solekeeper

won't be buying this. jesus christ, could they make the exterior any softer?


guess it's a BS or e63 biturbo for me after the c

rentzington

on joe rogans podcast he mentioned he loves wagons, not sure if that played into this. Probably just what he could get for the filming.

PeterUbers

+1

You'll never hear these car reviewer guys totally bash a car, but there are subtle things they'll say that key in to their dislikes and things they love

balthaser

You can love a car for its look, its performance, the technology it carries, the status it represents, etc. etc..

One thing you can't deny is that the W205 C63 equips much more high tech stuffs onboard than our C63. That's why Chris Harris, a self-proclaim geeky person in this video, was drawn to it even though he might not approve its look.

otakki

Are you sure the new C63 is built in Alabama? It's not unusual for the regular C-Class to be built at Alabama while having the high end ones built elsewhere. Even if it is built in Alabama, the M177 is still being hand-built at Affalterbach. Quality control, rather than where it is built, is the key.

edisonwu

My dealership told me MB has a new head of designer.

My perspective is all design for new models are *soft*

BenDiem

OP, Thanks for posting the video. I really enjoyed it.

I really wanted to like this car, but I just can't get past the soft/organic look. I'm not a fan of the wheels either. I can't stand all of the chrome pieces on this car either. Maybe it's the dark paint contrast to the chrome bits...

I Like the engine, love the seats and the SW. Don't like/love much of anything else.

At the end of the day, I'm glad I have my W204...

Chris Harris is the man, though!

Cheers/B

Surge

Yes, someone on this forum confirmed it. Not for Europe, but US and Canadian cars will be built in Alabama. The AMG engine will come from Germany, but assembly will be done in the US.

coladin

Guys in the W205 think I'm nuts saying it looks subtle...guess I was in the wrong forum!

I love my C400 and coming from my 507, I appreciate the marked step in refinement. But the C63 should look badass or over styled. This new one barely looks different from my C400, never mind the C450...which is a shame. To me the old C63 was like a Lamborghini Gallardo , a little over the top. This new one is more, I don't know, R8. Fast but more efficient and less flair. If that makes any sense!

zibby43

I did not get the impression that Chris Harris was "trying" to like the car.

He said that performance-wise, it is better than the W204 and despite going the forced induction route, the sound that AMG owners love has not been compromised (that's saying a lot considering how special the 6.2L motor is).

And on a side note, I can't believe the way we eat our own on this board lol. I'm personally pretty excited about what AMG has done. The W204 C63 struggled to win comparisons against the E9X M3 and thus far, the written reviews of the W205 have been absolutely glowing.

I have a '13 W204 C63 and have no problem admitting that the new model has the following advantages:

1) The interior is in another class. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with the interior of my W204 but it looks straight-up outdated next to the W205's. The new seats are once again brilliant and so is the steering wheel. Soft-touch materials abound.

Also, how many threads do we have here about creaks and rattles in the interior? The W205's interior will have better materials and likely a much better fit and finish.

2) The chassis is more well-sorted than it ever has been (not a surprise given that the LCI C63 received an entirely revamped suspension aimed toward making the car more dynamic).

3) The W205 is lighter. Not by a lot, but a little bit matters because the W204 is on the portly side.

4) Speed. This car offers two motors that are simply more powerful than the 6.2L. The torque factor has increased substantially as well. The tuning potential of the M177 is going to be insane.

I personally don't care about fuel economy but I'm not going to complain about going from 12 mpg to 33.

5) Brakes. The brakes are still made by Brembo. There are still massive 6-piston fixed front calipers up front. Out back, there are single-piston sliding calipers (which are also utilized by the AMG GT/GT S and S63 Coupe).

Finally, carbon ceramic brakes are offered and will be a Godsend for those that like to track their cars.

6) Ride quality. How many threads are there about the stiff ride? With 3-way adjustable damping on the W205, virtually every review says that the car rides substantially better than the old car.

7) The C63 comes with a proper mechanical LSD as standard.

It was a tragedy that the W204 C63 didn't have an LSD as standard equipment. For a lot of us here, the Wavetrac LSD was a must.

8) The C63 S comes with the electronically-controlled differential from the AMG GT S as standard. This differential can open during hard braking/cornering to provide better turn-in/steering feel/stability and then lock up during hard acceleration to provide better grip.

For those that haven't driven a car with an "active" diff (this is now becoming standard in the serious performance cars), it basically makes you feel like 10x the driver you actually are.

Whether a car looks good/aggressive is up to the person. Personal taste varies and is 100% subjective.

For those of you that don't like the design, there is no way in hell I'm going to try to convince you to like it because that's absurd. At the same time, no one is going to be able to convince me, personally, that the W205 does not look good because I think it's absolutely gorgeous.

I thought the W204 looked like more of a sleeper sport sedan and that is one of the reasons I chose it. I prefer bite to bark.

My 2 cents.

zibby43

This goes to styling, which is subjective, but I think there are a few objective matters.

The rear of the standard LCI W204 is almost identical to the LCI W204 C63. The C63 has a different spoiler, subtle fins incorporated into the diffuser, and quad exhaust tips.

With respect to the front, the standard LCI W204 had slightly larger front air dams (same shape as the C63 though) and the LED light strips were in the middle of the side air dams instead of the top. C63 also benefited from the twin power domes.

