Hey guys, I'm looking at buying a used c63. Probably going to end up with a 2009 with 30-45,000 miles because that's where my budget has led me to be able to afford. Is there anything I should inspect for when looking at these vehicles?

I've read from a sticky here that they are notorious for a head gasket leak so I would like any and all comments regarding anything I should inspect for before purchasing. Would it be wise to replace the head bolts as soon as I get the car just to be safe and prevent the leak from happening?

Any comments are much appreciated!

You could preempt the issue, but it's a decent chunk of change.

nagasawa, I am in the same situation as you. I hope you dont mind me maybe adding to your question instead of making a new thread.

In addition to what should the OP look for, is there any features that are "must haves" when looking for a used c63 amg? LSD? etc

nagasawa (kabayan?) :-)

anyways, on the topic - if you can, have the car inspected (pre-purchase inspection).. also, if you can have MB extended warranty, then look at that option also. as you mentioned, there are posts here with regards to issues on the heads, etc. you don't want to have these things happen and you are out of warranty.

interior rattles, etc - i have them once in a while but not really annoys me.

the car is one hell of a car (i have a hell of an SUV but i don't drive that anymore.. garage queen!!).

for 09's i think the P30 package have the 2 pc brakes in the front.. that's a bit pricey compared to non-P30 amg's (to replace). the 10's and up (with P31) are one piece (correct me if im wrong).

LSD is part of the P30. alcantara steering wheels, carbon fiber interior, speed up to 170mph.

*again, check if you can get MB extended warranty if you are planning to get 08 and 09 (and some early 10's as posted in the other threads).

good luck and hope you join the all mighty gas family

I think you're right about everything except the CF interior. I think that was still optional because I don't have it.

thanks for that Cool.. i thought the carbon fiber interior was part of the performance package.. so that was a separate option then on our cars :-)

+1.

unless you have a dire need for the p30, i would skip it. If you are already on a budget buying the car, the replacement of expensive brakes would be a untimely sticker shock later on.

What is a must imo are the creature comforts. Go for the car with a navi, with keyless go, make sure they have bi-xenon headlights.... some cars also have the the rear screen option which is very nice ( i know i use it alot ).

hope that helps

I'm actually glad I don't have it, otherwise, I'd have the constant, uncontrollable need to carbon EVERYTHING

wrap it!! cheaper option.. hehehe

well your car came as perfection when you picked it up. No need to mess with it

LOL, seriously, just wrap the whole car!

You're too kind

Is that correct, that only the 09 p30 package cars come with the expensive 2 piece rotors? So 2010's with whatever the package is called for that year (p31?) won't have the 2 piece rotors?

-Does the alcantara steering wheels ONLY come on the p30 package? I ask bc a local dealership has one with it.
-Any other ways to differentiate the p30 vs regular beside what you mention? How expensive to replace the 2 piece brakes vs standard?

-Tuned, with intake and exhaust, what kind of power am I looking at? And does this make the p30 a moot selling point if I plan on doing it anyhow.

-Bi-Xenon headlights...I'm guessing this means 2 sets of HIDS? high/low, or low/fog?

-Keyless Go is a feature I really want, but what is the best way to differentiate if one has it or not as I find most dealerships are not the most knowledgeable, and I'm doing most of my looking on autotrader/cars.com.

-Why do you recommend the extended warranty aside from the head gasket leaks?

-Slotted rotors cause any problems in the winter or on country roads for anyone?

Sorry for all the questions, it's a different world coming from an evo where you bolt on parts, tune it and go fast!

+ 1
Keep in mind that if you are looking for a 2009-2010 you will need to replace the front brakes at 35-40k miles, and P30 rotors are very expensive. If you can have the brakes replaced by the dealer on the moment you are buying it, would be great for your pocket.

keyless go is easy to spot. there will be a big silver button where the key would go. also, you will be able to lock and unlock the car by touching the handle.

extended warranty is key when buying a cpo car. MB parts and labour in general is expensive... this is an amg so everything is even more expensive. stretch warranty as far as you can so if not the headbolts but other issues, everything will be covered for you.

The 2010+ PP does have a two piece rotor but a different design by Brembo. The aluminum hat is cast onto the rotor. Here is a link with a description. http://www.pixelmotion.com/customers/brembo-cadillac/

I assume in your first bullet you're talking about visually. I think the brakes are the only way.

For those mods, I imagine you could easily get an 80hp gain if you also removed cats and resonators. That's approximately what I got, but this tune is a year or so old so I could probably squeeze out 10+ more hp.

Skipping #3.

There are small, annoying gremlins that can come up. Just peace of mind in addition to the headbolt issue.

Not sure about #5.

OP should also note that if he plans to look for keyless go, know it wasn't available until 2010 for US spec cars

Honestly I would stay away from the PP. With the money that you would save you can get some fancy exterior parts and some go-fast mods

some dealers use the PP as a selling point. some don't. i didn't know that my car had the PP with that expensive to replace rotors until i got the car (about a month or so after purchase) so it was a surprise. i thought the PP would have the red calipers but that started on the 10 and up models. the dealer had replaced them (rotors and pads) when they did the CPO on it so it's quite new. if its time to replace them, i might go aftermarket (or whatever is a cheaper option since i don't track the car, just a daily driver).

the delimiter (to 170 mph) can be done via tune. there are aftermarket LSD available. there are also alcantara aftermarket wheels (or they re-work on orig MB wheels; core swap), the interior can be wrapped or some members here sell the CF interior trims.

10-up models have better iPod integration than the 08-09.

Sorry this is false.

I have the two piece rotors resurfaced with 62,000km on them and they still have 50% life remaining.

These two piece rotors should last you AT LEAST 100,000km. You simply throw on new pads (425 bucks at formymercedes.com) and go. No need to resurface or anything. (Unless you're getting shaking when you brake)

I was quoted over $4000 for a brake job at the dealer (p30, non-p30 is much cheaper). They wont reuse your rotors, they just throw those $1200/each rotors in the trash, doesn't matter to them.

My brake job, I did at home and it cost me 425 bucks.... If you got more money then brains, get the dealer to do it.


Another thing I would look into is LSD... Its not mandatory, but if you drive aggressively you will appreciate it.