Questions after owning 09 c63 for a few days...
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From: ATL
2010 R350, 2012 CLS63 P30 (sold), 2009 C63 (totaled), 2002 ML320 (Sold)
Questions after owning 09 c63 for a few days...
So I've been driving for a few days and I have some questions.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
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From: Olathe, KS
'13 C63 AMG P31
Push the sport mode button and see if that helps with steering not feeling as floaty.
No real way to check if it has a tune yourself, would have to take it to a shop. Or you can ask the previous owner if possible.
That "click" is the kickdown switch.
No real way to check if it has a tune yourself, would have to take it to a shop. Or you can ask the previous owner if possible.
That "click" is the kickdown switch.
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From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
I've never thought of this car as 'floaty'. Things to check - do you have matching tires front & rear? Are tire sizes at or close to spec? Are tire pressures at or close to spec (see fuel door)?
Last edited by zcct04; May 18, 2017 at 01:03 PM.
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2012 Mercedes C63 AMG S
So I've been driving for a few days and I have some questions.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
And I myself, having owned a LOT of car over half a century, find my C63 to have about the most nimble and responsive steering I have ever had, and that includes owning 4 Corvettes. The only cars I have driven that were as good or better were Lotus sports cars.
It might be a good idea for you to have someone experienced with C63 driving specifically drive your car and let you know whether or not it feels right to him. There could be something wrong - or worn, since your car is an '09 model (you have not given the odometer mileage).
Jim G
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
So I've been driving for a few days and I have some questions.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
When driving on the highway at speed, I notice the steering is a little floaty. When I do a casual merge it doesn't feel confident, but if I do a quick merge, its super sharp AFTER I get through the mushy zone where it feels like the rear end is playing catchup to the front.
Is this a characteristic of the car or just the alignment?
How could I tell if it has a tune on it?
If I floor the gas hard, there is a "click" feel in/under the pedal. Normal? Basically I can floor it until it stops and it does nothing (besides the acceleration, heh), but if I press a little harder it feels like a button gets pressed.
Thats all for the moment.
For my own piece of mind I have had the older used cars checked over completely by my tech.
That includes checking all belts, hoses, fluids, filters plugs etc.
If there is a solid record of service we check what is due or pending e.g some items were due at 48 months so they got done as part of this. I do not buy cars which do not come with a complete service record.
My 2001 SLK320 was 13 yr old and had the original plugs in it after 60000km.
Alignment of all 4 corners is critical on these cars.
My bill for all of this was around $2000 for parts and labour.
Money well spent.
No disrespect to any of the guys on these pages who have more years for experience with the W204 C63 than I and they are pretty good with help but you will get a lot of inputs but none of us have enough info on your situation to be doing anything other than guessing.
If you plan to keep the car for a while maybe some consideration for a stem to stern inspection and service is worth considering including this issue.
Just a thought!
Last edited by Alex.currie44; May 18, 2017 at 01:14 PM.
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Joined: May 2017
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From: ATL
2010 R350, 2012 CLS63 P30 (sold), 2009 C63 (totaled), 2002 ML320 (Sold)
All good advice, thanks!
Tires are super cheap. I'm pretty sure they were put on there because when the dealer got it they were bald.
Actually, the cheap tires could very well be the reason it floats. I'm planning on getting it looked over soon - specifically the alignment.
Tires are super cheap. I'm pretty sure they were put on there because when the dealer got it they were bald.
Actually, the cheap tires could very well be the reason it floats. I'm planning on getting it looked over soon - specifically the alignment.
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From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
And something crazy that I've just discovered recently, is that if your front tire pressures are above 65psi, then your car will definitely ride and handle a little funny. I know, it's crazy, but you should check that too.
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From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
Floating is probably tires.
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2019 GLE 63S AMG, 2009 C63
There's got to be a story here if you want to share.
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
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From: Sidney, BC
2009 SLK55 AMG. & 2022 GLA250 4Matic
I think you mean camber bolts and yes, they must use new ones each time the car is realigned. They are a one time use item.
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From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
Are you referring to specifically Mercedes, or is it a general statement?
I run these in my Subaru, did not see something about them being single use.
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
MB calls them a control arm bolt kit. Used for making small adjustment to the front camber or caster. Part # 000 333 10 71. As far as I know they are not single use
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Joined: May 2017
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From: ATL
2010 R350, 2012 CLS63 P30 (sold), 2009 C63 (totaled), 2002 ML320 (Sold)
Great info!
I'm pretty sure the tires do match front to rear, but I will double check at lunch.
I'll be sure to mention the camber bolts, adjustment screws, or control arm bolt kit when I take it in to have the alignment done.
I'm pretty sure the tires do match front to rear, but I will double check at lunch.
I'll be sure to mention the camber bolts, adjustment screws, or control arm bolt kit when I take it in to have the alignment done.
