Living with a W212 E63 Biturbo........1 year on.

[AMGeed]

It's exactly a year tomorrow since I picked up my E63 after a 6 year love affair with a W211 E55. That car is a hard act to follow, but the W212 Biturbo does it with aplomb.

It's not fair to make too many comparisons with the W212 being a newer design and more efficient engine. But I was recently asked, and apart from the obvious interior upgrade I would say the stock E63 engine is the equal of a remapped E55 in performance. A remapped E63 is on another level so further comparisons are unfair.

I knew before I'd even picked the car up that I would be visiting Acid at MSL after seeing his work on Daveenty's W212 . A foregone conclusion you might say.
I had set my sights on a Palladium Silver E63S originally and I searched Autotrader for weeks without success. A forum members remapped E63S in Hyacinth Red was almost bought but the owner had second thoughts and withdrew the car from sale.

Although disappointed, it did make me decide I wouldn't accept any car if it had a black interior. I'd had enough of black interiors in the past. So my search was on and I also realised that getting an S model with low miles and light interior was harder than I thought. I also decided that although I never wanted another black car due to the hell of keeping it clean, the contrasting light interior and dark exterior was a nice contrast.
I looked at a couple of cars but rejected them for different reasons until a black E63 with light grey interior popped up on Autotrader. It was within budget, had low miles (28600) and a full main dealer history with a 360 camera and heated seats. I wasn't looking for one with a huge spec.
Thanks to the advice from a couple of members who had owned this model, I travelled up to Chingford E4 to view the car and was pleased with what I saw.

I had a decent test drive, noted a couple of things that needed putting right and made an offer. After a little negotiation a deal was struck on the Saturday and it was arranged for the car to have a new MOT and a main dealer service before I collected the following Wednesday. I was like a dog with 6 lamp posts those intervening days.
Insurance arranged, I picked the car up, paid up, got the paperwork and a years RAC cover (I'd forgotten about the Mobilo cover for MDSH) and made my way back home. Not a bad MPG considering there were some quick motorway opportunities.


A couple of months later in November I was outside MSL at 9am waiting for Acid to remap the car and Imran to remove the resonator for some more bark.
I wrote a thread at the time, so no need to cover old ground.
https://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?threads/remapping-the-e63-at-msl.178521/

All I'd say to anyone in doubt about remapping a M157 biturbo, do it. It transforms the car and I came way with 666bhp and 755ftlbs.

During the winter, I did find that the Pirelli P Zero tyres on the rear didn't have much grip in damp cold conditions and its on my list of to-do jobs. I'll be going for Goodyear F1 Asymmetic 5's. The fronts just won't wear out and even today are on 6mm both sides. No complaints there.

I did dabble in film making and made a cringeworthy you tube video of the car after a resonator delete. I'm no Steven Spielberg that's for sure.

During 2020 the car has done very few miles, mainly down to Covid-19 lock downs.
Only one niggle that was quickly dealt with. The Ghost immobiliser had a glitch and I needed the assistance of Mobilo to tell me the problem. I'll be honest and say I think it may have been user error.

I've taken a fair few photos over the year and here a a few of my favourites.

I have done 3477 miles since buying but have no record of how much fuel I've used. Its definitely more economical than the E55, even with 200 more bhp.

Insurance has been reasonable, over 65, Axa £447 last year, this year £360 with Tesco. Signed up to a Mercedes service plan for £1500 and 3 services. Just had the first service, MOT done, taxed for 6 months to break up the big bill in Sept (tax MOT, insurance all together)

All in all, I'm really happy with my choice. The W212 Biturbo is a brilliant car, sedate around town and an animal if needed. The performance and noise in Sport + mode and full throttle is something else.
If you are thinking of buying one, just do it. I don't think you will regret it.
I haven't.

 

[bertb1]

Beautiful motor
I’d love one if I could afford it


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[carlos85]

Almost exactly the same experience I am having, best car I have ever owned! Mines the estate version and did almost identical numbers to yours when it was remapped by Acid (667bhp & 761lb ft) and I can’t believe the dual personality of it really... it’s still as quiet and sedate as possible but is now supercar quick when you have it in S+ as you say... great write up.

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[Wearsafoxhat]

Lovely write up, and nice to know, but not helping me in my dilemma.

@carlos85, nor you !!!!

Do I sell my current S211 and look for an S212. Not to keen on the 213 yet, it may grow on me.
Nothing wrong with my 211 and have looked after it well. It drives really well and with the MSL remap is still quick enough.

Just sort of talking myself into selling the 211 and perhaps the 129, though currently can run both for the same money as a 212. On the bright side only one car to clean.

Plenty to ponder on and thank you for showing me the inside of your E63, nice place to be too.


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[Blobcat]

Lovely write up, and nice to know, but not helping me in my dilemma.

@carlos85, nor you !!!!

Do I sell my current S211 and look for an S212. Not to keen on the 213 yet, it may grow on me.
Nothing wrong with my 211 and have looked after it well. It drives really well and with the MSL remap is still quick enough.

Just sort of talking myself into selling the 211 and perhaps the 129, though currently can run both for the same money as a 212. On the bright side only one car to clean.

