Car and Driver: C63 AMG v '07 Audi RS 4 v '08 BMW M3

1/4 mile at 12.3 seconds @ 116 mph

10 mpg

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...08-bmw-m3.html
Funny thing is in first drives all mags rave about the cars
so looks like the big negatives on C63 are harsh ride and 10 MPG
But I am almost certain, the C63 has the best seats along with IS-f seats
With the C55, it was always considered the most comfortable and easiest to live with as a daily driver on everyday roads. When compared to the previous E46 M3 and B7 RS4, what it lost out on was handling at the limit, inability to defeat the ESP completely for skilled drivers on a track, and the 5 speed automatic transmission which dulled the experience, even in manual mode.
Now, the C63's focus has really shifted to providing a more raw driving experience and to really make a noticeable shift to sharper handling at the limits, which means super stiff, non-adjustable suspension. Now it has become the most uncomfortable car in its class. Maybe a little too extreme, because I still think that people who track their cars will still prefer the M3.
What is really hard to ignore is the seriously fast straightline acceleration the C63 has. We all know C&D tends to get the fastest times, but it's still impressive compared to other AMG cars tested by C&D.
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E46 M3/E92 M3
curb weight: 3394 lbs/3571lbs
0-60mph: 4.8s/4.3s
0-100mph: 12.3s/9.8s
1/4 mile: 13.6s@105mph/12.8@113mph
rolling 5-60mph: 5.3s/5.0s
70-0mph: 161ft/156ft
skidpad: 0.87g/0.91g
lane change: 61.1mph/65.9mph
W203 C55/W204 C63
curb weight: 3588lbs/4034lbs
0-60mph: 4.7s/3.9s
0-100mph: 11.3s/9,2s
1/4 mile: 13.3s@108mph/12.3s@116mph
rolling 5-60mph: 4.9s/4.2s
70-0mph: 165ft/155ft
skidpad: 0.85g/0.88g
lane change: 66.4mph/64.0mph
B7 RS4
curb weight: 3814lbs
0-60mph: 4.5s
0-100mph: 11.3s
1/4 mile: 13.1s@108mph
rolling 5-60mph: 5.1s
70-0mph: 157ft
skidpad: 0.87g
lane change: 61.4mph
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Oct 26, 2007 at 11:49 PM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Harsh ride, whatever, you either like it or you don't. You're going to give something up when it comes to better handling and ride comfort is usually the first to go.
Looks like an 11 second 1/4 mile is on the horizon with some DR's and minor mods.
I still can't get over the 3.9 second time for 0-60mph. IMO this is the perfect car, its raw, brash, cruel and screams get the **** out of my way *****.
I still can't get over the 3.9 second time for 0-60mph. IMO this is the perfect car, its raw, brash, cruel and screams get the **** out of my way *****.
Do you guys think the #'s are correct? I mean honestly....if it's got a 3.9 0-60 i much rather get this over the GT-R (i konw the GT-R is faster) but with this you get the best of both worlds....sick *** ride, and a Benz
Does look like the new, poorer aerodynamics are hurting it above 100 as one would expect, although 0-150 in 22.8 seconds is nothing to sneeze at!!This explains how it outran the M3 which using *rated* horsepower has a better weight to horsepower ratio....of course, the E55 had a poorer *rated* horsepower ratio than lots of cars it crushed as well, but the dyno results quickly showed us all to take the "469 horsepower" rating with a bucket of salt!
But boy, this thing is a true beast! Wish it was lighter, that is one area that you've got to tip the hat to BMW...oh, well, can't have everything it seems!
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY IS EVERYBODY FORGETTING THAT THE BIMMER IS A TWO DOOR AND THE BENZ IS A FOUR DOOR. OF COURSE IT IS GOING TO BE LESS WEIGHT. COMPARE THE 4 DOOR M3 TO THE C63 WHEN IT COMES OUT. Imagine a two DOOR C63
Does look like the new, poorer aerodynamics are hurting it above 100 as one would expect, although 0-150 in 22.8 seconds is nothing to sneeze at!!This explains how it outran the M3 which using *rated* horsepower has a better weight to horsepower ratio....of course, the E55 had a poorer *rated* horsepower ratio than lots of cars it crushed as well, but the dyno results quickly showed us all to take the "469 horsepower" rating with a bucket of salt!
But boy, this thing is a true beast! Wish it was lighter, that is one area that you've got to tip the hat to BMW...oh, well, can't have everything it seems!
