Reliability and safety - about to make the switch.
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2010
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08 C63, VW Touareg V8, VW Touareg V6
Reliability and safety - about to make the switch.
I'm coming from a 335i and am sick of the reliability issues. I can deal with a few warning lights but no more being stranded on the side of the highway. My question is, compared the the M3 and 335i how does the C63 stack up? Are there any reoccuring issues leaving drivers stranded? Also, does the traction control agressivly step in and save you as needed - wife will also be driving.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,257
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From: Los Angeles
2009 C63
I've had no issues, but in early models there was a cam sensor issue that was a quick fix I believe.
ESP can be On, Sport, or completely Off, so you can choose how much help you need.
ESP can be On, Sport, or completely Off, so you can choose how much help you need.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,749
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From: PNW
'15 VW GTI
I'm coming from a 335i and am sick of the reliability issues. I can deal with a few warning lights but no more being stranded on the side of the highway. My question is, compared the the M3 and 335i how does the C63 stack up? Are there any reoccuring issues leaving drivers stranded? Also, does the traction control agressivly step in and save you as needed - wife will also be driving.
With ESP ON, the traction control is quite aggressive in cutting the throttle when necessary. However, turn it OFF and you had better know what you're doing...
Junior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 22
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From: DFW, TX
C63 AMG
But seriously I have enjoyed 13,000 fun-filled miles with no real issues.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: Sao Paulo, Brazil
2009 C63 AMG / 2007 BMW 130i M Sport
M3 is undoubtely more stable and controllable than C63, though the ESP is quite agressive. Watch the Topgear episode where they compare C63 x M3 x RS4.
Never got stranded on the highway, but some individual vehicles got some issues, like needing to complete the oil level each 2-4k miles and changing the tyres quite often. All info you need is in this forum.
Never got stranded on the highway, but some individual vehicles got some issues, like needing to complete the oil level each 2-4k miles and changing the tyres quite often. All info you need is in this forum.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,925
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From: Naples FL
2021 Porsche TTS
18K miles on the car and I only went to dealer for oil change and a broken fog light.
You will spend more money on tires and gas but it is because you will want to hear that engine roar every time you get into the car.
You will not regret a purchase.
You will spend more money on tires and gas but it is because you will want to hear that engine roar every time you get into the car.
You will not regret a purchase.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,103
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From: FL
'09 C63 AMG
20k mi. so far w/ zero issues! 
btw -- lol to the OP on reading your post about "a few warning lights but no more being stranded on the side of the highway." I also came from driving an '07 BMW 335i (PROcede v3 tuned) and experienced the typical BMW malfunction lights and was almost stranded on the hwy. when my entire dash light up light a X-mas tree...got 6 malfunction warning lights at one time. 
It turned out to be just 1 "road sensor" malfunction as the car drove normally; just all the lights went on suddenly at one time and I freaked out! 
This time, I bought my '09 C63 AMG!!! And, we also have an '07 MB GL450 w/ > 37k mi. and again, no issues with my wife's GL. So far, I've found that MB is actually more reliable than BMW.
btw -- lol to the OP on reading your post about "a few warning lights but no more being stranded on the side of the highway." I also came from driving an '07 BMW 335i (PROcede v3 tuned) and experienced the typical BMW malfunction lights and was almost stranded on the hwy. when my entire dash light up light a X-mas tree...got 6 malfunction warning lights at one time. It turned out to be just 1 "road sensor" malfunction as the car drove normally; just all the lights went on suddenly at one time and I freaked out! This time, I bought my '09 C63 AMG!!! And, we also have an '07 MB GL450 w/ > 37k mi. and again, no issues with my wife's GL. So far, I've found that MB is actually more reliable than BMW.
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 4
From: Surf City, USA
What I like!
No recurring issues. The C63 is solid. I hear you on the N54 problems - I have a 135i on its 3rd fuel pump, less than 10K miles. You never know what surprises you're going to get from your BMW. MB's quality has improved while BMW's has gone down.
Make the switch, you won't regret it!
Make the switch, you won't regret it!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Richmond BC Canada
C63 AMG
c63 is a very realiable and solid car just because the car is made of such a simple recipe. C class(a very realiable platform to start off with) + a hand made amg engine that will last for quite a while.
