amir1

My wife and I are considering an S65 Coupe for our 25th wedding anniversary. Also considering purchasing it via German Delivery, so we could drive it around Germany before having it shipped to the U.S. We intend to keep it for many years and maybe even pass it to our kids at some point. Are these cars reasonably reliable? (It won't be a daily driver, obviously). Any issues with that car that someone can share? I want it fully loaded except for; No carbon ceramic brakes (I have no intentions of tracking the car) Nor do I want the very expensive (and in my opinion useless) Carbon Fiber option. (The car weighs 4700+ pounds. So what's the point of spending $5000+ to shave off a few pounds anyway) Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Al E

We have a 2015 S Coupe 63. Next time We will get the S Coupe 65!!!!!!!!!!!

jenz

No current glaring model issues with the 65

If you live in an area where AWD is needed (like NE), though, you may want the 63

Since you're going loaded, make sure you see how much trunk space the upgraded stereo takes up and whether that works for you

Enjoy in good health and congrats

Heisenberg

If you plan on keeping it for the long haul, it might be worth considering the CCBs if you are NOT tracking the car as they should never need to be replaced, also they don't generate much brake dust. The standard brakes will require replacement at 40-50k miles, if not earlier, with typical street use. They generate massive dust, but I think inexpensive aftermarket pads can reduce that significantly.

If you do track the car a decent amount, or put on 15k or more miles per year with street use, then standard brakes will be a better choice as the CCBs are extremely expensive to replace when they do wear down.

Re: 63 versus 65...visually there is little difference except for the grill and trim on the exterior and the full nappa leather headliner on the interior, plus the badging of course. From a performance standpoint the 63 is faster from a stop or low speeds because of better traction, but once traction is achieved the 65 will be faster with its higher output engine and less lossy drivetrain.

If you are buying new, the 63 is already very expensive and I don't see the added value in the 65. With used, perhaps relatively better deals can be had on the 65.

amir1

Thanks for the comments. I live in Southern California (Los Angeles Area) so no real need for AWD. From what I hear and read, the CCB's squeeke and grab a lot unless hot. Since I won't be driving aggressively most of the time, they will be annoying. (Hence the decision for the regular brakes). As to chosing the 65 over the 63, I have several reasons; The 63 is geared more for speed and performance, while the 65 more for luxury. I prefer more luxury. (The 65 has rear wheel drive, has tilting function during cornering, its engine is smoother, has more power and torque, doesn't rev as fast, and runs quieter, all of which improve comfort) Not to mention that it comes fully loaded, (an equally loaded 63 is over 200K, so not a huge jump to the 65) AND Bragging rights! Of Course! The biggest hurdle is getting the Mrs. to approve the expenditure. (Its a work in progress, which currently, I'm not sure i'm winning)

absent

2018 S65 will be AWD and that will be the car to get, since nothing would be able to compete with it.

amir1

How do you know that? Also, will it have the upgraded transmission like the S63? Will it still have the majic carpet feature, since that's one of the main reasons the S65 is RWD. (They couldn't fit the majic carpet components with the AWD system)

WSH

Latest 65s are arguably world's best engineered cars

But wouldn't keep any car for more than duration of 2yr lease (become dubious abt any >1yo car)....decay of safety systems like airbags, sensors, etc is far more relevant/dangerous than an old iPhone's obsolescence issues...

Grtly value CCB over steel brakes on any AMG in any driving....whether BH daily commute or Malibu mtn twisties....pedal feel is massive diffce

Perhaps 99+% of repeat 65 buyers never waste valuable time to visit a track in Podunk (suspect tracks are for suckers w/dubious real-world driving skills seeking to kill time and who don't understand tail risks anyway)....but would argue some of most enjoyable, challenging, spontaneous driving is in CA mtn twisties on some random wkend AM, not on any track or even on best German autobahns...

If one calcs own oppty costs and tail risks, suspect will quickly fig out "real" costs of 2yr leasing 65s entail perhaps cheapest car on planet, esp given one's daily commute is prob greatest personal safety risk to anyone affluent in US....and even plutocrats can't buy back health once lost in some car crash, even at legal speeds due to no fault of own but due to the 99+% of other drivers w/far less to lose....

amir1

I too live in Southern California (Agoura Hills) and enjoy driving through our local mountains almost on a weekly basis. (Mulholland Hwy, and its many off-shoots, Angeles Crest Hwy, etc, etc). Best driving in the world. No wonder most of the car magazines do most of their testing on these roads. I see them all the time and recognize the pictures in their articles as well. I am definitely looking forward to driving these roads in the S65. (Beats slushing through L.A. trafic on a daily basis in my big SUV)

absent

Announced by Tobias Moers, more power also, to make more distance from 63 series.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11512011...powered-models

amir1

Cool! Will it still be the same tried and proven V12 engine electronically boosted for more power or will it be a brand new engine?

absent

Brand new engine and new transmission.
Dual stage turbos (smaller electric and larger conventional).

amir1

Interesting! If that's the case, Should I wait until 2020 Model Year to give them enough time to debug it?

absent

4 years is a long time to wait, you don't know where you end up tomorrow, much less 2020.
Life is too short, get the current car and enjoy it until you ready for the improved one.

COOPERDB

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This ^^^^^^^^^


Thank-You
D.B.


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wings1969

Regardless of which car you choose, do the Euro Delivery. It's an experience you will cherish long after the car is traded for something new. I have never bought a car from the showroom floor, Euro delivery over 10 vehicles from BMW and MB. They won't give the standard discount of 7% on the EDP program for the AMG models, but you might negotiate since the dealer won't have the car on his floorplan. Make sure to take one of the hotel packages, you won't find finer hotels, lower rates or better treatment by using a travel agent or making your own reservations. The downside is waiting for the car after you drop it in Europe, although my last car, a 2016 S coupe, arrived exactly 3 weeks after dropping it in Sindelfingen. My car was transported to Brunswick , GA. California cars take a little longer since they have to go through the canal. If you need more info, it is all on the MB site under European delivery. Find a salesperson who has done this before, I canceled an order earlier this year because the salesperson was not trained on Euro delivery and fouled up the entire process. Your wife will love the trip, make sure to spend at least on night at the Interalpen in Austria, you drive your car right into the hotel to check in.

amir1

Since MB won't give the standard discount of 7% on the EDP program for the AMG models, what is a reasonable discount to expect? I inquired about ordering an S65 Coupe and the soonest to pick one up in Germany is about 8 months out. So it will have to be a 2017 model year.

wings1969

Discount is totally dealer dependent, I have no idea about their demand or discount programs. They should be able to get you a car sooner from ordered inventory if they are a large enough dealer. You can spec cars 30 days out from production.

amir1

Let me check with another dealer and see what they say. On the one hand these cars are very exclusive, so dealers might not want to discount them. On the other hand, I haven't seen one on the road yet (and I am in Los Angeles, the car capital of the world) so they're not quite flying off the shelf either.

jenz

Most dealers especially in major areas sit close to MSRP on AMGs

But with year end approaching, I wouldn't be surprised with 5-10% off just depends how close to the 31st you wait

Harney

I drive my fully loaded S65 Coupè most days and I have nothing to complain about. In my opinion, the S65 is the best luxury Coupè on the market.

amir1

How long have you had it? Is there anything about it you don't like?

jenz

Last day of the year, you didn't try to get one?

amir1

I am looking at a unique color combo and also want European delivery. Which forces me to order one. Delivery date for a new S65 is September 2016. (It will be a 2017 model year) That's the soonest you can get one you custom order. The 2016 builds are already closed. The 2017 builds will be released to the dealers in February. (Hence the September delivery date)