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I am looking for a dally driver for my wife and myself that we can also use for touring with luggage, golf clubs and one or two dogs. We drove a new E400 station wagon, and it was nice, but not much fun. We drove at a 2018 E amg 63s and were impressed. However, (1) it costs a lot, (2) depreciation seems to be rapid, and (3) if one can judge by the posts here, some of them spend more time in the shop than on the road. The depreciation isn't a huge issue, because I usually keep my cars a long time. On the other hand, if I can get a used amg station wagon for half the price of a new one, that is tempting. I have seen 2012 amg 63 wagons, some with the performance option, for $45,000 for one with 50,000 miles, to $65,000 for a very low mileage example. That was the result of a nationwide search. There are none near me, and I don't know how different they drive and ride from the 2018. I have seen the Doug DeMuro videos of both the 2012 and the 2018, which seems to conclude that the 2012 is a good car and the 2018 is a great one. My sense is that the 2012 may ride a little harder and lack some electronic features of the new one - no Apple CarPlay, DeMuro says no back up camera (though I've seen ones that are said to have one), no way to charge a phone through a USB port, etc. Can anyone tell me what to expect of the 2012 in terms of both driving and maintenance, and what I should expect to pay for a pristine, low mileage example? Are warranties available from third parties and what might they cost? I have an excellent independent Mercedes mechanic who services my SL, and is not encouraging me to buy an amg, but it seems to be my nature to fail to benefit from such good advice. Any information, opinions, experiences, etc., would be welcome.
I've been lurking on the 213 forum and it's disconcerting how many engines are throwing CEL's and having cylinder issues.
a 2012 will feel very very dated compared to the 213 obviously ... and even the e400.... drive one first ... a 2012 e63 and see if it's something you would even like
'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
Handling aside, the 2018’s ride quality is more harsh than the 2012. I’ve probably got the highest mileage W212 E63 around here and it has been tuned for most of those miles and the car is utterly reliable. Beyond routine maintenance I’ve spent very little to keep the car in top shape. However, build quality is subpar for a $100k car imo. Nothing is breaking or even shows signs of wear for that matter but these cars rattle and creak worse than a classic musclecar (and it’s been like that since new).
Your resource was wrong on several points. The 2012 ride is softer than the 2018, the 2012 can be had with a rear view camera (my 2012 has it), and they do charge via usb (but it is slower than a power cord plug).
My 2012 has a back-up camera yet USB charging is so slow you may as well say that it's not available. I always thought the tech in the 2012 was identical to the 2013 but I could be wrong. It doesn't have Apple Car Play but you can control your music through your phone wirelessly and read test messages through the dash screen. I've had no problems with mine at all. I say if you want the post-face lift go newer but I like the pre-face lift front on my 2012.
I am looking for a dally driver for my wife and myself that we can also use for touring with luggage, golf clubs and one or two dogs. We drove a new E400 station wagon, and it was nice, but not much fun. We drove at a 2018 E amg 63s and were impressed. However, (1) it costs a lot, (2) depreciation seems to be rapid, and (3) if one can judge by the posts here, some of them spend more time in the shop than on the road. The depreciation isn't a huge issue, because I usually keep my cars a long time. On the other hand, if I can get a used amg station wagon for half the price of a new one, that is tempting. I have seen 2012 amg 63 wagons, some with the performance option, for $45,000 for one with 50,000 miles, to $65,000 for a very low mileage example. That was the result of a nationwide search. There are none near me, and I don't know how different they drive and ride from the 2018. I have seen the Doug DeMuro videos of both the 2012 and the 2018, which seems to conclude that the 2012 is a good car and the 2018 is a great one. My sense is that the 2012 may ride a little harder and lack some electronic features of the new one - no Apple CarPlay, DeMuro says no back up camera (though I've seen ones that are said to have one), no way to charge a phone through a USB port, etc. Can anyone tell me what to expect of the 2012 in terms of both driving and maintenance, and what I should expect to pay for a pristine, low mileage example? Are warranties available from third parties and what might they cost? I have an excellent independent Mercedes mechanic who services my SL, and is not encouraging me to buy an amg, but it seems to be my nature to fail to benefit from such good advice. Any information, opinions, experiences, etc., would be welcome.
The perfect place - in the middle. You will LOVE the E63S, W212 body, M157 engine, those years, and let the first owner eat the biggest depreciation.
09-29-2018, 02:29 PM
