Forget the BMW E46 M3 - Here's Why The Mercedes C63 AMG (W204) is Just BETTER.
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
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Today, I discuss the legendary BMW E46 M3, and all of the many reasons why your money should likely go on a Mercedes C63 instead.
#MercedesBenz #AMG #C63
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No, it is not at least in any known universe.
I bought a Red on Red 2013 Saloon with a secondary decat, miles, and one shady owner.
I still own the car despite fixing things and its one of the few cars I will never sell.
Don't be a scared donut, be a strong donut and just go buy one.
Who cares if it isnt perfect? Perfect is overrated anyway.
no manual option aside, the other big problem with the C63 is image. It must be pretty hard to find a car that hasn't spent it's life either being ragged endlessly around Birmingham/Bradford city centers or owned by someone who goes to the gym alot & has 'BIG' or 'BO55' in the numberplate
You mean ANY city whose name begins with the letter B.
Burnley, Bolton, B’Luton 🤣
@@Largeone1968 bradford
He said Bradford.
@@tastypymp1287 i cant read
@@1finchgreen Your reply betrays you.
This was a childhood dream car of mine as a teenager when they were first produced. Purchased but sold mine, and missed it so much by pure fluke, seen the exact car back up for sale 6 years later and I don’t think I’ll let it go again now. Pre facelift model saloon in tenorite grey with the performance pack. Sounds amazing and at the prices they are at now they are an absolute steal.
Just very thirsty 😂
Not just very thirsty, you need to own a SEA of gas to enjoy this..
My Tenorite Grey E250 gets 70mpg on the motorway 😃
Unpopular opinion but I find it’s flaws with its gearbox actually compliments and suits the nature of the car to a tee! I love how dinosaur and analogue the C63 is. I love how you have a monumental gearshifter and the gearbox is docile when you first start it up, as if it’s dragging it’s heels on the floor until it gets up to temperature, makes it feel human and relatable. As a regular auto it’s simply perfect for everyday use, then in sport + the shifts are ferocious in addition to the downshifts which are to die for. It may not be the fastest box, but I think it just compliments the engine/soundtrack, and really accentuates the whole experience feeling so raw. I think if it had a DCT or something equivalent, it would lose its charm and feel less rewarding, whereas with the MCT it feels like an event with a crescendo at the end of every gear change or downshift.
Yip, I'm with you on this. It's a bit old fashioned in its approach and that's exactly why I love it. I just can't get excited about electric suvs. I like the raw bark of a big petrol engine.
yes!! I find this with my CLK63
If you like old automatics then you are not an enthusiast! Period! 👎
@@andresguerin7162 what a dumb statement
@@andresguerin7162 clean your room and grow up
I remember being overtake by one of these on the A508 near Northampton. The sound it made certainly left an impression.
In your pants.
Yep 100% this is the best C63 there will ever be.
Just want to point out this is the S204 variant , the saloon is the W204 . Love the channel, all the best wishes James!
always seems to me like they got the letters the wrong way round because the saloon is W and wagon is S. also Roadsters like SLK are R
@@oscarzt1652 if you really must ask
W is for wagen meaning all saloons and SUV’s with their own platform W204 or W163
V is for long wheel base models like the S class W221 or V221
R is for two seater roadsters R230
C is for fixed roof coupe C219
A is for cabriolet cars A207
S is for STATION wagon S204
and X is for SUV designed on the platform of an existing model such as the X204 GLK
I’ll go cry now for realising why I don’t have a girlfriend
@@alexandruvintila8697 X is for cars designed on existing platforms in general, not just SUVs. For example the cls and cla shootingbrake (x218 and x118) and i believe the E class all-terrian aswell (x213)
The main part of the facelift was the completely redesigned dashboard, which was a massive improvement
Especially since the pre-facelift dash was horrendous in comparison. It's a huge step indeed!
The facelift was quite a lot more extensive than that. They fixed the premature wear issues on the camshafts, fixed the head bolts and added a very different gearbox. The old 7 speed was a torque converter auto while the new one was an MCT with a wet clutch. It had multiple clutches but wasn't what we call a dual clutch where one clutch operates the odd gears and the second one operates the even gears. Instead, all the clutches operated all the gears to smoothen out the shifts and also make them ever so slightly quicker. Because of the new gearbox the car also received launch control which allowed it to have a sub 4 second 0-60 in ideal conditions.
