CLS Amg 63

[jon123]

Hi all, have come across a 62 plate (registered 2013) Amg CLS 63. Being sold by an independent private garage.

7 owners, 55,000 on the clock
Full service history (m dealer and specialists)

Last logged service logged at 44,741 in 2023 including brake fluid change

Strangely enough, there was a service then carried out in 2024 by a specialist. The seller has the invoice for this from previous owner BUT there’s no log on the service portal OR no mileage logged on the invoice , although it states full service done, including replacement of spark plugs, etc .

I’m in negotiations with the garage and have pointed this out and have said I’d need the car serviced by a specialist due to not knowing the full history so to speak on a car of this calibre.

FYI last logged gearbox oil and rear axle oil change was in 2018 at around 32,000 miles

What’s everyone’s thoughts? I’ve never owned one before and it’s something on my bucket list but really don’t want to get stung by a money pit! Been there and done it !

Any assistance/ advice would be appreciated

Thank you

 

[alexanderfoti]

Was it a good (well known) specialist? I've seen lots of places call themselves specialists but then not have acces to the DSB.

inversly, I have also seen some general places update the dsb (halfords autocenters!) so I would not be overly concerned about the missing item in the DSB. If it has an overview of what was done, and the mileage, then I'd be happy.

 

[jon123]

Was it a good (well known) specialist? I've seen lots of places call themselves specialists but then not have acces to the DSB.

inversly, I have also seen some general places update the dsb (halfords autocenters!) so I would not be overly concerned about the missing item in the DSB. If it has an overview of what was done, and the mileage, then I'd be happy.

Thanks for your reply. I’ve never heard of them but then again I’m not a Mercedes knowledge person.. still new .

The invoice says :

Carry Out Full Service Replace Oil/Filter / Air Filters X2 /

Replace Spark Plugs X8 / Replace Pollen Filter

Replace Height Level Sensors with Genuine Mercedes Benz

Parts

Replace Main Power Battery

Remove exhaust, weld up and refit

But no mileage was noted on it . There was a breakdown of parts etc used and sensors replaced seem to be oe…

 

[jon123]

Hi all, have come across a 62 plate (registered 2013) Amg CLS 63. Being sold by an independent private garage.

7 owners, 55,000 on the clock
Full service history (m dealer and specialists)

Last logged service logged at 44,741 in 2023 including brake fluid change

Strangely enough, there was a service then carried out in 2024 by a specialist. The seller has the invoice for this from previous owner BUT there’s no log on the service portal OR no mileage logged on the invoice , although it states full service done, including replacement of spark plugs, etc .

I’m in negotiations with the garage and have pointed this out and have said I’d need the car serviced by a specialist due to not knowing the full history so to speak on a car of this calibre.

FYI last logged gearbox oil and rear axle oil change was in 2018 at around 32,000 miles

What’s everyone’s thoughts? I’ve never owned one before and it’s something on my bucket list but really don’t want to get stung by a money pit! Been there and done it !

Any assistance/ advice would be appreciated


Thank you

P.S. I’ve also posted this in the Amg thread but figured I’d post it here too for even more guidance

 

[alexanderfoti]

If concerned, I'd arrange a pre purchase inspection. If it looks straight etc then should be a winner

 

[sonic]

If I was buying a car like that I would want a full service history, I am suspicious the last service was actually done.
7 owners 55K miles in12 years, was this a problem car?

 

[jon123]

If I was buying a car like that I would want a full service history, I am suspicious the last service was actually done.
7 owners 55K miles in12 years, was this a problem car?

That’s just it.. I’m in 2 minds .. the car has has a fsh (documented ) up until 2023.. even if the last one wasn’t actually done.. how much damage is there potentially up until now .. I’m in 2 minds tbh.. I know these are amgs so it could also be a question of the amg itch being scratched and the car then moved on ..? ‍

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Sounds like a well looked after example and at that age and low mileage there is likely to be a more sporadic service history. I think I’d be more concerned about the state of the brakes new discs and pads can be a £2k item on these cars. One other thing to consider is having an independent assessment done to rule out any mechanical/electrical issues with the car and if all good why not…

 

[jon123]

If concerned, I'd arrange a pre purchase inspection. If it looks straight etc then should be a winner

Morning

So I’ve been in negotiations with the seller and he is willing to get it serviced via a specialist. With this in mind, IF the previous invoice didn’t actually mean anything (especially as it hasn’t been stamped in the history and there’s no mileage logged on the invoice), is it worth going for this?

