Mercedes Benz and AMG Owners
- Thread starter Six6siX
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Yes, I've got one. What do you need help with?
I think as Fox stated below, that's W205, V8 Twin Turbo.
Cheers
Thanks, I'm looking to buy one and while I've tried to absorb all the buying guides etc & I'm interested to hear any owners experiences. Any thoughts or unexpected experiences etc. I'm looking for a face lift car, so no head bolt issues, probably not a PPP car due to additional cost. It's been somewhat of a dream car of mine for a while so I'm keen to get some real world feedback if possible.
I was in the same situation as you, 3 years ago. It was a bit of a dream car.
To be honest, I'm not going to be much help for you here - I've had it 3 years, and the only problem was a stone-holed air con rad. So, on my experience, I would tell you they're faultless!
You're right that the head bolts is the only very prevalent issue, and that the facelifts are not prone to it.
My main piece of advice would be to join the C63 AMG UK facebook group - that has a good buying guide in the 'about' section, and lots of helpful people too.
A lot of people say an LSD is a necessity - and it certainly does spin the rears easily - but I've managed without for 3 years.
People who tell you rear tyres only last 2000 miles are people who drive like idiots everywhere. I'm like Miss Daisy half the time, and my first set lasted about 12,000!
I've found servicing to be not bad at all - but then I use a well reviewed independent specialist. First service was about £600 - but I got them to do all the plugs at that one, so it was cheaper than I expected. Second was £300. Third was £500, but involved extra work tracking down the aircon fault.
If you get an estate, on at least one occasion try driving along with the boot open a touch.
To be honest, I'm not going to be much help for you here - I've had it 3 years, and the only problem was a stone-holed air con rad. So, on my experience, I would tell you they're faultless!
You're right that the head bolts is the only very prevalent issue, and that the facelifts are not prone to it.
My main piece of advice would be to join the C63 AMG UK facebook group - that has a good buying guide in the 'about' section, and lots of helpful people too.
A lot of people say an LSD is a necessity - and it certainly does spin the rears easily - but I've managed without for 3 years.
People who tell you rear tyres only last 2000 miles are people who drive like idiots everywhere. I'm like Miss Daisy half the time, and my first set lasted about 12,000!
I've found servicing to be not bad at all - but then I use a well reviewed independent specialist. First service was about £600 - but I got them to do all the plugs at that one, so it was cheaper than I expected. Second was £300. Third was £500, but involved extra work tracking down the aircon fault.
If you get an estate, on at least one occasion try driving along with the boot open a touch.
Oh - I did just think of one matter, from that group rather than my experience. The standard fit 19" alloys are apparently very prone to getting cracked or buckled.
I have the 18s and no issues.
If you want to go with 19s, aftermarket are probably better than original.
I have the 18s and no issues.
If you want to go with 19s, aftermarket are probably better than original.
Thanks, nice touch about leaving the estate hatch open a touch!
My preference would be Estate>Saloon but they seem thin on the ground at the minute, unless you wanted white.
I appreciate the info, to be honest, from all I've read, your experiences are in line with others that I've seen. I'm aware any issues with electric seat operation can require a complete strip down of the seat due to fraying of wires so I'm prepared for that when viewing. As you say, having a trusted indy for servicing & those prices are not unreasonable compared to say an Inspection 2 service on an M3! Like you I drive sensibly, so I don't intend to be eating tyres. Thanks for the info on the 19's, they do seem to be fitted to most examples I've seen for sale so I'll be checking.
Prices seem quite strong at the minute, in line with roughly 2017 prices so hopefully they might have bottomed out a bit price wise.
My preference would be Estate>Saloon but they seem thin on the ground at the minute, unless you wanted white.
I appreciate the info, to be honest, from all I've read, your experiences are in line with others that I've seen. I'm aware any issues with electric seat operation can require a complete strip down of the seat due to fraying of wires so I'm prepared for that when viewing. As you say, having a trusted indy for servicing & those prices are not unreasonable compared to say an Inspection 2 service on an M3! Like you I drive sensibly, so I don't intend to be eating tyres. Thanks for the info on the 19's, they do seem to be fitted to most examples I've seen for sale so I'll be checking.
Prices seem quite strong at the minute, in line with roughly 2017 prices so hopefully they might have bottomed out a bit price wise.
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2017 is when I bought - so of course they immediately dropped in value more than they had in the previous 3 years during the year after that! But they do seem to have stabilised a little more recently. Obviously my opinion on depreciation as an owner won't match yours as a buyer.
That does sound familiar. The car I sold was an Alfa 156 GTA, which is almost certainly worth more now than I sold it for.
That said - that car owed me nothing. Owned it for 10 years, and sold it for £5k less than I'd paid for it. £500 a year is pretty good depreciation! And I sold it cheap for a quick sale!
That said - that car owed me nothing. Owned it for 10 years, and sold it for £5k less than I'd paid for it. £500 a year is pretty good depreciation! And I sold it cheap for a quick sale!
I rented a C300 Saloon once - had it for about 10 days and 2000 miles. It was a 2018 pre facelift car so with the exception of 2 less doors, basically the same.
I quite liked it. The exterior and interior styling is excellent - I don't think there has ever been as good looking a car in this class as the C Class. They look fantastic. The interior is nice, too, with the glaring exception of the nav screen and the awful instrument cluster. These two elements don't just look awful, they perform awfully as well. The nav system (It had the upgraded COMAND online) was rubbish, looks and feels dated and was the first time in ages I found myself checking routing algorithms on my phone. The instrument cluster again looked dated and really spoiled the look and feel of the interior.
