Advice needed Pre vs Post Facelift C63. Please give me your input.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
Advice needed Pre vs Post Facelift C63. Please give me your input.
I am in the market for a used W204 C63 here in Taiwan. The cost is quite high and my options are kind of limited so I need your opinions
Prefacelift:
Pros:
- 30-40k USD for 30k miles 2010
- 7G Tronic is supposed to be rock solid
- Alot of 2008-2011 C63s for sale here (including Estate).
- I can probably find a Wagon
Cons:
- Possible Headbolt Issue
- Super dated interior. (Does it have bluetooth audio connect??)
- 7G Tronic is slow
Post Facelift
Pros:
- 7G MCT is Faster than 7G-Tronic
- No Headbolt Issue
- Updated Interior (Does this have bluetooth audio connect??)
Cons:
- 40k-50k USD for 2012 with around 40k-50k miles already
- Less 2012-2014 C63s for sale here and more are Coupe or Sedan (very very few Estate).
- I read that 7G MCT is prone to overheating?
- I probably cannot find a Wagon
About Taiwan: Hot and Humid 10 months a Year and I live near the Ocean.
I know that the prefacelift M156 headbolt issue is catastrophic, but can anybody tell me what mileage this typically occured? Or is this more related to maintenance? Also will the 7G MCT overheat from daily driving if I drive very enthusiastically even if I never take it to the track?
The extra 10K USD difference isnt a big deal to be honest, the main issue is the difficulty in finding a post facelift model that I want as there arent many. Right now I am considering just getting the prefacelift 2010 for about 35K and using the difference I would have saved from the post facelift model to fix the car.
What do you guys think? Anything else I should be aware of?
Prefacelift:
Pros:
- 30-40k USD for 30k miles 2010
- 7G Tronic is supposed to be rock solid
- Alot of 2008-2011 C63s for sale here (including Estate).
- I can probably find a Wagon
Cons:
- Possible Headbolt Issue
- Super dated interior. (Does it have bluetooth audio connect??)
- 7G Tronic is slow
Post Facelift
Pros:
- 7G MCT is Faster than 7G-Tronic
- No Headbolt Issue
- Updated Interior (Does this have bluetooth audio connect??)
Cons:
- 40k-50k USD for 2012 with around 40k-50k miles already
- Less 2012-2014 C63s for sale here and more are Coupe or Sedan (very very few Estate).
- I read that 7G MCT is prone to overheating?
- I probably cannot find a Wagon
About Taiwan: Hot and Humid 10 months a Year and I live near the Ocean.
I know that the prefacelift M156 headbolt issue is catastrophic, but can anybody tell me what mileage this typically occured? Or is this more related to maintenance? Also will the 7G MCT overheat from daily driving if I drive very enthusiastically even if I never take it to the track?
The extra 10K USD difference isnt a big deal to be honest, the main issue is the difficulty in finding a post facelift model that I want as there arent many. Right now I am considering just getting the prefacelift 2010 for about 35K and using the difference I would have saved from the post facelift model to fix the car.
What do you guys think? Anything else I should be aware of?
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From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
If you don't mind spending the extra money, you will be much more satisfied with a facelift car I think. As you mentioned, mainly the interior and audio system seem very outdated in the pre-facelift models. Yes, the FL models do have bluetooth. I'd hold out for one with the upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo. Plus you'll have the piece of mind of knowing you don't have to worry about head bolts.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 697
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From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
If you don't mind spending the extra money, you will be much more satisfied with a facelift car I think. As you mentioned, mainly the interior and audio system seem very outdated in the pre-facelift models. Yes, the FL models do have bluetooth. I'd hold out for one with the upgraded Harmon Kardon stereo. Plus you'll have the piece of mind of knowing you don't have to worry about head bolts.
Yea I guess it makes more sense to hold our for a facelift model to come around. How reliable is the 7G MCT?
