C63 AMG or Ferrari?
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
09 c350, 07 z4m coupe
spoken like someone that has never driven a ferrari. 
c63 is not even close to the performance of a scud or 458 especially on a race track.
c63 is not even close to the performance of a scud or 458 especially on a race track.
It depends what you want in a car.
Ditto on engine out service and older cars a/c LACKING.
A 550 F-car simply cannot compete with a new C63.
In order to find a similar-performance Fcar you need to buy a Scud or 458.
Of course those are much more expensive.
If you like reliable, comfortable, fast daily driver, get an AMG.
If you can deal with idiosyncrasies - and love the car for its CHARACTER, however fickle, consider an F-car. You will have to likely baby it, and don't act surprised when the alarm malfunctions and the car cannot start.
Most Ferrari's are not really about speed like AMGs - they are about the driving experience. Handling, exhaust note, looks factor. But they have issues, require constant attention - soft paint not very durable to rock chips. Interior buttons get sticky/require replacement. Warm the car up before use, put battery on trickle charger even if sitting for a few days.
Depending on where you live you will probably get lots of attention (mostly boys & men) in Ferrari, but you gotta pay to play.
If you actually drive the car, hope you keep it for a while. People shy away from higher mileage Ferrari's.
In Summary (to me) - sure, Ferrari's LOOK & sound good - but that's about it.
Hard to give up so many positive characteristics in an AMG for something cosmetic.
Most Ferrari guys are car guys & love the racing heritage of the brand.
If this is not you, maybe look for something else....
Ditto on engine out service and older cars a/c LACKING.
A 550 F-car simply cannot compete with a new C63.
In order to find a similar-performance Fcar you need to buy a Scud or 458.
Of course those are much more expensive.
If you like reliable, comfortable, fast daily driver, get an AMG.
If you can deal with idiosyncrasies - and love the car for its CHARACTER, however fickle, consider an F-car. You will have to likely baby it, and don't act surprised when the alarm malfunctions and the car cannot start.
Most Ferrari's are not really about speed like AMGs - they are about the driving experience. Handling, exhaust note, looks factor. But they have issues, require constant attention - soft paint not very durable to rock chips. Interior buttons get sticky/require replacement. Warm the car up before use, put battery on trickle charger even if sitting for a few days.
Depending on where you live you will probably get lots of attention (mostly boys & men) in Ferrari, but you gotta pay to play.
If you actually drive the car, hope you keep it for a while. People shy away from higher mileage Ferrari's.
In Summary (to me) - sure, Ferrari's LOOK & sound good - but that's about it.
Hard to give up so many positive characteristics in an AMG for something cosmetic.
Most Ferrari guys are car guys & love the racing heritage of the brand.
If this is not you, maybe look for something else....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
i see what you're saying and i do the exact same thing. reasons why alot of rich people don't drive around their ferrari's and lambo's are because their clutches constantly need to be changed and oil changes cost an arm and a leg. my next car was either going to be a 911 turbo or a 95' ferrari f355 berlinetta targa. they're both in the mid to high 30k range.
Find me a Ferrari F355 for mid to high 30s.
If you find one, please buy it. I'd love to hear back from you six months later when you've spent another $25k to replace the cracked headers, the valve guides, the clutch, and any of the other items your $35k F355 will need.
You're also not getting a decent 993 Turbo for mid to high 30s. Maybe a 930 or a 996tt.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Richmond BC Canada
C63 AMG
The only reason you are considering the Ferrari is because it is a Ferrari. Its fair to say that almost every petrol head would want a ferrari at some point of his life. However this particular ferrari just doesn't seem to resemble the essence of ferrari.
At least in my opinion a ferrari should be mid engined, sound like all hell break loose when you floor it and looks so pretty you can be happy even if it will never start everytime you actually wanna drive it.
The 550 was too slow, not pretty enough and not sure of its true status. Its not fast and agile enough to be a epic ferrari and not even close to being a comfortable GT.
At least in my opinion a ferrari should be mid engined, sound like all hell break loose when you floor it and looks so pretty you can be happy even if it will never start everytime you actually wanna drive it.
