WHPH28

So I'm back in the market again for a new car. I have been all over the place from getting the facelift kit to looking for an S63 that turned out to be a bumb deal. I will get a warranty on whatever I decide to go with. I plan on looking at the following cars this weekend and this is what I am thinking about.

07-08 S600 - Has all of the bells and whistles, plenty of power and torque and can have a tune done easily which will make it faster than an S63. No amg kit but it's an S600. I keep reading negative things about the s600 reliability/maintenance but I read the same thing about my Range Rover's before I bought them.

08-09 S63 - It's an S63 not a lot to say but it has to have the rear seat package, etc. I actually like the front bumper of the 08-09 S63. Seems hard to find a warranty for it...so I would just have a hedge fund for repairs, ie pricey rotors which seem to be the main expense.

CLS63 - on the fence about those. Would that be a downgrade, even though it's an amg?

I think those are the top contenders. I test drove an M5 before I bought my S550 and I was looking at them online last night as well as the 750li's...but I think I would miss the comfort and the commanding presence of a benz and I don't see myself going back to bmw after owning a w221.

Last option - keep my car. I guess my issue is when I see other W221's I wish I had this package, or this or that...so while I do love my car - I am not satisfied with it's missing options.

My main goal is to get the power and still maintain the comfort. No, I'm not going to use the power on a daily basis but it's nice to be able to know it's there or when I go to local car meets and everyone is looking at the cars that I know I wouldn't be be blown away by gto's, g8's, and several other cars.

I guess the question is what would you do or what makes the most sense to do?

Thanks for taking the time to read!

1bad540

Get what you like, I think the cls is a downgrade. M5 is Gona be tiny after driving the s, and the newer 750s all have engine issues that will result in multiple dealer trips and possible oil burning issues. I like the s63 but tbh get the facelift model I think once you have the face lifted car the non facelifted just appears very old and seeing that you already want to upgrade that will prob be on you to do list anyway. The s seems to me at least plenty of power that I would never really need to upgrade it, now that said I have a viper in my garage for those times when I need it. Let us know what you find. I think an ideal car for you at this point would be a 10 s63

sakodik

For me, I would go S63. It got what I need in terms of LOOK AT MEEEEEEEEE exhaust noise, amg body, expensive rotors... etc.

For you, I would go 2008 S600, I believe the 08+ are the diamond stitched seats and door. I saw a 07 S65 for sale for about 40k, but without that diamond stitch, it didn't look good to me. It packs the punch of a v12 car with the smooth power delivery and comfort, which you seek. Its a major sleeper. There are body pieces online you could buy to convert to preface lift AMG for "cheap". I found I would be paying 3k for front, side, and rear for the amg body kit. The exhaust is another thing, there are so many options for it.

WHPH28

Thanks for the input.

So I think it's either the S63 or S600. I do now see the difference in the 07 and 08 S600's. The seats definitely do look better as well as the stitching on the door panels. There is basically nothing in the area but I am going to keep searching. I was hoping to find something before we leave for Cozumel in a couple weeks but that may not happen.

Windshield Time

What year is your S550 and what options do you want that it doesn't have?

WHPH28

'08 with P1 and P2 Package

I'd Like:

Rear seat package
amg sport package
P3 Package
panorama sunroof
...of course - the added power.

Fly by night

why not just go for a 2012/2013 S550 with the bi turbo engine and get a tune 63 power and more

WHPH28

Well, my wife is only "letting" me spend a certain amount of $$...max for any car especially after I just bought this one about 5 months ago. I would gladly sell some of our apple stock and go buy a 2014 or 15 S63 and call it a day but then I'd be a single man. She doesn't believe in debt (besides a mortgage) and married life keeps me practical. :-(

I sold my boat when I sold my Range Rover last year. I kind of miss the boat and I honestly thought about a GL550 and buying another boat, which she did enjoy. I figured I'll get another one when we move to FL but there are so many itches and I just want to scratch them all.

alx

get the s63.

DaveW68

A few things to keep in mind about the S63:


- Chances are they've been driven harder due to being an AMG car.
- Mechanical bits such as brakes & rotors are A LOT more expensive than any of the non-AMG cars.
- It's almost impossible to find any company that will warranty the car, especially at the age and mileage a $35k car will have on it.
- They come with a lot less standard equipment than the S65 or S600.
- You cannot get the type of leather surfaces that you get in the S65 and 600....and you cannot get leather wrapped doors & dash.
- In the price range you're considering, you can find a S600 with less miles and likely less abuse than the S63.
- The pre-2010 S600 is faster and more powerful than the S63.
- Tuning the S63 gets you minimal gains and is very expensive.
- You can get the S600 up to S65 power levels with tuning for under $1500.


You might want to reach out to Bruce Mendel as he can likely find you the car you want at auction. He can also give you a better idea of what $35k will buy you in a S63 and S600.

