I have not been able to get good answers to the following:

a) what are the actual performance enhancements on the S63 perf package? Seems like definitely no to a Limited Slip Diff. Maybe some vague brake and suspension differences? Seems a lot of money for wheels and black lacquer if there isn't a performance difference?

b) unclear still if this order will delay the early cars. MBUSA says definitely yes.

c) Will the wheels be avail separately and fit a non-perf package car (presumably yes??)

Code 030 for the S63 includes:

20" AMG 5-double spoke wheel
VMAX Upgrade (speed delimitation to 186 mph)
Black Lacquer Trim

The wheels are available separately, code 783 according to someone here.

Everyone has been assuming that the option will be in the $10k to $15k range because that's what other performance packages go for. But it seems likely it will be a lot cheaper because there's not much in it. The S63 has the S65 brakes standard, there is no LSD and there seems to be no suspension changes.

Truth is - its not so far off in price.

20" Wheels and Tires will be at LEAST $5400 ($350 x 4 = $1400 for tires)
($1000 x 4 = $4000 for wheels)
Then add $1000 for the ECU chip that you'd buy from aftermarket to remove the limiter.... so we are up to $6400. Then the BRAKES...... Forgive me - but that has to be at LEAST $5000 right there.... including the rotors, calipers, pads, shoes, discs... the entire kit and capoodle....

$5400 wheels / tires
$1000 ECU
$5000 brakes
$1000 for trim ? Dont know the cost...

Thats $12700 Give or take....

what is the brake upgrade?

There is no brake upgrade. The S63 comes standard with the S65 brakes. There is nothing more available.

And the cost of the wheels must be offset by the cost of the 19" wheels that you don't get. They aren't cheap either. The upgrade cost of the wheels and tires is a lot less. The most expensive part of the package is probably the black lacquer. "Performance package" isn't a great name in this case, in my opinion, and it better be way under $10K or it's a rip-off.

For lack of pricing info, i ordered w/o performance package, and ordered the wheels from the AMG accesories catalog

Wait... the brakes on the S65 are SUPER expensive..........not at ALL cheap.
The wheels and tires for 20" AMGs are also monstrously expensive... Remember, 20" Tires from Dunlop can be $350 a pc.

Have no idea on lacquer trim... dont know.

One of us doesn't understand the other.

Yes, the brakes on the S65 are expensive. But they're standard on the S63. So they're not part of the S63-030 package because they're already on the base S63. Therefore, when discussing the cost and value of the 030 package the brakes are irrelevant.

Similarly, the S63 comes standard with the same wheels and tires as the S65. They are 19", 8.5" wide up front with 255/40-19 ultra-high performance rubber and 9.5" wide in the rear with 275/40-19s. These are also monstrously expensive. The S63-030 comes upgraded with 20s, but the value of this upgrade is the cost of the 20s minus the cost of the still-expensive 19s that you get without the 030 package. The 030 wheels are the same widths and take 255/35-20 front and 275/35-20 rear. The prices of these tires are pretty close to the stock 19s.

Sounds like the 030 on the S63 is just marketing speak for "lets ream the rich guys!!"