C63 AMG vs. CTS-V
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
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2012 C63 coupe
Well Ive had both and both are awesome. Definitely a personal preference like most things. But I will say my new 2011 V is trouble free and fast as hell. No squeaks, rattles, or problems. As for feel. It feels solid and does feel a bit heavy. That being said the rear end feels much more stable than the C63. I dont think it feels anything like my E63 did either btw... As for grunt, I think its impressive. I ran it for fun at a drift and 1/4 milet event. Hot weather at 75* and humid. Launched lightly at 1K rpm to avoid blowing the tires off because Im not use to rwd cars. Im use to launching on 4 slicks
lol... It went 12.3@115 w/ a 1.9 60'. Only ran one time for fun. It is bone stock, had a full tank of gas, and as it was the day it rolled off the dealer lot.
lol... It went 12.3@115 w/ a 1.9 60'. Only ran one time for fun. It is bone stock, had a full tank of gas, and as it was the day it rolled off the dealer lot. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Central Florida
2013 Chevy 427 Torch Red
. I would still paint the chrome but that is strictly personal preference.Regarding cars, the old analogy should read " beauty is in the eye of the one who be-holding the cash"
Shame to see so much bashing going on here even in the subtle manner as some have chosen. We should all be grateful that several choices exist in the $70,000 range and what you choose should be respected by other enthusiasts.
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From: S. Florida
GT3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 420
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From: S. Florida
GT3
Agreed 100% . I would still paint the chrome but that is strictly personal preference.
Regarding cars, the old analogy should read " beauty is in the eye of the one who be-holding the cash"
Shame to see so much bashing going on here even in the subtle manner as some have chosen. We should all be grateful that several choices exist in the $70,000 range and what you choose should be respected by other enthusiasts.
. I would still paint the chrome but that is strictly personal preference.Regarding cars, the old analogy should read " beauty is in the eye of the one who be-holding the cash"
Shame to see so much bashing going on here even in the subtle manner as some have chosen. We should all be grateful that several choices exist in the $70,000 range and what you choose should be respected by other enthusiasts.
Agreed on the arguing. I'm a car guy and love em all.
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c63 AMG
I'd take the coupe, but I like something different from the ordinary everyday sedan.
http://youtu.be/kaRU_viv1Z0?hd=1
http://youtu.be/zkFseTIKXuU?hd=1
http://youtu.be/kaRU_viv1Z0?hd=1
http://youtu.be/zkFseTIKXuU?hd=1
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From: Wilmington, NC
2012 C63 Black Series, 2003 Hummer H1 KSC2, 2003 Hummer H1 HMCO, 1997 Hummer H1 HMC4, 1969 Jaguar E
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09' C63 Blk/Blk w/ C.F. Trim
driven both and no comparison...
test drove both... 2009 c63 p10 vs CTS-V Sedan A6 w/Corsa. I bought the c63...CTS-V SEVERELY dissapointed me after all of the hype. Didn't like fit and finish, ride/steering felt somewhat disconnected (smoother on rough pavement than c63), and the CTS had this weird hitch in it when you floored it, like it was missing a chromosome or something and had to think about what you had done to it and how to respond. Supercharger whine wasn't really pronounced (one thing I did like about my XF supercharged) and it just didn't sound sophisticated. Now, it was an automatic and I didn't push it terribly hard in the corners, but with the exception of the rough ride of the c63 on bad streets, I wouldn't ever trade it for another GM. Yes you can modify it and make it run 9's in the quarter, but that doesn't matter to me. Im willing to bet that after 3 or 4 years the MB fit and finish will still look new, while the CTS-V will be rattling and the seats will DEF. be coming apart at the seams (literally). My 97 Yukon seats did, my 2001 Yukon seats did, my 04 2500HD seats did and my 07 Avalanche seats did and the leather in the CTS-V looks the same.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Im willing to bet that after 3 or 4 years the MB fit and finish will still look new, while the CTS-V will be rattling and the seats will DEF. be coming apart at the seams (literally). My 97 Yukon seats did, my 2001 Yukon seats did, my 04 2500HD seats did and my 07 Avalanche seats did and the leather in the CTS-V looks the same.
