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Long time lurker, first time poster. I’m getting ready to pull the trigger on my first Mercedes, previously a BMW and Audi guy. I’m looking for a W205 C63/C63S sedan and I’m looking for some feedback. Since this is going to be a second car for me, and I’m happily married 😉, I’m trying to keep the budget around $45k.
- Is the S model really worth it? I would immediately do a Tune and AWE exhaust to make up the difference.. I know I’ll be missing the Engine Mounts and most likely performance seats which is a bummer.
- Anything I should look for on a higher mileage car? In my price range it’s seeming like most cars have 35-45k miles..
- Am I better off to spend $10k more and get a CPO car?
- I will most likely be purchasing something out of state due to limited inventory locally. I assume a PPI is a necessity. Any other recommendations?
Anything else I need to know about these cars?
Appreciate all of the info on this forum and I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better.
My non-S coupe has the performance seats, so you could find one with that option. I couldn't find an S model available in my area with the options I wanted or I would have got one. However, once I tune the car I don't think I'd notice the remaining differences. To me, finding a car with the options I wanted (Performance seats, performance exhaust, 360 camera, navigation, park assist, carbon fiber center console) was more important than it being an S model without all of those options.
I don't think CPO is worth it since it's going to be a second car and won't see many miles. I believe CPO only adds on one additional year of warranty. I would, however, have an inspection done and check the vehicle history. Also make sure it was serviced as it should have been.
Last edited by SJGetsome; Aug 23, 2020 at 06:17 PM.
That's subjective and depends on how you use the car and what you expect out of it. With your budget I'm assuming you are looking at pre-facelift. The main differences between the S and non-S in those model years, other than the S having more standard equipment, are the power, dynamic engine mounts, bigger brakes (optional carbon ceramic) and the electronic locking rear differential as well as Race mode. The non-S has less power (easily changed with a tune), no dynamic engine mounts, smaller brakes and no CCB option, mechanical LSD and no Race mode, so up to you if any of that matters. I would want the electronic locking differential and the larger brakes. The mechanical LSD does the job, but it's not as fast reacting, can never fully lock and can't lock proactively like during Race start to maximize traction off the line. An LSD always needs a certain amount of slip first before the partial locking mechanism triggers. As for the brakes, more power needs bigger brakes to stop the car.
That's subjective and depends on how you use the car and what you expect out of it. With your budget I'm assuming you are looking at pre-facelift. The main differences between the S and non-S in those model years, other than the S having more standard equipment, are the power, dynamic engine mounts, bigger brakes (optional carbon ceramic) and the electronic locking rear differential as well as Race mode. The non-S has less power (easily changed with a tune), no dynamic engine mounts, smaller brakes and no CCB option, mechanical LSD and no Race mode, so up to you if any of that matters. I would want the electronic locking differential and the larger brakes. The mechanical LSD does the job, but it's not as fast reacting, can never fully lock and can't lock proactively like during Race start to maximize traction off the line. An LSD always needs a certain amount of slip first before the partial locking mechanism triggers. As for the brakes, more power needs bigger brakes to stop the car.
Thanks for the response. I didn’t realize there was a different LSD between the two cars and you make a good point on the brakes. I will be modding the car and I’m not one to skip out on stopping power. I’ve only driven the non S model so I have nothing to compare to. Is there a significant difference in the S brakes? I’m assuming bigger rotor/caliper?
My non-S coupe has the performance seats, so you could find one with that option. I couldn't find an S model available in my area with the options I wanted or I would have got one. However, once I tune the car I don't think I'd notice the remaining differences. To me, finding a car with the options I wanted (Performance seats, performance exhaust, 360 camera, navigation, park assist, carbon fiber center console) was more important than it being an S model without all of those options.
I don't think CPO is worth it since it's going to be a second car and won't see many miles. I believe CPO only adds on one additional year of warranty. I would, however, have an insurrection done and check the vehicle history. Also make sure it was serviced as it should have been.
Wow, I’m surprised you found a non S with the Performance Seats and PE. If I could find a similar car I’d be sold, slim pickings right now.
I tend to agree on the CPO but not having experience with Mercedes or the platform I wanted to make sure I wasn’t buying a ticking time bomb.
Thanks for the response. I didn’t realize there was a different LSD between the two cars and you make a good point on the brakes. I will be modding the car and I’m not one to skip out on stopping power. I’ve only driven the non S model so I have nothing to compare to. Is there a significant difference in the S brakes? I’m assuming bigger rotor/caliper?
