P1Fanatic

Have had the Focus RS MK2 for 2 years now and have enjoyed it but the lack of traction in the wet and the torque steer in the dry (on anything but smooth roads) is starting to annoy me. Whilst they are still holding their value (if Autotrader / PH prices are anything to go on its almost 0% depreciation over 2years and 16k miles) I am thinking I should move on. My head is telling me to go for something practical like a low mileage F25 X3 30/35d which has plenty of comfort and practicality but enough power & torque that once moving is probably as fast as the RS but a lot less obvious.

Then we walked through Henley at the weekend and I saw a few C63’s pootling around and that soundtrack even at low revs is somewhat addictive so my heart is starting to take over and tell me I need a v8 in my life whilst they are still around. I actually prefer the look of the saloon over the coupe and they just appeal more than the E9x M3’s that seem to be two a penny on the roads.

Have read a few articles on PH, MB owners etc who reckon sub 20mpg on average which I could live with as the RS is 26ish and I only do approx 8k miles a year. A lot of people saying rear tyres only last 6-7k miles. Is that really the case or just the usual stuff that gets repeated online by people who never even owned one? Servicing costs seem acceptable.

Reading the A45 thread on here I am now aware of the 6.2 engine issues which makes it even more beneficial to go the leasing route to get a new car warranty and less hassle when I move on in terms of low trade in, hard to sell on privately.

Winter driving is a concern having never owned RWD before but winter tyres should help somewhat.

Any input from owners old or current would be appreciated.

Cheers
Simon

urban

iTrader: (1)

Can't comment directly on the C63, but I have the next one down - CLK55.

Tyres - look, it really depends on how you drive the thing.
I probably only got about 7K out of the last rear tyres (PS3's), but that's entirely down to how it was driven.
If you don't nail it from a standing start all the time, then tyre wear isn't so much of an issue.

Traction on the 55 on a wet/damp surface is a challenge if you want to get power down

Fuel, usually averages 18/19 mpg, have had it down to 7 when playing
It doesn't come out if there is snow on the road, because its pretty useless then.

Servicing - If you use Mercedes specialists then the costs are OK.
Keep in mind that the V8's(well mine anyway) have 16 spark plugs
And there's a a lot of oil in that big engine.

The V8's make a lovely noise, and the C63 especially makes a great noise.

P1Fanatic

I am not a traffic light gp racer unless someone annoys me lol. More of a motorway slip road, dual carriageway hooner then straight back down to cruising speed. But for a 2yr lease I would need to budget for a set of replacement rears whichever way I cut it.

Am sure wet / damp traction is equally difficult in the AMG as it is in the RS but at least with RWD you have better weight over the rear axle when accelerating which helps. As I have found against several non M BMW’s. I would be tip toeing around in the wet in a C63 I feel.

Servicing I am not too fussed on as would only expect to have to cover the 1st minor service.

The sound is the main attraction tbh as well as a bit more refinement as I get ever closer to 40 years of age. Many cars sound good at mid to full beans esp the M3/M5 but the C63 sounds menacing just pulling out of a side road at low revs. At Silverstone for the F1 watching the C63 Estate Medical Car chase the SLS Safety Car was just awesome. Sounded like two spitfires in a dogfight.

Carnut

Why do they have 16 spark plugs?

urban

iTrader: (1)

two per cylinder

Carnut

Never heard of this before, you learn something new every day.

urban

iTrader: (1)

Its not as bad as that

Sounds menacing when you start it.

Dingdongler

I've had my C63 estate for a month or so and on the whole am really pleased with it. The noise is addictive and thrilling. Like you I wanted to experience a big NA engine one last time before they no longer exist (except in perhaps Lambos and Ferraris)

Traction in the dry is never been a problem so far except when pulling out left or right out of a junction, petrol station etc.

Consumption is 20 mpg if driven calmly but much much less when you boot it.

It actually handles really well, the steering feel is very good, much better than the V8 M3 for example.

