Thinking about getting one of these - a 2012. 650+ horsepower and a luxury car.

How terrible is maintenance versus any other luxury brand (infiniti, Lexus, BMW) and how often does one need to replace the air suspension?

10/25/2016 11:02:23 PM

Quote :

"How terrible is maintenance versus any other luxury brand (infiniti, Lexus, BMW)"

Turrible. It's certainly not gonna be [nearly] as reliable/"cheap" to fix as the first two (definitely a world away from your old IS300)...can't really compare the Japanese with the Germans on that front.

You ain't gonna get a 500+ hp German car without some $texas maintenance costs IMO. But if you're looking for exact numbers, you're gonna have to find a site with estimated repair/maintenance numbers (hours * $100), call around for spot checks, and maybe the Mercedes forums can be of some help. Sans-warranty you're definitely entering "pay to play" territory if you don't do your own work.

10/25/2016 11:35:32 PM

...if you have to ask...

10/26/2016 6:39:06 AM

I think that AMG 6.3 engine is pretty stout and well built, but boosting it...uh, I dunno what that does for long term reliability.

10/26/2016 11:13:32 AM

CTS-V V2 or V3....way easier to maintain...my 2 cents

10/27/2016 12:12:35 PM

Just curious if it is more unreliable than the other brands. I'm assuming parts and labor are similar, but may be 20% higher.

10/27/2016 9:33:02 PM

whatever does it for you, but I'd look at the E63 AMG with the AMS alpha 7 kit instead, if you're into this kinda thing.

10/28/2016 12:34:19 AM

^Everything I've read on all the forums say the CLS is sportier and more fun to drive.

I called Mercedes about service. Assuming no problems arise, which is a big assumption, the general maintenance is not much worse than my Infiniti. I know the problem arises in when problems arise that aren't general maintenance issues.

They only service their cars every 10,000 miles and most of it is checking fluids and replacing/flushing key fluids, which isn't so bad. The brakes are $Texas and I'm told to prepare to change rear tires annually, which isn't an issue, as I go through rear tires with my M56S as it is.

Now it is on to finding the right deal. I like the Renntech package, but apparently I can have them flash the ECU for $3,500 and bring horsepower up from 550 hp to 670 hp. Everything else I'd keep stock since the AMG is already bad ass.

The more I research it, the more I want it.

10/28/2016 8:49:22 PM

Quote :

"CTS-V V2 or V3....way easier to maintain...my 2 cents"

and faster....

10/28/2016 10:42:02 PM

A 63 AMG is already plenty powerful, and a huge leap in power from the M56... so just go with stock! Else, get a Brabus Rocket or go home

10/29/2016 12:41:45 AM

^^^ "sportier" in a 4500lbs yacht seems hand wavy at best. I'm clearly not the target demographic, but what balance are you looking for exactly? big cushy sedan that's quick in a straight line?

10/29/2016 2:00:49 PM

Why a CLS? They're probably the worst/heaviest 63 you could get.

10/30/2016 3:10:52 PM

I think it is most similar to my car. Need to be able to put car seat in rear passenger seat. C too small, SL only 2 seater, E looks lame and S is for grandpas.

10/30/2016 10:12:13 PM

Quote :

"big cushy sedan that's quick in a straight line?"

Isn't that the definition of most Merc AMG?

[Edited on October 30, 2016 at 11:07 PM. Reason : That clearly seems to be what he's after here. It's not what we all want...doesn't make it wrong.]

10/30/2016 11:05:49 PM

well the claim is that the c63 is agile enough for track use as well, which would make it a better choice for things like canyon carving or just plain old fun drives. if you just want something to eat highway miles, the CLS or E or S series AMGs are probably better choices

10/31/2016 1:00:14 AM

Quote :

" but apparently I can have them flash the ECU for $3,500 and bring horsepower up from 550 hp to 670 hp"

I didn't realize that Mercedes switched from the 6.2 liter V8 to the twin turbo 5.5 liter V8 in 2012. If I were you I'd get your car dyno'd before it gets flashed (up to 670 hp). According to some quick online research, the CLS63 AMG with Performance Pack actually makes closer to 600 hp stock. Edmunds dyno tested one and it put down 514 whp. Assuming a 15% power loss that's 604 crank hp.

10/31/2016 9:40:44 AM

I doubt I'd buy a stock one and then tune it. I'll either get one that is already done or keep it stock. Just want to make sure I get all the carbon fiber trim on the inside, as it looks sharp. Found a new one I'm drooling over. Hopefully we can get together on price.

11/1/2016 9:56:16 AM

Yeah I've had my eye on these but afraid to jump in without a warranty

11/1/2016 12:40:12 PM

http://m.ebay.com/itm/182328719588?_mwBanner=1

Gonna get this bad boy.

11/1/2016 9:44:01 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJzoyCPiAjg

11/2/2016 12:03:59 AM

^^

Quote :

" Item location: Chicago, IL, United States "

hope she aint all rusty

11/2/2016 5:43:31 AM

Was recently hauled there from CA. Owner is a relief pitcher for SF Giants.

11/2/2016 6:34:41 AM

Got an AMG that has been tuned, but not a RennTech. 700hp and fun to drive. Spacious and sporty, perhaps too quick, but I'm still learning to drive it.

Got a matte finish with powder coated rims and carbon fiber trim throughout and spoiler. Bad ass car.

11/11/2016 11:49:05 AM

Thats sexy

11/11/2016 3:51:40 PM

11/11/2016 6:52:52 PM

Sounds slow.

