Detailer's Domain: Almost New C63 Prep

[Detailers Domain]

This car belongs to a very good customer of mine. The car came to me with 200 miles on it pretty much brand new. The customer wanted to make sure it was perfect and protected, as well as install clear film on it.

Some info on the MB C63

The Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG is the most potent version of the German automaker's C-Class sedan. The car delivers a whopping 457 horsepower, putting it comfortably ahead of BMW's all-new M3. With that amount of performance on tap, and a price to match the M3, Mercedes looks to steal at least a few sales away from its cross-country rival.

(Click here to use Leftlane's Price Quote Form to get Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG pricing information from a trusted local dealer. Zero obligation)

In typical AMG fashion, the C63 features large performance-oriented tires and wheels, an aggressive bodykit, a much sportier interior, and suspension and chassis improvements.

Unlike the M3's small displacement V8, the C63 uses a big 6.2L V8. The C63's powerplant is good for 443 lb-ft of torque and 457 horsepower. The torque curve of the engine is just as impressive as its output: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap - ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

The sprint to 62 mph takes a scant 4.5 seconds according to Mercedes -- and that's likely a conservative estimate: real world acceleration is typically even quicker than claimed times.

Maximum torque of 443 pound-feet comes at 5000 rpm. The torque curve is equally impressive: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap -- ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

A new seven-speed AMG automatic transmission with paddle shifting provides a wide range of driving modes. The different modes are "S" (Sport), " C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual). Gearshifts in "S" mode are around 30 percent faster than in "C", and no less than around 50 percent faster in "M" mode.

The C 63 AMG owes its outstanding handling dynamics to the AMG sports suspension and an all-new three-link front axle design. The stiff configuration of the springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers ensures optimal road contact and low body movements when negotiating serpentine bends at speed.

The new front axle has a 35-millimetre wider track - visible by the more widely flared wheel arches - and therefore ensures lower dynamic wheel loads when cornering.

The front brakes have size 360 x 36-millimeter discs with six-piston fixed callipers, while deceleration at the rear is handled by 330 x 26-millimeter discs with four-piston fixed callipers.

The Electronic Stability Program offers a variety of settings. In "ESP ON" mode, the onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque. Briefly pressing the ESP key activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic threshold. Prolonged pressure on the ESP key activates "ESP OFF," whereby there is no intervention.

Pricing

There is no doubt that Mercedes-Benz is squarely taking aiming at BMW's M3 with its all-new C63 AMG Sedan, and that rivalry will be reflected in the car's price. Mercedes has announced that its C63 AMG will come with a base sticker price of $53,800 -- the exact same price of entry for BMW's M3 sedan.

Products used:
Exterior:
Optimum Car Wash
Uber Boar's Hair Wash Brush 7 inch
Swissvax Yellow Clay Bar and Optimum Instant Detail Spray and Gloss Enhancer
Einszett Spray Wax
P21S Finish Restorer Metal Polish (on the tips)
Menzerna PO85RD
Swissvax Cleaner Fluid
Swissvax Divine

Wheels and tires:
P21S Wheel Cleaner Gel
Swissvax Wheel Brush
Uber Wheel Brush
Uber Spoke Brush
Swissvax Pneu
Swissvax Autobahn

Interior and Glass
Leather Master Strong Cleaner
Leather Master Protection Cream
Einszett Cockpit
Lusso Glass Polish
Einszett Plastic/Vinyl Cleaner

Tools:
Infratech 5300
Metabo PE12-175
The Uber Foam Pads (5.5inch)
Tons of "Uber" Microfiber Towels
Uber Drying Towels
Brushes
Metro Vac
Gilmour Foam Gun

200 miles on this one


I'll start with the interior first...

Before shots:






Cleaning it up




After shots:



Before shot of the door jamb


And an in progress after shot.. (sorry the only one I had some spots still on the right)


Before shots and prep work
Prep
Pretty dirty for a car with 200 miles







P21S wheel gel doing its job


Wheel brushes in action




P21S Total Auto Wash on the bugs and on some of the areas which required more bite




Sorry no wash shots it was getting hot and I had to just get it done....

Claying


Jambs were cleaned up with Einszett Spray Wax



Gas Cover Before:


After


Pictures of the car prior to clear film install after polishing



preparing install




Swissvax Divine after the clear film install


after shots:

Love clean wheel shots



Random shots inside



Outside shots













Enjoy!

[Excitmnt94]

as always...great work! i have a mere 255 miles on the 135i and i have cleaned my wheels 3 times already. the amount of brake dust produced in the inital stages of break in is alarming.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Damn that's a pretty car

[Detailers Domain]

thanks guys

[Qunadry]

How does a car get that bad after only 200 miles?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

How does a car get that bad after only 200 miles?

Probably dealer washes and sitting on the lot for a few days. Each time I take my car to the dealer and they wash it, it comes back with horrible swirls. I've had to ask that they never wash it and confirm it both at drop off and when they call to say it's ready.

The detail work here is great, and a really nice post on the process and products used, thanks! I really like the wheels, for some reason AMG cars seem to be able to pull off wheels that wouldn't look good on many other cars. Great looking car and terrific detailing.