[sflgator]

I've been seeing some slightly used (and when I mean "slightly used," I mean 2008-2009's with <6k mi. on them) 2009 MB C63 AMG's available now at a steep $12k-$18k OFF MSRP!!!

So, I decided to go test drive one in my area. It is a gorgeous, totally clean, totally new looking 2009 silver MB C63 AMG (with <6k mi.) w/ Prem 2 package, AMG Leather package, Multimedia package, navi, xenon lights, etc...basically loaded minus the AMG Performance package (which would be nice since that includes the much needed LSD).

Exterior Impressions -- one of the sales guys commented (to my sales guy who was driving it when pulling the car out of the showroom), "hey, slow down!!! That thing just always looks like it's going too fast." It's true...this AMG screams MONSTER, no matter the color. One thing I don't quite understand about the body shape is how the front fenders bulge out (which look great...very aggressive) but the rear fenders are not flared out like the front ones. Anyhow, the front and rear lower spoilers look great, and the side "gills" really don't look that cheesy as some have mentioned from the pics. The C63 AMG really looks better in person than in pics, imho.

Interior impressions -- very nice! The AMG seats are simply amazing!!! I thought my 335i sport seats are great with the tightening side bolsters and extending thigh bolsters, but compared with the AMG's seats, the BMW 335i sports seats are crap! The rest of the C63 AMG's interior is the typical, classy MB as it should be. I like the std. aluminum sport pedals (ahem, BMW...this is what our 335i's should come with as a std. feature!!! ) and the typical "63 AMG" logos seen in multiple locations. Since we also have a loaded '08 MB GL450 (wife's SUV), I've come to realize that the BMW navi system sucks, although that seems like it will change for 2010 when BMW releases their new Navi with better voice control and features. The MB navi system, although it has its own faults, does seem better than the BMW navi system. Personally, I think compared to the Nissan/Infiniti and Honda/Acura navi systems, all the others just suck.

Drive compared with a tuned BMW 335i -- ah, the most important part! Well, the absolute BEST part of driving the MB C63 AMG is hearing it start up!!!!! OMG...the sound of that 6.2L V8...the deep, exotic growl and the constant "burples" are simply addicting to the ears. I caught myself smiling from ear to ear in utter amazement when I heard the harmonious sounds that emanated from the C63 AMG's quad exhaust...simply incredible sound (that no inline 6 BMW will ever get)!

Other than the exhaust and engine notes, I actually found myself a bit disappointed with the power of the MB C63 AMG as compared with a tuned 335i. Yes, it's true that the AMG is very fast and has plenty of power, but it didn't seem like the 451HP / 443 lb.-ft. TQ AMG was any faster than the tuned BMW 335i. It may be deceiving though, since the C63 AMG does seem to build speed quickly without you knowing it; i.e. stomp on the gas pedal and it moves, but you don't think you're moving that fast until you look at the speedo which reads 100mph!!! One other thing I noticed was that the TQ doesn't really come on that strong until you're in the mid-upper rpm range. This is unlike a tuned BMW 335i, which as most of us know, the HP/TQ is there from 1,500rpm!!! In addition, I tested 3rd gear (which is my favorite gear in my 335i ) and once again, it didn't really "wow" me in the C63 AMG like it does it my BMW 335i. However, the C63 AMG does have very different gearing in its 7-speed Auto Tranny with Paddles (set up like the BMW M3 DCT -- left paddle = down shift and right paddle = upshift) as compared with the BMW 335i's 6-speed Auto tranny w/ paddles.

Speaking of the Auto tranny, I hated the major 1/2-1 sec. upshift delay in the MB C63 AMG. Apparently, this is a sore spot for the car as a couple of AMG tuners have already addressed the auto upshift delay with their ECU/TCU tunes (according to the guys over at the MB Forums).

