Car and Driver: 2012 BMW M3 vs 2012 C63 AMG
12-03-2011, 08:46 PM
#101
Member
Going back to the Thread title, I have been reading CD for over 30 years and I must say that they have always had a bias for BMW. When I read MB BM comparos I take them for what it is written with bias.
I too have a bias otherwise I wouldn’t be human right? Hell this is a MB forum we all should have a bias. IMHO there is a big difference between Bias and refusing to acknowledge a competitors strengths and one’s own weakness. that’s called immaturity
I too have a bias otherwise I wouldn’t be human right? Hell this is a MB forum we all should have a bias. IMHO there is a big difference between Bias and refusing to acknowledge a competitors strengths and one’s own weakness. that’s called immaturity
The only other complaint I have with my C63 is sometimes I am afraid to take the corners fast because of the raw muscle of the engine, I know the car should be able to handle it, but I'll step on the gas late going out because of the possibility of losing grip on the rear end.
the beauty of the m3 is the blending of the chassis balance, suspension prowess, and the high revving engine working together to create a machine that performs better cohesively than the sum of its parts.
12-03-2011, 08:47 PM
#102
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drunk on mercedes benz marketing kool aid? I come from a third generation Mercedes Benz family. It's the only thing I will ever own or drive. Do your research and read a little bit, and maybe some of you will learn something.
My pride and joy 1955 190SL keeps me content.
12-03-2011, 08:53 PM
#103
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Going back to the Thread title, I have been reading CD for over 30 years and I must say that they have always had a bias for BMW. When I read MB BM comparos I take them for what it is written with bias.
I too have a bias otherwise I wouldn’t be human right? Hell this is a MB forum we all should have a bias. IMHO there is a big difference between Bias and refusing to acknowledge a competitors strengths and one’s own weakness. that’s called immaturity
I too have a bias otherwise I wouldn’t be human right? Hell this is a MB forum we all should have a bias. IMHO there is a big difference between Bias and refusing to acknowledge a competitors strengths and one’s own weakness. that’s called immaturity
12-03-2011, 09:05 PM
#104
What you fail to see is that MANY other BMWs (7 series, 5 series) have been bashed by C&D and other magazines. The M3 and 335 have been well received. So, because C&D LOVES the M3 means there is a bias
. They do NOT love other BMWs anywhere near as much but let's ignore this and call the magazine biased. Maybe... just maybe... it's because the M3 is an amazing vehicle in its class. Many would say it took MB 7 years to even catch up (with the C63 coupe) to the M3 and that even though the C63 has WAY more power still does not have the driving dynamics and balance of the M3. My experience reflects this. I do think the C63 is a better car for daily driving due to the monster engine but the M3 is the better car for back roads and the track. Wait... maybe BMW bought me off too 
Well, they didn't pay me enough because I bought a C63 anyway. Regardless of what I bought, the M3 has a much better chassis and handling, better transmission, better LSD and weighs much less. This isn't bias, it is fact. The C63 has a much stronger engine, much nicer interior and is very close in all categories. So, until you widen your perspective a bit and actually own another brand of car, you don't have much real experience to support your arguments other than calling magazines out for being paid off.MB is a great brand and make great cars but just because it is all your family have ever owned doesn't make it the best in every category or for every vehicle. Take the blinders off and broaden your perspective a bit. There are a lot of amazing cars out there that do not have a MB badge on them. Some are even better than their MB competition
... or at least that is what the magazines who are paid off by MB's competition will tell you. 
Last edited by gthal; 12-03-2011 at 09:17 PM.
12-03-2011, 09:06 PM
#105
Member
drunk on mercedes benz marketing kool aid? I come from a third generation Mercedes Benz family. It's the only thing I will ever own or drive. Do your research and read a little bit, and maybe some of you will learn something.
My pride and joy 1955 190SL keeps me content.
My pride and joy 1955 190SL keeps me content.
btw, I've done my "research" and more than "just read a little bit"
I've had owned these brands:
Infiniti, Audi, BMW, Acura, Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Ford, Mazda.
including 740Li (current one), X5 4.8i, 2 x M3's (E46-RIP, E36), 1 S4 (B5), LS460 '08, E500 (W211), MDX (08)
Sounds like you're stuck in 1955 along with your 190SL.
12-03-2011, 09:15 PM
#107
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
12-03-2011, 09:21 PM
#108
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Yeah... conspiracy theory galore. MB isn't a small, no name player either and spend lots of $$$$ on ads too. Show me some evidence that shows where BMW pays materially more into car magazines than MB.