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09' C63 Blk/Blk w/ C.F. Trim
The one I drove was an 10'...don't quote me on this but it might have had suede inserts on the seats. The AMG seats sold me. Don't get me wrong, the CTS-V is no Yugo, but for all of the hype, I was pretty dissapointed...so I bought a C63
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
No biggie. I just knew at one time they could be had with all leather seating but was pretty certain it was before the current engine setup. The suede jumped out to us immediately as a huge potentional problem if/when something ever got on it. My other issues are just pretty typical GM interior layout. I still have a hard time dismissing the car from considering but only because I still can't talk the wife into a C63 so ends up being a comparisons between the Caddy and E63 for us. That comparisons ends up with a huge price difference.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
My wife thinks it is too small. We are looking to replace our 335d because the trunk is too small. But at some point in the shopping process she decided the interior needs to be bigger. The C63 has a sufficient trunk space and the interior for the backseat even seems marginally bigger. This is an ongoing "debate" we have, I am still working on the C63 idea and just having another bigger car for big car needs.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2011
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Gone but remembered: Audi S3, C63 AMG, Currently: BMW X5 4.0d, Fiat 500 Arriving: C63 Black Series
My wife thinks it is too small. We are looking to replace our 335d because the trunk is too small. But at some point in the shopping process she decided the interior needs to be bigger. The C63 has a sufficient trunk space and the interior for the backseat even seems marginally bigger. This is an ongoing "debate" we have, I am still working on the C63 idea and just having another bigger car for big car needs.
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 583
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From: Colorado
2021 E63 S Sedan
Who's going to be driving the car...you or your wife? If it's your wife, does she really want a V, or the standard CTS? Obviously she has significant input, so you can't just go get what you want or you burn all your bridges! Now you have to consider E550 or E63, BMW 535 or M5, maybe Audi S5. The caddy isn't significantly bigger inside, so if your looking at measurably more room, you may have to exclude the CTS. The question you have to ask is, are you ready for a caddy in your garage?
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
No offense man, but IMO and if I was in your shoes, I would definitely not listen to my wife what she s got to say about me buying a car, if the situation was as yours.(except if she is paying for it, then thats a different story). I mean if my wife said V was okay and C63 no go, I wouldnt even consider her opinion anymore. I would buy the C63, or the e63amg. The c63 is not smaller then the V and if it is, you certainly wont notice the difference, at least not to the point where it would affect your decision about buying the car. What i m saying is that if you buy V instead of C63 because it has more space, you will regret it for sure.
But like I said, the inability to not get the suede in the V is the deal breaker for both of us. I just personally rather not get the E after driving a few of them and a few C's. In all honesty though if I could find a way to make an E sound damn near like a C does then I'd be fine. As sad as it might be, the sound of the exhaust means that much to me.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 348
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From: Houston, Tx
2015 C63S
Who's going to be driving the car...you or your wife? If it's your wife, does she really want a V, or the standard CTS? Obviously she has significant input, so you can't just go get what you want or you burn all your bridges! Now you have to consider E550 or E63, BMW 535 or M5, maybe Audi S5. The caddy isn't significantly bigger inside, so if your looking at measurably more room, you may have to exclude the CTS. The question you have to ask is, are you ready for a caddy in your garage?
Audi for some reason has not been a thought in my head even though years ago I had an S4 with zero complaints. After this current BMW, I have a hard time consider another due to their crappy local dealers.
Actually my bigger question and no one would be able to answer it but it is which ends up costing more in the long run(let's say 200k miles). My experience with GM has been far from positive but again the suede interior pieces is a deal breaker anyway.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 870
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From: San Jose
08 E 6point3-sold- 11 caddy cts-v-sold, 2012 E63 Palladium Silver
Comparison
I am currently driving a 2011 cts-v sedan and am pretty happy with it. Came from 2008 e63 and don't miss much. Fit and quality of the 63 was much better. No rattles and creaks found in my V. I also felt the navi and interior of the 63 was outdated.
The v is a great car for the money. The car has so much power and handles 100 times better than the 63. But It's American, Sounds like a truck and does not have the prestige like the amg. I get attention from a different crowd. Gas mileage is terrible and the tank is really small. I get 180 miles per tank. The gm paint is junk and part is the interior could use improvement.