Plenty to ponder on and thank you for showing me the inside of your E63, nice place to be too.


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Don't sell the 129, you'll miss not having a rag top
Don't try a 213 if you want a 212 they are really nice and a step change.
I went from 211 to 213 (via a brief sojourn in a 5 series...)

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Don't sell the 129, you'll miss not having a rag top
Don't try a 213 if you want a 212 they are really nice and a step change.
I went from 211 to 213 (via a brief sojourn in a 5 series...)

That’s part of the dilemma, I would really miss the SL, especially as the summers are supposedly getting warmer.

Nowt wrong with keeping both but seems a bit greedy as neither get full use.
Just need to have a bit of a cull with our cars, need to enjoy motoring before it is made dull by the bureaucrats and as heading into retirement sometime, adequate income to run the cars correctly.

Nice problem to have though.


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[Blobcat]

That’s part of the dilemma, I would really miss the SL, especially as the summers are supposedly getting warmer.

Nowt wrong with keeping both but seems a bit greedy as neither get full use.
Just need to have a bit of a cull with our cars, need to enjoy motoring before it is made dull by the bureaucrats and as heading into retirement sometime, adequate income to run the cars correctly.

Nice problem to have though.


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Life is too short to drive boring cars...
Spreading the wear across 2, 3, 4 or 5 is perfectly sensible.
Also having the right car for every occasion or event is a bonus not to be ignored
Any further justification required?

 

[AMGeed]

I see the dilemma regarding culling the cars Brian.
Don't sell that 129. Its a beauty and you'd regret it.

Selling the E55 and replacing it with an E63 Biturbo wagon would probably cost you £15k+
Its a big outlay and one I pondered on for a while. I don't regret it, but the 212 will depreciate far more than your E55 which is something to think about. I know its only money and you can't take it with you etc etc, but is it worth the money to sit in something nicer?
Take no notice of Blobby...............he is loaded and considerably richer than us

 

[ajlsl600]

I had the vdoz bi-turbo in my sl600. Silky smooth with an effortless ease about its power delivery. It sure shifted if one planted the boot down, not advised on a damp road. I loved it, whilst I often miss the car, I had it, thinking, near 6 yr it's not a car to keep if one wants to conserve ones bank balance. They WILL bite the wallet, it's just when and how much.
Modern Benz are now just to complex, in my view deliberately so. Frankly even if one has xentry. I do, the issue is staying familiar enough with it, and not making an already bad/complex issue worse whilst fumbling around trying to sort some issue out. I miss judged the timing for it to maybe become a collectors model of significant value.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Thank you for the wise words gents.

I would almost certainly regret selling the 129, there is nothing wrong with the 211.
Just fancy a change. Had the 129 about 9 years and the 211 for 4+.
Not to concerned about depreciation, the 129 is likely to be the only car that has made money, the other twenty or so have all lost in varying amounts.
I agree that they are becoming more complex and dare I say, more fragile, but I would rather be sat in a nice car with modern options. Ah, I dunno!!!!!

looks like “swmbo”’s car has to go , if only she could cope with the V class around town.


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[John Laidlaw]

Thank you for the wise words gents.

I would almost certainly regret selling the 129, there is nothing wrong with the 211.
Just fancy a change. Had the 129 about 9 years and the 211 for 4+.
Not to concerned about depreciation, the 129 is likely to be the only car that has made money, the other twenty or so have all lost in varying amounts.
I agree that they are becoming more complex and dare I say, more fragile, but I would rather be sat in a nice car with modern options. Ah, I dunno!!!!!

looks like “swmbo”’s car has to go , if only she could cope with the V class around town.


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Get an SL63, all sorted!

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Get an SL63, all sorted!

That is a thought, though I didn’t find the 230 cabin that inviting. An SL 55 was my aim a few years ago, was quite disappointed so kept the 129 and bought the 211.
May have to have another look


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[Wearsafoxhat]

Apologies for hi jacking your thread Roger


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[AMGeed]

Apologies for hi jacking your thread Roger


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No problem
John's idea is a good one.
Sell the 129 and 211 and replace with an SL63 Biturbo.
Got the best of both worlds then, unless you need a wagon for load lugging.

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Perhaps I will try a 230/231 again and see. Thank you all.


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[JBell]

Get an SL65, all sorted!

Corrected that for you

 

[peterws1957]

Corrected that for you

Nah don't go for an SL65. Horrible. ( or at least let me find a good 'un first)

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

Nah don't go for an SL65. Horrible. ( or at least let me find a good 'un first)

Don’t think I am brave enough to purchase a ‘65.
Would help keep my local Shell garage in business though.


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[Wighty]

Life is too short to drive boring cars...
Spreading the wear across 2, 3, 4 or 5 is perfectly sensible.
Also having the right car for every occasion or event is a bonus not to be ignored
Any further justification required?

Life is sometimes a lot shorter if you don’t drive boring cars

 

[Blobcat]

Life is sometimes a lot shorter if you don’t drive boring cars

Only if you drive them badly. But that is the case of boring cars as well... unless you fall asleep from boredom then you’re even more justified to drive an interesting car.

See it works on so many levels