Had the very fortunate opportunity to take a spin in a W205 C63 S today.

I had very, very high expectations for this car as a current '13 C63 sedan owner. All of the glowing reviews by journalists and early adopters further elevated my expectations.

After seeing and experiencing the car in person for the first time, all I can say is . . . wow. Simply put, the car exceeded my very lofty expectations.

I'm going to be heading out of town early tomorrow so I'll keep things short for now. I'll edit this post or reply below when I have more time.

I'll break my impressions down into categories.

1) Exterior:

The W205 C63 looks great in person. The flame surfacing on MB's most recent designs may not be overly photogenic but in person, it's gorgeous. It oozes class. There's no way any enthusiast is going to confuse this car with a C400. The A-wing front splitter and twin power domes on the hood are some of the most readily identifiable cues that the W205 C63 is not your ordinary Benz. The single, split-blade, AMG-badge adorned grille is a really nice touch too.

The red, 6-piston front calipers that come with the steel rotors look just as good as the ones found on the old W204. The W205 may have single-piston sliding calipers out back but make no mistake, as an overall package, the W205 rocks some serious brake hardware.

The CF spoiler is really well designed. The weave is flawless and the subtle shape/size of the spoiler makes it look functional, not flamboyant.

The rear of the car looks wider and more aggressive than the rear on the standard W205. Your eyes are drawn to either the spoiler, the diffuser, or the quad exhaust. The exhaust tips are generously sized.

2) Interior:

Phenomenal interior. The standard W205s have class-leading interiors but AMG has taken it even further with the W205 C63s. The gauges look great, the steering wheel feels perfectly designed (it's very thick/substantial but not obnoxiously so), and the AMG HUD is a feature I sorely wish I had on my W204. The paddle shift "pulls" feel fantastic - short travel w/ authoritative engagement.

The carbon fiber trim is the epitome of high-quality. It's a little more "expensive looking" than the CF trim in the F8X M3/M4.

Prior to seeing/sitting in the "standard" W205 C63 seats, I was leaning toward the "performance" seats. Not now. I'm sure the performance seats are as equally well-executed but as someone that loves the heavily bolstered Recaro seats in my W204 C63, the new "standard" seats in the W205 offer very nearly as much support. They're comfortable and supportive. Adjustablity is extensive. And they look gorgeous (as evidenced by the photos below).

Overall, the interior of this car is a place you want to be on a daily basis.

3) Ride/Ride Quality:

As someone that has had plenty of seat time in a W205 C300, I can say that the W205 C63 S feels like a completely different car (and I can easily come to that conclusion despite the limited experience in the C63 S). The C63 feels firmer, sharper, and more planted. At the same time, the quality of the damping is excellent. The car rides exactly how I'd want a performance-oriented daily driver to ride.

4) Acceleration:

Our lady of blessed acceleration this thing is fast. The sensation of speed is immense. Staggering, even. It just pulls so hard from a dig . . . and then keeps pulling. Very hard to wrap your mind around the fact that the car is turbocharged given the immediacy of the acceleration/response in Race or M.

This new car flat-out packs more torque than the W204. Not afraid to admit it. High praise considering the fact that the W204 is not lacking in the torque department.

That will do for now but my mind is now made up when it comes to deciding what will replace my W204 C63. I imagine that my initial impressions will only be reinforced as I get additional opportunities to spend more time with the W205 platform.

Pics or it didn't happen!

 

Great post...couldn't agree more on all points! With every post on this forum I want this car a little more. Now just have to convince my wife that we need at $85K car...

 

Thanks man! Appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed it. I feel the same way. I'm even more pumped about the W205 now but I'm still enjoying my W204.

 

Hey Zibby which black paint was this? I still haven't seen anyone with the metallic paint yet I have seen the non metallic one in person i like it but the swirls were insane - i was told with the metallic the swirls are less noticeable

btw - which colour will you be choosing?

I think the black and chrome work so well together

 

can you give notes also to how the exhaust sounds compared to your c63

in terms of depth - loudness in cabin outside cabin ect

 

You're absolutely right - the black and chrome contrast is very eye-catching in person. It's a combo that accentuates the car's lines.

