2012 C63 Coupe Edition 1 - Track Day - Is the engine overheating?
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2012 C63 coupe
I wouldn't necessarily write off AMG yet... not everyone is having this issue (I didn't) and it could be related to driving style, conditions, etc. MB still needs to fix it and they might (I don't know this) but my speculation is they won't given the number of enthusiasts who track their cars would be a very small fraction of total ownership. Besides, with the track car you have, why would you EVER take a C63 to the track? It would not be anywhere close to the same level as the GT3 RS. To me, the C63 at the track is for those who don't have or want a more dedicated track car. It is one hell of a fun weekend/daily car though!!
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Baton Rouge, La.
Steel Gray 09' C63 AMG
I hear ya. I'm not writing then off, I just want what I pay for. If you build tuner cars than build tuner cars, don't be a poser. I don't think I would track it, but if I wanted to stop by a track on a road trip, I would like to have that option.
As stated I truly do love the car and want another. Just don't sell me a Corolla with a big block please.
-Troy
As stated I truly do love the car and want another. Just don't sell me a Corolla with a big block please.
-Troy
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2012 C63 coupe
Update on my experience with the overheating issue...
I was at the track today for part of the day with my E36 M3 and the afternoon in the C63. It was 30 celsius so it was a fairly hot day. First, the running the two cars back to back is not fair to the C63. Second, I lost all power in the C63 after 4 hot laps
. Running in M mode, short shifting, AC off, shifting after braking to minimize engine braking... nothing helped. I came off, let the car cool down and went back out. 3 laps... limping again. I was very disappointed as it didn't happen earlier in the summer but it was cooler those days and that would explain the difference.
Looks like the C63 isn't a good option for the track on hot days. Maybe if I ran in S+ all day it would have been OK but if I can't drive in M mode at the track, I won't be bringing the car there because S+ on the track is no fun at all.
I can't recall my engine temps but I want to say that oil was 137 cel and water around 95 cel. I believe the car cuts power when oil temp exceeds 135 c. It is sad that this was happening... of all the cars there (2 E92 M3s, GT3, S2000, E36 M3, Corvette GS, Mazdaspeed 3) I was the only one with heat related issues.
I was at the track today for part of the day with my E36 M3 and the afternoon in the C63. It was 30 celsius so it was a fairly hot day. First, the running the two cars back to back is not fair to the C63. Second, I lost all power in the C63 after 4 hot laps
. Running in M mode, short shifting, AC off, shifting after braking to minimize engine braking... nothing helped. I came off, let the car cool down and went back out. 3 laps... limping again. I was very disappointed as it didn't happen earlier in the summer but it was cooler those days and that would explain the difference.Looks like the C63 isn't a good option for the track on hot days. Maybe if I ran in S+ all day it would have been OK but if I can't drive in M mode at the track, I won't be bringing the car there because S+ on the track is no fun at all.
I can't recall my engine temps but I want to say that oil was 137 cel and water around 95 cel. I believe the car cuts power when oil temp exceeds 135 c. It is sad that this was happening... of all the cars there (2 E92 M3s, GT3, S2000, E36 M3, Corvette GS, Mazdaspeed 3) I was the only one with heat related issues.
Last edited by gthal; Aug 15, 2012 at 06:27 PM.
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2012 C63 2015 C300 sport
This is breaking my heart. I bought this car thinking it would be one of those cars where I can drive in comfort to the track, beat the hell out of it, and come home with no problem. (like its advertised)
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From: Texas
2011 P31 C63 2015 CLA45
Off topic, but has anyone recorded their oil temp and water temp during dynos? I had my car dynoed in Feb, and I had forgotten to get that information. Did 4 runs in a 30 minute period.
Pulled stronger after each run.
Pulled stronger after each run.
Last edited by khmergod; Aug 15, 2012 at 09:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2011
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2012 C63 2015 C300 sport
Never dyno but at an auto x I got up to 254f top temp (oil? ). I forgot what the bottom one is but my cars fan was so loud you can hear it over other cars engines. No limp mode though. Ran tc sport and m
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Joined: May 2011
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C63 Coupe Edition 1
Thanks for the update gthal. What did you have the TC set to for the runs?
Update on my experience with the overheating issue...
I was at the track today for part of the day with my E36 M3 and the afternoon in the C63. It was 30 celsius so it was a fairly hot day. First, the running the two cars back to back is not fair to the C63. Second, I lost all power in the C63 after 4 hot laps. Running in M mode, short shifting, AC off, shifting after braking to minimize engine braking... nothing helped. I came off, let the car cool down and went back out. 3 laps... limping again. I was very disappointed as it didn't happen earlier in the summer but it was cooler those days and that would explain the difference.
Looks like the C63 isn't a good option for the track on hot days. Maybe if I ran in S+ all day it would have been OK but if I can't drive in M mode at the track, I won't be bringing the car there because S+ on the track is no fun at all.
