Seems to me, if you have room to actually do full 0-60, then you have more than enough room to to let a car rev out. Numbers are numbers. Yes, mag testers do tend to be pretty hard on the car when they test (launch control, dumping clutch from 4k, etc), but like E and others have said, a dual clutch auto will be able to meet the numbers just as easy as the full auto Benz does.

Now, in an impromptu roll on type race, a car with more torque might have the initial advantage, but again, if the road is long enough to get up to highway speeds, then the car with the hp/lb advantage or gearing advantages will catch up.

well said. I'd be lucky to see 5.2 up to now. However, a buddy of mine at work asked me if I'd engaged the "M" button and set the EDC to "Sport", and I'm like wha?? (see, I haven't even read the Owners Manual yet), so I just took it out at lunch and put it in that mode. wow. big difference. Throttle response is where I'd expect it now....

Damn, that had to put you back...

Sure. Except you look downright silly revving to 9k going to get a gallon of milk. Not to mention the NVH associated with astronomical revs will really wear you down pretty quickly.

Its a question of driver effort and stress. Hitting the number in a torquey car is low stress, hitting the same number in a screamer is hard work and stressful.

How well does the "auto" mode work in your car? The wife would have required that mode if I had one with DCT. With the manual, she's less likely to take it.

BTW, I almost pulled the trigger on an '11 S4, but it sold 2 days b4 I had a chance to test drive it. The wife absolutely fell in love with that car, but pimped out and new, it was alot more than this car.

Sport EDC is too harsh, I like Normal when driving agressively and stay in Comfort most of the time.

The power button doesn't add power it just increases throttle response. BTW you can set the car to startup in a particular power and EDC mode.

The M button tailors these settings so you can drive along how you would normally drive and use the M button for agressive driving. Having a 6-speed somewhat reduces the need for the M button, some of the settings pertain to DCT shift agressiveness.

Wasn't cheap!! Sticker was $76k. She's fully loaded.

Auto works well, just let it do it's thing. Have you had some seat time in a DCT equiped car? Just let me know and I'll shoot down there this weekend!! The question here is, do you want your wife to take out the M3?? HAHA.

Ouch. C63 out of the question? Note: the last time I had the benz in (replaced cracked rearview mirror blinker) I browsed the showroom and they had a C63 for like 82K, well loaded.

Absolutely considered the C63. Wonderful car. Brutish acceleration. I just liked the M3 better.

Next couple weeks are shot for me, with business travel and vaca to follow.....

Never driven a DCT, just an SMGII once.

The wife gave the M3 a test drive and did o.k., but shifted WAY too soon, like 2.5K (!) I kept coaching, but that's just her.

The total driving experience, brakes, handling, etc. is pretty damn impressive.

You see the Top Gear clip of the C63 vs RS4 vs M3 vs some old F1 car? Guess who won.

just tell her to shift when she thinks the engine is about to explode through the hood. I'm kidding.

C63 is an absolute maniac in a straight line. With the 030 development package and LSD, it's very quick around a track too.

Hahaha, that was a funny episode. If I remember right, the C63 ate its rear tires in just a few laps. lol

The 6.2 may be short lived though. When do we see the 5.5 TT in the C? God damn Mercedes and its ridiculously short model lifespan playing havoc with resale.

The C63 is hard-core, fish-tailing like crazy everywhere! I think they said something like "you're happy when you get out of that car alive".

The M will be a TT V6 next as well, I think. Hopefully the gas mileage will improve.

does it have a CDV? there's a way to get rid of that if you do.

+1. CDV delete is a must in a 6 speed.

like I said, I don't actually "own" this car yet, I'm still on a 5-day trial period. I have an appointment with BMW Fri afternoon to give it a good check-out. I'll make my decision after that.

There is but it's not restrictive and doesn't need modification on e9x M3's

Don't laugh, I'm a noob. What's CDV?

my friend with an e92 335i was thinking about doing it. easier than i thought.

clutch delay valve

Off topic: Hey, Eric, I was browsing around and M3 site, M3forum.net, and I found some posts from Pete (AMGPower). Looks like he sold his e46...??

Ahhhhhhh.....thx.

Yeah Pete sold his E46 M3. He's got an Audi of some flavor now.