Good Advice, or Blatant Lie?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
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soon c63 amg
Good Advice, or Blatant Lie?
Here is the story:
I've been toying with the idea of buying a 2013/2014 C63. A friend of mine posted a Bentley Con GT on Insta and I jokingly texted him and said "Should I get the Con GT or the C63"
He calls me, stating that I should lease or pay cash for everything I drive. His reasoning is because you will be underwater so fast with the C63 if you finance and the maintenance will kill you.
So, I guess my dilemma is: Can I finance a 2013/2014 C63, or is that a stupid idea? and, What is really the largest maintenance item that could possibly be required? In turn, what is the average yearly maintenance?
I do not agree with the notion that if you have to worry about the cost of said items, you shouldn't buy the car.... I'm just conservative with my money and won't go into a purchase like that until I have at least a year's worth of car expenses in the bank.
I was just alarmed by his "advice"
I've been toying with the idea of buying a 2013/2014 C63. A friend of mine posted a Bentley Con GT on Insta and I jokingly texted him and said "Should I get the Con GT or the C63"
He calls me, stating that I should lease or pay cash for everything I drive. His reasoning is because you will be underwater so fast with the C63 if you finance and the maintenance will kill you.
So, I guess my dilemma is: Can I finance a 2013/2014 C63, or is that a stupid idea? and, What is really the largest maintenance item that could possibly be required? In turn, what is the average yearly maintenance?
I do not agree with the notion that if you have to worry about the cost of said items, you shouldn't buy the car.... I'm just conservative with my money and won't go into a purchase like that until I have at least a year's worth of car expenses in the bank.
I was just alarmed by his "advice"
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 681
Likes: 231
From: SC
2010 C63 AMG RIP. 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, 2013 C63 coupe
It all depends on how much maintenance you are going to do yourself.
For example, I do all the maintenance and most repairs myself.
Between oil changes, filters, brakes and spark plugs I get away with about $350 a year in average. (8k miles/year)
Your friend is probably that kind of vehicle owner who has the tire pressure corrected at the dealer.
For example, I do all the maintenance and most repairs myself.
Between oil changes, filters, brakes and spark plugs I get away with about $350 a year in average. (8k miles/year)
Your friend is probably that kind of vehicle owner who has the tire pressure corrected at the dealer.
Last edited by sventastic82; May 8, 2020 at 02:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 5
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soon c63 amg
It all depends on how much maintenance you are going to do yourself.
For example, I do all the maintenance and most repairs myself.
Between oil changes, filters, brakes and spark plugs I get away with about $350 a year in average. (8k miles/year)
Your friend is probably that kind of vehicle owner who has the tire pressure corrected at the dealer.
For example, I do all the maintenance and most repairs myself.
Between oil changes, filters, brakes and spark plugs I get away with about $350 a year in average. (8k miles/year)
Your friend is probably that kind of vehicle owner who has the tire pressure corrected at the dealer.
Let's just assume I'll get all maintenance done at a mechanic, likely not the dealer.
I could do some classes to learn basic maintenance, but I don't have a place to do anything since I'm in Chicago.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
Likes: 108
From: Virginia USA
2016 GTs, 2014 C63 AMG and 2014 C350 Sport (wife's car, she thinks it's an AMG - shhhhhh)
Overall your friend if full of what the birds do on a Sunday morning.
The FL 204s are probably the most reliable Euro sports sedans/coupes out there today. They are friggin tanks. Sure there are random issues here and there as there are with all cars but there are plenty of people on this board with up to and over 100,000 headache free miles.
As long as the previous owner kept up with the maintenance, you should be good to go with nothing but oil changes, brakes and tires.
The FL 204s are probably the most reliable Euro sports sedans/coupes out there today. They are friggin tanks. Sure there are random issues here and there as there are with all cars but there are plenty of people on this board with up to and over 100,000 headache free miles.
As long as the previous owner kept up with the maintenance, you should be good to go with nothing but oil changes, brakes and tires.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 415
Likes: 109
From: Whitehouse Station, NJ
2012 C63 P31 Sedan
If you stick with a 2012 and up with relatively low mileage, there really shouldn't be much you have to worry about. One of the reasons I went with the W204 C63 over modern models is the simplicity of naturally aspirated engines. I keep my cars for a very long time, so self-serviceability is important to me.
