g-f

Hi, I'm new here. I currently own a Porsche 996TT (550hp) and a Volvo XC60-T6 (300hp).

I need a four door car for my work as it is required by my employer. I always had sports car as I used to instruct for BMWCCA. So the Volvo/Porsche combo made much sense.

But I haven't instructed in the last two years and I'm thinking about having just one (fast) car and drive it year round. So I'd buy the C63amg (or M3) and would sell the Volvo/Porsche.

Here are my questions:
-I'm gonna buy used. Is there any reliability issues with the C63 that I should know about?
-Are these cars prone to self destruct expensive parts?
-I live in the snow belt (Canada) and we get quite a bit of snow. Will I curse the car for not being awd 4 months a year or is it still drivable in the snow (with proper studded tires)?
-Do they all come with LSD?
-Any must have options?
-Anything else I didn't think about that I should know?

Thanks!
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deadfission

1) Headbolts on pre-2011 motors
2) Not that i've heard (someone else chime in). My car hasn't had any problems since I bought it. Been awesome
3) Dunno, i live in Atlanta. My C help up pretty well during the whole Hoth-lanta escapade tho.
4) No, add-on. For around the same 'added' value you can get a Quaife or WaveTrac LSD over the factory one.
5) Multi-media & Bi-Xenon Headlamps
6) Dey Dun Haz Lotz Torquez

coladin

With proper winter tires, you should be fine, but of course some common sense when driving in the winter with this type of car. Have had a 2011 and now a 2014 and they have all been winter driven. Acceleration in the snow takes some care but after that it is fine. You want the p31, but it is not absolutely necessary, my 2011 was a 451bhp C63 and it was plenty fast!

Premium package is, for me , a must.

tfthach13

Agreed!

It terms on reliability, the C63 AMG is probably best in the entire AMG line up. The engine is SOLID. There are a lot fewer electronics that can potentially fail (as they often do) and that's one less thing to have to worry about. From an engineering standpoint, the fewer moving parts there are, the better (ie. electronics).

My parents' '03 S430 just had its vacuum pump and door sensor go out (which controls the soft-close doors and trunk) and needs replacing...$3000.

alexmtl

LSD comes with the performance package (P31), which also adds 30hp to 480. Standard cars don't have any LSD.

I had mine in January and winter was OK. I think a bit less good than my previous 135i but I'm pretty sure this was due to the different tires (performance winter in the C63, proper snow tires in the 135i). With studded tires you'll be more than fine.

Must have options: LSD ?

CarHopper

As stated... If you can get a 2012+. You'll have some factory warranty left too. No, the car isn't going to blow up in your face. As for the snow, I'm about to take mine through it's first winter (at least I think I am) here in upstate NY. I've had plenty of RWD sports cars in the snow though. Really, the right set of tires and responsible driving and you're good to go. There are always those days where the roads are so awful you feel like you made the wrong choice but everyone on the road shares that feeling.

As for options -- headlight package. Anything else can be added with ease

BrabusNYC

Car is solid. LSD is an option which is a must on this car...You wont be able to drive it in the winter so plan on putting it away for a few months.

jmueller

This is NOT accurate with respect to face-lifted cars (2012+). You need to look for option code 471 to determine if the car has an LSD.

g-f

Thanks!

So:
Reliable car.
Winter ok.
Needs LSD P31 or 471.
Bi-xenon sure is a nice option, both my Volvo and Porsche has them.

Does the 2012 facelift has any special goodies the 2011 didn't besides the obvious body work?

The hunt is on!

PanzerLehr

I love my 2014 a friend of mine went shopping for an older 08/09/10 for price bargaining and while it is still a thing of beauty you can quickly notice some of the differences especially if the car lacks the LSD.

rediesel

Yes, 2012+ has the MTC transmission vs the 7g. Ealier cars may be prone to headbolt failure. Interior was updated as well.

-Marlin-

Even if you find an 11, get the engine serial number first and run it to make sure it's after the redesign. I wouldn't say the C63 is ok in the winter, but that's me. And if you find the perfect car that checks all the boxes (And is after the engine headbolt redesign) and it doesn't come with an LSD, you can always add one. There are two LSDs out there made for the C63 that are phenomenal and it's not difficult for a shop to install.

g-f

What's the difference between the MTC and 7g?

