rentzington

I've been browsing used c63's online and have found one 2011 with the p31 pack that has low miles and a fair price but its a 5hr drive away.

I know the two keys are the rear deck spoiler and the red brake calipers, but i've seen several 2011's on other sites that have the deck spoiler but no red brake calipers.

Can a car have the package without red calipers? Or was the spoiler just an addon?


Also any tips to look for in a used would be great.

Ingenieur

Post the vin in this thread
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w204/430117-c63-vin-decode.html

It's the only way to know for sure
People can change spoilers and paint calipers
If it doesn't have red calipers that is a pretty good sign

As far as what to look for
Look at the sticky posts and search for terms like 'look' 'buying' etc
But mostly same as any car
Mileage
Warranty
The newest year within your budget
Price/financing options/incentives & negotiations

abcut973

P30 didn't come with red brake calipers and the increase output power. But it had alcantara steering wheel/2 pcs rotors/LSD/sport suspension. Some came without LSD between the transition from P30 to P31.
P31 introduced the red calipers/increased power/delimiter with still 2pcs rotors/alcantara steering wheel + CF spoiler/trim. LSD became an option and this package lost the sport suspension. But the P31 engine is supposed to have a better engine with forged and weight saving internals.

The best way to check is to get the car's datacard. Member Valvestud can give you that if you send him the VIN number.
As for tips on buying used C63. Make sure you drive test the car, check brakes , tires (particularly rears), service history, warranty left. Be aware of the headbolt issue as some 2011 MY can be affected but don't panic!
Check if car was already modded and the usage. If it has low mileage was it a garage queen or a car with issue (accident or else). GL

rentzington

yup biggest thing i've done on all of them is check the carfax, looking for regular maintenance logs and checking for accidents. I've been a little leary of some of these that in the span for 3-5yrs have had 2+ owners already

Found a 2011 local thats got blackout grill and emblems I like, but I could easily do that aftermarket if I wanted.

One thing I've noticed in my area is a severe lack of c63's with less than 40k miles...i've had to expand the search to a 300mile area before i found anything and only one was certified PO

CarHopper

2 piece rotors. Most common thing (I'd say) between both PPs and non-PP cars.

Running the VIN would be better though

Mort

The P31 cars have the Titanium colored intake manifold and is a sure way to tell vs the gray colored intake manifold of the standard C63s along with the other features of a P31 car. As mentioned the data card is best way to confirm the OEM factory installed options on a car.

rentzington

pardon my ignorance as i'm just trying to learn as much as I can before I buy.
Few questions a) is the amg development package noticebly better than non p30/31? For a 4k price difference in asking price I can get a 2011 p31 with lower miles....more than budget and would have to drive 5hrs to get it but its also got CPO warranty

As far as mileage of course you want the lowest possible, but on these car's where is a good ballpark range of durability? I'm seeing some real affordable 08-10 models but they have 60k miles my rule of thumb was under 30 if possible.

whoover

P30 and P31 are different. P30 had a limited-slip differential and a stiffer suspension. P31 had neither of those, but a stronger engine. Stronger in terms of 30 extra HP and some beefier engine components.

They both have lighter brakes (2-piece rotors), increased top-speed limit (174 MPH vs. 155 MPH) and cosmetics like Alcantara steering wheel.

The extra power in the P31 is definitely noticeable and the lighter brakes reduce unsprung weight so improve handling a little. But the most important of any of these might be the LSD, which is not part of P31. It's an extra-cost option and many P31s had it, but some didn't and some non-P31s had it as well. If I had to choose, I'd probably take a non-P31 with LSD over a P31 without it. The best is both.

There are a lot of improvements in the 2012 and later "facelift" models. They have a better transmission and improved suspension. I'd take a base 2012 with MCT over 2011 P31, especially if the 2012 had an LSD and the 2011 didn't.

I'd avoid a P30. Most people found the suspension too firm and uncomfortable. They dropped that suspension in the P31. No C63 has a soft suspension.

But any of these cars will be lots of fun.

CPO warranty is a REAL good idea for these cars. Get the longest one. These cars are very expensive when they break.

cyberorth

This

t4orce

Basing this solely on my experience with my own car in Australia, my 2 cents are as follows:

My 63 is a pre facelift 2011, one of the last ones before the new front.

