Introducing new forum member Jim G
04-14-2017, 05:13 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Introducing new forum member Jim G
Hi! I bought my 2012 C63 AMG 2 weeks ago from my local Mercedes dealer located in nearby Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
The car had just 43,390 km = 26,902 miles on it the day I test drove it, and looks good enough that a number of my friends and neighbours assumed it was brand new. The only blemishes on it appear to be very minor curb rash on both passenger side wheels (evidently the previous owner - or spouse - might not have ever figured out the "tilt passenger mirror" and "parking assistance" functions.
This CANADIAN spec car has a lot of options on its datacard, the most important of which are, to me:
- P30 AMG Performance package
- 923 Output increase of engine
- 471 locking diff
- GV automatic transmission reinforced
- 19" multispoke wheels (with almost brand new Toyo Proxes 4 Plus tires)
- Diamond white paint
- 2-tone red and black leather interior
- Keyless Go
- 810 Premium sound
- 413 Panoramic roof
Those Toyo tires are exactly the right sort of tire for our Vancouver Island climate which includes lots of rain and wintertime temperature lows that get to freezing, and the high treadware rating is a plus for ME, as I don't drive a car very hard and don't want super sticky tires that slide around at lower temperatures, cannot handle rain, and wear out in a few thousand miles.
In 50 years of driving, I have owned at one time or another 43 cars. This is my first Mercedes, and by far the most costly car I have ever owned in terms of its initial MSRP. My most costly cars before this one were a 1978 LIncoln Town Car, 4 Corvettes (1976, 1992, 2002, 1991), and a Roush-supercharged 2010 Mustang GT. None of them of course comes anywhere close to the engineering detail that I have already seen in this almost $100k (Canadian) MSRP Mercedes.
It began with the test drive, which occurred in driving rain, in a car I had not driven before, and on a very winding road close to the dealership. My salesman, a skilled driver and hotrodder, offered to drive the car briefly first so I could see what it can do without risking myself or the car, and then I drove it myself a lot longer. Its abilities really impressed me. I had not ever before seen or felt a car handle hard acceleration, braking, and staying on the road, in adverse conditions, as gracefully as the C63 did that day. No matter what my salesman or did I during our portions of the test drive, the car handled it without scaring us. And that included high throttle starts from zero and 100% braking, all in driving rain. The combination of high quality components and well engineered electronic safety systems worked perfectly.
At the same time, the sheer smoothness convinced me that my wife would find the combination of smoothness, "shiftless" transmission, and quietness a big improvement over our prior car, while I could still "own a hotrod" that would keep ME happy! The over 6 foot tall salesman also showed me that my 5'10" adult Autistic son who lies with us would easily fit in the back seat without hitting the roofliner, despite the Panoramic roof.
I was concerned about buying a 5 year old car (despite the low miles) simply because I know a Mercedes can be pretty costly to repair, and this car was almost exactly 5 years past its delivery date. But when I told the dealership that, the dealership offered to provide at no extra cost a rather deluxe 4-year aftermarket warranty from a company that they have already had good long-term experience with on warranty claims on other cars they have repaired. The dealership also pointed out that it had replaced the front brake pads and rotors before putting the car up for resale, and with the cost of the "red" brakes components, this is a big deal. A very fair trade difference with good financing cinched the deal.
In the 2 weeks I have owned the car, I have been impressed again and again with its capabilities and the detail levels of its engineering. The engineers seem to have thought of just about everything. Particularly outstanding are the steering, the car's nimbleness, the power of course, the obviously high quality materials used, and the high safety standards evident everywhere.
The only things I have noted so far that I am less happy about are:
- Some minor squeaks inside the cabin when underway (The Panoramic roof probably contributes to this)
- The suspension is a bit TOO firm - while the damping seems perfect, the spring rates seem just a bit higher than I would voluntarily have chosen.
Most importantly, while the car satisfies the hotrodder in me, my wife also loves it, and the importance of that can of course never be overstated! And my Autistic son, who is unhappy in close quarters, and averse to touch and vibration, seems to like the seat-to-headline clearance, the openness of the Panoramic roof, and the silky smoothness when we are just cruising as a family. It's not too often you can satisfy 3 such diverse needs . . .
