2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Highlights

• 451 bhp V8 estate

• 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds

• Lots of history

• Discreet looks meets epic performance

• Lovely condition throughout

Overview  

AMG has been making fast Mercs for years, but the W204 C-Class AMG C63 was a lot more than just a heavily breathed-upon compact exec, with a healthy dose of power to offset its comparatively ordinary roots.  

The reason for this is under the bonnet. AMG already had a long history of making Mercedes engines mightier and faster, but the C63 took things to new levels, inspired by Formula1 technology. 

The ‘M156’ V8 was the progeny of Wolf Zimmerman, built around the brief of making both road-going and motorsport versions. It used exotic tech, such as an F1-style bedplate to better locate the main bearings, an aluminium-silicon alloy for both block and cylinder heads and a forged crankshaft and conrods.

When it appeared in 2008, the 6.2-litre V8 C63 offered 451 bhp in standard tune – enough to launch this medium-sized Merc from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, accompanied by a torque figure of 443 lb ft – almost enough to turn the world on its own axis. It was deliberately detuned from the 518 bhp offered in bigger Benzes, so if you want to turn up the wick, then a remap can get you to that figure without too much effort or expense. 

But, don’t assume the C63 is only about the power. In order to keep the extra oomph in check, Mercedes also gave the car a substantial makeover underneath with new front suspension, a much faster steering rack than the regular C-Class and the fully defeatable stability control system it had denied previous C-AMG buyers – a button on the dashboard allows you to unleash the beast in its entirety, should you so desire. 

The result was arguably the best AMG-enhanced C-Class to date. Rather than a car that was given more power than it could handle, we were given a finely honed machine with the performance car edge to match the cachet of its imperious badge – and in the compact class, it had been a long time coming.

This C63 is a great example of the breed, made even more appealing by being an estate. There’s something deliciously naughty about a fast wagon, where performance meets practicality in a car that delivers not only the finesse of a finely honed performance machine, but also the flexibility and usefulness of a car that’s easy to justify for domestic use. 

So here we have a smart, comfortable, and spacious Mercedes estate that will do all the jobs you’d ask of its four-cylinder diesel counterpart. But it does them in a way only possible with a V8. It’s a lovely car, with sensible miles and a good maintenance history. 

History and documentation

• First registered 28 May 2008

• Original Mercedes data sheet

• All old MOT certificates

• Service book stamped (with invoices to back up most services) as follows: Jul 2011 @ 11,000 miles, May 2012 @ 22,751 miles, Mar 2013 @ 32,427 miles, May 2014 @ 44,006 miles, May 2015 @ 49,471 miles, May 2016 @ 54,361 miles, May 2017 @ 58,554 miles, May 2018 @ 62,378 miles, Oct 2019 @ 65,605, Jul 2024 @ 67,324 miles

• Invoice for alloy wheel refurbishment (2019) and drive belt, pulley and tensioners (2021)

• Used car sales invoice from 2019 

• UK V5 registration document in the name of the vendor

• MOT until 28 July 2025

• Two keys

Interior

• Smart grey leather upholstery

• Electrically adjustable front high-back sports seats embossed with AMG logo 

• Leather in very good order with minimal wear to driver’s seat bolster

• Multifunction flat-bottomed steering wheel

• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay fitted alongside original infotainment and sat nav systems

• Tri-zone climate control, with digital control panel for the rear passengers 

• Immaculate load bay 

• All dials, switches and controls work as intended

Exterior 

• Tenorite Grey metallic paint in excellent overall order

• 18-inch factory alloy wheels in excellent condition

• Michelin front tyres and Continental rears, all in good condition

• Paint finish is good all over, with some very minor imperfections

• Some light scratches on offside rear quarter

• Touched-in paint chips on rear edges of both front doors

• Minor bubbling on offside rear window trim panel

• Minor scuff marks on front bumper

• Some very slight scuffs on rear bumper/load bay area

• Minor deterioration to plastic trim in both roof gutters

• Electric sunroof 

• Appears very good underneath with no corrosion advisories for past MOTs

Mechanical

• 6.2-litre V8

• Produces 451 bhp

• Seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles

• 0-62 mph in 4.5 secs, 155mph top speed

• Brembo brake calipers

• Recent front wheel alignment and new control arms

• The rear differential oil was changed by Mercedes-Benz in Sep 2024
• There is an invoice on file for a new set of spark plugs in Sep 2024
• The Bosch fuel injectors have also reportedly been replaced 
• The seller tells us that the cylinder head bolts were replaced in 2021
• There is an invoice on file for an AMG belt, tensioner, and pulley kit

• Drives well with no mechanical issues reported

• Well-maintained car that has clearly been well-loved

Summary

It’s impossible not to like a spicy wagon – and they don’t come much spicier than this one: a 451bhp growling V8 with a chassis to match the muscle car soundtrack and supercar-baiting performance. 

But if you need to pop to IKEA to pick up a chest of drawers, drop the kids to school, do a tip run, or drive the in-laws for a nice day out in the country, this wonderfully discreet weapon-in-disguise will behave just like any other Mercedes-Benz estate. The head and the heart have no need to oppose each other with this one – it just gets the job done. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. The car is located in Malvern, Worcestershire.