I have no idea what this service will entail but based on this , is it something worth going for ? I’m also thinking 7 owners and the fact that the exhaust was welded.. is this normal? I’ve never had any exhaust welds done on any of the cars I’ve owned… so also a little surprised by this

 

[jon123]

Sounds like a well looked after example and at that age and low mileage there is likely to be a more sporadic service history. I think I’d be more concerned about the state of the brakes new discs and pads can be a £2k item on these cars. One other thing to consider is having an independent assessment done to rule out any mechanical/electricsl issues with the car and if all good why not…

Morning

Just a bit more info:

Carry Out Full Service Replace Oil/Filter / Air Filters X2 /

Replace Spark Plugs X8 / Replace Pollen Filter

Replace Height Level Sensors with Genuine Mercedes Benz

Parts

Replace Main Power Battery

Remove exhaust, weld up and refit

This was the last service done and this is what the invoice had on it But no mileage was noted on it . There was a breakdown of parts etc used and sensors replaced seem to be oe… and it wasn’t stamped on the DSB .. but it was done by a specialist according to the company logo etc

The seller has agreed to get it serviced by a specialist prior to sale as I highlighted the lack of service.

If the previous invoice didn’t actually exist ( I’m not saying the last service wasn’t done, but with no mileage etc) what’s the potential damage that may have been caused?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The interesting thing about the items listed on the invoice is that only an Independent or MB would include height level sensors so it all adds up to me - surely the Independent garage is named and can corroborate

 

[Wearsafoxhat]

I wouldn’t worry too much about the amount of owners. People often buy these “to scratch an itch” then sell them so a few owners in quite common with AMG’s..
I would be wanting answers regarding the exhaust though, might have been “de catted” or altered which may or could affect insurance or MOT’s… I would just want to know why.

 

[fabes]

Where about are you / the car situated?

As Alex advised there are number of specialists (such as him) who could undertake an inspection, or the service you are after.

I had one of these do just that when I bought my own AMG last year.
The reassurance it provides is immense!

Exhaust point is of interest.....

 

[jon123]

The interesting thing about the items listed on the invoice is that only an Independent or MB would include height level sensors so it all adds up to me - surely the Independent garage is named and can corroborate

Yes, they are named but when I called them it looks like they have closed down.. but the mot was done in Feb this year and as I’ve mentioned, the service works done in Jan last year…

Thank you . This is giving me more confidence that perhaps the vehicle is ok after all… btw I’ve also read the engine (m157) also suffer from timing chain issues.. is this correct or would they have been sorted by then (as in when this year came out )

 

[jon123]

Where about are you / the car situated?

As Alex advised there are number of specialists (such as him) who could undertake an inspection, or the service you are after.

I had one of these do just that when I bought my own AMG last year.
The reassurance it provides is immense!

Exhaust point is of interest.....

The car is leatherhead. @alexanderfoti how much would it cost for a pre purchase inspection and how soon could this be done ?

 

[alexanderfoti]

The car is leatherhead. @alexanderfoti how much would it cost for a pre purchase inspection and how soon could this be done ?

I will PM you.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I’ve also read the engine (m157) also suffer from timing chain issues.. is this correct or would they have been sorted by then (as in when this year came out )

That’s something I would ask Alex…

 

[AMGeed]

I’ve also read the engine (m157) also suffer from timing chain issues.. is this correct or would they have been sorted by then (as in when this year came out )

Your car is on the cusp of having the older type timing chain replaced by the later more sturdy chain. I have a feeling yours will be the older one.
A quick way to tell the difference is to open the oil filler cap and see which one of the two pictured below you have.
If yours looks like the one on the left then its good news. You have the updated chain.
If you have the older style chain I would seriously consider getting it changed .It's not a cheap item though with front of the engine needing removal.
The check valves need replacing at the same time which prevent oil draining from the top of the engine after a run. A job done at the same time as the timing chain. Without it you can hear a distinct short rattle on start up.

In all honesty, if the chain is the old one, I'd move on and find newer 14 plate that has the new chain and check valves already. Just my opinion though.

 

[jon123]

Your car is on the cusp of having the older type timing chain replaced by the later more sturdy chain. I have a feeling yours will be the older one.
A quick way to tell the difference is to open the oil filler cap and see which one of the two pictured below you have.
If yours looks like the one on the left then its good news. You have the updated chain.
If you have the older style chain I would seriously consider getting it changed .It's not a cheap item though with front of the engine needing removal.
The check valves need replacing at the same time which prevent oil draining from the top of the engine after a run. A job done at the same time as the timing chain. Without it you can hear a distinct short rattle on start up.

In all honesty, if the chain is the old one, I'd move on and find newer 14 plate that has the new chain and check valves already. Just my opinion though.
View attachment 95550

Is there any other way to determine this? I have the engine number.. would this help?

 

[AMGeed]

Is there any other way to determine this? I have the engine number.. would this help?

It possibly would, but I don't know which number is the changeover point.
Mid/Late 2013 was, I believe the time they were changed.
I know my 64 plate E63 had the updated chain.


Edit

According to Google-:
The changeover from the old to new M157 timing chain occurred at engine number 157.982-30-007163. This change was implemented to address known issues with the original design. The updated timing chain is considered more durable and reliable.