Kevin Tu

For those of you who don't wanna read the long list of things I have to say, anyone who has a 204 C63, KEEP THE DAMN CAR!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Everything I have to say is extremely subjective and heavily biased.

Some context before I start my rant, I currently have a 204 C63 and 205 C63S sedan. I'm a huge AMG lover and would take an AMG over most supercars. Now I have also driven all the latest generation AMGs (CLA45, C63S, E63S, S63, AMG GTS) for at least a few days or weeks and have also driven most of the standard Mercedes models as well as other brands which I will not be including in this discussion.

So, having owned a 205 C63S along with the 204 I have a back to back everyday comparison between the two cars and I feel the new C63s is a good representation of all the new AMG cars. It should be the lightest, most raw and entertaining AMG since it's RWD and still offers four doors or at least back seats making it an all rounder performance car. But my problem with all the new cars is that what they consider or what most people think are the pros to me have all become cons.

Engine: new biturbo 4.0 motor has all the torque in the world and potential for infinite power, BUT it makes no sound when the 204 sounds amazing straight out of the box. Acceleration wise, I do not feel the new car is quicker, if anything my eurocharged 204 feels more brutal and torquey that pushes me back in my seat more or it's just the sensation of speed and sound that makes it all the more dramatic which I absolutely love.

Sound: Once again, even with the performance exhaust it makes barely any sound. Some downpipes or exhaust system can obviously improve this but being an AMG the stock sound is so underwhelming I no longer want to roll down my windows while driving cause I don't hear anything except wind noise. Now the MOST frustrating and unacceptable thing is that the car at idle sounds IDENTICAL to a C300. I'm talking about when your parked or at a stop and the sound you hear in the cabin (which is not exhaust noise) and when your standing in front of the car. The 204 in no way shape or form sounds anywhere near to a C250 no matter where you're at. This took away from the exclusivity of an AMG tremendously for me since AMG is known for how awesome they rumble.

Transmission: All the new cars have trannys that shift so smooth if I'm not looking down or driving hard I didn't even know it shifted. Most people would say how is that a bad thing, but for a performance car that you want a sense of occasion in, I have to say I like the lack of smoothness and a more Aventador like single clutch whiplashing brutal shift that blips like a **** lol

Ride Quality: This is something that I will say has not really changed. Even in comfort mode it feels just as stiff as the fixed suspension on the 204 and the one area which I actually don't mind to be more comfy lol

Interior Quality: I have the sedan, which is assembled in the US, and it's just not really good. All the trim pieces squeak, creak, or rattle when you touch it and there are all sorts of weird noises when you're driving on a rather rough patch. The 204, at least in my car, did not rattle at all which made it feel like a much more well integrated and cohesive car rather than the 205 which felt like pieces were glued on after they thought of all these extra bits that could be added. The coupe, which I have not been in or felt and touched, is made in Germany so that might be a different story.

I won't continue this rant because all the improvements and pros of the newer car have pretty much become cons to me. Once again, this is highly subjective but at the same time because I have a direct comparison between the two the 204 just makes me feel so much more special and every time I drive it it feels like a special occasion. Both cars in its own are in no way bad cars and you can't go wrong with either one of the new AMG models but imo the most pure and raw AMG experience has to be the M156 in the 204 chassis. The sound and instant torque that you get from that motor and surprisingly agile handling going thru twisties is just such a masterpiece that really is hard to beat. All of you 204 owners who are thinking about upgrading to the 205 I highly recommend you drive the 205 and heavily consider if those are the things you really want because everyday that I drive the 205 more, I miss the 204 more. Since me and the wifey need two cars they are both here to stay until I find something that will replace the 205 but having owned both cars reaffirms my affection for the 204 and I don't think I can ever sell this car without regretting or reminiscing everyday that I can't drive it.

Thanks for reading, just offering my .02 XD

flubbernub

Thanks for sharing. I'm on the fence about selling my 13' P31 coupe and can't for the life of me decide if I should or not. I change my mind weekly lol.

Kevin Tu

Don't do it bro. I have had 4 204 C63's because I keep coming back to them. You will too lol if you really love the 204 cause theres no other car like it

CarHopper

Ever been behind the wheel of a tune/dp E63S/CLS63S with the 5.5? If not, I think I just found your next car to replace that 205.