The engine was fine - not amazing, not terrible - but sadly unless you buy an AMG model the C300 is the only good engine in the entire range - all the diesels are noisy 4 pots and the other petrols are just less powerful version of the C300.
So, a mixed bag. The trouble is what is the alternative? The BMW 4 Series fixes the crap infotainment problem by having a far superior system - the electronics are absolutely spot on. And the engine range is clearly better by absolutely miles. But the interior is woeful. You could look at the 2016 onwards Audi A5 - I had one of those too and found it quite nice. Infotainment not quite as bad as the C Class, interior much nicer than the 4 Series, so a useful compromise. Some less crap engine options too.
Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Dec 2005
- Posts
- 11,364
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Picked up a sensible, practical car for a change.
C63 AMG Estate S205 Premium
- AMG performance exhaust
- Nappa Leather
- Carbon interior
- Night Package
- HUD
- Exclusive Package
- Keyless Go Comfort Package
- Mirror Package
- Memory Package
- Intelligent Light Package
- Stowage Package
- 19" Forged AMG wheels, yes they are black deal with it
- Pano Roof
C63 AMG Estate S205 Premium
- AMG performance exhaust
- Nappa Leather
- Carbon interior
- Night Package
- HUD
- Exclusive Package
- Keyless Go Comfort Package
- Mirror Package
- Memory Package
- Intelligent Light Package
- Stowage Package
- 19" Forged AMG wheels, yes they are black deal with it
- Pano Roof
Hi, yes, I've just picked up a '69 plate c300 and so far I'm impressed. I went for the coupe as I think the styling is excellent and it looks great from every angle. Interior is very nice and premium (as you'd expect) and very comfortable too. I went for the premium model (on a friends recommendation) which also has the digital instrument cluster which looks excellent, and I'm glad I did, it just looks modern and so much better than the standard analogue cluster., various modes to choose and can have the sat nav, trip time, etc all displayed. Interior LED lighting is good too, better than the BMW. I also have the 19in wheels which again look great. The command system is ok and does the job, I haven't tested the sat nav features but this will be interesting to compare when I do as the BMW system was great, audio system is ok but I don't think its as good as the BMW, perhaps you have to have the upgraded sound system on a Merc (?). Engine is decent and performs well, I was quite surprised, but as this my first petrol in years its probably more to do with that, but it feels good anyway.
I came from a 640d coupe which I thought was a very nice car and I was sad to see it go. Fancied a brand change as I've had several BMW's over the years and the new grills on them look hideous.
Do you have the Burmester sound system? (Silver metal grilles instead of the standard black ones) I had the HK system in my old 640d and thought it pretty poor compared to the B&W I had in my previous two Jaguars and the Burmester in my two subsequent E classes
Thinking about getting a CLA AMG Shooting Break 35 Premium, brand new. Any thoughts?
Will be using for work (but work from home and all business miles are paid for) and personal usage (the latter being no more than 6000 a year). I want good parking sensors/camera. A good infotainment system. Decent stereo. Comfortable seats. Engaging, but comfortable drive. I have a golden retriever who'll need some good boot space.
I have a 17 plate GLC at the minute and whilst I like the car, I find the infotainment system awful. Is this one much better?
I was going to go for a 3 Series Tourer, but it would be the 320i M Sport Estate and the Mercedes just seems a better proposition for the same money (work scheme, so both work out almost identical in monthly payments). The Tourer would make more sense for the dog but I'm preferring the style of the Mercedes.
I don't need 300 odd horsepower, and whilst the 250 shooting break seems a good option the AMG is only £40 a month more (and still below my upper budget), and gives me 4 wheel drive. Is this daft, should I look at the lower down specs?
I've made a few posts recently, but the scheme has just been relaunched and the BMW prices have skyrocketed so starting the search again.
Will be using for work (but work from home and all business miles are paid for) and personal usage (the latter being no more than 6000 a year). I want good parking sensors/camera. A good infotainment system. Decent stereo. Comfortable seats. Engaging, but comfortable drive. I have a golden retriever who'll need some good boot space.
I have a 17 plate GLC at the minute and whilst I like the car, I find the infotainment system awful. Is this one much better?
I was going to go for a 3 Series Tourer, but it would be the 320i M Sport Estate and the Mercedes just seems a better proposition for the same money (work scheme, so both work out almost identical in monthly payments). The Tourer would make more sense for the dog but I'm preferring the style of the Mercedes.
I don't need 300 odd horsepower, and whilst the 250 shooting break seems a good option the AMG is only £40 a month more (and still below my upper budget), and gives me 4 wheel drive. Is this daft, should I look at the lower down specs?
I've made a few posts recently, but the scheme has just been relaunched and the BMW prices have skyrocketed so starting the search again.
MBUX is absolutely brilliant. Probably my favourite system that I have used. The AR navigation is great.
It is night and day better than the one you've got currently. I stepped out of a C Class with the old system and into an A Class with the new system and it was a revelation.
It is night and day better than the one you've got currently. I stepped out of a C Class with the old system and into an A Class with the new system and it was a revelation.
No, I don't have the Burmester sound system but the speakers are silver - I assume just to match the rest of the interior ?
Awesome, enjoy the noise and what a hooligan of a car it is.