I am semi-retired, so this car is not for commuting - it's for getting around, going places, and bringing home the groceries, so hopefully the Mercedes costs of ownership will be tempered by relatively low miles per year! That would be nice since I am not earning "a good income" anymore. I know that there are certainly more practical hotrod choices for someone on a retirement income stream, but both my wife and I figured that I've never had a Mercedes, and having owned 42 other cars over the years, that seemed like a rather big omission. So . . . let's see how it goes with this 5-year old Mercedes hotrod!
Here's a photo I took when it was still in the dealer showroom:
I have been going through the historical posts in this C63 forum section, and have gotten back to page 42 so far! I've learned a lot doing so, and intend to keep going!
Jim G
The car had just 43,390 km = 26,902 miles on it the day I test drove it, and looks good enough that a number of my friends and neighbours assumed it was brand new. The only blemishes on it appear to be very minor curb rash on both passenger side wheels (evidently the previous owner - or spouse - might not have ever figured out the "tilt passenger mirror" and "parking assistance" functions.
This CANADIAN spec car has a lot of options on its datacard, the most important of which are, to me:
- P30 AMG Performance package
- 923 Output increase of engine
- 471 locking diff
- GV automatic transmission reinforced
- 19" multispoke wheels (with almost brand new Toyo Proxes 4 Plus tires)
- Diamond white paint
- 2-tone red and black leather interior
- Keyless Go
- 810 Premium sound
- 413 Panoramic roof
Those Toyo tires are exactly the right sort of tire for our Vancouver Island climate which includes lots of rain and wintertime temperature lows that get to freezing, and the high treadware rating is a plus for ME, as I don't drive a car very hard and don't want super sticky tires that slide around at lower temperatures, cannot handle rain, and wear out in a few thousand miles
.In 50 years of driving, I have owned at one time or another 43 cars. This is my first Mercedes, and by far the most costly car I have ever owned in terms of its initial MSRP. My most costly cars before this one were a 1978 LIncoln Town Car, 4 Corvettes (1976, 1992, 2002, 1991), and a Roush-supercharged 2010 Mustang GT. None of them of course comes anywhere close to the engineering detail that I have already seen in this almost $100k (Canadian) MSRP Mercedes.
It began with the test drive, which occurred in driving rain, in a car I had not driven before, and on a very winding road close to the dealership. My salesman, a skilled driver and hotrodder, offered to drive the car briefly first so I could see what it can do without risking myself or the car, and then I drove it myself a lot longer. Its abilities really impressed me. I had not ever before seen or felt a car handle hard acceleration, braking, and staying on the road, in adverse conditions, as gracefully as the C63 did that day. No matter what my salesman or did I during our portions of the test drive, the car handled it without scaring us. And that included high throttle starts from zero and 100% braking, all in driving rain. The combination of high quality components and well engineered electronic safety systems worked perfectly.
At the same time, the sheer smoothness convinced me that my wife would find the combination of smoothness, "shiftless" transmission, and quietness a big improvement over our prior car, while I could still "own a hotrod" that would keep ME happy! The over 6 foot tall salesman also showed me that my 5'10" adult Autistic son who lies with us would easily fit in the back seat without hitting the roofliner, despite the Panoramic roof.
I was concerned about buying a 5 year old car (despite the low miles) simply because I know a Mercedes can be pretty costly to repair, and this car was almost exactly 5 years past its delivery date. But when I told the dealership that, the dealership offered to provide at no extra cost a rather deluxe 4-year aftermarket warranty from a company that they have already had good long-term experience with on warranty claims on other cars they have repaired. The dealership also pointed out that it had replaced the front brake pads and rotors before putting the car up for resale, and with the cost of the "red" brakes components, this is a big deal. A very fair trade difference with good financing cinched the deal.
