The C63 is an absolute beast. So refined, so powerful.. completely different driving experience than the raw Z06.
This AMG engine is like a symphony orchestra of power.. bottomless torque, effortless acceleration, beautifully weighted, precise steering.
The gearbox is pretty damn good.. the new 7G tronic in manual mode w/ the paddles ALMOST makes me forget there's no clutch. Plus I can put it in comfort mode and forget about it. Satellite radio, Sat Nav.. wireless bluetooth.. Adjustable sport seats (lumbar / side bolsters / headrest are adjustable).
Wow.. I can't get the smile off my face. If anyone needs a more "practical" muscle car with a backseat.. the C63 AMG is a dream.
Pretty darn quick sedan, huh? Is it close in performance to your Z?
Well, let me just say speed and power are two dfifferent things. On paper, the vette is still faster to 60 (by about half a second) and in the quarter (again by about half a second.. on paper..).
But, the AMG FEELS more powerful.. and it delivers the power in a different way. It gathers speed more stealthily.. you can hit 90mph without even noticing.. and everything is solid.. calm and quiet in the cockpit.
The AMG feels like a Lear Jet... the vette feels like a really fast car.
How do you like the paddle shifter? If you could only have your 6 speed 'vette or a paddle shifter C63 AMG as your only car, would you miss the 3 pedals?
How do you like the paddle shifter? If you could only have your 6 speed 'vette or a paddle shifter C63 AMG as your only car, would you miss the 3 pedals?
I do love how powerful those things are...
I'm a lifelong GM guy.. and I love the 3 pedal dance as much as anyone.. nothing connects you to a car more than a clutch and a gear shifter. That being said, this 7spd in Manual mode is reeeaalllly good... I mean really good.
For the average driver, the paddles will shift faster than one could with the clutch.. also, because it is the AMG Speedshift version.. it has a mechanical clutch and not a torque converter.. it's a real clutch-pedal-less manual.. and NOT just an automatic with the option to change gears. The guys on the C63 board who've driven other cars with sequential clutch-pedal-less trannys (BMW M3, Ferrari, Porsche with PDK) say it is not as good as any of those (PDK being the best from what I've heard...).. but it is really close.
The most fun feature of the tranny is that it does rev matching throttle blips on downshift.. now yes, the old heel-toe accomplishes the same feat.. but this thing is perfect.. hit's the exact RPM everytime, without fail.
They retail for 63.5k Canadian.. there are only 2 option packages: Premium package (Nav, keyless go, etc, etc, etc) and AMG sport package (LSD, a litle firmer suspension setup). Both are $6k. I chose the premium package only.. the extra AMG package is overkill. So, $70k.
Unlike the US.. there aren't many of these cars sitting on the lot up here.. I ordered this thing back in November of '08.. so you can't really negotiate with the dealer on price.. the waiting list is roughly 1 year.
I'm a lifelong GM guy.. and I love the 3 pedal dance as much as anyone.. nothing connects you to a car more than a clutch and a gear shifter. That being said, this 7spd in Manual mode is reeeaalllly good... I mean really good.
For the average driver, the paddles will shift faster than one could with the clutch.. also, because it is the AMG Speedshift version.. it has a mechanical clutch and not a torque converter.. it's a real clutch-pedal-less manual.. and NOT just an automatic with the option to change gears. The guys on the C63 board who've driven other cars with sequential clutch-pedal-less trannys (BMW M3, Ferrari, Porsche with PDK) say it is not as good as any of those (PDK being the best from what I've heard...).. but it is really close.
The most fun feature of the tranny is that it does rev matching throttle blips on downshift.. now yes, the old heel-toe accomplishes the same feat.. but this thing is perfect.. hit's the exact RPM everytime, without fail.
I see! I was toying with trying a different car for a bit, but have decided to keep my C6. However, back when I was looking, the C63 AMG was considered but I always feared I would miss that clutch pedal. Throwing the gear lever from 1-2-3 and dropping the clutch is such a thrill that I feared clicking a paddle wouldn't do it for me even though EVERYONE says the C63 AMG is such a blast to drive... as in they'd drive it on the weekend just for the fun of driving. As such I never ventured in for a test drive.
I saw a Mars Red C63 AMG tonight and it looked absolutely gorgeous.
For the average driver, the paddles will shift faster than one could with the clutch.. also, because it is the AMG Speedshift version.. it has a mechanical clutch and not a torque converter.. it's a real clutch-pedal-less manual.. and NOT just an automatic with the option to change gears.
You're wrong about the C63 transmission. It is nicely responsive and blips the throttle on downshifts, but it does use a torque converter like a conventional auto box. MB has a new wet clutch based transmission called Speedshift MCT. However, it is only available in the SL63 and W212 E63 - no word if or when the MCT will make it to the C63.
You're wrong about the C63 transmission. It is nicely responsive and blips the throttle on downshifts, but it does use a torque converter like a conventional auto box. MB has a new wet clutch based transmission called Speedshift MCT. However, it is only available in the SL63 and W212 E63 - no word if or when the MCT will make it to the C63.
This is true, I stand corrected. Not having driven the other 63s or any of the cars mentioned (M3, porsche, etc), I don't have much to compare to - only the old SLK280s non-paddle tiptronic (that sucked).
I will stand by what I said though.. this automatic box is a really good auto.. no substitute for a clutch pedal, but, honestly, I haven't missed it one bit.. the car is simply too fun to drive.
nice car man! i just picked up a E63 a couple weeks back! i have had an e55 for the last 3 yrs and i loved it! just sold two weeks ago and i miss it dearly.
I have been in a modded C63 and it's an awesome ride, no doubt about it. That said, I'm curious as to whether you considered the CTS-V? I'd have a hard time taking a C63, M3, IS-F, etc. with the CTS-V being such a great overall car.
I have been in a modded C63 and it's an awesome ride, no doubt about it. That said, I'm curious as to whether you considered the CTS-V? I'd have a hard time taking a C63, M3, IS-F, etc. with the CTS-V being such a great overall car.
just a different feel overall in handling/steering/brakes, etc, I for one would consider the BMW Lexus, Benz over the V.
Then again I'd take a used Ferrari F360 over a new ZR1. Power is not the end all/be all for some owners.
I have been in a modded C63 and it's an awesome ride, no doubt about it. That said, I'm curious as to whether you considered the CTS-V? I'd have a hard time taking a C63, M3, IS-F, etc. with the CTS-V being such a great overall car.
I grew up in a GM family - my dad was an electrician there for 31 years. I have nothing but respect for the CTS-V.. I think it is the best car GM has ever built (excluding corvettes).
In this particular case however, there were really only M-Bs on the table. My fiancee and I have a business and we've been leasing some kind of benz for the past 10 years. The old SLK was just not practical anymore and the larger cars are just too big and too expensive. The C63 is exactly 1/2 the price of an E63 and about the same price as an SLK350! Our choice came down to a C350 w/AMG sport package or the C63 for a few bucks more.. the decision was a no brainer.
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Just picked up a new garage-buddy for the Z06