Good advice thanks. I sure want the help of a LSD.

pjdizzle94

+1 on da torquez. one thing i loveeeeeeeeeeeee in this car. (almost bought a ess supercharged 2013 e92 m3)

bought my c63 a little over a month ago and love every bit of it.

jmueller

The 7g tranny is a true automatic transmission like you have in the Volvo. The MCT tranny essentially removes the torque converter from the 7g and replaces it with a single wet clutch. It is not a true dual clutch transmission. It is capable of very fast upshifts and it rev-matches on downshifts. Some people complain that it is harsh on downshifts and on 1st gear take offs (can lurch sometimes if you don't give it enough gas).

With all that said, I love the MCT and enjoy it's driving dynamics. The only thing I dislike is how it can be somewhat slow to get into gear when doing a 3-point turn. You can fix this by turning traction control off and just spinning the back end around with a punch of the right pedal. Enjoy!

g-f

Thanks for the information.

Do you know if the shift times are quicker on the MCT?

My sports car all had 3 pedals and I heel/toe all my downshifts. I think just for the noise alone it would make sense for me to get the MCT.

jmueller

Yes. Shifts are quicker. When the transmission is in S+ or M mode, the shifts can be as fast as 100 milliseconds. While the video is a little gimiky, it does explain some things well.

Bodacious

If I were you, I would get and S4. While it is not as fast as the C63, the all wheel drive and the manual transmission seem right up your alley.

deadfission

YOU DON'T SAY THAT.

Bodacious

Just trying to help a brother out. I love my C63, but I wish it had 3 pedals. I am from TN so I don't know too much about snow, but I can tell you that if it snows here this winter, I won't be driving my C63. The old 4x4 will get the call.


Sorry to offend.

deadfission

Haha, I'm just messing with you man. I love my AMG but everyone is different.

OFF TOPIC but here's my whole spiel on the 3 pedal thing (my second car is stick). Although I love driving manual, I think the evolution into F1 shifting is a great thing. The shifts are faster and more accurate. No more missed shifts, clutch plates, etc. Yes auto's wear but you see my point. Also, having come from a GT mustang before my C63 I'll say that having SOO much torque behind a clutch can get pretty annoying. I like that I can just paddle up/down and the TC and Sychrono can do all the work for me. It's not so much laziness as it is accuracy. The car never bounces when I'm shifting because I popped the clutch out too hard or whatever. For true SuperSports, I think the F1 style auto-manual gearbox is a must.

Just my 2 cents on the subject.

Bodacious

No offense taken.

As for automatics vs manuals, I agree. The F1 type transmissions are fantastic, but I enjoy the reward of shifting correctly, or heal toeing perfectly through a corner. Yes I know the paddle shift automatics will do it faster, but I take a tremendous amount of pride in working a standard shift car correctly. Unfortunately, you forget about that pride when you are in bumper to bumper traffic. It is at that very moment you long for an automatic.

Finally, I also think a manual transmission forces all drivers to be more aware of their surroundings when operating their vehicles. And Lord knows we need more drivers doing that. Just my $.02.

deadfission

Could not agree more with that statement.

g-f

I considered the S4. But it is not as powerful nor as fun to drive.

But you're definitely right that a manual S4 (with 480hp) would be pretty hard not to consider.

That car needs to replace my 911 turbo (that has 550hp and some 600lbs.ft), so I need something with a good engine, the S4 is not that car. The C63 barely is and is my favorite car of that category (M3, IS-F, S4).

I also don't know if I will be able to not have a manual car. I had three pedals since I go my driving license in 1993. If I miss it too much, there is still the option to sell the C63, buy a Z06/911 and buy another commuter car.

But the youtube reviews of the C63 make me just want to buy one and paint the town in black skid marks!

AMG6.3

I agree with you S4 is not fast enough. I did exactly what you are planning too do. I always had two cars. My fun car was a 6 speed corvette and DD was an G37xS. I am very happy with my decision going with 1 car that being C63 AMG.

Good luck.