Best $35k - $45k choice with backseat (F80 M3, W204 C63, W205 C63)

[flyinb501]

I was hoping to get some advice or insight on my next car. I had my heart set on a W204 C63, but I'm having a heck of a time finding a good one in my price range in the right color, options, etc. So now I'm considering a W205 C63 since the cost really isn't that much different. I'm also considering an F80 M3 as I think it is by far the best looking, but I think I may save that for my next car after this one. I want to enjoy something with a V8 while I still can. That is why I really wanted the W204 C63. However, even though the W205 has turbos, it still sounds great and is plenty fast in stock form.

Do any of you have experience with the 3 cars mentioned above that could give me any insight?

Are there any other options that I'm missing? I would really prefer RWD, and a back seat is necessary unfortunately. Thanks in advance.

[pbonsalb]

If you want the V8, get one. I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and enjoyed it. Not sure what an F10 M5 goes for. The older less expensive naturally aspirated 550i would be cheaper. And the Chevy SS might be a good value, as might a Dodge Charger. Mercedes is probably the classiest. Spend the extra to buy one if that is what you really want. Turbos are a lot of fun but they do add heat, which usually means more repairs and servicing, and complexity, which makes the work more expensive if you are paying for labor, or time consuming if you are a DIYer. Superchargers may not add as much heat but they similarly add complexity.

[Alfisti]

E92 m3 all day, every day. Jag XF is under rated.

[TboneS54]

F80 is a lot of car for $45k, but many are beat, and you have to be ok with the lifeless steering and turbo plus it's a 6 cyl not 8 like you say you want. I'd say E90 - amazing car that does it all.

[flyinb501]

I do love the E90. I had a stage 2+ E90 335i, and it was my favorite car I've owned. With that said, an E90 M3 wouldn't be different enough from that car for me, and the prices they are going for these days is kind of crazy.

[PYE46M3]

Does it have to be german? If not chevy SS is a great choice. Rare, good looking, spacious and comes with a manual. Plenty of aftermarket support too. I love them in red or blue ! You'd be looking closer to 50k though

[Alfisti]

50K? It's a damn near 20 year old COmmodore. You'd do am M5 every day over that.

[335i54n]

i wouldnt go turbo if youre looking for v8 experience. imo v8 got to big displacement and have the low end grunt. older cayenne gts, e39 m5, c63 NA would be my choices, wouldnt consider non euro due poor overall build quality

[Alfisti]

Jag XF-R's are listed at very low prices, more through fear than anything else because they were mot particularly unreliable.

500Hp that makes all the right noises.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by flyinb501

I was hoping to get some advice or insight on my next car. I had my heart set on a W204 C63, but I'm having a heck of a time finding a good one in my price range in the right color, options, etc. So now I'm considering a W205 C63 since the cost really isn't that much different. I'm also considering an F80 M3 as I think it is by far the best looking, but I think I may save that for my next car after this one. I want to enjoy something with a V8 while I still can. That is why I really wanted the W204 C63. However, even though the W205 has turbos, it still sounds great and is plenty fast in stock form.

Do any of you have experience with the 3 cars mentioned above that could give me any insight?

Are there any other options that I'm missing? I would really prefer RWD, and a back seat is necessary unfortunately. Thanks in advance.

Don't get a C63 with the M156 engine. Great engine and all, but it has tons of known problems or longevity issues, like most MB products. These "characteristics" are fixable but at quite some expense, time and effort expended.

The M177 in the C63 will be a more modern alternative, but not sure you will find one for $45k or less.

In your price range I would exclude the C63.

edit: W205s with M177 4.0TT seem available under $45k. Spend some time on mbworld in the W205 and AMG sections learning about what you would be getting yourself into.

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

wouldnt consider non euro due poor overall build quality

Err.....

V8s aren't a euro maker strong point.

[flyinb501]

Originally Posted by chassis

Don't get a C63 with the M156 engine. Great engine and all, but it has tons of known problems or longevity issues, like most MB products. These "characteristics" are fixable but at quite some expense, time and effort expended.

The M177 in the C63 will be a more modern alternative, but not sure you will find one for $45k or less.

In your price range I would exclude the C63.

I wasn't even considering a W205 due to my assumption that they would be out of my price range, but then I started looking and there are plenty for $45k with 60 - 70k miles. You have to spend $40k for a decent W204 so the W205 is not that much more really, and it sounds like they are a lot more reliable. Also, there are a lot more W205's for sale then W204's it seems so more options.

