2019-2020 S63 AMG or 2021-2022 S580
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Joined: Apr 2023
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2014 S63 2010 ML350 Bluetec 2009 SL550
You could compromise and get the best of both worlds. A W222 S560 4matic with the AMG body package, that comes with upgraded brakes, a very comfortable ride, and looks much nicer than the generic looking W223. Then slap a performance tune on it via OBD port for less than $2k that could give it better than S63 performance. If the car has a warranty on it, then you just put the stock tune back on for the service appointment so as to not void the warranty.
Sure you can crank the boost on the M278 so that it produces more power than the M157. But on a motor with known bore scoring issues and without the forged rods and pistons of the M157, is this a wise choice ? And if you are really hell bent on speed don't you want the better brakes and more buttoned down chassis to keep that speed under control ?
I'd rather purchase the whole AMG package if speed is a concern, but that's just me. None of these cars is anywhere near "slow" so it's really just a matter if how much power you really need.
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You could compromise and get the best of both worlds. A W222 S560 4matic with the AMG body package, that comes with upgraded brakes, a very comfortable ride, and looks much nicer than the generic looking W223. Then slap a performance tune on it via OBD port for less than $2k that could give it better than S63 performance. If the car has a warranty on it, then you just put the stock tune back on for the service appointment so as to not void the warranty.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
You could compromise and get the best of both worlds. A W222 S560 4matic with the AMG body package, that comes with upgraded brakes, a very comfortable ride, and looks much nicer than the generic looking W223. Then slap a performance tune on it via OBD port for less than $2k that could give it better than S63 performance. If the car has a warranty on it, then you just put the stock tune back on for the service appointment so as to not void the warranty.
C'mon man!!! The idea that a tune makes an S560 better than an S63 is idiotic! That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of on this site. Just a small amount of research will tell you that's not ture. The rear subframe on an S63 is completely different, some of the components a have similar geometry but different materials. The S63 has a wet clutch while the S560 has a torque converter. Forged pistions versus cast pistons...the list of differences is in the hundreds, all added up it makes the cars vastly different. Like @superswiss said, AMG cars are more different than non-AMG than M cars are different than non-M cars and the same is true of Audis. Besides, there is plenty power in an S560, in fact I wouldn't want any more power in that car than it has. But I can do things in my S63 that I'd never dare trying in an S560. I had a 2017 S550 and test drove several S560's so I know what I'm talking about.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
"better than S63 performance " ? I would ask "in what regard and for how long?".
Sure you can crank the boost on the M278 so that it produces more power than the M157. But on a motor with known bore scoring issues and without the forged rods and pistons of the M157, is this a wise choice ? And if you are really hell bent on speed don't you want the better brakes and more buttoned down chassis to keep that speed under control ?
I'd rather purchase the whole AMG package if speed is a concern, but that's just me. None of these cars is anywhere near "slow" so it's really just a matter if how much power you really need.
Sure you can crank the boost on the M278 so that it produces more power than the M157. But on a motor with known bore scoring issues and without the forged rods and pistons of the M157, is this a wise choice ? And if you are really hell bent on speed don't you want the better brakes and more buttoned down chassis to keep that speed under control ?
I'd rather purchase the whole AMG package if speed is a concern, but that's just me. None of these cars is anywhere near "slow" so it's really just a matter if how much power you really need.
I agree that an S560 4-Matic is an excellent choice, I searched for more than 6 months trying to find a good example. But I couldn't find one with the options I wanted, which is why I shifted and began looking for an S63. If the option packages weren't a top priority (Warmth & Comfort, 3D sound, night vision, etc) I would have bought an S560 4-Matic.
C'mon man!!! The idea that a tune makes an S560 better than an S63 is idiotic! That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of on this site. Just a small amount of research will tell you that's not ture. The rear subframe on an S63 is completely different, some of the components a have similar geometry but different materials. The S63 has a wet clutch while the S560 has a torque converter. Forged pistions versus cast pistons...the list of differences is in the hundreds, all added up it makes the cars vastly different. Like @superswiss said, AMG cars are more different than non-AMG than M cars are different than non-M cars and the same is true of Audis. Besides, there is plenty power in an S560, in fact I wouldn't want any more power in that car than it has. But I can do things in my S63 that I'd never dare trying in an S560. I had a 2017 S550 and test drove several S560's so I know what I'm talking about.