I can't recall my engine temps but I want to say that oil was 137 cel and water around 95 cel. I believe the car cuts power when oil temp exceeds 135 c. It is sad that this was happening... of all the cars there (2 E92 M3s, GT3, S2000, E36 M3, Corvette GS, Mazdaspeed 3) I was the only one with heat related issues.
I was at the track today for part of the day with my E36 M3 and the afternoon in the C63. It was 30 celsius so it was a fairly hot day. First, the running the two cars back to back is not fair to the C63. Second, I lost all power in the C63 after 4 hot laps
. Running in M mode, short shifting, AC off, shifting after braking to minimize engine braking... nothing helped. I came off, let the car cool down and went back out. 3 laps... limping again. I was very disappointed as it didn't happen earlier in the summer but it was cooler those days and that would explain the difference.Looks like the C63 isn't a good option for the track on hot days. Maybe if I ran in S+ all day it would have been OK but if I can't drive in M mode at the track, I won't be bringing the car there because S+ on the track is no fun at all.
I can't recall my engine temps but I want to say that oil was 137 cel and water around 95 cel. I believe the car cuts power when oil temp exceeds 135 c. It is sad that this was happening... of all the cars there (2 E92 M3s, GT3, S2000, E36 M3, Corvette GS, Mazdaspeed 3) I was the only one with heat related issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,597
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From: Kuwait
CLS55 2006, CLS 63S 2015
Haver not read all the topics but I heard that the facelift C63 are the ones that have this issue, and it is mainly due to the air duct which cools the trans/ HE and the way it is shaped (it is different than the older models) and is narrower and has less surface area to cool the HE
to confirm you just need the old none facelift C and new one and look at both
fix is to manually cut around the duct to provide the surface area cooling needed
hope this helps
to confirm you just need the old none facelift C and new one and look at both
fix is to manually cut around the duct to provide the surface area cooling needed
hope this helps
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
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From: Canada
2015 C63S E1 (sold 2012 C63 AMG Sedan (Premium & APX)) & 09 C300 Sport 4Matic
Mine also had overheating oil temp to 142C on the track if driven hard on a hot day and the car backs right off.
I got around the issue by short shifting. I up shifted 1500rpm or so early and the car did much better.
I did 4 sessions of 25 minute at Circuit Mont Tremblant with outside temperature of 30C that way in Sport Mode. The oil temps stayed under 135C and no limp mode.
Another strategy on a long track is to do a cool down every 5th lap.
With all the torque available I don't think I sacrificed any pleasure by shifting early.
The next day we had a few showers and the outside temperature was 22C. There were no issues under these cooler conditions.
The car can use a larger or additional oil cooler. But so do most cars running on the track in hot weather.
I got around the issue by short shifting. I up shifted 1500rpm or so early and the car did much better.
I did 4 sessions of 25 minute at Circuit Mont Tremblant with outside temperature of 30C that way in Sport Mode. The oil temps stayed under 135C and no limp mode.
Another strategy on a long track is to do a cool down every 5th lap.
With all the torque available I don't think I sacrificed any pleasure by shifting early.
The next day we had a few showers and the outside temperature was 22C. There were no issues under these cooler conditions.
The car can use a larger or additional oil cooler. But so do most cars running on the track in hot weather.
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2005 E55
Ohh boy Im so glad I read this post as my local dealer has a 2012 coupe with 1k miles on it and said the owner returned it for another car...now I know why.
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 1
2012 C63 coupe
Ohh boy Im so glad I read this post as my local dealer has a 2012 coupe with 1k miles on it and said the owner returned it for another car...now I know why.
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 154
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From: Toronto, Canada
2012 C63 PP, 2012 X3
I really do like the car, and came from a M3 and Z4MC, both of which I used to beat like a red headed stepchild at tracks (without cooling issues); I just wish MB would get its head out of its a$$ and design this thing right. I don't get why a SLK250 --amongst others-- has heat extraction vents close to the windscreen and the C63 AMG doesn't.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 70
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From: Murrieta, CA
2012 C63 AMG
Why not reenact the problem for AMG?
After reading these posts, I thought it would make sense to reenact the problem while at the AMG Driving Academy with the same make and model car. Perhaps they might be able to shed some insight as they witness a pretty lady push it to the limits? Hmmmmm? 
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2012 C63 coupe
Easier said then done. The day would need to be hot and you need several continuous laps at a very high speed. My experience at the Academy is this woud be difficult to do. First, you are not really able to push the car to the same limit (either you are following slower cars or with an instructor), second, the sessions are a little short. The cars are only driven 6 or 7/10ths at the Academy whereas 9 or 10/10ths on a track by yourself. Put it this way, you don't see many examples of boiled/overheated brakes at the Academy but it isn't hard to do at the track by yourself with a heavier car like the C63.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 572
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From: Canada
2015 C63S E1 (sold 2012 C63 AMG Sedan (Premium & APX)) & 09 C300 Sport 4Matic
You could probably recreate this condition at the Academy by keeping the revs close to the limit all the time. And yes it has to be a warm day.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 7
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From: Flensburg Germany
Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe 2012
Engine overheating
Ohh boy Im so glad I read this post as my local dealer has a 2012 coupe with 1k miles on it and said the owner returned it for another car...now I know why.
