AMG E63S vs. BMW M5 Battle Rages On
Performance between the AMG E63 S and BMW M5 is closer than ever. So, how do we know which is better if the only weak point is the driver?
It used to be that BMW and AMG had two very different approaches when it came to their super sedans. BMW took a methodical approach; they made sure they used speed efficiently, and they used the utmost precision when taking corners. AMG, on the other hand, battled BMW by sliding around the corners, and thundering down the straights.
Battle Modes
With the current pair of cars still very much head to head, the dynamic has changed very much. No one would argue that BMW is down on straight-line speed, and AMG has reigned in the wayward ways of their RWD cars. Both are in a battle of numbers for power, acceleration, and lateral Gs. Take a look at this drag comparison from TheMotoristSA below:
Humans are imperfect, so when these two machines are tested head to head, the similar performance will more often than not result in exposing a bad driver, rather than a bad car. So, how do we break it down?
What Our Members Have to Say
Well, in our MB World forums, where we initally spotted this video, our members pointed out that location and conditions matter, for one. Forum member limeypride had this to say:
“The perf stats when stock seem to go back and forth depending on who you ask so I’m gonna hedge my bets and say they’re incredibly close across various straight-line performance tests. In the handling department, I liked my F10 M5s a lot but loved my F06 M6 GCs–the latter managed to shed its weight around the corners, it was predictable and you knew when it was about to let go. In my opinion and after 2-3 weeks of driving it, the E63 handles brilliantly… I don’t understand why some of the reviews say otherwise… c’est la vie. My only observation is–having now experienced it letting go–I didn’t know it was about to. Perhaps more time with the car will attune my senses/handling observations to this car’s behaviors but the weather’s preventing me from exploring that further right now.”
Each car’s traction control could react differently from one surface to another, and location is a double whammy for two reasons— air density and fuel. Air density is thicker closer to sea level, and it’s no secret that cars lose some power as elevation increases. But fuel is another matter, as highlighted by Stealth7:
“Typically, if you put higher Octane in a stock car than the Octane for which it was factory tuned, the car does not have higher performance. It may have extra protection against detonation under heat and loads (knock, etc.), but not more power. You need the car tuned for more power. So putting 93 in a OEM 91 car should not provide more power.”
Some locations simply don’t have access to 93 octane fuel, and higher octane prevents knock. It doesn’t necessarily increase performance, although that one could be debated till the end of time.
For now, we’ll enjoy the hard-fought battle of these German companies, because if it weren’t for BMW and even Audi, AMG’s design and performance would stagnate. We all love a little friendly competition, right?
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