E63S vs M5C (long term ownership/reliability)
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2011 BMW M3
E63S vs M5C (long term ownership/reliability)
My wife and I are cross shopping the two obvious replacements for her C63S while we find a new owner for it. We managed to test drive both last weekend and had mixed feeling on each.
E63S:
We drove this car first and thought it was perfect (it was an Edition 1). Very nice interior, looked great in satin black, sounded fantastic and was quick. A lot of people seem to complain about ride quality but we had no issue with it. Coming from her lowered W205, M2 and Abarth, the stock E63 was smooth lol. Seemed like it was everything we always wanted the C63 to be, a powerful car with a more balanced platform. In my opinion the power and setup of the C63 makes it feel too unbalanced to drive spiritedly, but I come from mainly BMWs. Really the main concern of the Edition 1 was the paint maintenance for me.
M5C:
The following day I found a M5C to test out. Oh man, the car sound so much better than the normal M5 and feels much quicker than I remember. We couldn't stop laughing during all the pulls we were doing, it almost made us think the E63 was slow in comparison. After some research I realized it's the way the M5 delivers power and other YouTube videos show the same. The transmission on the M5 was much smoother and a less eventful (pro or con?). The main disappointment for me was the steering feel, the M5C feels pretty numb. It goes where you point it but there's little to no feedback on where the wheels are, E63S wins this aspect.
So each car has its pros.
M5C: easier to mod, faster, exterior looks better (wife disagrees), iDrive (significantly better than command), better AWD system
E63S: better interior, better sound, better steering feel, will retain more value in coming years, has bucket seat option (requirement for us in AMGs)
Whatever we buy will get intakes, downpipes, and a tune, so I was interested in seeing which one can handle the ~650whp best (torque limited tune to 650wtq?). After continuing to read about each car, the F90 seems to be a bit more reliable than the F10 was and doesn't have the transmission handicap. The E63S on the other hand seems to have potential electrical bugs, transmission and diff failures, and even suspension leaks. Is this more common in the 2018s than the newer years? We were initially mainly considering Edition 1 cars, but might have to move to 2019s with performance seats.
Hoping to get some insight from owners of one, or both, in terms of reliability and overall experience. We generally put about 12-15k miles a year on a car, and same would apply here.
E63S:
We drove this car first and thought it was perfect (it was an Edition 1). Very nice interior, looked great in satin black, sounded fantastic and was quick. A lot of people seem to complain about ride quality but we had no issue with it. Coming from her lowered W205, M2 and Abarth, the stock E63 was smooth lol. Seemed like it was everything we always wanted the C63 to be, a powerful car with a more balanced platform. In my opinion the power and setup of the C63 makes it feel too unbalanced to drive spiritedly, but I come from mainly BMWs. Really the main concern of the Edition 1 was the paint maintenance for me.
M5C:
The following day I found a M5C to test out. Oh man, the car sound so much better than the normal M5 and feels much quicker than I remember. We couldn't stop laughing during all the pulls we were doing, it almost made us think the E63 was slow in comparison. After some research I realized it's the way the M5 delivers power and other YouTube videos show the same. The transmission on the M5 was much smoother and a less eventful (pro or con?). The main disappointment for me was the steering feel, the M5C feels pretty numb. It goes where you point it but there's little to no feedback on where the wheels are, E63S wins this aspect.
So each car has its pros.
M5C: easier to mod, faster, exterior looks better (wife disagrees), iDrive (significantly better than command), better AWD system
E63S: better interior, better sound, better steering feel, will retain more value in coming years, has bucket seat option (requirement for us in AMGs)
Whatever we buy will get intakes, downpipes, and a tune, so I was interested in seeing which one can handle the ~650whp best (torque limited tune to 650wtq?). After continuing to read about each car, the F90 seems to be a bit more reliable than the F10 was and doesn't have the transmission handicap. The E63S on the other hand seems to have potential electrical bugs, transmission and diff failures, and even suspension leaks. Is this more common in the 2018s than the newer years? We were initially mainly considering Edition 1 cars, but might have to move to 2019s with performance seats.
Hoping to get some insight from owners of one, or both, in terms of reliability and overall experience. We generally put about 12-15k miles a year on a car, and same would apply here.
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From: Toronto, Ont, Canda
go fast grocery getter wagon
I have 2018 (non Edition 1) and no major issues (ownership of full 3 yrs and counting with 62,000km on the clock) as you mentioned above. There are some glitches here and there, esp. in the first year of so but software updates had managed to fix most of them.
It really comes down to what you like. I had also owned a F10 M5 as well, it was the crappiest M car I had owned and will never go back to a BMW.
It really comes down to what you like. I had also owned a F10 M5 as well, it was the crappiest M car I had owned and will never go back to a BMW.
