My used 2011 Mercedes-AMG E63: Purchase, driving & ownership review

I am extremely happy with the fuel economy on the highways, although its in single digits

BHPian Nikhilb2008 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone, welcome to my new ownership thread.

This is one that has been in my mind for a very long time but due to my work schedule, I simply didn’t get time to sit down and write down everything.

Let’s get to the point quickly and then I can narrate my long story which may or may not interest people.

Headline:

I bought a full-blooded old-school AMG!

Pre Facelift 2011 W212 E63 AMG

Subtitle:

That’s a sentence I never thought I would say this early in my life.

This comes with what I consider to be AMG's masterpiece, the M156 engine - the 6.2 litre Naturally Aspirated V8 engine.

Instant throttle response, a proper V8 soundtrack

This is mated to what Mercedes calls an MCT or Multi Clutch transmission. I don't know much more about this.

This car comes with an old-school Hydraulic Power Steering that gives me goosebumps when I turn it at high speeds.

Classic German Mercedes build quality.

Black leather AMG seats

18" solid 5-spoke wheels (currently painted in a bronze shade)

The ability to cruise around the city and the highways just like a normal E Class with zero drama and fuss.

A perfect sleeper.

Numbers:

This a pre-facelift W212 E63 AMG with the full 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine putting out 525 bhp and some 600 NM of torque.

I am the third owner.

There are only 2 pieces of this in India. This white one and another Maroon one.

The old pics of the same car were on TBHP.

The Maroon car is now owned by a person in Bombay who cares for it deeply. He’s now upgraded to the 19” wheels.

The white one is now my car. I remember seeing these posts on TBHP 10 years back and I can scarcely believe my luck that I own this car now.

Price:

I paid Rs XX lakhs for it. I am happy with the price I paid, the seller is happy with the price he got. Everyone’s happy and since there are just 2 cars in India, there’s no real market for this and no market value. So, no point in revealing numbers and encouraging random people to say that we overpaid or underpaid or whatever.

Driving Experience:

The driving experience is unlike anything I’ve driven. On the race track and on the road, it is just MEGA.

It makes my heart sing (after it has stopped racing). It makes my heart beat faster when I push it but at other times, it actually is relaxing to drive.

A proper Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde personality.

A bruiser when you want it to show its muscles, the rest of the time, hidden behind a plain but elegant suit.

On a recent trip to Coimbatore and back, I kept the car in Sports mode throughout the drive and by the end of the drive, my entire body was buzzing. The excitement this car can generate is something I have never felt over a long period of time.

When I floor the throttle, in S mode, the car downshifts quite quickly and aggressively and just flies. And when I brake, it downshifts automatically causing lovely growling noises to come out of the exhaust. This is something I thoroughly enjoyed and kept doing more of on the drive.

Even in the city, if I find a small stretch of an open road, I put the car in S mode and floor the throttle. The car growls and just hurtles forward. It hits the speed limit in just a few short seconds and then I slam on the brakes and then the downshifts happen, creating more excitement. Instantly puts a smile on my face.

When in comfort mode, the car feels slow and lethargic. Especially in the city. S mode instantly makes everything feel more aggressive. Even the throttle response is very poor in Comfort mode but it’s fine because it is a comfort mode.

The hydraulic power steering makes me realise what I truly love about driving. The car feels like it is in my control and whenever I turn, the sensations are just pleasurable. The steering is heavy for sure at slow speeds and in the city but on the highway, it feels absolutely amazing.

The brakes are good but they are less sharp than what I’m used to in my Octavia vRS. The brakes are really good, as they have to be. However, I still need to get used to using them smoothly. Many times I find myself too close to the car in front and at other times I find I am stopping the car very suddenly with a jerk.

It’s aged beautifully and while I still love the facelifted W212 design more, I am developing a proper appreciation for the pre-facelift W212.

The other details will follow soon, for now just enjoy the pictures.

Once again, I still can't believe I own this car. If any of you see me, please pinch me. Or maybe, don’t. If it is a dream, I would rather live the dream.

