Back to catalog
Top issues
13 known problems · 3 high
high
Cylinder head bolt failure (early engines)
6.2L M156 V8, 336kW (C63 AMG, Edition 63)
high
Camshaft lobe and lifter wear
6.2L M156 V8, 336kW (C63 AMG, Edition 63)
high
Stuck fuel injectors
6.2L M156 V8, 336kW (C63 AMG, Edition 63)
Recalls
3 on recordPRA 2018/16814
2018-05-30
Defect: Takata airbag inflator propellant can degrade with age, heat and humidity, so the metal inflator housing can rupture in a crash.
Hazard: Metal fragments may be thrown at occupants, risking serious injury or death.
Remedy: Free replacement of the airbag inflator through a Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Affected: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 204, MY2008-2011 (driver and passenger airbags); 25,351 vehicles across C-Class 204 and R-Class 251. Check the VIN.
Official notice: www.productsafety.gov.au · details checked 2026-11-09
REC-000908
2018-02-14
Defect: The driver airbag can trigger without obvious cause through electrostatic discharge if the steering column is badly grounded and the column switch module is already damaged or faulty.
Hazard: Increased risk of injury to the driver and of an accident.
Remedy: Inspection and rectification free of charge at an authorised Mercedes-Benz retailer.
Affected: A, B and C Class 2012-2017, 96,076 vehicles, VIN list on the notice. A secondary source says C63 AMG sedans from March 2012 are included; check the VIN list. (unverified)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-11-09
REC-003337
2010-11-19
Defect: Fluid can leak at the connection between the high-pressure line and the power steering pump, causing a whining pump and higher steering effort when parking.
Hazard: Higher than normal steering forces, particularly during parking manoeuvres.
Remedy: Owners contacted by letter; dealer checks the connection and repairs it free of charge if required.
Affected: Mercedes-Benz sedan and coupe models 204, 212 and 207; 4,833 vehicles. Build range not on the notice; check the VIN. (unverified)
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-11-09
Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Before and after
Before: Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG (W203, supercharged V6)
After: Mercedes-AMG C63 / C63 S (W205, 4.0L twin-turbo V8, 2015 on)
Price (AUD)
$32k-$70k (unverified)
Body styles
Sedan (W204), Wagon (S204 Estate), Coupe (C204, late 2011 on)
Drivetrain
RWD
Origin
Germany
Built in
Germany
Overview
The last naturally aspirated AMG C-Class: the hand-built M156 6.2L V8 (badged '6.3' in marketing) in a compact rear-drive body. Sold in Australia from March 2008 as a sedan and S204 wagon; the C204 coupe followed in late 2011. The Series II update arrived in May 2011 (new face, stiffer suspension, and the AMG Speedshift MCT wet-clutch gearbox in place of the 7G-Tronic torque-converter auto). Special versions sold here: the Australia-only 'Edition 63' (63 cars, from November 2009: same 336kW but with a rear diff adding 40% locking effect and 19-inch wheels), the Performance Pack (358kW, announced October 2010 at $14,000, replaced in 2013), and the Edition 507 (373kW, on sale September-October 2013). The C63 AMG Coupe Black Series (380kW/620Nm) came in 2012 at $245,000 plus on-road costs, but only 32 cars were allocated to Australia and it sold out in 2011, so you will rarely see a genuine one; treat any 'Black Series' ad with suspicion and check the compliance plate and VIN. Early M156 engines (reported on 2008-2011 builds) can break cylinder head bolts; guides call it rare, but it is the one that matters because the bill is an engine. Camshaft/lifter wear, injector and manifold faults and very dear brakes and tyres sit behind it. Dealer servicing and parts are expensive, so budget for a Mercedes/AMG specialist and a thorough pre-purchase inspection. No towing figures are given here: the one source that lists one (CarsGuide) shows 0kg, which we have not confirmed.
Engines & variants
6.2L M156 V8, 336kW (C63 AMG, Edition 63)
Engine
Hand-built AMG DOHC 32-valve naturally aspirated V8, 6208cc
Engine code
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
6208cc
Power
336kW @ 6800rpm
Torque
600Nm @ 5000rpm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
4.5s (sedan, 7G-Tronic); 4.6s (wagon)
Economy
13.5 L/100km combined (7G-Tronic, ADR 80/01); 12.1 L/100km combined (MCT, ADR 81/02) (unverified)
Transmission
7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic auto (2008-2011), 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT wet-clutch auto (Series II, from May 2011)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 with instant response and a genuine soundtrack
- Sedan, wagon and (from late 2011) coupe bodies: a real family-capable performance car
- Late-2011 MCT car uses noticeably less fuel on the ADR cycle (12.1 vs 13.5 L/100km)
- Values have fallen a long way from the $144k-$155k new price
- Edition 63 adds a locking rear diff (40% extra locking under load)
Cons
- Early engines can snap cylinder head bolts: rare, but the repair is an engine job
- Camshaft lobe and lifter wear is a known top-end risk if oil changes were stretched
- Front brakes, rear tyres and dealer servicing are expensive; real-world fuel use is high
- Most cars have an open diff, which makes the rear snatchy on the limit and in the wet
- Dealer parts and labour costs are high; many owners use a specialist
Known problems
high
Cylinder head bolt failure (early engines)
Early M156 engines (reported on 2008-2011 builds) can snap cylinder head bolts, which leads to head gasket failure and engine damage. UK and Australian guides describe it as rare, and one says it is more common in the USA than Europe. Mercedes is reported to have replaced engines under warranty. An owner forum claim that 2012 and later engines have revised parts and avoid the fault is a single unverified post, so do not rely on year alone. Signs: coolant loss, white smoke, overheating, misfire.
