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2010 BMW E63 M6 Coupe 2023 AMG C63s Coupe 2005 YZF-R1
Originally Posted by superswiss
Yes, the final edition was overpriced to begin with. There's nothing special about it other than some decals. Some people have claimed the exhaust pops more, but that's not really fully confirmed. Otherwise it's a loaded coupe with options that were available otherwise. There are non final edition '23 models as well. It was the final year and only a short production run, though. There were no custom orders for '23 as far as I remember, MB just built them the way they felt and what parts were available and then shipped them to dealerships for their inventory.
To be honest, I personally would stay away from the pandemic years cars. Some of them are missing stuff due to parts shortages at the time such as the chip shortage and the quality has suffered as MB was forced to find alternate suppliers and the factories were short staffed.
The FE isn’t even a loaded coupe, it’s missing a bunch of options that a loaded non-FE has. For the US market, the FE has no ceramic brakes, neither of the 2 black rim options (they come only with the silver cross spoke rims), no exterior carbon aero packages, and it’s missing the full night package. The exhaust tips and front bumper A-wing are chrome to match the rims. It also doesn’t have the cf steering wheel option. And even more mind boggling is, they inexplicably left out ventilated seats on the US spec’d version.
The Euro-spec’d FE’s on the other hand are pretty much fully loaded as they have all the missing options listed above. The Euro FE’s were also confirmed to have more pops and bangs, but I haven’t come across anyone with a USA FE who can confirm the same. Other than some fancy badges and some yellow stripes/stitching, the US Final Edition doesn’t offer anything else to set it apart from a non-FE so its ridiculously overpriced.
Yeah, I do like the CLE 53 and even the new GT 63 from a driving perspective, but like you, the interior ergonomics these days just put me off. I've had a few new loaners and drove new AMGs, so if I really had to, I could live with the capacitive buttons and the touchscreen, but I don't want to. All modern interiors kinda look the same now. A giant screen and digital instrument cluster, with no real unique character and capacitive buttons that don't work half the time or you trigger accidentally the other half of the time. Seems like they are all finally starting to go back to physical buttons, because customers largely hate it. I think it's all eventually coming back.
thanks for the note and response! Do you know if the physical buttons are coming back for model year 2026? Trying to figure out (if so go new) whether to order a 2026 or buy a 2025.
my friend at an MB dealer said model 2026 will have a tariff upcharge
I too am shopping for a CLE 53 and still taking time to get used to the capacitive touch stuff, I thought it would be an easy fix and just retrofit the older style steering wheel with actual buttons but I think it is not as simple as it seems. Then there are also the capacitive touch seat heating/ventilation control on the door. So far, I have three vehicles on my shopping list, CLE 53, E 53 or the C 53 whenever that comes out, forum member superswiss kindly linked an article from a source saying they are bringing two more cylinders to the W206 lineup so that is good.
my palm beach 2021 c63 s is dead. I was planning to buy this weekend and the dealer (MB of Palm beach) added $3k of bull**** upcharges, including a $1200 “glass coat to protect the paint”. I don’t need or want that. I love detailing my cars myself. They refused to take it off, which left me a bit gobsmacked, so I walked
I forgot how skummy dealers can be. My old friend runs an MB dealer so I am going with him: he’s honest and no BS. I don’t want a new car for all the reasons stated above (screens and capacitive buttons), but I just can’t find a 205 c 63 or 43 under the right circumstances
Finalizing a deal for a 2025 CLE 53 in Obsidian Black with silver wheels. MB will switch back to the coveted buttons as soon as I close, so you all can thank me next week! 🤣
Last edited by jsloan01; May 27, 2025 at 10:54 PM.
thanks for the note and response! Do you know if the physical buttons are coming back for model year 2026? Trying to figure out (if so go new) whether to order a 2026 or buy a 2025.
my friend at an MB dealer said model 2026 will have a tariff upcharge
The earliest anything would change will be the facelift and that won't be earlier than 2027-2028 as per the usual lifecycle. FL comes out 3-4 model years after the initial release, which was 2024 for the CLE. The S Class is due for the FL, so that'll be an initial indication of where they are heading. Gorden Wagner, the chief designer at MB has recently admitted that touchscreens etc. were lazy and dumb and that MB interiors are no longer special due to it, but we'll have to see where he's going with it. At least they've caught on to what everybody has been saying for a while. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards fixing it.
The FE isn’t even a loaded coupe, it’s missing a bunch of options that a loaded non-FE has. For the US market, the FE has no ceramic brakes, neither of the 2 black rim options (they come only with the silver cross spoke rims), no exterior carbon aero packages, and it’s missing the full night package. The exhaust tips and front bumper A-wing are chrome to match the rims. It also doesn’t have the cf steering wheel option. And even more mind boggling is, they inexplicably left out ventilated seats on the US spec’d version.
