458 for 2014 Mercedes S63 AMG

I have thought about how car usage can become highly specialized, with each vehicle assigned specific "missions" in the life style of an individual or family. Most people who visit this site practice specialization in some form. There are few (but not zero) who have a Ferrari as their only car, and I find myself in awe of those who do.

Since we move around a great deal we have a need for a cross country, all weather AWD cargo carrier with monstrous torque for high altitudes -- this is the modified BMW X5M. For urban cut-and-swipe driving, there is the tiny Abarth that garners more looks and conversations than the Ferraris, and whose doors are unscathed so far. For the mountains there is the turbo AWD Subaru Forrester, standard issue over 7,000 ft. Then for recreational driving and fraternization, there are the Ferraris -- his and hers. We are very fortunate indeed.

The point of all this is that if I ever found myself yearning for a Benz over a 458, and I could not have both, I would probably do what the OP did -- ask for advice.

 

You should buy the Mercedes.

I left the brand a while ago because of the poor quality of all the parts. But I just took a look at the new 2014 S class and while it is nowhere as nice as the RR
Wraith , the new Mercedes is better than before. It is priced well too.

Still am not a fan of MB hydraulic ABC suspension system, at all though.

Ferrari made the right choice to go with the magneride system!

 

My opinion is to have a convertible sports car like 458 Spider and a practical 4 seater with a huge trunk like an S mercedes or RR wraith or even the Tesla S 4 door or maybe even a Porsche Panamera Turbo even though I am not a Porsche fan.

I don't really know if having an AMG S class is really that much better than the regular S class.

I'd rather save the cash for a better future car! I guess my MB cynicism is still showing!

 

I owned a 2013 SL63 (with the performance upgrade option and carbon ceramic brakes) and it was never boring to drive but you could take it anywhere without worry and, although it got plenty of "nice car!" yells and waves, it was pretty inconspicuous. I ended up trading it in for the McLaren 12C Spider because I needed the garage space to accommodate the McLaren. The 2014 S63 has the same engine and same kind of horsepower stats as that upgraded SL had with the added ability to get more of that power down on the road due to it having 4 wheel drive.

However I also have an Audi A8L which I was interested in upgrading to the S63 (it comes standard as 4 wheel drive here in the USA) and I drove the 2014 S550. The S550 was awesome and I subsequently ordered the S63 but the dealer told me that carbon ceramic brakes wouldn't be available in the USA until the 2015 model year so I cancelled the order decided to wait. The reason you want CCBs on german sedans is that they have horrible brake dust issues. You can clean the wheels and go out and drive the car for the day and it comes home dirty again. That never happened with my SL63 because the CCBs don't leak brown brake dust all over the wheels.

If you're tired of your 458 and looking for a sedan than the S63 is going to be as enjoyable a vehicle as a sedan could be! Mercedes claims 0-62mp/h (100 km/h) times of 3.9 seconds but they typically pad their claims and I'm guessing you'll 0-60 times closer to that of the Ferrari FF.

Of course you could always consider the FF. It isn't nearly as large and heavy as the S-class, has decent room for people & cargo, handles and performs like a real V12 Ferrari and, is as inconspicuous as a 4-seater Ferrari can be. But it's about twice the price of a well-optioned S63 and you probably don't want to leave it parked at the airport. I have one and I absolutely love it! I use it whenever the weather isn't suitable for the 458 or 12C and I don't need a big sedan / airport car that day.

 

It is a night-and-day difference. AMG are far more performance-oriented cars, even in the big S-class versions. The suspensions are different, the steering is tighter, the engine is way more powerful, the exhaust note is sportier, and (in this case) they use an intelligent rear-biased 4 wheel drive system called 4Matic.

If he has a 458 and is considering a S63 then "cash" probably isn't a primary consideration.

 

MarkNC
Quote:

It is a night-and-day difference. AMG are far more performance-oriented cars, even in the big S-class versions. The suspensions are different, the steering is tighter, the engine is way more powerful, the exhaust note is sportier, and (in this case) they use an intelligent rear-biased 4 wheel drive system called 4Matic.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to drive the new S AMG and check it out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MalibuGuy

If he has a 458 and is considering a S63 then "cash" probably isn't a primary consideration.

Maybe so, but he said he wants to sell the 458 and buy the S AMG.

My thought was have both--sports car 458 spider and have a practical sedan which you don't worry about like the S, but if budget is not a concern, sure why not the AMG.

 

I use a Porsche Cayanne GTS as my airport drive anywhere car. Handles great, drives great reasonably fast and not much attention, was 100K.

 

The S will seem to you like freight aeroplane, compared to the jet fighter that the 458 is. If you have no need for 4-5 usable seats, get yourself a 911 Turbo or an F Type Coupe. Every day usability, great performance and much subtler than the Italia, if not as exciting. If that is too much still, an M4/C63 Coupe will serve you well. They are no Ferraris performance wise but they cost 1/3 as much and are usable every day.

