KLR CLS

bahrendt

Just depends on what you want it for. The E coupe is actually built upon a C class frame and shares many suspension parts with the W204 C class, not the W212 E sedan as one would assume. Given this fact, the build quality arguement is moot in my opinion. I have driven both and they both are very fast and very nice vehicles.

The difference is in the handling and responsiveness of the car. The C63 handles like a go cart and has a very "attached" feeling to the road. This gives a greater sense of sportyness at the expense of ride quality. The suspension and brakes are tuned as a pure sports car, not a luxury auto.

The E coupe is has a much more refined and relaxed driving style. Yet still has hints of sportyness that a casual driver will appreciate. However, it does give some comprimise to comfort. The car feels much more disconnected from the road than the C63, not in a bad way, the suspension is just designed for different roles. Also, the transmission is not nearly as direct as the C63's wet clutch speedshift 7 speed. And the brakes will not stand up to nearly as much punishment that the C63's do.

Bottom line:
E550 - World class touring car, that dabbles in the sports coupe segment
C63 - Pure sports car. Engineered for the track, makes due on the street.

sjhugh

..........


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Dueclaws

Before we purchased our '12 E550C, we considered a C63 also. My wife and I are huge performance fans; thus, the consideration of a C63. The '12 C63 has great handling, brakes and performance.

The C63 lost partly because of it's cost to maintain, which is mostly tires. If you read the C63 site and search for tire wear, you'll see that most will go through rear tires at 9,000 or fewer miles. Although tire spin is a factor, the camber settings that allow the great handling cause the tires to "scrub" and wear quickly. It also doesn't offer all of the safety features of the E: like Distronic.

If it hadn't been for the new BiTurbo engine this year, we would have purchased the C63. The '12 E550C includes considerably larger front brakes than previous years and the rear differential has a "taller" ratio, which allows for lower cruise rpm. It also has a better fuel mileage and is faster than earlier E coupes.


The E550 Coupe is not as fast nor handles as good as a C63, but it's sporty enough for spirited driving in town and stealthy fast. The E, although built on a modified C platform, looks special and draws more looks than most C63s. Unfortunately, except for people who are familiar with performance vehicles, most people think a C class (even a C63) is a just a C class.

Note: the E actually needs to be louder so you can get a sense of how fast the car is going.

Our E550C has about 2,000 miles and it's been a great vehicle.

Cavu

I can't comment on the C63 coupe, but the C63 sedan and the the E550 coupe are tough to chose between. We have a '10 C63 and the '12 E550 coupe. I told somebody the other day that the E550 is much like the C63, but with less "drama". The acceleration in the E550 is very good, but when you do that in the C63 you do it faster, louder and with more feel of the road.
The E550 is very comfortable and the interior is nicer. It just doesn't turn or accelerate quite as fast as the C63. Whichever one I get to drive to work, I arrive with a smile.

USCGTO

Thanks for this thread. I am myself stuck between choosing from 12' C63 - 12' CLS - 12' E550 coupe.

BK63amg

I have been contemplating this same thing...with a tune, a drop and some aggressive wheels, this would be a contender.

KLR CLS

Thanks for the replies folks, especially from those that own or have driven a 2012 E550C. These 2012's have 14.2" brakes which are good for 107ft stopping distances on the CLS550 and probably less on E coupe given the 400 lbs weight difference. Hell that's the same size rotor as the last 211 e55/63 AMG's! It also has alot of AMG touches like the flat bottom steering wheel, paddle shifters with speed shift, Same seats as the c63 coupe,etc.

I think with a proper set of wheels/tires, a slightly more performance oriented alignment, and lastly a set of KW's you'd have an amazing handling car. I am certain this car has 11 second 1/4 potential with very little work.

I guess what I am saying is you get similar to AMG performance and potential , without the AMG price tag. I think thats a pretty compelling arguement.

Dueclaws

+1
(the seats aren't exactly the same as C63: E has multi-contour seats as an option, which are great and adjustable)

Turborawdawg

I bought my E550 C 8 days ago, and I swear on everything it is what I constantly think about. LOL! Hell of a ride, with lots of performance, and performance potential. BTW, I was in the same predicament between both vehicles. My next project is tuning, and wheels. I just got the 3M tints yesterday, she looks sexy..

