2011 Mercedes Benz E63 AMG
Discussion
I've long since lusted after the glorious M156 V8 produced by AMG, and when the opportunity came up to acquire a second car for me to use as a potential family car I began looking into a C63 AMG. I was set on one of these, but then due to the extra 70bhp and slightly larger back seats settled for an E63. I'd had my eye on the last of the M156 powered E classes and there hadn't ever been a lot for sale over here in Yankland at any given time. I was prepared to fly and drive it back from wherever I discovered one.
On a random Wednesday evening I pulled up auto tempest and auto trader and began a curious search for the car to see what the current offerings were. I'd never seen one of these things for sale in any close proximity so I wasn't in too much of a rush to get one. It was mostly disbelief when I saw one 20 minutes drive from my house. And at a considerably lower price than some of the others I'd seen for sale with similar mileage. With the wifes approval I set off to look around it.
I would like to think I went into this sensibly, and for an 11 year old car I think its in rather spot on condition. It has 94k on the clock which could be seen to be high, but isn't too many miles for the year and I like the fact it has been driven regularly.
I'm not planning on doing anything crazy but I've already got quite a long list of minor things I'd like to sort out to make this into my own.
There are a few repairs/corrections I'd like to make such as a small dent on the driver side quarter panel, the rear bumper has a few marks on it, and the diamond cut wheels need a refurb.
Considering the mileage there is next to no wear on the driver seat bolster and everything seems to work as it should. Moving from a 2006 M Roadster there is so much more technology in this thing.
I'll add some more photos when I get home, but I'll be giving it a good clean and polish this week and hopefully can ceramic coat it. Then sort out the absolutely hideous orange front bumper side lights which America seemed to think was a good idea.
I've not driven it a whole lot other than a test drive and back to the house, but I know I'm going to love this engine. I may or may not be getting the secondary cats and resonator deleted this week if I have the time.
On a random Wednesday evening I pulled up auto tempest and auto trader and began a curious search for the car to see what the current offerings were. I'd never seen one of these things for sale in any close proximity so I wasn't in too much of a rush to get one. It was mostly disbelief when I saw one 20 minutes drive from my house. And at a considerably lower price than some of the others I'd seen for sale with similar mileage. With the wifes approval I set off to look around it.
I would like to think I went into this sensibly, and for an 11 year old car I think its in rather spot on condition. It has 94k on the clock which could be seen to be high, but isn't too many miles for the year and I like the fact it has been driven regularly.
I'm not planning on doing anything crazy but I've already got quite a long list of minor things I'd like to sort out to make this into my own.
There are a few repairs/corrections I'd like to make such as a small dent on the driver side quarter panel, the rear bumper has a few marks on it, and the diamond cut wheels need a refurb.
Considering the mileage there is next to no wear on the driver seat bolster and everything seems to work as it should. Moving from a 2006 M Roadster there is so much more technology in this thing.
I'll add some more photos when I get home, but I'll be giving it a good clean and polish this week and hopefully can ceramic coat it. Then sort out the absolutely hideous orange front bumper side lights which America seemed to think was a good idea.
I've not driven it a whole lot other than a test drive and back to the house, but I know I'm going to love this engine. I may or may not be getting the secondary cats and resonator deleted this week if I have the time.
There were a few things I wanted to do to tidy up the car a bit. I've set to work on cleaning up the exhaust tips, which has taken bloody ages even with an electric drill. They aren't any near being done but are an improvement I had written off the alcantara steering wheel as being ruined but I had a go cleaning it and it came up quite well which I was pleased with. I've also had the resonator removed for a bit more sound.
The last thing I did was swap out the stupid orange side markers for something more subtle. I have to admit that they are a bit drug dealer for my liking, but they were cheaper than a tin of colour matched spray paint so thought I'd give them a go for a bit.
The last thing I did was swap out the stupid orange side markers for something more subtle. I have to admit that they are a bit drug dealer for my liking, but they were cheaper than a tin of colour matched spray paint so thought I'd give them a go for a bit.
Thanks. I'm still in a bit of shock that its actually mine. We were able to get a 2 year warranty on it as well due to being so much cheaper. Its one of those where you submit the claim after the fact, so I'll be having a look through the terms and making sure I can try and get my monies worth.
Its going back to the garage tomorrow as the washer bottle was leaking. From what I've read its either an o-ring or a pipe issue which I could probably manage myself, but seeing as I'd just got it figured it would be easy for them to sort. Thats one of those things living in a hot area where it hardly rains, not a lot of use for screen washer fluid. Its funny its seen as an insult if you do it on the motorway and you spray the person thats following you.
Its going back to the garage tomorrow as the washer bottle was leaking. From what I've read its either an o-ring or a pipe issue which I could probably manage myself, but seeing as I'd just got it figured it would be easy for them to sort. Thats one of those things living in a hot area where it hardly rains, not a lot of use for screen washer fluid. Its funny its seen as an insult if you do it on the motorway and you spray the person thats following you.