The updated dashboard however was probably the most welcome change for the average bloke since the old one was very cheap and plasticky for a Mercedes.
@@brunobegic3841 I agree with you that there were indeed quite many changes, the gearbox being one of the biggest. Good thing I have a P31 facelift sedan 😌
@@brunobegic3841 the headbolt issue actually only affected a tiny fraction of early pre facelift cars and am yet to hear of a UK car with failures due to them.
The facelift also received external cosmetic revisions like the bumper (which is actually worse for cooling the engine on the facelift), plus the dash clocks, the steering wheel, the facelift also got race start as you mention, it’s basically a vastly improved car.
Never heard of premature wear on camshafts but the cam covers can warp and seep which was fixed by a revised and reinforced cover.
Mechanically they’re significantly more reliable than M and RS cars of the same era.
@@mred9161 I know. It's an extremely rare occurrence for which the car kinda gets a bad rep. The M156 overall is pretty much just as bulletproof as the M113, but the community hates to admit it for whatever reason.
The engine is a masterpiece!
It's a race engine that still wins races, insane
I absolutely love my white 2013 C63 estate with performance pack and limited slip differential which I've owned for nearly 6 years.
Mine is stock except for the secondary cat delete but without the X pipe.
The sunroof was standard on all C63's.
I have fitted W206 C63S forged cross spoke wheels with 255 front and 275 rear Michelin PS4s and it has definitely changed the handling for the better.
Keep up the great reviews.
nearly vomited with jealousy. haha. I'm currently shopping around for an estate c63 in Australia.
@@sleebanger as I said I love mine and m in Sydney.
The W204 C63 forum on MBworld has a wealth of knowledge.
Colin, I have a 13 sedan. How did you get the wheels/tires to fit? Do they rub?
@@CiGambino W205 C63s sedan and wagon wheels are a straight fit on W204's.
They are both 1/2" wider with the fronts having a 20mm wider track (10mm per wheel), ET38 v ET48. While the rears are the same offset around ET56 and 9 1/2" wide.
The 275/30x19 PS4S on rear fit with no rubbing at all but the 255's on front do rub a little but I prefer the steering feel over 235 or 245 fronts.
You can't use W205 coupe C63 wheels as the fronts are 9" wider and have 56mm wider track and the rears are 10 1/2" wide
in the 6 years did you have any major issues
M156 and M159 growl will never not make me smile and grin like an idiot.
Preach blud
Love my 2012 C63 coupe, great engine. Cost me very little in my year of ownership and 6k miles. Every drive is an event, which is the best part for me.
I own one of these, specifically a 507 Edition. But I've been following them for quite some time and from my experience the 'shady owners' have sort of faded away now. (You can find them in modified Golf Rs, Audi RS3s, BMW M140/M135 etc) :)
The AMG, any AMG is not for surface pockets…they should run deep, very deep!
@@duffydon1741 you could get into amgs cheaply, a few good, reliable and cheap (also cheap to maintain) cars are: w210 e55, w203 c55, c208/c209 clk55, even the ml55.
I truly love this car.
There won’t be more like it so we need to look after these ones with the glorious 6.2L V8!
Had my 2013 coupe for 5yrs now and nothing comes close to considering a px sub £100k. The sound is ridiculous, down changes still give me goosebumps and super solid reliability. Always gets a thumbs up from petrol heads and look out the window at it every day. Really under valued for what you get and prob the best value Bhp/£ out there … Shame about barely double digits mpg 😂
It’s no C63 but I have the C220 and although a little dull it’s been the best car I have ever owned for the last 7 years of ownership. It’s never let me down and has hardly wanted for anything, it’s currently on 135,000 miles and I will be sad when I change it for sure. I would love one of these!!!
I've had a pre-facelift example for 12 years and prefer it to the .2 version. Yes, the transmission is more antiquated, but I find the headlights to look nicer, the grill looked better, and you can hide the hilariously-outdated infotainment screen, whereas the .2's is always on display.
