Corrado

Agree with both @Big Rat whose concerns with older CVTs I share and with @Linas.P that I'd need to drive one of the new e-CVT equipped cars 😀

The gearboxes in the RC300h and GS450h aren't quite the same though, are they? I'm sure the RC's e-CVT is at least one generation newer and given the "illusion" of a conventional transmission sounds much more acceptable. ETA - I didn't know the GS450h also had an earlier form of e-CVT though. Thanks @Linas.P

Beautiful car Gib, I guess you're not using it as a daily? I remember reading on PH you were interested in one when the non-existent Unity Oxford offer was withdrawn due to an error. Interested in your initial impressions?

I know asking price does not equal selling price but last week I noticed that my old IS-F is up for sale at almost exactly the same price I paid for it three years ago! (Due to an increase in asking price by £1,250 since going on sale last week.)

The reviewers are right about the gearbox imho. CVT gearboxes in general are dire so make sure you're ok with the gearbox if you're considering switching.

Very true!

Great photos, you can probably guess from my username I've owned a Corrado in the past 😀

Congrats on the new purchase. Enjoy!

Good luck with the sale, looks like a very nice example.

@Flytvr It certainly does, it doesn't sound as contrived as on the A45 AMG and it's relatively unintrusive inside the car until you floor it so it's perfect for me.

Wow, I hope he gets a satisfactory outcome. I do have 18s on mine. I did hear there are a lot of issues with the 19s. Out of interest @Big Rat what did you think of the C63 gearbox (before or after the software update) after driving your friend's?

Indeed, coming from a Lexus it's crazy how fruity the standard exhaust is! It is nice not having to ring its neck to get those noises though but if you drive gently it's not noticeably louder than the IS-F 👍

Thank you, I certainly hope so 😀 . I'm not expecting (but hoping for getting close to) Lexus reliability levels but time will tell.

Thanks, I agree, I didn't even consider the saloon version.

Thanks, will do 😀

Yes, I'm aware of issues with the leather seats. Mine are ok now but will see how long they hold up for. I agree regarding the ubiquity of MBs, BMWs and Audis at the moment.

@Big Rat haha that's true! For what it's worth I have a two year Mercedes warranty on it but you only find out how good a warranty is when you need it. What issues has your mate had with his and what year is his? My research led me to believe there are no major issues with the facelift model engine. Head bolts were the main issue on older ones. I can feel some difference in actual build quality as opposed to perceived build quality that the Germans are so good at.

No problem :) I didn't mention running costs but I'm pretty sure Lexus wins that one!

Quick exhaust clip - decent speakers or headphones recommended as it sounds rubbish on my iPhone's speakers. https://youtu.be/Q1TGRwLt0E8 <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q1TGRwLt0E8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here are my first impressions after three days and 560 miles in the C63 AMG. Bear in mind I am comparing a 2008 IS-F with a car six years younger so I have tried to be as objective as possible. Ride - I may be wrong but I don't think it is solely due to having 18" wheels as opposed to 19" on the IS-F but the ride feels better damped. In the IS-F the suspension used to rebound a couple of times which I had gotten used to but bumps and imperfections in the road are less intrusive in the C63. Don't get me wrong, it's still a firm ride though. As my IS-F was a 2008 model it's an unfair comparison as the ride is supposed to be improved on the later IS-Fs. Handling - when the C63 was facelifted in 2012 the suspension was improved significantly so although I've not pushed it too hard yet it feels slightly more planted than the IS-F. Again an unfair comparison as the suspension was improved in the later IS-Fs. I've not experienced any wheelspin in the C63 yet so it's not as tail happy in the wet as the motoring press like to make out. Economy - IS-F wins easily. I saw an indicated 25mpg (calculated was slightly less) in the C63 on a steady motorway drive I normally get 28-29 mpg from in the IS-F. The extra gear in the IS-F helps with this obviously but there is more engine braking when lifting off in top gear (7th) in the C63 than when lifting off in 8th in the F. I suppose this is due to 8th being a much taller gear. Equipment/Technology - The AMG is a 2014 model so ignoring where tech has moved on I'd say Lexus wins here. In absolute terms I have lost keyless entry/start and radar guided cruise control (radar guided bit is an extra, I just have standard cruise). I have gained bluetooth music streaming, USB integration and hard drive based sat nav (all three standard in the later IS-F anyway). Transmission - I always thought the F's transmission was underrated anyway and the C63's was similarly rated by the motoring press. There are three gearbox auto modes (comfort, sport and sport plus) as well as fully manual and a 'race start' launch control. Auto downshifts are not as smooth as the F but the facelifted C63 allegedly has a much improved transmission where it went from a torque converter auto like in the F to a Speedshift MCT - which is not a multi clutch like DSG or PDK (despite being called MCT) but uses a wet clutch instead of a torque converter. I'll need to drive it more to come up with a verdict for this bit. Engine/noise/performance - Both cars' engines are masterpieces in their own right. The secondary intake induction noise at engine speeds over 3700rpm in the F sounds better than the induction noise in the C63. The C63 seems to have more low down and mid range torque - down to the extra 1.2 litres of engine capacity I would guess. The C63 seems quicker revving or more free revving as well. Also, the 6.2 engine is artificially restricted to 457bhp to stop the C63 being faster than more expensive AMG models with the same engine. A remap removes the artificial restriction (throttle is limited to 65-75% opening depending on where you read) adding around 50bhp but I'll hold off for now. It does feel a little quicker than the F by my seat of the pants reckoning. Exhaust - I'm sure everyone knows already but the OEM exhaust on the C63 is loud! Interestingly, it's not louder than the F (inside the car at least) when pottering about but it really sounds great with cracks, pops and bangs when flooring it or auto blipping on downshifts although inside the car is much quieter than I expected - the noise is mostly on the outside. I'll add a quick clip. Practicality - my reason for changing cars - mine's an estate so decent load space, folding rear seats and seating for three in the back. I also think a debadged estate is more discreet. I deliberately avoided black and white C63s and went for boring silver. (Sorry don't mean to restart the colour debate again!) I will just add the front seats in the C63 are awesome though! That's the end of this brain dump for now, if I think of anything more I'll add to this thread.

993 911 and NSX.

I made sure my new car has 18s rather than 19s to ensure the ride is reasonable. I must be getting old!

True - I had mine since July 2014 so almost three years though.

I've bought a 2014 C63 AMG estate. Last of the NA 6.2 engines. I'll do a comparison post soon. Gutted the ISF has gone but needed 3 seats in the back plus more flexible boot space - otherwise I would have bought wendle's RC-F!

My now gone black 2008 which was about to hit 80k mileage may come up for sale soon - if anyone is interested pm me. I part ex'd it only yesterday.