Mercedes C63 AMG Performance Package (2008) CAR review

The Mercedes C63 AMG Performance Package costs £3210 and promises to turn the four-door saloon from Affalterbach into an M3 beater. For your money you get uprated brakes and suspension, a limited slip differential and a steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather and Alcantara.

Shouldn’t that kit be standard on the Mercedes C63 AMG?

It’s a good point. The £3210 premium pushes the C63 to £54,645, or nearly £5k clear of the M3 saloon – a car that comes as standard with an LSD and three-stage adjustable suspension. However, if you are set on getting a C63 and will drive it hard, we reckon it’s £3k well spent.

The Mercedes has 150lb ft torque more than the M3. Under most road conditions you’ll never notice the standard C63’s lack of a slip diff, but get to the track and turn off the traction control and it really struggles to put down the power. In fact, even with the LSD fitted, the C63 still struggles to put down all that shove, but at least it’s a whole lot more entertaining and a lot less frustrating.

Likewise, why wouldn’t you want better brakes? The difference between the standard and Performance Package brakes isn’t as pronounced as between standard and PP suspension settings, but the extra performance and firmer pedal feel is welcome.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Merc C63 AMG Performance Package first drive

Scroll down the page to the embedded video player below to see how the regular Merc C63 matches up against the M3 saloon and Lexus IS-F