I've clayed the back of the car as the paintwork felt like sandpaper. Elsewhere it feels decent. I'll still hope to give it a correction next week and then hopefully ceramic coat it after that. Its going to be living on the driveway so want to have it sorted.
I won't be doing too much to it, I've got a couple of replacement trim pieces coming for the center console. The glove box is peeling slightly and I tried to glue it yesterday and clamped it, but I think its just too hot for the glue to set at the moment so that will be a job for when it cools down later in the year.
I won't be doing too much to it, I've got a couple of replacement trim pieces coming for the center console. The glove box is peeling slightly and I tried to glue it yesterday and clamped it, but I think its just too hot for the glue to set at the moment so that will be a job for when it cools down later in the year.
I'd never predicted it to work out like this but getting the second was perfect timing as I was having some remedial work done to the wheels on the Z4. Its meant I haven't had to leave the car at the other garage for those days.
I found this replacement battery cover to the key on amazon. It adds a really nice touch to what would otherwise be a bland and generic mercedes key. I only bought one to see what it was like but may get a second so both keys match.
I found this replacement battery cover to the key on amazon. It adds a really nice touch to what would otherwise be a bland and generic mercedes key. I only bought one to see what it was like but may get a second so both keys match.
milu said:
Looks a good addition to the Z
I’m always interested in Brits moving to the US. Slightly jealous I suppose!
Seems like another world, looking at the photos. Any more on that subject? Or has it all been covered in the past?
I'm happy to answer any questions you have. I've been here for nine years now. I was in a long distance relationship and then married which one may say is one of the easier ways to do it. I’m always interested in Brits moving to the US. Slightly jealous I suppose!
Seems like another world, looking at the photos. Any more on that subject? Or has it all been covered in the past?
Culturally there is a lot that is different here. People are very welcoming and friendly, but at the same time quite selfish. A quick example was at my uni graduation in Leeds everyone seemed to stay until the end. Whereas here for my wife's graduation families start to leave as soon as their offspring have been up on the stage. I found it rather disrespectful, but its the normal thing thats done here.
I miss family and friends, cornish pasties and fish and chips, but overall its been incredible living in Southern California. I have my wife to thank for a lot of my good fortune. I'm not a very political person at all and I think that helps, because this country is incredibly conflicted from that standpoint. I've asked a few of my coworkers why they wouldn't want universal healthcare, and it pretty much came to them saying they wouldn't want their tax money paying for drug addicts rehabilitation and other similar things. I won't even get started on this country having one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/article...
Its gone back down to around $5 for nomal and $5.40 for super unleaded. Obviously I'm hoping it comes down more but we shall see. Until it gets up to what it costs over there which I think equivilent is around $8-9 per gallon I really don't mind.
Nice those are a lovely set of cars. I must admit I had thoughts about perhaps getting something more economical. But my hope is to get this thing tidy and put as many miles on it as possible. Its such a lovely responsive engine it deserves to be driven.
Nice those are a lovely set of cars. I must admit I had thoughts about perhaps getting something more economical. But my hope is to get this thing tidy and put as many miles on it as possible. Its such a lovely responsive engine it deserves to be driven.
Thanks. Hopefully it will last me well.
I had chance one evening to take a few better photos with my proper camera. I was a bit rushed but initially they aren't too bad.
One other thing I've sorted is replacing the cup holder trim surround and cup holder cover. I was surprised the trim was only $20 and the cover was $10. I'm used to older BMW prices where everything is astronomical. The steering wheel replacement trim on my Z4M was $250.
The old cup holder cover had come loose and I discovered it after removing the trim.
I've not had time to clean the interior yet besides going over the steering wheel but I think that will be done sooner. I want to try and clean the piano black around the gear selector and polish if needed. I was also contemplating the later gear knob but the thing is about $300 which seems a lot. It does look nice though.
I had chance one evening to take a few better photos with my proper camera. I was a bit rushed but initially they aren't too bad.
One other thing I've sorted is replacing the cup holder trim surround and cup holder cover. I was surprised the trim was only $20 and the cover was $10. I'm used to older BMW prices where everything is astronomical. The steering wheel replacement trim on my Z4M was $250.
The old cup holder cover had come loose and I discovered it after removing the trim.
I've not had time to clean the interior yet besides going over the steering wheel but I think that will be done sooner. I want to try and clean the piano black around the gear selector and polish if needed. I was also contemplating the later gear knob but the thing is about $300 which seems a lot. It does look nice though.
