C63 (2016) traction
Discussion
Help. I can’t decide whether to buy an amazing 2016 C63. It sounds incredible however on the first test drive (slightly damp roads in Scotland) even the test driver lost control (he was trying to floor it to show off) and I skidded at the lights. On the second test drive (sunny) I lost a bit of traction even in comfort in 3rd gear. I’m now worried the traction is going to ruin my experience and am contemplating going for the C43. Anybody have the same dilemma? Thanks.
In the cold / damp you have to drive the car to suit the conditions. If you use the throttle like a switch it will easily spin up the wheels like any powerful car.
In the dry and warm you can be much more aggressive with the throttle.
Most C63 of that vintage come on Michelin super sports tyres which need some heat in them to work best.
In my opinion a c43 will be a faster point to point car but it does not have the full drama of the c63 (noise and that you have to drive it)
I have had my C63 for a month now and utterly adore it. Every journey is an event if you want it to be.
You get used to having to use the throttle to the conditions and can still make very rapid progress in the cold and wet. I will get some winters for the end of this year.
In the dry and warm you can be much more aggressive with the throttle.
Most C63 of that vintage come on Michelin super sports tyres which need some heat in them to work best.
In my opinion a c43 will be a faster point to point car but it does not have the full drama of the c63 (noise and that you have to drive it)
I have had my C63 for a month now and utterly adore it. Every journey is an event if you want it to be.
You get used to having to use the throttle to the conditions and can still make very rapid progress in the cold and wet. I will get some winters for the end of this year.
Agreed, the c63 has more than enough power to overwhelm the rear tyres, which is why I moved to Continental 6 295’s for summer use. This tames it, but you still have to be aware of the conditions, especially in ‘c63s’ guise.
I think the c63 is likely to be a more memorable drive than a c43 (I can’t say for sure, as I haven’t driven the latter), but I suspect 4wd is the way forward.
I think the c63 is likely to be a more memorable drive than a c43 (I can’t say for sure, as I haven’t driven the latter), but I suspect 4wd is the way forward.
C63S owner now for 4 months!
I have to say I was very worried when winter hit and I was losing traction all the time. I had come from a Cayenne so used to traction most of the time. So I drove it as I was used to, and that was the problem. Small adjustments to how I drove and suddenly everything clicks. The biggest thing was rolling into the throttle and not letting it kick down! Let the power build and the turbos to spool up and you have plenty of traction. You have to remember that the S model has 500 BHP and 516 lbs of torque, and with quick kick down, virtually no lag and boot it and you can spin the wheels with ease.
Learning to drive it has been the biggest thing. Suddenly, it’s a revaluation and I am no longer scared of it. Ok, so caution is still needed, but it has surprising grip, poise and traction.
I have to say I was very worried when winter hit and I was losing traction all the time. I had come from a Cayenne so used to traction most of the time. So I drove it as I was used to, and that was the problem. Small adjustments to how I drove and suddenly everything clicks. The biggest thing was rolling into the throttle and not letting it kick down! Let the power build and the turbos to spool up and you have plenty of traction. You have to remember that the S model has 500 BHP and 516 lbs of torque, and with quick kick down, virtually no lag and boot it and you can spin the wheels with ease.
Learning to drive it has been the biggest thing. Suddenly, it’s a revaluation and I am no longer scared of it. Ok, so caution is still needed, but it has surprising grip, poise and traction.
off_again said:
C63S owner now for 4 months!
Learning to drive it has been the biggest thing. Suddenly, it’s a revaluation and I am no longer scared of it. Ok, so caution is still needed, but it has surprising grip, poise and traction.
Exactly ! Learning to drive it has been the biggest thing. Suddenly, it’s a revaluation and I am no longer scared of it. Ok, so caution is still needed, but it has surprising grip, poise and traction.
jahill said:
Agreed, the c63 has more than enough power to overwhelm the rear tyres, which is why I moved to Continental 6 295’s for summer use. This tames it, but you still have to be aware of the conditions, especially in ‘c63s’ guise.
I think the c63 is likely to be a more memorable drive than a c43 (I can’t say for sure, as I haven’t driven the latter), but I suspect 4wd is the way forward.
Hah, ive seen posts on the fb group about this. I've recently got new mich ps4's for mine, after about 2k the edges have gone with about 4.5 mm left all around, most dissapointed. Anyway back to widths. I am thinking of going for a 265 or 275, but did you up your fronts from 235 to say a 245 to balance things out a bit?7I think the c63 is likely to be a more memorable drive than a c43 (I can’t say for sure, as I haven’t driven the latter), but I suspect 4wd is the way forward.
@op:
Fwiw, i dont find, even with TC off on my c63 that its all that bad for traction in the wet, its predictable when its going to go and with smooth inputs you can continue the slide or slow off for it to tuck back in. You'd have to be a big hammer footed to lose it to be honest. Try driving it in sport and get a feel for how much slip you get and drive it like that for a while, then once comfortable drive with the tc off. it makes no sense buying a car like this then just letting the driving aids doing eveyrthing for you , its down to you to master and tame the beast !
I've got a c63s estate and i thrash its 1700+kg body around everywhere in sport plus as my default transmission mode. I slide around plenty of roundabouts and most traffic lights, the traction control is benchmark level and will never let you lose control. For a RWD car, it is incredibly easy to drive once you realise it is better to drive in sport throttle mode than comfort mode. The only thing to say is the tyres do need warming up and in the winter , quality winter tyres do make a huge difference.
I've had plenty of 69 mph wheel spinning on summer tyres in the cold on slip roads on the motorway etc, but the LSD is brilliant at delivering power.
When i first got the car, the first few weeks were spent in minus temps and with a week or two of snow on summer tyres. That did really help with getting used to improved throttle inputs. The first few wheel spins did scare the heck out of me. Now when it is wet or really cold, i have a big smile on my face, 10k miles and a year later, because that means i can slide it around corners etc for entertainment purposes and not roast the tyres
Once you get comfortable with the limits at which you can push it, if you exceed those limits, the car's systems will step in to save you from getting into too much trouble, but in sport plus and especially race, it does really allow you plenty of leeway to play around before it saves you embarrassing yourself.
A course at MB world in brooklands really does help you learn about the car...
I've had plenty of 69 mph wheel spinning on summer tyres in the cold on slip roads on the motorway etc, but the LSD is brilliant at delivering power.
When i first got the car, the first few weeks were spent in minus temps and with a week or two of snow on summer tyres. That did really help with getting used to improved throttle inputs. The first few wheel spins did scare the heck out of me. Now when it is wet or really cold, i have a big smile on my face, 10k miles and a year later, because that means i can slide it around corners etc for entertainment purposes and not roast the tyres
Once you get comfortable with the limits at which you can push it, if you exceed those limits, the car's systems will step in to save you from getting into too much trouble, but in sport plus and especially race, it does really allow you plenty of leeway to play around before it saves you embarrassing yourself.A course at MB world in brooklands really does help you learn about the car...
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