C63 W205 Must Have Options
Discussion
360 camera.
Sports exhaust (standard on coupe but not saloon)
Open pore wood trim interior (the piano black scratches to bits and looks naff after a short while)
Night pack (does away with the taxi-looking exterior trim)
Aero pack (if it's a facelift coupe, adds more aggressive splitter, skirts, diffuser and spoiler/wing)
The pre-facelift S adds better brakes, electric diff, active engine mounts, sportier seats, bit more power. The facelift S and non-S blurred a little since the non-S now has the same diff, engine mounts.
The facelift premium plus has the digital dash and upgraded wheel with CarPlay etc but beware - they now have an OPF in the exhaust and are somewhat muted comparative to the pre.
Sports exhaust (standard on coupe but not saloon)
Open pore wood trim interior (the piano black scratches to bits and looks naff after a short while)
Night pack (does away with the taxi-looking exterior trim)
Aero pack (if it's a facelift coupe, adds more aggressive splitter, skirts, diffuser and spoiler/wing)
The pre-facelift S adds better brakes, electric diff, active engine mounts, sportier seats, bit more power. The facelift S and non-S blurred a little since the non-S now has the same diff, engine mounts.
The facelift premium plus has the digital dash and upgraded wheel with CarPlay etc but beware - they now have an OPF in the exhaust and are somewhat muted comparative to the pre.
playalistic said:
The pre-facelift S adds better brakes, electric diff, active engine mounts, sportier seats, bit more power. The facelift S and non-S blurred a little since the non-S now has the same diff, engine mounts.
There is no facelift non-S.
Pre-facelift there were both available, the S coming with the extra bits you describe. I have the non-S pre-facelift C63 coupé myself.
But with facelift, as per the Mercedes new AMG classification across the range, full fat AMG versions carry the S - ie C63 S or A45 S, and the non full fat, entry-level versions don't - ie C43 or A35. There is no longer a C63 coupé.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 9th September 10:34
I'd say essentials are:
- Sports Exhaust
- Pano roof
- HUD
Other comments:
- Pre-facelift are noticeably louder
- Performance wise I find it hard to tell the difference between a S and Non-S on british roads
- The car handles better on standard wheels, but looks better on the bigger wheels
- The clamshell seats look the part (especially in two-tone nappa) but kill you a*** on a long journey - so depends if this is a daily or a weekend toy.
I've had a pre-facelift C63 saloon, and post-facelift C63S Coupe and currently run a post-facelift C63 Saloon all with a mixture of options so happy to answer any other specific questions.
- Sports Exhaust
- Pano roof
- HUD
Other comments:
- Pre-facelift are noticeably louder
- Performance wise I find it hard to tell the difference between a S and Non-S on british roads
- The car handles better on standard wheels, but looks better on the bigger wheels
- The clamshell seats look the part (especially in two-tone nappa) but kill you a*** on a long journey - so depends if this is a daily or a weekend toy.
I've had a pre-facelift C63 saloon, and post-facelift C63S Coupe and currently run a post-facelift C63 Saloon all with a mixture of options so happy to answer any other specific questions.
Tim bo said:
playalistic said:
The pre-facelift S adds better brakes, electric diff, active engine mounts, sportier seats, bit more power. The facelift S and non-S blurred a little since the non-S now has the same diff, engine mounts.
There is no facelift non-S.
Pre-facelift there were both available, the S coming with the extra bits you describe. I have the non-S pre-facelift C63 coupé myself.
But with facelift, as per the Mercedes new AMG classification across the range, full fat AMG versions carry the S - ie C63 S or A45 S, and the non full fat, entry-level versions don't - ie C43 or A35. There is no longer a C63 coupé.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 9th September 10:34
Tim bo said:
playalistic said:
The pre-facelift S adds better brakes, electric diff, active engine mounts, sportier seats, bit more power. The facelift S and non-S blurred a little since the non-S now has the same diff, engine mounts.
There is no facelift non-S.
Pre-facelift there were both available, the S coming with the extra bits you describe. I have the non-S pre-facelift C63 coupé myself.
But with facelift, as per the Mercedes new AMG classification across the range, full fat AMG versions carry the S - ie C63 S or A45 S, and the non full fat, entry-level versions don't - ie C43 or A35. There is no longer a C63 coupé.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 9th September 10:34
Mea culpa. 
Goes directly against what I've understood Mercedes AMG's new classification to be then, which has been repeated by various reviewers I've followed.
The new AMG A class, the CLA class, the GLA class, the GLC class etc all follow this standard. The C seems to differ - no idea why. Maybe the new C class will, as the incumbent W205 is now of an older gen.
Goes directly against what I've understood Mercedes AMG's new classification to be then, which has been repeated by various reviewers I've followed.
The new AMG A class, the CLA class, the GLA class, the GLC class etc all follow this standard. The C seems to differ - no idea why. Maybe the new C class will, as the incumbent W205 is now of an older gen.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 9th September 12:31
matt3001 said:
I'd say essentials are:
- Sports Exhaust
- Pano roof
- HUD
Other comments:
- Pre-facelift are noticeably louder
- Performance wise I find it hard to tell the difference between a S and Non-S on british roads
- The car handles better on standard wheels, but looks better on the bigger wheels
- The clamshell seats look the part (especially in two-tone nappa) but kill you a*** on a long journey - so depends if this is a daily or a weekend toy.