Now, there are a few issues with these engines that I'm sure you'll come across from your own research, but 2012 and up will avoid the catastrophic ones. Other than that, the basic maintenance is really not bad. Oil changes are a piece of cake with an extractor and brakes are not all that expensive with quality aftermarket parts. I was actually surprised at how little you need to spend to get a new set of pads and rotors for a performance sedan.
Now, there are a few issues with these engines that I'm sure you'll come across from your own research, but 2012 and up will avoid the catastrophic ones. Other than that, the basic maintenance is really not bad. Oil changes are a piece of cake with an extractor and brakes are not all that expensive with quality aftermarket parts. I was actually surprised at how little you need to spend to get a new set of pads and rotors for a performance sedan.
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 242
Likes: 48
From: West by god Virginia
'08 C300 4Matic Sport / '11 C63
I don't get it, every car needs maintenance just as it needs fuel. I've put 30k miles on my C63 in the past year, LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT, I have had to do oil and tires just as I would any other car.
Now with saying that, if you can't afford a Corrolla then you can't afford a C63 but these cars are cheap in my book, like pennies compared to what else you find out there. What your friend said makes 0, absolutely 0 sense.
Also, isn't not driving your car to keep low miles for resell etc like not banging your girlfriend so you can keep her tight for the next guy? I say enjoy away!!
Now with saying that, if you can't afford a Corrolla then you can't afford a C63 but these cars are cheap in my book, like pennies compared to what else you find out there. What your friend said makes 0, absolutely 0 sense.
Also, isn't not driving your car to keep low miles for resell etc like not banging your girlfriend so you can keep her tight for the next guy? I say enjoy away!!
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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
What is wrong with financing a car? I mean it's not a sub-$10k beater and I'm sure you have decent credit. Sure interest sucks but unfortunately finance capitalism is the yoke under which we toil. As long as you put a good bit down and have a monthly payment that is comfortable and something you could support for a little bit of lean time.
if you can find a well looked after, stock, sub-100k mile 2012+ car you can generally buy it with extreme confidence.
if you can find a well looked after, stock, sub-100k mile 2012+ car you can generally buy it with extreme confidence.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2016
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12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
It isn't maintenance you need to worry about, it will go through more in tires than maintenance typically, if it is a P30/31 model brakes are a big item, dealer will get you for like 3k for the fronts and like 1500 for the rears pads and rotors, but you can do them for a lot less yourself or at an independent and one of the first and easiest things to do yourself. Otherwise oil changes, transmission once in a while for $350 etc.
The cars are pretty reliable, they do have some common problems that can add up if they occur but you can do an extended warranty to reduce the risk of paying yourself. Cam Adjusters get noisy and are 7k to replace at the dealer, but they just rattle and rarely fail, so it is just a noise to live with. Cams can wear, lifters can wear and do also rattle some times do to leak down, but typically good maintenance will keep the wear in check and will take a long time to wear enough to be an issue, but again another 7k or so if you need to replace cams and lifters, if just the lifters about 3500 to replace. If pre 2010, headbolt issues are also a concern and can fail with age, but are relatively affordable to replace pre failure, after they fail the heads have to come off and you need headgaskets.
The rest of the car is pretty solid, minor things here and there but holdup well.
The cars are pretty reliable, they do have some common problems that can add up if they occur but you can do an extended warranty to reduce the risk of paying yourself. Cam Adjusters get noisy and are 7k to replace at the dealer, but they just rattle and rarely fail, so it is just a noise to live with. Cams can wear, lifters can wear and do also rattle some times do to leak down, but typically good maintenance will keep the wear in check and will take a long time to wear enough to be an issue, but again another 7k or so if you need to replace cams and lifters, if just the lifters about 3500 to replace. If pre 2010, headbolt issues are also a concern and can fail with age, but are relatively affordable to replace pre failure, after they fail the heads have to come off and you need headgaskets.
The rest of the car is pretty solid, minor things here and there but holdup well.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 486
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2012 C63, GL63, 1989 300CE
Everything thats been said above! Pick whichever will put a smile on your face both will have repair and maintenance bills. Hopefully your Nigerian inheritance is larger than mine.
Last edited by go team; May 10, 2020 at 12:55 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 96
Likes: 25
From: Canberra, Australia.
