Chris Harris reviews the W205 C63 (also Car & Driver, Motor Authority, etc.)

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

On a side note though, there has been some personal bickering back-and-forth (nothing too bad but still it's painful to read; my notification center was more swollen than Rosie O'Donnell after an all-you-can-eat buffet at the Sizzler).

Let's please try to clean that up. Many thanks in advance.

I want to go out and get drunk tonight. I'm guessing I'm not alone in that. It's Friday.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by DocWeatherington

wait... which is the sober night again?

[ybbiz34]

Looks a little wider in these photos (could be the bourbon). A bit more of a bulldog stance. Brilliant Blue seems to be sort of a chameleon color. I'm reserving final judgment until I can see one in the flesh. As good as the F80 looks in photos, it has even more presence in real life. The standard W205 isn't that photogenic but in person, the details pop.

[Vectors2final]

I think it's the ass...


What are the track widths? The front seems much wider than the rear, but it's probably an illusion.

[BOOstJunkee]

Originally Posted by technik330

I'm fully aware that I'm posting on a BMW forum, but it's almost laughable how much denial, insecurity, there is in here.

A competent competitor arrives and suddenly the looks of the C63s' reserved aesthetics becomes a valid reason to disregard its merits?

The looks of this car is a deal breaker for me. Just as some folks refuse to commit to a M3/4 bc of the exhaust... Its all preference. The new C63 offers a great package, but what meets the eye will never sit well with me. Maybe the coupe will change my opinion.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Vectors2final

What are the track widths? The front seems much wider than the rear, but it's probably an illusion.

The front track is 31 mm wider than the W204 (W205 front track = 1609 mm). There has been a 25 mm reduction in ride height. Can't find any definitive rear track specs - yet. But, it has been stated the rear track has also been widened (compared to the W204). I have a feeling that in person, this car looks noticeably wider than the W204 as review after review has stated something along the lines of "lower and wider" than its predecessor.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

wait... which is the sober night again?

Its whatever you want it to be

[Wild_Will]

All the Chris Harris Dick Riders have come out!

Like people aren't capable of making a car purchase without this guy's opinion.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

Looks a little wider in these photos (could be the bourbon). A bit more of a bulldog stance. Brilliant Blue seems to be sort of a chameleon color. I'm reserving final judgment until I can see one in the flesh. As good as the F80 looks in photos, it has even more presence in real life. The standard W205 isn't that photogenic but in person, the details pop.

Ultimately, I'm reserving judgement until I see one in person

[Gearhead999s]

I looked at a white C63S here at the Auto show and to be frank,the visual impact is not that impressive looking as it looks like every other Benz that was on display.They were quoting the weight in the 3600 lb range but I guess we will have to wait to see what the production weights really are.So far I do not see one in my future unless my wife decides she wants one.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Wild_Will

All the Chris Harris Dick Riders have come out!

Like people aren't capable of making a car purchase without this guy's opinion.

Thanks for sharing your informative analysis. You must have spent days preparing that treatise. I know your careful, sound reasoning has certainly changed my thinking on this matter.

[M4TW]

It's funny that the best source of information about this car on the net, and the most enthusiasm, seems to be on a Bimmerpost sub-forum. We do love our cars around here.

After the initial excitement dies down, it will be nice to see some head to head comparisons vs the F80. I can already pick the winner, however. We all are. The competition in this segment is sure generating some incredible automobiles.

I'm pretty sure I would have gone with the F80 if this model was around when I made my decision and had I been looking at a sedan. If the coupe version is out in a year I'll have owned my F82 for two years. By the time I am ready to replace it, the new M3/4 will be on the horizon.

And so on and on it goes. Meanwhile, I doubt my driving capabilities will catch up to my M4's anytime soon. Nor is my enthusiam for it running out, regardless of what else is on the road.