EDIT: Paint was Obsidian. Paint was in flawless condition. I'm a sucker for silver so I'm leaning toward Iridium. That said, both white options and both black options are on the table now. With the way AMG designed the exterior, the black really doesn't hide any of the car's lines or details (which is a huge plus in my eyes).

The gentleman that spec'd this car did an outstanding job. The red and black two-tone seats looked stunning in person. I have many more photos that I'll post later. The red portions of the seats are unmistakably red in person, despite the fact they have a bit of an orange tint in these photos.

I'm glad you asked! I was going to touch on sound in my initial post but got sidetracked by packing.

Prior to hearing the W205 in person, I kept "hearing" () how the W205 didn't lose much in the sound department compared to the W204. Well, I can definitely echo those sentiments because this performance exhaust-equipped C63 sounded absolutely beastly.

With the exhaust set to the louder setting, the exhaust note had just as much depth and power as the one on my W204. It was definitely loud inside the cabin under acceleration, but nowhere close to being obnoxiously loud. The exhaust note has a lot of character too. It's just naturally well-engineered.

The burbles, crackles, and pops that occur when downshifting/decelerating will likely have people ducking for cover in parking garages. Coming from the glorious-sounding W204, I would have no qualms about what the W205 C63 brings to the table in terms of engine/exhaust note.

Plus, with the M177, you get all the cool engine noises associated with a biturbo motor.

Did not get to hear a "cold" start but the warm start was quite impressive and unquestionably satisfying.

 

Thanks for this!

So whats your verdict against the m4/m3... i read your review awhile back.. you seem to like it.. you even liked the exhaust note on the m3/m4.. i think we differ in opinion here.. well at least outside the cabin i heard a driveby one dont like it.. a little too.. almost jap - honda rice boy sound to me..

I agree I was so surprised how well black works with this car!!... I would pull the trigger on black but everyone tells me its a hassle to keep clean which worries me.

I thought I was going crazy when I thought black actually showed the lines of this car so well - in some ways better then white. I am glad you thought black did not hide the lines at all, I thought I was the only one.

Once I see one with metallic paint I will make my decision, until then I still can't decide between black or white.

If I go black no night package

White with night package

 

Thanks for the post Zibby! I love your enthusiasm for the car. I'm very excited myself but I have so long to go I'm trying to play it cool.

 

My pleasure, Bespoke88. I'm glad you found it helpful! Black is a bit more difficult to keep clean when it comes to water spots but it hides dirt, exhaust carbon, and brake dust well (had a non-metallic black Benz in the past).

So long as you hand wash the car, you'll be able to keep swirl marks to a minimum. On some cars, black just works and the W205 C63 S is one of 'em!

I'll offer a few comparison points against the F8X tomorrow. I'll go into greater depth if/when I get the opportunity to spend some more time in the W205.

IMHO, there are three (3) areas where the C63 S has the upper hand on the F8X: 1) Acceleration. The F8X is stupid fast and the DCT just rips through gears. That said, the C63's extra power and torque really pin you to the seat back and keep you there. The ESP on the C63 seems to be better calibrated, too.

2) Interior. I realize that this is subjective, especially in terms of design. The F8X is, without a doubt, very nicely appointed (big upgrade over the F30), but seems a bit spartan in comparison to the luxury you get with the W205. MB's HUD and COMAND are just as good as BMW's HUD and iDrive. In terms of the quality of materials inside the cabin, the C63 S has the advantage.

3) Sound. BMW M did the best they could with the turbocharged inline 6 in the F8X. For what the platform has to work with, the sound is good (at least inside the cabin) - but it's all relative. People have different backgrounds and those that have mostly rocked either 4 or 6-cylinder cars probably find the F8X to be more than adequate/great. As a V8 fan, I appreciate the throaty roar of the C63 S. The W205's exhaust note is louder and more sonorous than the F8X's "stock" exhaust. All the downshift/deceleration cracks, pops, and bangs are a bit more savage too.

No problem Joel! Thanks for the kind words. It's hard not to appreciate this thing when you see/hear it in person. The patience will pay off man. You'll love this car.

