Am in the process of shopping for a Coupe to add to my garage. I will continue to daily drive a lux sedan that I have, but I have the extra space/spot ready now, and have couple options that I looked at over the past 3-4 weeks for a fun weekend Coupe. It must be a Coupe.

The non-Benz options I looked at are: new M8 Competition, low mileage CPO 2024+ Bentley Continental GT PHEV.

The Benz option that am highlight considering is the S65 AMG Coupe; they come standard with MBC on top of the AMG suspension tuning setup, 3D Burmester, and other standard options that are usually optional in the other trims. I believe, unlike the sedan, they made them until 2021. Finding one may take months and months of search as these are hard to find. My issue with the 9G transmission will go away because S65 (unlike S63) comed with the 7G instead of the 9G transmission.

I also thought about the SL as well as AMG GT (as I learned I can get rear seat with the GT), but I had two W222 sedans as my daily in the past; and it was one of the very best cars I ever had.....so at least in this case I know what am getting myself into, plus the V12 is undeniable nowadays.

Thoughts?

 

Here's one for you: https://mbworld.org/forums/s63-amg-4...ml#post9278139

I first thought the guy wasn't real, but it seems like he's legit. And it's a really nice car!

 

Never had the opportunity to ride in a Bentley but have had a few M model BMW's and if it were me, I'd chose the S65 for the V12 and the comfort.

BMW M models want you to feel the road and while they are great cars, I'm old enough to enjoy the comfort more than the feel of the road.

On top of that, most S65's have reached a depreciation level that would make sense to me versus a newer vehicle that hasn't.

I'm sure you'll be happy with whichever vehicle you decide on and I look forward to hearing about it.

 

Thanks Carlos. I PM’d him.

 

I drove a Cont GT last year, and I was very impressed (but I knew I was going to be impressed)…. The interior is out of this world, and the ride as expected was great. I really want to drive an S65 with MBC because of how much I loved the W222. The M8C is great and I know it very well because I had an Alpina B8 which is based on the 8-series platform. Nothing drives better than a beemer if you want the feel of the road. I think I know at least two of these cars very well, and I trust the 3rd to be just as good. It is just a matter of which one I’ll find first, with the right specs and colors.

 

If you get the Benz, you have to buy one to drive and one for parts. It will get harder and harder to find parts for anything from mercedes older than ten or twelve years. Particularly true for a discontinued model that was not a big seller.

 

While I wouldn't make this a major point of consideration, it would make a person lean toward the car with the M177 motor since that still seems to be the ongoing V8 powerplant moving forward for MB, albeit with the flat plane crank.

 

Exactly what I was thinking after reading his excellent note/feedback.

 

The very last generation of the V12 Mercedes-Benz makes seem to be the most reliable ones ever built by the renowned brand .This is what I see from one of the V12 owners . You don't even have to replace the engine mounts which you would had to in earlier models . C 217 S Coupes are my fave coupes , believe or not I would not trade it for Lamborghini Aventador or next top model whatever it is for my driving experience .
For me , I would pick up the V8 and have it modded if I like .

 

The coupes are great. For me, I'd take the S63. It has the newer motor and the engaging trans. I happen to love the MCT and that paired up with the M177 gives the car character.

 

S-63 is a different animal than S-65.... ESP in coupe flavor.

S-63 will have 4matic and all wheels driven. A LOT more jarring in one wheel bumps. It digs better than the rear drive car.

S-65 with MBC will give that wonderful smooth ride. It will out pull the bent eight from 30mph and has the very nicest of everything MB ever offered.

You will get to look some to find one but worth the effort. Some sellers are still looking for a lottery win price wise but they will come to their senses with time. Even the Final Edition cars are a depreciating asset.

 

If I could afford a second MB right now it would be a 2019-2021 S65 coupe. While I've never had a chance to experience MB, I had an old S600 with ABC and it's road manners were head an shoulders above everything else on the road at that time. I can imagine only how amazing modern ABC feels.
If I had to describe the difference from an S63 vs an S65, I'd say the S63 is a different car from the non AMG car while the S65 is everything a non AMG car is PLUS everything is better. Becusae an S-class is so nice in every way, we used to say owning an S-class was kind of like having 2 cars, but for the price of 2. Owning an S65 is like having 3 cars, but for the price of 3.

 

Carlos price of admission for my car was $60K. There are some bargains to be had for those who look and are OK with more miles.

I got three cars for less than new E-Class money that isn't an AMG car.

Life is short guys. If you are a car guy buy that amazing car. Than pinch yourself intermittently as you drive to remind you it is real.

 

When talking Bentley Continentals, I'd go V8 S, those have a snarl, hot rod, AMG style sound and feel to them. The W12 is a thumper for sure, but I felt the V8 S brings more personality to the drivetrain.

Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777

 

Thanks everyone.
Been busy traveling for 2 day now looking and test-driving carefully all the options. I’ll be flying back Sunday

Was able to rest drive and find all the variants I wanted to test drive. I think I already decided on what I found to be the best option. Couple more stops tomorrow though.

 

Quick update:
Just came back from a 4+ days trip and was able to find at least 1 good option for all the 4 cars to test-drive and spend time with it.