Go for a C63 and you will never miss ur 335.... guranteed
Go for a C63 and you will never miss ur 335.... guranteed
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
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From: Easton PA
C63,ML 350,S60 2.5t and E350
Ive put about 5k on my car only problem I had so far is oil and tires gotta invest in some rubber
on another note
its been said before but there is no replacement for displacement
on another note
its been said before but there is no replacement for displacement
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 600
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From: CA working like a slave
C63 AMG Arctic w/ Stage 1 Tune, DoubleXX pipe, MCD-631X coming soon
Working on tuning N54's as well as 6.3's, I have to say the N54 is MUCH more temperamental to mods that is for sure, also plagued with dumb issues like sunroof malfunctions, intermittent warning lights and the sort. I loved my E92 335i modded, it was very quick the way I had it set up, but got sick of always having weird Idrive issues(plus the STUPID unusable Navi LOL), sunroof malfunction (happened 3 times), as well as wastegate rattle etc etc. My c63? a service A, and a set of tires in 12K modded, no BS lights or anything of the sort, I'm glad to be back in an AMG.
GO AMG!!
Oh, and for those who "think" the M3 will walk all over a C63 handling wise on the track??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sIE3dAGChE
http://www.eurotuner.com/eventcovera...gp/gt_pro.html
GO AMG!!
Oh, and for those who "think" the M3 will walk all over a C63 handling wise on the track??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sIE3dAGChE
http://www.eurotuner.com/eventcovera...gp/gt_pro.html
Last edited by Brian GT PRO; Apr 28, 2010 at 09:12 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Calgary, Canada
'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
335s suffer from fuel pump issues, injector issues, turbo issues just to name a few. Too bad, it is a great car and platform, but my 2008 keeps going to the shop.
If the service at BMW in Calgary wasn't so bad, I wouldn't mind, but it is and it pisses me off. I was thinking of replacing the 335 with an M3 or an X5M, but I can't bring myself to do it.
If the service at BMW in Calgary wasn't so bad, I wouldn't mind, but it is and it pisses me off. I was thinking of replacing the 335 with an M3 or an X5M, but I can't bring myself to do it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
From: California
06 C55, 09 E350
All the newer lines of MB vehicles are solid. I work @ a dealer and this is actually a problem for us since a lot of the revenue comes from warranty work. Every year these vehicles are becoming more and more reliable and the warranty work on these vehicles has dropped dramatically. I cant speak for BMW, but I did have an E46 325i which was decent without major power-train issues, but I did get rid of it because of all the small problems that kept going wrong with the car and costing me big. The C63 is a work of art and you will definitely not regret the purchase, go for it!
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 811
Likes: 5
From: Calgary, Canada
'10 F150 FX4 SCrew. '14 S212S
Well, this morning I had the choice of swapping the winters back onto the 335 or the C63. She told me to do the 335 cause it is such a beater and the C63 shouldn't go out in the snow anymore... hahaha
There's no fighting. She likes how the 335 takes about half the gas the C63 does.
There's no fighting. She likes how the 335 takes about half the gas the C63 does.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Woodstock, GA
'11 VW GTI
As a possible future C63 owner myself, it's good to hear that they are reliable cars. Now my main concern would be running costs (and speeding tickets -lol). I hear a lot of people mention gas and tires. C63s are rated at 12/19, are you guys not even hitting those numbers? And it seems rear tires only last 6-8K miles (I remember seeing one post mention needing new ones at 4K!), has anyone gotten more than 10K from their tires? thx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 170
From: Naples FL
2021 Porsche TTS
Jwoods - I get 14mpg around town and get 20mpg on the highway. Nothing stellar but well within what it is advertised for. I did not buy it for good gas mileage.
Regarding tires, only a few guys on the forum have been able to get more than 10K on the rear tires. The first set (Pirellis) lasted 6K. My second set has 6K (PS2) and I should be good for another 2K.
Regarding tires, only a few guys on the forum have been able to get more than 10K on the rear tires. The first set (Pirellis) lasted 6K. My second set has 6K (PS2) and I should be good for another 2K.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 566
Likes: 5
2012 E350 4matic
gas mileage is spot on the dealer quotes... however my tires were not slick but slipping and below the wear bars at 4300 miles. i dont do aggressive take offs but i do 85 plus highway runs and semi aggressive interstate on ramps from time to time. only a weekend driver so i wasnt super mad but all my buddies fell down when they saw my tires especially because i BABY all my cars.
back on topic.... ZERO issues with the car. its a JOY to own. best car i have ever had. however the most sporty car i have had was a C5 corvette.
back on topic.... ZERO issues with the car. its a JOY to own. best car i have ever had. however the most sporty car i have had was a C5 corvette.
