Drove the C63 S Convertible for over 200 km now and I have to say I love it for a daily driver.
Very comfortable but also sporty car, depending on the setup. Good snow capabilities with the new Snow setup mode turned on. Traction definitely improved over previous model but still not great when wet. Easy to drift in the proper driving mode, in the safer modes, the back spins out a tiny bit but isn't too dangerous or difficult to handle, very good setup for a RWD car. In the safest ESP mode, the rear stays stable, ESP comes on but not too intrusive as long as you keep your nervous throttle foot at bay.
New digital dashboard is high quality and high resolution, very nice looking. Same goes to the new Widescreen display for navigation, entertainment system, etc.
Steering is very direct, I love it. I'd even say a tiny bit sportier than the E63 S steering.
Now comes the best part: The exhaust sound is actually very nice. The V8 growl is deeper but not really quieter, my son got out of the car and said that the car sounds from the outside the same way it sounds from the inside, which is very very good (with sport exhaust turned on and yes, the C63 S Convertible facelift still has an exhaust button).
Fuel consumption (average) is around 13.1 liters / 100 km, mixed driving (city and Autobahn) in Individual mode. Not driving faster than 140 kph and not revving over 4500 rpm. On the Autobahn, with the cruise control set to 140 kph, fuel consumption was around 9.3 liters. Car is still new, difficult to tell what the "real" fuel consumption will be.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Lars997:Congrats.
How is the rear space for the kids? Thinking as well of getting a C or E Convertible. But think the E gives more room.
Thanks & enjoy the ride.
Thank you.
Rear space is great even for adults, unless you're very tall. Full sized seats (see photo).
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
nberry:I saw an identical car yesterday in La Jolla. It’s a perfect car for your wife.
Not to be a downer, but you have made it a point on this blog that Germans particularly in your neighborhood find owning high end cars a crude display of wealth. It’s frowned upon even by customers. Given all the nice cars you acquired recently, have things changed?
Oh forgot: You haven't. I got one of the first customer cars in Germany.
Dealers in Germany don't even have test cars yet, the facelift hasn't reached the US yet (to my knowledge).
Reason is simple: It was ordered as a pre-facelift model and was changed to a facelift model very early.
Since I haven't ordered any special paint or special features, I got mine as one of the first.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
nberry:Hmn, they looked the same to me.
Visually, there isn't much of a difference (in my car's case, those new "honeycomb" front lights are easily noticeable) but one clue how to separate the old from the new one is the new Panamericana front grille (similar to AMG GT models), also the side fenders are a bit different but technically, a lot has changed. The car still has 510 hp but received a new 9-speed MCT transmission which increases performance (from 0-200 kph, the facelift is aprox. a second faster, up to the 280 kph top speed over five seconds) and lowers fuel consumption.
The new driving modes are also a huge improvement, especially regarding traction. AMG Traction Control is the new thing here, it improves traction in various driving situations. AMG Dynamics is also new, it is kind of an improved ESP setup with better torque vectoring. There is also a "Master" setup available which allows to basically turn off all electronic aids for maximum track performance.
There is also a new digital dashboard and a new widescreen display for the navigation/entertainment system/etc..
Quite some changes to chassis and steering setup as well.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
nberry:Hmn, they looked the same to me.
RC is referring to the fact he has a facelifted C-class and you have probably seen a pre-FL (identical looking car to you and I)
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 / 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (sold) / 2011 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Performance / 2014 BMW-Alpina D3 biturbo Touring / 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Clubsport
Porker:nberry:Hmn, they looked the same to me.
RC is referring to the fact he has a facelifted C-class and you have probably seen a pre-FL (identical looking car to you and I)
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Jan 7, 2019 3:31:55 PM
RC:Porker:nberry:Hmn, they looked the same to me.
RC is referring to the fact he has a facelifted C-class and you have probably seen a pre-FL (identical looking car to you and I)
FL C-class sedans are on sale in the States. Saw one at the dealership before New Year Eve. The new headlamp array reminds me of an Acura or a pre-PI Audi D4 A8.
Jan 7, 2019 3:42:46 PM
CGX car nut:RC:Porker:nberry:Hmn, they looked the same to me.
RC is referring to the fact he has a facelifted C-class and you have probably seen a pre-FL (identical looking car to you and I)
FL C-class sedans are on sale in the States. Saw one at the dealership before New Year Eve. The new headlamp array reminds me of an Acura or a pre-PI Audi D4 A8.
Yes, some very early cars made it to the US end of November...I think. In Germany, deliveries were delayed because of that dumb WLTP certification.
I liked the new headlamp array because it looks "different".
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Jan 7, 2019 4:29:18 PM
RC:Lars997:Congrats.
How is the rear space for the kids? Thinking as well of getting a C or E Convertible. But think the E gives more room.
Thanks & enjoy the ride.
Thank you.
Rear space is great even for adults, unless you're very tall. Full sized seats (see photo).
Thanks RC - this looks indeed quiet well. I would prefer the C from the handling and "not too much hassle when parking". I will go to the dealer and test both. What I like about the E-Class is the cockpit. But then again, still no M-Bux yet. Maybe I wait until the facelift comes in a year.
RC:nberry:I saw an identical car yesterday in La Jolla. It’s a perfect car for your wife.
Not to be a downer, but you have made it a point on this blog that Germans particularly in your neighborhood find owning high end cars a crude display of wealth. It’s frowned upon even by customers. Given all the nice cars you acquired recently, have things changed?
Oh forgot: You haven't. I got one of the first customer cars in Germany.
