thetruth

It is looking more and more like the new GT-R is not only in the top tier in performance, but top tier in build quality and chassis refinement/dynamics.

I would not count on the interior to be low quality.

And the GT-R is not a hopped up Z. It has a totally different chassis, interior, engine, etc. Unlike the C63.

Here are a few excerpts from initial reviews of the GT-R.

.....

Edmunds

Balance and body control of the GT-R are extraordinary through faster,
bumpy bends that will have the 911 unsettled enough to make the driver lose confidence.

It all seems superbly well screwed together, as you'd expect of a Nissan,
and the quality of the materials is high.

It's a big, solid car you can rely on when the going gets tricky,


Automobile

we immediately noticed the GT-R's stiff structure and suspension setup.

While stiff, the GT-R reveals a level of dampening and overall suspension feel that few other cars carry. From the ultra precise and intuitive
steering to the powerful brakes, the GT-R is able to maintain over-the-road speed that will, hold on for this, likely embarrass nearly every
other production car in the world. Even with the adjustable Bilstein dampers in their stiffest setting, the GT-R is never harsh and it soaks up
potholes and frost heaves like a rally car. Body control, front-end grip, overall balance, engine response,
and transmission shift speed all come together to yield a mega car with a mega pace.

Overall, the car feels very secure and fast with a well-balanced chassis.


Car (UK)

There is none of the styling poetry of a Porsche or, even more, a Ferrari, but the Nissan is bank-vault solidly built

AutoCar (UK)

As for the interior, it makes you wonder just how heavily Porsche relies on its reputation to charge as much as it does for a 911 Turbo.
The GT-R is as well made if not better than the Porsche inside

Top Gear (UK)

before you've even fired it up - via the red starter button - the GT-R communicates solidity. You can feel it in the
rim of the steering wheel, in the interior controls. It's not messing. Frankly, it feels like a truck.


Doors, seats, wheel, controls: all have a delicacy the Nissan doesn't. Some also have a flimsiness the Nissan doesn't. (in comparison to the Audi R8)

Its body control over these bumps and crests is breathtaking. You just know that this car had been meticulously engineered down to the last tiny grommet. To put it another way, it's making the R8 look very secondhand indeed.

I can see in my mirrors that Germany is struggling to keep up with Japan. When we swap, it's clear that the Audi's 59bhp power deficit isn't the only
reason why.

BoBcanada

yea as much as I love benzes, you guys do not have to UNDERESTIMATE this Little Gt-r!!! Its a phenomenal car, its funny how many enthusiasts all over the net are in very bad stage of denial about GT-R! Vette guys, BMW guys, Porsche guys, Ferrari guys, ETC

It just shows how good of a threat this lil GTR IS! And I do belive every number I saw so far. Its gonna be sick car, and i'm planning on owning one too.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

+1

The C-class guys are scrambling for some justification for their purchase, you're not going to find it comparing your car to a Japanese Z06, sorry. Not the same class of car, totally dissimilar performance, very different looks. I'll take the Nissan's Video Game interior over a plasticky C-dash any day, but exterior looks the C63 has down pat.

What you should be DIRECTLY comparing the GTR to is the Porsche Turbo.

ItalianStallion

Thus I continue my pursuit for a GT-R: https://mbworld.org/forums/off-topic/222302-should-i-sue-nissan-gt-r-agreement.html

In a few short years, this car should be going for under sticker (like the Z06). It will probably be the best new car you could buy for under, lets say, $160 grand. You'd have to be not to get one lol.

Imagine when the V-Spec comes out? World domination

And obviously I am a huge Benz fanatic. I am also a Porsche, BMW, Corvette, and JDM import fanatic as well . Being unbiased, I would have to say that this car is lightyears ahead of the C63 in just about every aspect. Looks are subjective, and obviously the C has a much more roomier backseat and is probably more livable. But otherwise, there is no comparison.

Substance

I seriously doubt the US version of the C63 will get the digital climate control. it was the same story with the C55. All the Euro pics I have seen had the digital a/c however when I went to the Mb dealer they said they dont have that option here, all you could have was the analog a/c. Also I dont expect parktronic, folding mirrors, or 030. people here doesnt buy options, Mb never offers them here for that reason. even s-class doesnt get many of the euro options here.


as for the real topic

any car maker can make very fast, high tech, luxury, good looking etc.. cars. they can even make cars better than MBs, bmws, ferraris if they really want.
let me give an example. hyundai can do some research and make a great car all around at or higher than Mb standarts and lets say cheaper than MB. if its not like 5 times cheaper than MB, who do you think would pay more than 50k to a hyundai? Mb can make a bad car and sell it for 100k and people will buy it. its all about image. nissan is an affordable fine car in most people mind, not many of them will pay 80k for a nissan even if its a 911 turbo level car.
its also the reason why each japanese car makers have 2 brands names because no one would pay 80k to a toyota but if they make it a lexus and advertised it as a mercedes competitor then they will buy it.

