M3 vs. C55
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
well if you plan on modding you can make the M3 reach the power and torque of the c55...plus you already have a sedan...and the M3 is alot more fun to drive especially in handling and that it comes standard! thats the one thing i never understood is why mb is the only dealer that doesn't offer manual where it counts...both cars are sexy, but everyone will know an M3 when they see it and its always an impressive car! I'd go with the M3 brother, you already have a MB and you obviously aren't looking for a wolf in sheeps clothing, you want something thats gonna grab attention and fun to drive and the M3 does both! however keep in mind that i only say this since you already have a MB sedan...if this was gonna be your only car i'd go for the c55 every time!
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02 C32 AMG
well if you plan on modding you can make the M3 reach the power and torque of the c55...plus you already have a sedan...and the M3 is alot more fun to drive especially in handling and that it comes standard! thats the one thing i never understood is why mb is the only dealer that doesn't offer manual where it counts...both cars are sexy, but everyone will know an M3 when they see it and its always an impressive car! I'd go with the M3 brother, you already have a MB and you obviously aren't looking for a wolf in sheeps clothing, you want something thats gonna grab attention and fun to drive and the M3 does both! however keep in mind that i only say this since you already have a MB sedan...if this was gonna be your only car i'd go for the c55 every time!
Out Of Control!!
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
If you want to drive the car, get the M3.
If you want the car to drive you, get the C55.
Much as many try to do direct comparisons between the two, if you really know what you want, I think it should be easy to determine which one is for you.
If you want the car to drive you, get the C55.
Much as many try to do direct comparisons between the two, if you really know what you want, I think it should be easy to determine which one is for you.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Va Beach, VA
05 C230K SS (sold), 06 C55 (sold), 08 Yamaha R1 (sold), 16 X5M
i didnt mean stock v stock...i meant fully modded to a stock c55...and where it may not reach in torque it makes up in weight reduction!
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From: GA
2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
But if you have to build the M3 to make it compete with a C55, then why not just get the C55? If you still want to build something, you could supercharge the C55 and have a 500hp monster.
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2006 C350 Sport 6MT
The M3 can be more heavily modded than the C55 can.
But if you are not going to do any mods ....C55 FTW
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
he probably means every possible NA mod with he exception of Force induction. But the HPF turbo kit is insanely overpriced. The cost of the stage 2 kit, you can just buy another m3 with it.
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From: People's Republic of California (Southern Region)
C55 AMG, CLK550
One more thing... BMW's M3 is a fine car but the C55 can now be seen as a limited production car. Lucky for me I get to see one every day in my garage...
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From: Atlanta Metro
Current: C217 V12TT AMG Previously: C55 AMG, SL65 AMG
Both are great cars, but different in many ways. Everything from the number of doors, engine, transmission, suspension, feel, and crowd they bring is completely different.
Me personally? I find that everyone and their mother has a 3 series - it's the car that says "I finally drive a luxury car", because of it's entry level status and most recognizable name. Much more than the C-class. And I don't like driving a car that everyone else has because of its status, I drive it because I like it.
Because of this, you will find many more (IMO) BMW d-bags, and will find many more younger people who drive them (because daddy bought them, or because they want to be cool). I've had BMW friends before, and I'm just not a fan.
When I was a little kid I always looked at MB and their AMG models (mostly in magazines, brochures, later online, etc), so it was only natural for me to buy a C55. Plus I've already had a sporty 2 door, I was looking for a sport sedan.
I like my C55, and reliability is pretty good (so far).
Me personally? I find that everyone and their mother has a 3 series - it's the car that says "I finally drive a luxury car", because of it's entry level status and most recognizable name. Much more than the C-class. And I don't like driving a car that everyone else has because of its status, I drive it because I like it.
Because of this, you will find many more (IMO) BMW d-bags, and will find many more younger people who drive them (because daddy bought them, or because they want to be cool). I've had BMW friends before, and I'm just not a fan.
When I was a little kid I always looked at MB and their AMG models (mostly in magazines, brochures, later online, etc), so it was only natural for me to buy a C55. Plus I've already had a sporty 2 door, I was looking for a sport sedan.
I like my C55, and reliability is pretty good (so far).
Last edited by Viper98912; Oct 25, 2009 at 03:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: SoCal
...a panty dropper...
I am looking at a Laguna Seca Blue M3 which is a rare color for the M3 and its manual trans. The C55 is black on black so I could go with the murdered out look like Advans. I plan on modding the M3 to the fullest if I get it because I will have a lot of money to play with because I am re-enlisting in the military soon. The C55 doesnt have as many aftermarket parts as the M3 but it comes with more power. I have always loved to look of both. I plan on keeping my MB I already have so I am wondering if I should have 2 MBs in my garage or a MB and a BMW. Thanks for all the great input everyone. I will keep you posted on what I do. Should have one or the other by next month if all goes as planned.
