While I put this on pg 2 of another thread, I thought it was worth starting a new one for in order to encourage others to compare thoughts on the ratings I'm throwing out.

Wrote earlier today:

A few days in, I wanted to provide some more feedback on the car.

This really is a remarkable vehicle and not for the feint of heart. If you like anonymity, this car is not for you!

Everyone talks about the sound and they should. It is stunning. It's also a little obnoxious at times, but if I worried about that I would be driving a luxo barge. Just cruising along at 30 mph is a pleasure, the rumble coming out of the exhaust melding with the distant whine of the V8. Heads turn. Then you feather the gas pedal and all hell let's loose! The growl under moderate acceleration is incredible. I can't wait for 700 more miles so I can really hit it hard. Every bit as pleasurable are the downshifting throttle blips in S mode. Let me assure you, you'll be shifting up and down every time you find yourself under a bridge or overpass.

C mode has proven to be important too though. Driving along my local roads which is close to taking a car offroad thanks to all of the bumps and potholes, I've found it hard to maintain gentle and consistent throttle control in the more sensitive S mode. In C mode this is no issue at all.

Talking about road surfaces, a little more thought on the ride quality. Despite the 4 doors, the C badge and the silver star, this is not a luxury sedan, it's a sports car. With that in mind all of the concern over ride quality disappears. Is is firm? Absolutely! How does it compare with, say, a 911 with PASM set in comfort mode? The C63 is a little smoother. The pay-off? This car handles really really well. The steering feel is excellent and it stays beautifully flat through hard corners. For those with an E, CLS etc, you may still find the ride objectionable, but let's remember what the brief was for the C63 - being to move away from the big engine in a luxury car approach of AMG to-date (aside of their glorious pre-benz integration vehicles) and to provide a less compromised, performance based vehicle. This car is meant to be more hardcore. It is. They met the brief. After years of poor comparisons to BMWs, this car really shines. I've always considered myself a BMW guy. I've owned 4, including an e46 m3. This car out-handles them all and having driven the e92 M3, IMO there really isn't much in it in the handling department. In fact, I think the main contributor to the M3 often edging out the C63 is simply that the M3 chassis has a lot less power to deal with.

Funnily enough, driving the C63 has given me a new appreciation for the E92 M3. Ignoring the looks-dept (preferred the e46 bay far - also applies to the non-M version), the M3 is a glorious vehicle. As is the C63. In the end, neither is "better" - it comes down to which is best for you and what you're looking for. For me that happens to be the C63. As I mentioned a while back on this forum, if the toughest decision we have in life is between an M3 and a C63, life is pretty good!

Now an update on the MMI as I have had a chance to get more familiar with it. my impressions are improving. The ipod integration is OK, but no better. Thanks to others on this forum, I'm now able to control it through the dash, but the inability to use the nav screen is a gap. I like the CD changer being in-dash and love the Gracenote feature that is able to display the CD name and song names for most of my discs. I also really like the hard drive function. It's a breeze to rip CDs across and I think I'll end up using this much more than the changer or ipod. One slight annoyance with listening to CDs has been when I've accidentally brushed the back of my hand against the MMI controller when reaching for the C-S-M transmission button, resulting is forwarding about 3 songs by mistake. Annoying.

By far the weakest aspect of MMI is the phone integration. Why on earth they didn't set it up to automatically download your address book is beyond me. So, having spent quite a bit of time sending each individual v-card (my phone doesn't allow me to send all at once), I now find, because it used v-card formatting, that every name has all of these additional blank information lines that have no business being in a car address book anyway. Really dumb system.

My MMI conclusion is that it has some features I've not seen elsewhere, but IMO, idrive remains superior. While the downfall of idrive is the need to go through too many steps to perform a single task, the overall system is simpler to use, the force feedback is really nice, keeping your eyes on the road, and the phone integration is how it should be. Luckily for MB, BMW now seem to be messing things up with idrive anyway - the recent step to include the 6 or 8 programmable buttons is stupid - who'll remember what number corresponds to what task? Also, if you've seen pre-launch pics of the new 7 you'll notice that they added some Audi-esque menu buttons around the controller.... and then put the controller on the far side of the shifter so you can't see them anyway. Nice move?!

So, back to the beautiful beast. I'm quickly becoming a bigger fan of the seats. Tight? Yes. Bolsters running too far up the seat? Yes. Hold you in place? Fantastically! Cool? Absolutely. (The important question) would I switch then for another option, say E63? Not a chance.

I've also read quite a few comments about the interior quality. I have to say that for this class of car I think it's great. I think my color combo helps but the fit and finish is excellent. The woods with chrome edging is beautiful. The nappa leather is a delight. The shifter design and feel is terrific and I love the steering wheel.

So, I'm going to close in a risk way by providing some ratings. Let me first provide some context. These ratings are specific to what I personally desire from a premium ultra-sport sedan. e.g when I measure luxury, I'm not comparing to an S600 or Bentley, or when rating handling, I'm not comparing to a GT2 or F430. These ratings are specific to the class in which I think the C63 exists.

