63C Closing of Ownership Document

[Needsnewtyres2]

I have loved every second of my C63 since the day I got it brand new in 2019, so I never imagined I would sell it. I had originally placed an order for the C43, but the factory cancelled it due to construction delays. My wife and I were impressed by the C43's quietness and comfort on our test drive.

I had a BMW M140i, but I had to return it due to a slew of problems; I really doubt I would have been able to win it without auto financing.) So here I was, back in the driver's seat once again.

Then, with the help of man-made mathematics, I determined that a C63 was within my budget. It took two weeks after phoning the same dealership for them to confirm that they had a cancelled C63 sedan; I then picked it up without ever seeing it. What I heard about and saw at the first startup was incredible. The neutral grey colour made it blend in with other vehicles; in fact, two inebriated men at a wedding mistakenly thought I was their cab!

There was generally decent ownership. At first, the self-driving features gave me trouble; it would occasionally veer onto the shoulder without my input. One of the sensors had a layer of grease on it, so fixing it took some time. Not long after that, the central column's ash wood split. That caused a rift with the lead mechanic, who blamed the fact that I had removed the trim on my own, although I believe it was because to the previous sensor work. They replaced it under warranty after some escalation, but I was still unimpressed.

There was a leak on both sides of the rear shocks, therefore they were changed under warranty. After a few months, the replacement likewise stopped working; Mercedes declined to provide a replacement; and finally, the dealership said everything was fine. Finally, a front coolant hose started to rub and develop a tiny hairline crack shortly after the warranty expired, which was the last problem I had. Fixing that cost approximately £690.

As a landscape photographer, I enjoy getting away for extended periods of time to try to capture the perfect shot; this has taken me on some amazing journeys to northern France, Scotland, and Wales.

The 47k miles I've gone through three sets of front tires and, I believe, four sets of rear tires speaks for itself. The car has been enjoyed sensibly, but once warmed up, it runs smoothly, etc.

My alarm went off at 4 in the morning, and I left Dumbarton for the Isle of Harris and Lewis by car after mapping out my route on my phone and sending it to the GPS. I passed through Glencoe on the way. Quite a spectacle, since it occurred during a prescribed burn. When you include in all the different kinds of wildlife, the trip was painfully slow until I noticed my satnav had led me to the wrong port! According to the harbour master, I have a very slim chance of making my actual ferry on Skye. It was the best drive I've ever had, and I had to remove the recording, but I got to the right port with an extra hour to spare. So far, it's the only instance where my Apple Watch tracked a workout while I was behind the wheel.

I did notice one strange thing, though: halfway through long, sweeping corners, the steering would sometimes feel a little lighter. It seemed strange, and it isn't constant either.

With seven years of ownership and somewhat more than 47,000 miles, I find that to be quite satisfactory. The positives much exceed the negatives, and the operating expenses I've faced on several incredible road trips have been remarkable 😀.

Like I said before, I intended to retain this vehicle because I loved it so much. A wonderful, comfy all-arounder, that's what it is. Perfect for long vehicle rides and yobbish occasions with its raucous, tail-happy nature.

Surprises in life...

However, things happen, and I was unanticipatedly admitted to the hospital for surgery and diagnosed with terminal cancer a little over six weeks ago. I won't go into depth because no one here knows me and because we're talking about automobiles, not health problems. Please don't start a new post or use phrases like "sorry to hear your news" when responding to this one; I've already "parked it" or moved on from this matter.

Stop with all the bad news already! 😀

Now that I'm not working, I want to make the most of my time by spending it with loved ones, making new memories, and doing new things.

My first order of business after finalising my will and calculating my estate was to purchase a new vehicle to replace my wife's ageing Peugeot 208. She just got the keys to her adorable new Renault R4 yesterday, and she's already fallen head over heels for the vehicle. My number one concern is making sure she is safe and has people who will stand by her side no matter what.

The focus shifted to myself because I wanted to do something really out there and outrageous to boost my spirits on bad days, so I acted very selfishly and made it about me. We will both miss the C63, but thankfully my wife gets it.

Accompanying the R4 at the dealership was a matte-blue Alpine A110R that had already been registered. Without hesitation, I gave in and placed a deposit; two weeks later, I went for a test drive in a GTS. A plusher interior, softer suspension, and anti-roll bars were added to the GTS, which had the same power (~300bhp). Featuring a six-point harness and increased weight reduction, the R is slightly more extreme. With my weight loss, the total will be less than 1,112 kg; it will be quite the rocket.

I won't even bother trying to compare it to the C63 because it is plainly a whole different beast.

The A110 had a unique level of feedback and was easy to use, which were two of its redeeming qualities. Just getting fastened is an adventure in and of itself, but I am ill-prepared for dealing with tolls and parking lot booths 😆.

Sure, it has a 4-cylinder engine and uses some vintage Renault gearbox. I couldn't help but giggle when I noticed that the air conditioning controls were identical to those on my trusty Clio RS EDC 200. The radio controls, which resemble those of a van, are actually pretty hilarious considering the price tag. Unfortunately, the quality of the rear camera is just as bad as the one on the R4, which is very comical. The remainder has an enjoyable, high-quality, or meaningful vibe to it.

Personally, I find that to be an appealing aspect. The pops and bangs in sport and track are really fake, but other than that, it's not as awful as you might imagine. Inside, you can hear some cool noises like the turbo and air intake. Most significantly, the test drive confirmed that it meets my needs for a more authentic, unfiltered, and immediate experience. Working in technology my whole life, I am completely unconcerned with its features and shortcomings. My plan is to take the car out on scenic rural roads on days when I need a break from reality, and then, when I'm in shape enough, to undertake a few of track days.

(Alright, I'll admit that I'll miss the C63's 360-degree camera vision, but the carbon wheels will definitely be a pain.)

It is appreciated...

In addition to leaving some photos of the old and new, I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped me out on this topic. Photos in postings are something I really enjoy, though I don't post that much overall. A lot of individuals have helped me out by responding to my enquiries, although I'm not very mechanically inclined. I've also loved perusing other people's vehicles and reading about their modifications, adventures, etc. This forum is among the most welcoming I've ever seen; there are very few trolls and no egos here, which speaks volumes about the members of this online community.

[Rudy7831]

Good job on the article!
I respect your courage and hope the best for you and your loved ones, even if I realise this is a vehicle forum. Remain resilient! (It seems unlikely that we can remain silent in this situation.)
Coming back to the topic of autos, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the daring journey to board the ferry.
Please tell me more about this new wild vehicle.

[BENZE220AMG]

Fantastically well-written and really easy to read; I usually skim lengthy postings at work due to a lack of motivation and time constraints, but this one drew me in so thoroughly that I finished reading it all.

Having been in your position, I would have done the same thing. The new beast is so drastically different from the C63; I hope you take plenty of pictures and enjoy the ride.

[SD1too]

It would be interesting to learn about your new experiences with the Alpine, and I appreciate your fantastic evaluation.

[DMGRS]

As someone who is still on the mend after a stroke in February, I completely get the curveball viewpoint; but, I am in love with the A110 and may look into purchasing one in the future; therefore, I would really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter.

[another_clean_sheet]

Great job, dude!

Spend as much time as you can in your French fantasy.
May your trip be filled with success.

[HOV]

An excellent piece of writing. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family, but I must respectfully disagree with your courteous request. What a remarkable outlook you possess.

Delight in the portable rocket. Last year's brief laps at Knockhill were fantastic. In fact, yours will surpass mine. 🥳