Does anyone have official (or almost official) overall weight and weight distribution for the US (or non-US) C63 Black Series? I have seen "estimated" numbers in the range of 3,700 pounds in the magazines. I also wonder what the rear seats and pano roof adds to the equation.

Thank You

 

I am sure someone on the forums will weigh and corner balance theirs shortly after delivery. I have to scratch my head over the sunroof issue as I am sure that the vast majority of buyers would much prefer a carbon fiber roof instead.

 

This is why MB will always be behind BMW in a track spec "luxury" car. The M3 is purpose built and with their track oriented options and GTS, the C63 Black still isn't taking the task seriously enough. Maybe it is just MBUSA, but why is a light weight roof not STANDARD and the pano roof an option only? This decision alone shows the level of "seriousness" in purpose. The standard C63 coupe should be the same as well. And we all know there should be meatier tires all the way around. Seriously. Even the Black should have 295 or 305's.
Having said that, I love my C63, especially because I don't track it but once a year and, IMO, it is a much better daily driver. I have always changed the rubber to 275 rears, when that should already be stock. I understand AMG basically builds fast, luxury cars, but their few, purpose built ultra-high performance cars should reflect their best effort with no major compromises, especially to fundamental handling dynamics like weight/distribution and traction.

 

+1 agree on points and well said...

 

In regards to the C63 Black's weight, CAR magazine's 8 page review of the Black states it weighs 44lbs less, that was with Aero Package and rear-seat delete.


As to the Sunroof question, the reason is that all C-Class coupes in the US have the sunroof standard, so that's the only version they had crash tested and certified for US roads. To get a sunroof-free C63, they would have to got through the crash testing and certification of a car they are only selling 75 of (which is a goodwill gesture to begin with given the huge difference in profit margin they get selling to Europe and Asia given current exchange rates).

The review also goes into detail about how close the Black series feels to the standard C63, so much so that "You'd believe someone if they told you this was how all C63 coupes were." I've previous said in other comparison threads on here that the CLK63 Black was amazing because it was leaps and bounds better than the "regular" CLK63 (seam welded, triangulated chassis like the race cars, CFRP body panels, completely different suspension geometry, additional steering, oil, coolant, brake fluid, differential radiators, etc). The C63 Black appears to be 110% C63 (in addition to not having the things I mentioned for the CLK63 Black...besides a optional differential radiator and larger main radiator, those air intakes and scoops on the sides are non-functional, and its being built on the regular C63 production line). It will no doubt be fun to drive, but I don't think it will be the revelation the CLK Black was compared to the CLK63. The C63 black just feels like an exercise in restraint. Where the CLK felt more like a no expense spared, AMG engineer's playground. Regardless, CAR still gave it 5 stars. Probably will still be one of the most fun cars to drive of 2012.

I am happy that it appears BMW and Mercedes are trading places in regards to Luxury vs. Performance. Now BMW is making the super cushy, less visceral (they have to emulate the new M5's engine noise with a sound chip and pump it through the stereo to get audio feedback due to the amount of insulation and exhaust being muffled by the turbos). While Mercedes is moving towards more emotional, hardcore cars. I was a BMW enthusiast until trading my E90 M3 on a C63 two years ago, and have never looked back.

They appear to be going all-out on the next Black Series, the SLS. Aiming for near SLS GT3 levels of weight reduction with more power than the GT3's regulation reduced 550hp (current rumor is 650hp).

 

I disagree with Carac, I had the fortune of being a passenger in the new BS on a track after driving an assortment of AMG such as the C63 coupe and SLS and SLS roadsters. Unfortunately we were not allowed to drive the new BS but at least be taken on hot laps with a professional racing instructor at the West Palm Beach Raceway formally known as the Morosso Speedway. Anyway, the new BS is a totally different car than the C63 coupe, it is night and day in the handling and braking department, really no comparrison, the feel of the car in general seems very nimble with race car like handling. In fact, I did not feel the SLS which I am in love with was much different on the track than the BS. I among many others attending this AMG driving academy felt there was a huge difference in the other cars compared to the new Black, but not much of a difference between the Black and the SLS. This car is something else.

 

Always good to hear first hand feedback. Like I said, I have no doubt it will be fun to drive.

