Motortrend: M3 sedan vs C63 vs IS-F
Sigh........, as many have said, the more things change, the more things stay the same (or worse) for the C-AMG car. Now we have multiple head to head comparisons showing the same thing. On a track the new M3 is quite a bit better than the C63 when it comes to laptimes. In this test, the M3 is 4-5 seconds faster on a 2.7 mile track. Using that as a measure of performance capability, the M3 is a clear winner. On the streets, the C63 is the faster one, but not by a big margin at all according to this test.
Maybe the facelifted C63 in a few years will come with chassis improvements to narrow the gap to the M3 (just like the C55 did compared with the C32). But it may be too late at that time, as people's impressions will be made now, with all these head to head tests proclaiming the M3 to be the better car. I hoped MB/AMG would come out with their best effort the first time around, as they have said they publicly wanted to compete with the new M3 head on for the first time. In a few years, the wet-clutch 7 speed transmission in the new SL63 will probably make it into the C63 at facelift time. Of course, BMW will remain ahead of the game with their M-DCT transmission which will be offerred NOW.
And MB/AMG better watch its back.....the IS-F is pretty close to the C63 in all performance categories.
I'm liking the M3 sedan more and more.......lighter, more agile, almost as fast as the C63 in acceleration, more fuel efficient, and a significantly better track car, yet more comfortable than the C63. Damn.....
FACT: M3 is faster around ANY track than the C63.
FACT: Different people buy different cars based on their different needs.
FACT: I personally prefer the C63 to the M3.
FACT: No one doubts that magazines prefer the M3 over the C63 any day of the week. (Psst...none of us care what they think, because its our money that buys these cars.)
Why is it so damn hard for people to comprehend that no-one cares whether the M3 is faster around a track than the C63. I swear, the complete mountain-out-of-a-molehill-type exaggerated differences in lap times based on seconds is somehow supposed to convince the average buyer to suddenly reconsider their purchasing decision. Why don't you buy the M3 instead of convincing an entire "MB" forum that one of the most praised AMG cars in history is such a bad buy?
Lexus ISF? Don't even get me started...
I hate to say it, but it's always the owners of the outgoing model that have to simply convince the rest of us that the new model of their car sucks - hmmm, I wonder why? It's the same thing over in the SL63 forum - SL55 owners trying to convince the rest of us how ugly the new SL looks or how inferior the new SL63 is - here's an idea - why don't you let the rest of us decide?
The newer model of any car is generally better than its predecessor.
Now, I'm not generally the argumentative and belligerent type of person, but enough is enough!
Good grief man!
The one difference between the two is in the aftermarket world. Evosport coaxed an additional 80 RWHP out of the 6.2 Liter without much hassle, and bear in mind this is a naturally aspirated motor. Slap on some slicks, and hold on boys.
As for the IS-F, people really need to stop trashing it without basis or reason to. Something as minor as cosmetic exhaust tips (albeit ugly) is not sufficient reason to dismiss an otherwise well-rounded car as a potential candidate. Yes, I know what it looks like without the plastic engine cover, and it offers more than enough grunt for the everyday enthusiast with Lexus' reliability standard to match.
FACT: M3 is faster around ANY track than the C63.
FACT: Different people buy different cars based on their different needs.
FACT: I personally prefer the C63 to the M3.
FACT: No one doubts that magazines prefer the M3 over the C63 any day of the week. (Psst...none of us care what they think, because its our money that buys these cars.)
Why is it so damn hard for people to comprehend that no-one cares whether the M3 is faster around a track than the C63. I swear, the complete mountain-out-of-a-molehill-type exaggerated differences in lap times based on seconds is somehow supposed to convince the average buyer to suddenly reconsider their purchasing decision. Why don't you buy the M3 instead of convincing an entire "MB" forum that one of the most praised AMG cars in history is such a bad buy?
Lexus ISF? Don't even get me started...
I hate to say it, but it's always the owners of the outgoing model that have to simply convince the rest of us that the new model of their car sucks - hmmm, I wonder why? It's the same thing over in the SL63 forum - SL55 owners trying to convince the rest of us how ugly the new SL looks or how inferior the new SL63 is - here's an idea - why don't you let the rest of us decide?
The newer model of any car is generally better than its predecessor.
Now, I'm not generally the argumentative and belligerent type of person, but enough is enough!
Good grief man!

Some of us actually like using objective data to gauge a car's performance, because everything else is subjective and up to the individual driver. Some ignore the numbers and just take in the driving impressions. To each his own. Either way, the M3 seems to outshine the C63 in all aspects, other than straight line acceleration. Most importantly, you can make that assessment yourself by driving the cars.
Some of us actually take our cars to a track (road circuit, not a drag strip), so that we MAKE USE OF THE PERFORMANCE of our cars in a safe environment on track, rather than just show off our straight line acceleration abilities unsafely on public roads. You probably don't understand this point, because you probably have never taken your car to the track, so you have no perspective about "performance" outside of blasting away in a straight line in your A-class. If I'm wrong, then I apologize.
