New car prep: Mercedes C63

July 29, 2009 Phil Yiu

New Car Prep: Mercedes C63 This car belongs to a very good customer of mine. The car came to me with 200 miles on it pretty much brand new. The customer wanted to make sure it was perfect and protected, as well as install clear film on it. Some info on the MB C63 The Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG is the most potent version of the German automaker's C-Class sedan. The car delivers a whopping 457 horsepower, putting it comfortably ahead of BMW's all-new M3. With that amount of performance on tap, and a price to match the M3, Mercedes looks to steal at least a few sales away from its cross-country rival. (Click here to use Leftlane's Price Quote Form to get Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG pricing information from a trusted local dealer. Zero obligation) In typical AMG fashion, the C63 features large performance-oriented tires and wheels, an aggressive bodykit, a much sportier interior, and suspension and chassis improvements. Unlike the M3's small displacement V8, the C63 uses a big 6.2L V8. The C63's powerplant is good for 443 lb-ft of torque and 457 horsepower. The torque curve of the engine is just as impressive as its output: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap - ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range. The sprint to 62 mph takes a scant 4.5 seconds according to Mercedes -- and that's likely a conservative estimate: real world acceleration is typically even quicker than claimed times. Maximum torque of 443 pound-feet comes at 5000 rpm. The torque curve is equally impressive: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap -- ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range. A new seven-speed AMG automatic transmission with paddle shifting provides a wide range of driving modes. The different modes are "S" (Sport), " C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual). Gearshifts in "S" mode are around 30 percent faster than in "C", and no less than around 50 percent faster in "M" mode. The C 63 AMG owes its outstanding handling dynamics to the AMG sports suspension and an all-new three-link front axle design. The stiff configuration of the springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers ensures optimal road contact and low body movements when negotiating serpentine bends at speed. The new front axle has a 35-millimetre wider track - visible by the more widely flared wheel arches - and therefore ensures lower dynamic wheel loads when cornering. The front brakes have size 360 x 36-millimeter discs with six-piston fixed callipers, while deceleration at the rear is handled by 330 x 26-millimeter discs with four-piston fixed callipers. The Electronic Stability Program offers a variety of settings. In "ESP ON" mode, the onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque. Briefly pressing the ESP key activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic threshold. Prolonged pressure on the ESP key activates "ESP OFF," whereby there is no intervention. Pricing There is no doubt that Mercedes-Benz is squarely taking aiming at BMW's M3 with its all-new C63 AMG Sedan, and that rivalry will be reflected in the car's price. Mercedes has announced that its C63 AMG will come with a base sticker price of $53,800 -- the exact same price of entry for BMW's M3 sedan. Products used: Exterior: Optimum Car Wash Uber Boar's Hair Wash Brush 7 inch Swissvax Yellow Clay Bar and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer Einszett Spray Wax P21S Finish Restorer Metal Polish (on the tips) Menzerna PO85RD Swissvax Cleaner Fluid Swissvax Divine Wheels and tires: P21S Wheel Cleaner Gel Swissvax Wheel Brush Uber Wheel Brush Uber Spoke Brush Swissvax Pneu Swissvax Autobahn Interior and Glass Leather Master Strong Cleaner Leather Master Protection Cream Einszett Cockpit Lusso Glass Polish Einszett Plastic/Vinyl Cleaner Tools: Infratech 5300 Metabo PE12-175 The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch) Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels Uber Drying Towels Brushes Metro Vac Gilmour Foam Gun 200 miles on this one