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Apart from the obvious "Power" what are the trim, option, and mechanical differences between the 2 assuming MY2018/9
I'm in the market looking at the AMG GLC63's and plan to tune, so the extra power or the 63S isn't really a factor as they both end up the same after a tune.
What I am looking for are the things that are on one but not the other, like Race mode, it is on the 63S but not on the 63. What about the brakes, differential, software.
Electronic diff for one. Race mode yes; but not sure what advantages that really has outside of S+.
I have a non-S since a tune is much more powerful than the S version. For me the other differences provided no real advantage.
Good luck!
Race mode turns off more safety features which in theory, could make it faster around the track. About the only other thing is the solid motor mounts which I am not sure makes a difference on a 500 hp car.
The 2020 and 2021 Amg Glc 63 non S both have the AMG electronic limited-slip differential. I believe the biggest differences are the hp/torque difference by an engine tune, no race mode, and no dynamic engine mounts.
The Dynamic Engine Mounts are the only notable difference. Race Mode & Driving Dynamics Master can be activated via coding. You can exceed the "S" HP numbers via tuning.
I do like the AMG crest in the headrest and red calipers on the "S" though
Correct me if I'm wrong but both the "S" and "non S" have electronic diff starting in 2020
Last edited by firebert814; Dec 9, 2020 at 03:47 PM.
The Dynamic Engine Mounts are the only notable difference. Race Mode & Driving Dynamics Master can be activated via coding. You can exceed the "S" HP numbers via tuning.
I do like the AMG crest in the headrest and red calipers on the "S" though
Correct me if I'm wrong but both the "S" and "non S" have electronic diff starting in 2020
Yes, all the 2020 GLC63's (Face lift GLC's) have the Electronic diff.
Is there an advantage to the electronic diff? Am assuming it's more durable; less parts to wear out or malfunction?
Yes. there are a few advantages. A mechanical LSD needs a certain amount of slip before the locking mechanism kicks in and then it doesn't fully lock. It just forces a certain amount of the torque from the spinning wheel over to the wheel with grip. The electronic diff on the other hand can variably lock at any rate between fully open and fully locked, and it reacts much faster as it is electronically controlled. It can anticipate traction requirements based on your steering input, acceleration etc. and proactively choose an appropriate locking ratio for maximum traction. It even pre-emptively locks if you engage race start so you have maximum traction from start. Basically the electronic diff has many more sensors as input to calculate the appropriate lock ratio and can further be influenced by the chosen drive mode. The mechanical LSD is basically fixed in its abilities and it can only act based on actual slip. It cannot pre-empitvely lock based on other driver inputs. The electronic diff also actively participates in the torque vectoring on the rear axle, so even if there is no slip, the outer wheel receives more torque to push the car around the corner for a more dynamic driving experience.
Here's a somewhat older video, but it gives some idea.
Great response! That's reason enough to warrant an S, in my opinion... IF you drive the car hard. Which begs the question, in the GLC platform, would any of us push it to that extent? Although it's tempting, I don't think I would ever take mine out for a track day. C63 yes however.
Great response! That's reason enough to warrant an S, in my opinion... IF you drive the car hard. Which begs the question, in the GLC platform, would any of us push it to that extent? Although it's tempting, I don't think I would ever take mine out for a track day. C63 yes however.
