TL;DR: current Audi owner leaning towards purchasing a C63s; have a couple of questions (bottom of message)

Long-time Audi loyalist and fan here. As you can see from my signature, I'm fairly familiar with the Volkswagen-Audi Group (VAG) family of cars. Something about the new C-class, and specifically the AMG C63s, is pulling hard for me to jump brands. Admittedly though - I know very little about the Mercedes brand, other than the basics.

I live in the PNW (Seattle, to be exact). I commute to work ~20 miles each-way on some fairly awful roads - comfort is a must (at least, the ability to dial it in, when needed). My last several vehicles have been AWD, but it's not a must for me for sure. I've gone out to the track a few times in the past, but a dedicated track-car is definitely *not* a must for me. Having said that, having something capable for the random impromptu track-day is high on the list. Additionally, having a premier car in a vehicle line-up is something I want to do with my next purchase. IE: RS5, M3 / M4, C63s (you get the picture).

I currently own a CSV (SQ5), however I'm looking to get back in to a sports sedan; 4-doors is definitely a must. Audi doesn't have any vehicles that fit my needs: I've had my fun with the current-gen S4, the RS5 is no longer available (and 4-doors is a must anyway), the S3 is too small, the S6 is too big. BMW's offerings are enticing, but the few M3's / M4's I've test driven over the last several weeks have left me entirely unimpressed: the ride is too harsh for a daily-driver. The C63s though - totally blew me away. I've gone on several test-drives at the various dealerships in my area and each time I was amazed at the level of refinement in this car. It's just...so easy to drive. You want to go fast? Yeah, no problem - it's there on tap (oh man, that exhaust note). You want to take it easy in traffic - no worries, piece of cake; the car behaves fantastic in these conditions (no bucking, no harsh start / stops, just.plain.comfortable). And the level of interior refinement - Mercedes, you have a new fan. Coming from Audi, where they pride themselves on their interior materials and refinement, I am seriously impressed on how on-the-mark Merc is with the new C-class: the fit-and-finish is incomparable in its class.

Enough gushing. I actually do have some questions for the board (and being an long-time member / contributor in both the Audiworld and Audizine forums, I fully embrace the power of crowd-sourcing answers).

Questions:
1. I understand all new C-classes (for the NA market) are built in Alabama. Is there still a European Delivery program available for the C63? Or is it no longer an option with the change in production?
2. Does Mercedes have a program where a customer can order a vehicle in a custom color (not offered in the normal line-up) for a fee? If so, does anyone know the pricing for this option?
3. Does anyone know the normal / average wait time on a custom order vehicle (not taking in to consideration custom color)? Between time of order and time of delivery, what's the wait time folks have been experiencing? With production in the states, wondering if it's lower than what I am used to with Audi.
4. [Region specific - and yes, will post in Region forum as well] Anyone know of / can recommend good tuners in the greater Seattle area? Been working with Achtuning for years with my Audi's and VW's; unfortunately, they haven't made the leap to Mercedes.

Thanks in advance, everyone - looking forward to being an engaged and contributing member of this community and forum.

-Bill

 

1. From my understanding ED is not available for the C63.
2. No idea.
3. I put in my order in mid May and got my car in early Sept. The wait time was due to no more 2015's being produced and production shutting down to switch over for the new MY. If your dealer has an allocation, the wait time should be much shorter.

 

1. No ED for cars built in the US. MB is not willing to ship a car from US to Europe, deliver it in Europe and then ship it back to the US.

2. Don't know.

3. Based on comments from various folks on this board, I would say you are much better off searching for an available vehicle in stock somewhere that fits your needs. Delivery times seem long and in some cases unpredictable since MB seems to run out of optional items unexpectedly which can add significant delays to delivery.

4. The C63s is very new and thus there are very limited tuning options. Sadly, no one yet has a tune available that can be user installed. There are numerous companies working on them but it could easily be another 6 to 12 months before these tunes hit the market. We have seen a few exhaust systems, but they seem to be audio candy rather than performance upgrades. We have also seen a few downpipes, but installation requires dropping the transmission, so very few folks have jumped on these.

Good luck with your shopping.

 

Ok, so 4-months in (what sounds like) extreme cicumstances. My local dealer has allocation avaialable now and is claiming he can get me in the car by the January 1st, which sounds realistic from this data. Thanks!

Thanks. I assumed it would be a car built for the European / Asian continent (built in their Germany plant), not a NA-built car, shipped back "across-the-pond".

Thank you!

 

The US Plant cannot do any custom paint orders. That is only available through cars made in Germany.

 

Got it. Thanks!

 

If you're interested in bespoke options you should hop on Instagram and look up Nathan Wong. He's a fellow Seattle member and is probably on here too but he was able to order S-Class style double-paned windows on a gorgeous E63 wagon finished in designo brown paint. I saw the car at the last MBCA annual car show and it's stunning. I don't know of anyone else pulling that off so there has to be a way to get custom paint on a C63. His handle's @WongNathan01.

Good luck, welcome to the brand, and welcome to the Seattle Benzhead community.

 

I'll do that - thanks for the tip.

Thanks!! Is the regional forum here on MBWorld the best place to stay abreast of local meet-ups and events?

 

MSL here in the UK went from:
469.74 WHP
499.79 WTQ


to


554.37 WHP
563.57 WTQ


with just a tuning box on a new C63 s.

 

Things are sporadic on here but I'd say join the local section of the MBCA when you buy your car--probably the best way to stay plugged in plus you get a $500 discount when you place your order.