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From: France, Lebanon
03 c320 coupe
if it will be an M3, let it be a YELLOW M3, thats a beautiful color :http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Senior Member
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From: Nor Cal
A Car
Both are great cars, but different in many ways. Everything from the number of doors, engine, transmission, suspension, feel, and crowd they bring is completely different.
Me personally? I find that everyone and their mother has a 3 series - it's the car that says "I finally drive a luxury car", because of it's entry level status and most recognizable name. Much more than the C-class. And I don't like driving a car that everyone else has because of its status, I drive it because I like it.
Because of this, you will find many more (IMO) BMW d-bags, and will find many more younger people who drive them (because daddy bought them, or because they want to be cool). I've had BMW friends before, and I'm just not a fan.
Me personally? I find that everyone and their mother has a 3 series - it's the car that says "I finally drive a luxury car", because of it's entry level status and most recognizable name. Much more than the C-class. And I don't like driving a car that everyone else has because of its status, I drive it because I like it.
Because of this, you will find many more (IMO) BMW d-bags, and will find many more younger people who drive them (because daddy bought them, or because they want to be cool). I've had BMW friends before, and I'm just not a fan.
Back on topic, M3 is a fine choice, congrats.
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2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I never understood why a car being a sales success was seen as a bad thing? Who gives a F if someone else has an identical car? As long as you're happy with it. The M3 is a different animal from the 3-series it is based on. The difference between the 128i and 135i is pretty extreme so I can only imagine the difference in 330Ci and M3.
I say go with the BMW. It won't disappoint you.
I say go with the BMW. It won't disappoint you.
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From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
I never understood why a car being a sales success was seen as a bad thing? Who gives a F if someone else has an identical car? As long as you're happy with it. The M3 is a different animal from the 3-series it is based on. The difference between the 128i and 135i is pretty extreme so I can only imagine the difference in 330Ci and M3.
I say go with the BMW. It won't disappoint you.
I say go with the BMW. It won't disappoint you.
in reality everyone and their grandma has a 3er, C-class or A4. status argument is just
you can spent the same amount and get a older S-class or 7-series.for those that never drove a E46 M3 or E92 M3. I do suggest you try it out. The lack of torque is made up by it's gearing and those rev happy engines.
go drive both.
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From: Chicago
Cee Fiddy Five
I would argue that though the M3 may feel tighter and the C55 maybe a bit sloppier, the differences in actual handling prowess are negligible. Around the 'Ring... E46 M3: 8:22 minutes and C55: 8:22 minutes. I think there's some tracks that magazines have tested at where the C55 was actually faster.
For everyday use, the M3 will probably feel like the superior track car. I test drove one and thought it was going to be too stiff for everyday use. But I was also coming from a Ml320...The C55 I think is perfect...solid ride, good steering feel, awesome power without any work. You really have to rev the M engines to wring the power out of them, but that's part of the fun.
Only reasons why you should consider the M3: you want that third pedal, you want a coupe to change it up a bit, or you want a specific color. Other than the rare Mars Red for the C55, there's not really many exciting color choices. Laguna Seca Blue, Phoenix Yellow, and Imola Red are all very awesome colors that I would have a hard time choosing between. Dakar yellow was a custom order I believe, probably rarer to find than a Mars Red C55, but also a fine color. Obviously, the color thing is a personal choice, I've just gotten tired of black on black...haha!
For everyday use, the M3 will probably feel like the superior track car. I test drove one and thought it was going to be too stiff for everyday use. But I was also coming from a Ml320...The C55 I think is perfect...solid ride, good steering feel, awesome power without any work. You really have to rev the M engines to wring the power out of them, but that's part of the fun.
Only reasons why you should consider the M3: you want that third pedal, you want a coupe to change it up a bit, or you want a specific color. Other than the rare Mars Red for the C55, there's not really many exciting color choices. Laguna Seca Blue, Phoenix Yellow, and Imola Red are all very awesome colors that I would have a hard time choosing between. Dakar yellow was a custom order I believe, probably rarer to find than a Mars Red C55, but also a fine color. Obviously, the color thing is a personal choice, I've just gotten tired of black on black...haha!
Last edited by MercedesFTW; Oct 26, 2009 at 12:27 PM.
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Point & squirt - C55 every time. Nimble handling in the twisties - M3. Both engines are fabulous. I'm biased - I think the C55 engine is more fabulous 
sends tingles down my spine.
One thing is for sure. The C55 will make old bones better than the M3. It's a tougher vehicle all round. M3s have proven a little fragile in this country if you want to exploit their full potential - true of many recent BMW performance models. They break!
sends tingles down my spine.One thing is for sure. The C55 will make old bones better than the M3. It's a tougher vehicle all round. M3s have proven a little fragile in this country if you want to exploit their full potential - true of many recent BMW performance models. They break!
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Oct 26, 2009 at 08:06 AM.