 

Thanks for the reply! how bad were the swirls and scratches showing thorough in your non-metallic black benz after a few years? and if you are considering doing black again would you go non metallic or metallic again?

OCT slots for 2016 are about to come out where I live, in about 2 weeks. So i have to decide by then for sure..

I will be keeping this car for awhile - non lease for me, and might not have time to see the metallic black before I order - hopefully not the case though.

 

Thank you for the review. Good write-up and very informative. I ordered mine with the red/black seats but was a bit worried because like you mentioned they tend to look orange in pics. Thanks for the reassurance that they are not.

 

Great review and write up.

I must say that is the best looking C63 I have seen to date. Love the color combo.

However, after my Z06 which was...black with mod red interior, I swore I'd never own a black car again. So many swirls, terrible swirls. I really do wonder if it will be as bad on the Benz. The quality has to be better than that of GM.

 

No worries at all my friend. Glad I can be of some use. I was able to confirm that the black W205 photographed above is Obsidian. It's a stunner, particularly in person.

On my non-metallic black Benz, there were minimal swirls despite the fact that the car was a daily driver. Of course, I hand washed the car and had it professionally detailed 1-2 times per year.

Many thanks Will! You're going to love the red/black pepper two-tone seats. The interior is reminiscent of the S-Class. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are second-to-none.

I'd be happy to try to answer any additional questions you may have.

Truly appreciate the kind words Nachtsturm. And I agree, the color combo is very sporty but also classy.

Auto washes can wreak havoc on black paint jobs but even careful hand washing can cause minimal swirls over the long run. The good thing is that a light polish usually eliminates them all.

MB has pretty strong/hard paint. It's not quite on par with what you see from Lexus (particularly the LS) and Bentley but it's up there. BMW's paint, on the other hand, is pretty soft.

 

The red/black seats don't look orange at all in person. Very red.

 

Absolutely.

 

check mine, you may change your mind!

 

Great review, thanks. I have one question regarding tire and road noise if you don't mind. I found the W204 to be noticeably quieter than similar performance-oriented daily drivers like the M4, M6, Cayman, etc. I'm Ok with good exhaust sounds but my ears have a peculiar sensitivity to loud tire roar. I have a touch of tinnitus so maybe those frequencies are somehow amplified Anyway, how did the W205 fare in the road noise department?

 

Nice write up and follow up comments Zibby. I agree with the others. That A frame with the black and chrome coming together is spectacular. Its one of the few times I thought chrome looks good on this car. Thanks buddy.

 

Love the review! The seats look like a red pepper; literally! LOL

Which dealership had the car for you to drive? I guess they heard about the center cap swap too. Lol

 

Thanks man! Much appreciated. Question: Do all of the standard seats have the Affalterbach logo/crest embossed on the front seat headrests? I'm already leaning toward them anyway but that would seal the deal.

Plus, here are some bonus pics from the Circuit of the Americas:















BTW, the AMG GT S is one hell of a car. That thing can do some damage out on the circuit. COTA is a challenging circuit and the GT S handled everything that the course threw at it . . . without batting an eye.

 

Hey Zibby, are you able to do a comparison review beteween the C63S and the GTS? Yes, they are very different cars & price points, but i find myself deciding between purchasing one of them. Of course, you get the cool GTS styling for the extra $50-60K, but what else?

 

Yes, the standard seats on the C63 S have the AMG/Affalterbach Logo in the headrest. That is really neat! Also, I will be going to COTA my for my AMG Driving Academy. I will be attending Level 2 since I completed Level 1 last year. Can't wait for that! Anyone in Austin?? HAHA

 

Hey zibby they all have the logo i sat in a few c63s with normal seats now... at least the S models do, not sure about non s though.

 

Oh zibby I just thought i also point this out to you, if you go with black normal seats - you get that alcantara thing of a strip on the side of the door... you can see it in your photos, personally i dislike it.

If you get the red seats however, its real leather on the side strip.. lol dont know why they did this. I think the real leather looks much better wish they did that for the black seats too.

 

You get the alcantara strip in Grey on the door and seats. This only applies with the standard Black/Grey Interior.