You can’t just walk past a Mercedes-Benz C 63 and not feel something. It’s physically impossible. For some, it’s the visceral, chest-thumping roar of a V8 that sounds like a thunderstorm trapped in a tailpipe. For others, lately, it’s a bit of a headache—a debate about cylinders, batteries, and whether a four-cylinder engine can ever truly replace the soul of a legend. Honestly, if you’re looking for a car that blends in at the grocery store, this isn't it. The C 63 has always been the "problem child" of the AMG lineup in the best way possible. It’s loud. It’s aggressive. It has a tendency to eat rear tires for breakfast.
But we’re at a weird crossroads right now. The newest iteration, the Mercedes-Benz C 63 S E Performance, is a technological marvel that has basically split the enthusiast community right down the middle.
The V8 Era: When the C 63 Became a Legend
To understand why people get so fired up about the current model, you have to look at where we started. Remember the W204? That was the era of the 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8. It was a sledgehammer. No turbos. No hybrid trickery. Just raw, unadulterated displacement. Mercedes-Benz essentially took a massive engine and shoved it into a compact sedan. It shouldn't have worked. It was front-heavy and drank fuel like a cargo ship, but it was glorious.
Then came the W205. This was the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 era. A lot of purists cried foul when the turbos arrived, fearing the sound would die. It didn't. The W205 C 63 S became the benchmark for the "muscle car with a tuxedo" vibe. It produced 503 horsepower and enough torque to make you feel like you were being launched from a catapult every time you hit the highway on-ramp.
The W205 was peak AMG for many. It had that signature "bark" on downshifts. You’ve probably seen them on YouTube—matte gray paint, black wheels, drifting around corners with a cloud of smoke behind them. That car defined an entire decade of car culture. It was the "villain car."
The Four-Cylinder Elephant in the Room
Now, let's talk about the new one. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C 63 S E Performance.
Mercedes did something bold. Some call it brave; others call it a tragedy. They replaced the V8 with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Yes, you read that right. A four-banger. But wait—before you close the tab, there’s a massive "but" here.
This isn't your cousin’s tuned hatchback engine. It’s the M139L, currently the most powerful series-production four-cylinder in the world. They paired it with a rear-mounted electric motor and an electrically assisted turbocharger—technology straight out of their Formula 1 program.
The result? A staggering 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque.
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That is significantly more power than the old V8. It’s faster from 0 to 60 mph, clocking in at about 3.3 seconds. It’s a tech masterpiece. But here’s the kicker: it weighs a lot. The hybrid system, the batteries, the cooling—it all adds up. The new C 63 weighs over 4,600 pounds. To put that in perspective, that’s heavier than some mid-sized SUVs.
Why the Weight Matters
Physics is a stubborn thing. You can have all the torque in the world, but you can’t fully hide mass. When you’re tossing the new C 63 through a tight canyon road, you feel that weight. Mercedes-Benz engineers have used every trick in the book to mask it—rear-axle steering, sophisticated active dampers, and fully variable all-wheel drive (4MATIC+).
The car is objectively more capable than the old one. It grips. It goes. It stops with authority. But it feels different. It feels like a computer is helping you drive. Some people love that precision. Others miss the "oh crap" moments of the old rear-wheel-drive V8 models where the back end wanted to overtake the front at every opportunity.
What No One Tells You About Owning a C 63
If you're actually thinking about buying one, whether it's a used V8 or the new hybrid, there are things the brochures don't mention.
First off: maintenance isn't a suggestion; it's a lifestyle.
AMG parts carry the "AMG tax." Brakes, tires, and specialized fluids cost significantly more than a standard C-Class. If you buy a W205 V8, you need to watch out for things like the "misfire" issues that occasionally plague the early models or the wear on the dynamic engine mounts.
With the new E Performance model, you’re looking at a whole different world of complexity. You have a high-voltage battery system and a complex cooling circuit. It’s a car that basically requires a Master’s degree in computer science to diagnose if something goes sideways.
The Interior Experience
Inside, the Mercedes-Benz C 63 is a tech-lover's dream. The MBUX system is arguably the best in the business. You get massive screens, augmented reality navigation, and 64 colors of ambient lighting. It feels like a spaceship.
- The Seats: They are firm. If you get the AMG Performance seats, they look incredible but can be a bit punishing on a long road trip.
