Discussion
Lease on my W205 C63 coupé is up in the next few months, so have been toying with replacement ideas.
I venture down the BMW path from time to time, a well-trodden path for me in past ownership, and play with the idea of speccing up a new M2 or M4 comp. Both lovely and different ownership propositions, but am shying more and more away from BMW's M styling which looks increasingly aggressive and boy-racer to my increasingly aged eyes. I prefer more subtlety, and think the C63 provides that subtlety wonderfully - to the eye at least - certainly not the ear.
I venture more often continuing on down the MB path. I toy with the new CLA 45S on the configurator, and haven't completely discounted this as a replacement. Fully pumped up 2.0l four-pot a very different animal to the lovely 4.0l bi-turbo in the C63 sure, but intriguing nonetheless. In terms of styling, I have seen only one new CLA in the flesh, a boggo version, and it didn't grab me. The AMG 45S variant does add a lot more styling and a more purposeful stance from pictures at least, so I will reserve judgement until I can see one in the flesh, and will arrange a test-drive. My feeling is it is more on the boy-racer curve bringing with it the more aggressive styling I am wanting to avoid.
Now ... the one option I keep revisiting over and over again is the new E53 coupé. The reviews are consistently wonderful, both in regard to the powertrain and the styling. I am wanting to step back a bit from the lairiness of the C63, joyfull though that is when you're in the mood. I feel the need for more wafty refinement and class these days, rather than outright power. The mild-hybrid EQ boost coupled with the new 3.0l straight six in these 53 entry-level AMG variants does seem quite the powerplant, delivering enough power at ~430bhp to propel a two-tonne car along with enough ease, yet without the brutal application of the 63 V8 variants.
And then there's the styling, which I think is fabulous. MB have really scored a goal with the E-class coupé - and is one of the main reasons I am wanting to go down this road. I have seen a good few E-class coupés out and about now to cement my view of the styling here. I have not seen an AMG E53 variant yet in the flesh, but the E-class coupé varies little in body design from bottom of the range to the top Affalterbach variants, only a few styling cues giving away the AMG in the blood, so I can hazard a good enough idea of how the 53 variant would look. Will certainly be arranging viewings and test drives once this virus thingy buggers off.
Also acknowledge that there is a minor facelift on the horizon, the face-lifted E-class saloon already available, the coupé having been spied in camo testing guise more recently. Little in the way of styling updates here, more an introduction to the class of the new MBUX infotainment system I am given to understand.
Keen to hear ownership experiences from any other E53 coupé owners. Are there actually any on PH? I never see discussion here of the E53 in any variant.
I venture down the BMW path from time to time, a well-trodden path for me in past ownership, and play with the idea of speccing up a new M2 or M4 comp. Both lovely and different ownership propositions, but am shying more and more away from BMW's M styling which looks increasingly aggressive and boy-racer to my increasingly aged eyes. I prefer more subtlety, and think the C63 provides that subtlety wonderfully - to the eye at least - certainly not the ear.
I venture more often continuing on down the MB path. I toy with the new CLA 45S on the configurator, and haven't completely discounted this as a replacement. Fully pumped up 2.0l four-pot a very different animal to the lovely 4.0l bi-turbo in the C63 sure, but intriguing nonetheless. In terms of styling, I have seen only one new CLA in the flesh, a boggo version, and it didn't grab me. The AMG 45S variant does add a lot more styling and a more purposeful stance from pictures at least, so I will reserve judgement until I can see one in the flesh, and will arrange a test-drive. My feeling is it is more on the boy-racer curve bringing with it the more aggressive styling I am wanting to avoid.
Now ... the one option I keep revisiting over and over again is the new E53 coupé. The reviews are consistently wonderful, both in regard to the powertrain and the styling. I am wanting to step back a bit from the lairiness of the C63, joyfull though that is when you're in the mood. I feel the need for more wafty refinement and class these days, rather than outright power. The mild-hybrid EQ boost coupled with the new 3.0l straight six in these 53 entry-level AMG variants does seem quite the powerplant, delivering enough power at ~430bhp to propel a two-tonne car along with enough ease, yet without the brutal application of the 63 V8 variants.
And then there's the styling, which I think is fabulous. MB have really scored a goal with the E-class coupé - and is one of the main reasons I am wanting to go down this road. I have seen a good few E-class coupés out and about now to cement my view of the styling here. I have not seen an AMG E53 variant yet in the flesh, but the E-class coupé varies little in body design from bottom of the range to the top Affalterbach variants, only a few styling cues giving away the AMG in the blood, so I can hazard a good enough idea of how the 53 variant would look. Will certainly be arranging viewings and test drives once this virus thingy buggers off.
Also acknowledge that there is a minor facelift on the horizon, the face-lifted E-class saloon already available, the coupé having been spied in camo testing guise more recently. Little in the way of styling updates here, more an introduction to the class of the new MBUX infotainment system I am given to understand.
