Hi Everyone,

Just came back from the dealer (in HONG KONG) with an in depth quote for a 2010 March production C63 (arrives in May/June) and just have few questions, hoping everyone can shed some light because what the salesman told me has been somewhat different from the info. I've been reading on this forum and other internet articles.

1) First off, salesman says starting from March production, the once Option: Intelligent Light System will be standard on the new C63, meaning no more fog lights and will be replaced with the LED lights. I find it odd, because I only came across pictures of regular C class with the LED and it was said that the AMG will not be receiving the LED front lights.

2) Starting Dec. 2009 Performance Package PLUS will be released which includes (found on numerous internet articles):
a) A few internal parts found in the new supercar SLS (forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight crankshaft),

b) new engine program which will give the car +30HP which shaves off 0.1s of 0-100km time and approx 1.2 sec from quarter mile time

c) Cf spoiler on the trunk (sedan only)

d) Red AMG caliper brakes with a new composite braking system, however, some sites says they are ceramic brakes, and some don't say and just refer it to NEW AMG braking system

e) New AMG steering wheel (should be the one found in the original performance package)

f) Alcantera Seats (read this on a couple websites, such as http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...kage-plus.html ) If true, yes very appealing.

g) Salesman said no official set price has been set on this package but expect it to be relatively higher than the original Performance Package

My question regarding the Performance Package PLUS is will this package INCLUDE what the original Performance Package offers, PLUS the listed parts above?? Such as, does it include LSD? the tuned suspension from the old PP??

My salesman says, YES the PP PLUS package will include everything, but I just want to confirm because it is not mentioned in any articles I've come across.

Also, what do you all think of this option???

Fellow members, please share your opinions! Just want to get the facts straight!

 

Hi there,

I have ordered a December production C63 in Hong Kong and had similar questions and found it difficult to get answers on the LSD issue. Not sure about the intelligent lighting system - I purchased it as an option. I think you need to nail the AMG rep down on the price and what is included! Keep in mind that the HK configuration and equipment levels may be different to other markets...

 

an extra 30+ HP will not shave 1.2 seconds off the quarter. He's probably pulling your chain. I would be wearing about all the other stuff he said too.

 

Oh, the stuff i listed in my OP was from him and stuff I read from articles on forum and internet. I do understand though that the package has not been officially released yet so many uncertainties are still in the air, so there will be different type of answers out there...

But I forgot to mention in the OP, was that the sales man said the LSD will become a stand alone option starting 2010. But he claims it's for people that doesnt want the entire PP package but would want the LSD. He states that the PP Plus will indeed include the LSD.
But like I said before, uncertainties will be flying around now until some more official news release I suppose.

Keep the opinions coming!

Thanks everyone!

 

Very important: One of the upgrades is a more agressive ECU, this is where the 30 HP is gained. The problem with that (confirmed with Kleemann) is that if you do an ECU tune, your numbers will pretty much be the same as if you had not taken the PP31.

Also I did not see anything about different seats, just a different steering wheel. I skip the P31 upgrade and invest in other upgrades later on.

As bushburningc63 said there is no way you'll gain 1.2 secs in the 1/4 mile. A good stock c63 is around 12.5, that would mean 11.3 (no chance) you might gain .3, and even that would be good!

 

Hi dleung22,

1. ILS would be standard on C63, but there would be no LED. Check out german website. They have all the details about the 2010 model.

2. a to f are mostly right.
I am not sure about the performance improvement on b.
d, You won't get the ceramic break.
g, In canada the PPpackage is 6000 canadian dollar. The Ppackage before was 4000ish.

The PPpackage doesn't include LSD and suspension upgrade. LSD now is a separated option and because of the bad feedback from the customers, MB remove the suspension from the package.

Hope this helps.

 

I know this has been over and done with many times, but I will be driving the streets of HK and not tracking the car...is LSD really NECESSARY for a car with this much performance? It is unfortunate it does not come stock...

Also, so according to just4derek, PP Plus package is basically Red brakes, internals, steering wheel, 30 HP...and NO suspension edit now due to it being discontinued!

Sounds more logical to just opt for a base C63 and get Kleeman/Renntech...but lose out on the 'bling' factor of Red calipers because it is no point of getting Brembos since stock AMG brakes are made from Brembo w/ 6 pistons on fronts and 4 pistons on back...if I ever went the BBK route it would only make sense to upgrade and that would mean 12 and 8 pistons (fronts and rears respectively)...

Please more members chime in! Anyone with a base C63 without PP and went aftermarket ECU? I assume quite a few..but do share your thoughts and experiences!

 

No LSD here w/ aftermarket ECU. I don't track the car and don't really plan on it. I believe that's the general consensus (as far as I've seen), LSD would help there.

Can't miss what you never had.

 

Also keep in mind the rumor mill is starting to talk more and more about the new 5.5ltr i-turbo V8 of which should be out at some stage late next year. If this is of interest to you, you could wait a few months.

 

First off, like others have said, there is absolutely NO way that a 30 crank horsepower increase will improve your 1/4 mile time by 1.2 seconds. If that's the case, Kleeman-tuned cars would be running mid 10's all day.

Second, the LSD is a must for a car with this much power. I would get the LSD as a stand-alone option and forget about the other PPPlus stuff. There would be NO alcantara seats, the speed delimiter and 30HP can be more than made up with an ECU tune, and the red calipers are played out, imo. A stage 1 ECU tune from most aftermarket tuners (for about $1500-$2000) would put this car far beyond a stock C63. As for the suspension, there has been posts from people here who track their car with the stiff suspension and resulted in slower times because it's not as forgiving over the bumps and such on the tracks.

As for the brakes, 6-pots in front and 4-pots in rear are plenty big and quite sufficient for this car. Unless you plan on making this car 800+ hp, going 12-pots and 8-pots would be overkill...and good luck finding wheels that would fit this car AND those brakes.

In the end, it is your car, so do what you feel is best for you.

 

If I recall correctly, the 1.2 sec reduction is in the 0-125 MPH time.

 

Considering that most of our cars can not trap beyond 125mph, wouldn't that 1.2s reduction in 0-125mph correlate to a 1.2s reduction in 1/4-mile time?

 

I doubt it as it takes more time, not a linear relationship, to accelerate from say 115 to 125 than from say 90 to 100. I recall the time savings from 0 to 125, but can't remember where, I think on this forum somewhere. Most trap speeds are in mid 110s? so I'd guess you'd save a few tenths off the quarter. The 1.2s can be somewhat misleading though, if it is to 125mph, simply because there's more time available to "save from" to get to 125, 30 hp increase would probably do it.

 

Wonder how the LEDs in the front will look.. doesnt seem like there's much room for them

 

Did you manage to get more info on ILS of LED? my feeling is Merc just replacing the foglight bulb to LED one and electronics, not the style change, but if you can get some confirmation from your dealer that would be great.