The Euro-spec’d FE’s on the other hand are pretty much fully loaded as they have all the missing options listed above. The Euro FE’s were also confirmed to have more pops and bangs, but I haven’t come across anyone with a USA FE who can confirm the same. Other than some fancy badges and some yellow stripes/stitching, the US Final Edition doesn’t offer anything else to set it apart from a non-FE so its ridiculously overpriced.
The earliest anything would change will be the facelift and that won't be earlier than 2027-2028 as per the usual lifecycle. FL comes out 3-4 model years after the initial release, which was 2024 for the CLE. The S Class is due for the FL, so that'll be an initial indication of where they are heading. Gorden Wagner, the chief designer at MB has recently admitted that touchscreens etc. were lazy and dumb and that MB interiors are no longer special due to it, but we'll have to see where he's going with it. At least they've caught on to what everybody has been saying for a while. Admitting you have a problem is the first step towards fixing it.
Might take a while for the changes of the new strategy to be made, I mean the new CLA came out with all those screens again but they seem to have brought back some stuff like a moveable seat control instead of just fixed in place. Maybe or just maybe screens is what the target customers of CLA wants anyways.
my palm beach 2021 c63 s is dead. I was planning to buy this weekend and the dealer (MB of Palm beach) added $3k of bull**** upcharges, including a $1200 “glass coat to protect the paint”. I don’t need or want that. I love detailing my cars myself. They refused to take it off, which left me a bit gobsmacked, so I walked
I forgot how skummy dealers can be. My old friend runs an MB dealer so I am going with him: he’s honest and no BS. I don’t want a new car for all the reasons stated above (screens and capacitive buttons), but I just can’t find a 205 c 63 or 43 under the right circumstances
Finalizing a deal for a 2025 CLE 53 in Obsidian Black with silver wheels. MB will switch back to the coveted buttons as soon as I close, so you all can thank me next week! 🤣
They won't yet, although I wish they do switch back but it will take some time, certainly not just a few years. So you are set on a CLE 53 or you will keep looking for a 205 C 63 S? Can your friend do dealer trade if you find one from another dealership?
I am finding it increasingly challenging (almost impossible) to find a new car 2025 or 2026 model year in both mainstream and luxury segments (other than ultra luxury like Rolls etc.) that still have physical turning knobs to control the infotainment. Everyone jumped on the bandwagon of touchscreens. Especially frustrating they integrated the climate controls in the screen, very annoying of those who put it in layers and layers of menus. Then there are seat heating controls, even high beam are integrated in the infotainment for some makes. There are exceptions I found, mazda but that is the only manufacturer that still have knobs on a vehicle as a 2025 and newer model year. Who started the touch screen nonsense and capacitive touch buttons anyways, which manufacturer? So much for voting with our wallet.
Might take a while for the changes of the new strategy to be made, I mean the new CLA came out with all those screens again but they seem to have brought back some stuff like a moveable seat control instead of just fixed in place. Maybe or just maybe screens is what the target customers of CLA wants anyways.
thank you for flagging the CLA. Not a car for me but good to see they have buttons for the seats and (I think a/c)!
when I sat in the Cle something on the seat control felt off / immovable. I didn’t appreciate that was not a normal button!
I am finding it increasingly challenging (almost impossible) to find a new car 2025 or 2026 model year in both mainstream and luxury segments (other than ultra luxury like Rolls etc.) that still have physical turning knobs to control the infotainment. Everyone jumped on the bandwagon of touchscreens. Especially frustrating they integrated the climate controls in the screen, very annoying of those who put it in layers and layers of menus. Then there are seat heating controls, even high beam are integrated in the infotainment for some makes. There are exceptions I found, mazda but that is the only manufacturer that still have knobs on a vehicle as a 2025 and newer model year. Who started the touch screen nonsense and capacitive touch buttons anyways, which manufacturer? So much for voting with our wallet.
I think Tesla started the screen takeover of cars. They were just so successful and the first new automotive company in more than [70] years or something like that. The big screen was just a curiosity and some people loved it, so everyone else copied. It is the dumbest **** ever and I am shocked that NHTSA / EPA / DOT or someone has allowed this to occur. It has to impact road safety - you must take your eyes off the road to increase the volume in your car. I also don’t want to shout “Hey Mercedes, turn on the heat”. It’s f-ING stupid
They won't yet, although I wish they do switch back but it will take some time, certainly not just a few years. So you are set on a CLE 53 or you will keep looking for a 205 C 63 S? Can your friend do dealer trade if you find one from another dealership?