I'm having great fun with it. The strangest thing is when I've been hooning around with that V8 screaming and growling it's a real shock to get out and be reminded that it's an estate car and not some exotica. MB have come along way with their AMG models, personally I think the V8 M3 has no personality compared to this car, I haven't driven the new M3 though.

It is let down a little by the gearbox though, it needs a proper DCT like the M cars.

But that engine, did I mention how good it sounds....

cookstar

iTrader: (6)

Bit to close for comfort with that kerb.

Stunning car Ding.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Very nice motor Ding
I agree with Cooky about the parking. It is very close.

zip106

I had the C63 saloon on my short list to lease, but could only find the coupe.
Doesn't seem to be any saloons left.

Phoned loads of companies who were advertising them only to be told they can't actually get them.

I had the chance to buy a 1k miler 507 edition about 6 months ago at a very favourable price, but passed it up like a tw@t!

P1Fanatic

Thats annoying. Like you say a lot of lease companies offering them. I filled in something on wow car and same day got quotes from 8 MB dealers on new saloons at £11k off list. So they seem to be out there just not for lease.

Tidgy

c63 or m3/m4 are similar so check out both before you decide

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

That fuel consumption though One of these would own me, as I would be in hoon mode all of the time.

salsa-king

they sound awesome and 2nd hand prices aren't bad either to buy, but running cost would kill me... I'm only a decorator lol

Maz

iTrader: (34)

You only live once!
You've got the itch, scratch it!

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

YOLOL he'll be living in a petrol station with one of those kraut barges!

zip106

I've gone for an M3 - approx 16 weeks to wait now...

Dingdongler

Thanks for the kind words, it can look a bit like a hearse from some angles though

Another small downside are the seats. Though very supportive they are a bit narrow in places, across the shoulders for example. Nowhere near as nice as the seats in my old M5.

Dingdongler

Must be very excited Zip, they look awesome in the flesh. Though forced induction brings its own compromises at least now you'll get some low down pull and decent fuel economy.

I'm sure you did tell me but what colour combo did you end up going for?

zip106

I wasn't keen going f/I but it seems the way to go for new cars now. (Would have preferred the v8 AMG but wasn't to be)

Still, I've got the n/a f6 to play with too

Colour wise, Yas Marina Blue with Silverstone leather, HUD and carbon interior trim.

Tidgy

why m3 over m4 zip?

Dingdongler

Awesome

You won't regret the HUD option, I really wish the C63 had it. When you're really gunning it the ability to see your speed, your gear and your revs without taking your eyes of the road really helps. The HUD revs will even flash amber and then red to aid optimal gear changes.

I just don't understand why HUD hasn't been adopted by other manufacturers

Dingdongler

imho this time the four door actually looks much better than the coupe.

zip106

I think the M3 stands out from normal 3 series models more than the M4 does against the 4 series.

The rear doors accentuate the flared arches more than the coupe does.

But the main reason for the M3 is that we've got a D3 coupe at the moment, and the kids are really getting too big for the back.

Ingress/egress on the saloon is so much easier.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Why did they call the 4 door the M3 and the 3 door the M4?

Brun

Because calling the sporty 3 series the M4 and the sporty 4 Series the M3 would be fairly stupid

500

Simon,

Funnily enough, we are about to put ours up for sale soon as we have just had a baby and want to take some capital out of it so my wife can have longer off work (she's self employed)

She has done around 20k in it (now on 31k) over a year and it has averaged 23mpg in that time, that's with me driving it on occasion and having the odd blip. We got around 12k out of the rear tyres, you may get less as I have heard of them going in 4k if it gets abused.

Ours has the extended MB warranty, so far we have used it once for the wheel controler (MB's iDrive), this can be extended year on year for about 1k/pa, so long as it doesn't lpase. it also comes with the MB assist if you need it, so long as it is serviced at Mercedes. Servicing costs are reasonable, I think that the last one was about £500

She really doesn't want to sell it but I would rather her have a cheaper car for now and spend the time with the little one as that is far more important as you know. I think when she is back at work, it wont be long before another appears on the driveway.

If you are after a white saloon with black leather and the Performance Pack Plus, send me a PM

Adam