What you fail to see is that MANY other BMWs (7 series, 5 series) have been bashed by C&D and other magazines. The M3 and 335 have been well received. So, because C&D LOVES the M3 means there is a bias. They do NOT love other BMWs anywhere near as much but let's ignore this and call the magazine biased. Maybe... just maybe... it's because the M3 is an amazing vehicle in its class. Many would say it took MB 7 years to even catch up (with the C63 coupe) to the M3 and that even though the C63 has WAY more power still does not have the driving dynamics and balance of the M3. My experience reflects this. I do think the C63 is a better car for daily driving due to the monster engine but the M3 is the better car for back roads and the track. Wait... maybe BMW bought me off too Well, they didn't pay me enough because I bought a C63 anyway. Regardless of what I bought, the M3 has a much better chassis and handling, better transmission, better LSD and weighs much less. This isn't bias, it is fact. The C63 has a much stronger engine, much nicer interior and is very close in all categories. So, until you widen your perspective a bit and actually own another brand of car, you don't have much real experience to support your arguments other than calling magazines out for being paid off.
MB is a great brand and make great cars but just because it is all your family have ever owned doesn't make it the best in every category or for every vehicle. Take the blinders off and broaden your perspective a bit. There are a lot of amazing cars out there that do not have a MB badge on them.
What you fail to see is that MANY other BMWs (7 series, 5 series) have been bashed by C&D and other magazines. The M3 and 335 have been well received. So, because C&D LOVES the M3 means there is a bias
. They do NOT love other BMWs anywhere near as much but let's ignore this and call the magazine biased. Maybe... just maybe... it's because the M3 is an amazing vehicle in its class. Many would say it took MB 7 years to even catch up (with the C63 coupe) to the M3 and that even though the C63 has WAY more power still does not have the driving dynamics and balance of the M3. My experience reflects this. I do think the C63 is a better car for daily driving due to the monster engine but the M3 is the better car for back roads and the track. Wait... maybe BMW bought me off too Well, they didn't pay me enough because I bought a C63 anyway. Regardless of what I bought, the M3 has a much better chassis and handling, better transmission, better LSD and weighs much less. This isn't bias, it is fact. The C63 has a much stronger engine, much nicer interior and is very close in all categories. So, until you widen your perspective a bit and actually own another brand of car, you don't have much real experience to support your arguments other than calling magazines out for being paid off.MB is a great brand and make great cars but just because it is all your family have ever owned doesn't make it the best in every category or for every vehicle. Take the blinders off and broaden your perspective a bit. There are a lot of amazing cars out there that do not have a MB badge on them.
And Bingo was his name-o. Former 10+ year BMW owner. Broke the cycle with a C63 AMG coupe. BMW makes great vehicles. I'm not scared to try other brands though.
12-03-2011, 09:30 PM
#109
As a matter of fact, I am in West Palm Beach on Tuesday compliments of MB at a test event where I will get to drive the C63 coupe (and other cars) for a day... can't wait
. I won't have to wait until December to experience it more fully
12-03-2011, 09:46 PM
#110
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
And I'm sure you won't regret it... having come from an M3, I am VERY excited for the C63 coupe. The power, torque, interior are all amazing compared to the M3. The handling has come a LONG way and is now effectively on par according to everything published outside of hard track use where the M3 still has the advantage. I've owned 2 M3s now and can't wait for my C63.
As a matter of fact, I am in West Palm Beach on Tuesday compliments of MB at a test event where I will get to drive the C63 coupe (and other cars) for a day... can't wait. I won't have to wait until December to experience it more fully
As a matter of fact, I am in West Palm Beach on Tuesday compliments of MB at a test event where I will get to drive the C63 coupe (and other cars) for a day... can't wait
. I won't have to wait until December to experience it more fully
12-03-2011, 09:50 PM
#111
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2006 BMW 330i, 2009 C63
Yeah... conspiracy theory galore. MB isn't a small, no name player either and spend lots of $$$$ on ads too. Show me some evidence that shows where BMW pays materially more into car magazines than MB.
What you fail to see is that MANY other BMWs (7 series, 5 series) have been bashed by C&D and other magazines. The M3 and 335 have been well received. So, because C&D LOVES the M3 means there is a bias. They do NOT love other BMWs anywhere near as much but let's ignore this and call the magazine biased. Maybe... just maybe... it's because the M3 is an amazing vehicle in its class. Many would say it took MB 7 years to even catch up (with the C63 coupe) to the M3 and that even though the C63 has WAY more power still does not have the driving dynamics and balance of the M3. My experience reflects this. I do think the C63 is a better car for daily driving due to the monster engine but the M3 is the better car for back roads and the track. Wait... maybe BMW bought me off too Well, they didn't pay me enough because I bought a C63 anyway. Regardless of what I bought, the M3 has a much better chassis and handling, better transmission, better LSD and weighs much less. This isn't bias, it is fact. The C63 has a much stronger engine, much nicer interior and is very close in all categories. So, until you widen your perspective a bit and actually own another brand of car, you don't have much real experience to support your arguments other than calling magazines out for being paid off.