The AMG GT63 was the one that shocked me, just because I didn't expect to like it that much. This doesn't mean that I found it to be the very best, but it was the only one that I wasn't sure about but it proved me wrong in person. Great car and it drives so good.

The S65 was hard-to-impossible to find despite traveling to the right places. A lot of S63s around. Bentley Cont GT was brand new and there were a few options, and the last is the M8C which is not hard to find. They all left great impressions on me.

There was only one S65 I found, which knew about it before I started my trip. Regardless of the fact it was not my best color combo, I spoke with people and got feedback, particularly Wolfman, who gave great feedback and made good points that while the V12 reliability of the M279 (still used in Maybachs now) is great, the car itself is somewhat old and can be VERY expensive for what it is. Maintenance is also the same. I did feel that the tech was sufficient if I am coming from the newer S, but driving other cars with top tech made it seem a bit too outdated for me. Drive was very refined, but something was missing when compared to the AMG GT, M8C or Bentley.

The AMG GT is currently my top choice, although again the S65 was the one that felt the most special along with Bentley. The M8C, I know it VERY well, and it's awesome.

The reason I could not make a final decision is that the rear seats in the AMG GT felt a bit too small and the angle of the seat looked too sharp. I didn't have drive with family so wasn't able to do real-life test to see if the rear seat is really kids or young kids friendly. Being a weekend fun car that I also want to be able to use sometimes for for same-day / short fun road-trips with family, I thought that would be too risky with a real test. I plan to think and settle on an option and travel back with family soon to decide, but if it is the AMG GT, I must test the rear-seat to see if it is as kids-friendly as other options. The rear seat space in the M8C is just fine for that. The rear seat in the Bentley Cont GT and the S65/S63 is actually great even for adults as I sat in it myself.

Overall I should say am really glad that there were that many options to find great coupes at a time wherein other options for things like SUVs and sedans are becoming tight.. hard to find more than one option that checks all the marks. I will report back as soon as I officially pull the trigger on any option, but my 4+ days trips to carefully test-drive all these options was very well worth it and it was fun too.

 

All fantastic options!

 

What a fun decision you get to make!

 

I wish every hard decision was like that

Anyway, my personal choice would be either S63 or S65 if not regular V8 S Class . AMG GT , according to me , is not as attractive as C217 or any S Class sedan

 

The newer AMG's are amazing. They step it up every generation and its a serious contender in the segment. My fear with the V12's of yore in my opinion is that its a bit outdated and lazy. The transmissions these mighty engines are paired to makes the biggest difference in drivability and engagement. May I offer another suggestion; Alpina B6? It has the back-seats and its kind of under the radar. 600 HP, 205 MPH. Comfort and sport compliant.

 

I already had an Alpina B8, and since you referenced the B6, and I thought it has the same limitation as the B8 (can NOT get it as a coupe, only a grand coupe 4-dr). Was surprised to find that you can actually get the B6 as a coupe (but only in europe), unlike the B8. We don't get the B6 coupe in the U.S. at all. For the B8, there was no coupe at all anywhere. Anyway I think the B6 is a bit too old now for what it is compared to the newer options am considering. Plus, I had an Alpina already last year, and it was one of the finest cars I owned. Since am looking for a bonus/weekend car, NOT as a daily sedan, I think the other options on my list are a better fit nowadays.

 

Thought I’d share an update. I made a very long trip a few weeks ago last month, and another one this past weekend to multiple dealers as part of another goal.

I’ve already decided on next steps, and maybe I’ll disappoint some of the W222 enthusiasts : ( … Just Kidding, but seriously, I think the AMG folks got me convinced about the AMG GT 2-dr Coupe. It felt more modern and drives nice, but really still think the S63 and S65 coupes are great cars, the best S ever made, and even better as a coupe.

My 2nd option if I can’t find AMG GT 2-dr coupe will be the Bentley Cont GT or the M8C. I really appreciate the feedback about all of these options. Some maintenance/reliability/technology metrics played out together for my decision to land on this.
Some of you reached out personally with suggestions, some we spoke on our wtsapp chat, some we spoke on the phone too… and some even made trips before for me to check out a car… @carlosinseattle : I still owe you a favor my friend; thanks for making a trip before, just for me and for taking a video and inspecting a car for me; saving me loads of money.

You guys are all awesome. Now just wish me luck with my search as I’ve decided on the top 2-3 priorities; and text me if you see any good options.

 

Congrats OP on coming up with a decision, the C190 is an amazing ride you will love, good luck on finding the right vehicle. So you have decided to get rid of the GLS but you still have the X7 or the family trips which is why you got the SUV in the first place? You wanted the ride height and/or practicality?

 

no no no… totally different stuff. Am confused where a of that came from.
Am not trading any car for this coupe. I moved/expanded space and now have room for a personal fun coupe ride; not a daily. This will be just an addition I always wanted.

The GLS is a different story; it’s a family hauler and highly mileage now and we need to trade it before it’s out of warranty early next year. GLS had nothing to do with this thread. And no we already traded the X7 for a GLS when we got the GLS long time ago.

This thread is only about coupe options I’ve been looking at recently.

 

Whoops, I might have some misunderstanding when you said the SUV is due for a trade soon with the miles you have on it.