New daily - E92 M3 or C63 AMG?

[Mark Davis]

Does anyone have any experience with either of the above, I am thinking @andybond might have an opinion on the C63.
Need a new daily which aiming to sort early part of 2017. It would seem that for £20-£25k you can get a lot of car for the money, thoughts?

 

[Duncan Grier]

Both have a drink problem, can be expensive on consumables. Parts worse if anything goes wrong

But sound epic and go well

Like a lot of more prestige performance you can buy in but real running costs can be a bit steep

That said few guys at work ran them with little more than fuel cost increases so good history key

DG

 

[Mark Davis]

Thanks Duncan, good info.

Work covers fuel but i'd be sorting consumables/servicing/tyres etc. I'm leaning towards the E92 purely as I owned the E46 M3 and fancy seeing what the new iteration is like. But the C63's savage nature is appealing.

 

[Tony Smith]

Drove both on a supercar experience day and much preferred the C63. M3 needed thrashing to feel quick, whereas the Merc felt proper grunty. On circuit M3 felt it had a better gearbox and handled marginally better. Everything else I liked better about the Merc, engine, noise, looks, interior. Bags more character. If you don't need 4 doors try an XKR Jag. I bought the one below for 19k a few months back, 2008 car, 45k from new with full Jag service history. Feels quicker than the M3 for sure, not sure about the Merc but wouldn't be much in it, comfier than either and interior is nicer in my opinion. And looks the bollocks

 

[andybond]

Both have a drink problem, can be expensive on consumables. Parts worse if anything goes wrong

But sound epic and go well

Like a lot of more prestige performance you can buy in but real running costs can be a bit steep

That said few guys at work ran them with little more than fuel cost increases so good history key

DG

Pretty much what DG said.

Fuel will be expensive , no two ways about it. Parts are eyewatering ( depending on which spec car you get ) tyres are not cheap and you will do a rear set every 6/8k. Residuals will sink like a stone once you start putting miles on it ( but it will take the miles well )

Honestly , if you want a daily look at a white goods car , or rent on like a skoda superb . Some mad deals on them.

Buying the c63 is the cheap bit ...

 

[Mark Davis]

More interested in the actual characteristics of the two cars than costs to be honest. Running costs are a factor of course but not my principle concern.

I guess driving them would be a good start.

 

[andybond]

c63 is heavy , not nimble and a riot.

Proper Jekyll and Hyde car. Can be in comfort at 30 and mash the throttle and you will be doing 150 in no time.

On a circuit if its tight and twisty like Blyton smaller stuff like a clio or meg will dust you in the bends. Show it a straight though and you are laughing.

Its a bruiser of a car , fast , fun , capable of big speeds.

Available with many engine power outputs , many braking options , LSD or not and many interior options.

I would strongly urge you to consider running costs. Insurance is expensive ( 37 / no accidents / million years nvb - £580 ) Tax is £515 / yr and full tank ( 65ish l of SUL only ) will get you between 180 mi and 250ish at a stretch. I would not consider one as a daily. At all. Ever.

 

[Mark Davis]

I hear you about costs but thats all subjective. £600 per year insurance isn't bad at all and at similar age, NCB etc I'd expect mine to be similar. Fuel is covered by work so that's all good, was paying between £800 -£1000 on services for M3 and a few hundred per corner for tyres. Can also pick up pretty decent warranties these days for not a huge amount of cash.

The way you describe the C63 is ace though, they sound mega as well. I wouldnt be doing any track stuff with whichever car I buy so living with either from a day to point of view is what I'm interested in.

You mention different options etc ? Do different years offer different performance then ?

 

[andybond]

As long as you are aware of costs and the AMG tax your 1/2 way to buying one. You dont get to Yorkshire at all do you ? Welcome to try mine on for size if your in this neck of the woods

You mention different options etc ? Do different years offer different performance then ?

Yes ! Lots and lots of variants.

MY08-MY10 451 bhp engine
MY08-MY10 451 bhp engine and LSD + Bigger stoppers ( p30 pack - performance pack )
MY10- end of NA 487 bhp engine no LSD , big stoppers
MY10- end of NA 487 bhp engine with LSD , no big stoppers
MY10- end of NA 487 bhp engine with LSD AND big stoppers ( p30 pack - performance pack plus )
MY10- end of NA 487 bhp engine Edition 125 facelifed and some optional stuff included
MY10- end of NA 487 bjp engine facelifted with different box ( MCT ) but had same options as the previous gen one
MY10- end of NA 507 bhp engine ( the edition 507 as its called. Crackers price for it

You can spot the uprated engine with ease. Grey inlet manifold instead of lighter whiteish one. Dead giveaway.