[chassis]

Agreed. I edited the post accordingly. Seems the W205 C63 with 4.0TT can be found in your price range. It will be to your benefit to educate yourself on what are the likely failure points.

One emerging issue with the M177, is rear main seal failure due to plugged oil-vapor separators which cause crankcase overpressure. A preventive fix seems to be to replace the vapor separators before they plug. Dealer labor for this is exorbitant although the cost for the parts is reasonable. No certain mileage is known on how long the separators are good for. Failures have been reported below 100k miles.

[Alfisti]

I have no idea why anyone wants a turbo on a V8 for street driving. It completely loses it's character.

[pbonsalb]

Fast is fun, particularly with AWD so the car hooks up. I went from 10 years in an E90 M3 to just over a couple of years now in an F90 M5 and I am really enjoying the M5.

[Our03z4]

I know it's not one of the 3 but may I recommend adding the Audi A8 or S8 to your list? The 4.0TT does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds stock and 3.5 with tune. The S8 is 3.5 stock. Absolute dream to drive, recently did a 36 hr one way road trip and it was perfect. AWD so not RWD but it's worth it. I can even get 32mpg on the highway which is incredible given its size. Everyone who rides in it compliments how quite and smooth it rides. The car is a sleeper. Not too bad to work on if that's your thing. Leg room for miles, front and rear. Tons of room for baggage as well.

[flyinb501]

Originally Posted by Our03z4

I know it's not one of the 3 but may I recommend adding the Audi A8 or S8 to your list? The 4.0TT does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds stock and 3.5 with tune. The S8 is 3.5 stock. Absolute dream to drive, recently did a 36 hr one way road trip and it was perfect. AWD so not RWD but it's worth it. I can even get 32mpg on the highway which is incredible given its size. Everyone who rides in it compliments how quite and smooth it rides. The car is a sleeper. Not too bad to work on if that's your thing. Leg room for miles, front and rear. Tons of room for baggage as well.

Absolutely, part of the reason for creating the thread was to get suggestions in case I'm overlooking some good options. With that said, the S8 is way too big for me. I want something smaller, and has that fun agile feel. I actually looked at some S4's a couple years ago. I test drove a stage 1 ARP tuned S4, but was pretty disappointed. It just didn't excite me. I want something that can get loose and a little scary lol.

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by flyinb501

Absolutely, part of the reason for creating the thread was to get suggestions in case I'm overlooking some good options. With that said, the S8 is way too big for me. I want something smaller, and has that fun agile feel. I actually looked at some S4's a couple years ago. I test drove a stage 1 ARP tuned S4, but was pretty disappointed. It just didn't excite me. I want something that can get loose and a little scary lol.

Well I've had quite a bit of fun in mine, pretty much never drive the Z4C anymore. I actually did some track AutoX with mine and placed 16th out of 65. If you really push the car it WILL freak you out. The traction is so good it doesn't feel possible. I too looked at the S4 but settled on the A8 instead, for many reasons. Build quality is top notch. It is a large car no question, doesn't feel like it though. If you don't get the long wheel base it would help, mine is the L version.

The AMG might be the best choice for ya.

[pbonsalb]

If you like using high rpm, the E90 M3 is thrilling. With traction control off, it can scare you. With euro MDM programming for traction control, it is fine but can get a little sideways.

If you are more a lazy driver, I’d go for the larger displacement of the older C63 or any of the newer twin turbo V8s.

I agree the Audi 8 series is big, like a BMW 7 series. I am not ready for one either but do like the 5 series M5. When I was younger, it was the M3 that I liked. Probably after the M5, it will be a bigger car or SUV.

[M3WC]

Low mileage E90 M3 would be my choice.

If you want more luxury, C7 S6 has a V8 4.0TT. They sound fantastic with an exhaust. A lot of tech and car for the money.

[kyriian]

I had a M156 powered C63 W204. We had a very late 2011 with the updated head bolt.
Key is to buy the face lifted 2012+ so you avoid at least the big head bolt issues. LSD is an absolute must and an OEM one can fetch big money but aftermarket Quaife will do just fine. Ours never gave us a problem aside from when the battery was low, which caused all sort of electric issues.

They also aren’t as horrid in the snow if you are going to drive in the winter. My wife drove it all year with a baby in the back.

Frankly, it’s a very different experience to any BMW.

[G30M]

Just to throw it in coz it's cheaper to buy and fix...
B8.5 Audi S4 is my favourite car
Make sure it has bang Olufsen and sport diff