The 550 was too slow, not pretty enough and not sure of its true status. Its not fast and agile enough to be a epic ferrari and not even close to being a comfortable GT.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
haha, bull****.
Find me a Ferrari F355 for mid to high 30s.
If you find one, please buy it. I'd love to hear back from you six months later when you've spent another $25k to replace the cracked headers, the valve guides, the clutch, and any of the other items your $35k F355 will need.
You're also not getting a decent 993 Turbo for mid to high 30s. Maybe a 930 or a 996tt.
Find me a Ferrari F355 for mid to high 30s.
If you find one, please buy it. I'd love to hear back from you six months later when you've spent another $25k to replace the cracked headers, the valve guides, the clutch, and any of the other items your $35k F355 will need.
You're also not getting a decent 993 Turbo for mid to high 30s. Maybe a 930 or a 996tt.
i meant to say 996 turbo and......http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2124563948.html i never said anything about maintenance either. i just mentioned initial cost. i'm currently a teenager so paying insurance on that car would be all together an arm and leg. i would rather have a non-natural aspirated car (like the porsche turbo systems) because compared to NA cars, when you tune them correctly, you see a night and day difference in gap as compared to the NA cars (like the ferrari engines) nothing you guys didn't know
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
i meant to say 996 turbo and......http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2124563948.html i never said anything about maintenance either. i just mentioned initial cost. i'm currently a teenager so paying insurance on that car would be all together an arm and leg. i would rather have a non-natural aspirated car (like the porsche turbo systems) because compared to NA cars, when you tune them correctly, you see a night and day difference in gap as compared to the NA cars (like the ferrari engines) nothing you guys didn't know
and i really don't expect the condition of this car to be amazing at all. there's probably a reason why i've been seeing it on craigslist every time i search for the car for the past 6 months. someone should call him up.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
i meant to say 996 turbo and......http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2124563948.html i never said anything about maintenance either. i just mentioned initial cost. i'm currently a teenager so paying insurance on that car would be all together an arm and leg. i would rather have a non-natural aspirated car (like the porsche turbo systems) because compared to NA cars, when you tune them correctly, you see a night and day difference in gap as compared to the NA cars (like the ferrari engines) nothing you guys didn't know
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 2
From: bay area, california
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 39
From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
reliability has been fine.
The PO missed a few service items, so I've gone through it to get everything fresh, but there hasn't been any major issues.
pretty solid in total.
The PO missed a few service items, so I've gone through it to get everything fresh, but there hasn't been any major issues.
pretty solid in total.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 769
Likes: 5
From: New York
Mercedes S55 AMG
Not doubt that Ferrari has that emotion factor, but with maintenance costs and other such items on older models, the C63 is by far a better choice as has been said here. Warranty, newer technology, and strong performance to boot - a much better choice. Even if you have the money, no one likes a car that is unreliable and has expensive maintenance, no matter how much you may make. The 550, while I'm not saying is particularly unreliable, is certainly more expensive to run than a C63 especially considering it is much older and will be out of warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 2
From: PHX/PIE/OMA ---> Yes, all three
E55 then E63, now back to an E55
You are exactly correct.
Maybe I wasn't quite clear, or you mis-understood....
a Scuderia or new 458 will certainly MATCH, and EXCEED the performance of C63, especially on a race-track - exactly as you said.
However, I don't feel that someone shopping for a 355 (or 348) is also cross-shopping for a new 458 - which, currently in CA command 25-40K OVER sticker (almost the price of a 348!)
Do you feel that original poster here, shopping for a 355, has the means, desire, and/or will to purchase a 458 at sticker - plus, say 25K? Hell, or even just at sticker (275k or so with a few options)
NO -- so, in order to match the C63's attributes (minus of course, handling) - the price of admission is MUCH higher - i.e. Four-Fold
I stand by the fact that a 550 will not compete with a C63, except around Fiorano
Last edited by jpohl402; Dec 27, 2010 at 01:15 PM.
