220S

They brought the alcantara headliner back as standard in the 2011 W212. Must have had some complaints and/or they felt it was affecting sales(?)

They also added a stitched dash. They call it Artico leather outside the US, but it's really MBTex. (in Canada they use the word "Artico" for MBTex, too.)

Next year, according to MBUSA, the designo program will be much more extensive. Apparently they'll have a website up eventually; a lot more colors and interior choices....like Porsche.

In the meantime prices are dropping dramatically now at dealers for the leftover 2010 W212 E63s.

mche55!

car looks great

VCA_AMG

Great info, thanks. As simple as it may be (and something you rarely look at), the non-alcantara headliner looked excessively cheap to me. I'm glad they altered their order sheet to include it with the '11 models. The new Designo options sound intriguing!

South Ocean1

Thanks for all of your kind words on the color combo. It was a little bit of a risk to order this color combo on an E63 - but then if you are going to order one (as opposed to picking up a steal of a deal on a 2010) you might as well get exactly what you want (or what you think you want). Fortunately, my wife and I are both equally excited by the color combo now that we have the car - which is a surprise. Here are a couple more pictures in the light of day.

BBell, I like the color combo that you have coming in. The steel grey is really a cool, sophisticated and sinister color that can look different depending on the light. I think you will be very happy with the car. It really is a great combination of luxury and performance. I can't wait to see pictures!! When is your car due to arrive?

I have been thinking about an extra set of rims as well for snow tires. I think our choices are very limited because of the unique rim offset for the W212 E63. The owners manual basically lists rim sizes for snow tires as exactly the same as come on the car now - either the 18s or the 19s. I have a call into the dealer to see what their "wheel specialist" can come up with. So far, I think my choices would be a second set of the existing 18" AMG wheels that I currently have - although that will likely be prohibitively expensive. The other option would be to order a set of Forgestar F14 wheels in the 18" size because you can customize the offset to fit exactly. One downside there would be that you have to use different bolts for the rims (from what I have read from other posts). They would likely be much less expensive that the 18" AMG wheels. I was thinking about posting to see if any current owners who are swapping out their 18" wheels for 19s or 20s would want to sell them as I would be interested in buying.

VCA_AMG

So, enough about the color...(it's awesome!)...how do you like DRIVING it?!

Tell us about how she drives!

BTW 220S...you said they "added" a stitched dash, as seen in the OP's excellent car. Do you mean this is also a standard item now, with the headliner?

South Ocean1

JamE55:

Thanks. Actually, they are Michelin Pilot Sport 3s.

South Ocean1

Mugatu22:

Yes - the stitched dash and upper door panels are now standard along with the headliner and black lacquor trim around the center console gear shift.

As to how she drives - great in a luxury car sort of way. What I mean is until I pass the 1,000 mile break in period (you are recommended to keep RPMs below 4,500 and not force a transmission "kick down" until then), I am driving this car like a cream puff . . . What's great is that driving it that way, it really does double as a luxury cruiser, albeit with a nice growl from the exhaust and tighter handling even in "comfort" suspension mode. One other interesting note is in "controlled efficiency" mode for the transmission, the RPMs will easily stay in the 1,000 to 1,400 range all the way up through the gears driven lightly.

VCA_AMG

So you haven't performed a Race-Start launch yet, is what you're sayin'...

The controlled efficiency mode, that sounds cool. Like a "granny drive" mode. Probably score some great MPG that way.

Enjoy!

Vic55

Im going on AMG #4... I have always taken the "hard break in" approach. I will be running my car strong up to redline for short periods. I will also push the car in all gears but not too hard up top but enough to push the seals. Sport Plus will be enjoying its use from start up all day every day!!!! All of my previous cars became very strong with this approach and many people in the racing industry suggest this too. I want the car to reach its limits early so its not pushed later.

E-Ridium 63

Vic - How long do you keep your cars? From your list of past ponies, I see you're lucky enough to cycle through some nice rides. I'm probably going to be keeping mine for a bit. Do you think the hard break in will impact longevity of the vehicle? For me, I'd trade having an E63 that is a tad slower for one with less problems down the road.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers

Vic55

I usually keep my cars 12-18 months. Hard break in, IMHO, will expand longevity of the car. If one is soft on their car and then 10k miles into it decides to push it; the car may go where it hasnt gone before seal wise and bad things could happen. This is all supposition since these engines are absolutely bulletproof unless "abuse" comes into play. Almost always warranty work is on parts outside of the engine... My CL65 went in for a bad intercooler pump, W210 E55 had zero probs, W211 E55 had oil sensor, SBC brake issues, alternator issues; but none had engine issues. Im just a firm believer of driving the car from day one the way its supposed to be driven (within reason of course since its new but I do push it).

All my M cars (4 of them) stated that you must be light on the rpms up to 3500 miles. No chance here!!! Just remember to not leave the car in high rpms for long periods when the car is new. Up and down the range, short bursts here and there. Open the car up thru the entire curve of the RPM's.