Below is a side-by-side of all the braking systems. Main differences are the non-S has single piece rotors, whereas the S has two piece composite rotors for better thermal expansion, increased fade resistance and keeping heat away from the hub. S rotors are larger. Both have 6-piston calipers, but the S calipers are different as you can see from the pictures.
Below is a side-by-side of all the braking systems. Main differences are the non-S has single piece rotors, whereas the S has two piece composite rotors for better thermal expansion, increased fade resistance and keeping heat away from the hub. S rotors are larger. Both have 6-piston calipers, but the S calipers are different as you can see from the pictures.
This is great info, thanks so much for sharing! Wondering if it’s possible to change the rotors/caliper carriers to the larger S size when the pads do need replacing? Glad to know both have the 6pot calipers.
Agreed, although it has less to do with the price difference and more to do with the availability of cars.
Yeah c63s are hard to come by these days. I think a lot of people want it or are holding onto it because the next c63 will be 4 cyl turbo with some kind of Electric boost compressor.
Yeah c63s are hard to come by these days. I think a lot of people want it or are holding onto it because the next c63 will be 4 cyl turbo with some kind of Electric boost compressor.
Good luck finding one!
That's why I just bought my S... Last year for the V8. I'm hoping it retains some value even though I'm sure I lost $20k after I drove it off the lot 😜💪
Yeah c63s are hard to come by these days. I think a lot of people want it or are holding onto it because the next c63 will be 4 cyl turbo with some kind of Electric boost compressor.
Good luck finding one!
Yeah, in case folks haven't seen it yet, this was just leaked. C63e coming beginning of 2022, with the A45 engine, 4Matic+, AMG E-Turbo and a 136 PS electric motor for a total system power of 522 PS (514 HP). I guess no more S model, either and they are starting to use the 73e badge for even higher power models. No word on the coupe yet.
Yeah c63s are hard to come by these days. I think a lot of people want it or are holding onto it because the next c63 will be 4 cyl turbo with some kind of Electric boost compressor.
Good luck finding one!
This is exactly what has prompted me to buy one of these cars. I know the demand is going up and I'd like to find a good example before they are all gone or I have to pay even more of a premium.
2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Cabriolet, 2014 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S
Originally Posted by superswiss
That's subjective and depends on how you use the car and what you expect out of it. With your budget I'm assuming you are looking at pre-facelift. The main differences between the S and non-S in those model years, other than the S having more standard equipment, are the power, dynamic engine mounts, bigger brakes (optional carbon ceramic) and the electronic locking rear differential as well as Race mode. The non-S has less power (easily changed with a tune), no dynamic engine mounts, smaller brakes and no CCB option, mechanical LSD and no Race mode, so up to you if any of that matters. I would want the electronic locking differential and the larger brakes. The mechanical LSD does the job, but it's not as fast reacting, can never fully lock and can't lock proactively like during Race start to maximize traction off the line. An LSD always needs a certain amount of slip first before the partial locking mechanism triggers. As for the brakes, more power needs bigger brakes to stop the car.
I have the heaviest version of this car, the C63 Cabriolet and the brakes, in my opinion, are pretty good. I enjoy my car and push it well past what would be considered normal legal limits for public road use, as I do with my Ducati. Unless you are doing track days I think the C63 brakes are up to the task.
I have the heaviest version of this car, the C63 Cabriolet and the brakes, in my opinion, are pretty good. I enjoy my car and push it well past what would be considered normal legal limits for public road use, as I do with my Ducati. Unless you are doing track days I think the C63 brakes are up to the task.
All comes down to how much repetitive hard braking you do. I frequently hit up remote canyons with temps in the low 100s in the summer and hard repetitive braking into corner after corner. I've had brake fade on previous performance cars doing that, but not yet with the C63S. I'm not saying the C63 brakes are bad, but it's all about heaving extra headroom and fade resistance when you need it. Haven't quite had the need for the CCBs, but that would also be an option on S.
Yeah, in case folks haven't seen it yet, this was just leaked. C63e coming beginning of 2022, with the A45 engine, 4Matic+, AMG E-Turbo and a 136 PS electric motor for a total system power of 522 PS (514 HP). I guess no more S model, either and they are starting to use the 73e badge for even higher power models. No word on the coupe yet.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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