Unfortunately, I didn't get to test the handling of the MB C63 AMG (w/o performance package), but the steering does feel a bit light, but not too bad. It seems to handle well, but as the mag tests have shown, the BMW M3 blows the MB C63 AMG away in terms of handling and road "feel." I would tend to agree with this.

Another few issues with the MB C63 AMG -- 1. the rear tires always seem to wear out in 5k-7k mi., no matter which tire they use. Hmmm...I get 20k mi. on my rear Falken FK452s (and I got 18k mi. on my Mich. PS2s before) on my BMW 335i. Buying + changing rear tires 2-3x year would be a major PITA (and would suck for my wallet). 2. The sh!tty mpg...12mpg city / 18mph hwy ...like my wife's 5,300lb. MB GL450; actually, we get 13-14mpg city/18mpg hwy in her GL450!!! 3. Where's the MB "Keyless Go" (push-button start) option ?????? It doesn't seem to be an option, so you have to insert the MB keyfob and turn it like a key...huh, what?

Bottom line -- The MB C63 is an absolute out-of-the-box MONSTER, and it looks and sounds like it!!!! However, although many will say that it goes 0-60 in 4.3 sec. (ok, check...a tuned 335i does that) and runs the 1/4mi. in 12.5 sec. @ 114+mph (ok, check...a tuned 335i can do that; not me personally, but it's definitely do-able, and I've run almost that fast )...I would say that once again, the tuned BMW 335i has its advantages and demonstrates its great "bang for your buck.".

btw -- I've read that the 2010 MB C63 may have direct injection, which will increase fuel economy by 30%, while still keeping the same performance. So, I guess we'll see if that happens and how much of a premium the '10 MB C63 will carry.

Please let me know what your thoughts are on all of this. Thank you.

[Heinzftw]

Very nice!!! I have yet to drive a C63, but look forward to the day that happens!

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

IDK if you were using the auto S with paddles but if you stop the car and switch it from S to M the shifting on the E63 is spot on perfect. Also, when using the paddles turn the ESP off and it revs MUCH higher and the tQ comes in way faster. I hate how theyre attatched to the wheel though because I was driving a uturn yesterday in 2nd at like 4k having a bit of fun and i lost the paddle to shift to third so i was pretty much driving sideways for a good 3 seconds.

And yeah we've gone through a shitload of tires, but a 535hp car thats a few tons... what do you expect? And its so much fun you always want to powerslide, so that contributes also.

good review though. I dont see how you can think the 335 feels faster, maybe lighter, but ive never heard that one

Yes, I was shifting with the paddles in M mode, and still felt ~ 1/2 sec. upshift delay. It reminded me of my old Infiniti G35 with the infamous upshift delay. The BMW 335i's 6-speed auto ZF tranny with paddles shifts much faster...100ms to be exact. In addition, they say the BMW DCT (dual clutch) tranny shifts even faster. Don't get me wrong, it's not like the MB C63's tranny is unbearable; just not as impressive as I thought it would be. I've read that at least one C63 AMG tuner has an ECU/TCU tune which speeds up the tranny logic and makes it shift faster.

So, why do the C63 AMG's rear tires wear out so quickly, no matter which tire brand/model are put on? I mean our BMW 335i's are also RWD, and most of us can get our rear, ultra-high performance summer tires to last 15k-20k mi....so, what's with the C63 AMG that eats up the rears so quickly?

btw -- I LOVE the exhaust "burples" when downshifting though...amazing!

[TwinTurboXI]

Great review... I've driven 2 now and i agree with everything you said.

The 63's dont have direct injection?

Also, the last part where your weighing out the positives and negatives of the c63 and 335, you forgot to mention... 400hp and 30 mpg's!!

[amgthis]

Light steering? Oh noes

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI

Great review... I've driven 2 now and i agree with everything you said.

The 63's dont have direct injection?

Also, the last part where your weighing out the positives and negatives of the c63 and 335, you forgot to mention... 400hp and 30 mpg's!!

