C vs 3
C vs 3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
an M3 will handily defeat a C43, its a dead-even race with a C32.
I have "put down" a C320, old C230, SL450, SLK230, 300E and E320 with my Z3... I got bent over by an SL500 though.
in a straight line the C32 will keep up with the M3 or corvette just fine, but once the road starts twisting the Bavarian adn the Brute will start pulling away.
other than that... the W203 C-class cars are generally a step or two behind their BMW counterparts in the acceleration department. a 325 will dispatch a C240 without much drama, and a 330 auto will run a hair in front of the C320... it would be interesting to see the 330 manual vs. a C320 with the 6-speed from the SLK320.
I have "put down" a C320, old C230, SL450, SLK230, 300E and E320 with my Z3... I got bent over by an SL500 though.
in a straight line the C32 will keep up with the M3 or corvette just fine, but once the road starts twisting the Bavarian adn the Brute will start pulling away.
other than that... the W203 C-class cars are generally a step or two behind their BMW counterparts in the acceleration department. a 325 will dispatch a C240 without much drama, and a 330 auto will run a hair in front of the C320... it would be interesting to see the 330 manual vs. a C320 with the 6-speed from the SLK320.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Chicago
C32 AMG
Actually, in a straight line the C32 & M3 will be basically on par until you hit 70-80mph. After that, the extra 70 lb-ft of torque will have the C32 pulling away. As far as the twisties, that can be fixed with a few suspension upgrades (or stock with a better driver) 
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 444
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From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
buellwinkle and boo, I was making a stock-stock comparison, and some springs would help the C32 close the gap in the twisties, but the steering is still not as good as the M3s which makes it harder for the AMG to keep up.
I have a friend with an E46 M3 who ran a C32 two days ago, he indicated that from 70 in third he was able to pull one full car length on the C32 and from 4th on up is was a zero-sum deal, neither car gained/lost... terminated at 130
these are of course generalizations, but they are based on some real-world experience...
(to placate BOB) the C32 is a better car overall than the M3, 99% of the time it is as good or better for what the situation requires than the M3. and the M3 interior is decidedly low-rent for a $50,000 car.
I have a friend with an E46 M3 who ran a C32 two days ago, he indicated that from 70 in third he was able to pull one full car length on the C32 and from 4th on up is was a zero-sum deal, neither car gained/lost... terminated at 130
these are of course generalizations, but they are based on some real-world experience...
(to placate BOB) the C32 is a better car overall than the M3, 99% of the time it is as good or better for what the situation requires than the M3. and the M3 interior is decidedly low-rent for a $50,000 car.
Last edited by dasMafia; Apr 1, 2002 at 05:08 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: NYC
C32 AMG, C300 Sport
what was that about the C43?
Maybe a new M would give it a run but the older M would be eaten alive by the C43. Too much torque and in a quarter mile run, the C would beat it down. Now if you add some twists to the road, thats another story. The M can clearly outhandle the C but the engine in the C is much stronger. The new M has fixed that problem and runs on par with the C32 and would most certainly out perform the older C43. In a mile stretch run the C43 would still hold its own since again it will gain some ground in the 80 - 155 mile/hour limit.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 444
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From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
Re: what was that about the C43?
Originally posted by vinmanc32
Maybe a new M would give it a run but the older M would be eaten alive by the C43. Too much torque and in a quarter mile run, the C would beat it down. Now if you add some twists to the road, thats another story. The M can clearly outhandle the C but the engine in the C is much stronger. The new M has fixed that problem and runs on par with the C32 and would most certainly out perform the older C43. In a mile stretch run the C43 would still hold its own since again it will gain some ground in the 80 - 155 mile/hour limit.
Maybe a new M would give it a run but the older M would be eaten alive by the C43. Too much torque and in a quarter mile run, the C would beat it down. Now if you add some twists to the road, thats another story. The M can clearly outhandle the C but the engine in the C is much stronger. The new M has fixed that problem and runs on par with the C32 and would most certainly out perform the older C43. In a mile stretch run the C43 would still hold its own since again it will gain some ground in the 80 - 155 mile/hour limit.
OK,. I can't find it, but edmunds shows the C43 at 0-60 in 6.0, and while they show the E36 M3 at 5.9, I've seen tests of those closer to 5.5... so who konws, I may actually be wrong!
EDIT: I could not find times for the 1320.