ItalianStallion

Agreed...but thats why we're car enthusiasts and we see past the big three-point star and the twin kidney grill. Nissan built a car that competes with (and beats) a $125k car for half the price. Would I rather own a 997 911 Turbo? OF COURSE...the 911 Turbo is much more "baller" and I think its sexier. But the GT-R does everything the 911 Turbo can and even takes it a step further.

Substance

can you believe Lotus Exige S has a supercharged toyota corolla engine in it and it can surely give a competition to C63 lol and its also much cheaper than C63. and it should be very rare, i have only seen a few lotus in my life.

ItalianStallion

That's a totally ridiculous comparison. The Lotus is an all out sportscar. Probably the definition of sports car. Extremely light, quick, agile, and very raw. The C63 is a muscle-bound luxury sport sedan.

Substance

i see it similar looking to gt-r, similar priced as well

BoBcanada

first of all why you guys even compare gt-r to a freaking C63? GT-R is coupe, AWD, and completely different league car. It needs to be compared to coupes.

LanuckRS4

Comparing the C63 to the GT-R is as senseless as those who compare the C63 to the S5........what's the point?

The GT-R interior isn't particularly impressive b/c this car is all about function and performance instead of style or luxury. The GT-R is a Monster! A Japanese supercar that can go heads up with the world's best and at $70,000 it's a bargain. I would have no problem finding room in my garage.

SL65amg

What do you guys think is going to happen when the GT-R V-Spec comes out? It will be even better handling and faster than the already fast 3.3 second to 60 MPH standard GT-R. The magazines all say that the car not only goes extremely fast in a straight line but handles amazingly also. ECU upgrades with exhaust, etc.. will for sure put the car up over 600 HP right away and 700 HP will for sure be reached quickly too. 10 second 1/4 mile times should be no problem for ECU upgraded GT-R's.

Also, what do you guys think about the all-new Cadillac CTS-V that now will have the new ZR-1's supercharged 6.2 liter V-8? If the C63 can do 0 to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds on street tires then the CTS-V should be able to do it in 3.5 all day long. It will cost about the same as a C63 so they say.

The choices will be tough.... C63 or CTS-V with somewhere between 550 to 620 Horsepower V-8 (ECU and pulley tuning should take it to a higher level right away also) and ofcourse the GT-R that will have massive tuning potential mostly because it is a twin-turbo engine. Interesting dilemma but one that comes to the conclusion for Mercedes that they definitely need to drop twin-turbo's on that 63 V-8 right away!

Substance

i think zr1 is going to be turbocharged 6.2 V8 620hp instead of CTS supercharged 6.2 V8 with 550hp. its in the last issue of car and driver. exact specs are not known yet but they say at least 100hp per liter. and why not the TT 7.0L? they say the internals are not strong enough for a reliable engine 6.2 has thicker internals due to less displacement.
there was an older issue comparing chevys 6.2 and 7.0L to amgs 6.2. amg was superior in every aspect except the cost. identical displacements 6.2 push rod chevy makes 430 hp vs. dohc amg 518hp. amg makes more hp and torque than much larger displacement 7.0L too and they say amg is unstressed at this 518 easly can go upto 580 in n/a form. only con was the cost 77k per motor vs. 11k for chevy motor. amg was lighter than 7.0L chevy too.

for those who will get a gt-r, what color do you want it? i like the blue and silver.
i have a question the 3.8 in the gt-r, is it bored out g35 motor or completely new engine for gt-r? i know there is a new g37 with 37xx cc engine. very high tech already. over 330hp na.

ItalianStallion

The GT-R engine is the VR, the G37 is the VQ. The engines are VERY similiary spec'ed but they are not the same and share very little parts with eachother.

The ZR-1's engine is a supercharged LS3 motor (of course the LS3 was modified for factory boost). There are no turbos, trust me. They already released the specs on the ZR-1. Even the pics show a supercharger showing through the hood lol.

termigni

Great first post thetruth man. (little below the belt though LOL!!)

GT-R is built to be it's own. C63 is a C class modified.