Possibly the best car reviewer, clear and concise 🙌🏽
Just to add on the head bolt issues, this was a recall that should have been sorted if someone wants an earlier pre facelift model or that’s all the budget offers. If you get the performance pack model along with the lsd and upgraded brakes and suspension, they come with updated engine internals from the slr and more bhp - easily noticeable by the grey air intake cover instead of silver on the non performance pack engine. This eliminated head bolt issues on earlier cars and on prefacelift models this also comes with a half suede steering wheel, carbon interior parts and boot lip
*upgraded*
Hi Sean, I never mentioned p30 or p31 I said the suede steering wheel and upgraded brakes suspension and internals and how the engine internals are easily spotted with the grey intake manifold. That’s what my car has
I’m sure it must have made you feel very intelligent correcting me from slr to sls but the basis of my comment is correct. The engine does have upgraded engine parts
Internals (cams, rods and pistons) were from the SLS not the SLR.
@@gedb6099 actually there were two performance pack variants.
Pre facelift and facelift differ.
Pre facelift had no more power but as mentioned had the two piece discs and a few other bits.
The facelift got red calipers with upgraded (but not two piece) composite discs, SLS engine internals, alcantera inserts on the steering wheel, a carbon rear lip spoiler, and an extra 30bhp from a revised engine map (and the grey engine cover lol). I’m sure I’m missing one or two other extras it had two but honestly they were minor.
You’re also right on the headbolt issue that’s not an issue. It’s been over egged by google “experts” and definitely only impacted a tiny percentage of early Prefl cars. It was addressed way before 2010.
I’ve owned two of the PPP facelift variant - absolutely fantastic cars.
Had a ‘204 wagon for 3 years, absolutely brilliant car. Avoided yobo treatment as a “dull” estate and made me smile every day.
This is more of an e92 competitor
Yes, my thoughts exactly..
E91 Alpina B3 Biturbo and B3 S Biturbo competitor.
Yeah comparing it to the e46 is a bit strange
I love my 2012 C63 coupe. I just picked up a 911 Carrera T manual but I plan to keep the C63 as well, what an amazing motor.
Such a lovely and brutal engine. And the CLK Black is the holy grail of modern Mercs.
Absolutely love these, great combination of noise, character fun and comfort. The engine is obviously one of the best.
I have it's larger predecessor,an E55 Kompressor Estate. You'd be surprised to learn the E55 is actually abit faster on a roll , but it does have vastly more torque 516 Vs 443 lb torque and it comes in lower and over a wider range. The traction on that is sketchy at times making the NA C63 seem much easier to get the torque down in.
This would be a much more fun and cheaper car to own with far more character than the new M3 Touring.
As you r said, the M156 in the C63 is literally Throttled back to reduce its power Vs the E63/ SL63 etc. All a remap does it allow full opening of the throttle so you get 510 bhp with no loss of reliability.
The M156 was not quite as stout as the Supercharged M113K and you need to make sure the head studs have been replaced if it's a pre facelift, watch out for cracking plastic intake manifolds and premature cam lobe wear.
Another brilliant insightful review from JM. It will overtake everything but a fuel station, but are the last of the mad car legends never to be repeated, & soon to be relaced by er.., 4 cyclinder hybrid..
Had an 09 performance pack with limited slip and stiff suspension and had it tuned by pp performance and it was one aggressive vehicle and loved its torque, moved to a Maserati Granturismo sport 2016 and i couldnt be happier honestly
Hello! If I might make a joke sir... You really picked the right car. It offers plenty of torque across all RPM 😃
Cheers and safe roads! Enjoy that little tiger!
I had a 2014 C63, black on red leather, back in 2016. Had it for two fantastic years and to this day, still one of the few cars I regret selling. It had theatre, plenty of torque and sounded brilliant. Sadly today they have fallen into the rude boy hands, and most I’d imagine get ragged within an inch of their lives. Glad to say I owned one and I’d love to have another.. but life’s too short for that!
