Cost of ownership C63 AMG S BiTurbo

[Kiwi79]

I had the pleasure of a C63 S for 2 days. What a car, so much accessible torque and the great combination of V8 warble combined with turbo punch was addictive. Felt like a muscle car wobbling away at the lights when revved.

I currently drive a Golf R estate with ~370bhp and this really got me thinking I could sell the Golf and try and get myself into a 2017 C63 Estate for THAT noise. Now ideally an S for the extra power but I must admit bar the 30hp difference I can't help wonder what the real idffrence between an S and non s version is? Is a non S and perhaps a Litchfield map a better bet? I tend to prefer a discrete look so standard wheels and dull colours like black/grey.

Now the million dollar question is how hideosuly expensive is it to run one of these? The Golf is still a golf and no amount of work is going to make a 2.0 TFSI sound decent but it is fairly economical in terms of fuel and parts. Plus there's a million and one crashed examples at breakers for spares.

I seemed to average 14mg in my time with the AMG over about 400 miles but some of that was enthusiastic driving. Things like new tyes and brake pads and disks. Is this the sort of car where front discs and pads is going to see me £2k+

Thanks


Simon

[Krise]

I have just bought one first month or so of ownership.

Depending on your driving driving style, they are very thirsty, I daily mine, and because my commute is coasting motorway the London traffic I’m averaging around 24mpg, hoof it and you will easily see low teens, 150 miles out of a tank isn’t uncommon.

A set of tyres for MPSS is going to cost you around a grand give or take. They can be sensitive to alignment and can wear out the fronts in a few thousand miles if this isn’t set up.

Servicing isn’t to bad, join up one of the Facebook groups you will find a heap of independents who owners use, for example I was recommended a AMG tech that services cars on the side, he did an oil change, gearbox oil change, and diff oil change, for just over £500 for me. All recorded. Just need to know where to look. This also gives you confidence that the work is actually being done also.

Front disks and pads will set you back around grand.

Other than that, maintain and drive

By a Shell rewards card

[LeeM135i]

Had a 2018 C63S coupe for around 4 years now and love the thing. Covered 8,000 miles the first year I owned it but it’s steadily decreased as I am working from home more now.

Best economy I saw was 35 mpg on a steady run from Leeds to London late evening with no traffic, worst was single digit around brands hatch. Long term ave over the last 3,500 miles is 27 but I don’t thrash it often.

Tyres are around £1000 a set and wear heavily on the inside edge thanks to the camber. I get around 15k miles from a set but have seen them replaced every 6k if you like smoky launches from the traffic lights.

Mines been reliable had a coil pack (£300), aux belts (£400) and front pads (£500) as well a set of tyres in the 4 years and 20,000 miles since I bought it.

The S and non S is a tough one, the 30 bhp doesn’t really matter the 500bhp (ish) in both is more than enough to overwhelm the rear tyres and with a map they both have the same power. For me the big differences are the performance bucket seats, variable engine mounts and e diff in the S.

The seats are available as an option on the non S but most I’ve seen don't have them. Some love them some hate them you can only try and make your own mind up, personally I love them but my wife hates them.

The engine mounts really stiffen the driveline and car in sport+ and race. Again it’s a personal choice and they will be expensive to replace when they go wrong.

The e diff gives great traction off the line and I can really feel the difference. If you like smoky drifts it’s not your friend as it’s less predictable than the mechanical diff in the non S as it moves the power hunting for grip. It can lock up for a race launch giving you better traction but they can be unreliable and are mega money to replace as they are an evolution of the SLS super car diff.

Join the C63 AMG UK group, they are a knowledgable and friendly bunch.

For me it’s about the noise and feel of the thing. It’s such a special place to be, the cold start is epic even if your neighbours hate you!

I’m the real world it won’t be any faster than your Golf R as it will be traction limited. When moving at high speed it will be quicker but when do you get the chance to use it all?

[Faszination76]

Owned a 2017 C63S for 3 years.

If you’re going to buy one, don’t hesitate. If you want the noise, you need a pre facelift car, otherwise you’ll be saddled with GPF’s which rob you of some of the sound.