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Drives Slowly
Do a search on member Vic55. He's posted plenty of comparison information on the M5 and E63. I've driven both and they both have appealing qualities. I really like the 2021 facelift for the M5 and there seems to be some favorable deals available. Good luck.
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My modified 2018 E63 has been bulletproof and it ran a 10.39 at 133 so not a slow car. I’m moving into a 2020 M5 competition but only because I’m a M5 fanboy and like to switch cars every 2-3 years.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
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From: Seattle
'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
My modified 2018 E63 has been bulletproof and it ran a 10.39 at 133 so not a slow car. I’m moving into a 2020 M5 competition but only because I’m a M5 fanboy and like to switch cars every 2-3 years.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
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I hear you. It took me a while to find a spec I wanted when I hunted for my 2018. When I was looking at 2018’s less than 10% had performance seats on Autotrader. And the majority that did were first editions which I didn’t want.
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From: IL
19 E63s, 23 M3 compX, B9 SQ5
I drove a few F90s before buying a W213 and really wanted to like them but couldn't do it.
I-drive sucks.
Most M5 interior is with lots of silver/trim plastic everywhere (steering wheel/dash) is what I expect in a base 3 series not a 100K car.
The M5 is faster mod for mod, no doubt but at the cost of reliability. I'll take a car couple tenths slower in the 1/4 that's much more reliable.
E63s only issue so far is the exhaust valves which are crap and tend to go out.
E63s all day over M5. You need the burneister high end audio & distronic, the seats don't matter.
I-drive sucks.
Most M5 interior is with lots of silver/trim plastic everywhere (steering wheel/dash) is what I expect in a base 3 series not a 100K car.
The M5 is faster mod for mod, no doubt but at the cost of reliability. I'll take a car couple tenths slower in the 1/4 that's much more reliable.
E63s only issue so far is the exhaust valves which are crap and tend to go out.
E63s all day over M5. You need the burneister high end audio & distronic, the seats don't matter.
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2011 BMW M3
My modified 2018 E63 has been bulletproof and it ran a 10.39 at 133 so not a slow car. I’m moving into a 2020 M5 competition but only because I’m a M5 fanboy and like to switch cars every 2-3 years.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
You can’t go wrong either way. The performance seats and carbon fiber trim are must haves for the E63 in my opinion. I can tell you finding one with performance seats is not easy though. A very rare option.
Seems like people are saying their W213s have been fairly reliable, and I've heard S63tu blowing oil lines, bearings, and even turbos. My wife's C63 has been pretty bulletproof as well, hoping for the same.
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I would get the E63S. I've driven both cars extensively. The E63S is a great replacement for the C63. You'll feel right at home but still have some awesome upgrades in the powertrain and interior departments.
The E63S is a lot more entertaining with theater and a bit more personality. It is "slower" but seriously, by such a small amount that it shouldn't matter, these cars are faster than anyone needs. The M5 does comfort and tech better, but coming from a C63 it shouldn't be an issue. The M5 is incredibly smooth and fast, but feels a bit boring in my opinion. The exhaust also is pretty meh for a V8. The AMG gives you theater and dramatics, the gearbox may not be as smooth, but its more engaging and crisp in my opinion, and the steering is more natural.
As someone who loved BMW's and was with the brand for 20+ years, I find the new E63S to be closer to what an M5 should be than the new one.
The E63S is a lot more entertaining with theater and a bit more personality. It is "slower" but seriously, by such a small amount that it shouldn't matter, these cars are faster than anyone needs. The M5 does comfort and tech better, but coming from a C63 it shouldn't be an issue. The M5 is incredibly smooth and fast, but feels a bit boring in my opinion. The exhaust also is pretty meh for a V8. The AMG gives you theater and dramatics, the gearbox may not be as smooth, but its more engaging and crisp in my opinion, and the steering is more natural.
As someone who loved BMW's and was with the brand for 20+ years, I find the new E63S to be closer to what an M5 should be than the new one.
Last edited by js_cls; Dec 7, 2020 at 05:30 PM.
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Too many
You won't go wrong with either
I have an M5C 2019 with 15 k miles , not a single issue
I had a 212 E63S and other than the air suspension which always malfunctioned below 20 degrees , the car was also sold ...
I have an M5C 2019 with 15 k miles , not a single issue
I had a 212 E63S and other than the air suspension which always malfunctioned below 20 degrees , the car was also sold ...
Thread Starter
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2011 BMW M3
Between the two forums sounds like the E63s either have repeat problems from the start, or are relatively bulletproof. If I pull the service history of a car in interest it will probably be a decent indication of what to expect.
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2020 AMG E63S Wagon, 2021 Subaru Outback Limited XT
Ivan MacKenzie.
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From: cali-hawaii
2020 e63s wagon