I purchased it from the 2nd owner who parted with it with a heavy heart. He has maintained it beautifully for the 2 years he owned it. When he purchased it, he spent a lot of time and money replacing a lot of parts and getting it looking like new.

I purchased this car on June 13th 2022 and as of today, it has done exactly 10,000 kms from the date I picked it up.

I’ve driven this car from KL to BLR and then multiple drives around Bangalore. I also took it on two trips to Hyderabad, one trip to Maharashtra (BLR-Pune-Nashik-Aurangabad-Pune-BLR), a couple of trips to Coimbatore, a trip to Chennai and a Coast to Coast trip which started with a track day at MMRT. That trip deserves a post of its own. BLR-MMRT-Pondicherry-Kochi-BLR.

I can use this car daily but the fuel economy in the city is abysmal. I get 3-4 km/l. On the highways, I get 8-9 km/l if I drive fast and smoothly and if I keep it in S mode and drive aggressively, I get about 6-7kmpl. I am extremely happy with the fuel economy on the highways. I’m enjoying the car and spending some extra money on the fuel is justified.

I don’t enjoy the car and its features as much in the city, so the 3-4 km/l hurts me and pinches me which is why I don’t drive it much in the city.

As of now, the car is an OEM+ tune. It was tuned by the second owner to a map that came as standard on some variants from the factory in Europe.

Apart from that, the car is in stock. I’m even using the original wheels which had been repainted by the second owner as the original colours were quite badly scratched.

The car was immaculately maintained by the second owner as he owned a car wash and detailing centre. I got my PPF’ed by The Glossfactor in Bangalore which is run by a TBHPian, Prashant Sajiv.

I used the Pirellis that was on the car and recently changed to Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

I also added an Apple Carplay/Android Auto kit to the Head unit. This is completely hidden and I retained the stock look of my car. But when I get into my car, I have wireless carplay ready to use.

I also got a full service done at Marque One Garage on Hosur Road. Also got them to source a few parts and get them replaced like the brake pads, the underbody fabric cover and a few other things.

I will keep posting more including detailed posts about the upgrades I’ve done to the car.

Enjoy the pics below.

As of now, I can just say that this car reminds me why I like cars. It is not about the speed, the 0-100 times, quarter mile times, lap times, not even about the power and torque figures.

All of these are important but they are all just stepping stones to the final result – Pure, unbridled ecstasy and joy while driving. The feeling of excitement, heart racing, mind in a happy place of its own.

My friend made an Instagram video for me when I took delivery of the car. There is a clip of the exhaust note in that video here.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Such an incredibly fast, timeless machine that will age well. Big congrats, Nikhil! It's quite the buy. Am sure the power delivery & soundtrack of the big NA motor is just so addictive. Hope the maintenance costs & reliability have been acceptable.

This generation of the E-Class looks fabulous even today. And yours - with the golden wheels & quad exhaust - a lot more so. The ultimate sleeper, indeed.

P.S. My compliments to your stylish Dad, he looks like a stud.

Here's what BHPian Dippy had to say on the matter:

Nikhil!

That car is a legend and will only appreciate as the years go by. Nothing comes close to that naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8. I have driven that engine in the W204 C63 and the SLS AMG.

A true sleeper car this will give supercars a run for their money too. Sadly we are now at 4.0 litre V8s and next-gen cars are looking at 2.0 litre engines with plug-in tech.

I love how you use your car daily and on your road trips. That's how they are meant to be used and not remain garage queens.

Wish you many happy miles, and don't ever sell it. This one is a keeper for life.

Here's what BHPian DicKy had to say on the matter:

Voah, have been eyeing the few numbers of pre-FL W212 6.3 AMG and pre-FL W204 6.3 AMG imported by the company (not a fan of the looks of the facelifted ones sold officially by the company) and filing them away in my imaginary dream garage bucket list and voila. A BHPian has already bought it.

The FE is actually decent for what is a 6200cc petrol engine tuned for performance, also looking at how you seem to enjoy it, the FE is nothing.

Don't worry. I am sure you will appreciate the pre-FL W212 even more. The facelifted W212 has started to become more like the new organic design language of Merc, while the pre-FL has that sharp traditional Benz look.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.