Thinking of replacing my '07 RS4 with '13 C63 AMG Sedan

[AWD Addict]

Love my '07 RS4 but, out of warranty, this car has become more expensive than my ex-wife! There's nothing inherently wrong with the car - it runs strong, looks fantastic and sounds mean as hell - but it's been in service mode twice for silly little things and I've had such bad luck with punctures that I'm deep into four figures in tire replacement costs in just the last 18 months. I'd get a "you have to pay to play" bumper sticker but, with my luck, the glare would probably blind somebody and I'd get rear ended by an uninsured motorist.

Anyhow my objective of this post wasn't to kick off a self-pity-fest. Rather, I'm curious what other members have successfully used in the past for pre-purchase inspections. I'm looking at a car on the East Coast and Carchex was one vendor somebody recommended to me. Who else is out there that I should consider using as well?

[WinterRunner]

Why not a local Mercedes dealership?

[AWD Addict]

The local Mercedes dealership hasn't had the car I want.

[Mr.Wrong]

I believe he meant why not use Mercedes dealer for PPI. I second this or a reputable high end indy shop.

[WinterRunner]

^ Yes, use the local dealership in the area of the car you want to purchase for a PPI, I just did this myself, and have done it several times in the past.

[b6bydesign04]

Dealer or go to the regional sub-forums for where the car is located and some locals may know of some great indy places to take it.

[1.8t]

I know a few guys who have the w204 c63, they love them. I don't think you'll regret it. Of course its no match in the snow but i'm not sure if you drive your b7 in the snow anyways.

With 500+hp with the same gas mileage, its a no brainer to me. Nonetheless, you'll miss the wide body and I do feel the rs4 would hold its value better in the long run.

[AWD Addict]

Appreciate the suggestions guys. The C63 I'm looking into currently has less than 8K miles on it and was purchased as a CPO from Mercedes in 2016. Since then the current owner has only put 1800 miles on the car. I understand that there's no inspection more thorough than what the local Mercedes dealership would perform but it would involve the owner driving about an hour away and probably 2X-3X the cost compared to a CARCHEX or AIM type of mobile inspection service. It's certainly something to think about though. If the car had more miles I'd make sure it was inspected while on a lift. I think that's really the only trade-off from using a mobile inspection company though. Unless I'm missing something?

1.8t...I couldn't agree more. I've owned nothing but AWD cars going back to '04 and the platform has saved me from trouble on more than one occasion. I've still got the Suburban for trips to the snow but I will miss the aesthetics of the RS4 more than anything. It's aggressive but understated. Short of an exotic two door AWD Lamborghini or Porsche, I feel like the RS4 is at the top of the food chain for a family man who wants performance, luxury, four doors and AWD...and no I didn't forget about the hideous Panamera. The RS4 is also a great looking car and it'll likely hold it's value a little better - if nothing else for the exclusivity. I think the USDM saw less than 3K total RS4's between 2007 and 2008 IIRC. I'll eventually really miss the manual transmission too. All that being said, the Merc's hand-built 6.2L AMG engine is the last of a special breed IMHO. Seemingly every new factory performance engine has a smaller displacement and forced induction, I believe, as a means to improve fuel consumption to meet modern environmental standards. That's all and well but there's something special about a larger displacement N/A V8 in a compact car. The way the torque throws around that little C-class makes me smile every time.

[wednesday]

Would it be possible to find someone local off the C63 forums and meet them and the car by flying over? I figured few hundred bucks for a worthy inspection by someone who would know the strength and weaknesses of that generation C63 would be a better judge.

At the same time, I just saw that the car has CPO and very little mileage on it. Man that sounds like a sweet ride already. Good luck. Sounds like fun!

[b6bydesign04]

Would it be possible to find someone local off the C63 forums and meet them and the car by flying over? I figured few hundred bucks for a worthy inspection by someone who would know the strength and weaknesses of that generation C63 would be a better judge.

At the same time, I just saw that the car has CPO and very little mileage on it. Man that sounds like a sweet ride already. Good luck. Sounds like fun!

From my time spent over there on MBWorld when I was cross shopping the C63, they are a helpful bunch. I offered to pay someone local to a dealer that had a car I was interested in to check it out visually and he did it without even accepting payment. Did a thorough visual inspection too. Not a full PPI obviously, but I wanted to see if it was even worth the time.

[AWD Addict]

The C63 AMG (W204) section of MB World is great. I don't know anybody in particular over there that well yet but I've been using the VIN search feature a lot over the last few months. It's very helpful. It's scary how many online postings either accidentally or intentionally misrepresent the vehicle. It's not a huge community though like NASIOC, EvoM or LS1tech for example. It's a little bit like the B7 RS4 section over here actually...a small enough community that members tend to treat each other respectfully but a big enough community to be very helpful if you need to research a problem or search for a good DIY.

[particulardude]

+1 on indy shop for PPI. Look for an MB specialist with good reviews and preferably in business 10+ years. Dealership can do a fine inspection but will likely try and sell you on unnecessary stuff. My boss just took his 2012 S63 in to the dealer and they quoted him $7k for a brake job that he doesn't even need - um what, are they golden brakes woven by elves?

[Eric F]

I don't think getting into another performance sedan is going to be any cheaper. With the exception of carbon cleaning, I don't think the RS4 has been much more expensive than other sports cars I've owned. You have to do tires, brakes, and clutches on all of them and it's expensive on all of them. If you buy a 2013 model you're probably due for new tires next year and brakes in a year or two.

[AWD Addict]

With the exception of tires, I think you're 100% right Eric. I can even live with the cost of a CC every 2 or 3 years too. Anybody who owns an RS4 should have done their research and known about that cost before buying the car. In reality it hasn't been scheduled maintenance and consumables that's killed me on my RS4 though. It's the little things that would have been covered by a factory warranty. It was an expensive mistake to let it run out.


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[seblove]

Just giving my 2 cents here; first of all, i've driven that car for a weekend, it's fun as hell and makes some awesome sounds but holy shit did I miss the stick and third pedal every time I drove it. To each his own! Beyond that, if the car is an east coast car, I'd have whomever is PPI'ing it send you some good photos of the underbelly / control arms / DRC and everything else below the car to ensure there is no rust - I realize it's unlikely with that kind of mileage but always worth the extra effort because rust sucks ass and it only takes one winter of driving to develop a bad case!!

[Blackstallion]

agree with the guy above - I've always been interested in one but those damn winters we get up north surely don't help. One of my old buddies has a black series it really is one heck of a car...

Took a peak the other night after reading this thread just curious what was out there...

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Mercedes...&orup=30_15_44

Not much help but GL - you know you'll miss that 3rd pedal and those rear flares that c63 only has up front hehe

[AWD Addict]

You guys are giving me buyer's remorse already...and the Audi is still in my garage! If I was big ballin' like Rockefeller I'd keep it, put on some nice KW3 coilovers, insure it cheap as a recreational vehicle and track it whenever possible. Reality is different however. With three little kids, a remodel and a wedding coming in the next 6 months that would be too much.

[d2a4]

You guys are giving me buyer's remorse already.

Of course we will (we love our cars) Anyhow, just do what best for you. I don't buy into RS4 for trouble free car, and then any newer car, break down more often than older car. Starter right off the bat, AUX radiator, but so far 8 months of joy everytimes I get in, absolutely no complain.

[ven0m]

[AWD Addict]

Haha. That's true but you don't have to replace all 4 tires at the same time on a RWD car.


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