But the car was 28k less than my 63. Is the amg worth the 28k no! The car is a bargain for the price
I will probably move back into 2012 m5 or e63 but the time being I am overall happy with the V. It was a my first American car and the last. It was a spur of the moment purchase and don't regret it.
The v is a great car for the money. The car has so much power and handles 100 times better than the 63. But It's American, Sounds like a truck and does not have the prestige like the amg. I get attention from a different crowd. Gas mileage is terrible and the tank is really small. I get 180 miles per tank. The gm paint is junk and part is the interior could use improvement.
But the car was 28k less than my 63. Is the amg worth the 28k no! The car is a bargain for the price
I will probably move back into 2012 m5 or e63 but the time being I am overall happy with the V. It was a my first American car and the last. It was a spur of the moment purchase and don't regret it.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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09' C63 Blk/Blk w/ C.F. Trim
I wish I could have gotten to drive both cars on the track to see the difference because I feel way more connected in the c63 from what I have experienced. I purchased my c63 used with 8K and the CTS-V I looked at had 6500K mi so the CTS-V was actually $2K more than the C63, so both cars were competitively priced in my case.
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 247
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From: Hainesport, NJ
2014 CTS-V (6spd, phantom grey), 2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV (black raven)
To OP,
If you actually decide to get the Caddy, would recommend the manual tranny...
And strongly recommend the Recaro's...
If you actually decide to get the Caddy, would recommend the manual tranny...
And strongly recommend the Recaro's...
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Ft Lauderdale FL.
05 crossfire w/SL55 drivetrain installed by Rudy Compart Intake/Needswings best et-10.76 @ 129
I don't have anything to say bad about either car,, but a few months ago, i wanted a faster car,, I was looking at the CTSV and the money it would cost me to make it run in the low 11's. I was informed about a guy "Rudy" that would install a SL or E 55 engine/tranny into my crossfire, and do it for a lot less than i would spent for a CTSV, Now i did some research and found out that 26840 CTS's were made one for each connor in the U.S. and the V8 crossfire would be # 3 in the U S A installed by Rudy. well I went with the V8 into my crossfire, the car runs 11.2 @ 124 I have a tune,and pully. I have run 5 CTSv's at the track and lost to none, one had headers modded heads tune intake and said he was running in the 10's ,but he didn't that night,, I personlly like having one of three instead 1 of twenty six thousand the CTSV may be nice in and out but they are behind me. jim
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
I don't have anything to say bad about either car,, but a few months ago, i wanted a faster car,, I was looking at the CTSV and the money it would cost me to make it run in the low 11's. I was informed about a guy "Rudy" that would install a SL or E 55 engine/tranny into my crossfire, and do it for a lot less than i would spent for a CTSV, Now i did some research and found out that 26840 CTS's were made one for each connor in the U.S. and the V8 crossfire would be # 3 in the U S A installed by Rudy. well I went with the V8 into my crossfire, the car runs 11.2 @ 124 I have a tune,and pully. I have run 5 CTSv's at the track and lost to none, one had headers modded heads tune intake and said he was running in the 10's ,but he didn't that night,, I personlly like having one of three instead 1 of twenty six thousand the CTSV may be nice in and out but they are behind me. jim
The last time I checked a Crossfire was 2 seat coupe. Why in the world were you cross shopping a luxury/sports sedan with a 2 seat coupe?
The only way there are 26,840 CTS-Vs out there is if you include the 1st generation of CTS-Vs produced between 2004 and 2007 which are vastly different than the 2nd generation cars.
You have a pretty fast car... but you act like ALL CTS-Vs are slower than your car...which is just not true. You can see for yourself as there should be a track rental down at PBIR sometime in February with a couple of 9s Vs going at it...and a bunch of other TRUE 10 second cars.
We all value things differently... I really don't give much thought about how rare any of my cars have been. Although now my CTS-V is 1 of only 1 (that I know of) that has this exact combo: KPE CAI, Kooks headers with high flow cats back to stock mufflers, wait4me auxiliary heat exchanger, ATI 9.55" lower crank pulley and wait4me ECM/TCM tunes.
Tom
