W212 w/156 an amazing value or probable black hole of $
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
my wife crazy
W212 w/156 an amazing value or probable black hole of $
Hello
Long time car junkie and lurker looking for a new daily driver.
Have been watching the value of the E63 with the 6.2 skyrocket. Note: Value to me is what level of performance and quality I can buy at a given $. When I look at the current market I can't see anything that comes close. I know the M157 has massive tuning potential, but I've never liked electrically assisted variable rate steering. The NA motor is also attractive. I know I may sound like a Luddite but I prefer cars that have not had all the edges sanded off.
My hesitation is the potential head bolts failures and the need to replace the cam-followers and tappets. The cars I'm looking at would potentially fall into the affected group. If the aforementioned items need to be addressed it does take some of the shine off of the proverbial penny.
So is the 6.2 the best used car value today or am blinded by the roughly $10k delta and making a bigger deal about the M157 being a bit numb and synthetic?
I look forward to your feedback.
Long time car junkie and lurker looking for a new daily driver.
Have been watching the value of the E63 with the 6.2 skyrocket. Note: Value to me is what level of performance and quality I can buy at a given $. When I look at the current market I can't see anything that comes close. I know the M157 has massive tuning potential, but I've never liked electrically assisted variable rate steering. The NA motor is also attractive. I know I may sound like a Luddite but I prefer cars that have not had all the edges sanded off.
My hesitation is the potential head bolts failures and the need to replace the cam-followers and tappets. The cars I'm looking at would potentially fall into the affected group. If the aforementioned items need to be addressed it does take some of the shine off of the proverbial penny.
So is the 6.2 the best used car value today or am blinded by the roughly $10k delta and making a bigger deal about the M157 being a bit numb and synthetic?
I look forward to your feedback.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
my wife crazy
Peter, thank you.
I had read through this thread and thought I would try and get some current feedback.
I had read through this thread and thought I would try and get some current feedback.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Sorry to waste your time, hadn't realize you read through some things
What do you define as black hole?
$10k, $15k in repairs over what period of ownership?
How long do you want to keep it? If only for a couple years your risk is clearly less
The consensus is that you shouldn't buy a pre headbolt E63 and there is tons of reading I'm sure you did on that
Two schools of thought, a) never own an Amg out of warranty, b) put aside $5000 for future repairs and you'll be statistically unlikely to burn through it over the ownership. Also if you have skills in repair you can mitigate much of that cost
Most of your issues may not be drivetrain related ... They may be with parking sensors or distronic or the pano roof... And these are mostly likely to cause the most likely requirement for going in your wallet, while the drivetrain issues are unlikely but certainly can rarely have devastating costs
If you're spending $35-40k on an m156 e63 can you rationalize $10k and some downtime for worst case scenarios?
the m156 that is well maintained is historically a very reliable engine. The car around it is not necessarily super reliable because it's a Benz, lol!
The m156 is more linear in power delivery and does not have the mod capabilities of the m157 for the amount of money spent and it's expensive to mod these cars. A $2000 tune gets you to 700/800 on the m157. The m156 is more primal for sure
Cheers and good luck
What do you define as black hole?
$10k, $15k in repairs over what period of ownership?
How long do you want to keep it? If only for a couple years your risk is clearly less
The consensus is that you shouldn't buy a pre headbolt E63 and there is tons of reading I'm sure you did on that
Two schools of thought, a) never own an Amg out of warranty, b) put aside $5000 for future repairs and you'll be statistically unlikely to burn through it over the ownership. Also if you have skills in repair you can mitigate much of that cost
Most of your issues may not be drivetrain related ... They may be with parking sensors or distronic or the pano roof... And these are mostly likely to cause the most likely requirement for going in your wallet, while the drivetrain issues are unlikely but certainly can rarely have devastating costs
If you're spending $35-40k on an m156 e63 can you rationalize $10k and some downtime for worst case scenarios?
the m156 that is well maintained is historically a very reliable engine. The car around it is not necessarily super reliable because it's a Benz, lol!
The m156 is more linear in power delivery and does not have the mod capabilities of the m157 for the amount of money spent and it's expensive to mod these cars. A $2000 tune gets you to 700/800 on the m157. The m156 is more primal for sure
Cheers and good luck
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
my wife crazy
Peter, not wasting my time at all and thank you for your input.
While I don't want to waste $ the downtime is what I'd like to avoid.
Definitely would buy a 3rd party warranty.
Sounds like the extra $10k for a M157 is money well spent if for nothing else peace of mind, and giving up a bit of feedback for the massive performance potential is a good trade-off.
Thanks again
While I don't want to waste $ the downtime is what I'd like to avoid.
Definitely would buy a 3rd party warranty.
Sounds like the extra $10k for a M157 is money well spent if for nothing else peace of mind, and giving up a bit of feedback for the massive performance potential is a good trade-off.
