Higher mileage W205 C63S
Discussion
I'm just after some advice. I'm looking at buying my first AMG and a particular C63S estate has caught my attention. Everything in the advert looks good BUT it has 88k miles on it. Has anyone got any experience of higher mile W205 C63's and can offer any advice of common faults or issues?
I'm planning on keeping the car for a good few years and it'll be my daily driver so I'll be putting about 10k miles a year on it. Any advice appreciated
I'm planning on keeping the car for a good few years and it'll be my daily driver so I'll be putting about 10k miles a year on it. Any advice appreciated
Provided you have a verifiable service history and all requisite items have been attended to on time, you should be ok. Pay particular attention to gearbox and diff oil changes, these are often skipped by previous owners when selling. They don’t cost a huge amount to do but if they’ve been missed, it’s a risk I would not want to take.
The other thing to mention is sticking exhaust valves - they sometimes fail closed, which will give you much reduced power and no CEL.
The fix Mercedes will tell you is a new exhaust (obviously expensive). There are hacks for it, just depends how much you want to keep original or spend.
The fix Mercedes will tell you is a new exhaust (obviously expensive). There are hacks for it, just depends how much you want to keep original or spend.
Ifinishposts said:
Search YouTube for SPR autos, he will have repaired one at some time.
Eye opening costs involved with AMG prices (he regularly says it stands for all money gone.)
That entirely depends on how well the car has been looked after previously - I’m on my third AMG and none of them have ever been more expensive than any other performance car to maintain.Eye opening costs involved with AMG prices (he regularly says it stands for all money gone.)
My non-S is on 74k and hasn't let me down or cost me much. Only time I had an engine light come on was on holiday in France last year and the local Mercedes garage diagnosed a faulty exhaust sensor which they fixed the next day.
I've had to replace an A/C condenser and the central oil cooler, both victims of stones puncturing them and the lack of protection offered out the factory to improve air flow which the S204 suffered from. I've also replaced the front lower arms but these are wear and tear items. Last month I had to replace discs and pads all round which a local specialist did using Mercedes parts for £1265. Rear discs were the originals so lasted well. Rear tyres were replaced last month at £300 each for PS4S tyres.
I'm sure you're aware of the differences between the S and non-S but I actively sought a non-S as if the electric diff fails, and they do regularly, it's thousands. Both AMG specialists I know advised this. Comfort seats are also very comfortable and no issues with hours in the seat at a time.
I've a thread running in the Readers' Cars section where I've kept track of running mine and the costs.
I've had to replace an A/C condenser and the central oil cooler, both victims of stones puncturing them and the lack of protection offered out the factory to improve air flow which the S204 suffered from. I've also replaced the front lower arms but these are wear and tear items. Last month I had to replace discs and pads all round which a local specialist did using Mercedes parts for £1265. Rear discs were the originals so lasted well. Rear tyres were replaced last month at £300 each for PS4S tyres.
I'm sure you're aware of the differences between the S and non-S but I actively sought a non-S as if the electric diff fails, and they do regularly, it's thousands. Both AMG specialists I know advised this. Comfort seats are also very comfortable and no issues with hours in the seat at a time.
I've a thread running in the Readers' Cars section where I've kept track of running mine and the costs.
Edited by Mark83 on Thursday 2nd January 10:47
People keep saying the electronic diffs fail regularly, but I’ve never seen another owner have any issues on the forums I’m on.
My old C63S was rock solid reliable, I put 35k on that car over 3 years including a track day/driving course with a lot of abuse.
The garage I used for servicing (Indy specialist) have never mentioned failure rates either. I’m expecting the same thing from my current E63S too.
I think provided the car hasn’t been damaged ragged and all maintenance has been done, you’ve nothing to worry about.
My old C63S was rock solid reliable, I put 35k on that car over 3 years including a track day/driving course with a lot of abuse.
The garage I used for servicing (Indy specialist) have never mentioned failure rates either. I’m expecting the same thing from my current E63S too.
I think provided the car hasn’t been damaged ragged and all maintenance has been done, you’ve nothing to worry about.
Thomas_ said:
I have a 2015 Non S C63 and currently on 139k without any issues. Just routine servicing.
RE the E-Diff, I've seen almost weekly issues on the FB groups.
‘Weekly issues on the FB groups’ - what groups are those? Not a single post I can remember about diff failure on any of the global or specific AMG UK groups I’m on in years. RE the E-Diff, I've seen almost weekly issues on the FB groups.
Even if some have failed, it’ll be at a rate that will have been expected by MB or cars that have been neglected - as these cars can be, when sold on by people avoiding paying for regular maintenance and/or bought by people who ignore the service schedules.
Faszination76 said:
Thomas_ said:
I have a 2015 Non S C63 and currently on 139k without any issues. Just routine servicing.
RE the E-Diff, I've seen almost weekly issues on the FB groups.
‘Weekly issues on the FB groups’ - what groups are those? Not a single post I can remember about diff failure on any of the global or specific AMG UK groups I’m on in years. RE the E-Diff, I've seen almost weekly issues on the FB groups.
Even if some have failed, it’ll be at a rate that will have been expected by MB or cars that have been neglected - as these cars can be, when sold on by people avoiding paying for regular maintenance and/or bought by people who ignore the service schedules.
Even classed as a 'common problem' on the groups
Edited by Thomas_ on Thursday 16th January 11:31
Looks like almost all those cars in that comment thread are in the US market, generally cars that are tuned for big numbers, dragged frequently or otherwise abused with multiple launches.
So it’s not about me ‘not liking’ anything - it’s just a fact that the reliability of the diff on the S is more to do with how the car is treated than a design fault.
So it’s not about me ‘not liking’ anything - it’s just a fact that the reliability of the diff on the S is more to do with how the car is treated than a design fault.
Faszination76 said:
Looks like almost all those cars in that comment thread are in the US market, generally cars that are tuned for big numbers, dragged frequently or otherwise abused with multiple launches.
So it’s not about me ‘not liking’ anything - it’s just a fact that the reliability of the diff on the S is more to do with how the car is treated than a design fault.
Another post (UK based)So it’s not about me ‘not liking’ anything - it’s just a fact that the reliability of the diff on the S is more to do with how the car is treated than a design fault.
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