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Opinion needed: Which W212: M156 E63, E 550 or M157 E63?
Posting in the Normal W212 E Class section as well....
Hi Everyone, long time lurker here.
I have a 1995 E300 Diesel. Great car. Solid, old MB quality. Problem is, I don't care about mileage and the diesel is underpowered. I have DIY'ed and love the w124 but I have always loved the 2010-2013 W212: I like its sharp, solid lines and minimal round features. The 2014+ E class doesn't do it for me. I wanted to ask you all to help flesh out my thinking.
Assumptions: Car I find will be paid with cash. Budget is 20-30k. I will own it out of warranty and continue to DIY as much as I can I live on the West Coast in a continental climate ( snow ) so 4Matic is a big, big advantage. However, I own a 4x4 pickup so my Benz wouldn't need to be my year-round daily.
Only looking for a sedan.
I am currently thinking either a M156 E63 NA, a M157 TT E63 or an e550.
2010/11 E63 NA: Assuming the cost of maintenance and ownership will be lower than a M157 E63 (assuming the headbolts have been replaced by MB) because NA versus TT. Love the throaty sound and power. Would swap steering wheel and shifter to 2012-13 setup Con: Not 4Matic
2012/13 E63 TT M157: Assuming higher cost of maintenance and ownership just due to complexity of twin turbos. Great interior Love the feedback of the turbos spooling up. Con: Not 4Matic
2012/13 e550 TT: Would only consider the 2012/13 Twin Turbo v8 E class. 4 Matic is big plus. Power (400hp) is more than enough in all honesty. Con: Damn hard to find on the west coast in good shape.
Basically I am leaning towards a (headbolt replaced) M156 E63 and treat the car more seasonal or the e550. I think the E550 in all honesty is more than enough car, but man, if you can AMG why not?
I'd love to have the M157 E63 but the added expense of a forced induction AMG car makes me a little hesitant. Whereas, I am more comfortable with the TT e550 for some reason. Am I insane? What do you all think?
Posting in the Normal W212 E Class section as well....
Hi Everyone, long time lurker here.
I have a 1995 E300 Diesel. Great car. Solid, old MB quality. Problem is, I don't care about mileage and the diesel is underpowered. I have DIY'ed and love the w124 but I have always loved the 2010-2013 W212: I like its sharp, solid lines and minimal round features. The 2014+ E class doesn't do it for me. I wanted to ask you all to help flesh out my thinking.
Assumptions: Car I find will be paid with cash. Budget is 20-30k. I will own it out of warranty and continue to DIY as much as I can I live on the West Coast in a continental climate ( snow ) so 4Matic is a big, big advantage. However, I own a 4x4 pickup so my Benz wouldn't need to be my year-round daily.
Only looking for a sedan.
I am currently thinking either a M156 E63 NA, a M157 TT E63 or an e550.
2010/11 E63 NA: Assuming the cost of maintenance and ownership will be lower than a M157 E63 (assuming the headbolts have been replaced by MB) because NA versus TT. Love the throaty sound and power. Would swap steering wheel and shifter to 2012-13 setup Con: Not 4Matic
2012/13 E63 TT M157: Assuming higher cost of maintenance and ownership just due to complexity of twin turbos. Great interior Love the feedback of the turbos spooling up. Con: Not 4Matic
2012/13 e550 TT: Would only consider the 2012/13 Twin Turbo v8 E class. 4 Matic is big plus. Power (400hp) is more than enough in all honesty. Con: Damn hard to find on the west coast in good shape.
Basically I am leaning towards a (headbolt replaced) M156 E63 and treat the car more seasonal or the e550. I think the E550 in all honesty is more than enough car, but man, if you can AMG why not?
I'd love to have the M157 E63 but the added expense of a forced induction AMG car makes me a little hesitant. Whereas, I am more comfortable with the TT e550 for some reason. Am I insane? What do you all think?
M157 and M278 both having very similar parts and design.
M157 has slightly larger engine displacement and turbo.
I bolt on M157 turbo straight onto M278...works perfectly after proper tuning.
Suspension and tranny will be different. Thats what E550 is lacking.
With Air suspension all around, E550 suspension is super soft...
Shifting is not as aggressive and not as fast.
If you worry about the issues on M157, M278 might have similar issue.
Last edited by cocobeex; Nov 30, 2019 at 10:16 PM.
M157 and M278 both having very similar parts and design.
M157 has slightly larger engine displacement and turbo.
I bolt on M157 turbo straight onto M278...works perfectly after proper tuning.
Suspension and tranny will be different. Thats what E550 is lacking.
With Air suspension all around, E550 suspension is super soft...
Shifting is not as aggressive and not as fast.
If you worry about the issues on M157, M278 might have similar issue.
Thanks for those points. To be clear, 2012/13 E550s US Spec rarely had AirMatic suspension. But I have read that pushing the E550 around corners it feels heavy and doesn't corner well even with the AvatGarde (normal) suspension.
Thanks for those points. To be clear, 2012/13 E550s US Spec rarely had AirMatic suspension. But I have read that pushing the E550 around corners it feels heavy and doesn't corner well even with the AvatGarde (normal) suspension.
I hate air suspension so much on E550...cornering sucks so much compare to E63
Hey, M156 E63 owner here. I was in your exact same position 9 months ago. I can say that I have ZERO regrets on my purchase. The NA power and sound out of the 156 puts a smile on my face every day.
If you care at all about dynamics, scrap the E550 from you list. The suspension and braking will always leave you wanting more.