A few more pictures. I've had the front tyres replaced. Then realised I was missing a bloody wheel nut so had that ordered right away. I also got some replacement grommets to try and cure a leaking washer bottle, but I've discovered that the place I bought it from just did a s
t repair so I've got it booked in to the chap I've taken the BMW to in order to have it replaced. I could probably change it out myself but the youtube video I watched made it seem like a bit of a faff so I'm conceding and leaving it to a professional.
The tabs on the petrol cap door snapped off and it had been glued back on. Well it came off again so I've tried to epoxy it on again but perhaps I'll get a replacement and have it sprayed to match some day. Thing is as long as its on there hopefully it won't fall off again.
I was planning to machine polish the thing but after giving it a quick wash it seems to come up really nicely so that can wait for the time being.
I've also recently discovered that the scroll wheel on the sat nav isn't working. Its a common fault apparently. So I've got an upgraded metal shaft replacement on its way. Once that arrives I'll have to remove the wheel and disassemble it to install but it looks fairly straight forward. And hopefully with it being metal that will never be an issue again.
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t repair so I've got it booked in to the chap I've taken the BMW to in order to have it replaced. I could probably change it out myself but the youtube video I watched made it seem like a bit of a faff so I'm conceding and leaving it to a professional.The tabs on the petrol cap door snapped off and it had been glued back on. Well it came off again so I've tried to epoxy it on again but perhaps I'll get a replacement and have it sprayed to match some day. Thing is as long as its on there hopefully it won't fall off again.
I was planning to machine polish the thing but after giving it a quick wash it seems to come up really nicely so that can wait for the time being.
I've also recently discovered that the scroll wheel on the sat nav isn't working. Its a common fault apparently. So I've got an upgraded metal shaft replacement on its way. Once that arrives I'll have to remove the wheel and disassemble it to install but it looks fairly straight forward. And hopefully with it being metal that will never be an issue again.
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I got around to replacing the scroll wheel spindle. Because I'm an amateur I obviously couldn't get the unit unplugged from the car, and due to not wanting to force it I managed to fumble my way through changing it out while it was still plugged in.
Next up was addressing the numerous stone chips on the bonnet. I'm quite fortunate at the moment that this was the main thing I had to focus on.
With my family nipping over for a visit I'd planned a quick trip to Vegas for them, so I had the oil changed before hand at my local independent chap. Randomly while it was there I saw an identical E63 in the rather nice matt silver. Not really my thing but it was nice to see. I also had him replace the rear air struts as I'd noticed the back end start to drop when it was left for a few days. I thought it may have been something I could have tackled myself but it was a bit outside my comfort zone.
The missing emblem was irritating me on the engine cover. I sourced a wheel center cap to fill the hole. Not quite the same as the original which is more of a honeycomb design, but it does the job.
Just under 27mpg in proper UK mpg. Not too bad.
America is quite different with the amount of interesting cars you can see on an average day, but then the weekly car meet can turn up some very impressive machinery.
Thumbsnap is playing up a bit so I'll try to continue this in another post.
I gave the b pillar black plastic a bit of a machine polish which brought it up quite nicely.
Next up was a weekend away with the wife to Palm Springs. The car was very comfortable across the trip.
I had a bit of a creaking sound so I took the headlining down and tightened all the nuts to the panoramic roof support which seemed to have done the job. A couple of them were only finger tight which was alarming.
The replaced air struts had worked well....
The compressor would inflate them okay, but after a day it would end up looking like that.
The car was now not raising the back end up so the compressor was done for unfortunately. I managed to just get back from Vegas but it was a bit precarious over some of the bumpier road sections.
Also I'd noticed pressure dropping from the back passenger tyre. The tyres were nearly finished so I thought replacing them would solve the issue.
Another couple of little changes included replacing the door lock switch as it was chipped away slightly. And I bought an aftermarket key because the original was dented to hell. I thought this would be an easy switch but it ended up being a bloody nightmare. I should have just left the key as it was. I ended up having to change the circuit board into the replacement key. All working fine now though thankfully.
After getting the car back in to be seen I ended up having to replace most of the air suspension components which was frustrating. Especially as I had an extended warranty which I'm growing to regret getting as its very limited in what it will actually cover.
For Christmas celebrations I went to watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on the roof of a hotel in downtown San Diego. It was good fun. Being a child one of the highlights was leaving the multi storey car park. I should have saved the dash cam footage but I lost count of the amount of car alarms may or may not have been set off by the M156. The car park chap commented on the car on my out.
Got some more carbon fibre for the Z4
I'd also discovered after changing the back tyres that I had a rather large crack in one of the wheels. I managed to find a replacement from a salvage ebay shop for half the price of a new one. It wasn't perfect but at half the price I was happy.
And thats about where I'm up to. Car has done about 7k miles since July. Recently its been trouble free and hopefully it will stay that way for a while. I'm anticipating needing the lifters replacing at some point but for the time being any M156 issues haven't presented themself. My son is due on 16th April so I'm preparing for that mostly for the time being.
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