In the 2 weeks I have owned the car, I have been impressed again and again with its capabilities and the detail levels of its engineering. The engineers seem to have thought of just about everything. Particularly outstanding are the steering, the car's nimbleness, the power of course, the obviously high quality materials used, and the high safety standards evident everywhere.
The only things I have noted so far that I am less happy about are:
- Some minor squeaks inside the cabin when underway (The Panoramic roof probably contributes to this)
- The suspension is a bit TOO firm - while the damping seems perfect, the spring rates seem just a bit higher than I would voluntarily have chosen.
Most importantly, while the car satisfies the hotrodder in me, my wife also loves it, and the importance of that can of course never be overstated! And my Autistic son, who is unhappy in close quarters, and averse to touch and vibration, seems to like the seat-to-headline clearance, the openness of the Panoramic roof, and the silky smoothness when we are just cruising as a family. It's not too often you can satisfy 3 such diverse needs . . .
I am semi-retired, so this car is not for commuting - it's for getting around, going places, and bringing home the groceries, so hopefully the Mercedes costs of ownership will be tempered by relatively low miles per year! That would be nice since I am not earning "a good income" anymore. I know that there are certainly more practical hotrod choices for someone on a retirement income stream, but both my wife and I figured that I've never had a Mercedes, and having owned 42 other cars over the years, that seemed like a rather big omission. So . . . let's see how it goes with this 5-year old Mercedes hotrod!
Here's a photo I took when it was still in the dealer showroom:
I have been going through the historical posts in this C63 forum section, and have gotten back to page 42 so far! I've learned a lot doing so, and intend to keep going!
Jim G
Last edited by JimGnitecki; 04-14-2017 at 05:26 PM.
04-14-2017, 05:45 PM
#2
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Welcome. Car looks great.
04-14-2017, 05:59 PM
#4
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2014 C63 Edition 507
Welcome Jim
What a beautiful ride, and extended warranty to boot - outstanding. I'm glad your son likes it back there. I sat in the back once while my son and daughter were up front. I was miserable - maybe because I was letting them drive.
You'll find lots of great information here, particularly through the sticky threads, and I must say it's nice to have a mature new member.....lots of flakes lately.
What a beautiful ride, and extended warranty to boot - outstanding. I'm glad your son likes it back there. I sat in the back once while my son and daughter were up front. I was miserable - maybe because I was letting them drive.
You'll find lots of great information here, particularly through the sticky threads, and I must say it's nice to have a mature new member.....lots of flakes lately.
04-14-2017, 06:37 PM
#6
Super Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the warm welcome guys! I'll try to also do my share of helping answer concerns and questions on the forum, anywhere I am qualified to do so, as I really appreciate the knowledge I have gained already about my new car from this forum.
Jim G
Jim G
04-14-2017, 08:37 PM
#7
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
If only more new members were like you Jim....
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04-15-2017, 11:02 AM
#10
Super Member
Thread Starter
04-15-2017, 12:21 PM
#13
Super Member
Thread Starter
It's a 2-way street!
The info available on this forum, for anyone willing to look, is just amazing. I have only had my car 2 weeks, but because of what I have learned in reviewing past postings (on page 50 so far), I feel like I have "experience" with it already.
Jim G
The info available on this forum, for anyone willing to look, is just amazing. I have only had my car 2 weeks, but because of what I have learned in reviewing past postings (on page 50 so far), I feel like I have "experience" with it already.
Jim G
04-15-2017, 12:22 PM
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. Great car.
I'm in Vancouver, raised in Nanaimo. If I can help you out at all just send me a direct message. I have had 3 of these, so I can at least help you with the basics
I'm not on the forum much right now due to my parents health issues (they are still in Nanaimo) but those issues ARE taking me to the Island a lot. Im there for a few days late next week, and I will have my car with me. Anyways, if you don't see me here, that doesnt mean Im not available, just send me a PM.
Enjoy!
PS. Mine is also a 2012, in white, that just hit 50k. But mine is a sedan with the P31 package.