I bit the bullet and bought my car not knowing if the headbolts (and camshaft) where bad/had been replaced prior. Did an oil analysis at Blackstone Labs after my first oil change and they gave me a clean bill of health (75k miles).
Car has been perfect reliable over the past 15k miles. I drive it back an fourth from Massachusetts to Kansas a few times a year and to hear the M156’s rumble makes the trip worth it. Even took it to autocross and it was an absolute blast.
All in in all I would say go for the 6.3L (6.2) M156 car. They are reliable, a ton of fun, sound great, have amazing performance, and are cheaper.
I have a 2011 E63 also and no problems with engine. Mine is one wthout headbolt problem. I suggest going with a 2011 built in 2011 or a 2013 + year. E63. If you go with an E550 you will still be wanting an E63..
Coming out of an M278 e550 to a M157 I agree mostly with everyone here. But some things to consider:
- E550 is the better cruiser. If you drive a lot of miles and care more about comfort, the 550 has the 63 beat. It’s fun to drive a track car to work everyday but there are obvious tradeoffs
- If your wallet isn’t overflowing in cash, you may consider the cost of ownership. I believe the E550 will be cheaper in the long run to maintain, just on brakes alone. But also the M278 is muzzled by the soft and lazy 7g transmission, which hypothetically should mean less wear on moving parts
and greater longevity
- Depreciation from a dollars standpoint will be worse on the 63. Residual value-wise, the 63 retains more over time as a %, but on a cash basis the premium you pay erodes quicker. By the time each car is 10 years old they’ll sell within $10k of each other.
A boat analogy would be one is a fast flat-bottom bass boat that gets you to point B quickly but painfully, and one is a deep v-hulled bowrider slowly towing your kids on a tube. Two different cars each with their own tradeoffs. Comes down to what kind of driving you do 90% of the time and what you think is important to you.
In case you’re wondering, 90% of the time I’m looking for any excuse to got WOT so the E63 fits like a glove. I’d never go back to an E550... if anything now I aspire to be in an S63 and have it both ways. I may need to sell a few assets or convince my children that college just isn’t their calling!
In case you’re wondering, 90% of the time I’m looking for any excuse to got WOT so the E63 fits like a glove. I’d never go back to an E550... if anything now I aspire to be in an S63 and have it both ways. I may need to sell a few assets or convince my children that college just isn’t their calling!
Indeed. In my heart I am an S Class guy. But Mercedes is in the thralls of rounded designs rather than hard sharp edged. I haven't been a fan of the styling of the S Class since the w140.
I hear you on living WOT. I live there out of necessity in the 95 E300. Ha
I've never driven an m157 car.... But I've had my 2010 m156 e63 for coming up on 4 years now. 172,000 miles. I also installed the 2012+ wheel and shift knob, along with SL63 wheels. Would definitely recommend it. I have also DIY'd everything on it- and it's been relatively trouble free. Have driven it cross country, and not once was uncomfortable or regretting the drive. I dare say it's as, or maybe more comfortable, than my w126.
The m156 soundtrack with the MCT trans is pretty great- I still smile everytime I catch a good downshift.
I have replaced engine mounts, sway bar end links, an alternator, pulleys, flipped camshaft adjuster pins, etc, and it's all been really straightforward- *some* things even simpler than working on my om617 equipped w126/123.
From the personal experience of owning both simultaneously for over 4 years - W212 2014 E550 4Matic with Airmatic and W212 E63 with M157:
- Both are relatively trouble free, easy to work on/fix and very solidly built.
- E550 is obviously softer with more body roll, but feels much better once lowered.
- Acceleration from the dig is impressive in both cars with E63 being a bit lazy from the full stop
- Both are easy to live with as a daily, some find E63 suspension to be a bit harsh
- If you can find a clean 2014 E550 they are a bargain today at @~25K and will last you for years with proper care.
I had a C63 with M156 prior to the E63 and miss that car/engine every day!
Will be happy to answer specific questions.
Good luck!
Interesting... opposite experience for me, I found my 550 to be lazy from a stop in S mode. I found a little quirk that while driving if I put the car in neutral and stabbed the accelerator it would not respond for a few seconds almost as if the ECU was retarding throttle (maybe the TCU was actually to blame). After a few pushes it would finally rev, then once back in D it would be very responsive for the rest of the trip.
The E63 on the other hand in S+ has no such lag. S is still worthless and is dangerous when running through intersections. MB would be better off labeling it C+ instead.
Thank you everyone for your comments as to your unique experiences. I also posted this topic over on the w212 sedan section. I have decided I am going to prioritize the fact an e550 can be driven in my climate year-round. I will reserve garage space for the winter for a classic car to be added in the future.
As such I am still considering a 2014 E63S or a 2012-114 e550.
I'm interested to know if you found something yet ...
I did, sorry I have been neglecting this thread. I posted this over on the w212 section a few days ago.
Updating everyone: I have tentatively purchased a 14 e550 in cardinal red 75k miles. It has almost every option I was hoping to find and a few more miles than I originally was looking for; however, it is owned by the original CA owner who has every invoice from dealer service since new in addition to the factory window stickers. That sort of sealed it for me especially when I learned he's an old car enthusiast so it certainly hasn't been abused. Owner is in his mid-70's.
I wish it had a few less miles, active driver seat and distronic plus. I paid $19,500. 70k B service including the transmission was done 5k miles ago. So hopefully it will be a good solid car as I like to DIY and keep things in ship shape. Glad it has the black ash trim, premium 1, LED lighting, folding rear seats, and keyless-go packages.
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Opinion needed: Which W212: M156 E63, E 550 or M157 E63?
