I'd look at a 2012+. They have had pretty much all the engine issues addressed. It also has the updated interior, which, IMHO, is nicer than the pre-facelift vehicles. Must haves might be the upgraded stereo, lighting package, parking package, KeylessGo, automated cruise control is neat, leather package, and of course P31 or a 507 (more aggressive tune, factory limited slip differential, couple other goodies). The facelift cars are pretty bulletproof. Just find one you like and be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection at an MB dealer and you can have pretty good piece of mind.

 

Facelift cars seem to be very reliable.
I would go for either a performance package or 507 model. Also, the limited slip diff is not standard fitment, so look for that as well. It's not a deal breaker, as you can fit an aftermarket LSD. I fitted the Wavetrac to mine. Makes a big difference over the open diff.
Lightning package and upgraded stereo are nice to have, as well as keyless go.

 

I have to say that I don't know if the C63 will be that much of a improvement in those 3 departments.

 

20mpg is my dream, I drive a lot in town not much highway and average 13.7mpg

 

 

 

Finally, a proper use of the word "fitment". Bravo!

 

I think the car is pretty damn comfortable, my seats always feel like it's giving me a nice hug.

If you drive the car in C mode all the time, it is very easy to to get 20+mpg. If you drive in most anything else though, average will be 12-15.

Adding on a LSD is very easy to do and I highly recommend.

Maintenance isn't too bad, just tires and gas mostly.

 

So, common problems I can think of off the top of my head:

1. 2008-2011 C63's have the headbolt issue. They fixed the problem mid-2011 but to be completely safe, I'd recommend a 2012+ if you can afford it. Being that you're looking for a 2012+, this shouldn't be an issue.
2. Motor mounts tend to prematurely wear on this car, being a massive V8, motor mounts are not our friend.
3. The car tends to run a bit hot when doing autocross or even sitting in downtown traffic. In downtown SF, sitting in traffic my oil temps range from 230-243°F... scary times.
4. The MCT in the 2012+ tends to be a bit jerky and also if not maintained will start to slip around the 40k mark.
5. If you like to do "hooning" in these, the power steering pump will grenade itself if you go full lock in a drift.
6. Bolstering on the seats tend to wear out because they are so aggressive and you tend to rub on them getting in and out of the car.
7. Around the 100k mile mark you should consider changing the plastic pulleys on the M156, as they tend to become brittle and start to break.
8. If you drive the car the way an AMG should be driven, the gas station will be your secondary home.
8a. The car burns about a quart of oil every 1,000 miles when driven hard.
9. Lifter tick on startup

I'm sure I'm missing things, and anyone please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken on any of these points.

As far as must haves go, that's personal preference... So I'll share what my must-haves were:

1. LSD
2. P31 pkg
3. Bi-Xenon Headlights
4. Navigation
5. Black on Black
6. Sedan
7. Under 30k miles
8. Audio Package

Upkeep on my C63 hasn't been too overwhelming (knock on wood). All it's needed since I've owned it this past year was an oil change, trans flush, and diff flush. I've owned it for a year and put about 11,000 miles on it.

My advice? This may not even be a concern with you, but if you do ever plan on lowering your car, don't. One of the biggest mistakes I did with my car was install H&R lowering springs. You can read more about it here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ml#post7568394 . Also, this isn't really advice, but when I baby the car on the highway, I'm lucky to even get 20-23 MPG. So, like I said if you get one of these expect to be at the gas pump almost every 3 days, if not every week.

 

 

No problem, happy to help. I'm not sure what the standard spec is for the C63, but for W204's in general there is no: audio pkg (H/K LOGIC 7), navigation, bluetooth, memory seat for the passenger side, heated seats, parking sensors/ backup camera, limited-slip diff, also no bi-xenon headlights. Again, I'm positive I am forgetting things. As far as the audio package goes, the only system available for the W204 was the Harmon / Kardon LOGIC 7 sound system which, in my opinion, is pretty darn good. Ok, onto the questions now.

2. For the C63, seems like the life span for engine mounts is every 50k miles. They should last to 100k though. That being said, driving the C63 you will occasionally feel a knocking in the brake pedal once in a while when stopped. No, it's most likely not the motor mounts. It's the massive V8 mad at you for not going fast

3. The high oil temps are only a concern when sitting idle for long periods of time/ sitting in stop-and-go traffic, or when auto-crossing the car (or driving it hard for an extended period of time). The only true solution to the problem is adding a Mercedes 44O kit. It is discontinued, to put it simply, it's a bigger oil cooler to replace the stock one, along with directing more air to the cooler. Like I said, not a huge concern if you're driving the car regularly. I've only had to worry about my oil temps when doing spirited back road driving, or sitting in traffic for an extended period of time.

4. By maintained, yes I mean changing the fluid every 40k miles (along with the diff if your C63 is factory-equipped with an LSD). I've never had any problems with mine so I can't say what definitive tests there are to test the MCT. They typically slip in between gear changes, if that helps.

7. Mainly that's just talking about M156's in general. But yes, for the W204 C63 I would consider replacing the pulleys around the 100k mark, many forum members would agree with this. Big V8 + heat + small engine bay + plastic pulleys is not a good formula.

8a. No problems, just got to keep an eye on the oil level and top it off once in a while.

9. I'll start this off by hoping someone with more knowledge about the lifter tick issue could possible chime in.As far I as know the oil drains back to the pan after the car sits for a while. The lifters end up being dry on start up and tick for a few seconds, sometimes. If lifter tick is present, it will definitely be noticeable on a test drive when first starting up... if the car is cold. People run special oil additives to reduce the lifter tick on startup, although I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head.

 

 

I live in South Africa where it gets hot in summer. Iver 40 degrees Celsius. So that's over 104 Fahrenheit for my American friends. My car does not get overly hot sitting in traffic.
But on the track, it will start to get too hot.

 

What i want to admit.. Oil catch can is A MUST for these engines

 

 

 

These cars are beasts. After owning 10+ vehicles, I bought a 1st owner 2009 C63 with 78k miles. I am now at 105k miles. I beat the crap out of it and it takes it well. Granted, the car was well maintained. Around 25k+ in receipts so far replacing everything already mentioned from motor mounts, trans mounts, radiator, etc...I still haven't done the headbolts yet, but have done the intake gaskets and other components. Headbolts to be done this year with upgraded SLS buckets and lifters. I get 18 MPG highway, 12 MPG city, and 8 MPG canyons.