Next, don’t buy one without the switchable exhaust, you will regret it. Get the S, why bother with the normal version when you can get the extras for not a huge amount of additional cash?

In terms of tyres, ignore Michelin Pilot Suoer Sports, they’re utterly inferior to PS4S’s on this car, with those you’ll be assured of near perfect standing starts and it will be quicker than your Golf R - ask me how I know 😁

I bought mine at 15500 miles and sold at 45000, in that time it had a transmission and diff oil change, a starter motor issue (dried out bendix which caused it to squeak on startup) and a new battery. Plus one set of PS4S’s (ditched the Super Sports early on when I realised they weren’t great).

Sure, they’re not cheap to run, but it was a bucket list car for me and my second AMG. Swapped my C to a W213 E63S in December last year and that is an entirely different experience altogether - had to redefine my definition of ‘fast’ 😂

Feel free to ask me any questions about the C63, I still miss it dearly!!

[Kiwi79]

Some great replies. Thank you both.

Yes off the line I am 99% sure my Golf is a teeny bit quicker and it's certainly easier to launch consistently (I don't use launch control mind) but the 3rd gear whallop and overtaking mid range is notcieably punchier in the Merc. It felt closest to driving a powerful 4 wheel drive V-Twin motorbike.

Thing I really liked is how it can pull away smartly from the lights with just no effort at all.

Are you guys filling up with Super Unleaded or 95 ron?
How hefty is your insurance?

Interesting about the e-diff. Sounding like a non S with a map may be better bet for me but as ever have to look into insurance and will have a look at the AMG forums recommended.

[Faszination76]

The M177 engine runs at reduced power on straight 95, if you’re using WOT with it, you risk burning out valve seats. The manual states 98 minimum but in the U.K. I only ever filled it with Momentum, VPower or Excellium 99.

[Faszination76]

Insurance will vary wildly. My last policy cost me £650, for (at the time) a 47 year old, 10k per year, full NCB, no convictions.

[Kiwi79]

Faszination76 said:

Owned a 2017 C63S for 3 years.

If you’re going to buy one, don’t hesitate. If you want the noise, you need a pre facelift car, otherwise you’ll be saddled with GPF’s which rob you of some of the sound.

Next, don’t buy one without the switchable exhaust, you will regret it. Get the S, why bother with the normal version when you can get the extras for not a huge amount of additional cash?

In terms of tyres, ignore Michelin Pilot Suoer Sports, they’re utterly inferior to PS4S’s on this car, with those you’ll be assured of near perfect standing starts and it will be quicker than your Golf R - ask me how I know ??

I bought mine at 15500 miles and sold at 45000, in that time it had a transmission and diff oil change, a starter motor issue (dried out bendix which caused it to squeak on startup) and a new battery. Plus one set of PS4S’s (ditched the Super Sports early on when I realised they weren’t great).

Sure, they’re not cheap to run, but it was a bucket list car for me and my second AMG. Swapped my C to a W213 E63S in December last year and that is an entirely different experience altogether - had to redefine my definition of ‘fast’ ??

Feel free to ask me any questions about the C63, I still miss it dearly!!

Thanks. The car I drove was a 23 plate which must be GPF and sounded sublime so I can only imagine how a pre-facelift sounds. It looked like it had a stock exhaust too but it did have the switchable exhaust button where 90% of the time I had it open but there was a short period where I had a headache and my ears appreciated it closed. On the non S models was this only an option so not all will have it?

[Faszination76]

Kiwi79 said:

Thanks. The car I drove was a 23 plate which must be GPF and sounded sublime so I can only imagine how a pre-facelift sounds. It looked like it had a stock exhaust too but it did have the switchable exhaust button where 90% of the time I had it open but there was a short period where I had a headache and my ears appreciated it closed. On the non S models was this only an option so not all will have it?

So cars built late 2018 onwards all had the filters installed. My car was a pre-FL car and was much louder (cold starts were an 'event'), more hard edged and particularly loud letting off the throttle in S+ or when you changed up (in the same mode), you'd get this amazing sound like a whip cracking. The switchable exhaust was, from memory an additional option on both S and non-S cars, but if the car has the button on the console, it has the switchable setup (assuming its a stock car). There is no visible difference from the rear between the two options.