I'm interested as to what time a SLS could run with the track tires like the C63 Blacks. The SLS can lap Laguna Seca on street tires in about the same time as the C63 Black is on 80 treadwear track tires.

I also agree about the tire widths. The original Viper in 1992 had 400hp and 465lb/ft of torque and ran 335 width rears. The standard C63 has more horsepower and about the same torque, but comes with 255 rears....

 

TOTALLY AGREE!!! I mean, look at the most recent Nueburgring times. The Big Bloated "pretend" handling monster C63 BS Coupe roasted the ring in a time of 7:46.

Now lemme scan down herrree and snag the BMW M3 GTS times. Hang onnnnn a sec...this custom built "track spec" luxury car has to be here somewherreeeeee.

WHAT????? Could this be?? Ummmmmm, on the same day the God of Handling M3 went around the Ring a full 2 secs slower than the Black Series.

http://www.fastestlaps.com/tracks/nordschleife.html

Just friendly busting your chops, but making a point.

5 years ago, I would have shook hands with you and agreed 100%. Things are much different today and Benz is now neck and neck with the precious Ms handling wise.

 

A paltry 44lb reduction is relatively insignificant. I hope the decreasing of un-sprung weight via the forged wheels will help. I believe they save approximately 24lbs over the standard cast pieces.

 

All of the reviews I have read have been way more complimentary of the C Black than you make it sound here. Everyone that has driven the C Black has been nothing short of impressed.

 

I don't know what world you live in but mine has compromises everywhere. I agree with everything you said in theory but if having the pano roof is the difference between the car coming to the US market and not, I will take the pano roof.

 

Agreed. MBZ has come a long way.

 

+1

Also having been in the BS on the track it is a VERY different car than the "regular" C63. Power, balance, grip, brakes... all just amazing and much better than the non-black C63. I would personally take a C63 BS over almost anything else in its price range. It also looks amazing in person and MUCH more aggressive than the regular car.

A quote from the 02/12 edition of Road and Track... "A large engine in a small car is guaranteed fun, but the C63 BS impressed me most with its handling." Probably the biggest difference vs the regular car is handling in the BS... wider track, MUCH bigger rubber, modified suspension...

 

Their review as a whole was glowing, it's just at the beginning where under normal driving conditions, its hard to distinguish. Their analogy was that when you step into a 911 GT3 from a regular 911, you can immediately feel the difference, not as much in the Black.

Not saying it isn't impressive. It was just so much better in my head that what they offer seems like a middle ground. If the regular C63 is a 911C2S, I had an expectation of the Black Series being a GT3 RS or more, instead of a GT3. It's still a "GT3" but you always wonder what they held back.

 

I see your point, but I really wasn't meaning to compare track times. With so much more HP and torque, it is good to see those results nonetheless. But it doesn't take a genius to know you don't increase weight at the roof level. And with that much engine, beefier tires will help with traction all around. The C63 AMG designer didn't want the pano roof, he had to acquiesce to Mercedes demand of a pano roof...for non-performance reasons. And the 255 rears on the C63 are a joke! That is what I mean by not taking it seriously. As to your handling comment, I haven't any experience in the M3's, but almost every expert I've read says the combination of M3 chassis, power and suspension make the M car a superior handling car to ours. I haven't heard any M3 converts saying that their new AMG was a better handling car.

I love my new coupe, and my 09 C63 before that, and my C55 before that.

Does anyone know if the Black Series car that ran the ring was the euro version...no pano roof and race seats?

 

Sorry...couldnt read your post...there was smoke all over the screen



Everybody knows that the Black will walk all over an M3 GTS all day, every day

 

Well, I'm pretty sure I live in the same world as you. I don't think I said anything based in fantasy... or even "out of this world" stupid. Did I?

Of course there are compromises...a luxury car is loaded with them, and it all adds up to increased weight. But do you think a heavy roof and skinny tires are proper compromises though? Just the OPTION to have the lighter roof and fatter tires would be nice, IMO.
In the end, I did buy my coupe, with the requisite pano roof, because it was the only way it was offered in the US. I love my car. I'll love it more when my 19's arrive, and with much bigger rubber!