GermanMIA

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum but have been reading it for a while now as I'm a huge fan of AMG cars.

I'm currently visiting family in Germany and the local car rental company had a fully loaded E63S on the lot. Without even giving it a single thought I rented the car for a few days to experience it in Germany. In the US I live in South Florida and own a 2017 BMW X6M.

Having had the E63S for only about half a day I can't even believe how amazing this car is. I'm at the point that all I want is to trade in my BMW and order an E63S. I realize comparing both cars is a bit of an apples and oranges deal but since they are similar MSRP I think it does make sense as some people might consider both.

So far, what impresses me most compared to the X6M:

1. The Sound. I think this one is a no-brainer especially with the performance exhaust on. Every time you let go off the gas pedal and the crackling and rumbling starts it puts a smile on your face and your passengers. BMW, even with the new M5, can't even get close to the AMG V8 sound.

2. Comfort. The ride is surprisingly more comfortable than the X6M. I generally drive the BMW in comfort suspension mode and even that is rough. I don't know if it's just that the German road quality that's better or the Merc is just much more comfortable, even in Sport+ mode.

3. Acceleration in the top end on the Merc is crazy. The BMW is quick off the line, but once you get to higher speeds it starts to struggle with the weight and sheer dimensions of the car and accelerating from lets say 60 to 90 just feels slow. The Merc just keeps on going and it doesn't seem to stop.

4. Build quality. This has been one of my biggest issue with the BMW, especially the Made in US ones. My dashboard squeaks and rattles. The Merc is rock solid. Going over bumps is silent while the BMW just doesn't feel as solid. Generally the interior of the Merc also feels a lot nicer and higher quality. Where as the BMW is completely covered in the leather, it's cheap and fragile leather. Ever little finger nail or sharp object leaves a mark. Interior design of the E63S is beyond stunning with the ambient lights and the dual screens.

The one thing I prefer on the BMW over the Mercedes is the iDrive system. The Mercedes Command system is just confusing and unintuitive. Maybe it takes some getting used to but I do prefer iDrive.

Just my initial thoughts I wanted to share with the group here, especially since coming from the "other side". I read a lot of people here have issues with their new E63S in the US. I'm hoping MBUSA can sort them out as I will definitely be looking into a 2019 or 2020 lease.

Cheers

bobblehead

.... time to hit the Autobahn and let's hear your driving impression a bit more on that

24Hours

Welcome to the board... and lucky you! Renting an E63S sounds awesome! Rental options in the US blow by comparison. I rented a 3-series diesel wagon a few years back while in France with the family and loved the simplicity of the i-drive. I didn't mind the W212 Command system, but having only sat in the W213 for a short period, I'm not looking forward to learning a new system all over again.

Safe travels.

E634Me

Just arrived Stuttgart and checked in to the hotel. Tomorrow will be our last day with the car as we drop it off after lunch to be prepped for shipment back to the US.

The trip from Munich to Stuttgart was mostly autobahn. It was already night when we left and sprinkling a little for part of the trip then cleared up about half way through. Traffic was fairly heavy at first and then opened up a bit. Followed a couple other cars for a while traveling between 160 and 180 kph with a few spurts up to 220 kph or so. One was a BMW and not sure what the other car was. It was really clear that the E63 had a lot more on tap when the traffic breaks occurred. As the other guys accelerated away each time, I still had plenty of get up and go left in the bag.

Cruising at 160 kph (100 mph) to 180 kph (111 mph) the car feels totally planted in comfort mode or sport+ and the ride is totally fine on these roads. When someone pulls to the right and you get a chance to push the peddle down a bit, the car accelerates hard, hitting 220 kph (136 mph) in very short order. It's hard to express just how hard this thing pulls and how quickly you leave the other traffic behind.

Later when the road opened up again I was able to resume a nice 175 - 185 kph cruise and then at one spot where the road opened up ahead of us and I could see the way was clear for some distance I opened it up and rocketed away from the other traffic. My wife captured a little bit of video picking up the sound and getting a little bit of a feel of how fast we were accelerating and moving with respect to the other traffic. Her view switched from the dash back to the traffic and you could see 261 kph briefly (162 mph) and it was still climbing well when I backed out of it as we were closing on the other traffic at a pretty good clip.

The brakes haul you down very quickly and smoothly and that was without me really stepping on them. You can tell there's a lot of stopping power left to go.

All this was with four people in the car and a trunk full of luggage. Absolutely has impressed us all with what a great touring car this is.

It is going to be really hard to give it up tomorrow. It's also going to be really hard to drive it from Germantown to San Diego at legal US limits when it arrives in the states.

Still haven't done a race start. Doubt we'll see a spot here in town where I can try it before we turn the car in. That might just have to wait for the states.

2012 merc amg

Your best off waiting on the race start till the car is fully broken in. How many miles are you up too? Sounds like your gonna be up to the 2000 mile rear end gear oil change soon. Do some race starts between 1500 miles and 2000 miles, that's what I did with mine and it seems the differential has worn in perfectly. No whining sounds when I'm on the throttle or off it downshifting.