The key difference is cars with the switchable exhaust have 3 butterfly valves (one in the H-pipe, one in each rear muffler), cars without the option only have the valve in the H-pipe, which only opens based on throttle position.

Even my straight piped (from the cats back) E63S doesn't sound as good as my pre-FL C63S, although I attribute that to the GPF's, which my car has as its an October 2018 car

Edited by Faszination76 on Wednesday 14th August 12:06

[Kiwi79]

Faszination76 said:

So cars built late 2018 onwards all had the filters installed. My car was a pre-FL car and was much louder (cold starts were an 'event'), more hard edged and particularly loud letting off the throttle in S+ or when you changed up (in the same mode), you'd get this amazing sound like a whip cracking. The switchable exhaust was, from memory an additional option on both S and non-S cars, but if the car has the button on the console, it has the switchable setup (assuming its a stock car). There is no visible difference from the rear between the two options.

The key difference is cars with the switchable exhaust have 3 butterfly valves (one in the H-pipe, one in each rear muffler), cars without the option only have the valve in the H-pipe, which only opens based on throttle position.

Even my straight piped (from the cats back) E63S doesn't sound as good as my pre-FL C63S, although I attribute that to the GPF's, which my car has as its an October 2018 car

Edited by Faszination76 on Wednesday 14th August 12:06

Great info thanks. On a similar vein I deliberately sought out a 2018 pre PGF Golf R as the post GPFs sound like a sewing machine.

[Kiwi79]

Final questions (promise):

I'm seeing a few cars non s cars without the switchable exhaust - is there a way to retropfit or recreate this (can you remove a fuse or similar?)
Secondly what do people considet the "must have" options on a non s: cruise control? Switchable exhaust? What else?

Thanks in advance

[Faszination76]

Kiwi79 said:

Final questions (promise):

I'm seeing a few cars non s cars without the switchable exhaust - is there a way to retropfit or recreate this (can you remove a fuse or similar?)
Secondly what do people considet the "must have" options on a non s: cruise control? Switchable exhaust? What else?

Thanks in advance

I suppose you could get hold of an entire OEM switchable exhaust, but the coding and wiring (including the button) would be a pain in the backside. You'd be better off getting a car without it and buying a custom exhaust from someone like Valvetronic, Akropovic etc. If you disable the valve(s), the car will drop into limp mode with no EML, as it actively reads the positions of the flap(s) for emissions etc. So they'd also have to be coded out.

Most C63's (and S's) came with a high standard spec, so you really need to be looking for a 'Premium Plus' equipped car, which will get you the panoramic roof and a few other things. The 360 cameras are very useful too - however, be aware that if you pick a car with the sports seats (my personal favourites), you can't have certain other options like the HUD (very rare option anyway), Distronic radar cruise and also seat massaging functions (which are only available on cars with 'comfort' seats anyway). You could also look at 'Night Pack' equipped cars, which have some nice bodywork accents and other bits.

Keep the questions coming if needed - I've no problem helping someone wanting to buy a C63

[leef44]

If it doesn't have switchable exhaust then does that mean it doesn't have the shutoff valve so is only full on?
If that is the case then I would have thought that is better. I have the SLK55 with the exhaust valves. The motors went on them so I had to get that changed. If it didn't have them then that would have been one less thing to go wrong.

[Faszination76]

leef44 said:

If it doesn't have switchable exhaust then does that mean it doesn't have the shutoff valve so is only full on?
If that is the case then I would have thought that is better. I have the SLK55 with the exhaust valves. The motors went on them so I had to get that changed. If it didn't have them then that would have been one less thing to go wrong.

No, cars with the non-switchable performance exhaust still have one valve in the H-pipe, but it’s controlled solely by the engine management. You can remove it but you’d need it coding out and I don’t know how that would affect the car.

[leef44]

Faszination76 said:

leef44 said:

If it doesn't have switchable exhaust then does that mean it doesn't have the shutoff valve so is only full on?
If that is the case then I would have thought that is better. I have the SLK55 with the exhaust valves. The motors went on them so I had to get that changed. If it didn't have them then that would have been one less thing to go wrong.

