Is a 507 worth the extra?
Discussion
I am contemplating getting back in to a C63. I used to own a 2008 C63 with the performance pack and have had sellers remorse ever since.
I am now looking to get in to another one, a face lifted 2012 model. A mid mileage car with PP is around 25K but a 507 is around 10k more. Is it worth the extra? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I am now looking to get in to another one, a face lifted 2012 model. A mid mileage car with PP is around 25K but a 507 is around 10k more. Is it worth the extra? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I have a 2011 (facelift) PPP estate and the only difference is a factory remap, bonnet vents and some nice wheels as far as I'm aware.
It's worth you're willing to pay extra. It'll always hold a premium at point of purchase and come resale, same as a PPP car over a standard car. I couldn't justify the £10km premium.
It's worth you're willing to pay extra. It'll always hold a premium at point of purchase and come resale, same as a PPP car over a standard car. I couldn't justify the £10km premium.
The only advantage of a 507 is different wheels/bonnet, some stickers and a badge which says 507. A PPP C63 has the same engine and ECU. Unofficially the PPP engines are putting out 500+ bhp. The 507 was a marketing exercise/parts bin special run out model. It's obviously an amazing car, but I'd argue the PPP is just as good from a driver's perspective.
I’ve currently got a CLA45 Shooting Brake AMG (lowly 2.0 engine with 381 hp) and I’m 99% set on a C63 of some guise next - whether it’s the facelift 6.2ltr 2013-14 PPP avoiding the Headbolt issue around £25-30k, 507 £35-40k or the 4.0ltr newer shape for £40k plus....
I’ve been round in circles with it, my wife wants me to buy the most expensive newest option. Part of me thinks go with the cheapest option with a map and just use it without worry- I like to hoon and do the odd track days.
That brings me to the 507- it’s the last of the line of that fantastic engine, stands out as special to those in the know and is a real petrolhead’s choice but if you want to throw some miles on it and chuck it round the track it might lose a lot more value than cheapest option I mention.
Most specials aren’t much more than a few parts that are replicable (R26 to R26R springs to mind) but to some people it’s having the last oem special edition of that huge 6.2 litre V8 that’s only going to become more and more rare.
Tough but nice choice to have! I’m still not sure
I’ve been round in circles with it, my wife wants me to buy the most expensive newest option. Part of me thinks go with the cheapest option with a map and just use it without worry- I like to hoon and do the odd track days.
That brings me to the 507- it’s the last of the line of that fantastic engine, stands out as special to those in the know and is a real petrolhead’s choice but if you want to throw some miles on it and chuck it round the track it might lose a lot more value than cheapest option I mention.
Most specials aren’t much more than a few parts that are replicable (R26 to R26R springs to mind) but to some people it’s having the last oem special edition of that huge 6.2 litre V8 that’s only going to become more and more rare.
Tough but nice choice to have! I’m still not sure
BlackCup said:
I’ve currently got a CLA45 Shooting Brake AMG (lowly 2.0 engine with 381 hp) and I’m 99% set on a C63 of some guise next - whether it’s the facelift 6.2ltr 2013-14 PPP avoiding the Headbolt issue around £25-30k, 507 £35-40k or the 4.0ltr newer shape for £40k plus....
I’ve been round in circles with it, my wife wants me to buy the most expensive newest option. Part of me thinks go with the cheapest option with a map and just use it without worry- I like to hoon and do the odd track days.
That brings me to the 507- it’s the last of the line of that fantastic engine, stands out as special to those in the know and is a real petrolhead’s choice but if you want to throw some miles on it and chuck it round the track it might lose a lot more value than cheapest option I mention.
Most specials aren’t much more than a few parts that are replicable (R26 to R26R springs to mind) but to some people it’s having the last oem special edition of that huge 6.2 litre V8 that’s only going to become more and more rare.
Tough but nice choice to have! I’m still not sure
My S205 C63. Premium pack with under 20k on the clock was £34m main dealer. So a 507 or S205 are like for like pricing. I’ve been round in circles with it, my wife wants me to buy the most expensive newest option. Part of me thinks go with the cheapest option with a map and just use it without worry- I like to hoon and do the odd track days.
That brings me to the 507- it’s the last of the line of that fantastic engine, stands out as special to those in the know and is a real petrolhead’s choice but if you want to throw some miles on it and chuck it round the track it might lose a lot more value than cheapest option I mention.
Most specials aren’t much more than a few parts that are replicable (R26 to R26R springs to mind) but to some people it’s having the last oem special edition of that huge 6.2 litre V8 that’s only going to become more and more rare.
Tough but nice choice to have! I’m still not sure
I’ve owned my C63 coupe from near new (demo). It’s a non-PP but oddly optioned fully elsewhere inc option 471 - LSD. I bought it a little green, I didn’t really know what PP was other than “30bhp” extra and, I got tired of waiting for a car that came with everything inc PP. In hindsight I would have probably waited to glean the other benefits such as lighter internal parts, some alcantara and less unsprung weight courtesy of lighter front brake discs.
I will say this, if you plan to keep your car factory standard or concourse then the 507 is absolutely where you should put your money. Their values are already holding at almost where the early W205 coupes have depreciated to so, there is clearly a ‘special’ factor surrounding these cars (albeit just a PP plus body bits). As a future investment they will probably be a good bet someday but, a while off probably and relies on the owner keeping mileage low, servicing high etc, all for the next guy to buy it. They do in my opinion look the nicest of all the iterations of the 204 though speaking of the wheels and the bonnet vents which I think look great.