Proud W204 C63 owner here. 180k and counting on mine with all smiles per gallon 😎
Thanks for the review! Really good! I own a 2014 coupe version. I have had the car for just under seven years. Friends of mine have owned this car as well. Bang for buck very few cars can touch it. Once you get past the Audi and Bmer boys on here you then arrive at reviews from people who have read a motor magazine review about this car but may of never actually been in one and definitely not owned one. I get 20 mpg from this car. On long journeys after say 5 hours my bottom can ache a bit so always good to stop after a couple of hours. I changed the diff and upgraded the tyres to Michelin pilot sports tyres. This transformed the handling. I have driven it on track in the dry and it is respectable. This car is a crusier and not a track car. A radical or Nissan Gtr, Gt3 Rs Porche are far better for the track. My car is remapped and I have supercharged it. It puts a smile on your face. The noise it makes is intoxicating. You can drive slowly in a relaxed manner or when you get a straight empty road this car will give you all the thrills you need. It has a lot of personality and ends up almost becoming a friend if that is possible. I service it regularly and so far so good.With a car like this rolling Starts are far better and do not stress that much as race starts would from standstill. A lot better for the Gearbox and moving parts. Race starts could damage a standard drive shaft. Many people on the road do not know what the car is. The noise does give the name away though! So bang for buck if you buy one you will be really happy. The fun you will have will not be replicated in most cars. It is a one off. A very special car. Grab one while you can and experience this car in your lifetime!
Epic sound. The estate is so much nicer looking than the saloon.
I briefly looked at these before common sense kicked in... I believe the facelift has a vastly superior gearbox and it doesn’t suffer from head bolt issues
Never ever let common sense let kick in with these kind of decisions. We would all be driving mondeos otherwise
The best Mercedes around these years were the big engine non-AMG models. Double-wishbone front suspension, really good brakes, a solid build quality. Not so good were the gearboxes. But all were better than the rolling iPads they build today.
Not too fair a comparison in some ways.
A closer period comparison would be the E46 M3 vs the AMG C55.
I’ve had both: an E46 CSL and AMG C55 Estate.
The experiences at the time had some similarities……but mostly they were very, very different beasts! 😂
I personally found the CSL impossible to drive slowly….not because one couldn’t but just simply because the whole time it ‘felt’ wrong and was straining at the leash. The C55, I could and did drive on a long distance trip to the South of France with my wife.
I don’t think I could have done that in the CSL.
By the way, I have neither the CSL, nor the C55……..nor the wife anymore. 😢
Sounds like your old wife took all your toys😔
This channel keeps getting better and better. An RS3 Advant and M3 Touring review would be dope!
Have a 507 edition, fully spec’d, low miles. Last and greatest iteration of the M156 engine. It’s not perfect but it’s so well built and engineered and has enough character that it’s hard to think what I’d replace it for, this side of $100k, that would be as good all round.
Tried the AMG GT Coupe base model (470hp) for a weekend and looks aside, much preferred the 507.
It’s not a track car, unless you want to spend a large mortgage on tyres, pads and rotors but it’s a really solid grand tourer
The stalks are all on one side cause they share a steering wheel and column with other Mercs of the time which have the drive selector mounted to the RHS of the wheel. That said, I adore this car, the noise they make is unreal.
One of my favorite cars I’ve ever owned. One of the few I consider coming back to
Thank you for that great review ! People tend to forget how important the engine is in a car. The C63 is quite a dream daily driver. Although I think you wouldn't have felt the need to cut those corners at 06:12 and 21:38 with a BMW. 😄
When I went to pick up my very first car when I was 19, the dealer picked me up from the train station in a red C63 AMG estate. Amazing sound, and happily it didn't dampen the excitement of climbing into my very own 2004 VW Passat 20V 1.8 Turbo! Have always loved these, right from days of the drug dealers revving them around my university campus, to the Top Gear review in Spain.
I bought my W204 C63 brand new in October 2013 and so far have done just over 90k miles in it. It is absolutely the best car I have owned, practical, fast, reliable, fast, fun, fast, easy to maintain, fast, great to look at, and have I mentioned fast?
I Love it to bits and can't imagine ever selling it. It has character and makes every journey an event. I didn't know they had the reputation in Bradford, etc, as I just bumble around in mine.
Final comment, and I've owned lots of fast stuff, I defy anyone to go up through the gears to the red line and change from 4th to 5th at 7.5k revs and not swear as 5th engages. It is relentless!
