Prior to this car's introduction in 2007, AMG products were cars like the old '55s, with that endearingly daft M113 V8 in one form or another - charismatic, sure, but a little ponderous to drive. Cars after the C63 are those like the A45, GT R and E63, vastly more talented than what preceded them. There's a convincing argument to say that the C63 was the catalyst.
But sorry, yes, you knew that. You knew it gave the E90 M3 a right old fright at the end of the last decade, and made the B7 RS4 look as entertaining as defrosting a freezer. What you might not have known, however, is that this superb AMG V8 is now available from £15k.
Yep, 15 grand for one of the 21st century's best sports saloons. This isn't a scabby C63, either - far from it. While the advert is a little sparse on details, a few key points such as a recent major service (including a brake refresh) are encouraging to see. Moreover, the spec is sensible, the mileage just fine (88k looks large, but is only about 9,000 a year as the car approaches its 10th birthday) and the condition good: the paint hasn't lost its lustre, the leather has retained its plumpness and the wheels still appear round. And multispokey.
Plus this C63 is a Performance Pack car, a rare but desirable option that boosted power to 480hp, tweaked both suspension and brakes and added a mechanical limited-slip diff. It's rare you see the Performance Pack at all, leave alone in a C63 this affordable, so it's a real win-win situation.
That said, you need to be realistic. This is a car that struggled through 20mpg on the official (and officially useless) combined cycle, belted out great gobs of carbon dioxide and cost more than £60,000 new; the ravages of depreciation need to be ignored, as this is still going to be a relatively expensive car to run. Still, our Buying Guide suggests the C63 is far from unreliable, and it's not more costly to keep on the road than its immediate rivals. None of those have a 6.2-litre V8 either, do they?
Like so many hero cars of the 2000s, the C63 AMG is already sat comfortably in the modern classic category; engines this silly just won't exist ever again, and the reputation it established for AMG will always ensure a level of demand largely unknown to previous iterations. It'll be interesting to see how much further these cars depreciate, though it's hard to imagine there being very much concern for that after 10 miles on the road. They're fondly remembered for good reason, after all...
SPECIFICATION - MERCEDES C63 AMG PERFORMANCE PACK
Engine: 6,208cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive, limited-slip diff
Power (hp): 480@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 442@5,000rpm
MPG: 21.1
CO2: 319g/km
First registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 88,000 miles
Price new: £54,645 (before options)
Yours for: £15,800
and if Merc had offered it with a manual gearbox I'd have been in one in a shot. I went for a manual E92 M3 instead and it was a mistake. The power delivery in these is much more my cup of tea...rather than the very high rev/stingy torque of the V8 that is in the M3. I didn't realise that you could get these now for this money.
and if Merc had offered it with a manual gearbox I'd have been in one in a shot. I went for a manual E92 M3 instead and it was a mistake. The power delivery in these is much more my cup of tea...rather than the very high rev/stingy torque of the V8 that is in the M3. I didn't realise that you could get these now for this money.
I hadn't realised that they were getting this cheap either.
I was close to buying a 2017 C63 but decided against it as it was over my budget and I would have been living beyond my means however residuals were a worry for me as the GFV was around 15 k after 4 years however after seeing this, 10 years old with that mileage for 15k, it has restored some faith in the idea of a C63 in a few years should funds permit!
Estate for me please.
Fantastic cars but they are hard to sell on when the mileage is much above 60k unless they are very cheap low mileage cars values still quite firm if spec is decent
Not just my view but the trade. My latest is a nice low mileage late car, plan to keep for several years. I have never seen a rusty w204 c class never mind a c63 version don’t touch if rusty !
Steve
Insurance seems cheap to me, goes through a staggering amount of petrol, 25mpg if you cruise at 70 if you’re lucky and it’s cost £500 a year to tax I think.
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