So, I saw a listing at a local MB dealer for an '09 C63. The car that everyone is raving about as a 997 alternative. I get there about 45 min before close and check it out. 17k miles, nice shape, yet the price is already down to an asking price of $51k. Man, the value of these things drops like a rock.
Car seems in nice shape. Front tires are scrubbed pretty hard on the edges, so the car was probably driven hard - of course the rear tires are new, so no signs there. This thing must eat rear tires. Pretty comfortable inside, but the seat side bolsters - what are they thinking? People are going to generate 2g of lateral acceleration? Makes it so hard to get in and out, it's ridiculous. I have the sport seats on the 997; the MB seats are silly.
Start the car and after about 30 seconds, blip the throttle, the thing backfires. After a few minutes, the temp is up and the thing is still crap off idle. The exhaust is badass though. Even with the temp up, the car still sputtered when I blipped the throttle. Problem is, with an automatic, when are you ever going to have a chance to blip the throttle?

Here is the punchline. Half hour to closing, how about a quick test drive? "Oh, no, we couldn't do a test drive now, wouldn't do it justice." What? I came down here and you're not going to let me drive it? Mind you, I didn't exactly roll into the dealership in a Toyota. I basically felt like just flipping him the key. No drive and a lot less interest. No thanks MB.

What's the difference between Porsche and MB? I went to my local P dealer when I was still looking last year. There were no salesmen available (also near closing). The service manager got the key for the car I was looking at and took me out for a long test drive. Didn't force me to wait for a salesman afterwards either. Another dealership drove a car out for me to drive over lunch from my office. I guess there's something to be said for Porsche.

 

I believe that car automatically blips the throttle on downshifts when in sport mode.

 

that car's throttle blips so hard on down shift as you decelerate, your burger might fly out of your mouth, drove a buddies of mine last night... Nice car, but Benz has made them so plasticy... I have had my share.

 

I had a wonderful experience being driven in a C63 (I haven't driven one myself, yet - I may have to check it out now).

But it comes down to the dealer - not the brand. Perhaps that dealer preferred to sell new cars as opposed to used cars (most dealers do), and didn't really need your business. I had a crappy experience at my local Porsche dealer and BMW dealer, but a rather pleasant one at the VW and Mercedes dealerships (I'm shopping currently for two different cars).

Your comments are certainly welcome, but I think you are comparing dealerships, not brands. I could go into a single dealership and have two completely different experiences based on salesmen (or service reps).

edit: (These comments don't correlate to my current car, because Nissan rules dictated that I spoke only with the GM before sale)

 

I don't understand the interest in the C63. Just because it's fast doesn't make it an alternative to a 997. Just my opinion.

 

True, true a reflection of this particular dealer. But didn't really need my business? That's what I thought. In today's market, good luck and good riddance to them.
Not a true alternative to the 997, but often considered as a move when the 997 doesn't have enough space. Been many threads considering them...

 

I traded my '07 C2S for an '09 C63 and am now looking to trade back. Do not think your interaction with the dealer or car are representative. While dealing with MB != dealing with Porsche, its not like comparing Porsche to Toyota or GM.

My MB dealer took me on an extended drive and then when I wanted to show the wife just handed me the keys and said "be back by closing". When the car got impounded (long story), he called the other location where paperwork is kept, got my bill of sale and got it into the hands of the impound lot so I could get the car back without going home and searching through the file cabinet. If I go in even for no-charge, non-service questions or "can you check this", I get a car every time if I want. Porsche usually has to rent me a car because they keep too few loaners.

Now, as for comparing the cars, the C63 has a good chance of smoking the 911 in the 1/4 and being within a few seconds on track. Not bad for a 4000 lb family hauler. No, its not a Porsche, but looking down your nose at it would be a mistake.

 

Tease. What's the story?

 

Ryem3, why you getting rid of your p-car? I don't think you've had it all that long, correct?

 

Ah, been toying around with more space. I've had it over a year. The more I look, the more I'm drawn back.
Yes, points are a bit dealer/salesman specific. This guy was quick to point out that it had 465 hp and was also very astute to tell me that with 3100 lbs, it is a road rocket! Uh, right.

 

More space? Have tried a Panamera?

lol! @ salesman saying the C63 is a road rocket. I guess everybody wants to be proud of something (in my opinion, Mercedes has plenty of other cars to brag about - SL AMG, McLaren, etc...).

 

I think it's the dealer, not the marque.

My best and longest test drive in my buying process was of the C63. Pulled up in my previous Boxster which was lousy with two weeks of airport parking filth on it, described that I was interested in the C63 and E500 Coupe, and off we went.

MB

 

Mercedes cars have a lot of positive features . They are generally well built , safe , and comfortable cars and in my region the customer service is outstanding.

In fact when BMW went hideously "Bangled" the E class and S class were the cars to get.

The problem is that the cars are downright BORING to drive. Sure the AMG car is fast in stop light to stoplight type of driving but in just about every other driving category it gets trumped by other cars.

It's my opinion that Mercedes focuses so much on image .Many of the drivers buy a Mercedes because it sounds wealthy and want to sound imporatnt rather than buying a car because it drives well.

With 4 doors .. I feel that the Panamera Turbo is the best sedan builr and the M3 is the best peformance sedan price value (of cars priced 50K and above).

 

++1 Right. By that logic a Continental GT or a Phantom could be a good alternative...

997 curb weight under 3,200 lbs. C63 - 4,000 lbs.

You could park a Harley on the 911's roof and it would still be lighter...

Benz is a nice car, but its no sports car (save for the SLS)

 

Black Series is da sheet, mang.

Best test drive I've ever been on was at the (now defunct) Lamborghini Calabasas. I cruised in one day, and the sales guy said let's take drive.

He took me to their warehouse around the corner with 40+ lambos in it, and said, pick one.

I choose a balloon white gallardo with LOC exhaust. He drive it first, and quickly hit 100+ mph on the freeway. The he got off the freeway and turned onto a twisty canyon road and pulled over and said "your turn". As I was driving, he kept saying "more! faster!".

About 25 minutes later we returned to the dealer. All this guy knew about me was my first name... nothing more.