Edit: I obviously meant 63 in the title.

I purchased a 2023 GLC43 coupe a few months ago with 7,000 miles on it. Love the car, drives like it is on rails. Unlike most people here, I prefer the coupe over the SUV. After lurking this forum since buying the car, I came to realize how much different the 63 is. So, I test drove a 63 S with 25,000 miles over the weekend selling for $65,000. The pull on the 63 S is nothing short of astonishing. Despite the car having 21" inch tires, I did not find the suspension to be uncomfortably tight. Now I'm pining for a 63 S. The most meaningful counter arguments are the supposedly higher maintenance expense (not sure how it could be that different from the 43), the additional mileage on the car, and the loss I'm sure I would incur selling my 43. I really like everything about the 43 and I'm sure I overpaid ($62,500), and I obviously won't recoup the 9.5% sales tax and licensing plus the $1,500 I paid to ship the car from New Jersey to California. I probably won't be able to sell the car for more than $55,0000, so $7,000 right there. Carvana offers $50,000 and the Mercedes Benz dealer that has the 63 will only pay $45,000 as a trade-in. Last counter argument is how seldom I will really be able to use those extra two pistons living in the San Francisco area. Pretty much freeway on-ramps....I'll have to drive out to the surrounding area to really exercise the car. Where do you guys exercise your 63's?

So, other that the above, what counter arguments are there? Will there be any features on my newer 2023 43 that I'll lose with the older 2021 63? Other than the two extra pistons, beefier suspension, electronic motor mounts, and electronic differential, what else differentiates the 63 S from the 43?

I get the impression that 43 owners get about the same amount of respect on this forum as Rodney Dangerfield. Hah!!

 

Argument 1: you only live once; how did driving that 63 make you feel? You won't care about even a $10k loss in 1,2,...5 years. Money comes and goes but opportunities to live/enjoy life do not always.

argument 2: the car will make all commuting feel special - regardless of traffic patterns

argument 3: maintenance cost - see argument 1

good luck

 

After test driving the 43 and the 63S there was no comparison. Yes you’ll drop more cash, no doubt. If $$ is your ‘driving’ factor then so be it. If not live a little… I mean a lot!!

 

Think it is quite easy, main upgrade is the hand-built V8.

 

NOT a GLC 63s, but did get a GLC 63. I came from driving a Tuned C400 (same engine as in C43) and YES get the V8.

The driving is SOO much more enjoyable, and as far as getting on it. I usually drive out to the coast (hwy 1), I've also driven up north 101 to go out through the windy forestry roads.

Bottomline you will enjoy the driving experience A LOT more in the 63s in my opinion.

Gas consumption is a big difference, I still drive my C400 for daily use and now only using my GLC63 on the weekends.

Hope this helps!!

 

Another option would be AMR tuning.
Stock 2023 GLC43 coupe V6 HP and Torque: 385 / 384
After AMR runing, per AMR website: 465 / 485
Stock 2021 GLC63 coupe V8: 469 / 479

When viewed from this perspective, would going with AMR tuning on my V6 wind up where I would be with a 63 (non-S)? I wonder if the feeling of being pulled would be as pronounced as a stock 63? Would love to know that.

 

The 43 will not pull the same, so you wont get that feeling, Those after tune numbers you posted are basically stock GLC63 numbers at the crank. So if you tune the GLC63 BEAST MODE!! (my next step) closer to GLCs numbers I would say.

I raced a GLC63 (stock) from a red light twice in my C400 (Street Tune only, Stage1), I was able to pull from him until 65-85mph (don't remember exactly) from there he caught up. When we spoke, he thought I has running a V8, looked a bit disappointed when I mentioned it was a 2015 Tuned C400. My C400 started at 330HP stock, so you would gain more performance after a tune in your GLC43. You maybe able to be quicker then the GLC63 after a tune but the feeling of a rumbling V8 and the sound is un matchable with the 43.

my .02 cents.

 

Good intel. Thanks. Do you regret not getting a S version? That's something I'm weighing just because of the larger availability of non-S

 

I don't like the coupe version but did want the S version of the SUV!
My regret is that I did not look into buying the SUV S version from Canada and bringing it here. I don't know if its possible or if it would have been a lot more!
I've wanted the V8 GLC for a few years now. Love the power, the look, the driving experience. Currently its just me with my 2 kids (11 & 7) the GLC63 works great for sports runs and traveling to my parents house!!

Its my family car, my daughters keeps telling me she wants burbles on the GLC!

 

The higher HP and torque on the S-model come from software. So if you were going to tune a 63, the HP advantage on the S really goes away as the tune software replaces the OEM software. Is that the correct way to look at it?

 

I don't think you made the wrong decision purely because of how complicated it is to import a vehicle from Canada to the USA as an individual. https://www.mercedes-benz.ca/en/admissibility

 

What were the main differences between the S and non S other than horsepower? was it active motor mounts? e-diff?

 

motor mounts for sure. I think differentials on both are the same on 2020+ models.

 

I see, sounds good, so the facelift of both version got e-diff.

 

That's what I've read on this forum. Can't independently confirm.

 

Well the stock power is the starting point! So if a tune is going to yield 80-96hp and 100-120tq more, then you just add that to the starting number. Of course keep in mind that all these numbers are at the crank not the wheels. So if you tune a S model, you will be higher on the HP/tq numbers then with a NON-S version.

My C400 being a perfect example of what I just mentioned.

 

thank you,

I will read the article shortly.

 

It seems like software advantage of an S that provides higher HP would cease to exist once the after market tune software takes over and wipes out the S software. No?

 

I do know the sedan and coupe C in terms of the S and non S starting facelift both got the e-diff, someone confirmed with actual part numbers however I am not sure about the GLC, I don't see why it didn't.

 

You're welcome : )

Another annoying thing is getting Celsius converted to Fahrenheit and KMs to Miles.

 

looks like because I am not a Canadian Resident, I would have not been able to get a letter of compliance to ship the vehicle over here.

 

I don't think so, the new tune would be based of the stock computer configuration. So if the S version has 60HP more after tunning both the S and non-S there would still be a 60hp difference. At least that's how I have come to understand it.

I'll get more info and report back.

 

I assumed that an after market tune replaces rather than augments OEM tuning.

 

Not correct, that is why my C400 will never have the same numbers as a C450/C43.we started at different levels.

You always start with factory file no matter what, and from there you access certain sectors of the engine file that the engine uses to access power. Altering the MAP to increase timing and load.

Lets put it this way. If I'm 6 feet and you're 6' 2 and we put on the same 2" platform shoes. I'll be 6'2 and you will be 6' 4. We will NOT be the same height even tho we have on the same exact shoes.

lol excuse the analogy.

 

They stopped compliance letters for post 2020? or was it 2021 model year vehicles regardless. I don't understand how actual importer do it, but it is challenging for an individual.