CTS-V and C63 review
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
CTS-V and C63 review
Drove my buddy's 2011 CTS-V last night. He picked it up a few weeks ago with just ~15,000km on it, so basically brand new.
We were also comparing a 2010 C63 with P31 performance package that my other friend had as a demo for the evening (from his work). Since the C63 is owned by my friend's work, only he drove it, unfortunately.
My thoughts - the V is tremendously fast, but is a *****cat to drive normally. If you didn't ever get on the throttle hard, you would just think it's a normal, base CTS - or just a nice, comfy car. My friend likens it to a comfy sofa. This particular car has the Recaros, alcantara lined wheel and is an auto. It actually only feels really really fast in first or second gear, with an almighty wallop as the charger spools up and spits the car down the road. Really bad on gas though, and tires too. Probably because it's an auto, the car feels like it has to take a huge breath first, and then all the power is delivered.
Interior trim quality is great, lots of neat gadgets, ie. lateral G meter, AC seats, with OnStar you can use your iPhone to turn the car on from anywhere. I like the little symbol for the boost gauge, they are two supercharger rotors.
The car is ultra quiet, even when on the throttle. He has an exhaust on the way, supposed to wake it up a bit, but only from the outside. There's no escaping the fact that it is primarily a luxury car, just with heaps more power than most.
The Recaros were actually a bit disappointing, not much grip it seemed like - but I didn't adjust them at all, left them to my buddy's settings. The wheel rim seemed a bit thin, actually too, despite the alcantara lining. Apparently, the alcantara wheel is a reasonable $350 upgrade. How about that?!?
Onto the C63 - again, I didn't drive it unfortunately. I have driven one before, but only gently as it was in the break-in stage. I have rose tinted glasses with this car, as the interior quality (other than the seats) isn't what I remember. Dash quality a bit disappointing, as are the heater controls. In comparison to the V, this is obviously a lower end C-Class with a whole heap of factory performance modifications. The car is dominated by the engine, of course. Sounds just awesome, stock exhaust too - quite loud. Rode firm but pliant enough for my taste, mind you it was on 18" winter tires (it's just how they got it at auction). Love the seats though, awesome. This particular car had wood trim too, which I just hate, and white interior. It didn't seem to be holding up too well!
Later on, my two friends raced a bit on the freeway, said it was pretty even up to about 170kmh. I thought the V would be faster, honestly.
The friend who bought the V was actually considering a C63 too. Objectively, I think he made the right choice. The V is a better car. Subjectively though I would still pick the C63 - sound and looks are a lot better, in my view. C63 seats are a lot better than the upgraded Recaros in the V too.
The past few months I have been pondering my next car, hopefully in a year or two. The prime candidate was a C63, but lately I've been having second thoughts. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable putting C$45-50k down onto a C63. Yes, very cool car - but enough of an upgrade over my C55? Not sure. So my plan has shifted, and I think I will keep the C55 longer term, it still just has about 110,000 km now, sell my S2000 eventually, and then pick up a 997 C2S when I can afford one.
Okay, I haven't driven a 997, but it is generally acknowledged as one of the better, modern 911s. Better than the 996, and less GT than the 991 (not that I could even afford to consider a 991). Looking at it with numbers - a nice 997 C2S right now is about less than half of the price new - I've seen them spec'd to about C$145-150k when new. They are driven much less than other cars - as my friend puts it, they are rich people's toys and generally see limited mileage. They are good buys now and likely into the future. The C63s will just continue to decline in value, which is good, and maybe one day I'll get one when they are cheaper (like in the C$25-30k range) but right now I really want a 911.
We were also comparing a 2010 C63 with P31 performance package that my other friend had as a demo for the evening (from his work). Since the C63 is owned by my friend's work, only he drove it, unfortunately.
My thoughts - the V is tremendously fast, but is a *****cat to drive normally. If you didn't ever get on the throttle hard, you would just think it's a normal, base CTS - or just a nice, comfy car. My friend likens it to a comfy sofa. This particular car has the Recaros, alcantara lined wheel and is an auto. It actually only feels really really fast in first or second gear, with an almighty wallop as the charger spools up and spits the car down the road. Really bad on gas though, and tires too. Probably because it's an auto, the car feels like it has to take a huge breath first, and then all the power is delivered.
