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Why CLS 63 AMG is Popular?

Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 trend Portland, OR

By Editorial
1/21/2026

##Why the Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Is Having a Moment

You've probably seen it on TikTok. A sleek, four-door coupe with those unmistakable "woman's eye" headlights, an aggressive stance, and an exhaust note that sounds like controlled violence. The Mercedes CLS 63 AMG is everywhere right now—not just on social media, but in conversations among people who actually know cars.

This isn't random. The CLS 63 AMG is having a genuine resurgence, and it's not just nostalgia. It's because people are starting to realize what they're about to lose.

The TikTok Effect: How a Mercedes CLS Became Trendy Again

If you've scrolled through car content lately, you've seen the CLS 63. The #cls63 tag has millions of views. Videos showing the car's design, the V8 exhaust, the interior details—they're hitting numbers that most new cars can't touch.

Why? Because the algorithm loves beauty, and the CLS 63 is genuinely beautiful.

One popular TikTok creator (@clshadow063) racked up nearly 2 million likes showing the car's "quiet performance masterpiece" character. Another video called it "the ultimate classic in the making." People are filming the headlights, the four exhaust pipes, the way the roofline slopes like a coupe but still fits four adults comfortably. The CLS looks exotic without trying too hard.

But here's the thing: TikTok didn't make the CLS cool. It just reminded everyone that it always was.

The car debuted in 2004 as the world's first "four-door coupe," a segment that didn't exist before Mercedes created it. Every Audi A7, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, and Porsche Panamera owes its existence to the CLS. It was radical then. It's still striking now.

The Design: Why It Still Turns Heads

The CLS 63 AMG looks like nothing else on the road. Not because it's loud or flashy, but because Mercedes nailed proportions that other brands have been chasing for 20 years.

The silhouette. Long hood, short rear deck, fastback roofline that flows from the windshield to the trunk without interruption. It's coupe-like but not claustrophobic. Elegant but not soft. One YouTube reviewer called it "the pinnacle of Mercedes design," and honestly? Hard to argue.

The front end. Those headlights—shaped like a woman's eye, according to Mercedes designers—give the car an intensity that's almost human. The five power domes on the hood signal AMG performance without needing badges. The wide, aggressive grille says "I'm fast" without screaming.

The rear. Four exhaust pipes. Wide hips. A subtle ducktail spoiler. The CLS 63 looks mean from behind, and when you hear it accelerate away, you understand why.

The interior. Gray leather with contrast stitching. Wood trim. An IWC analog clock in the center stack (because digital was too common). Ambient lighting. Cooled, heated, massaging seats with side bolsters that inflate in corners to hold you in place. Alcantara headliner. This interior feels special in a way that modern Mercedes interiors—dominated by screens—don't anymore.

People on TikTok are filming these details because they're details worth filming. Modern cars have better tech, but they don't have this. The CLS 63 AMG was designed before everything became a screen and a software update.

The Engine: The Last Great Naturally Aspirated AMG V8 (Sort Of)

Here's where it gets good.

The CLS 63 AMG came with two engine options depending on the year:

2007–2011: 6.2L Naturally Aspirated V8 (M156) – 507 horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque. This is the one purists love. No turbos. Just a big V8 that revs to 7,200 RPM and sounds like an apocalypse. It's the same engine that powered the SLS AMG supercar. Mercedes will never build an engine like this again.

2012–2018: 5.5L Twin-Turbo V8 (M157) – 550 horsepower (or 577 hp in the CLS 63 S), 590–663 lb-ft of torque. More power, more torque, more accessible performance. The turbo model is faster in the real world, but it lost some of the naturally aspirated character.

Both are hand-built by a single AMG technician, with their signature on a plaque attached to the engine. Both sound incredible—especially with the AMG performance exhaust. Both will hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds and keep accelerating to an electronically limited 155 mph (or 186 mph with the AMG Driver's Package).

The 6.2L naturally aspirated cars are becoming collectibles because Mercedes stopped making engines like that. The twin-turbo cars are becoming favorites because they're faster, more reliable, and easier to live with daily.

Either way, you're getting a hand-built V8 that sounds better than anything coming out today. Modern AMG engines are turbocharged four-cylinders or hybridized V8s with fake exhaust sound piped through speakers. The CLS 63 AMG V8? That's real. And people are starting to notice.

The Prices: Are They Going Up or Down?

This is where it gets interesting.

Right now, CLS 63 AMG prices are at the bottom of their depreciation curve—or they were until recently. According to auction data, the median sale price for a CLS 63 AMG across 59 tracked sales is around $18,500–$19,000 (roughly £18,547 in UK auctions). The lowest sale recorded was around $6,400, and the highest was $49,646.