Fabulous cars.
around 2008 i had a Subaru legacy 3.0 as Taxi in Copenhagen at the same time there was a C63 and a Audi RS6 probally the 3 most fun Taxis that ever driven in Copenhagen
I personally own a 2010 C350 in Mars red with the C63 sport appearance package and it's my baby. My main criticism's (aside from the well publicized Mars red paint fiasco) would be the plasticky interior, quarter panels that are susceptical to rust, and overly soft wishy-washy handling. I've added aftermarket air filters to keep the engine as cool as possible and a strut bar to tighten the handling. The W204 styling (pre-facelift) was on point with it's sharp edges.
Very nice, but dated quickly.
@@tastypymp1287 Maybe the tech but I find the exterior styling holds up nicely. The E Class from this era especially as well, nice boxy and edgy side mirrors.
@@Canadian_Gamer It's nice but dated i feel, perhaps prematurely. Not that it hasn't aged well.
@@tastypymp1287it looks sharp but boxy, cars have shifted towards this really futuristically sharp and either extremely boxy or extremely blobby shape, i think thats whats made it look so dated. I think it has aged much better than the e90, but even as a die hard mb fan, the car that has aged the best in its class is the b8.5 Audi a4. Its just on another level, the thing looks brand new.
@@kanchingyg Looks alright, I wouldn't gush over it.
Yes of course,just do what i order for set up my car,give more little bit cracker sound for exhoust n change muffler plus put exracter 4-2-1 at front exhoust,🤔
C63 AMG sedan y/m 2010, is the best compact sedan ever!!! Own one from since bought it 😎 and will never regret! Even though, I have to check my oil every start! Because earlier models had they issue!😜
Isn’t it the S204, because it’s a wagon? I have a S205 wagon and absolutely love it. Not the fastest, but plenty quick enough, and that sound… makes me smile every time I start it up! (My neighbours, less so…)
Yes
Yep, it is S204
255 section rears is crazy! You get the same on an E90 325i M-Sport pack
Something that's interesting about the early 7sp boxes. They are better than the 8sp DCT's for strength and if you upgrade the controller to that of the SLS, then they shift just as fast and transform the performance of what was considered a 'slow' box into something that's barely slower than an RS3's mad DQ500...
Who can do this?
I went to park in a multi-storey car park today and a c63 amg was behind me he floored it and the vibrations and noise was absolutely insane
I always felt like the Mercedes 6.2l could kind of do it all it had the torque and it could rev a little bit.
It was a 32 valve dohc with variable valve timing, I don't know why everyone is surprised it makes more power and torque up top.
This is probably my favourite era of amg cars
Re the gearbox. There is a guy here in the UK "RAND_ASH" also has a YT channel of the same name. He has created a replacement gearbox computer and developed all his own firmware. This totally transforms that gearbox. Very clever chap who has recently been asked to give a talk to Merc Engineers re his gearbox computer. He has also been over to Chicago recently to do a segment with Legit Street Cars.
Love my Perf Pack coupe :)
The main improvements at the facelift were the re-design of the dashboard and upgraded infotainment, and I think a different gearbox. Also the facelift was the point where the coupe was introduced, and the I think that's when the Perf Pack lost its standard inclusion of the limited slip diff.
Pretty sure the standard inclusion of the LSD was already lost somewhere during the pre-facelift lifecycle, actually.
A quick remap and you get yourself an extra 75bhp too. Shows you how much they had to hold her back from her older sisters.
Yes the throttle map in this car did not allow opening past 3/4 as stock . Very easy to release they extra power.
Had one of these. Modified mine with an LSD, SLS tappets, head bolts and a tune. Loved driving it - slush-box works totally fine with this engine. Regret selling it. Classic.
AMGs just make you fall in love with them, at least the older models
any 63 AMG sounds like a damn spitfire. I remember arriving at Zandvoort when there was an AMG experience on the track. A lot of this noise. It was amazing.
no my guy, the e46 m3 is a freaking legend, not a single car enthusiast in this world can say anything else.
That engine wow sheer music to the ears
Noticed it sounds diff then my c63 507 , and I love taking mine to a track it's a blast from the past!!
Interesting review @jayemm.
Looked at one of these…. Have driven 7 or so, and yes, the engine is bombastic. But in the end, I went facelifted 350 cdi, remapped it and have more torque than the C63, 40mpg+, and all the practicality (doesn’t sound horrific for an oil burner either).