Kevin Tu

Yes I have. It was too big and floaty for me. I drove my buddy's 212 E63S on the canyons and it doesn't drive the way I like. Love the way they look but I thought the C class was the perfect size of car. Actually thinking about going even smaller to an M2

AMG3.2

For what it's worth, I've heard nothing but great things about the M2.

c63_alex

Kevin Tu

Yes that is also what I've heard. Can't wait to drive one!

Kevin Tu

Eurocharged V6 tune, ROW airboxes and headers make the car plenty fast IMO. I don't think cars nowadays need to be any quicker unless you want to set a world record of some sort lol

Kriston

The W204 C63 is a rare car, in the sense it offered ALOT out the box. Price point was right, AMG hit the nail on the head with the W204, it offered just enough creature comforts to keep it sane for every day driving. But kept the frills to a minimum.

True land mark for the brand..... As Chris Harris eloquently put it - we wont ever see a car like this again. The combination of things it offers, will make it a classic in the years to come.

Nando_514

Dude... Same lol I can't decide if I want something that looks better and more aggressive (Camaro ZL1), something that's more track-friendly (S2000), something newer with more creature comforts (C63S Coupe) or even something older with less headaches and gremlins (370Z Nismo). But, every time I turn on that big burly V8... I fall in love with the car again lol. The sounds, the feeling-- it's just a really nice car. I've always truly loved the Black Series and the regular 63 just looks watered down to me :\

flubbernub

Yeah I can't help see our non-BS C63s look so tame like every other C250 out there...one of my biggest gripes with the car lol.

I had a check in hand for a 2014 RS7 in Nardo Grey and ultimately passed on it once I realized I didn't want a fast boat after all. So here I am again absolutely loving the C63 driving experience and not really caring about the exterior looks. I'll probably be on Autotrader/Cars/classifieds forums every day until I figure out what to do haha.

GRP

Interesting read.

Australian 205 C63 is thankfully made in Germany whilst the rest of the C class for us comes out of South Africa.

Kevin Tu

Agree with you 100% and you said it in 4 sentences LMAO

Kevin Tu

I agree with the super narrow track especially in the rear. If they flared out the rear fenders just a bit more it would've been perfect. But the AMG people have informed me making the rear as narrow as it is is for stability purposes or something of that nature. The BS is ultimately what I want to end up in forever. When I do make that purchase it will be permanent for the rest of my life.....is what I tell myself right now lol

Kevin Tu

I've seen a lot of people widen the rear fenders with black series side skirts and quarter panel. Obviously pricey but I think the rear end is all the work that it needs. Front end is mean and aggressive enough to me

Kevin Tu

I like the coupe a lot more than the sedan because they finally widened the rear track enough and the lights are more aesthetically pleasing.

betrezra

SactownP31

Yes to Nando, KT, and flubb. Rear bulge in fenders would make this almost the perfect car. Adding it the flared wheel arc is just to pricey to even consider it. I hate the fact that my co-workers see a c250 coupe and say, "ese es igual a tu carro, queno". I tell em, "no ni madres". Their response is, "pero se ven igual" My reply is, "mis huevos wey!" Translation they think my car looks like a c250. And they're right.

AMG3.2

Are they really completely build in Alabama? Minus the engine and probably a few other bits?

SatelliteMan

I've had quite a few performance cars throughout my 20s, but this yea I finally settled down. After weighing tons of options, prices, condition, etc...The C63 W204 proved to be the best choice. So far after 10k HARD miles, just a minor valve cover leak. Loves to hit high RPMs all day and love the seats. Its my 10 year car...meaning i'll upgrade in my late 30s. But I'll probably just keep this thing forever and let me future son take it to highschool.

AMG3.2

Interesting. I usually like co change cars every 3 years or so, but this one, I've kept for a while. I'll probably keep this one until my late twenties, get grad school out of the way, and move to something else. I really want a Maserati Granturismo...

Kevin Tu

Yes!!! If only I had kept my 507 sedan man I loved that thing. I was still in my doubting period when I sold that car and now I'm just full of regret

Kevin Tu

Yep but I don't think it's a deal breaker unless ur serious about all the hood gaps. I have not seen one sedan that is flush or has hood gaps that are at the very least evenly distributed lol

Kevin Tu

Bro if I had a kid this would be the only car I want him to drive so he knows what driving is all about