av2

Just bought the Autocar magazine with the legendary article of the C32 AMG vs. the M3. This is a full colored article that actually compared the two cars side by side. This article has all of the tests of the two cars in acceleration from various speeds, braking and detailed comparison of design & engineering, handling & ride, comfort safety & equipment, economy and market & finance. With all the performance data shown, the C32 is faster than the M3 and admitted by all the editors.

JamE55

Sounds like a pretty good article. I'll be reading that this weekened!

Juke-box

is autocar a European magazine?

TK2001_C

If you go to http://www.jbroadtests.com/index4.php notice that the M3 is in the top 10 of almost every list. I would say that the M3 is a damn good car. I know everyone compares the C32 to the SMG M3, but the true M power does not come out unless you have the 6-speed(0-60 4.8, 0-100 11.6). The only top 10 list the C32 AMG makes is the max power list, but it falls short on every other top ten list. Majority of car enthusiasts like to have the manual gearbox, to have complete control over the car.

rrf

If you want a "right on the target" read on the C32 try this:

http://www.thecarplace.com/famamg.htm

Is that pesky motor failure problem fixed yet? If not?

av2

Yes, the guy I bought the magazine from sent it from UK. It's about eight pages of well written comparison between the two cars. The C32AMG was able to pull a 13.0 sec in the quarter and the M3 at 13.4 both trap at 107 mph. The editors clearly declear the C32AMG is faster.

If anyone wants to read the article, I can make color copies, but it's going to cost around $1.00 plus / page at Kinkos.

Juke-box

thanks av2.

i went to Chapters today and tried to look for the magazine, but i couldn't find it!!!

do you have a scanner? can you e-mail it to me? what about fax?

Rusboy

Ill be more than interested to see that test. Can you scan the pages please

UKC32

Go to Link to review page

Click on C32 reviews

Click on Autocar.

There is a poor but readable scan there.

shahin

hey how come you guys still try and prove the c32 is faster? I have an m3 and I believe that the c32 is faster as well as the clk 55. But why is this debate still on. The c32 is a great car and so is the bmw m3.

C32TOM

Very well put, I also had enough of this debate. Both cars are amazing.

FrankW

i guess some of us are just bored

we have all three between me and two other friends... and i've driven both other two. I love'em all.

btw W208 CLK55's torque is amazing. it really pushes your back into the seat. I've tried, but there is no way you can lean forward when accelerating.

Juke-box

My friend also has the M3. i've never driven a CLK55, but i have driven the C32. imo, the CLK55 is just amazing, so much torque wherever you are. the C32 doesn't have the "oomph" of the CLK, but its still great. M3 probably out handles both the CLK and C32, it feels so light and steering feels so direct it probably is the "drivers car" of the three...but certainly isn't my choice for an everyday car...

Anyhow, i was thinking of trading my E430 for a C32 after my sis gets her SC430....but of course...still deciding...so its always insightful to read up on the two(c32 and m3)

Franco

I agree, for everyday driving the C32 wins hands down. Otherwise, both the M3 and the C32 are great cars with very different personalities and similar performances. Choosing one over the other basically comes down to what you are looking for in a car at the time when you are ready to purchase it.

FrankW

agree with Franco here!

i want to add: after you got one of them, you will now want the other one too...lol

av2

Have you considered a CLK500 with sport package? I just saw one at Penske yesterday. The car looks so sweet. After seeing it, it made the M3 look like a boy racer car. The CLK is d@mn nice and pretty fast too. Motor Trend reports 13.9 sec in the quarter. Make sure you check it out before your purchase.

dfc

Despite the similar performances between the E46M3 and C32AMG, the M3 just looks brutal. Those big O' fender flares really helps making the M3 appear aggressive. Oh, and of course the quad exhaust is a nice touch. On the other hand, C32 looks nice and elegant; it doesn't scream for a battle. Vocally, a "WOW...damn" would describe M3, and a "MMM...nice" will go for the C32.

BTW, does C32 have all season tires? I need to get ready for the winter, and just wondering what's the best winter tire available that'll fit over the stock rim?

Franco

DFC,

Tire Rack has a nice wheel / tire selection tool. You can also compare different tires on their web site so that you can select the tire that is best fit for your driving requirements.

FrankW

i thought the pilotsport on the car is already all-season

Juke-box

av2.

i have seen the CLK 500 and i test drove it when i got my E500. personally, i don't like the CLK500. its fast in a straight line, but it doesn't have the "sporty" feel that i want so bad but cannot get in either of my cars i thought about changing the suspension for the E430, but that would be pretty pointless. a heavy car will remain a heavy car...

The C32 and M3 are diff. types of cars imo..they're probably lighter and they both handle wonderfully although the M3 is much faster around corners(personal experience). Since i haven't tried driving a manual or semi-manual i want to try the SMG that is available in the M3 also....it won't be my everyday car, i have my E500 for that..i'm not worried about the poor winter traction etc. etc...

As for being a boy-racer.....i don't really mind. i'm 17...most people look at my E500 and say...aww..he's driving his mommy and daddy's car...

lates!

shahin

yah when im driving my m3 im thinking I look more like a business man than a boy racer

FrankW

IMO the M3 is more up there in the sports car world. where C32 is a luxury car.

IanPooley

As I understand it BMW has another status in the US than in germany. If you frive a BMW here everyone thinks that you´re a turkish man who wants to get a cheap ***** for a night
No joke - thats the truth!

MB cars are more expensive so the jerks buy the cheaper one: BMW.

I don´t like BMW cars. The only models which are attractive for me are the M3 and the M5.

dNA3D

BMW's cheaper? Yeah, by like $200....

av2

For stating the M3 as a boy racer car, it was intended as a joke. I finally test drove my buddy's M3 two weeks ago and it handles extremely well. Love his car too, but I feel my C32 is better in many aspects.

I like the styling of the CLK500 that I saw at Penske. The front end looks so much like the SL55. Never had the chance to drive the car, but I am sure it drives very nice. Motor Trend reports it of running 13.99 in the 1/4. If I remember correctly, that's as fast as the first generation NSX and RX-7 (FD). That's very impressive.

The E500 is an awsome car too. I went to the E-Motion event and drove it 6 times on the track. One of the best cars I've driven. Felt faster and handles better than the BMW 540 I drove at the Motor Trend event 2 years ago.