Interior trim quality is great, lots of neat gadgets, ie. lateral G meter, AC seats, with OnStar you can use your iPhone to turn the car on from anywhere. I like the little symbol for the boost gauge, they are two supercharger rotors.
The car is ultra quiet, even when on the throttle. He has an exhaust on the way, supposed to wake it up a bit, but only from the outside. There's no escaping the fact that it is primarily a luxury car, just with heaps more power than most.
The Recaros were actually a bit disappointing, not much grip it seemed like - but I didn't adjust them at all, left them to my buddy's settings. The wheel rim seemed a bit thin, actually too, despite the alcantara lining. Apparently, the alcantara wheel is a reasonable $350 upgrade. How about that?!?
Onto the C63 - again, I didn't drive it unfortunately. I have driven one before, but only gently as it was in the break-in stage. I have rose tinted glasses with this car, as the interior quality (other than the seats) isn't what I remember. Dash quality a bit disappointing, as are the heater controls. In comparison to the V, this is obviously a lower end C-Class with a whole heap of factory performance modifications. The car is dominated by the engine, of course. Sounds just awesome, stock exhaust too - quite loud. Rode firm but pliant enough for my taste, mind you it was on 18" winter tires (it's just how they got it at auction). Love the seats though, awesome. This particular car had wood trim too, which I just hate, and white interior. It didn't seem to be holding up too well!
Later on, my two friends raced a bit on the freeway, said it was pretty even up to about 170kmh. I thought the V would be faster, honestly.
The friend who bought the V was actually considering a C63 too. Objectively, I think he made the right choice. The V is a better car. Subjectively though I would still pick the C63 - sound and looks are a lot better, in my view. C63 seats are a lot better than the upgraded Recaros in the V too.
The past few months I have been pondering my next car, hopefully in a year or two. The prime candidate was a C63, but lately I've been having second thoughts. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable putting C$45-50k down onto a C63. Yes, very cool car - but enough of an upgrade over my C55? Not sure. So my plan has shifted, and I think I will keep the C55 longer term, it still just has about 110,000 km now, sell my S2000 eventually, and then pick up a 997 C2S when I can afford one.
Okay, I haven't driven a 997, but it is generally acknowledged as one of the better, modern 911s. Better than the 996, and less GT than the 991 (not that I could even afford to consider a 991). Looking at it with numbers - a nice 997 C2S right now is about less than half of the price new - I've seen them spec'd to about C$145-150k when new. They are driven much less than other cars - as my friend puts it, they are rich people's toys and generally see limited mileage. They are good buys now and likely into the future. The C63s will just continue to decline in value, which is good, and maybe one day I'll get one when they are cheaper (like in the C$25-30k range) but right now I really want a 911.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
My main concern about the C63's is the class action lawsuit about pre-mature wear on the engine. Well, it's on all those 6.2 NA engines. Which is too bad cause I love those cars!
http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews.com/class-action-lawsuit-complaints/daimler-mercedes-benz-amg-m156-6-2-liter-v8-engine-class-action-lawsuit-complaint-filed-over-alleged-premature-engine-wear-engine-damage-andor-engine-failure/
http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews.com/class-action-lawsuit-complaints/daimler-mercedes-benz-amg-m156-6-2-liter-v8-engine-class-action-lawsuit-complaint-filed-over-alleged-premature-engine-wear-engine-damage-andor-engine-failure/
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 29
From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
I personally think the brouhaha with the 63 motors and the head bolts and cams issues is overblown, kinda like the intermediate shaft bearing issues with water cooled Porsches up to ’08. I think the forums amplify the issues – a few vocal people post about their problems, but those people number in the ultra small minority. I don’t have stats to back up this sentiment, it’s just a feeling. There are many thousands of the 63 motors out there, but it appears that only the C63 guys post about the issue. Same with the Porsches – the failures are amongst the very small minority.
That said, if I was to spend good money on a C63, then it would be a MY2011+ to be sure there the engine is in the ‘acceptable’ range with the updated parts.