That is actually an interesting point and one that I have long debated on the Audi forums. Audi offers what they call the sport rear differential in their S and RS models. It's not a locking differential, but specifically a torque vectoring differential so it works on a different principal, but the goal is essentially the same. Sending the torque to the wheel that has more traction. It's standard on the RS models in the USA, but optional on the S models, and many who have opted not to get it argued against it by saying they never drive their cars hard. The reality is these differential even enhance normal driving, because around every corner, the inner wheel unloads and the weight of the car shifts to the outside, so sending torque to the outside wheel enhances cornering, even if you don't corner hard. There is also something called load reversal damping. In a car with an open differential if you lift off the throttle mid corner, which can happen during any daily driving if the car ahead suddenly slows down, the weight of the car shifts and this upsets the chassis. Worst case on slippery surfaces for example this could lead to off throttle oversteer and the car could spin out. Active differentials dampen this load reversal, so the car stays more stable and more planted if you lift off in a corner. After having driven my '13 Audi RS5 for 7 years in normal daily situations as well as attacking mountain roads etc., I will never buy a performance car with an open rear differential anymore. These active differentials simply provide a better driving experience. Because they are electronically controlled and adjust multiple times per second in any driving situation you are actually constantly using them even if you are not conscious about it. The mechanical LSD on the other hand, because it only steps into action when slip occurs, pretty much is just an open differential when you drive the car normally, so I'd actually argue that you get less from the mechanical LSD, unless you drive the car hard and constantly cause one of the wheels to slip.
Last edited by superswiss; Dec 10, 2020 at 04:15 PM.
Great points here. And I'm an RS fan as well; traded a TT RS in for my GLC and still have an RS7 in the garage. That said, I love the rear bias of this Mercedes; feels way "sportier" than any RS I've had (which also include RS4 and RS5). But that's off-topic. Most cars I've driven on track are Porsches and I don't think any of them had e-diffs. They do teach you though to be a competent driver and help to understand vehicle dynamics. Can't wait to get into a GT one of these days...
Great points here. And I'm an RS fan as well; traded a TT RS in for my GLC and still have an RS7 in the garage. That said, I love the rear bias of this Mercedes; feels way "sportier" than any RS I've had (which also include RS4 and RS5). But that's off-topic. Most cars I've driven on track are Porsches and I don't think any of them had e-diffs. They do teach you though to be a competent driver and help to understand vehicle dynamics. Can't wait to get into a GT one of these days...
The Porsches with PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) have an electronic rear locking differential along with torque vectoring. Kind of a must-have option for serious Porsche buyers.
Last edited by superswiss; Dec 10, 2020 at 07:07 PM.
I don't believe this is true: GLC63: 469hp + Mechanical Rear Diff + Wheels / tires F:8x19 235/55x19 R:9x19 255/50x10 + Standard Engine Mounts + Trim differences inside and out + No Race Mode
We have the non S and have F:9.5x20 265/45x20 R:10x20 295/40x20
I don't believe this is true: GLC63: 469hp + Mechanical Rear Diff + Wheels / tires F:8x19 235/55x19 R:9x19 255/50x10 + Standard Engine Mounts + Trim differences inside and out + No Race Mode
We have the non S and have F:9.5x20 265/45x20 R:10x20 295/40x20
I listed the standard features, not the options. I'm sure the 20" wheels are/were available as an upgrade option.
I drive a GLC 63s daily, it feels front heavy when doing low speed cornering, I don't feel the rear is helping to turn, unless you hard on gas when existing the corner.
I drive a GLC 63s daily, it feels front heavy when doing low speed cornering, I don't feel the rear is helping to turn, unless you hard on gas when existing the corner.
Of course; that's differential and traction control. I don't see any manufacturer baking in great oversteer in even a sporty SUV. I'm curious though how these perform at the limit, say on track...
Of course; that's differential and traction control. I don't see any manufacturer baking in great oversteer in even a sporty SUV. I'm curious though how these perform at the limit, say on track...
Thanks for posting! Never watched from start to finish. This is wildly impressive. Of course great driver skill plays into it, but the car handled amazingly well for an "SUV". Do we know what tires he used? Am assuming it's 100% stock?
Thanks for posting! Never watched from start to finish. This is wildly impressive. Of course great driver skill plays into it, but the car handled amazingly well for an "SUV". Do we know what tires he used? Am assuming it's 100% stock?
As far as I know 100% stock, PS4S or Conti's. Also of note, the 2019 AMG C63s did the lap in 7:44 only 5s quicker.
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