 

I have a 458 spider and have an S63 on order. I plan on keeping both. I think they are very different cars.
If your 458 is getting boring, you should definitely sell it. I don't believe these cars are worth owning if you're not still enjoying them. There will always be another one for you to buy if you have seller's remorse.
Regarding the S63, I think it will be as "sporty" as a big sedan can be, but make no mistake, it is a very large car and will never perform like any true sports car.
As far as depreciation goes, it is well known that the AMG models are awful in this regard. I'm pretty sure you are already aware of this. It won't be as bad as someone who bought a 2012 or 2013 because it has been known for a long time that the new model was coming for 2014 and those model years took an especially hard hit. I'm guessing that the depreciation on the 2014's will be slightly less than prior model because now that it's 4matic, the used market for these cars should be slightly better in places like northeast and midwest where awd is a major consideration.

 

I know everyone here owns nice cars, but I have a hard time considering the $160k S63 a 'go anywhere' type of car... It may not get the attention, but has all the same parking issues, etc as the 458, maybe even worse since it's bigger, and others won't be as careful around it... Frankly, any car over 100k to me is a parking concern if worried about door dings, etc... Would you not be concerned at all with a 200k 991tts?

I also wouldn't think of the s63 as a 'weekend' car as you described the 458, but more of a weekday dd... it's big, it's comfortable, but not necessarily 'fun' for weekends...

If parking space is the issue, I'd think of a 911 or sl63 to replace the 458 - much more subtle than the 458, especially in the dark color... per the earlier statement about parking, its always a concern, but maybe less with these... If you want an attention level in-between, then think R8, GTC Speed, 12C...

If parking is available, and it's total value (I get everyone has the cash, some just don't like to have that much in cars..) then look at a used e63, m5, SUV to save the cash, keep the 458, but have an alternative with more utility...

 

No comparison between an S63 and a 458, the S63 is a large sedan not a sports car. With that said I also was not in love with my 458 and recently sold it for a F430 6 spd manual spider maybe it's just me but i'm having fun again...

 

This is exactly what I did after too many years of porsche gt3 and turbo, now I'm very happy with my 458 coupe grigio silverstone!
For the parking, living in Milano (Italy) I have to agree to the fact that it's quite more stressing than a Porsche, but a big Merc is anyway huge fot little italians parking spaces...

Go for a Turbo or trade your 458 for a grey one

 

I think the only place an S class can be fun is on the Autobahn. And you need the S65 AMG for that...simply hunt down anything you want to.

Add to that that the S class will lose almost all of its value to second it was build, not a good choice IMO.

I'd look at a second hand 599, probably in silver or TDF with no badges. Only people that know, know. If it's still uncomfortable replace the foam in the seats with memory foam, any decent shop not named Ferrari can do a top job doing it in 2 days max, and you'll be damn comfortable.

IMO a 599 will not lose much anymore. Especially compared to a 2014 big engine S class. Over 2 years, the 599 will lose maybe 20k. The merc 50. over 5...the 599 30 all in. The merc 100K. That's a lot of money to lose for most people...

 

I have a 458 Spider, and just purchased a MB CL 63 AMG, which is obviously the same car as S63 just Coupe version....VERY comfortable, sound is amazing, very fast, love it, but it is not a 458 Spider

 

Unless you're in the chauffeuring business not sure why anyone would buy an S class Merc, even the AMG version. And then why would you want to do 150 mph in a car weighing 2+ tonnes unless you're evading a kidnap attempt

The chauffeuring service I use for airport runs or being taken to boozy events generally use S class Merc's and are very comfortable for my wife and I to sit in the back of. But I would n't want to drive one let alone buy one. As several people have already pointed out coming from a 458 it would be about 5 mins before getting bored!

While my F430 Spider comes out when the sun shines in England (not that often) my DD is a Porsche Panamera GTS. What a car that is and anyone who has driven one will know what I'm talking about. I know some don't like the look of Panamera but GTS has a mean look and sounds amazing. Plenty of luxury and comfort (don't order sports seats) but turns into a race car when you want it to by clicking a few buttons. Much better than Bentley, Mercedes or BMW equivalents!

 

DD my Spider and use Uber for the club

 

Buy a used FF! Best of both world!

 

RS7

 

Go get a new Quattroporte instead.

 

I have to agree with what a lot of people on here are saying, I have a 2010 S63 as my daily driver with a 2014 S63 on order and it is a fantastic car as a daily driver. I absolutely think it is fun to drive around too because its just incredible to be in something so big and heavy and luxurious but yet to be able to really freakin move when you put your foot down. The 458 spider and f430 spider are just used as weekend warriors for fun and wouldn't ever personally use them as a DD. If at all possible my recommendation is have both