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
How can AMG advertise this car as an M3 competitor when it cant even do a full lap going 100%.
I litterally kept my M3 over 6000 rpms for about 10 mins and the car was fine.
I am very upset to hear about these heating isuues.Has anyone tried to run a thicker oil?BMW uses a special 10w60 so maybe the oil is to thin for the car?
I like to drive on the Nordschelife a couple times per year. I complained about this problem to my local dealer in MB dealer in Flensburg.
1. AMG gave the MB garage following instructions:
a.) Change the oilcoolers.
b.) Change the fan (higher capacity)
c.) To drill holes in the front to improve airflow
This didn,t help so AMG bring the car on a trailer to the factory in Affalterbach.
I got the car back after 14 days
The technicians of AMG checked the oilflow and optimized the software of the black box and lifted up the temperature level of reducing the power from 136c to 142c.
The car is still overheating and AMG told me that they no further solutions of the problem.
The car works fine on autobahn but is useless on the track. I did not have this problem with my 2010 C63.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,438
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From: Relocated
2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
I have the same problem with my 2012 coupe.
I like to drive on the Nordschelife a couple times per year. I complained about this problem to my local dealer in MB dealer in Flensburg.
1. AMG gave the MB garage following instructions:
a.) Change the oilcoolers.
b.) Change the fan (higher capacity)
c.) To drill holes in the front to improve airflow
This didn,t help so AMG bring the car on a trailer to the factory in Affalterbach.
I got the car back after 14 days
The technicians of AMG checked the oilflow and optimized the software of the black box and lifted up the temperature level of reducing the power from 136c to 142c.
The car is still overheating and AMG told me that they no further solutions of the problem.
The car works fine on autobahn but is useless on the track. I did not have this problem with my 2010 C63.
I like to drive on the Nordschelife a couple times per year. I complained about this problem to my local dealer in MB dealer in Flensburg.
1. AMG gave the MB garage following instructions:
a.) Change the oilcoolers.
b.) Change the fan (higher capacity)
c.) To drill holes in the front to improve airflow
This didn,t help so AMG bring the car on a trailer to the factory in Affalterbach.
I got the car back after 14 days
The technicians of AMG checked the oilflow and optimized the software of the black box and lifted up the temperature level of reducing the power from 136c to 142c.
The car is still overheating and AMG told me that they no further solutions of the problem.
The car works fine on autobahn but is useless on the track. I did not have this problem with my 2010 C63.
I have not had any issues with my MY 2010. Guys cherish your '08-'11 (aside from the head bolt issue lol ) Obviously we have the same cooler but different trans and different air vents. I have been able to push the car pretty good with no limp mode or issues. It sucks how they just gave up and said "we have no further solutions to the problem" on the MY '12...
Last edited by ZephyrAMG; Aug 28, 2012 at 09:19 AM.
Newbie
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Mustang boss 302
Fix for over heating 2012 AMG 63
Hi all, I have a very big soft spot for the AMG C63. My friend let me drive his 2010 AMG for a long drive and I found it intoxicating and was hooked on powerful cars for good. I looked for something I could afford to compete with him at a local track. Once my friend saw my boss 302 he traded in his 2010 for a 2012 C63 with a Brabus kit. When we finally went to the track together his AMG could not make more then 3 laps before going limp where as my simple beast went all day.
Needless to say he was very disappointed and is trying to get some joy from Mercedes. Its hard to understand that such a potent well built car has such a basic problem as overheating!! Has anyone installed a aftermarket cooling kit?
Want to beat him fair and square!!
Needless to say he was very disappointed and is trying to get some joy from Mercedes. Its hard to understand that such a potent well built car has such a basic problem as overheating!! Has anyone installed a aftermarket cooling kit?
Want to beat him fair and square!!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 39
From: Vancouver, BC, and sometimes AZ
2015 E63S
Well ive had the same issue on my '12 sedan as posted before. Exact same issues as described above. Needless to say its very dissapointing and it will make me reconsider the next generation C-AMG if I hear of similar issues. I dont bring my car to the track often, but when i do, i want to know ive got a car that can handle it as ALL my previous cars from the competitor had NO problems in the exact same conditions as stated above.
There is talk of the BS oil cooler, but no one has actually posted if it works or not or helps bring down temperatures. Seems like a lot of work to install that it "might" work.
I thought there was a discussion about the actual problem being related to heat extraction, ie. vented hood. You can cool down the oil but with nowhere for the heat to go might be the actual root of the cause.
There is talk of the BS oil cooler, but no one has actually posted if it works or not or helps bring down temperatures. Seems like a lot of work to install that it "might" work.
I thought there was a discussion about the actual problem being related to heat extraction, ie. vented hood. You can cool down the oil but with nowhere for the heat to go might be the actual root of the cause.