If I want to go fast, I have a cheap(ish) track car.
Or a 220 and a sportsbike!
@@RMhoneybadger What's being over 40 got to do with anything?
@@tastypymp1287 I want to see my 3 sons grow up! Too many thick pillared SUV’s driven by people with zero self or spatial awareness. Done 30 years on bikes, bowed out with zero major accidents. Happy to leave the bikes behind!
@@RMhoneybadger So, wifey said no then.
@@tastypymp1287 she loves leathers, so not at all.
Owned and dailied a C55 for seven years and 112k miles. Your review just made me want another AMG and the C63 w
Kombi/Estate would be my weapon of choice. As always, informative and entertaining.
Your videos just get better and better. Thanks so much for the time and effort you put in to them. Great stuff mate.
Not having a manual in that car for me is like going into an amazing steak restaurant ordering the perfect steak, mushrooms etc and having the waiter bringing it blended to save me the hassle of having to use a knife and fork. All the food but no engagement with the meal.
Agree, when i eventually get this car in the future I'll be doing a 350z gearbox swap
The meal was ruined the moment you added mushrooms, just saying. Also, a manual swap can be done for less than $5000
6:39 The E46 M3 may have began appreciating quicker than the W204 C63s (because it came out several years earlier and have done its depreciation) but I don't think these W204 C63s will stay 'cheaper' than the E46 M3s forever. I do agree with you on many points James but not on this instance. Especially if we're talking 10-20 years ago, a person who likes M cars is often a person who likes high revving (+not very torquey) engines resembling DTM/Le Mans racecar sounds, goes on winding roads as well as racetracks; whereas a person who likes AMG cars is often a person who appreciates torque, likes the American muscle-like sound, likes to go on straight roads like the autobahn, drag races and appreciates interior refinement.
I had a W205 C63 last year. LOVED the noise it made with the sport exhaust, loved the looks, but HATED the ride, way too harsh for me, and the squeaks and rattles from the pan roof and dash, and the last straw was the gearbox. When slowing to a stop, on the odd occasion, it would change down to much, sometimes to first! Very strange feeling and felt like it was going to break at any minute. It was sold within 6 months, however in a weird way, I still miss it. I yearn for another V8, probably an XFR next.
The suspension on the 205 AMG is harsh, but it does handle all the better for it. Some can live with it, understandably some can't!
Still miss my black on black, 507 station wagon. NASCAR sound, discrete styling and performance to match nearly everything at the traffic lights Grand Prix. Smiled every time some clown would pull up beside me on the near side lane. The look on their face was priceless when they noticed the V8 badge on the mudguard. All they saw was the rear end disappearing into the distance.
Forget the E46 M3? I don't think, I can and I'm positive, I don't want to.. 😉
I love this engine. I worked for Benz and always found the C class was a bit cheaply built but not as bad as the A class.
I've always found the w204 very solid actually.
To be fair to the w204, the materials used and build quality are a bit better than what it replaced. But as a retired Mercedes specialist (US) I would call the C Class interior a bit cheap and low rent compared to the rest of the lineup at the time that doesn’t always hold together.
When asked, I always recommend the E63 over the C63 when it comes to a M156 equipped car. The interior is a lot nicer, holds together better, more comfortable to drive, more features, and tbh will most likely have had an easier life…they are also currently cheaper which I find odd but helped me get a really nice example
@@beverlyhillbilly7914 Rubbish. The interior is the same quality. The cars are essentially identical, made at the same place by the same people from the same materials. The E class is simply bigger.
@@tastypymp1287 stupidity is never written on someone forehead, but you are an exception, its everywhere..
@@beverlyhillbilly7914 I'm not a Mercedes's fanatic or anything. But I literally live in a household with a w204 and W212 (assuming they're both pre/post refresh) and the interiors are literally identical in design and materials. Certain shapes are different because the e class is bigger but the interiors are legit the same, what are you smoking on?
