TestnDoc

I was able to take an S550 on another long test drive today. It was a 550, rear wheel drive with 19" AMG wheels. I'm very impressed with the vehicle overall. The handling is good, and does reasonably well in hard curves. The interior is insanely nice, and the electronics are top notch, compared to my BMWs. My only criticisms are lack of a nice exhaust note in the vehicle cabin, and the mild rolling in corner turns. I currently have a 550 4matic with 20" wheels on order. I got the 20s thinking the handling might be a tad better, but I might get a little more road noise? Anyway, my dealer informed me that he has an S63 allocation slot.....I'm kinda on the fence, but leaning toward the 550. The advantages of the 550, as I see it, aside from the cost(30k+), are run flats and probably a slightly better ride with less road noise. Advantages of the 63, insane power, great exhaust note I'm guessing, etc....Any thoughts??

WEBSRFR

If you are into exhaust noise combined with high performance and can manage the extra $ you can't go wrong with the S63. It's a monster and one of the finest performance luxury cars you could buy. Go for it! You will be very happy and the price is worth it for what you get.

gotwire

Got a 2015 S63 sitting at VPC in Baltimore. Got HUD and all other options. Will let you know as soon as I get it. Have to wait until May though to release 2015's.

xxGenericSNxx

I spent the day test driving the E63 Wagon, E63 sedan, GL550, ML63, and S550. To me all of the AMG cars were so much fun- I was smiling coming out of them and I wasn't even driving them hard. The exhaust noise, the way they handle in the bends is so much more exciting than the way the GL550 and S550 drove. The S550 is a very nice car and it is very grown up, but I simply prefer the added power, handling, noise, and styling that the AMG cars offer. If you can pony it up, I'd recommend going for the S63!

BenzV12

S63 AMG has a special AMG menu as well . I would go for the S63 but providing that it does not require extra special maintenance as opposed to regular MB cars .
Performance wise tuning boxes can easily boost up your "docile" S550 .You can apply aftermarket exhaust but I doubt it would match S63 .You can buy S63'g exhaust system but then what's the point of buying S550 after all these expenses lol

hyperion667

63 duh!

TestnDoc

I was afraid you guys would say that lol. Is the 9 speed gear box going to make it on the S63 or S550 in the new 2015 cars? I wonder if MB sells a spare tire kit.

TomS

I'm not sure if MBC was the reason (maybe ABC) but when I drove my S550 on the twisty mountain roads near Innsbrook in Austria I was really amazed how well the car handled. I had no sensation of lateral movement as the car just seemed to grip and provide the same ride it always does. I have the 20" tires that came with the 53R package. Of course, YMMV. And if you want the sports car feel around corners, then yes, pony up to the S63. The S550 is obviously not a sports car

xxGenericSNxx

Just keep in mind the S63 foregoes the MBC/ABC system due to it being 4matic.

TomS

I knew 4Matic cars did not have Magic Body Control but I thought they did still have ABC.

hyperion667

I kind of feel like the 550 tightens up a bit in sport mode, not as buoyant
but sheesh, if one has the means, go for the AMG, you'll always be happy you did,
then again: my S class really dwarfs my cls63 in terms of posh interior




edit: then again, who knows what the future will bring

TestnDoc

I will probably switch my order to an S63 tomorrow. Is the new 9 speed gear box coming out on the 2015s?

sam9187

No 9 speed for 2015. I would guess it will be a while for AMGs to get 9 speed. I read somewhere it's hard to build for AMGs but who know how accurate the info is.

Wolfman

No 9 speed for the S550 for this year and even when they have it, the AMG may stay 7 speed longer since they have different trannies (MCT).

The biggest complaint on AMG's is not the number of gears but the speed of shifting. Same on their Dual clutches.

Wolfman

4matics have Airmatic suspension, never ABC.

Arigylfa

I've always wondered why that is exactly. I'm extremely interested in Magic Body Control / ABC but 4matic would really come in handy where I live. Do you know the engineering reason for not offering 4matic with MBC? Do the non-airmatic struts prevent the placement of the front driveshafts or something? At least I'm assuming it's an engineering problem since I'm having a hard time thinking of other reasons for AWD being mutually exclusive with the "higher" tier suspension.

WEBSRFR

I'd personally stay away from the first production year of a new Mercedes transmission... You will love the S63. Get it with a proven transmission.

xxGenericSNxx

I feel the same way. Why not both?


What I also don't get is how the ML63/GL63 come with the Active Curve System (optional on lesser ML/GL cars)- and the way it's described it sounds very much like ABC.

"ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM Active stabilizers help control body lean during cornering maneuvers. Electrohydraulically variable stabilizer bars for the front and rear axles increases roll stiffness based on driving speed and lateral acceleration, as well as the driver-selection of the Adaptive Damping System's Sport mode. The system also enhances comfort in straight-line driving and during gentle, sweeping turns."


Obviously the ML/GL are 4matic and have a system "like" ABC- so why not put this on the 4matic sedans?

Germancar1

The suspension on the ML and GL is nothing like ABC. It is still airmatic based, not hydraulic like ABC.

M

TestnDoc

I was about to order a 550, but am having second thoughts. Really thinking hard about the S63....575 hp....wow.....sub 4 0 to 60, with all the bells and whistles....

TomS

One thought...when I put my foot down to get on the highway, I am forcefully pressed back into my seat. This is with the standard V8 S550. I cannot imagine one would tell that much of a difference with the AMG engine. I may be wrong, but I always thought the AMG advantage was in the suspension and brakes.

A few months ago Car and Driver had an interesting comment. They suggested that while in prior S Class model years there was a larger gap between the S550 and the S63, but that was narrowing in 2014 and beyond. As big as my car is, I just cannot imagine I would want to drive it like a sports car. I guess that is just personal preference though. It is just such a nice ride but when I need to hit it, I can.

I was merging on an Interstate today and as I entered the left lane I had floored it. I was quickly doing 83 MPH. While I had memories of going 140 KPH on the Autostrada, I quickly slowed it down to 75. Refinement, comfort and knowing you can give your passengers mini-facelift when you hit the gas is pretty cool. Do you need to peel their face off with the AMG? Yes, I realize I have confirmation bias as I have a 2014 S550, and maybe in a few years, I will think I want something sportier, but that is what the E350 rag top is for in my case.

Now, the S550 4 door convertible will seriously get my attention if they decide to actually build that thing. I guess I will save my pennies (well, hundreds to be honest...)

hyperion667

very well put TomS

Wolfman

The engines in the 550 are quite powerful and can easily be tuned to be near S63 level for next to nothing.

What surprises me though is that the listed 4.8s to 60 seems to be also the real life number.
Normally Mercedes under rated their performance and their cars easily beat their listed specs