I'm in Vancouver, raised in Nanaimo. If I can help you out at all just send me a direct message. I have had 3 of these, so I can at least help you with the basics
I'm not on the forum much right now due to my parents health issues (they are still in Nanaimo) but those issues ARE taking me to the Island a lot. Im there for a few days late next week, and I will have my car with me. Anyways, if you don't see me here, that doesnt mean Im not available, just send me a PM.
Enjoy!
PS. Mine is also a 2012, in white, that just hit 50k. But mine is a sedan with the P31 package.
04-15-2017, 12:37 PM
#15
Super Member
Thread Starter
Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. Great car.
I'm in Vancouver, raised in Nanaimo. If I can help you out at all just send me a direct message. I have had 3 of these, so I can at least help you with the basics
I'm not on the forum much right now due to my parents health issues (they are still in Nanaimo) but those issues ARE taking me to the Island a lot. Im there for a few days late next week, and I will have my car with me. Anyways, if you don't see me here, that doesnt mean Im not available, just send me a PM.
Enjoy!
PS. Mine is also a 2012, in white, that just hit 50k. But mine is a sedan with the P31 package.
I'm in Vancouver, raised in Nanaimo. If I can help you out at all just send me a direct message. I have had 3 of these, so I can at least help you with the basics
I'm not on the forum much right now due to my parents health issues (they are still in Nanaimo) but those issues ARE taking me to the Island a lot. Im there for a few days late next week, and I will have my car with me. Anyways, if you don't see me here, that doesnt mean Im not available, just send me a PM.
Enjoy!
PS. Mine is also a 2012, in white, that just hit 50k. But mine is a sedan with the P31 package.
Please feel free to PM me when you come to The Island. I love fast cars and fast motorcycles (have owned 43 + 41 = 84 so far in my lifetime, that I can recall). My wife says that despoite my age of 66 years, I'm still a teenager. I go into Nanaimo frequently (it's just 15.5 miles from my home to North nanaimo), and Nanaimo MB has free coffee, cold water, and treats in their showroom waiting area, and often an interesting MB or 2 to examine! Plus the BMW store, owned by the same folks, is less than 100 feet across the parking lot. If you PM me, I'll pass on my email address and cellphone number.
Jim G
04-15-2017, 12:54 PM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
PM sent.
04-15-2017, 03:50 PM
#19
Super Member
Thread Starter
While I've got the interior photos up here, what is the material on the main large sections of dashboard, and what do I use to clean it?
And what do I use to clean the MBTex, or do I need to clean that at all?
Jim G
And what do I use to clean the MBTex, or do I need to clean that at all?
Jim G
04-15-2017, 04:05 PM
#20
Super Member
Welcome to the forums Jim. Your car looks stunning.
Glad you and your family are all enjoying it.
I wish you many years other trouble free and happy motoring.
Glad you and your family are all enjoying it.
I wish you many years other trouble free and happy motoring.
04-15-2017, 08:03 PM
#21
Senior Member
Originally Posted by JimGnitecki
While I've got the interior photos up here, what is the material on the main large sections of dashboard, and what do I use to clean it?
And what do I use to clean the MBTex, or do I need to clean that at all?
Jim G
And what do I use to clean the MBTex, or do I need to clean that at all?
Jim G
04-16-2017, 10:09 AM
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2014 C63 Edition 507
Welcome! Jim, I have the same interior as you, the best thing for the seats (which are leather not MBTex) is Leatherique twice a year and some alcohol free cleaner in between monthly. As far as the dash goes, I wouldn't use anything more than a clean microfiber cloth and warm water (I'm not into the shiny dash thing).
For your alcantara insert on the steering wheel you can use a light weight bristled brush and suede cleaner. Don't want to aggravate the suede too much, just loosen it up a bit then use the cleaner
04-16-2017, 11:31 AM
#23
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Thread Starter
Jim G
04-16-2017, 05:24 PM
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
Welcome to the forum Jim! You'll soon find out that the maintenance of the C63 is comparable to your old hotrods. Unfortunately, the costs will be slightly higher than the domestics that you've been used to, but it is not prohibitively expensive nor complicated.