If for anything else, I think we all have to be honest now and say that most of these cars have had the life kicked out of them. I would recommend anyone now to buy in condition and overlook the PP factor if the rest of the car raises questions. On the road, or in fact anywhere I have seen, a standard and PP C63 (once a standard C63 has the PP ECU map) perform exactly the same. I have driven a PP and it felt the same engine wise (I had remapped my non-PP) but actually drove worse as it didn’t have an LSD; a ridiculous optional extra on all facelift cars where I believe Pre-2011 cars had it included on the PP, or whatever it was call back then (PPP, P31 or whatever). I’m not seeing much of a price delta between PP and non-PP cars now where the non-PP is in VGC, so the market is the buyers really and allows your freedom to check a pool of cars history and condition in order to find inevitably the one that will look after you for many miles.
In terms of modifications, if that’s your thing, a non-PP will remap to around 500-520hp, making it as competitive as either PP or 507. PP discs can be swapped onto a non-PP for a slight weight advantage, interior parts can be upgraded, carbon spoiler can be added, callipers painted red as well as adding a 507 bonnet and wheels if you want but engine internals of course aren’t really viable. Thereafter, if you add headers and tune, all cars will reach around the 550hp mark which is where everything stops unless you start taking more parts from the SLS such as lifters, cams and intake or you supercharge. The latter will bolt safely onto all models and including the transmission all models have proven to take upwards of 800hp just fine.
I don’t believe that suspension changed among any of them, but it is easily and often changed for lowering springs or full coilover units.
Brakes wise, there is a 390mm conversion available for all to put the front a Black Series spec. Rear is more costly as requires BS rear callipers.
I will say this, if you plan to keep your car factory standard or concourse then the 507 is absolutely where you should put your money. Their values are already holding at almost where the early W205 coupes have depreciated to so, there is clearly a ‘special’ factor surrounding these cars (albeit just a PP plus body bits). As a future investment they will probably be a good bet someday but, a while off probably and relies on the owner keeping mileage low, servicing high etc, all for the next guy to buy it. They do in my opinion look the nicest of all the iterations of the 204 though speaking of the wheels and the bonnet vents which I think look great.
If for anything else, I think we all have to be honest now and say that most of these cars have had the life kicked out of them. I would recommend anyone now to buy in condition and overlook the PP factor if the rest of the car raises questions. On the road, or in fact anywhere I have seen, a standard and PP C63 (once a standard C63 has the PP ECU map) perform exactly the same. I have driven a PP and it felt the same engine wise (I had remapped my non-PP) but actually drove worse as it didn’t have an LSD; a ridiculous optional extra on all facelift cars where I believe Pre-2011 cars had it included on the PP, or whatever it was call back then (PPP, P31 or whatever). I’m not seeing much of a price delta between PP and non-PP cars now where the non-PP is in VGC, so the market is the buyers really and allows your freedom to check a pool of cars history and condition in order to find inevitably the one that will look after you for many miles.
In terms of modifications, if that’s your thing, a non-PP will remap to around 500-520hp, making it as competitive as either PP or 507. PP discs can be swapped onto a non-PP for a slight weight advantage, interior parts can be upgraded, carbon spoiler can be added, callipers painted red as well as adding a 507 bonnet and wheels if you want but engine internals of course aren’t really viable. Thereafter, if you add headers and tune, all cars will reach around the 550hp mark which is where everything stops unless you start taking more parts from the SLS such as lifters, cams and intake or you supercharge. The latter will bolt safely onto all models and including the transmission all models have proven to take upwards of 800hp just fine.
I don’t believe that suspension changed among any of them, but it is easily and often changed for lowering springs or full coilover units.
Brakes wise, there is a 390mm conversion available for all to put the front a Black Series spec. Rear is more costly as requires BS rear callipers.
Edited by Swole on Tuesday 8th October 18:55
Good post.
I also didn't read up that much before buying and have a standard estate. I like the idea of the engine spinning up faster with the forged internals but everything else I don't mind.
- Remapped it so power is a moot point across the different versions.
- Added a Wavetrac differential which is arguably better for road use than the factory one anyway
- Steering wheel from a 205 (next generation) retrimmed in full alcantara by Royal Steering Wheels
- Previous owner added the 507 gearknob and painted various parts black like a 507
- Next time I replace the discs I will use the fully floating 2 piece Brembos that came on the earlier PP
Therefore, I'm getting all the mechanical benefits but at a lower cost. Might cave in one day and buy some genuine 507 wheels too as they are nice, being forged and lightweight.
I also didn't read up that much before buying and have a standard estate. I like the idea of the engine spinning up faster with the forged internals but everything else I don't mind.
- Remapped it so power is a moot point across the different versions.
- Added a Wavetrac differential which is arguably better for road use than the factory one anyway
- Steering wheel from a 205 (next generation) retrimmed in full alcantara by Royal Steering Wheels
- Previous owner added the 507 gearknob and painted various parts black like a 507
- Next time I replace the discs I will use the fully floating 2 piece Brembos that came on the earlier PP
Therefore, I'm getting all the mechanical benefits but at a lower cost. Might cave in one day and buy some genuine 507 wheels too as they are nice, being forged and lightweight.
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