What car has monster motor in the front, tranny in the rear, 4wd, DSG chassis setup? it's a technogically innovated car that is well ahead of a C63.

Name one thing that C63 has that has anything to do with innovation.

bensitto

I don't think anyone is saying the Nissan is an inferior car. It's obviously the future of Nissan. The Japanese built a very balanced coupe that leads it's competition and is a beast on the track. We are comparing the real world usage of the car in comparison with the C63. And if people would switch brands and why? The GTR is priced over 10k more than the expected price of the C63 at expected price 60-63k.

For me I rather own a Benz over a Nissan for many factors. I feel like I'm in a Luxury car in a Benz. I'm married and have a 1yr old. Thus the GTR is not an option, not practical for the family man. C63 is an option for me but I'm waiting for the 2010 E63, hopefully twin-turbo by then...

I agree that the Nissan GTR is a track car and should be compared to the Porsche 911 T, or the Black Series CLK63. Both of those are 2 door coupes made for track usage.

The GTR will do well with single men & car collectors, who can afford the 75k base price with a 30+k mark up... And actually track their cars as a hobby.

SL65amg

Bensitto, since you said you have a child and so a GT-R is not practical, do you think that you and other gentlemen like yourself would consider the new Cadillac CTS-V (which will be much faster than the C63 and have more tuning potential) over the C63 then? Its going to be a four door also and have a 6 speed paddle shift transmission and brembo brakes. Interesting stuff.....


P.S. - Also guys lets not forget about next year's Audi RS6 sedan with that 5.2 liter twin-turbo V-10 with carbon ceramic brakes and AWD, Bang & Olufsen sound system, etc..

Mu9enx

exactly. there is a LOT of prestige owning a GTR. the GTR tore up so MANY races that it was banned. now that a c63 cannot manage. there's no history behind the c class, other than mercedes spent 2 billion dollars r&d'ing the w202. still wanna talk bout prestige?

and for upping the hp on the c63? shoot, headers for the c320 already cost over 1000$, i'd hate to see how much they cost for the c63. performance parts are pretty limited, and even if there are parts, they will cost 5x more. it's no contest, GTR all the way.

Mu9enx

but why a c class? why not s? why not cl, clk, or heck, even an e? most people think of c classes as old asian mommy cars, it's not exactly flattering

bensitto

I would never consider owning a cadillac, not a fan of their styling.
How will it be much faster? current CTS-V: 400HP 6speed vs. C63 457HP (detuned) 7speed?

SL65amg

I meant the all-new CTS-V, which will have atleast 550 horsepower and 550 lb/ft of torque with that all-new body, transmission, brakes, chassis, interior, etc..

It just makes sense so far that it will be faster than the C63. I will post the links again for you to look at since it seems like you haven't heard about this all-new car yet. It will have a 6 speed paddle shift transmission, brembo brakes, etc.. The looks are very aggressive,.... chip and pulley tuning should yield 650 HP right away, and that plus exhaust, filters, few other tidbits should put it at 700 maybe.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/d...d-with-550-hp/

ultraseven

The interior of the W204 is just down right horrible. And yes, it's of the same quality as the Infiniti's. Most of the plastic are just economy car like, and the Lexus are Audi are just miles beyond. The 203 wasn't that great, but the 204 took it one step down.

Luxury car my @$$.

termigni

all in all, GTR shouldn't be compared with C63. C63 should be compared with 4door M3, RS4 and the new cadillac.

I would choose c63 over any of these sport luxury sedan, no question.

GTR isn't in the same bracket as C63. just totally different car.

tsedeng

Wow impressive numbers. Just Like the $8,000 civic hatch with H22 turbo clearing the 1/4 mile in about the same time, or maybe 11.2 secs. At first glance, I thought the red GTR looked like the new Accord. Too bad, with all its power, performance, etc. the majority of the North American drivers would probably not be able to drive the car to it's full potential, so it won't really matter how fast and furious the car is, because on speed limited roads, it will just be another turbocharged ricer, with loud exhausts, and gigantic body kits...but in a benz, either you drive fast or slow, you will always be perceived as someone with CLASS. And besides, if Mercedes would chose to build a car that could blow the doors of any ricer car out there, they could easily do so no probs. I think the only real competition Mercedes has is BMW. That is why I own both..nuff said Peace ricer doods!!!!

Jspeed

Are you for real?? I think this discussion was meant for people who can appreciate cars and seriously love driving. I'm sure any engine builder in the AMG factory would pray hard that his work would not end up with someone like you ...

Go surf the right forums DUDE!