Purchase advice for M156 Car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 208
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From: Newport Beach, CA
E55 AMG, Porsche 911 SC
Purchase advice for M156 Car
Hey guys so I sold my 05 E55 not long ago and want to get back into another amg. I'm looking at the na 63 M156 engine cars but am being put off by all the posts regarding engine problems related to head bolts, cam lifters, etc. I've searched and read through other posts but many are several years old now. Are these issues still common enough to the point where I should shop for other models? Are there ways to perform preventative maintenance to alleviate these problems? Will extended/aftermarket warranties cover these problems?
Thanks.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,219
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2012 c63 AMG, 2011 GLK 350, 2019 GLS 450
Hey guys so I sold my 05 E55 not long ago and want to get back into another amg. I'm looking at the na 63 M156 engine cars but am being put off by all the posts regarding engine problems related to head bolts, cam lifters, etc. I've searched and read through other posts but many are several years old now. Are these issues still common enough to the point where I should shop for other models? Are there ways to perform preventative maintenance to alleviate these problems? Will extended/aftermarket warranties cover these problems?
Thanks.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 419
'10 C63
Or for peace of mind, it's around $3,500 to fix preventatively. That should include new lifters. I am planning to have mine done in April at HG motorsports in San Diego. They are removing the heads. I'm also doing Weistec billet pulleys. Total for my quote for headbolts, lifters, and billet pulleys is $4,200.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 508
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09 C63 AMG
Just run the vin and make sure you're not getting one with the old head bolts. 12+ and I think some 11's are good to go. Do NOT ask MB if it has the revised head bolts if it's a model in question because MB USA denies a revision.
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 78
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From: California
2012 C63 AMG
For best peace of mind buy a 12+. By doing so you basically avoid the major problems that plagued the 08-11 crowd. Warranty is a +1 just in case something weird was to fail. Otherwise it's probably the most rock solid AMG for the money.
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 148
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C63 AMG PPP Saloon
Or for peace of mind, it's around $3,500 to fix preventatively. That should include new lifters. I am planning to have mine done in April at HG motorsports in San Diego. They are removing the heads. I'm also doing Weistec billet pulleys. Total for my quote for headbolts, lifters, and billet pulleys is $4,200.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 825
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From: Eufaula, Al/Georgetown, GA
W213 E63S Wagon, W204 C63 P30(RIP), WK1 Grand Cherokee SRT8(RIP)
There isn't much, if ANY, room left in our heads to improve flow....they really are THAT good out of the box and most people will tell you that it is a true waste of money
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
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'10 C63
I had been searching for places to do the one by one method but no one wants to. They all want to remove the heads and the prices seem about the same as those quoted for one by one. I completely forgot about the possibility of polish and port. I know peak numbers are higher. Will the powerband shift higher up? I like the low end I have now.
Last edited by chrisridebike8; Feb 6, 2017 at 01:51 PM.
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Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 609
Likes: 38
From: Arizona
2011 C63
I like my 2011. Most 2011's have the good head bolts, including mine, but to make sure, there is a thread where you can post the VIN and see if the 2011 is OK. Secondly, the 2012 face lift cars have a tendency to run hotter and being in Phoenix, that concerened me. My 2011 has been flawless, never gotten hot. Personally, I think the 2011 is the sweet spot.