E634Me

I think I'm around 2000 km, so 1250 miles give or take. Misting and wet this morning, so looks like it will wait till the car gets home.

GermanMIA

I grew up in Germany and learned to drive here so I’m pretty comfortable and familiar with Autobahn driving. I was also fortunate enough to test out some great cars in Germany.

I took the E63S onto a windy “Landstraße” through the Black Forest. This car is capable of things it shouldn’t be capable of considering it’s size and weight. It corners beautifully and it never seems to run out of power. 4Matic+ was helpful considering the road conditions with wet and almost icy roads. There was barely any slip or oversteering.

I was also able to test some race starts on an empty stretch of road. It feels utterly insane.

On my way back home we hit the Autobahn and tested the top speed. I hit 260 km/h so quickly and the car was limited at that point. It could have gone a lot quicker. The car is fitted with winter tires so not the best setup for high speed driving.

It was also the first time i really got to experience the Intelligent LED lights with the matrix function that can keep the high beems on without dazzling other cars. Very cool and impressive feature. I hope it finally gets approved in the US. The equivalent on my current BMW is a joke. I know this is a US issue and not a BMW issue as BMW has the same matrix LED lights in Europe.

Overall I’m beyond impressed with the E63S and how capable it is. I can’t wait for my lease to end and to place my order for the AMG!

E634Me

Made it back to the States today and already missing the car.

Here’s a link to the video my wife shot of us punching it for a bit on the autobahn.

2012 merc amg

Nice Video. Sounds like a very memorable trip, congrats. When do you get the car back?

PearlSchult08

I agree with you here, MB E63S is a great car. But, after looking on its lease price, it needs more money to lease this car. My broker offer this for 1,369 monthly. Maybe, I will consider this to lease next year.

Nitrouz

I have a 2017 M6 Gran Coupe running 700hp and the E63S... E63S > M6 Gran Coupe any day of the week.

joc

I just saw the video on BBC and the car looks and sounds fabulous, I will have to wait several years before I can afford it.
John

GermanMIA

please elaborate

Nitrouz

The e63s is slightly shorter than my m6gc, which makes it easier to maneuver in the city. The Awd puts power down anywhere anytime, whereas my m6gc is slipping in the rear quite often in this cold weather in Vancouver right now. E63s has more technology and a more appealing interior which of course is subjective. Both sound amazing as I have non-catted downpipes and full akrapovic exhaust in the m6gc. So pretty much everything the m6 does, the e63s does it better, at a lower price point. I prefer the look of the m6gc but that's subjective. Only thing the m6 has over the e63s is the transmission. Dual clutch is still quicker and more seamless.

GermanMIA

Thanks for sharing more details. Agreed on all points.

BTW does the NA spec of the E63S have the blue light strips in the headlights when the car starts up and does it do the little light show when turning on the headlamps where the beam goes left to right? I thought that feature, while completely useless, is pretty cool to look at.

Aamir_

The M6GC was on my shortlist. It's just such a jaw-droppingly beautiful machine. BMW really got the proportions right with that one.

Nitrouz

I agree. Combined with the right color it's definitely a head turner. I hunted high and low for the San Marino blue.

24Hours

I love that color.

Nitrouz

Thanks!

Vic55

Yeah I like SMB slightly better than Monte Carlo....

Nitrouz

OK I just had a chance to drive them back to back... And here's my best description.

M6GC is more of a sports car with saloon car capabilities (higher rpm power, carbon roof, lightning quick dual clutch shifts, etc.)

E63s is more of a saloon car with sports car capabilities (more rear headroom, panoramic roof, heated arm rests, more tech, self parking assist etc)

Hope that makes sense.

Vic55

Interesting observation but yours none the less. Ive only had my E63S for a few days but have been pushing it rather well in turns and bends and compared to my M6 (F13) it feels more planted with less yaw and roll. In fact I can see why its the fastest sedan ever at VIR. This car is so much more of a handler than my prior AMG's except for the GTS and even then it can give it a good run for the money. I have no doubt the E63S would beat my M6 coupe on the track too.

I just never saw the GC as anything more than a GT cruiser since thats how I saw my coupe. (not a negative thing at all btw just my op)

Nitrouz

I completely agree with your assessment regarding stats and data. Yes the e63s is definitely more planted as well with its suspension and awd. Just saying from a daily driving normal everyday driving perspective. Mostly due to each brand's packaging and creature comfort / options.

After driving both, it's hard to think that I paid so much more for the M6GC (although it's fully loaded with ccb as well)

Vic55

That makes all the sense to me too.

I feel your pain on the BMW--- I recently bought a 2016 M5 with a 133k msrp and got triple net off. When I went to sell it I couldnt get any bites over 90k (11 months later). It was a sunken cost but still....

16 M5's are averaging only 65k at the auction (which is not dealer pricing but its still stupid low). What a 2nd owner bargain these cars are now. And Im a dual fan boy with 11 AMG's and 8 M's but right now, its all about AMG to me