The 451bhp engine is throttle limited to produce the power so can be mapped to around 500-510. The 487 engine ( later revision with the grey top ) has the SLS internals ( lightened crank and forged pistons / rods ) and will map to roughly the same. Throttle respone is slightly better on the later cars. I havent driven an early one to compare to though.

Facelift changed the front end with DRL and they covered up the oil cooler ( no track work! ). Gearbox was revised and it a twin clutch wet system instead of a torque convertor and interior changed. Same engine though.

You really , really want a Performance Pack Plus car ( like mine ! ) with the LSD ( option 471 ) but the PPP has the huge one piece disc on and are expensive from MB.

There are 3 types of discs.

Regular ( fitted on the non PP and PPP cars )
Larger ( fitted on the PP cars and two piece )
Larger newer ( fitted on the PPP cars and single piece composite )

There are 3 type of calipers on them as well.

There are hundreds of interior options from carbon pack ( that looks great ! ) to some wood effects ( which isnt as bad as you might think ! ) Harmon Kardon 7.1 speakers , rear blinds , heated seats , memory settings on seats , auto dim rear view , auto dim wing mirrors , folding wing mirrors , DAB , Fridge ..


Secondary decat is the law on these to really release the sound. Also yields free BHP. Which is always nice.

If you find a car get me its vin and Ill run it through a checker as there are some right dodgy sorts out there claiming all sorts ( diff for example ) and its BS.

You might struggle with £25k to get a PPP car unless its missing some options or in Silver / Black. Should defiantly be able to get a PP car though for that

 

[Mark Davis]

Fuck, I've a lot to learn lol.

Thanks for the info though, gives me somewhere to start.

 

[andybond]

Fuck, I've a lot to learn lol.

Thanks for the info though, gives me somewhere to start.

Message me or post on here if you see anything and want some clarity !

 

[Mark Davis]

Thanks mate, will do.

 

[jamesc]

Off topic ramblings to follow, apologies in advance:

I love that Jag, Mr DG, very nice for the money

My dream this week is to own a Nissan GT-R & use it as a daily (sub-6k miles pa daily). 750 quid insurance for me, and looking at the below price guide for just over 20k can have you a 2009 one with sat nav. A good idea, on paper.
WiseBuyer's Guides - Nissan GTR-2 (2008-11) mileage adjusted used car prices

..then I look at say piston heads or Autotrader & there is bugger all below 37k. As you were hopes & dreams

 

[andybond]

Off topic ramblings to follow, apologies in advance:

I love that Jag, Mr DG, very nice for the money

My dream this week is to own a Nissan GT-R & use it as a daily (sub-6k miles pa daily). 750 quid insurance for me, and looking at the below price guide for just over 20k can have you a 2009 one with sat nav. A good idea, on paper.
WiseBuyer's Guides - Nissan GTR-2 (2008-11) mileage adjusted used car prices

..then I look at say piston heads or Autotrader & there is bugger all below 37k. As you were hopes & dreams

I played that game as well and lost

 

[jamesc]

I played that game as well and lost

..I'll keep saving then! Only 35k to go...

 

[andybond]

..I'll keep saving then! Only 35k to go...

If only you had a valuable mid engined rear wheel drive Renault to sell.

 

[jamesc]

If only you had a valuable mid engined rear wheel drive Renault to sell.

I'm pretty sure the Quadra is front-engine AWD fella but I will double check ....no, not the 5 I don't agree the rusty little bugger is worth 10's of thousands. Anyway I don't want a Skyline GT-R THAT much. Just would be nice. I would name it MSG after my favourite Chinese restaurant. Or Mobile Suit Gundam robots one of the two.

 

[Mark Davis]

Also played that game, I've never seen them drop below mid 30s.

Going to test both cars over the coming week.

 

[Mark Davis]

@andybond - Been looking some more at C63, what in your opinion are the must have options ? Any years to avoid? The early one's I guess. What year is yours ?

 

[Mark Davis]

Also how do I spot PP or PPP car other than inlet ? Looking at listing I haven't seen any listing or mentioning it.