Dealers in Germany don't even have test cars yet, the facelift hasn't reached the US yet (to my knowledge).
Reason is simple: It was ordered as a pre-facelift model and was changed to a facelift model very early.
Since I haven't ordered any special paint or special features, I got mine as one of the first.
Super cool - happy for you.
I did see one in Zurich yesterday. Black/black roof. I recognized it was a facelift with the new LED lights.
The facelift has reached the US end of November 2018, I was wrong. German cars were delayed because of that stupid WLTP/Euro 6d temp certification.
Yes, deliveries in Europe started mid/end of December...
Zurich is amazing when it comes to sports cars, last time I was there (many many years ago, in summer time), I saw something very "special" almost every minute.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
RC:The facelift has reached the US end of November 2018, I was wrong. German cars were delayed because of that stupid WLTP/Euro 6d temp certification.
Yes, deliveries in Europe started mid/end of December...
Zurich is amazing when it comes to sports cars, last time I was there (many many years ago, in summer time), I saw something very "special" almost every minute.
Yes - thats what I see, too. Its an amazing car place. Also, lots of Emirati nowadays in town
The lift system is amazing, never really realized how good it is until it started snowing. It works up to 100(!) kph...
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Jan 15, 2019 9:12:13 PM
Pneumatic suspension systems with a lift function negate any need for a SUV in all on-road driving conditions and many soft off-road conditions. A few days ago one was following behind a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had massive problems starting off from an intersection. Once they finally cleared that intersection, one motored ahead in the Audi as if on dry pavement. Final comment, the snowfall accumulation in your photograph is the equivalent of an early season snow fall in upper Midwestern states.
Jan 16, 2019 8:49:47 AM
CGX car nut:Pneumatic suspension systems with a lift function negate any need for a SUV in all on-road driving conditions and many soft off-road conditions. A few days ago one was following behind a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had massive problems starting off from an intersection. Once they finally cleared that intersection, one motored ahead in the Audi as if on dry pavement. Final comment, the snowfall accumulation in your photograph is the equivalent of an early season snow fall in upper Midwestern states.
The snow was much worse but they clean up pretty fast here in Bavaria, good winter service. Not so good in smaller regions though, especially in the mountains.
Btw: I found out about the possible height adjustment after I ordered the car.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Jan 16, 2019 1:24:52 PM
As far as I know, in Germany Winter tires are required by law in Winter.
US idiot drivers, at least that retarded majority, don't even know what, or in what condition, tires they have, they assume that 4wd in their crossovers will take care of everything........
Jan 16, 2019 9:49:47 PM
absent:As far as I know, in Germany Winter tires are required by law in Winter.
US idiot drivers, at least that retarded majority, don't even know what, or in what condition, tires they have, they assume that 4wd in their crossovers will take care of everything........
Yesterday one walked past a parked 991.2 wearing summer rubber. Fortunately, the weather has remained moderately mild but the weekend will be cold and snowy. As long as one is not on the road, it is entertaining watching cars equipped with summer tires attempt to move across wintery intersections in the city.
Jan 16, 2019 10:53:08 PM
Kansas City is an edge case many years like last year we see no snow or only for a day or two. No need to get snow tires for the turbo in that case. For those days when I need them I drive a different car with snow and ice tires. That car has a separate set of wheels which I exchange as needed.
Feb 14, 2019 10:47:30 AM
Car has almost 12000 km now, no (new) issues.
Funny: When I start off at a green light with full throttle in Sport+ mode, the car now instantly rockets forward, unbelievable. It didn't do this a couple of thousands of km before (some sort of gearbox/clutch protection?)
Traction is still insane for such a powerful car, I just love it, the perfect family car.
Got a surprising letter from Mercedes yesterday: Due to a faulty software, the software of the communications module in the car needs to be updated because the SOS call function doesn't work properly. Now here comes the surprise: The update will happen OTA automatically, no need to go to the dealership. Didn't know that Mercedes does stuff like that, it is even a bit scary.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
SciFrog:The era of high powered cars is coming to en end.
Where?
If you are talking high powered petrol cars...maybe.
I bet you that in 10 years from now on, there will be EVs with 2000 hp system power, maybe even more. Not even sure how these torque monsters will put the power on the ground.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)
Apr 5, 2019 9:03:22 AM
Yesterday evening I've been finally test driving an E63s Limo...WHAT A CAR!!
@RC
it was very similar car to yours (even as an nonEdition 1, same color despite the CC brakes and the AMG performance seats) it was just mind blowing (to me).
Great driving, great performance, what a sound, now I need to convince my wife as she always claims "who needs so much HP for being stuck in his daily traffic jam?!"
Apr 5, 2019 9:38:04 AM
Lord_Driftalot:Yesterday evening I've been finally test driving an E63s Limo...WHAT A CAR!!
@RC
it was very similar car to yours (even as an nonEdition 1, same color despite the CC brakes and the AMG performance seats) it was just mind blowing (to me).
Great driving, great performance, what a sound, now I need to convince my wife as she always claims "who needs so much HP for being stuck in his daily traffic jam?!"
Glad you like it.
What is even better: My car has 13000 km now and suddenly, the engine not only seems to "breathe" more freely (it revs much faster), when I am stationary and fully accelerate (without launch control!) in Sport+ mode, the car jumps forward like crazy. There was always a slight lag before, maybe some sort of gearbox/drivetrain protection?
Fantastic car but most fun on the Autobahn, even if it handles like a sportscar. Best family car ever.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (May 2019), Mercedes E63 S AMG Edition 1 (2018), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)