Turkish05

Hey guys,
In the last months I think much about my die hard dream car C63 pre facelift.
Now I want a 2011 model without Headbolt issues waiting for a good one under 100k/km.

These cars are now a bit old so my question is how good are these engines and transmissions of the pre facelift.
I could afford the car thats not the problem but motor damage or transmission damage would break my neck.
I read much here and i see much problems like misfire, leaks, coolant problems. Is this really that much or is it because here is a forum and you see only problems.
It would fu** me really up to have only problems with such a expensive car.

so what is your experience I would like to hear what for problems you had and how much km/miles you got.
by the way im not a speed freak i would drive the car decent. Its only the v8 sound and the
timeless design of the c63 especially pre facelift!

Thanks guys

turkish

TLIBZ

They're very reliable cars other than the headbolts on the prefacelifts and the other commonly reported issues at certain mileage milestones.

However, if repairs on these cars would break your wallet, I wouldn’t get one. With any car, repairs will occurs regardless of your driving style. My C63 coupe is at 64k, I’m OCD about things not working to their full potential, so I regularly replace parts that seem like they’re on their way out (ie: pulleys, gaskets, anything that’s not part of the engine internals, and it gets pricey, but I expected nothing less when I bought the car.

95gsrturbo

I had a 2012 recently
77k miles.... NEVER an issue except the power steering pump went out at 55-60k miles

Cost like 3-400 with labor
Otherwise car was a ROCK

Turkish05

maintenance is not the problem. I will get the WIS and can wrench myself. I have only issues about damages with the motor like bent rods or the pistons where you must unmount the whole motor for. Or the transmission. Sparkplugs, incectors, camshaft or camshaft adjusters can done myself.

TLIBZ

Again, as long as you expect repairs getting pricey (if that were to happen), you will have an enjoyable ownership experience with this car. Not many have had motor internals damaged, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to happen. Get one and don’t look back

PeterA90

Expect to do cams at about 100k for the intake side. Adjusters go bad as well. 2012 and up have sls valve buckets and updated headbolts.

stock non -p31 bottom end can handle 700rwhp. You’ll blew your transmission before. Mct trans can handle 650 rwtq stock. Torque converter trans can handle 550rwtq (if it’s in good condition)

plugs+ filters+ sensors+ pulleys+ motor mounts etc are normal wear and tear. Can be found at a great price on FCP euro.

The car car is pretty stout. The only other AMG that is more reliable is the m113k but that interior is poverty look lol

Adi-Benz

I disagree

TLIBZ

I also disagree on both points. My e55 had more repairs than my C63, I also think the E55 interior is timeless.

mr747

I disagree also

AMG6.3

I have a 2010 bought it with 8,000 miles and now have 81,000 and love this car.

Only issues besides the normal oil changes, brake flushes tires and brakes has been as follows:

At 80,000 my shocks are toast and will be doing coil overs in the spring. I also noticed that my car needs new engine and transmission mounts haven’t done this yet as I am getting a vibration at a stop light.

If you want to avoid pre face lift head bolts buy 2012 or newer as I believe some 2011 are still impacted.

Turkish05

I know the motor number there are pre facelifts with new headbolts.

would love to hear other experiences!

brad65ford

These w204's including C63 motor/trans/rear drivetran have been out long enough to have a well known strong following and history which it does. I've always gone by how many units were made and how many have had major issues or basically all issues that have been posted especially on these forums. Merc made a ****-ton of these m159's as well as these w204 chassis. With that said these cars are impressive for what they are and for the time they were created/manufactured. Agree with everyone, no one knows the future of each of them and what can possibly go wrong other than what some have posted and shared here and on youtube as well as other forums. Major issues like a new trans or new cams and lifters may be out of some peoples budget though it should be considered it may happen to you. If your buying used, you really never know how it was taking care of or how it was driven etc... Life is short, nothing is perfect though these are some impressive automobiles you can get for 1/2 to 1/3 of original price today.

brad65ford

Are you sure its the mounts, mine doe it now and again at times at stop lights and I'm under 50k. I've thought it was injector or other related issue not mounts.

Turkish05

Honestly japan import is a option too.
the reason is they dont drive much. there are tons of pre facelift with under 100k/km, like 40-60k and i heard they care their cars.
Not like Germany (im from germany) autobahn they pull out the shi* off the cars and a prefacelift with 4-5 pre owner i can bet ya minimum 2 of them fuc*** the car.
I want a clean car and want use it clean myself thats hard to find here.
When I would know a pensioner who wants to sell his one i would buy directly

PeterA90

Lol ok interior is subjective. Reliability is not. The m156 is great motor plagued with its own issues. I own the car and love it.

You can can always use a search button

cloverfield

TL/DR all well-known problems are also very expensive to fix without a warranty:

1. Head bolts (mostly pre-2011, but includes early 2011s)
2. Camshaft lobes / lifters (all years and all models with the M156 can potentially be affected by this)
3. Camshaft phasers/tensioners

Turkish05

Yeah i know this from tasos videos.
but this can be avoid when you change the oil all 8-10.000 km‘s and drive the car warm when cold.

the issues that you listed are ok. Im more afraid of transmission, rod or stupid vibration problems like 50 year old cars where you search days and cant find the reason.

brad65ford

Sounds like a lot of guys that own these with experience are all repeating themselves. The thread will become pointless soon or already has. Poster, you have more than enough information, the rest is up to you since we can make up your mind on this one. Till then I'm going to enjoy mine as many many others are doing as well. Wish you luck with whichever way you go.

CptSteve

The design of the M156 is not great but its a bit like owning an Alfa from the 80s - its a b$%^& to own and maintain but amazing to drive when she does not fail - that said be prepared to spend when things go wrong but doing minor overhauls around 150k isn’t that bad in the big scheme of engine maintenance...

Do yourself a favour and pop the valve covers and check the cams and lifters Before you buy- you can thank me later...trust me.

Now talking about which oil for the M156 - now thats when da %#$ gets interesting .

Spare yourself the headaches and change oil every 3-4k - oil is cheap and ezy to do at home

Vladds

Or use Selenia ...(I'm kidding, Selenia is the factory oil for Alfa)

Dokus

If you do your own work amg cars cost about the same as any other big Mercedes like the 500 cars. Which is, not very much in comparison to what you get.

Most high performance cars have some factory grenade built in to them, like the c63 headbolts or the 996 ims bearing which one day will blow and cost you tons of money.

The good thing is that you with most cars can prevent this from happening by taking action before the grenade blows. That what you need to budget for too have a nice ownership experince. Preferably before you buy the car.

CptSteve

Agree whole heartedly. Its easy to forget that this is a very high performance engine - most powerful NA engine of its time and that comes at a cost / reliability...its a trade off. My track Honda has gone 150k without missing a beat...Toyotas 2JZ is another bulletproof engine but neither puts a smile on my face like the m156..