No, the N/A 6.3L AMG engine does not have direct injection...yet; maybe in 2010 though. And, yes, having >400BHP / 420 lb.-ft. TQ AND getting 18mpg city / 26+mpg hwy is great; I drove 3 hours on the hwy the other day and averaged 26.5mpg.

[stickypaws]

Don't forget that you're comparing a NA motor and one with a blower. Power band will be different. Higher boost over a broader rev range versus a peakier and bit narrower NA motor.

You'll notice this in your test drive.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

Don't forget that you're comparing a NA motor and one with a blower. Power band will be different. Higher boost over a broader rev range versus a peakier and bit narrower NA motor.

You'll notice this in your test drive.

Yeah, now I remember why I said, "once you go F/I, there's no turning back." Now, if only there could be a way to get that 6.2L v8 engine/AMG quad exhaust sound AND have the fuel efficient F/I tt engine...the best of both worlds.

For those that are wondering, I think I'll be sticking with my 2007 BMW 335i or getting that 2010 E92 335i I have on "pre-order" and waiting it out another couple years until I can get my hands on a slightly used Nissan GT-R!!!!!

[stickypaws]

But of course it doesn't mean that one is truly faster over the other. It's just more noticeable in normal daily driving. Once you're on a track or in a situation where you keep it up, then that's different. M3 versus 335, etc., etc..

[lvwirelessguy]

The C63 goes thru rear tires faster than other competitors because of the tremendous torque.

I have a feeling that the delay in shifting has to do with the traction control being enabled or partially enabled.

BTW my C63 loves to feast on 335i's, like nobodys business

[JerryLiu]

Its hard to compare these two cars, you can always tune the c63 amg too, with Evosport Powerchip ONLY Stage 1 C63 ECU Tune, you can get the car to
HP: 531.45 (435.79 RWHP)
Torque: 483.74 (396.67 RWTQ)
thats +79 HP & 38 FT-LBS GAIN!
Moreover in terms of reliability a 6.2 N/A engin should be better then a tuned turbo engin.(i maybe wrong)

[mimsterzx7r]

I test drove on after work couple of weeks ago and I concur.

Loved the exhaust note, beautiful! I knew it was fast it pushed you back in the seat initially, then afterwards acceleration was very smooth and linear. As if you dont' feel it but your right 100mph does come up very quickly in the car!

Didn't get to test the handling as it was late in the day and the sales guy would only let me stomp on it on the highway.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by lvwirelessguy

The C63 goes thru rear tires faster than other competitors because of the tremendous torque.

I have a feeling that the delay in shifting has to do with the traction control being enabled or partially enabled.

BTW my C63 loves to feast on 335i's, like nobodys business

I guess either the 335i's your C63 feasts on are stock and not tuned OR your C63 is tuned then. btw -- how do your M3 DCT and R8 compare with your C63 AMG?

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by JerryLiu

Its hard to compare these two cars, you can always tune the c63 amg too, with Evosport Powerchip ONLY Stage 1 C63 ECU Tune, you can get the car to
HP: 531.45 (435.79 RWHP)
Torque: 483.74 (396.67 RWTQ)
thats +79 HP & 38 FT-LBS GAIN!
Moreover in terms of reliability a 6.2 N/A engin should be better then a tuned turbo engin.(i maybe wrong)

True, but I was merely trying to compare a tuned (F/I tt6) BMW 335i to a 2009 out-of-the-box v8 MB C63 monster that can now be bought for about $52k (approx $12k-$15k discount) which is about the same as a well-equipped 335i.

[Sniz]

how much are the tunes for the c63? they are seriously fast w a tune.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by Sniz

how much are the tunes for the c63? they are seriously fast w a tune.

$1,500 and up; I've seen the average C63 AMG ecu chip tune is about $2,000. I believe the RENNTech ecu-only tune is $2,500.