- The Steering Wheel: The new "twin-spoke" design has touch-sensitive buttons. Some people find them fidgety. Personally, I think they take about a week to get used to, and then you're fine.
- The Sound: This is the big one. In the new hybrid, the sound is partially piped through the speakers. It’s a "simulated" roar. It’s not fake—it is based on the actual engine frequency—but it’s not the raw mechanical thunder of 2018.
Is the Mercedes-Benz C 63 Still a Performance Leader?
We have to look at the competition. The BMW M3 and the Audi RS5 are the natural enemies here.
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The M3 stuck with a straight-six engine. It’s currently winning a lot of "enthusiast" hearts because it feels more traditional. The Audi RS5 is the "all-weather" king, though it's getting a bit long in the tooth.
The C 63 is the outlier now. It’s the most powerful in the segment, but it’s also the most complex. It’s for the person who wants the absolute cutting edge. If you want to be able to drive to work in total silence using only electricity (it has about 8 miles of electric-only range, which is tiny but useful for creeping out of your neighborhood at 5 AM), the new C 63 is the only one that does that.
Common Misconceptions About the AMG Badge
There’s a lot of noise online. Let’s clear some of it up.
"The new C 63 is slow because it’s a 4-cylinder." False. It’s the fastest C 63 ever made. Period. In a straight line or around a track, it will likely embarrass the older models.
"The V8 models are unreliable." Mostly false, but they are "needy." If you skip an oil change or use cheap tires, the car will punish you. The 4.0L Biturbo is actually a fairly stout engine if treated well.
"It’s just a C-Class with a big engine." This is the one that kills me. A Mercedes-Benz C 63 shares a body shell and some interior bits with a C 300, but the suspension, the subframes, the brakes, and the cooling are all different. It’s a ground-up rebuild by the folks in Affalterbach.
The Reality of the "Daily Driver"
Most people who buy these cars don't live at the Nürburgring. They live in suburbs. They sit in traffic.
The C 63 is surprisingly good at the boring stuff. In "Comfort" mode, it’s relatively quiet. The air suspension (on models equipped with it) or the adaptive dampers do a decent job of soaking up potholes. It’s a car you can actually live with.
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However, the fuel economy on the V8 models is... let's just say you'll get to know your local gas station attendants very well. The new hybrid is better on paper, but if you’re driving it the way an AMG is meant to be driven, don't expect Prius-level numbers. You're still feeding a high-performance beast.
How to Choose the Right One for You
If you are looking at the secondary market or a dealership floor, here is how you should actually approach it.
Buy the W204 (2008-2014) if:
You want a future classic. You want the raw, "old school" Mercedes feel. You don't care about gas prices or having a modern infotainment system. You just want the noise.
Buy the W205 (2015-2021) if:
You want the best balance. You get the V8 rumble, but you also get a modern interior and Apple CarPlay. This is the sweet spot for many enthusiasts right now. It's the "peak" of the internal combustion era for this car.
Buy the New E Performance (2024+) if:
You love technology. You want the fastest car in the parking lot. You appreciate the engineering that goes into F1-derived hybrids. You want the status of having the newest, most powerful thing Mercedes makes.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you’re serious about getting behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz C 63, don’t just look at the monthly payment.
- Check the Brake Rotors: On used models, AMG carbon-ceramic brakes (if equipped) are incredibly expensive to replace. Look for chips or heavy wear. Even the standard steel rotors are pricey.
- Verify Service History: An AMG without a paper trail is a ticking time bomb. You want to see "Service A" and "Service B" stamps like clockwork.
- Test the Modes: During a test drive, make sure the car switches cleanly between Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. Listen for any clunks in the transmission, especially in the 9-speed MCT found in later models.
- Tire Budget: Budget for a new set of rear tires every 10,000 to 12,000 miles if you have a heavy right foot. That's just the reality of the C 63.
The Mercedes-Benz C 63 isn't just a car; it's a statement. Whether you love the new hybrid direction or cling to the V8 past, you have to respect the fact that Mercedes is still trying to push the envelope. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s unapologetic. That’s what an AMG is supposed to be.
Before you sign any paperwork, go drive one. Don't listen to the people on forums. Drive the V8, then drive the new Hybrid. You'll know within five minutes which one speaks to you. One will make you smile because of the noise; the other will make your jaw drop because of the sheer, electronic violence of its acceleration. Both are valid. Both are C 63s.