C63 AMG Coupe
G'Day Folks,
Evan Smeenge, a lot of the future costs I'm sure, will relate to how hard the car you dicide to buy was driven, and how well/regularly it was previously serviced and maintained.
So I would want to confirm the cars service history, and what the previous owner/s was like.
Hope that helps.
D'oh!
Homer
Evan Smeenge, a lot of the future costs I'm sure, will relate to how hard the car you dicide to buy was driven, and how well/regularly it was previously serviced and maintained.
So I would want to confirm the cars service history, and what the previous owner/s was like.
Hope that helps.
D'oh!
Homer
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
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soon c63 amg
Wow! Thanks to all you folks! This is all great advice and obviously great permission to go get the car I've been eyeing for a while.
I have read into the cars and do want to focus on the 2012 or newer options.
Were there any changes from 2012 to 2013 that i should know about? And is there really a good reason to go with a P30/P31? Other than "omg it's bad *** with more HP"...
Im in Chicago, and will drive this daily. With correct tires, can I Logically drive this through the slightly snowy Chicago winter?
E
I have read into the cars and do want to focus on the 2012 or newer options.
Were there any changes from 2012 to 2013 that i should know about? And is there really a good reason to go with a P30/P31? Other than "omg it's bad *** with more HP"...
Im in Chicago, and will drive this daily. With correct tires, can I Logically drive this through the slightly snowy Chicago winter?
E
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
Wow! Thanks to all you folks! This is all great advice and obviously great permission to go get the car I've been eyeing for a while.
I have read into the cars and do want to focus on the 2012 or newer options.
Were there any changes from 2012 to 2013 that i should know about? And is there really a good reason to go with a P30/P31? Other than "omg it's bad *** with more HP"...
Im in Chicago, and will drive this daily. With correct tires, can I Logically drive this through the slightly snowy Chicago winter?
E
I have read into the cars and do want to focus on the 2012 or newer options.
Were there any changes from 2012 to 2013 that i should know about? And is there really a good reason to go with a P30/P31? Other than "omg it's bad *** with more HP"...
Im in Chicago, and will drive this daily. With correct tires, can I Logically drive this through the slightly snowy Chicago winter?
E
The p31 also comes with forged internals. So, lighter rotating mass and stronger.
You'll be fine with proper snow tires.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
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From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
I'm from Milwaukee - you'll want snow tires on your stock wheels and throw some sick aftermarket wheels on for summer. If that's not an option, I'd choose a winter beater.
Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 12
From: Toronto, ON
2014 C63 AMG 507 Edition
Brakes are more expensive then other "normal" cars, Gas will destroy you, tires depending on how you drive. Definitely will need a really good set of winters. I drove on light snow on my ps4s and couldn't make it up a very slight hill.. But all in all just buy it! you will love it!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,308
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From: Houston - Clear Lake
C63 coupe, Z3M Roadster garage queen
Brakes on the base C63 aren't all that bad - parts are maybe $600 for rotors and pads on all four corners. With a good YouTube video for guidance, they're easy for even a novice to swap. If you have a P30/31 package (and want to maintain the high-end front rotors), the price for parts goes up another $900. Still, that's only every 20-30k miles, so it's not a frequent problem. Your biggest recurring costs will be gasoline (figure mid-teens for mpg, closer to ten if all in town and driven hard) and tires - a grand every 8-12k miles.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 274
Likes: 166
From: Perth,WA
C63 AMG
For any consumables or replacement parts, I would hit up FCPEuro and order them in myself, and have a mechanic do the work, or do it yourself if you're that way inclined.
I changed the rotors and pads on my car recently. I got a quote from the dealership as a laugh. $6k. I jumped on FCPEuros website, $1.8k landed to my door in Aus, and $400 for my mechanic to fit them. Job Done.
I changed the rotors and pads on my car recently. I got a quote from the dealership as a laugh. $6k. I jumped on FCPEuros website, $1.8k landed to my door in Aus, and $400 for my mechanic to fit them. Job Done.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 853
Likes: 126
From: Cape Town
2014 Mercedes C63 AMG 507 Edition
I have had my 2014 C63 for about 5 years now. It is tuned with IPE headers. I do 1/4 mile, top end and track days with the car. And I drive it hard on the street.
Apart from the routine maintenance, the car has been rock solid.
Buy one, you will not regret it.
Apart from the routine maintenance, the car has been rock solid.
Buy one, you will not regret it.