Dueclaws

Congratulations!
Post pics.

steelgrey

To me you absolutely cannot beat the looks of the E Coupe. The sweeping pillarless roofline the pontoon fenders and the long hood coupled with the short rear deck make for a very sexy looking car. Add the V8 and the sport suspension and unless you're going to track the car it makes for a near perfect mix of looks and performance. I'm going to assume that everyone is commenting on the C63 coupe. Between the E550 coupe and the C63 sedan there is just no contest based on looks. (Remember...I said looks)

B. Pateman

Renntech has an ecu flash good for over 100hp on the E550.

Cavu

I just got back from a NorCal to SoCal round trip. This is where that E550 shines. I didn't even consider taking the C63.

The E got 25mpg at 75-90mph and did it in great comfort. It's nice and quiet inside even at speed and when you need to pass some dummy who won't get out of the fast lane it happens in a flash.

USCGTO

I finally went with a CPO 2011 C63 - 1900 miles Loaded with all options - $57k.

In my opinion and case, the deal breaker was the non-existent third center seat in E550 coupe;/.

Otherwise - they're both great cars.. the C63 with 480hp is just a whole lot more drama and the E550 coupe is plenty power with looks.

Cavu

Congrats on the new C63. You're going to love it.

It's funny to see these used cars with so few miles on them like yours at 1,900. I got my 2010 back in December and it only had 900 miles on it. I guess guys are buying them as weekend cars and then moving on to something else.

B. Pateman

I didn't think people bought coupes for the rear-center seat.

Jeffy

This is a very interesting discussion as the E550 coupe and C63 sedan have the same base price (within $800) and C63 coupe is only about $3k more. There has been some very good insight so far on the slight differences and there should indeed be some careful consideration when deciding between them.

I can also see how this is a slippery slope... In the last 8 years my wife and I started with a C320 then went to C350, then E350 and now E550. MB has us hooked!

nawlinstornado

E550 Coupe, all the way.

Dueclaws

Don't forget to factor the cost of tires for the C63. Because of alignment settings the tires wear considerably.
Also some of the safety features availble on the E are not available on the C.
Regardless, I believe the E coupe looks sleeker.

TopGun32

this is oldie goodie topic..

I looked into buying a C63 sedan.. but the MPG on the 6.2L motor was a deal breaker..

After owning the E55 for close to 8 years.. I needed to increase MPG by atleast 25%..

I didn't want to sacrifice power or able to tune higher the E55 stage 1 level.

The 6.2L can be made into a beast with tune and headers.. sounds is fabulous and runs pretty hard with just about anything.
But my focus was comfort, power & MPG and able to tune.

I can't afford 12 E63 right now.. so 12' E550 coupe is a really good option for me. I went with the Tune and wider wheels. I'll eventually move over to the E63 sedan.

nawlinstornado

I'm with you, TopGun32. When I was shopping for my '11, it was between the C63 and the E550. It was a bigger difference then (C63 was a lot faster), but when I brought my wife with me to test drive/make final decision, it was clear the E550 was a better option. Much more comfortable, nicer interior, etc. When the '12 came out with the 4.6TT, one test drive wiped out all desire for the C63.

The cool thing is that with about $9K in mods (wheels, tires, LSD, downpipes, and tune), you can have a car that is faster and more powerful than the E63. Hell, even if you upgrade brakes and suspension, you're still way cheaper than the AMG.

TopGun32

I'm with you!!

the problem is that with $1k tune.. the E63 5.5TT is another giant step ahead.

I have no doubt a stage 1 tune only can keep up with a basic E63 and a Stage 2 (DP, tune) E550 coupe can keep with a E63 PP.. but after that a simple tune from OE will make it almost impossible for E63 to be touched.

I love my coupe for the looks, very rare bird compared to other 550 models.. but there is no doubt next year picking up a pre-owned 2012 E63 will be hard to pass.

Also I have not ruled a used F10 M5.. not the tuning potential as the AMG... but still a super sedan.

nawlinstornado

Yes, but a new 550 with tune and downpipes can be had for under $65k. An E63 starts at $100k and go up from there. A loaded E63 goes for well over $120K. I guarantee you can put $55k into a $60k 550 and blow the doors off any E63 with anything less than a complete motor build.