DaveW68

Look at this ultra-low mileage S600. Looks like it has full service records too!


http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...7732/overview/

WHPH28

Thanks for all of the info. I have seen a few S600's in the 35k range with around 50k miles in excellent condition. One thing and perhaps the only thing I don't like about the 600 is the exhaust. It doesnt look to be a diffuser but the whole bumper so I'd just have to swap the bumper with a facelift one which isnt a big deal.

Since you are a 600 owner...can you really feel the power difference and is the leather that much nicer? I have to think about my wife also as she loves a comfortable car and I know the massage seats would win her over.

WHPH28

Maybe it's my eyes, but it says the interior is black. It looks grey to me? One thing I can't do is a grey interior.

DaveW68

The interior is definitely black....it's the lighting in the photos. I thought the same thing from interior pics of my car before I had it shipped. When I got it and saw it in person, I could definitely tell it was all black.


Here's another ultra-low mileage example. And this one has the AMG body kit and wheels installed by the original owner. It must have been custom ordered since it doesn't have night-vision.


http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...40/overview/#1


The good thing is that you can get a reasonably priced warranty on these cars due to their low mileage.

WHPH28

These are definitely nice examples. I'm going to talk the wife this evening and see if I can swindle a few more $$$ and promise to be the best husband ever. Geez, I almost feel like a kid asking for permission to do something!

DaveW68

Power difference compared to what? The power is smooth and effortless. Hammer the throttle at 60 mph and the traction light comes on on bone-dry roads. The torque is unbelievable for such a big luxury car. You don't get that kind of torque in the S63. And the leather is super soft and supple in the S600.

WHPH28

An s550 or S63 if you've driven either of those...I know it's a torque monster especially with a tune.

DaveW68

It's a torque monster without a tune. It'll run circles around the S550. The S63 is very close in zero to 60, but the S600 starts pulling away after that and has better 1/4 mile times....stock vs stock. A 5.5 bi-turbo V12 vs a NA 6.2 V8.

alx

The s600 even with the abc is sofa and has zero road feel and sportiness. It is a torquey pig that will scare you with a one wheel burnout from 60 to 100.... The engine is too much for the suspension and the rest of the bits...

DaveW68

Do you own a S600? Or are you just going on things some others may have said?


I've never been the least bit scared by mine. While not a sporty ride like my previous M5, it still handles very well for its size. I would imagine that when I go from my stock 18's to 20 inch AMG wheels, it will be much tighter. The ABC keeps cornering flat, even though it's not tuned like the S65 or S63 to feel every pavement imperfection. The steering is not as tight as the AMG's, but instills confidence nonetheless. It compares well with the best from Bentley and has even beaten them in comparos by the auto rags.


The OP is looking for an upgrade that will also appeal to his wife. The S63 will likely be a harder sell than the S600....especially if she's given a chance to test both of them.


The biggest shock value is amount of speed the S600 gains so rapidly while remaining almost silent. And the power delivery is very linear, even with the twin turbos. I've never felt the least bit of turbo lag and can't even hear the turbo whine. It just pulls like a freight train and is the best pure luxury car MB builds.

natcahd

Damn Dave I wanna drive one now..

Hd

WHPH28

Yes, it does have to appeal to my wife also because I love to drive...I always drive where ever we go and she likes to have a nice smooth ride and soft seats as she doesnt even like cars or long road trips but when she is in one she likes it to be nice and very comfortable. As I get older I honestly don't like to feel the road. I am loving the smooth and buttery ride...not that I want a lexus but I'd like to be comfortable while still having the ability to have the nice amenities as well as power.

BAWHEED

Looking to Buy CLK 320Coupe any thoughts on this vehcile good and or bad..2000....164000km....asking $4500 Canadian...what would be a fair offer or should I stay away...
Bodies in good shape..8/10
Interior...8/10
Serviced on a regular basis.


Cheers

DaveW68

The S600's, as well as the AMGs are quite rare and dealers don't always have used examples on their lots. You might have to drive a little distance to find one that you can test drive. Even if it has higher miles, take the time to drive one to see how you like it. If you and your wife like it, I'd go for the lowest mileage one you can find in the country that has the colors you desire so you can get a warranty. Don't be afraid to have it shipped to you after you've paid for a full independent inspection. The higher cost of a low mileage example will more than pay for itself in the long run, especially by having a warranty. Those 2 examples I sent to you earlier would give you the ability to purchase a relatively cheap long term exclusionary warranty. Warranty costs go up exponentially based on mileage.


I test drove a 2008 S550 before pulling the trigger on my S600, which I had shipped to me from CA. The 550 was very similar in power delivery and amenities compared to my old Lexus LS460. The 550 was bigger and slightly more comfortable than the Lexus, but they drove very similarly and were both quiet with soft steering and isolation. When I received the S600, I was shocked at how big of an upgrade it was over the S550. The power rear seats, leather wrapped everything, massage at every seat, Distronic+, etc made it feel like an entirely different type car than the 550....not to mention that awesome motor. There's a reason that the S600 cost more than $50k more than the S550 when new. And the fact that you can get into a used S600 for only about $5k more than a S550 with similar miles makes them an absolute bargain.

DaveW68

Wrong forum