The W205 C63 at least has the benefit of the A-wing front splitter, a unique feature that only AMG vehicles have now (the E63 and S63 Coupe have this as well). It's the single easiest way to differentiate the cars from the front, aside from the twin power domes, which have been retained. In person, I have heard that the W205 C63 looks much wider than the standard car. I look forward to seeing the W205 C63 in person.

I'm going to continue to enjoy my W204 because it is a great car but when it comes time to move on, I'm going to happily move on to the W205. It's going to be an even better performer and the interior looks like a sublime place to be.

In my opinion, the W205 looks more aggressive in lighter colors. The darker shades tend to obscure some of the unique design elements.

rentzington

I agree with a lot of this, the w205 c63 is getting the tech updates it deserves. I don't care too much for the styling but it's got the performance and comfort upgrades . I'm certainly curious to see it in person, but I do think it looks a little tame based on expectations , but I do like sleeper cars

zibby43

Agreed.

Another few major points I forgot:

- The W205 C63 has a proper mechanical LSD as standard.

- The W205 C63 S has the electronically-controlled differential from the AMG GT S (the new F8X M3 also has this same sort of "Active" differential). This differential can open during hard braking/cornering to provide better turn-in/steering feel/stability and then lock up during hard acceleration to provide better grip.

For those that haven't driven a car with an "active" diff (this is now becoming standard in the serious performance cars), it basically makes you feel like 10x the driver you actually are.

It is a joke that the W204 didn't come standard with a proper differential with all that power.

- The new "AMG Sport Exhaust" option is an amazing piece of engineering. To be able to control the sound via the various actuator-operated flaps is awesome. No need for an aftermarket system now. Kidding.

abcut973

Not too sure about that. You want the major exhaust vendors to go to sleep?
There will always be an aftermarket option for that car

zibby43

I tried to edit that to put "KIDDING!" at the end but I lost my connection when I tried. FTFY.

Also, damn that Black Series looks good.

Surge

I just sat in both the w204 and w205 interiors back to back. If you think the new car's interior is in "another class", you're right - the cost cutting class. Look closely and you'll see, and feel, a cheaper interior.
- Play with the power seats- try to move the motors in the smallest increment and you'll feel, and hear, the play of cheaper motors.
- Touch the steering wheel buttons which Chris Harris somewhat derogatorily called "Korean" in their feel
- feel how light and filmsy the doors feel
If you can see behind the S class-like veneer, you'll notice that the new car has a lot lower quality interior

I just ordered the 507 - I could have easily ordered the W205.

Surge

With car reviews, it's always interesting to note what they DON'T say.
Note that Harris never said he wants to buy one.
Not that he never praised the linearity of the throttle response.
And he never said he loved the steering. Saying it's better than the M3's isn't saying much.

Oh and it's doubtful the C63S is any faster to 60mph than the 507!
Put the two cars side by side and it's not clear the new one would win to 60. That makes sense, given the turbo lag, similar weight, and horsepower.

bjonesmd

Very well stated. I am struggling with the styling, but it may grow on me. I love the tech upgrades however. Wait for the inevitable model refresh in a few years, the tech will still be there. Still it doesn't have the 6.2L. I would like to drive the M177, to see how It feels.

Surge

I'd like to compare actual stats - I don't think that's the case.

Not quite - I don't see any better 0-60 times for the W205 vs W204.
BTW, the 507 wagon was clocked at 3.6 seconds by Johnny Liberman (sp?). The coupe would be 0.1 faster.

That's not correct - fuel economy is 30% better from what I read, you're claiming it's more than 100% better.

coladin

I had my 507 for a year and a bit, there is no comparison in interiors. The quality and styling is improved and everything, from the switchgear to the trim, is clearly better than my 507. I have had both cars so...


Sorry but will have to agree to disagree.

jordanaf

It appears that the option of Carbon Ceramic Brakes get center wheel-lock...............interesting



Still keeping my 507

Surge

I think you are associating the way the interior looks vs the quality of the materials.
I am a manufacturing engineer and have worked at Toyota in Japan and GM…
there is no way the W205 has a better quality interior. Everything, from the leather to the plastic is a notch below the W204.

I agree the W205 "looks" more expensive. It's a clever trick employed by Mercedes.

Surge

Just want to elaborate on a previous post, as there's nothing more irritating than mistaken 'facts':

WEIGHT -
I am comparing against a 507 and a C63S -- they have the same curb weight (3640 lbs). So let's put that fact to rest. Source: Autoweek

POWER OUTPUT -
C63S
510 hp at 5500 rpm
Torque is 516 NM at 1750 rpm

C63 507 Sedan
507 Hp @ 6800
450 @ 5200

The C63S should be faster, but to 60 mph it may not be, because of inevitable turbo lag.

FUEL CONSUMPTION
C63S
City - 11 L/100
Hwy - 6.9 L/100

C63 507
City - 18 L/100 (61% worse)
Hwy - 9 L/100 (23% worse)

Maintenance-
With dynamic engine mounts, exhaust flaps, electronic dampers & steering… good luck servicing a W205 when it's out of warranty! No thanks.

Gerry_M

Saw this at the Chicago Auto Show. The interior seems to lack a focal point. Lots of stuff to see everywhere and nothing draws to focus your attention. All the parts are yelling "look at me". Its like a carnival.

PeterUbers

I think the iPad ruins the Feng shui