Just wondering if there’s more recent consensus of the interior build quality of the C63 and the C class in general? I’ve seen some older threads that raise some flags about chronic squeaks and rattles around the cabin. Is this something that’s been addressed in recent years? Have Mercedes addressed these issues with the facelift? I’m thinking of pulling the trigger on a C63s sedan but these complaints give me pause. Any feedback from recent owners would be greatly appreciated.

 

I definitely feel that the car has more squeak's and rattle's than I'd like.

I've owned 2 BMW M3's and both were very well built, with no squeaks or rattles.

That being said, the positives (beautiful looking interior, amazing engine etc.) far outweigh those small things.

 

Well, the facelift has just started to land. Nobody can tell you long term quality at this point. Seems like the build quality concerns are mostly around the sedan, which is now built in the USA. Even shop foremen say that the sedans have more quality issues than the coupes. I'm not gonna get into US factories vs German factories, but the W205 is the first C Class sedan that's being built at the US factory in Alabama. There are bound to be growing pains at a minimum. From my test drives, all the coupes I've driven felt more solid than the sedans FWIW. I have my reservations about US built Mercedes and I'm buying a coupe partly because they are still made in Germany.

 

Yes, this definitely factors into the equation for sure.

I noticed the panel gaps weren't spot on like I would have expected also.

 

Yeah I guess it’s a bit too soon to get impressions on the 2019 models but I guess I was hoping even by the end of the pre-facelift they would’ve righted the ship in this regard.
Im the kind of person where squeaks and rattles in the cabin can drive me mad since I often drive without the radio on.

I currently own a 2018 m550i and that had its share of little creaks and rattles and I guess I was hoping that Mercedes would be superior to BMW in this regard. It’s a bummer that one steps up to this level of car and these kinds of manufacturing nuisances exist.

 

Based on old threads (see here), the rattles and creaks are just as common on the coupes as the sedans. It's a platform-wide issue and not a production issue. The abundance of different plastic parts in this car seem to make it inevitable.

FWIW, I saw terrible panel gaps on the rocker panels of a 2019 C63S coupe on my dealer's lot. Highly recommend for everyone to do a visual inspection before taking delivery.

Also my new 2019 sedan is not perfect. There was a buzz in my dashboard that popped up around 500 miles but now it has completely disappeared. There are some intermittent light rattles elsewhere in the car on rough roads. I am a picky person but it is has not bothered me too much since it is still quiet on smooth roads. Overall it is better than most 205 C63's I've been in, but still disappointing compared to our S-class and ML350 which are always dead silent.

If you drive often without radio though, I feel you are in for some disappointment.

 

This is useful information. Thank you!

 

I know this is the AMG forum but since you mentioned the C300, I have the facelift coupe 2019. Probably the sexiest Benz I have ever had, and probably the worst interior build quality. Everything squeaks and rattles from the auto closing windows, to the doors, the pillars. Looks like a spaceship, sounds like the Mayflower on the inside. Still love the car overall as it has a peppy engine, is fun to drive and looks gorgeous. But if this is the quality of the C class now, I’ll be moving up to an E or CLS at lease end.

 

How do you know another modern Benz won't be the same? I love my AMG and it's my favorite car out of the whole lot but the build quality on the C63s is pretty sh*t and this is almost a $200,000 car here in Australia. I mean, how much do they expect you to spend to receive build quality that's decent?

Doubt an E class would be better in terms of quality.

 

Based on research, word of mouth and the fact that I've had five previous Benzes that don't have this issue. Also, it depends on how you spec the car. I have the 19" AMG multi spokes and have the resulting rough ride. I expected a rough ride but not all the rattles. I might change things up and go with a more luxury than sport spec and air suspension. I lease only, so don't really have to worry about the air suspension's reliability post-warranty.

If you look through the E class forums the complaints about rattles are much, much fewer than in any C forum. I've also ridden in them (actually a diesel E taxi in Romania even) and they were much smoother and quieter.

 

You have a C300 with "AMG" wheels. You don't have a rough ride mate
Man if you think a C300 comfort-coupe with AMG wheels is rough, then you'd cry if you tried to daily drive a C63s Coupe. Oh, but that's right, you're looking for an E class. Off you go mate

 

Hahaahaaha

 

These types of responses are exactly why I was hestiant to post in the AMG section. Only took one post from me that was not contentious or rude and just trying to help, and here we go. Enjoy your day fellas.

 

I picked up a 17 C63S coupe with 14K mi on it last month. Can't believe how much it rattles and creaks inside, it's extremely disappointing. But realizing how stiff the suspension is in comfort mode alone, it makes total sense that the car has developed these so early on. By far the stiffest suspension I've had on a car and have had many lowered / coilover setups in the past. I'm hoping the H&R VTF adjustable springs that are 2 stage will help out some. Should be installing them in the next couple weeks.

 

I am on my second W205 and my first had no squeaks and rattles whatsoever. My second with very similar interior options does have some but not too much. Sometimes I think something squeaks and turns out it’s something I put in the car. But driving in S+ mostly for sure can rattle things loose quicker...but our roads in FL are pretty good and bumpy roads are an exception where I go. So, all good. I also currently have a lowered F32 and it’s the same....and my lowered MX5 not much different. All on stiffer suspension.

 

3k miles on my 2020 coupe and so far so good. Unlike my 18 M4 which had headliner rattles and squeaky seats within 500 miles.

 

over 5k miles on my 2019 c63s coupe and no rattles or squeaks of any kind. Amazing considering the horrible roads i deal with in Chicago and living in the city. Only issue I had with build quality was a slight peeling of the clear coat around 2 rear parking sensors on the carbon fiber rear diffuser.. they sent a replacement with the same thing.. lol.. so now i am waiting on another one.. Other than that the car has been amazing!!!!