[KevinM]

Looks to be quite the car. My only dislikes are transmission (not a surprise) and appearance. I know there is no business model within Mercedes that will support a manual transmission option, but I wish they would at least fit a modern DCT box. Looks are of course subjective and I'll reserve final opinion until I see the car in person. From the pictures, it doesn't appear as cohesive as the F8X or the last generation C63 (I love the way that looks). I'm also not a fan of all the chrome bits.

As many are saying - the consumer is the winner when different manufacturers build solid competitors.

[JonnyM3]

Am I crazy for thinking Id rather the c450 amg. Basically looks the same to my eye, same interior and same suspension parts from what I read.

[SDSmurf]

Originally Posted by JonnyM3

Am I crazy for thinking Id rather the c450 amg.

Yes.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by JonnyM3

Am I crazy for thinking Id rather the c450 amg.

Interested in the C450 Wagon, instead of getting another suv.

But I am not sure we will get it in the states.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by JonnyM3

Am I crazy for thinking Id rather the c450 amg. Basically looks the same to my eye, same interior and same suspension parts from what I read.

I think you are crazy , you'de be missing the best part about the C63, the engine!! But in all honesty, the thought of getting a C450 in replacement of my Evo has also crossed my mind, should make good power with after market tune, but in the end, if I want a car in this category to add as a daily/winter, the B9 S4/S5 will probably thick more box for me, specially styling wise!

[ixse]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

I think you are crazy , you'de be missing the best part about the C63, the engine!! But in all honesty, the thought of getting a C450 in replacement of my Evo has also crossed my mind, should make good power with after market tune, but in the end, if I want a car in this category to add as a daily/winter, the B9 S4/S5 will probably thick more box for me, specially styling wise!

C450 wont gain much from tune. Current c400 isnt gaining much from tune compared to 335. C450 is pretty much tuned version of c400(exact same engine). Only adv is better suspension, brakes, interior trims. S4 w pulley upgrade w tune will def be faster.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by ixse

C450 wont gain much from tune. Current c400 isnt gaining much from tune compared to 335. C450 is pretty much tuned version of c400(exact same engine). Only adv is better suspension, brakes, interior trims. S4 w pulley upgrade w tune will def be faster.

Oh, for real, was'nt expecting that, was thinking that the C450 was probably underrated like most F/I germain engine, and that could probably reach +450hp with a tune since most turbo engine from Merc are seeing large gain on other platforms(exept A/CLA/GLA45 which are already running 26psi stock), thanks for the info!

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by JonnyM3

Am I crazy for thinking Id rather the c450 amg. Basically looks the same to my eye, same interior and same suspension parts from what I read.

You can get the performance seats in the C450 (but only in one color and with MB-Tex). Aside from the same general layout, that's the only direct carryover.

The C63 has different gauges, controls, settings, etc. The C63 also has a thicker steering wheel with different paddle shifters. The wheel comes in three variations (full alcantara; leather with alcantara side grips; and leather with perforated leather side grips). All of the thicker C63 wheels have the AMG logo stamped into the aluminum. They all have a 12 o'clock indicator band as well (whereas the C450 steering wheel does not; it's essentially a flat-bottom C400 wheel).

The C450's suspension is merely a derivative of that on the C63. The C63 has a much wider front and rear track width.

And as Chris Harris mentioned in his review, the C63's front and rear axle assemblies do not carry a single thing over from any of the standard C-Class cars. Nor does the C450 come with any kind of LSD (as it his 4MATIC instead). C63 also gets entirely different braking setups, etc.

All that said, the C450 AMG is an awesome setup, particularly for those wanting something with a RWD-biased AWD setup. Power output is pretty impressive as well.

[technik330]

Originally Posted by myzmak

I know your careful, sound reasoning has certainly changed my thinking on this matter.

No man, it was my 'sound reasoning'.

[M4TW]

Originally Posted by technik330

No man, it was my 'sound reasoning'.

I found your reasoning to be off-key. If that doesn't convince you, I can easily fire up my angry lawnmower and let its discordant symphony overpower your objections.