Engine - 10 (Thank you Oliver Becker!)
Performance - 10
Sound - 10
Luxury - 8
Handling - 9
Comfort - 8
Amenities - 6 (heavily influences by phone integration)
Transmission - 9
Looks - 8
Overall feel of quality - 10
Gas consumption - refuse to rate - irrelevant in this type of car.
Subtlety - 1
Ability to get laid by a hot treehugger - 0

Overall Rating - 9

I hope this information is of interest. Feel free to share opinions and questions. Other c63 owners - agree / disagree with ratings?

 

Awesome review

Thanks for taking the time to put up your thoughts

 

Awesome review! Thank you!

 

Fantastic review. Thanks for your time

 

Your review is superb.

As I read your review, it reminds me of my first reaction to my 06 CLS 55. Amazing piece of engineering. Going further, it's not limited to the CLS 55, I find it in all the AMGs including the C63.

I have been at the AMG Challenge and driven all AMG models at 150MPH on the oval and on the road courses. Even drove the SLR. One thing AMG has in common, distinct handling characteristics across all AMG models.

With every new model and model year, MB has improved their product line. The new MCT tranny in the 09 SL 63 is the most single piece of engineering that transforms AMG into the class of exotic racing machines (if you haven't driven it-it's worth the experience).

Just my $ .02 worth

 

If the C63 came with MCT, it would essentially murder any stock car to roll off a factory floor, sans a few.

 

Great review... i would agree.

 

Best, most detailed review yet! Thanks for summing it all up and putting it into words!

I think my Steel Grey car is pretty subtle, until I get on the gas, or unless I come across a fellow enthusiast. Most people don't seem to take notice, which is what I wanted.

I might rate the MMI a little higher... probably an 8.5, but that might be because of my other cars. This is my only car with integrated nav, bluetooth and stock iPod controller -- so I am pretty happy!

Thanks again for the great review!

 

+1
Love your write up... wish I could do the same as I have been in possesion since Monday this past week.
I will have to agree with Hans as I had no issues synching up my phone book from the BlackBerry and thought it was great and would rate the MM package higher.
I am however dissappointed with the manual layout, but that is just me, as I really like to get familiar with the car through the manual. This manual is less than inuitive to go through.
I also had an issue with programming the garage door opener or 'HomeLink" but apparently it was an issue with the way the Genie garage door opener SW is designed and had to get additional instructions through the dealer who seemed well aware of the issue with the Genie (not so Genie!!).
So far so good on my end and the sleepless nights continue!! LOL

 

just got back from a quick evening run out. Left the car in 2nd as I drove through my small town - the sound of the backfiring and burbling as the car decelerated is astounding. Even heard a guy talking to his friends as I drove by, "did you hear the sound of that car?!"

 

HAHAHAHA!! Yeah!! I absolutely love making noise with this thing... it does turn heads that way.

 

I love cruising through the business district of the city, big buildings on your left and on your right, the sound reveberating off the concrete walls makes my hair stand, i swear, i still get goose bumps when i experience this, and its been three weeks with the car in my possession...this is a good sign!

 

Very nice, thanks for the detailed write up and pics.

 

NICE MY MAN! U GAVE 1 HELLUVA REVIEW

 

Very nice review cangrats on new car.
How is the Quietness rating?
I'd give her 7. I can hear slight wind rush around outside mirrors at highway speed....

 

I have had my car now for 3 days. took a 120 ride into the country to visit a buddy on his farm......this thing is insane! greatest combo of speed, handling, comfort and control I have ever driven. Ive had a bunch, M3, 911, Audi's. I am in love. Happy not to play golf and just run hard. Hit 120 today even though only at 240 miles. Just filled tank with gas and avg. 16.4 MPG. One happy camper here!

 

Great review Thanks, Good Luck!

BTW... does your 2009 have a PP package, I'm still waiting for some reviews from someone anyone.... : > )

 

Engine - 10 (Thank you Oliver Becker!)
Performance - 10
Sound - 10
Luxury - 8
Handling - 9
Comfort - 8
Amenities - 6 (heavily influences by phone integration)
Transmission - 9
Looks - 8
Overall feel of quality - 10
Gas consumption - refuse to rate - irrelevant in this type of car.
Subtlety - 1
Ability to get laid by a hot treehugger - 0

Overall Rating - 9

Great Review I don't disagree with alot of your views or ratings
But here's where I differ.

Comfort 9
Amenities 8
Transmission 8
Looks 8.5
Overall feel of quality - 9
Subtlety - 0
Ability to get laid by a hot treehugger - Not a tree hugger fan, She probably doesn't shave!

 

where I differ.

Comfort 9
Amenities 8
Transmission 8
Looks 8.5
Overall feel of quality - 9
Subtlety - 0
Ability to get laid by a hot treehugger - Not a tree hugger fan, She probably doesn't shave![/QUOTE]

ok, maybe I'll skip the crunchy love

 

Great review, thanks for the time to give us you option on your new ride.

-Troy

 

Your review(s) make me more excited about getting my car.

Currently she is somewhere on the ocean, due in Long Beach on 8/11, should be in Portland by 8/18 or so...

 

ok, maybe I'll skip the crunchy love[/QUOTE]

Glad to hear you'll forgo the birkenstocks, I suggest you trade up for a pair of Manolo Blahnik or Jimmy Choo's I guarantee the girl you find wearing those, won't have any shaving issues