Keen to hear ownership experiences from any other E53 coupé owners. Are there actually any on PH? I never see discussion here of the E53 in any variant.
Tim bo said:
And then there's the styling, which I think is fabulous.
I'm a big fan of Mercs and the coupes especially, but I'm afraid that pointless rear quarter-light thing sets my CDO off something cruel and completely ruins the E-Class coupe for me.Sorry, that wasn't much help was it....?
It does help. 
You aren't the first to comment on the rear-quarter window being stuck there, especially when all four windows drop to give it a pillar-less look which is a look I think is great. Reviews have also mentioned it, and I agree, the styling would be improved by their absence.
The remainder of the styling and proportion of the car does enough to make up for what those rear-quarter windows detract from for me however.
You aren't the first to comment on the rear-quarter window being stuck there, especially when all four windows drop to give it a pillar-less look which is a look I think is great. Reviews have also mentioned it, and I agree, the styling would be improved by their absence.
The remainder of the styling and proportion of the car does enough to make up for what those rear-quarter windows detract from for me however.
Edited by Tim bo on Tuesday 21st April 16:07
I too really like the look of these, one of the few modern cars I do to be honest, a classy looking vehicle and relatively not too bling.
Not that I have experience but Henry Catchpole of Evo and more recently Carfection fame has been running one as a long termer, the end of term report is in this month's Evo and he's done a couple of Carfection videos on it. A very well respected journalist so worth a look I think.
Cheers
Not that I have experience but Henry Catchpole of Evo and more recently Carfection fame has been running one as a long termer, the end of term report is in this month's Evo and he's done a couple of Carfection videos on it. A very well respected journalist so worth a look I think.
Cheers
Deranged Rover said:
Tim bo said:
And then there's the styling, which I think is fabulous.
I'm a big fan of Mercs and the coupes especially, but I'm afraid that pointless rear quarter-light thing sets my CDO off something cruel and completely ruins the E-Class coupe for me.Sorry, that wasn't much help was it....?
I’ve owned one for over 12 months now. Simply put I love it. But a few caveats as clearly car ownership is a very personal thing. Here is why I like it you may not have some of the same motivators, but from gist of your message seems you may.
It’s beautiful to behold – reminds me of the old coupes in its classic shape and to my eye is a modern take on the Datsun Granada ghia etc. of my childhood – yes that old!
Its quick - but not c63s quick still very fast in my mind as i still recall when a quick car was anything below 6 seconds! The power application is very smooth, but still can push you back under full power from start. The key point for me versus c63s was the 4matic – if tires aren’t warm, if road is wet you still apply 100% of the e53s power. The drive I had in the c63s it was way more of a beast eyeing up hedges to jettison me into if I was over eager when car wasn’t ready or conditions weren’t ok. I drive it every day every condition pretty much the same way.
The noise – its not v8 typical growl, some would say therefore its no good, but I really like the engine note, it rewards you with a great soundtrack of building urgency to my ear. With subtle pops and bangs never the less (upshift downshift), but not something you’ll hear from ½ a mile away or will waken the neighbours – it’ll waken them in sports plus but not to the point where they think its antisocial.
The tech – is brilliant – the driver assistance package is simply put brilliant during long trips of where there is traffic or motorway cruising - simple on wheel click so a button have you not accelerating braking or indeed if you really don’t fancy it steering or changing lane much – simply put this allows you to cover 100s of miles and feel fresh.
handling - i also drove for 24 hours the c43 amg - smaller, sharper handling, feels more like a go cart than the e53, but handling for a 4 seater car is good to very good maybe not excellent in the Porsche category. People also decry it for not having drift mode or launch control. I’ve zero interest in drifting my own car around a track, launch mode might be interesting.
I’ve had zero issue others than a factory problem whereby applecarplay wouldn’t work – merc sorted it for free. Only issue was a cracked alloy but I hit a mammoth pot hole so not surprising but I think any car with low profile tyres and fancy alloys would have come a cropper.
I’m also eyeing up a brabus power kit you can now in last week buy it ups bhp to 500 and 590nm torque– I’m now used to the pace of the car – my ideal would be an amg gt63s – but I’m not keen on dropping 140k on a car for the next few years I don’t think. I did buy under lease, purchasing half and doing half under lease – if I add the brabus kit ill purchase the other half.
Hope this helps - also worth bearing in mind i see very very few e53 coupes around.
Facelift is out, and is on the official MB site.
Configurator is not yet up but should be soon.
Loving the more aggressive styling, think it looks great. Image below with the new dynamic plus package. Not a fan of black alloys but definitely liking the rest.
Configurator is not yet up but should be soon.
Loving the more aggressive styling, think it looks great. Image below with the new dynamic plus package. Not a fan of black alloys but definitely liking the rest.
Edited by Tim bo on Thursday 2nd July 09:17
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