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Love my RS4 but it just hit 100K miles. I've been looking around and have even test driven a few fast cars lately and, I have to say, that you guys are some lucky ba$tards! Today I test drove a '14 C63 and the way the 6.2L makes power is fantastic. Tons of torque and it pulls right through the rev range. It's loud and violent and I absolutely love it. What an engine! This is my next car.
A couple questions. I'm looking at a few local low mileage '14 models in the mid to high $40K's but, right when I thought I had everything all figured out, I came across a low mileage '11 in the high $30K's. I couldn't find anything in the sticky W204 thread that charts the changes between different model years but maybe I'm missing it.
What's different between the 2014 and 2011 model years? Do they have the same drivetrain and engine? What about things like curb weight, an LSD option, or different interior technology packages.
You will want to stick with 12+. Not that an 11 is a bad option if that is the top of your budget, but 2012 is a slightly refreshed model with a few exterior improvements, but more importantly, a much improved transmission with a clutch plate vs torque converter. Faster shifts, although not as fast as an RS5... Better feel imo.
If mid to upper 40's is a comfortable budget for you, I'd go that route but make sure that you try to find a P31 model if you can. A 507 edition would be even better, but those tend to go in the 50's as they are limited production and usually what the collectors are after.
The P31 package gets you forged engine internals, 30 more hp(481) upgraded brake and suspension systems and raised top speed limit to 174 (vs 155).
Key is to look for the alcantara wrapped steering wheel and red brake calipers since a lot of dealerships may not know that they have a c63 with that package(7000$ option). 6 caliper Brembo brakes alone are worth it!
I got my 2012 coupe with it, 19k miles at 43K at a ford dealership. Love this car!!!
Last edited by rxavier1979; May 25, 2016 at 03:48 AM.
That's really helpful info. Thank you! One of the cars I'm looking at has the P31 package.
Do you know if the pre-2012 models weigh more? I'm seeing a curb weight online of 3924lbs for a 2011 but a 2014 lists at almost 300lbs less with a curb weight of 3649lbs. I can't imagine that's accurate but wasn't really sure.
I picked up a CPO 12' C63 coupe with P31 package at 34k miles recently too. I got it at $42K and had the dealer replaced the car with new tires and brakes as well as doing the required maintenance. Mercedes has a special right now for 2.99% APR on CPO car. I was lucky to find mine. A guy from out of state showed up literally 30 min before I signed the papers. He was planning to buy it too. lol
You will want to stick with 12+. Not that an 11 is a bad option if that is the top of your budget, but 2012 is a slightly refreshed model with a few exterior improvements, but more importantly, a much improved transmission with a clutch plate vs torque converter. Faster shifts, although not as fast as an RS5... Better feel imo.
If mid to upper 40's is a comfortable budget for you, I'd go that route but make sure that you try to find a P31 model if you can. A 507 edition would be even better, but those tend to go in the 50's as they are limited production and usually what the collectors are after.
The P31 package gets you forged engine internals, 30 more hp(481) upgraded brake and suspension systems and raised top speed limit to 174 (vs 155).
Key is to look for the alcantara wrapped steering wheel and red brake calipers since a lot of dealerships may not know that they have a c63 with that package(7000$ option). 6 caliper Brembo brakes alone are worth it!
I got my 2012 coupe with it, 19k miles at 43K at a ford dealership. Love this car!!!
The improved tranny that overheats all the time? The only way to get rid of this problem is to get the upgraded Black Series cooling package?
What were the problematic symptoms of the transmission before the torque converter was replaced with wet clutches for '12?
'12 and on transmissions shift faster than the prefacelift transmissions. Torque converter transmissions don't have any problems, they just don't shift as fast.
The new transmissions have problems also though, specifically overheating problems.
I miss my manual transmission already. Sounds like both generations of that 7G-tronic have their quirks.
Is the P31 package rare? One of the cars I'm looking at has it. It also has this logo on the windshield. I'm guessing either the previous owners were some sort of freaky VIP swingers or this logo has something to do with the car.
I miss my manual transmission already. Sounds like both generations of that 7G-tronic have their quirks.
Is the P31 package rare? One of the cars I'm looking at has it. It also has this logo on the windshield. I'm guessing either the previous owners were some sort of freaky VIP swingers or this logo has something to do with the car.
Didn't you know, AMG has their own "eyes wide shut" secret swingers society . The sticker is from the AMG Private Lounge. It is a website only for AMG owners. You enter your VIN to sign up and they send you the stickers a couple months later.
The P31 package isn't really rare but more of a plus if you are able to get a C63 with it.
Nice haha thanks! So yesterday I had a chance to drive an '11 with the P31 package. It was very interesting to kinda compare and contrast that car with the '14 model I drove earlier in the week w/o the P31 package...
First thing I noticed was the different transmission settings. I liked the S+ on the 2014. In fact I thought it was better than manually shifting the paddles. After previously owning a performance car w/one of the better reviewed dual clutch setups, I couldn't stand that momentary delay when you hit the paddles. On the '11 I selected the Sport setting. I'm not sure if it was the transmission or something else, but the '14 felt stronger and sharper despite being down 30hp. Unless I see a deal that's too good to pass up, I'll likely take rxavier1979's advice and limit future looks to '12 and later models. It just felt like a better overall setup.
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