I just test drove a 2008 911 Carrera 4S (for the wife). Here's my comparison to the C63:

- The C63 has sharper steering and more feedback through the steering wheel. The 911 feels a bit rubbery by comparison.

- Ride quality of the 911 is better, even in its firmer setting.

- Grip of the 911 seems better, maybe partly because of the AWD. The 911 is also lower and wider, which are big advantages.

- Acceleration of the C63 is noticeably stronger from all speeds. Muscle!

- The 911 sounds buzzy and too loud overall. The C63 has a generally better and more menacing growl.

- Seats in the 911 are about as nice as the C63.

- Transmission in the C63 is at least as good as the 911's tiptronic.

Overall, from a purely performance standpoint, I'd say the two cars are about a draw, and the choice would come down to personal preference; I personally slightly favor the C63. And of course the C63 costs way less.

Once again, comparing the C63 with another car has made me appreciate it even more.

Because it's a Mercedes automatic transmission ..... Porsche doesn't use it anymore and developed the PDK as an option to the manual 6 speed. Besides the awkward shift paddles, it's a great transmission.

Cool comparison.

I love 911's. But, widebody 911's without the turbos are kind of not my taste, but I imagine the grip they afford at their power level is very high.

From a practical standpoint, the C63 wins in every category. On a track or backroads with serious turns, I would think the low center of gravity and lighter weight would give the 911 the advantage. In a stoplight drag race, the C63 would win most of the time. For pure status and " wow" factor, the 911 will win everytime. That being said, the C63 works perfectly for my needs.

I have to say, I think the C63 is not that great on stock rubber from complete digs. You can't use enough throttle. Cars that provide better traction and that are lighter can get the jump and unless you want to get up to higher speeds 60 mph+ -- where the hp will take over and enable the C63 to start walking -- the C63 is really limited from the dig.

Of course, with stickier rubber and a nice clean road surface, things are different.

Hmmmmm....


The C63 sounds better for sure.
The interior and leather on the 997 is much better though.
The DCT PDK is far superior in my opinion to our slush box.


Straight line performance I think the C63 gets it. On the track though the Porsche should win.

A little repetitive ...... DCT: Double Clutch Transmission ........... PDK: Porsche Doppel Kupplung = German for Porsche Double Clutch

I think most of you would be surprised if you took your c's on a track with these 911s

Even with stock C63 suspension? Just curious, cause you have the KW's.

After test driving the porsche actually made me buy my c63.
Came from a 5 series sedan and realized what I was missing.
The porsche drive and transmission is on its own league.

Trunk space and 'discrete-ness' was the decision to get the AMG.

3200lbs vs 4000lbs

I just ( LAST WEEK) went from a 997 to an E63 and couldn't be happpier. So much easier to live with every day, and a TON faster.

Ok beat me up, a 4,000# 4 door car should be pumbled on the track by a Porsche, throw a set of spring on the c and it doesn't get away Im not talk pro drivers but novice to novice. We do a great job..

LOL true...

LOL, the 911 we drove had both a loud yellow color and loud sound.

That's been my experience too, and I find it a bit frustrating. When it comes time to replace the tires, I'm definitely going to look for something stickier.

Guys run mickeys out back there great they stick,

this is one of the most ridiculous comments I've ever read.

Shocked me too, but that's definitely the way it came out. Maybe this varies among 911s (keeping in mind that I drove a 2008 Carrera 4S)?

Porsche published weights are a little deceptive as they do not coincide with the european standards which includes driver 160 lbs, fuel 3/4 of a tank and 20 kg's of luggage. So figure another 275 lbs. Mercedes includes driver, fuel and luggage in their weight.

Why? He is just trying to describe in terms how he felt the experience...? How is that ridiculous?

From my first hand experience with both cars bone stock, a 996TT (the 997.2 S has performance approaching the 996TT) is going to eat a C63 alive in every performance test. The cars were never designed to compete with each other. One is a coupe the other a saloon. These aren't really cars you would cross shop to buy. Either you need 4 doors and a back seat or you don't. The C63 is much easier to drive and much more forgiving. The C63 can go from mild to wild with just a blip of the loud pedal. The Porsche makes you work hard and pay attention but gives you rich rewards. Modded the comparison gets worse. Suspension and engine upgrades for the Porsche are readily available. Full track suspension and anywhere in between, i've lost count of how many exhaust systems and ECU tunes available, PU body parts, real CF parts, all TUV approved, whatever else you want from many sources. The C63 you have to dig for good mods. I have both cars so I'm not bias, just realistic. For their intended purpose they are both best in their class but don't confuse them for being in the same class.

I don't think the OP is comparing the C63 to a 911Turbo, but rather a 911 S. It's true the turbo will Kill the C63 in all performance categories. It's also about $50K more. I do believe comparing the C63 to the base and S 996 and 997 911's is a fair comparison. The Turbo is a monster...with the ability to outperform some Ferraris and Lambos that are double it's price. You've got a great set of vehicles!

And I'll reiterate that I'm mainly comparing the two because I have a C63 and happened to drive the Porsche. Not suggesting that the cars are meant to be direct rivals, but it's interesting to compare anyway. For that matter, I could also compare the C63 with our 325xi wagon, but you guys would never stop laughing.

Anyway, what surprised me is that the 911 didn't blow the C63 away. The C63 held its own and more, and the Porsche salesman (who seems to be a car nut who knows his cars) generally agreed with my comparison (which also surprised me). We'll also likely try some other variants of the 911 (including the turbo), and I'll post my observations if we do that.

Overall, I actually found both cars about equally easy to drive. But I haven't pushed either car to its limits (maybe more like 80%), and I'm not planning to attempt that until I get more experience and training with performance driving. I'll be attending the AMG basic training next week, and am eagerly looking forward it. From the reading I've been doing, I see that there's much to learn, and my driving has improved as a result.