But now I think that performance numbers aside, a 997 will just be more satisfying, more special each time I'd drive it. Would I get that with a C63? I dunno. The C63 would make a nice daily driver, as bad as that sounds. I know my C55 is very comfy in that regard, and enough power when desired. I feel like my C55 is basically 2/3 of the performance of a C63, but at 1/3 the price and without the potential engine issues (notwithstanding my comments above). And honestly...I hardly ever get to exercise all the 360hp the C55 has; how often could one exercise the near on 500hp of which a C63 is capable?
I think the 997 will just be nicer all around. So does my wife...and everyone who's married knows who's really the boss!
The 997 won't have the straight line performance figures of a C63, granted, but it is a cut above in terms of quality. You can try to replicate sporty elements into a sedan, but you can never replicate the feel of a thoroughbred sportscar. The C63 is fairly single dimensional, the engine dominates the experience. A proper sportscar such as a 997 will be a more complete package.
GT3 - I wish, that's hella money right now. I'll be happy with a C2S I think. Maybe GT3 when I have a lot more money to play with, but I also promised my wife to attack the mortgage and to get her a full size Rangey after I get a 911....priorities, priorities.....
The very low end of 996 GT3 prices are fairly comparable to early 997s, but I'm not sure I want something so focused. At some point I would like to be able to take our small child and our small dog (and maybe, stretching it, another small child later on) and the wife out in a 911. You couldn't do that in a GT3.
And while 996s are fairly cheap now, really attainable...especially regular C2s and C4s....even prices on 996 C4Ses are quite reasonable now....it's just that the 997 is so much better in all respects. Have to wait. I still remember the first time I saw a 997 back in late or 05...gorgeous. It was black, and the calipers really stood out. Love at first sight....
That said, if I was to spend good money on a C63, then it would be a MY2011+ to be sure there the engine is in the ‘acceptable’ range with the updated parts.
But now I think that performance numbers aside, a 997 will just be more satisfying, more special each time I'd drive it. Would I get that with a C63? I dunno. The C63 would make a nice daily driver, as bad as that sounds. I know my C55 is very comfy in that regard, and enough power when desired. I feel like my C55 is basically 2/3 of the performance of a C63, but at 1/3 the price and without the potential engine issues (notwithstanding my comments above). And honestly...I hardly ever get to exercise all the 360hp the C55 has; how often could one exercise the near on 500hp of which a C63 is capable?
I think the 997 will just be nicer all around. So does my wife...and everyone who's married knows who's really the boss!
The 997 won't have the straight line performance figures of a C63, granted, but it is a cut above in terms of quality. You can try to replicate sporty elements into a sedan, but you can never replicate the feel of a thoroughbred sportscar. The C63 is fairly single dimensional, the engine dominates the experience. A proper sportscar such as a 997 will be a more complete package. GT3 - I wish, that's hella money right now. I'll be happy with a C2S I think. Maybe GT3 when I have a lot more money to play with, but I also promised my wife to attack the mortgage and to get her a full size Rangey after I get a 911....priorities, priorities.....
The very low end of 996 GT3 prices are fairly comparable to early 997s, but I'm not sure I want something so focused. At some point I would like to be able to take our small child and our small dog (and maybe, stretching it, another small child later on) and the wife out in a 911. You couldn't do that in a GT3.
And while 996s are fairly cheap now, really attainable...especially regular C2s and C4s....even prices on 996 C4Ses are quite reasonable now....it's just that the 997 is so much better in all respects. Have to wait. I still remember the first time I saw a 997 back in late or 05...gorgeous. It was black, and the calipers really stood out. Love at first sight....
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
From: Snellville, GA
'03 C32, '08 ML63
Agreed... I've been seriously looking for a good used ML63 myself. I'm being stubborn and really sticking out for a blue one though which are about impossible to find. Of course in the mean time I've been reading as much as I can about the 6.2's reliability and that issue has me a bit paranoid. So, for now I'll wait for the MY2011 prices to come down a bit. I'm also studying the BMW X5M's though and they look awfully nice...