Very tired of hearing the w204 C63 AMG compared to the M3 over the last 10 years… I’ve had two M3’s and 3 C63’s. Two different cars focussed on very very different customers. A clean standard C63 AMG is appreciating faster than the M3 and is set to be the ‘stand out’ modern classic investment. They won’t make another 6.2 Litre N/A with ‘that sound’ ever again. Those ‘in the know’ are buying up the last of the clean FDSH examples now. For me the c63 is the better car all round hands down. Remember people said a well used £12k ford cosworth was to be swerved in the early 2000’s, just look how silly they look now. Like the m3 too, but it’s not as nice an investment and in my experience, frugal but far more fragile car. Please keep posting.
The cheaper ones are pre facelift c63s, your driving a facelift witch has a totally different dash, steering wheel, and entertainment centre.
And the main thing the mct gearbox, the pre facelift one was even worse
Facelift started late 2011
The D cat explains the raspy racket, exhaust should have a pleasing note to them , leave it standard.
The one he is reviewing is totally stock. He just shows a quick clip of another car that has had a 2nd decat delete and x-pipe fitted that may have confused you.
I have a 350Cdi of the same age and shape - also has 255 tyres (and to be fair nearly the same amount of torque). Even the Diesel can light them up quite easily, and not chinese black and round specials either
A friend had one, in anything other than a completely dry road and on brand new tyres, (which you will need every 3000 miles) it handles like a unicycle with a puncture!
I chose the RS4 B7 even though i wanted the C63 so bad. But to be honest, the RS4 is way more of a daily car that is build stronger and the consumption of fuel is about 10 liters less in the RS4. But there is 1 big problem with this RS4 version. Most of them were treated like garbage the past 6 years, because the value droped and young men could buy them, but dont have the money to take care of the car.
Funnily enough I have a C63 507, in red, coupe with only 6,000km from new. Too bad we are in two seperate countries haha
Very professional and in-depth review covering the Audi and BMWs equivalent. Listen to the growl of that 6.2 litre lion. This is another must have car and is still on the bucket list. I’d never have the music on. I now own the Motech 440i tanzanite that you had on your channel. Mercedes & BMW fanboy here.
Great review again Jay. The C63 does not have this bad reputation in the USA here, so this seems highly dependent on location. The interesting part about the de-tune on this car goes as follows: the stock mapping only allows the throttle body plate to open about 2/3, and the re-map allows it to fully open. Furthered with some fueling and ignition advanced tricks from aftermarket companies, you can get around 520HP. (The W221 S63 had 518HP). Model years in the UK were different than in the US. In the US, we had our facelift as the 2012 MY. This most noticeably changed the shape of the front headlights, re-did the interior, and the MCT was introduced replacing the G-tronic. The female torx headbolts were corrected to male torx headbolts for cars with engine serial numbers starting after the digits ending in 060658. Again note that this is the engine serial number, not the VIN. For the UK, these could be 2010 cars, but no 2010 cars in the US were updated this early. In the US, the update began around mid-2011. It is best to use a Mercedes vin decoder to check this, as you cannot go by model year alone. The updated male torx headbolts gave more material between the rod and shank of the bolts, so they were not susceptible to rusting and snapping anymore.
All the Car you would ever need on any British Road.
And even German autobahn!!
I do like an estate/avant/sportswagon! I was utterly confused when BMW did not offer an M3 option In this guise, at those times. I know a lot of people who simply prefer the looks, all practicalities aside.
Just to note, although Christian's car is standard, the 19" multispokes were an option. Ride is improved with the standard 18s. Sunroof is standard. There were only ever 550 S204 C63 estates registered in the UK throughout its lifespan.
The ride and handling is transformed on the 18s. I swapped my 19s out for 18s soon as I bought my wagon. Tyres are also cheaper which is a good bonus.
One of the best car RUclips Channels, with great reviews, tuning in from Nairobi Kenya.
Love my S204 C63 Wagon. Low miles and totally stock. The only mod I've made and that it needs is fitting a Wavetrac LSD. I swapped out the 19 inch wheels for the C63 18 inch wheels, makes the ride more comfortable and in my option helps the handling improve and be more compliant. I also use Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres as well, best tyre for year around use with the odd bit of hooning every now and again with the kids. If you're buying one, make sure it's got a solid service history as now these cars are a bit cheaper, they do fall into the wrong hands. Cheap or mismatched tyres is usually the first give away. Loved the video, these cars are truly special now and it really is the last stop before everything goes turbo and less analogue.