Thanks again
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 170
Likes: 28
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Too many
I had a 2010 c63 with the M156 engine and currently drive 2016 e63s with the M157 engine. I love the new engine , and I think you will have no regrets. I also think that AMG improved the transmission gradually and this will be a plus
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,841
Likes: 202
From: miami / delray beach
2014 E63s amg 4matic, 2009 C63, 2006 E55 AMG , 2001.5 AUDI S4 stg 3+ w/meth
i've also had both M156 and M157 engine and no comparison... M157 blows it away in performance and how it makes you feel when you push on the pedal
in terms of steering, its not that noticeable of a difference to me
the M156 does sound amazing when you start upgrading the exhaust though
in terms of steering, its not that noticeable of a difference to me
the M156 does sound amazing when you start upgrading the exhaust though
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Indeed, Peter has answered it well with post #4. Indeed, all those gadgets and electronics are most like what will get you. Cars now are just so complicated that there are so many things that can break down. I am the kind of person that prefer to keep things simple. For example, I would opt for a hand-cranked windows if they are available--seriously I would.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,799
Likes: 3,229
2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Peter, not wasting my time at all and thank you for your input.
While I don't want to waste $ the downtime is what I'd like to avoid.
Definitely would buy a 3rd party warranty.
Sounds like the extra $10k for a M157 is money well spent if for nothing else peace of mind, and giving up a bit of feedback for the massive performance potential is a good trade-off.
Thanks again
While I don't want to waste $ the downtime is what I'd like to avoid.
Definitely would buy a 3rd party warranty.
Sounds like the extra $10k for a M157 is money well spent if for nothing else peace of mind, and giving up a bit of feedback for the massive performance potential is a good trade-off.
Thanks again
Also if you're buying a 3rd party warranty careful of your mods.... As the fine print may void the entire warranty (and third party warranties are about $4000-7000 for decent coverage and terms for an e63)
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
2011 E63
To the OP. I have the M156 and have had no issues at all. I take good care of her with routine maintenance as we all should do. I plan to keep this car as long as possible and hope to get either my CPO extended past 2018 or I will get an aftermarket. Whatever it takes. I am addicted to driving this car. I love the sound of it. I love the power off the line. I love the cold starts. I love the downshift barks and snap / crackle / pops you get all up and down the rpm range. Goosebumps just writing this.
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
2010 E63 AMG
I have a 2010 and the extended warranty runs out next march. It's got 41k on the clock and has been relatively free from issues except for the sun roof that needed replacing. I'm old and smoked since I was 14 so I'm not making any 5 year plans. Thinking about rolling the dice and forgoing any extended warranty. If some of the frills stop working it probably won't be that big of deal as long as it will go down the road.
Last edited by LJMartin; Jul 18, 2016 at 07:26 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
I have a 2010 and the extended warranty runs out next march. It's got 41k on the clock and has been relatively free from issues except for the sun roof that needed replacing. I'm old and smoked since I was 14 so I'm not making any 5 year plans. Thinking about rolling the dice and for going any extended warranty. If some of the frills stop working it probably won't be that big of deal as long as it will go down the road.
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 165
Likes: 2
2010 E63 AMG
I do have the pano roof. The wind screen that comes up when you open the roof came loose at the bottom and the roof wouldn't close. They had to replace the roof panel and frame. I was surprised it failed as it has only been opened 20 times in it's life. On a happier note what It would have cost to fix it meant I just about broke even on the factory extended warranty I bought. Do you happen to know at what mileage the head bolt issue usually came up? Any one have a recommendation on a reliable 3rd party warranty Co. Might check on a drive train only warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
I have heard mixed reviews when searching for a reliable aftermarket warranty. Yes, a drive train only warranty would be great.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,462
Likes: 54
FF. W212 E63 M156 non-pano 18" P2 ParkT NightV (gone but will be missed).
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 385
Likes: 7
From: Arroyo Grande, CA
w205 C63s, w212 E63,w219CLS500-SOLD! w211 E63, 2006 E60 M5 (KABOOM!)
If it makes you feel any better, I have 118k miles on my 08 w/M156. I have changed the oil at 5k intervals for the life of the car. As far as mechanical issues, I have had to replace the intake manifold gaskets, I had a belt tensioner fail at 75k and both front air struts. (one at 80k and the other one at 110k) Only "electrical" issue has been the trunk closer and in my opinion, that is more mechanical due to the wires breaking over time. As with pretty much any car, be diligent with maintenance and they should last for a long time.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 3
From: On a couch
2006 C55
If it makes you feel any better, I have 118k miles on my 08 w/M156. I have changed the oil at 5k intervals for the life of the car. As far as mechanical issues, I have had to replace the intake manifold gaskets, I had a belt tensioner fail at 75k and both front air struts. (one at 80k and the other one at 110k) Only "electrical" issue has been the trunk closer and in my opinion, that is more mechanical due to the wires breaking over time. As with pretty much any car, be diligent with maintenance and they should last for a long time.
