I have had the GLC 63 AMGs for about 3 weeks and feel I had driven it enough give some initial insight in to how it drives. To give some context, my last car was a F80 M3 Competition, and previously I have owned a ’14 E63 AMGs, E60 M5, Audi RS4, 911 Carrera E36 M3 etc so mostly comfortable with and familiar with fast sedans. I also currently have a Supercharged S2000.



The GLC was the first car I bought without test driving it. I know it was a risk but after reading reviews on many different websites and stalking this forum for a while I decided to pull the trigger. I even drove a Trackhawk (did not like the handling at all) and an ’18 E63 (which is loved) but didn’t try the GLC. I had convinced myself that this was the one.

First Impressions: The sound is awesome, I love the brawny sound of the V8 its always there. I just wish it was 30% louder at idle, at WOT its great and may be could be 20% louder. I decided pretty quickly that I would get the secondary CATS blown out or resonators removed. As resonators don’t exist in the 63S it was the CATS that got blown out. That has increased the volume about 15% at idle, regular and WOT driving, for $300 I would say this is worth it. If you are hard of hearing then not so much.


Power: Power seems instantaneous with only millisecond hesitation, at highway speeds it leaves pretty much most cars in the dust. From stop its fantastic, I would consider it quicker than my M3, but the day I was returning the M3 my buddy drove the GLC and I drove the M and they were both neck and neck. He later told me he was driving in Race mode so may be his shifts were not optimal. My gut tells me that the GLC is significantly faster.

Steering: Steering is light and easy around town and as you build up speed they still stay a little light and easy which is big difference from my M3 which has a lot harder steering.

This took some getting used to. Its not disconcertingly light but still took me a little to get used to.


Handling: I know everyone says for an SUV the GLC handles great. And they are right. I tried to do things I used to do in my M3 like sharp right turns at fairly high speed, it felt like weight of the GLC went heavily to the right wheel making it dive effecting the smoothness of the turn, basically you can’t throw this little beast around or autocross it (not that 99.9% of people who buy this would) In regular driving the GLC is fine and handles well and I am happy with it.


Issue: The only issue I have with the car so far is that when its cold or within the first 3 to 4 miles of driving, the car doesn’t like to take right turns from stop without jerking violently back and forth. It’s not even when driving fast and happens in all modes, comfort, sport, sports plus. Feels like a mechanical problem not software as it goes away when the car is warmed up. I will get this checked out at the dealership when I have time.


As I drive it more I will continue to share insights. Overall I think it’s one of the best daily drivers I have had. Its comfortable, great vantage point looking forward but does have small blind spots and rear visibility could be better, but you get used to it.


Attaching clip of stock and after secondary cat removal for those interested:

 

Great review. The car is a animal. If you’re thinking about tuning choose Eurocharged or Renntech.

 

What's entailed in blowing out or removing the secondary cats?

 

It’s actually very straight forward, first you have to take it to a shop that is willing to do it. Most exhaust specific shops won’t touch it. But once you find someone to do it they will simply remove all the insides of the secondary CAT leaving it hollowed out inside so from the outside you can’t even tell anything has been done so totally non invasive procedure. Ends up giving you a little more volume. We already have our primary CATs there so it really doesn’t effect much else. Obviously no check engine lights or codes going off.

 

Mine is still cooler until you figure out how good they look lowered...lol....

I have had a lot of sports cars and sport SUVs and I like this one way better than I have ever liked any other.

Oh....and you cheating on the sound clip. The one in the garage will always sound better....

Attachment 439340

 

lol, I’ll give you that!
I’ll also take a sound bite of it outside too! You have a point. There is a difference though. But like I said not huge.

 

I am sure there is, just one Texas boy pulling the leg of another one it looks like.....

 

Typical Dawg talkin smack...

welcome to the club. If you are doing any performance upgrades I’m open to any questions.

currently working on a full e85 set up on mine.

King

 

Nice!! Sounds great.

Just curious if you drove the new X3M Comp before settling on the 63? Totally agree with your steering remarks of BMW vs MB...personally prefer BMW's, but not by a lot.

 

I have driven one plus I came from a modified X3M40.

The X3M has better technology, feels sluggish off the line, no comparison in sound of the V8, has a harsher ride, the fit and finish isn't as nice and not as comfortable in general. I was really thinking it would be my next car until I drove it.

All in all I am more impressed with the X3M40 M40. They look almost identical (I really wish they had of made the X3M more aggressive looking and used bigger rear tires), with slight mods the M40 was about as fast and and was inexpensive.

 

The new 2020 X4M looks even more similar to GCL53S Coupe.

 

The side and front look better on the Merc to me plus the big tires in back are icing on the cake.

 

I agree with you that GLC63S Coupe is more aggressive and better looking than X4M.

 

I can't get over the looks so it wasn't an option, plus I loved the idea of a V8 stuffed into this compact SUV!