Visually, it features:

Darker intake runners;
Red calliper paint on 2 piece rotors (front);
Part alcantara steering wheel and extended leather on dash and door skins;
Lowered suspension;
19 inch multispokes;
Carbon rear spoiler.

Being a 2011 you'd expect it to be a p31. However, in my search to see if it has a diff I pulled the data card and to my surprise it indicated p30 performance package and separate codes for increase engine output and all the things I listed above. If it was a true p30 it would have the oem diff. However, my particular car despite the p30 code doesn't have the diff as it drives like a car without one. My car is really a p30/31 hybrid.

So I guess in Australia it really is a mixed bag without much consistency. I heard that even the diff is optional on the 507s here in Aus.

Conv_GSDriver

Even though the P30 was broken up for model year 10 and mine being an 11 it does say P30 on the data card as well and prob MB kept it that way. It also has the LSD code 471 as well as the increased speed, etc. yours being an 11 it is a P31 even though the data card says P30. You just have to look for the additional LSD code if buying used.

rentzington

after reccomendations here i've been checking for the LSD on the postings and I'm not finding many that have it unless they are 2009-10 p30's
I might get the vin run on a couple of these before i make any calls and travel to look.

I've got an LSD on my truck and since it's an entirely different beast I haven't noticed much difference other than when its raining and I hit a pothole.

I'd imagine it would certainly help with launching and cornering

cyberorth

For 2011, p030 does not mean the same as pp or p030 of 2010 & 2009. My data card does indicate the same, but it does not mean lower suspension or LSD.

Conv_GSDriver

^ You are correct, it does not mean the same hence the announcement of what's included in the P31 to make that distinction clear. It seems that MB kept the same internal code of P30 and renamed to the current package. I have seen some 2010s with the P30 but lacking the LSD 471 code which at that time was a stand alone option.

rentzington

This is interesting, I had the vins run on a few I was eyeing and one 2011 has the amg dev package and the code lists it as p30 and not p31 and there is no separate code for LSD (though the posting did not claim it had LSD)

OlegKouz

I would recommend saving the money and not buying a P31 C63 and using the money you saved and going after market, there are tons of vendors on this forum that have great products for cheaper (and better) than OEM.

whoover

I'm not sure how much any option, including P31, increases the cost of a used car. But if you can find one for a reasonable price, why not? Better brakes and stronger engine. You can still mod to your heart's content, but why not start with an engine that has lighter crankshaft, pistons and rods? Considering the original owner will be the one who takes the hit, not a subsequent buyer, I'd think a P31 car would be a very smart move.

rentzington

That's exactly why i'm hoping to find a good deal that has a P31, engine and brakes are already upgraded.

ShaneN.

I'm finding the information a bit confusing as far as the changes from year to year and between country. I have a 2011 canadian c63, red calipers, cf spoiler, alcantara wheel. I'm also reading that it changed mid 2011, so my car is a december 2010 build date if that makes a difference. What package is this car? Is this the one the forged internals? Would it have sport suspension or no? Datacard is calling it a p30, which goes against what I'm reading. Suspension doesn't seem overly stiff. good news is I have the 471 code.

realjones88

There is no p31 option in Canada, instead they call it "APX AMG Performance Package Plus," but use code p30. However, it is the equivalent of a US P31 with the extra 30hp. You also get the LSD with the Canadian package as well (hence the 471 code).

BLKROKT

Easiest way to tell is to look at the intake manifold. If it is grey, not white, then you have the P31 internals.

ShaneN.

Now it makes sense, perfect - thanks. Looks like I have all the goodies then. would the canada p30 come without sport suspension like the american p31? I find the car actually rides fairly nice, so I'm assuming it doesn't.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit after a week of ownership I haven't even opened the hood, nor know where the hood release is.

Deeyounee

Hey.

New member here. Just got my C63. Loving it so far but have no idea what packages it has (definitively) hopefully you can help me narrow it down.

Thanks.

WDDGF7HB8AF456134

Mort

Hi, try posting your VIN in this thread for the data card on the car.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...decode-25.html

Deeyounee

Thanks Mort,

Was posting from Iphone, thought I was in that thread.