C'mon man!!! The idea that a tune makes an S560 better than an S63 is idiotic! That is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard of on this site. Just a small amount of research will tell you that's not ture. The rear subframe on an S63 is completely different, some of the components a have similar geometry but different materials. The S63 has a wet clutch while the S560 has a torque converter. Forged pistions versus cast pistons...the list of differences is in the hundreds, all added up it makes the cars vastly different. Like @superswiss said, AMG cars are more different than non-AMG than M cars are different than non-M cars and the same is true of Audis. Besides, there is plenty power in an S560, in fact I wouldn't want any more power in that car than it has. But I can do things in my S63 that I'd never dare trying in an S560. I had a 2017 S550 and test drove several S560's so I know what I'm talking about.
Last edited by DaveW68; Jun 26, 2025 at 02:31 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,398
Likes: 5,323
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Ultimately it depends on what one intends to use all the horsepower for. AMGs have all the suspension, brake, aero etc. upgrades so that they don't fly off the road in a corner or start going airborne at 180 mph on the German Autobahn and so that you can haul down from such speeds repeatedly w/o losing the brakes. Somebody ones said a car is only as good as its brakes. I may not be going 180 mph on the roads here in North America, but being able to confidently stop on a dime and perform a last minute evasive maneuver in an emergency w/o depositing one in one's underwear when a regular car with tuned engine starts to lose contact with the road in a situation like that is where it's at. Having the horsepower and being able to actually use it and stay on the road are two different things..
Last edited by superswiss; Jun 26, 2025 at 04:01 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
As other have stated, a W222 2018+ black/black 560 w/ AMG exterior & wheels would be my top choice for a great value daily driver.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,296
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Since op is very concerned about depreciation and maintenance, maybe some owners could chime in about the cost of some of the repairs. One thing I know as an AMG s212 owner is that things like gas mileage, cost of maintenance, depreciation can’t be a thing that I ever think or worry about.
Op, are you OK with any of these cars you are buying being in the $20-$30,000 range if you put miles on it over the next five years and have the maintenance costs of $150,000 plus vehicle? Can you DIY minor and major repairs or will you be paying someone two to $400 an hour labor at a dealership if you don’t have an inexpensive experienced Indy? Depending, you may want an aftermarket warranty but that is for repairs, not maintenance. I’m not saying any of this to be negative, but I do almost all of my own repairs and maintenance but thankfully I had a warranty because I’m in for a five digit bill right now for about 200 in parts. That type of cost ruins the experience for most. An engine in these cars is likely worth more than you entire current car…or mine.
Op, are you OK with any of these cars you are buying being in the $20-$30,000 range if you put miles on it over the next five years and have the maintenance costs of $150,000 plus vehicle? Can you DIY minor and major repairs or will you be paying someone two to $400 an hour labor at a dealership if you don’t have an inexpensive experienced Indy? Depending, you may want an aftermarket warranty but that is for repairs, not maintenance. I’m not saying any of this to be negative, but I do almost all of my own repairs and maintenance but thankfully I had a warranty because I’m in for a five digit bill right now for about 200 in parts. That type of cost ruins the experience for most. An engine in these cars is likely worth more than you entire current car…or mine.
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Joined: Jun 2025
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Since op is very concerned about depreciation and maintenance, maybe some owners could chime in about the cost of some of the repairs. One thing I know as an AMG s212 owner is that things like gas mileage, cost of maintenance, depreciation can’t be a thing that I ever think or worry about.
Op, are you OK with any of these cars you are buying being in the $20-$30,000 range if you put miles on it over the next five years and have the maintenance costs of $150,000 plus vehicle? Can you DIY minor and major repairs or will you be paying someone two to $400 an hour labor at a dealership if you don’t have an inexpensive experienced Indy? Depending, you may want an aftermarket warranty but that is for repairs, not maintenance. I’m not saying any of this to be negative, but I do almost all of my own repairs and maintenance but thankfully I had a warranty because I’m in for a five digit bill right now for about 200 in parts. That type of cost ruins the experience for most. An engine in these cars is likely worth more than you entire current car…or mine.
Op, are you OK with any of these cars you are buying being in the $20-$30,000 range if you put miles on it over the next five years and have the maintenance costs of $150,000 plus vehicle? Can you DIY minor and major repairs or will you be paying someone two to $400 an hour labor at a dealership if you don’t have an inexpensive experienced Indy? Depending, you may want an aftermarket warranty but that is for repairs, not maintenance. I’m not saying any of this to be negative, but I do almost all of my own repairs and maintenance but thankfully I had a warranty because I’m in for a five digit bill right now for about 200 in parts. That type of cost ruins the experience for most. An engine in these cars is likely worth more than you entire current car…or mine.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
My 2020 S560 had a $9k valve cover replacement job just under 50k miles...warranty for sure. Also had brakes replaced, $2,100 at my independent mechanic. The independent mechanic is important!