I've had a pre-facelift C63 saloon, and post-facelift C63S Coupe and currently run a post-facelift C63 Saloon all with a mixture of options so happy to answer any other specific questions.
2016 C63S owner here and pretty much agree with all of this.- Sports Exhaust
- Pano roof
- HUD
Other comments:
- Pre-facelift are noticeably louder
- Performance wise I find it hard to tell the difference between a S and Non-S on british roads
- The car handles better on standard wheels, but looks better on the bigger wheels
- The clamshell seats look the part (especially in two-tone nappa) but kill you a*** on a long journey - so depends if this is a daily or a weekend toy.
I've had a pre-facelift C63 saloon, and post-facelift C63S Coupe and currently run a post-facelift C63 Saloon all with a mixture of options so happy to answer any other specific questions.
460 vs 500 BHP? Yeah, not really going to notice too much (sorry if numbers are wrong, but you get the point). However, I would say that the electronic LSD that is standard on the S is worth it and does a good job.
Ride is an issue with these cars and while the bigger wheels look nice (mine has the optional ones), ride WILL suffer and its not great to start with. Low speed crash is an issue (California potholes are a nightmare), but when you get up to speed, its not bad. So smaller wheels make it much more practical.
I have the 'comfort' seats and I really like them. No fatigue on longer drives and very supportive, dont feel the need for the sports ones. A friend has the sports seats in his and he really likes them, so its 50/50 on them. Though he's shorter so it might be worth checking if they work for you first.
Sports exhaust is a must - sounds great and in sport+ mode it will pop and crackle nicely - though dont expect to get the same as the earlier models. Sound regs.... damn them!
Pano roof? Yeah, not so sure on that. I am tall and it absolutely will steal headroom. Its fine, but if I put my sunglasses on my head, they will get snagged. Yeah, just learn to not do that, but you get the point. Its tight if you are tall, but if you lean the seat back it does give space (but reduces rear legroom).
Pretty much everything else is standard thats necessary. Options are just that - options.
Carbon brakes? I have them, but of the other owners I know, they all have steel and have no issues with them. I would avoid if you are paying a premium or paying for the option - they are expensive in comparison to other vendors like BMW, and you only get the fronts!!
Personalized interior trim? Yeah, I have silver seatbelts (get dirty quickly) and the alcantara inserts in the seats and doors - yeah, I would live without that too.
The adaptive cruise is good but I find the lane keep stuff very sensitive. If you can get the adaptive cruise, great and makes it so much simpler in traffic. It works well and is actually very smooth and responsive - impressive system. Probably avoid the lane keep.
HUD is great! Do you need it? Nah, but it works really well and its a great reminder to keep your speed reasonable. Driven BMW's with the HUD and the Merc system is better - though I believe the best system these days is Porsche! Mine, being the earlier model, has limited functionality in the HUD, but it works well - speed, gear or revs in sports mode. Bright, easy to adjust and works, even with sunglasses on. Will spec that again!
That pretty much covers it I think!
Great intel all, thanks.
I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
vanman1936 said:
Great intel all, thanks.
I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
Sports exhaust is the switchable one - button on the central tunnel that you can turn on or off. Its on by default for Sport and Sport+ modes and you can have it customized for Individual mode. I dont believe the C63-non-S has Race mode, but happy to be corrected.I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
On the 2016-2018 models, it will be louder in Sport but will pop and bang more with Sport+ and Race modes due to different tune in action, though I believe that 2018-2019 models changed this and 2020 models changed it again. Again, happy to be corrected on this.
off_again said:
vanman1936 said:
Great intel all, thanks.
I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
Sports exhaust is the switchable one - button on the central tunnel that you can turn on or off. Its on by default for Sport and Sport+ modes and you can have it customized for Individual mode. I dont believe the C63-non-S has Race mode, but happy to be corrected.I was looking at BMW Ms, but the insurance is literally double for me and had a CLK55 some years back and always fancied coming back to the AMG fold so a C63 (probably S) is an almost cert.
Re the exhaust.....does AMG Sports Exhaust tick the box or does it need to be the switchable exhaust?
On the 2016-2018 models, it will be louder in Sport but will pop and bang more with Sport+ and Race modes due to different tune in action, though I believe that 2018-2019 models changed this and 2020 models changed it again. Again, happy to be corrected on this.
off_again said:
The adaptive cruise is good but I find the lane keep stuff very sensitive. If you can get the adaptive cruise, great and makes it so much simpler in traffic. It works well and is actually very smooth and responsive - impressive system. Probably avoid the lane keep.
I agree adaptive cruise(Distronic as Mercedes call it) is a great feature and should be standard on a vehicle of this class, but unfortunately it is only avaialble with the driving assistance package at a current new cost of £1695, which unfortunately also includes active lane keeping assist.Active lane keeping assist is a standard feature of the current A/CLA and is always on by default in the same way as start/stop.
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