Fix: Buy on a pre-purchase inspection by an AMG/Mercedes specialist including a cooling-system pressure test and a compression or leak-down test, and ask what has been done to the engine. Walk away from any car with unexplained coolant loss.
high
Camshaft lobe and lifter wear
Owner/reviewer-reported: worn cam lifters wear the camshaft lobes, causing a ticking or rough running; the cure is a top-end rebuild with new cams and lifters. A used-car review for Australian buyers says parts may need replacing by about 150,000 km and that 5,000 km oil changes help. UK guides call the fault rare.
Fix: Insist on proof of frequent oil changes (not the long factory interval), listen for valvetrain tick when warm, and have a specialist inspect it. Use an independent specialist for the repair, who is much cheaper than a dealer.
medium
Cam phaser rattle on start-up
Owner/reviewer-reported: a rattle for a second or two at cold start from worn cam adjusters (phasers). A single Australian used review gives the dealer price quoted; we could not confirm it elsewhere. Ignore a cold-start rattle and the camshaft and chain wear follow.
Fix: Replace the phasers (aftermarket kits exist) and check the timing chain and tensioners at the same time.
high
Stuck fuel injectors
Injectors can stick open and flood a cylinder with fuel. In the worst case hydraulic lock bends or breaks a conrod. Two guides mention it; one suggests replacing injectors ahead of failure if the budget allows.
Fix: Check for misfire, fuel smell and fuel dilution in the oil; have the injectors tested or replaced by a specialist before buying a high-km car.
medium
Intake manifold leaks and valve cover oil leaks
Cracked or leaking intake manifolds cause a rough idle (a warning sign cited in UK and Australian guides). Valve cover oil leaks are also reported by owners. Aftermarket kits exist for both.
Fix: Check idle quality, look for oil around the valve covers, and budget for an aftermarket manifold and valve cover kit.
medium
Facelift (MCT) gearbox heat
A UK buying guide says the Series II front bumper restricts airflow to the radiators, so the gearbox can overheat under hard driving. Its suggested fix is the Black Series cooling upgrade with a Black Series bumper, and it says the parts could be expensive. A second UK guide calls the transmission extremely reliable and reports no MCT faults. Single-source on the overheating.
Fix: Check the gearbox for overheating warnings on a long, spirited drive, ask for a transmission service record, and have it scanned for stored faults. Ask a specialist about the cooling upgrade if it is a track or hard-driven car.
medium
Brakes and rear tyres wear fast
The car's weight and power wear front pads, discs and rear tyres quickly. Australian used-car review says AMG brakes are very expensive to maintain and many owners fit aftermarket systems. Performance Pack and 507 cars have larger or composite front discs that cost more again.
Fix: Check disc and pad thickness and tyre age and matching brands before buying, and price the brake work into your offer.
medium
Power steering line leak and hose chafing
Official: a 2010 recall covered fluid loss at the power steering pump high-pressure line connection on W204/W212/C207 cars (see Recalls). Owner-reported: a power steering hose can chafe through the sump.
Fix: Check for oil or fluid weeping around the pump and sump, confirm the recall work was done, and inspect the hose routing.
6.2L M156 V8, 358kW (Performance Pack)
Engine
Uprated M156: forged pistons from the SLS AMG, new conrods, lighter crank, new variable intake manifold, rev limit raised to 7200rpm
Engine code
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
6208cc
Power
358kW @ 6800rpm
Torque
600Nm @ 5000rpm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
4.4s (unverified)
Transmission
7-speed AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic auto, 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT wet-clutch auto (Series II)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- 22kW more power than the standard car, with a 7200rpm limit
- Larger front discs and 19-inch wheels as part of the pack
- Fitted from the factory as a $14,000-$14,990 option, so the extra output is real, not a tune
Cons
- Same engine risks as the standard car, plus higher performance parts cost
- Larger brakes and wheels cost more to replace
- Check that the pack is genuine: some ads claim power figures the car does not have
Known problems
medium
Verify the Performance Pack is genuine
Australian owners report ads with made-up power figures (a suspicious '380kW' claim on a pack car and a 'Black Series' that was not one). The pack is a factory option on the standard C63 with 358kW and the engine and brake changes listed above.
Fix: Confirm through an AMG specialist or Mercedes-Benz Australia from the VIN and build plate that the car left the factory with the pack.
6.2L M156 V8, 373kW (Edition 507)
Engine
Performance Pack engine with Black Series-derived components and new ECU calibration
Engine code
Config
V8 NA
Displacement
6208cc
Power
373kW @ 6800rpm
Torque
610Nm @ 5200rpm
Drivetrain
RWD
0–100
4.2s (sedan, coupe); 4.3s (wagon)
Transmission
7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT wet-clutch auto
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strongest regular-production C63 sold here, with 373kW and 610Nm
- Includes an aluminium bonnet, composite front discs and a revised gearbox calibration
- Built late (2013), after the Series II revisions
Cons
- Priced $14,507 above a standard C63 when new
- Limited run, so choice is small
- Same dealer-servicing costs as every C63