I owned a M3 Coupe only because I couldn't find a sedan to my liking and from my research there wasn't much of a dropoff between the two.
We have had E36 Evo M3's here in both Coupe & sedan. The time difference was negligible. Some argue the sedan has better weight distribution & hence better traction. But that's just theories.
Anyway, the C63 is smoking. Really spectacular times. Isn't is faster than the CLK63 Black Edition C&D tested?
I love Mercedes, but the fact is that they used to do a better job of paring weight off of their cars. Example: W210 E55 weighed 250 pounds less than E39 M5; with W211/E60, it weighed 250 pounds more.
Imagine this thing at 3750 pounds, not an unrealistic weight target....it'd be a 12.0 @ 118 car, would handle and stop better, and get better mileage on top of that!
Constructive criticism is not a bad thing.
Plus, the last AMS states 4.7s to 100km/h or 62miles/H!!!!
that is almost a second more!!
And why are you guys so against an apples to apples comparison, now that the new M3 is going to be in sedan form. Like I said imagine a two door C63
, different from a clk. I love Mercedes, but the fact is that they used to do a better job of paring weight off of their cars. Example: W210 E55 weighed 250 pounds less than E39 M5; with W211/E60, it weighed 250 pounds more.
Imagine this thing at 3750 pounds, not an unrealistic weight target....it'd be a 12.0 @ 118 car, would handle and stop better, and get better mileage on top of that!
Constructive criticism is not a bad thing.
Last edited by caliboy; Oct 27, 2007 at 02:00 PM.
I work a lot, I'm married and I LOVE cars, especially Mercedes-Benz. Why do I love Mercedes cars? Cache, the feel of quality, great reliability (except the electronics), comfort, the sense that the cars feel substantial and solid, they age quite well, and the roar and performance of the V8s.
Over the last few months the car magazines (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, EVO, Automobile, Road and Track, Auto Week et al) have been reviewing the new M3 and C63 AMG; M3 in red and the silver C63. Each review has tested the same M3 and the same C63, literally. That's all the manufactures let them get their hands on. Could you imagine the abuse the cars have taken? This speaks volumes for both vehicles in my opinion.
Mercedes has finally played their trump card. Nothing is this segment can even come close to what this new gen AMG C-class can do in the real world. Not even close. The most telling performance figures aren't the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times it's the rolling 5-60, and the top gear 30-50 and 50-70 times. The other cars aren't even in the ballpark much less playing in the same sport. That's performance I can actually use everyday and keep my drivers license.
When it comes to ride quality I think the testers either failed to mention or simply neglected to use the adjustable suspension settings on the C63. The ones that used this feature found the C63 to be very comfortable and well damped on the more forgiving settings and the ones that didn't left the car in it's firmest setting to give them something to fault the C63 about and a reason to praise the M3.
For me personally, if I'm spending 70k on a C-class I want people to notice how special the car is and when I walk up to it I want the exterior of the car to mimic it's performace potential. This is one reason so many people bought (and a lot of them bought solely for the looks) the last gen M3. It looked special, handsome and fast compared to the normal 3 series. The RS 4 is no doubt a sweet ride and the C55 was stealth but both lacked any visual impact.
In summary, this is the first Mercedes AMG that my diehard BMW fanatic friends are leaving their M3s and M5s for. To me more than anything this tells me how badass this C63 is.
I got my deposit down and the second build slot at my local dealer. Should I get the white or silver? What about the exterior carbon fiber package?
And why are you guys so against an apples to apples comparison, now that the new M3 is going to be in sedan form. Like I said imagine a two door C63
, different from a clk.Is straight line speed is the only relevant measurement for you?