That's an insane range, which tells you two things:

  1. Condition and spec matter enormously. A beat-up, high-mileage CLS 63 with deferred maintenance sells for $6k–$10k. A clean, low-mileage example with the P30 Performance Package or the later S model with 4MATIC can hit $30k–$50k.

  2. The market is starting to wake up. Sell-through rates at auction are 76–79%, which means most CLS 63 AMGs that go to auction actually sell. That's higher than average. When sell-through rates climb, it usually signals growing demand.

And anecdotally? Prices are firming up. Clean examples aren't sitting on lots as long as they used to. Buyers who dismissed the CLS 63 as "just another used Mercedes" are starting to realize it's not.

What's driving this?

  • TikTok and social media exposure. Younger buyers (25–35) are discovering the car and realizing it's cooler than anything new in the same price range.
  • The end of naturally aspirated AMG V8s. The 6.2L cars are becoming rare. People want them before they're gone.
  • Comparisons to new cars. A $20k CLS 63 AMG delivers more presence, sound, and driving engagement than a $60k new sedan. That value proposition is hard to ignore.

Will they keep going up?

Probably. Not hypercar-level appreciation, but steady, collectible-level gains. Think E39 BMW M5, B7 Audi RS4, or Lexus IS F—cars that bottomed out around $15k–$25k and are now climbing back to $30k–$50k for clean examples.

If you want a CLS 63 AMG, buy it now. In 3–5 years, the good ones will be harder to find and more expensive.

Why the CLS 63 AMG Makes Sense in Portland

Portland isn't a car city the way LA or Miami is. But it's an enthusiast city. People here appreciate design, engineering, and things that are built to last. The CLS 63 AMG checks all those boxes.

It's practical. Four doors, a decent trunk, comfortable rear seats. You can daily drive it without compromise.

It's fast. 0–60 in under 4 seconds. Enough torque to embarrass most sports cars from a roll.

It's rare. You won't see five of them at every stoplight like you would with a 3 Series or C-Class.

It's analog enough. Hydraulic steering (on early models). Naturally aspirated V8 option. Real buttons and knobs. It feels mechanical in a way modern cars don't.

It's affordable—for now. $30k–$45k for a clean example.

For someone in Portland who wants a performance luxury sedan that stands out, the CLS 63 AMG is one of the smartest buys available.

What to Look for When Buying

If you're serious about a CLS 63 AMG, here's what matters:

Service history. These cars need maintenance. Oil changes, transmission services, brake fluid flushes—Mercedes wants this stuff done on time. A CLS 63 with full dealer service records is worth $5k–$10k more than one with gaps in the history.

Engine type. The 6.2L naturally aspirated (2007–2011) is the enthusiast's choice—more character, better sound, future classic potential. The 5.5L twin-turbo (2012–2018) is faster, more efficient, and has fewer maintenance headaches. Pick based on what you value.

Spec. The P30 Performance Package (early cars) and the CLS 63 S (later cars) add power, upgraded brakes, and better suspension. The 4MATIC models (late 2013+) add all-wheel-drive traction, which is great for Portland winters.

Mileage vs. condition. Don't be afraid of mileage if the service history is clean. A 80,000-mile CLS 63 with 20 service records beats a 30,000-mile car with three oil changes and a sketchy CarFax.

Common issues. Head bolts on the 6.2L engine (expensive fix), transmission mounts, air suspension leaks, and electronics gremlins. None are deal-breakers if addressed, but factor them into the price.

The Bottom Line: Buy It Before Everyone Else Does

The CLS 63 AMG is having a moment, and it's not a fad. People are realizing this car represents the end of an era—hand-built naturally aspirated V8s, elegant design without excess, performance without needing a laptop to diagnose.

TikTok exposed it. The market is responding. Prices are starting to firm up. In 5 years, clean CLS 63 AMGs will be $40k–$60k cars, and people will wonder why they didn't buy one when they were $20-30k.

At Prime Motors Co, we understand what makes cars like the CLS 63 AMG special. We source them carefully, check the service history, and make sure you're buying a car that's been properly maintained. If you're looking for a CLS 63 AMG in Portland, we can help you find the right one.

Prime Motors Co
2627 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
(971) 512-0578
sales@primemotorco.com
primemotorco.com

Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10AM–7PM (PDT)

The CLS 63 AMG isn't just a used Mercedes. It's the last of something great. And people are finally starting to notice.