11/13/2016 12:54:08 AM

Probably the slowest car I've ever driven.

[Edited on November 13, 2016 at 10:49 PM. Reason : ]

11/13/2016 10:28:43 PM

Jesus that's a lot of power.

Congrats!

11/14/2016 11:15:00 AM

I want to hear that baby roar! Where the vids at? :'(

11/14/2016 2:30:08 PM

Surprisingly, it isn't overly loud. It sounds great when I hit it, but if I drive it like a normal person, it isn't too loud at all.

That said, the guy before me took the resonators out, so it sounds like a highly tuned race car.

Can you post videos on here or do I need to record, upload elsewhere and then provide a link? Always happy to meet up for a tDub lunch and let it roar for you.

11/14/2016 4:22:36 PM

^ Youtube

11/14/2016 6:02:48 PM

Youtube so we can get some 1080p car porn

11/14/2016 9:57:07 PM

Youtube or redtube. Just tube it and link us!

[Edited on November 15, 2016 at 9:09 AM. Reason : .]

11/15/2016 9:08:47 AM

Nice! I've got a 14 C63 with a kid seat in the back. Eurocharged tuned with Eurocharged X-pipe. But its my fun car and also have a 3rd car (minivan) for trips and family stuff. The AMG power is like nothing else I've owned. (12 SRT8 Challenger, 04 Viper SRT10)

11/16/2016 1:15:51 PM

I think mine was supposed to be 550 hp, but he had the ECU flashed and upgraded to 710 hp. He also removed the resonators to make it sound nice.

I also have a minivan (wife's) that lives at home. She works from home and daycare is literally across the street from my hood, so I can go home and swap cars for pickup and only lose 3 minutes out of my day.

That said, until it sells, my 2011 Infiniti M56S is available for rainy days and other normal business.

11/16/2016 3:06:45 PM

^^Is yours your daily driver or a Sunday car? I intend to make this my daily driver.

11/16/2016 3:11:02 PM

I intended to use it as a daily driver when I bought it. But I like to keep it clean so after a claybar and paint correction it will usually stay in the garage if it's raining or wet out. I also drive a lot ~2500 miles a month so taking the minivan to work half the time helps keep some miles off the Merc. Keeping miles off is more for warranty reasons than resell reasons (everyone knows AMG resale values are terrible)

Mine started as 451 to the crank, after tune and x-pipe should be in the 550 area. Mine is not a P31 car so next upgrade will be an LSD.

Tried going to Rockingham last weekend but got rained out on Sunday. Planning on going back Dec 10 if you're interested! Wanna see what this family sedan will run!

[Edited on November 16, 2016 at 3:44 PM. Reason : the rock]

11/16/2016 3:42:42 PM

I'll get it to the track once I get a better feel for it. I have not put mine in Sport + mode yet, as my previous owner upgraded everything to include a pedal box. The lowest of 3 settings makes this so responsive, when I first drove it in Sport mode, it was like someone that didn't know how to operate a clutch, even though this is automatic. I usually leave it in city mode and flip it over to sport mode once I'm no longer at a stop. The power in the car is INSANE.

You in Raleigh?

11/16/2016 4:57:53 PM

Well, let me know if you want to check out a car that’s actually, you know, fast.

11/16/2016 5:49:10 PM

so has it actually been on a dyno?

11/17/2016 6:55:00 AM

you felt that in sport mode because it starts in first gear, comfort mode starts in second. What year is yours? Does it have the race start mode?

I am waiting for a dyno day to get mine on a dyno. BMW group had one a few weeks back but I didn't make it.

11/17/2016 7:33:16 AM

Previous owner had it dyno'd. I have not - I've had it a little over a week and don't doubt what he said.

Mine is a 2012 with 33,000 miles on it. Yes, it has Race Start. I'm waiting until I plan to replace the tires to try that out

Again, in additoin to Comfort, Sports and Sports+ mode, this has a pedal box which further accentuates the response on the pedal. Essentially, even my Comfort Mode is more responsive than normal, as I had the pedal box activated...

11/17/2016 9:14:46 AM

...you do know that pedal box is just a TPS signal manipulator in the most basic sense?


And I'll throw in a case of beer if that car breaks 550whp on a dyno

11/17/2016 11:01:57 AM

Eurocharged put 643 to the wheels with a tune of the CSL63. Their tune also already manipulates the throttle.

http://www.eurocharged.com/products/mercedes-performance-and-tuning/cls-class/cls63/biturbo-m157-performance-engine-software.html

11/17/2016 11:36:33 AM

Are you in Raleigh? I want to see this car

11/17/2016 3:43:43 PM

Quote :

"Are you in Raleigh? I want to see this car "

Yea, let's get a lunch or something going. I wanna see this thing in person.

11/17/2016 6:37:16 PM

How about on a Saturday?

11/17/2016 8:11:09 PM

I in Cary by Bass Pro and work by the PNC Arena. I'm self employed, so flexible with a day or two's notice.

11/17/2016 8:42:39 PM

Saw this car in Cary today. Really like the matte paint job on it.

11/17/2016 10:05:17 PM

^Where'd you see me?

Dr Pepper - if you know somewhere I could dyno it and want to pay for it, I'd gladly take it. I don't need to confirm it's hp, as I'm a firm believer. Guy I bought it from has 2 World Series rings and the means to do what he told me he had done to it. I have no reason to believe otherwise.

11/18/2016 7:22:36 AM