Yeah, I think I am set on the CLE. My friend (really my old boss from when I was a lotman at an MB dealer in high school and college 25 years ago) is doing a dealer trade for a fully loaded CLE 53 in Obsidian Black with the 20” forged grey wheels. It looks great. Unfortunately, they can’t do a dealer trade on a used car. I’ve spent months looking for the right C 63 S. I found a lot of duds, some that were good but still had issues, and some that were too expensive for what it was ($90k for a 2023 C63 S that had an MSRP of $92k). Also a lot of shady dealers that I encountered.
My old boss is an honest guy and I am proud to buy something from him. Wish I didn’t have to have all screens (and kick myself for not buying out my 2020 C43), but I can’t change it. Maybe in 5 years I can get the v8 AMG with buttons that I’ve always wanted. In the meantime, I am 90% sure this will be my car for the foreseeable future.
I think Tesla started the screen takeover of cars. They were just so successful and the first new automotive company in more than [70] years or something like that. The big screen was just a curiosity and some people loved it, so everyone else copied. It is the dumbest **** ever and I am shocked that NHTSA / EPA / DOT or someone has allowed this to occur. It has to impact road safety - you must take your eyes off the road to increase the volume in your car. I also don’t want to shout “Hey Mercedes, turn on the heat”. It’s f-ING stupid
Tesla, ah yes, the "automotive disruptor" they call it.
I think Tesla started the screen takeover of cars. They were just so successful and the first new automotive company in more than [70] years or something like that. The big screen was just a curiosity and some people loved it, so everyone else copied. It is the dumbest **** ever and I am shocked that NHTSA / EPA / DOT or someone has allowed this to occur. It has to impact road safety - you must take your eyes off the road to increase the volume in your car. I also don’t want to shout “Hey Mercedes, turn on the heat”. It’s f-ING stupid
Yeah, I think I am set on the CLE. My friend (really my old boss from when I was a lotman at an MB dealer in high school and college 25 years ago) is doing a dealer trade for a fully loaded CLE 53 in Obsidian Black with the 20” forged grey wheels. It looks great. Unfortunately, they can’t do a dealer trade on a used car. I’ve spent months looking for the right C 63 S. I found a lot of duds, some that were good but still had issues, and some that were too expensive for what it was ($90k for a 2023 C63 S that had an MSRP of $92k). Also a lot of shady dealers that I encountered.
My old boss is an honest guy and I am proud to buy something from him. Wish I didn’t have to have all screens (and kick myself for not buying out my 2020 C43), but I can’t change it. Maybe in 5 years I can get the v8 AMG with buttons that I’ve always wanted. In the meantime, I am 90% sure this will be my car for the foreseeable future.
Congrats! This is exciting, you finally found a car you want : ) happy for you.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; May 28, 2025 at 01:34 PM.
I thought it was the original Mini. The center-mounted speedometer was a hallmark of the classic Mini. One reason for this was the use in rally racing as it provided better visibility for the navigator. It was later moved, but then BMW brought it back when they acquired Mini. Things like this are admirable if they have heritage and an actual reason behind it. Tesla just slapped a screen in the center with everything on it because it was cheaper for them to build the cars. Other manufacturers then realized it as well. The big center touchscreens were never for you and me. They were for the car manufacturers to cut cost.
I thought it was the original Mini. The center-mounted speedometer was a hallmark of the classic Mini. One reason for this was the use in rally racing as it provided better visibility for the navigator. It was later moved, but then BMW brought it back when they acquired Mini. Things like this are admirable if they have heritage and an actual reason behind it. Tesla just slapped a screen in the center with everything on it because it was cheaper for them to build the cars. Other manufacturers then realized it as well. The big center touchscreens were never for you and me. They were for the car manufacturers to cut cost.
Yes you are right, I am wrong. Thanks for the information. Learned something today
woof. I thought the CLA on MBUSA was the new car. If there is anything I hate more than the existing center screen, it is adding ANOTHER screen in the dash for the passenger side. Why?!
woof. I thought the CLA on MBUSA was the new car. If there is anything I hate more than the existing center screen, it is adding ANOTHER screen in the dash for the passenger side. Why?!
CLA target buyers probably want it, that said, it seems like MB is planning to put this layout on other models in a few years during its facelift or something but with better materials, like more wood and better comfort etc.
Wait so we mentioned tesla started the touchscreen stuff but what about the capacitive touch? Who started that? Then there are other automotive trends such as this light bar, inspired from porsche? porsche had it from the back, who started the front light bar trend?
Wait so we mentioned tesla started the touchscreen stuff but what about the capacitive touch? Who started that? Then there are other automotive trends such as this light bar, inspired from porsche? porsche had it from the back, who started the front light bar trend?
that I am not sure. My 2020 c43 had two capacitive buttons on the steering wheel, but they actually made sense combined with the normal buttons.
That was SUCH a good car. Hope this CLE brings similar joy
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