No, cars with the non-switchable performance exhaust still have one valve in the H-pipe, but it’s controlled solely by the engine management. You can remove it but you’d need it coding out and I don’t know how that would affect the car.

Ok thanks, so not straightforward. Yes then much it's nicer to be able to have that control to switch.

[carbonblack]

+1 to MP4S over MPSS.

The MPSS were awful for most of the year in the UK climate and easily overwhelmed.


Personally I’d want the S for the seats. Switchable exhaust is a must.

360 cameras are nice, but not essential. The rest of the options I wasn’t fussed about - HUD etc. I’ve used cruise control once, I could easily do without it and the HUD is a bit of a gimmick.

If you’re going for a PFL then I’d look to get a CarPlay box to allow you use CarPlay with the inbuilt system. FL can have wired car play.

Exhaust valve controller for about £250 to allow you keep the valves open (or shut for early morning cold starts) is useful unless you live far away from people.

Coil packs are a known weak point with 3 or 4 versions out now. Not mega expensive to replace.


16mpg average here, not hanging about. Only ever use 99 vpower. I wouldn’t even put 98 in mine unless it was the only option.

Generally reliable cars although interior fit and finish leaves a little to be desired at times (well known for squeaking/rattles) - although seldom heard with music and the V8.

However they can throw up bills e.g I believe the PFL has no stone guard over the heat exchangers so a punctured rad at the front would easily be £1k a side to replace. People use that as an opportunity to upgrade the coolers if that happens.

Edited by carbonblack on Sunday 18th August 07:32

[Kiwi79]

16mpg average?? Wow ok I thought my old Impreza STI was bad but even that got closer to 20. Does that include any motorway type driving or is that 100 per cent urban?

carbonblack said:

+1 to MP4S over MPSS.

The MPSS were awful for most of the year in the UK climate and easily overwhelmed.


Personally I’d want the S for the seats. Switchable exhaust is a must.

360 cameras are nice, but not essential. The rest of the options I wasn’t fussed about - HUD etc. I’ve used cruise control once, I could easily do without it and the HUD is a bit of a gimmick.

If you’re going for a PFL then I’d look to get a CarPlay box to allow you use CarPlay with the inbuilt system. FL can have wired car play.

Exhaust valve controller for about £250 to allow you keep the valves open (or shut for early morning cold starts) is useful unless you live far away from people.

Coil packs are a known weak point with 3 or 4 versions out now. Not mega expensive to replace.


16mpg average here, not hanging about. Only ever use 99 vpower. I wouldn’t even put 98 in mine unless it was the only option.

Generally reliable cars although interior fit and finish leaves a little to be desired at times (well known for squeaking/rattles) - although seldom heard with music and the V8.

However they can throw up bills e.g I believe the PFL has no stone guard over the heat exchangers so a punctured rad at the front would easily be £1k a side to replace. People use that as an opportunity to upgrade the coolers if that happens.

Edited by carbonblack on Sunday 18th August 07:32

[Faszination76]

[quote=Kiwi79]16mpg average?? Wow ok I thought my old Impreza STI was bad but even that got closer to 20. Does that include any motorway type driving or is that 100 per cent urban?

As ever YMMV - when I had mine I averaged about 25mpg, that’s was a mix of short distance (8 mile) commuting and a weekly round trip of 70 miles on fast A’s and B’s. On a long run I could easily top 30mpg.

To get 16mpg average is extreme - I even average 22mpg in my E63S and that’s with another 100hp and more weight 😂

[SmithCorona]

16mpg is surely a short urban commute.

I did 35k over 2 years in a 2017 W205 and averaged 21.9 IIRC.

Must have options for me were: switchable exhaust (standard on couple and convertible), at least the premium pack as even the upgraded sound system is shocking, and open pore ash, or carbon interior to a) get the IWC, and b) stop all the fking centre console creaking.

The w212 and x218 are much better propositions for essentially the same price.

[Faszination76]

SmithCorona said:

16mpg is surely a short urban commute.

The w212 and x218 are much better propositions for essentially the same price.

I would be wary of a 212 these days, unless it’s a minter. The sub-frame issue is just not worth the hassle…