E-Ridium 63

Thanks for the info, Vic. Helpful to know and all makes sense esp your post about items that go wrong are usually not the engine itself - very true. Congrats on the new addition to your stable. Your rides are unbelievable!

Cheers

KonradE63

Very nice car. Any chance of getting a pic of the black center console?

South Ocean1

KonradE63:

Here is a photo of my console. I hope this is what you are looking for. Let me know if you need more photos.

Kind regards

KonradE63

Exactly what I was looking for. I have removed my console and will have a shop paint it black. Thanks!

KE63

KonradE63

I ended up taking off the center console and the plastic piece around the i-drive and had them painted. I posted pics on the following thread:

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...oval-help.html

South Ocean1

KonradE63:

Thanks for posting follow-up pictures. That looks very professionally done. Nice job!

JCJMD

Hey south ocean, from wisconsin and looking to get a new 2010 E63 if there are any left ...did you get yours from Fletcher? if so how are they to deal with...if necessary may order a 2011 like you...any advice...thanks!

South Ocean1

JCMD

Sorry for the slow reply. I ordered mine from Mercedes of Hoffman Estates. I had a good experience there. I would be happy to give you more info if that is helpful. You can PM me.

I think there is only one new 2010 E63 left in Chicagoland and that is a silver one at Mercedes of Barrington which is under the same ownership as MB of Hoffman Estates so if that is of interest I can give you my salespersons contact info at MB Hoffman Estates. There are only 4 2011s in the area, but you better like black . . .

JCJMD

thanks south ocean 1, PM sent...

Fastgreek

very nice, congrats

transferred

SouthOcean....congrats on both the stunning 2011 E63 and the very well-written posts.

A belated "welcome" is in order.

ngerstman

Long time mercedes driver, new to the forum. I have a 2001 obsidian black e55 with the full Kleeman mods(compressor, headers, lsd, ecu), 525hp, only 52,000 miles in perfect condition. I just purchased a 2011 e550 sport 4matic in indium grey with p2, distronic, and driver dynamic seats to be my daily drive. Love the car and the airmatic shocks are great to deal with the crappy New Jersey roads without killing my 57 year old body. Much more civilized drive than my e55 although not as crazy fast. Love many of the Mercedes current colors. The indium grey was my first choice and also love the steel grey. Both colors change their hue with the changing light. My dealer had a new Designo color, platinum metalic black that is stunning, much nicer than obsidian black, IMO. The drive dynamic seats are great with the massage feature and side inflatable bolster for cornering. Works incredibly well. How does it know? Does the e63 have the dynamic seats? What color was your e55? How many miles did you have on it? How do you like the new e63? Does that have the airmatic adjustable suspension? Is the suspension civilized to drive or hard on the body? Thanks. Ned.

South Ocean1

Ned:

Thanks for your comments. You now have a nice combination of super fast (with the E55) and super stylish (and fast and safe for winter) (with your E550 4matic). I am a fan of the Indium Grey - I think it is has a very nice bronze undertone to really differentiate it from the standard grey. It is also a rare color. There is now an Indium Grey W212 E350 in my neighborhood that I see from time to time and I have really been admiring the color on that car. I would have been very happy with that color on my E63. What interior color did you go with?

Your E55 must be a monster - with 525 hp and only 3,700 lbs curb weight. I always thought my old 2001 E55 was fast enough, but I do like the significant extra pull of the E63. My E55 was silver with only 43k miles. I really liked that car. It is amazing, though, how much technology has improved (including cool ambient lighting, adjustable suspension, massaging seats etc) between my 2001 E and 2011 E. The 2011 E-Class is just such a nice car to drive and spend time in - fast or slow.

As to the suspension, I would have liked for looks the 19s but couldn't trust the ride on our similarly crappy Chicago roads so went with the 18s. I am pleased with the ride with the 18s in comfort on these rough roads. No issues. The ride is more comfortable that my E55 with the stock 18s (and no adjustable suspension) yet seems to handle better even in comfort mode.

Do you have some pictures posted of your new E550 4matic on this forum somewhere for us to see?

Kind regards,

ngerstman

No pictures posted yet. I do love the indium grey. If you get a chance you should check out the Designo platinum black, I loved that color. My dealer(not as in the 1960's) has an e350 luxury in that color in the showroom. Would love to see it out in the natural light. The interior of my e550 is the almond. The seats in my e55(two tone grey and black) are more comfortable than the ones in my new e550. I don't understand why Mercedes doesn't offer more plush seats. I guess it fulfills their need to keep a "driving machine" image as opposed to the luxury sedan image. I noticed that your e63 has adjustable airmatic shocks in the rear but not the front. Do the front shocks adjust ride as well? DO you drive the e63 in snow at all? All in all it sounds like the new e63's are pretty civilized given the adjustable suspension, an every day ride except for snowy days. Regards. Ned.