Epic, one-of-five C63 AMG DR520 wagon for sale

The most potent V8 C63 wasn't a Black, or a Performance Pack, or even turbo'd - it was a very rare UK special...

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, 25 March 2025 / Loading comments

Everyone has their favourite crazy rare AMG special edition. It might be something with the 7.3-litre V12, it might be a Hammer, it might be an SLK Black Series. Safe to say it’ll have a monster engine, heaps of attitude, and running costs to frighten a sovereign nation.

This one’s a personal favourite. Because it’s not just a W204 C63 AMG - oh no. This is a Dyno Rated 520 version of the W204 C63 AMG, an incredibly rare derivative of an Affalterbach icon. Launched 15 years ago and available to buy only at Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands, there were 20 units made - 15 saloons and five estates.

The rarity made it interesting, and the matt white or black wrap was the style at the time. But the really cool bit of the 520 were the mechanical changes that gave the car its Dyno Rated name, because it was essentially given a Brabus upgrade (though still with Mercedes warranty) to be the most powerful C63 sold in a showroom until that point. And ever, as it turns out: 520hp just pipped the 510hp of this era’s Black Series and 507hp Edition 507, plus the later, twin-turbo C63 S. Pretty cool.

So on top of the Performance Pack that lifted power from the 6.2-litre V8 from 457hp to 487hp, the DR520 received a new crank, new conrods and forged pistons for that headline power figure. Much like the later 507, expect an even revvier nature than standard thanks to the lighter internals. Back in the day the ‘520 commanded a £10,000 premium over a standard C63.

By its very nature, any DR is notable. Probably another 20 A35 AMGs have found customers in the time it’s taken to read this far. But as an estate this 520 is vanishingly rare, and benefits from reasonably low mileage (64k) as well as a recent rewrap. The slightly naff badges marking this out as something special can still be found inside and out. But if you know, my goodness are you going to know.

When we last wrote about a DR520 in 2019 (that’s 60 per cent of the wagons covered off now thanks to a 2016 story as well, two to go), the premium over a nicely specced Performance Pack was negligible. Back then, a 74,000-mile car was less than £30k. Not any longer. The seller of this one wants £74,950. Which, even with the ongoing V8 love in thanks to the four-cylinder C63 palaver, looks a lot. It’s the sort of money that buys later Final Edition coupes with next to no miles, and good 507s are little more than half the money. So even if the imminent MOT is passed without fuss, this 520 might be waiting a little while for its next owner. Handy, then, that its iconic status is going nowhere whatsoever.

SPECIFICATION - MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG DR520

Engine: 6,208cc V8
Transmission: 7-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 520@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 479@5,000rpm
MPG: 23.5 (standard car)
CO2: 285g/km (standard car)
First registered: 2010
Recorded mileage: 64,000
Price new: £63,680
Yours for: £74,950