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From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
There was a 2012 C63 Wagon with 25k km for 55k last week. But but it sold too quickly for me to do anything about it. That car might have been 1 of 2 post facelift C63 Wagons Ive ever seen on sale here. The majority of them are Sedans or Coupes.....
Yea I guess it makes more sense to hold our for a facelift model to come around. How reliable is the 7G MCT?
Yea I guess it makes more sense to hold our for a facelift model to come around. How reliable is the 7G MCT?
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From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
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c63
mct is stronger and shifts faster than previous trans. It is however a bit jerky at times. I’ve gotten used to it in my car. Both trans overheat. I added a Weistec trans pan and additional trans cooler and have zero issues. I also am using Performance Eurowerks radiator block off plate that they made for me. And E85 kit running full e85 so my car is running much cooler majority of the time. For track use the mct car will need all that and a bigger oil cooler.
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Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Whitehouse Station, NJ
2012 C63 P31 Sedan
While the MCT theoretically shifts faster, I wouldn't get hung up on it. I haven't sent anything suggesting that the Facelifts were measurably faster in the quarter mile, and some of the best times are put up be PFL models. However, I do agree that the updated head bolts are a big deal considering the age of the PFL cars (unless you find one that already had them replaced), and the updated interior IMO feels more premium.
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12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
I think your analysis is spot on, like others have said, the transmissions are both very reliable, MCT is more desirable in my book, but really neither shift terribly fast compared to the competition, MCT is a bit faster and can handle a bit more power neither hold a candle to a true dual clutch in speed or even a modern ZF full auto box. Facelift car looks much more modern in my book, in and out, yes BT audio connect is on the FL (at least the 2013 and 14 I have had). In the FL range, 2013 and 14 have a nicer instrument cluster color and did have a few minor refinements over the years, transmission software being one, newer ones seem a bit better shift feel wise.
Otherwise, if it was me I would do headbolts on the pre-FL so add that into the cost - so if a nice pre-fl is say 35k and you have to pay 5k for headbolts, then it is 40k and you may be able to get an FL car for 40k, then I would do that, if you can get the pre FL car and do headbolts and still save 10k then maybe that is the way to go.
Otherwise, if it was me I would do headbolts on the pre-FL so add that into the cost - so if a nice pre-fl is say 35k and you have to pay 5k for headbolts, then it is 40k and you may be able to get an FL car for 40k, then I would do that, if you can get the pre FL car and do headbolts and still save 10k then maybe that is the way to go.
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2011 C63 AMG
If you can get a late 2011 model then go for that one if the price savings is there.
late 2011's are NOT prone to headbolts. The rest of your research is spot on.
In my opinion the front of the PFL looks way better. The rear tail lights is where it needs the upgrade.
The 7g although a tad slower than MCT has proven to be rock solid. Haven't seen or heard complaints about it. Late 2011's are solid. aka any MY SEPT 2010 onwards is good.
late 2011's are NOT prone to headbolts. The rest of your research is spot on.
In my opinion the front of the PFL looks way better. The rear tail lights is where it needs the upgrade.
The 7g although a tad slower than MCT has proven to be rock solid. Haven't seen or heard complaints about it. Late 2011's are solid. aka any MY SEPT 2010 onwards is good.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
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From: Toronto, ON.
Weekend/Project - W204 C63.
I got a really good price on a PFL 09 C63. It saved me about 20k CAD in comparison to a FL C63. With that amount of money, I was able to build the transmission, add a ESS supercharger, and get the headbolts done, add a carbon fiber driveshaft and an aftermarket Wavetrac LSD.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 697
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From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
I got a really good price on a PFL 09 C63. It saved me about 20k CAD in comparison to a FL C63. With that amount of money, I was able to build the transmission, add a ESS supercharger, and get the headbolts done, add a carbon fiber driveshaft and an aftermarket Wavetrac LSD.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 697
Likes: 104
From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
If you can get a late 2011 model then go for that one if the price savings is there.
late 2011's are NOT prone to headbolts. The rest of your research is spot on.