You know a channel is good when more than half the cars reviewed don’t even exist where I live lol. So few wagon options in the US.
A mate of mine drove one of these at a Mercedes drive day several years ago……said it was the best wagon he had ever driven
Great review once again…thanx👍👍
Looks and sounds awesome
I have subtitles turned on and when he floors it at 8:07 , the subtitle just says“(Music)“🤣 yes, it’s music to your ears!
Haha the subtitles do not lie
I love the e92 m3 but this cars sound is brutal which is why I owned one “a 2011 4door 457bhp” I got rid of it and I regret it to this day! Every time I drove it, it put a smile on my face, it was so fast, although I was getting 13-15mpg and road tax was £600 a year and pot holes cracked the alloys, but in a nutshell it’s an amazing car and from my experience “mine having 60,000 miles” it was reliable. Loved it and I miss it 😢
The 2011 facelift changed the headlights, I think. The original headlights were slightly larger, and did not have the sharp bend on the top (clearly visible at 20:29 in your video).
Yes it did, the brake lights were also slightly different and the mirrors, as well as a few more things they changed which I don't remember
@@finnjb3249 infotainment system is different too and set differently in the centre console. Think the steering wheel looks quite different too.
Lemme sum it up different steering wheel and infotaintment system/screen front bumper and lights rear bumper diffuser and lights side mirrors and slightly more power base model oh and also instrument cluster
@@OkkersShammy and bonnet.
I driving a 2012 C63 2 coupe, it's lovely and really fast but it's not a patch on an E46 or E90 as a drivers car. but the C63 makes a Great noise👌🏼
Bit late to the party here Owned one for about 18 months a performance pack saloon… currently scrawling auto trader to get back into that saddle, and it’s a car I feel you just come along for the ride sure it’s flawed, but when that noise and power comes on sound, you forgive it all
Had saloon, coupe and estate. All with performance pack (and a C63S). Loved them all. Every start-up was an event. Loads of smiles per gallon. Spent a lot on tyres though! Had E92 M3 which had superior handling but not a much fun as a daily at “sensible” speeds
Absolutely fantastic car and the noise is to die for but for me the prices are so close to those of its big brother the Mercedes E63 which would be my choice.
Huh? The comparison is with the E9x M3, not the E46 😂🤦
I love my C63 , amazing fun car and also very chill depends how you want to drive it. Unique engine and the costs of ownership normal. The bad things are the gas mileage and it’s not very confortable for long distance trips (8 hs +)
One of the big benefits of the transmission having a wet clutch in place of a torque converter is it allowed for "race start", aka launch control.
I have a S204 C63 Estate, it's a 2 owner car with FMBSH and is standard. Interestingly I also have an E46M3 that has a few CSL bits fitted to it. So found this video particularly interesting. Owning the Sledge Hammer and scalpel combo for a number of years now I am not sure what I would change them for these day.
I have a similar combo in a S211 E55 and a e46 M3. You are dead right and I’m going to take care of both so I can run them as long as possible.
So which is better?
@@marashamalcolm7704 Its all subjective. I can take the family on Holiday in the C63 in relative comfort and on the flip side I can strap into the buckets of the M3 (its more of a "club sport" spec car now) and do a lap of the Nurburgring. I think if I had to go down to 1 car it would be the c63 but if selling one of them and keeping a 2 car garage the c63 would be the one to go. Doesn't really answer your question does it 🤣.
My neighbour had one of these a few years back. At 40k miles the engine blew up and required a £20k rebuild.
Hi Jay, would love for you to do a review on the E63 5.5 turbo, currently got a W204 C63 and thinking about swapping. Thanks!
The 5.5 is a torque monster. Very tunable. Earlier models had butter soft walls and timing chain issues but towards the end of the life cycle they're almost bulletproof. It doesn't sound as good as the M156, but it is a tasteful engine with character. I'm partial to the M156 even though the M157 is solid as well.
@@RossoFormula Hey, do you own a m157 engine AMG?
@@talkditingsdem5799, I previously owned a 2015 CLS 63 Shooting Brake equipped with the M157 and compared to any of the models running the M156, it was on another level performance wise...
Throw in awesome handling that belies its nigh on 2 tonne weight and it was always "smiles per miles" on a cross country blast...