New vs. Used: Can a $21K Mercedes E63 AMG Keep up With a $116K One?
Thanks to depreciation, used luxury cars from brands like Mercedes-Benz can be surprisingly affordable. And not just ‘regular’ Mercedes models, but AMG ones, too. But is a used AMG genuinely comparable to a brand-new one? Not just in terms of luxury, but performance, too? YouTube team Throttle House wanted to find out. So, the co-hosts headed to the street and track with a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and a 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S.
A used 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is still a fast luxury car today
For the 2010 model year, Mercedes-Benz released a new E-Class generation, the W212. And the same year, it also released an AMG version: the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.
Although it mostly relies on forced induction these days, in 2010 AMG still relied heavily on large-displacement naturally-aspirated engines. And that’s exactly the kind of engine the 2010 E63 AMG uses. Under its hood is a hand-built 6.2-liter V8 rated at 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. That power goes to the rear wheels via a seven-speed multi-clutch automatic and an optional limited-slip differential. And with it, the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG goes 0-60 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds, Car and Driver reports.
The V8 powertrain isn’t the only upgrade the 2010 E63 AMG has over the standard W212 E-Class, though. It has larger anti-roll bars, a wider front axle, as well as stiffer suspension components. The E63 AMG also has quicker steering than the base car, and larger brakes; carbon-ceramic ones were optional. Plus, an optional Performance Package added a stiffer front anti-roll bar, different tuning on the standard adaptive dampers, lighter wheels, and a higher top speed.
However, because the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is based on the W212 E-Class, it’s not just a performance car. It has luxury features, too, such as self-leveling rear air springs, leather upholstery, power-operated trunk, and navigation. The E63 AMG in the Throttle House video has sport seats with active bolsters, heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. And the owner only paid the equivalent of $21,000 for it.
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S benefits from more power and newer tech
4.4 seconds to 60 mph is still fairly quick. But in a straight line, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is faster still. Fast enough that MotorTrend called the wagon version a “bloodthirsty animal.” And the sedan version isn’t any slower.
Like the 2010 car, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has a V8. It’s a 4.0-liter V8, but it comes with two turbochargers. As a result, it makes 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels via standard AWD and a nine-speed automatic. According to Car and Driver, that’s good for a 2.8-second 0-60 mph time.
Some of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S’s features mirror those on the 2010 car. Carbon-ceramic brakes are still optional, while adaptive dampers and a performance exhaust are still standard. However, the 2021 car has air springs on all four wheels, rather than just the rear ones. The limited-slip differential is now electronically controlled. And while both cars have launch control, the 2021 E63 S has Drift Mode.
The benefits of a decade of technological development are arguably best demonstrated inside. Like the 2010 model, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S has leather upholstery, heated and ventilated sport seats, and navigation. However, the multi-function steering wheel now houses the drive, transmission, and suspension mode selectors. The gauge cluster is digital and the center screen is a touchscreen. And the 2021 car also comes with a full advanced driver-assistance suite.
Modernity, though, comes at a price. As standard, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S starts at $107,500. The example in the Throttle House video has features like an expanded ADAS suite, larger wheels, a microsuede headliner, and pinstriped lacquered wood trim. That bumps the sticker price up to roughly $116,000.
New or used, both luxury performance sedans are “just so creaking good,” Throttle House says
On the drag strip, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S is noticeably faster than the 2010 car. The only way the older car can win is if the new one turns off all its electronic driver aids. And while both AMGs are hilarious fun to drift around a track, the new one is sharper, more precise, and feels smaller when you push it. Also, 11 years of use have left the 2010 car with noticeable interior creaks.
However, the 2010 car has its charming points. There’s the sound of the naturally-aspirated V8 and the “brutish” way it handles, Throttle House explains. And while some of its electronics are dated, it’s not far behind in terms of overall luxury. Plus, you can find good-condition W212-gen E63 AMGs on Autotrader for a quarter of the price of the 2021 car.
In the end, Throttle House couldn’t find a significant flaw with either the new or the used car. So, while the used AMG is slower than the new version, it’s not necessarily worse.
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