 

What is the typical life expectancy of bushings on this platform? Any history of situations where changing dynamic settings doesn't actually change the dampening, etc - broken dampening spindles/motors that dont generate a dash light/warning? I drove a 2020 before the 17 I picked up and it definitely wasn't as stiff.

 

Don't know for the C63, but on heavy cars like this at least the front bushings start to crack after a few years. On my past cars with similar weights I always had to replace the front bushings at least once. However, as far as 2020 vs 17 goes, the FL has a much more compliant suspension to begin with. They lowered the spring rates and completely reworked the software, so Comfort mode is much more comfortable and S+ is more dynamic while still compliant. The suspension is one of the best parts of the FL.

 

Yes, I tend to have cars that go through them pretty frequently so used to switching them out. I've replaced them with syncro design works monoballs where I can in the past and love the handling improvement after install and seem to last longer. Considering the same for the C63 or the carbahn caster&camber adjustable monoballs. Good to know regarding the suspension variance between years, thanks. Hopefully h&r adjustable springs are more in line with the new rates. Love your build spec, btw!

 

Started noticing squeaks and rattles within a few hundred miles on my '19 coupe. Now, at around 8k miles, some have disappeared and new ones have popped up.

The build quality on these cars really is horrible.

Having both a non-AMG E class and S class in the house, you can really notice how regardless of price, MB will build every C class the same, regardless of model or price, and each step up in class gets better and better, which honestly does make sense. Although its a 2016, our E300 puts the C63S to shame. And I'm sure I don't need to say more about the S class.

It is disappointing a $100,000 car can have such poor build quality, but I guess we can't let the price make us forget the fact that it still is a C class, what used to be the entry level benz.


Just want to add, my first car at 16 was a W204 C250. I know its a completely different car, and having a much rougher suspension certainly makes a difference, but I don't recall a single squeak or rattle on the 250.

 

I have 1,500 miles on a 2020 C63S coupe. I have noticed a rattle(?) coming from the top of the driver's dash area. I will say the suspension on the 2020 is more firm when compared to my previous '13 C63 coupe w/AMG Dev Pkg (sold to my son). So, in that context, on a surface other than a race track or a nice piece of highway, it will shake some and consequently make some noise.

 

In all honesty, a big reason for rattles is the much stiffer suspension compared to a regular MB. All this vibration sooner or later knocks something loose. I'm at 10k miles with my 2019 Coupe and I just had a couple of rattles fixed while the car was in service. They took the driver side A-pillar apart and found some unfavorable tolerances with the clips and same for the sunroof. Both rattles are now gone. I think there is still one in the dash somewhere, but it's much better now. I also ended up taking the cup holder insert out, because my USB cable rattled against it and I actually discovered that I had a coin in there, which also rattled against it. It's actually significantly better now. Also, colder temps cause more rattles as everything gets stiffer. Potential sources of rattles is also stuff you keep in the car. I had my wheel lock kit in the trunk and that constantly rattled. Now I keep it in my garage and put the lock nut in the tire mobility kit bag on the right side of the trunk, so it doesn't rattle around. Anything in the glove compartment or center storage area could rattle as well. I also keep my rear seat belts buckled, otherwise they rattle against the plastic on the side and I have to move the passenger seat forward enough so that the passenger seat belt buckle doesn't rattle against the plastic side of the performance seats.

 

Had 24k miles on my 2015 C63 and have 6k miles on my 2018. Only issue I've had was the squeak because of the door seal needing lubed and there was a campaign about that. Additionally, the front speaker on the dash would rattle which was dependent on certain songs. Most likely too much bass.

 

Have attached Click here “AFTERMARKET” - Build quality improvements !
(all the “suspension” updates enthusiasts have asked us for).


…. and especially for the C43, C63/S AMG:
(having only Toe “directional” adjustment OEM - No front
Camber / Caster and no rear Camber OEM).

1. FRONT upper arm / inner Camber and Caster bushing kit. Precisely adjustable. Up to 1.5 degrees extra Pos. or Neg.
More than enough to resolve most costly, premature tire wear issues. Fit without need for arm removal. Bush extraction tool supplied.
#503316-2J $380 (full set) all models.

2. As above, but “replacement” arms. Providing extra 2.5 degrees Pos. or Neg. Not welded, fabricated but high strength forged alloy arms same design as OEM.
#503316-3N $695 (pair) all models.

3. FRONT lower arms. Complete set of 4 bushings replacing the highest wearing suspension bushes. Precisely Camber adjustable (unique KMAC patented design - single
wrench accurately under load direct on alignment rack). Extra 1.5 degrees Pos. or Neg. Bush extraction tool included. Plus the forward facing thrust arm (Caster adjustable)
bushings are Mono ball / 2 axis design (with twice the load bearing area of steel spherical bearings that soon pound out). Also providing significant improvement to brake
and steering response.
#5033316K C63/S $480
#503416K C43 4Matic - C300-450,C43 $480

4. REAR lower arms Camber (and extra Toe) precisely adjustable bush kit. Up to 1.5 degrees extra Pos. or Neg. Retaining important top of tire to outer fender clearance
when adjusting to reduce premature inner edge tire wear. Bush extraction tool included.
#502226K $480 (all models)

5. REAR “uprated” bushing kit for the 6 multi link arms. Less twitch / flex, loss of traction. Especially when applying power to lane change / overtake. Bush extraction tubes included.
#502628K $480 (all models).