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Some of us actually like using objective data to gauge a car's performance, because everything else is subjective and up to the individual driver. Some ignore the numbers and just take in the driving impressions. To each his own. Either way, the M3 seems to outshine the C63 in all aspects, other than straight line acceleration. Most importantly, you can make that assessment yourself by driving the cars.
Some of us actually take our cars to a track (road circuit, not a drag strip), so that we MAKE USE OF THE PERFORMANCE of our cars in a safe environment on track, rather than just show off our straight line acceleration abilities unsafely on public roads. You probably don't understand this point, because you probably have never taken your car to the track, so you have no perspective about "performance" outside of blasting away in a straight line in your A-class. If I'm wrong, then I apologize.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Some of us actually like using objective data to gauge a car's performance, because everything else is subjective and up to the individual driver. Some ignore the numbers and just take in the driving impressions. To each his own. Either way, the M3 seems to outshine the C63 in all aspects, other than straight line acceleration. Most importantly, you can make that assessment yourself by driving the cars.
Some of us actually take our cars to a track (road circuit, not a drag strip), so that we MAKE USE OF THE PERFORMANCE of our cars in a safe environment on track, rather than just show off our straight line acceleration abilities unsafely on public roads. You probably don't understand this point, because you probably have never taken your car to the track, so you have no perspective about "performance" outside of blasting away in a straight line in your A-class. If I'm wrong, then I apologize.
Congratulations on a fine smackdown. Topped off with the golden railroad spike mention of "Your A-class"
With respect, don't ever talk to me in a condescending manner - learn a little respect.
Cylinder Head, man I used to respect you, great fan of your humour et al (the only M guy that was tolerable) - but I guess things change...
oh, and by the way...C63 RuLeZzz!!!
(he says whilst jumping into his A-class and workin' that diesel biatch)
With respect, don't ever talk to me in a condescending manner - learn a little respect.
Cylinder Head, man I used to respect you, great fan of your humour et al (the only M guy that was tolerable) - but I guess things change...
oh, and by the way...C63 RuLeZzz!!!
(he says whilst jumping into his A-class and workin' that diesel biatch)
I'm not sure if this information was available before the article but what I found most interesting was the weight distribution.
M3: 50/50 (of course)
ISF: 54/46
C63: 53/47
That big huge heavy *** V8 up front has got to hurt this car's ability to handle well.
I also found it interesting the way heavier C63 came out with shorter stopping distances than both competitors.
M3, ISF, C63 respectively:
Braking, 60-0 mph 105 ft 108 ft 103 ft
Braking, 100-0 mph 309 ft 309 ft 304 ft
I'm not sure if this information was available before the article but what I found most interesting was the weight distribution.
M3: 50/50 (of course)
ISF: 54/46
C63: 53/47
That big huge heavy *** V8 up front has got to hurt this car's ability to handle well.
I also found it interesting the way heavier C63 came out with shorter stopping distances than both competitors.
M3, ISF, C63 respectively:
Braking, 60-0 mph 105 ft 108 ft 103 ft
Braking, 100-0 mph 309 ft 309 ft 304 ft
Brakes have improved since E46 M3 and last gen AMG's. The E46 needed the brakes upgrade it got in 2005 as 2002-04 stateside units got hot too fast while the 030 pkg brakes on the SLK55 were also a huge improvement both visually and for retardation.
What I do find odd is that AMG make people pay out for 030 rather than including as std. LSD and big brakes should be standard on the highpo model. Yes the ride may suffer but if that bothers you buy a plenty powerful C350 or E550
Last edited by transferred; Mar 14, 2008 at 07:00 PM.
M3- Still the best of the 3 if you want to take your car to a road track. Improves in the perfomance categories the E46 was known for. Requires lots of driver effort to get it to perform (stick and high RPMs).
C63- Still not better than the M3 on the track, but closing the gap as a result of better handling/steering than previous versions. Still faster in a straight-line than the M3, but not by much. Big displacement leaves lots of upside potential.
ISF- Good first try at competing with the other 2 who have a big head start in this category. But still has a way to go. Could be the most reliable because of Lexus' history. But will be difficult with a new/perfomance model.
I think all 3 of these cars can be better then the other 2. It just depends on what's most important to YOU. I'm just glad cause this competition provides options for people like me who want daily drivers with reasonable comfort and this kind of performance.
and yet still having to pay for services while under warranty. BMW could really teach them a few things about having a stellar service program.
now its really choosing the car that best suits your needs.
The M3 is the clear athletic car.. with DSG the trap speeds will match the C63.
I still like the look of the C63 better (i'm 31) and will be easier to squeeze power from the 6.2L
Lexus will have some tuner support, but not as much as M or AMG.
two things I take away..
The Lexus traps as much as the C63 :
either Lexus provided a stronger car for the test or the 8spds is really a hell of a transmission.
people should pay attention of the IS-F.. it might be the ultimate reliable sports machine.