[Ender514]

nice review. ive aways wanted to test drive one.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

we got our E63 done at a random garage in costa mesa for 2k. got about 30hp and 40 tq out of it and way better shifting and gas mileage

So what mpg do you get now? During my 1/2 city. 1/2 hwy test drive of the C63 AMG, I checked the mpg, and it read "12.6mpg from start."

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

about 22 highway if you drive it right for a moderate distance about 80 (once went from dana point to sun city, freeway not ortega, and got 26), 18 going about 65 and like 12-14 around town. thats in auto though. paddles are a whole different story ):

22mpg hwy is actually pretty good. But, I always drive in M/Sport mode with the paddles in my 335i (and often having some fun too ), and still get 18mpg city / 26mph hwy.

[sflgator]

Originally Posted by Bryan0102

Well, with over twice the displacement I think its pretty good

In my X3 in steptronic I once got 29mpg from Dana Point to Huntington Beach on PCH.

Yeah, I said that 22mpg was very good for the 6.3L AMG engine. The best hwy mpg we get in my wife's 5,300lb. MB GL450 is 18mpg hwy; I may have seen 19mpg on the hwy once.

[sflgator]

Funny story today...I saw a gorgeous black MB C63 AMG (or so I thought). I pulled next to the guy (about upper 20's-low 30's I'd say...have to admit, looked much younger than me ) at a red light, and rolled down my window to ask how he liked his C63 AMG. He said, "so so...well not so much, so I'm selling it." I asked why, and he said "it's too small." Then, he looks at my car and says he really likes it and wants to get one. Now, I'm even more confused, since he said his MB sedan is too small.

The light turns green and we go; I purposely fall behind to get another look at his car, and see only the DUAL exhaust, not the AMG QUAD exhaust. So, I pull along side the guy, roll down my window again, and scream, "so you rebadged your C350 to pretend it's a C63 AMG, huh? He asks how I know, and I tell him that the "no guts" sounding dual exhaust (instead of the loud, mean 6.3L V8's sound through the AMG quad exhaust) is a dead-giveaway as are the non-flared front fenders and plain front spoiler (instead of the C63's more aggressive, gilled front spoiler).

I quickly tell him my car is tuned and is just about as fast as the MB C63 AMG (without the incredible sounding exhaust note), and he really should go drive a "real" C63 AMG instead of pretending his C350 is a C63 AMG. The guys actually had the C63 AMg wheels and ALL the C63 badges in the right places. No wonder why he doesn't like his "C63 AMG"...b/c it's really a C350!!!! Ha ha...Poser!

[amgthis]

Originally Posted by sflgator

Funny story today...I saw a gorgeous black MB C63 AMG (or so I thought). I pulled next to the guy (about upper 20's-low 30's I'd say...have to admit, looked much younger than me ) at a red light, and rolled down my window to ask how he liked his C63 AMG. He said, "so so...well not so much, so I'm selling it." I asked why, and he said "it's too small." Then, he looks at my car and says he really likes it and wants to get one. Now, I'm even more confused, since he said his MB sedan is too small.

The light turns green and we go; I purposely fall behind to get another look at his car, and see only the DUAL exhaust, not the AMG QUAD exhaust. So, I pull along side the guy, roll down my window again, and scream, "so you rebadged your C350 to pretend it's a C63 AMG, huh? He asks how I know, and I tell him that the "no guts" sounding dual exhaust (instead of the loud, mean 6.3L V8's sound through the AMG quad exhaust) is a dead-giveaway as are the non-flared rear fenders and plain front spoiler (instead of the C63's more aggressive, gilled front spoiler).

I quickly tell him my car is tuned and is just about as fast as the MB C63 AMG (without the incredible sounding exhaust note), and he really should go drive a "real" C63 AMG instead of pretending his C350 is a C63 AMG...ha ha...Poser!

LOL. OWNED. But the rear fenders of the C63 aren't flared, the front are