In my opinion the front of the PFL looks way better. The rear tail lights is where it needs the upgrade.
The 7g although a tad slower than MCT has proven to be rock solid. Haven't seen or heard complaints about it. Late 2011's are solid. aka any MY SEPT 2010 onwards is good.
late 2011's are NOT prone to headbolts. The rest of your research is spot on.
In my opinion the front of the PFL looks way better. The rear tail lights is where it needs the upgrade.
The 7g although a tad slower than MCT has proven to be rock solid. Haven't seen or heard complaints about it. Late 2011's are solid. aka any MY SEPT 2010 onwards is good.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
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From: Toronto, ON.
Weekend/Project - W204 C63.
I purchased the car with 71k kms last year and it's at about 80k kms right now. Keep in mind it's winter here in Canada so it's not driven right now but just getting a little makeover.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 697
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From: Taiwan
GLC43, X P100D, S P100D, CT200H
1. Its super rare to find a FL Estate C63. I have only ever seen 1 FL C63 Estate for sale here in the past year and a half. It had 34k Km and it sold within a few days.
2. Most of the C63s I see for sale are all over 85000km already. Most of them are actually well over 100-110k kms. Only a handful are ever under 50k km and they do not stay available for sale for long.
Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, ON.
Weekend/Project - W204 C63.
I see....my 2 largest problems are
1. Its super rare to find a FL Estate C63. I have only ever seen 1 FL C63 Estate for sale here in the past year and a half. It had 34k Km and it sold within a few days.
2. Most of the C63s I see for sale are all over 85000km already. Most of them are actually well over 100-110k kms. Only a handful are ever under 50k km and they do not stay available for sale for long.
1. Its super rare to find a FL Estate C63. I have only ever seen 1 FL C63 Estate for sale here in the past year and a half. It had 34k Km and it sold within a few days.
2. Most of the C63s I see for sale are all over 85000km already. Most of them are actually well over 100-110k kms. Only a handful are ever under 50k km and they do not stay available for sale for long.
On the side of the headbolts, I work at a dealership and my techs who's really good friends with a Mercedes benz shop foreman said that he's never seen a headbolt issue on the car and it's just a myth to scare clients to up sell. However I've also heard other dealerships replacing them so I'm not sure about the first source reliability. However with that said, if you can find yourself a nice estate just spend a few bucks to do the headbolts and you will be able to drive worry free. The first mod I did on my car before I even took it home was to take off the secondary cats & resonator and placed an x pipe. Best cheapest mod ever!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 152
From: 'Merica
'04 E55 (Gone but not forgotten), '13 C63 P31 (RIP), another '13 C63 PP
I think your analysis is spot on, like others have said, the transmissions are both very reliable, MCT is more desirable in my book, but really neither shift terribly fast compared to the competition, MCT is a bit faster and can handle a bit more power neither hold a candle to a true dual clutch in speed or even a modern ZF full auto box. Facelift car looks much more modern in my book, in and out, yes BT audio connect is on the FL (at least the 2013 and 14 I have had). In the FL range, 2013 and 14 have a nicer instrument cluster color and did have a few minor refinements over the years, transmission software being one, newer ones seem a bit better shift feel wise.
Otherwise, if it was me I would do headbolts on the pre-FL so add that into the cost - so if a nice pre-fl is say 35k and you have to pay 5k for headbolts, then it is 40k and you may be able to get an FL car for 40k, then I would do that, if you can get the pre FL car and do headbolts and still save 10k then maybe that is the way to go.
Otherwise, if it was me I would do headbolts on the pre-FL so add that into the cost - so if a nice pre-fl is say 35k and you have to pay 5k for headbolts, then it is 40k and you may be able to get an FL car for 40k, then I would do that, if you can get the pre FL car and do headbolts and still save 10k then maybe that is the way to go.
