anthony442

Hey everyone i'm new to the forum. im in the market for a new car and the two cars i've really been considering are the w211 e63 or a 2008 c63. i currently own a c240 so i'm quite aware that either of these cars will be a big step up. i was just hoping to get some opinions from the owners of both of these cars to maybe help me decide. i feel that the e63 might be too big and i've heard that some people have had engine issues and suspension problems in the past. i love the look of the c63 but i'm still not quite sure if i'd want to spend close to an extra $10,000 for the c. again im new to the forum so if im in the wrong section please direct me. thanks

mightar

If you ever plan to use the rear seats even occasionally, get the E.

In any case, make sure you get maintenance documentation (VMI, vin report, etc) and get an independent PPI and you'll be good to go. Good luck!

dchl21

I would do c if I were you.

anthony442

After much thought i believe im going to go with the C. the only thing that has me is which year. im aware that 08-11 models had the head bolt issues and some sort of camshaft issue but i'm not sure how common it was with them. in my situation i would like to stay pre 2011 but if anyone can shed some light on their pre 2011 issues that would be awesome

tw2

The main potential problems with either are camshaft wear, head bolts breaking and noisy tappets. They are not very common considering how many cars were made but if they do happen then get ready for some $$ in repairs. You can preventatively replace the head bolts and tappets, either taking the heads off with new head gaskets or some people just replace one bolt at a time. One at a time is what I would do in that situation but some consider it to not be a proper method of repair. Also new camshafts are expensive if you do need them.

That applies to both cars. Airmatic failure is probably the only major thing the E has in addition.

anthony442

Thats what pretty much drove me away from the E, the C almost seems simpler with no air suspension. my only real concern with the c was the head bolt issue which seems like all pre 2011 cars are going to go through it when enough miles are put on the car. And the camshaft wear seems to be less popular than the head bolt issue, but still a few cases of them. Either way i im fine with buying a pre 2011 and paying to fix those issues but i'm wondering if i should just get them fixed right when i get the car, you know? just fix it before anything bad happens.

J.J.D.O.

Common sense would say avoid having your ***** smacked!

If you have the means, why would you chance it?

Yuille36

Since, I've owned both the C63 and E63 at the same time, I feel more than qualified to answer your question. Forget about the head bolt, and flat tappets issues, as the M156 engine is in both of these cars. These issues was very isolated, and I for one never had either of these issues with either of my 07 E63 and 10 C63. Now some have experienced these issues, but not me. Now there are certainly various differences between the two platforms, the E63 is more luxurious, like a well made suit. The C63 is a hotrod in casual clothes. The E63 has more electronics, air suspension, and yes these electronics and air suspension sometime fail, as where the C63 has a stiff coil spring suspension with zero failures. The seats in the C63 are small is size, my brother never liked them, he says that their very uncomfortable, and I have to agree up to a certain point. I thought the same things until, I had my seat adjusted right.
They hug you just right, and some have said that the bolsters are too narrow. The back seats are sufficient for adults, but only for a short trip not a journey. The C63 has a awesome exhaust note, but lacks the overall fit and finish that the E63 has in spades. But understand the both car are in different price points, and vary about $40K. Also understand that these cars are AMGs (All Money Gone), so maintenance costs will be substantially higher, as compared to your C240. The C63 is a hotrod, and the E63 is a cruiser, the E63 has a far superior ride quality, due to it adjustable air suspension. The M156 engine is essentially the same in both car, although the E63 has more HP and Torque, do to minor ECU, TCU calibrations. Which car should you go with, very depends on what your looking for. If your tastes are for a nice luxury car with plenty of power then the E63, if your want a hotrod muscle car, that has some luxury then the C63. But if you have friends that would like to ride with you, you will find that the C63 rear seats can be tight. Now the big question is what car would I choose after having owned both. Easy the E63 AMG of course. But the decision is yours. But in all honesty, both cars would be a great decision. Please test drive both, to make a confirmed decision.

Yuille36

There isn't any year that is truly better than the next. Older models will be cheaper then newer years. I personally like the 08-11 years. My suggestion, find several C63, test drive them, do your pro/con analyst. Oh, understand that the C63 tend to eat your tires, due to it's aggressiveness and rear suspension geometry. The one thing that really irritated me, was that Mercedes-AMG didn't incorporate a Alcantara headliner in the C63, as all other AMGs. But I get it, it's all about the price point. Please keep your questions coming!

mightar

Funny you mention Alcantara headliner because for me, that is a key feature I look for. That said, even the current Audi RS7 doesn't come with that standard - it is a $3500 option.

MACEDON

I would choose based on looks. Which car tickles your pickle more?

I got an E55 because it's the sexiest looking sedan ever designed, the engine with the supercharger just made it 1000 times better.

anthony442

In all fairness my c240 isn't exactly "luxurious" so i don't need all the fancy bells and whistles with the e63, im used to the bare minimum. even thought there had been issues with the c63 i think i'm still going to go with it. i have family that owns an MB dealership so service and parts come at a discount. i've wanted a c63 for a while so i think once the time is right i'm just going to find a nice one and pull the trigger. im still a kid and ive outgrown my c240, time to upgrade. and besides, life's too short to be driving boring cars so i might as well get what i've been wanting and go for it

MACEDON

Kids drive C's

Men drive E's

Yuille36

Well, then I think that you will be perfectly happen with your soon to be C63. The best feature had to be how the car blips the throttle on downshifts.

tw2

Haha. I definitely like the E63 much better and yet somehow I went to buy one and came back with an E55. The C63 is better for throwing around corners and all out thrashing around the place. As pointed out, the E63 is more of a very comfortable fast cruiser.

Yuille36

I mean you really can't go wrong with buying a C63 or E63, they are both great cars. I just prefer the more refined car, which is the E63.

anthony442

that's one of my favorite features just one more reason why it's going to be C over E. gotta love that sound

anthony442

Ive heard that before lol and in my situation its going to be true lmao

Yuille36

That was one of the many features, that drove me to buy it. Not to mention, that I also got a $15K discount on it from the dealer. As they had a overstock of AMGs at the time, that they were trying to move. And this was at Euromotorcars which is a AMG Performance Center in Bethesda MD.

anthony442

i heard that they had an overstock of them. i guess that's why you don't see too many of the w211 e63's. i think they only made like close to 1,000 when it came out in 2007.