MB is a great brand and make great cars but just because it is all your family have ever owned doesn't make it the best in every category or for every vehicle. Take the blinders off and broaden your perspective a bit. There are a lot of amazing cars out there that do not have a MB badge on them. Some are even better than their MB competition... or at least that is what the magazines who are paid off by MB's competition will tell you.
What you fail to see is that MANY other BMWs (7 series, 5 series) have been bashed by C&D and other magazines. The M3 and 335 have been well received. So, because C&D LOVES the M3 means there is a bias
. They do NOT love other BMWs anywhere near as much but let's ignore this and call the magazine biased. Maybe... just maybe... it's because the M3 is an amazing vehicle in its class. Many would say it took MB 7 years to even catch up (with the C63 coupe) to the M3 and that even though the C63 has WAY more power still does not have the driving dynamics and balance of the M3. My experience reflects this. I do think the C63 is a better car for daily driving due to the monster engine but the M3 is the better car for back roads and the track. Wait... maybe BMW bought me off too Well, they didn't pay me enough because I bought a C63 anyway. Regardless of what I bought, the M3 has a much better chassis and handling, better transmission, better LSD and weighs much less. This isn't bias, it is fact. The C63 has a much stronger engine, much nicer interior and is very close in all categories. So, until you widen your perspective a bit and actually own another brand of car, you don't have much real experience to support your arguments other than calling magazines out for being paid off.MB is a great brand and make great cars but just because it is all your family have ever owned doesn't make it the best in every category or for every vehicle. Take the blinders off and broaden your perspective a bit. There are a lot of amazing cars out there that do not have a MB badge on them. Some are even better than their MB competition
... or at least that is what the magazines who are paid off by MB's competition will tell you. I think you are mistaken. C&D is biased. It is true they bashed some of the BMW products, how can they not do this, they have to project a none biased image. But when testing the M5, they say, there is no silly flat-bottom steering wheel, this alone says it all!
Even when a BMW weigh more than the competition, they will attribute that to a very good insulated cabin. Other cars, in their ccomparo, don't enjoy this luxury!
12-03-2011, 11:21 PM
#113
Super Member
Am I the only one that noticed that the price gave the M3 a 4 point advantage? An almost base m3 vs an absolutely loaded C63? With a similar near fully loaded M3 the difference would give the C63 a one or two point advantage.
12-03-2011, 11:26 PM
#114
MBWorld Fanatic!
And they took away four points in amenities because the M3 was spartan on options.
12-03-2011, 11:53 PM
#115
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Honestly, you can't compare the two cars other then terms of performance. The two cars are not equally optioned or priced. The AMG is fully loaded so they took off points for how expensive it is, the M3 has nothing so it made it less expensive so they gave it points. I unsubscribed from them a year or two ago. EVO is where it's at.
12-04-2011, 12:15 AM
#116
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2019 Audi TT RS, 2020 BMW X3M Competition
I disagree, BMW's are definitely one of the best driving machines out there- that's why most all car mags are enamored by their cars. However, MB is very very close with the C63- It would be awesome if they can finally offer MANUAL trannys on their AMG cars. Or have a true dct like the porsche pdk.
The only other complaint I have with my C63 is sometimes I am afraid to take the corners fast because of the raw muscle of the engine, I know the car should be able to handle it, but I'll step on the gas late going out because of the possibility of losing grip on the rear end.
the beauty of the m3 is the blending of the chassis balance, suspension prowess, and the high revving engine working together to create a machine that performs better cohesively than the sum of its parts.
The only other complaint I have with my C63 is sometimes I am afraid to take the corners fast because of the raw muscle of the engine, I know the car should be able to handle it, but I'll step on the gas late going out because of the possibility of losing grip on the rear end.
the beauty of the m3 is the blending of the chassis balance, suspension prowess, and the high revving engine working together to create a machine that performs better cohesively than the sum of its parts.
12-04-2011, 05:53 AM
#117
Gthal,
I think you are mistaken. C&D is biased. It is true they bashed some of the BMW products, how can they not do this, they have to project a none biased image. But when testing the M5, they say, there is no silly flat-bottom steering wheel, this alone says it all!
Even when a BMW weigh more than the competition, they will attribute that to a very good insulated cabin. Other cars, in their ccomparo, don't enjoy this luxury!
I think you are mistaken. C&D is biased. It is true they bashed some of the BMW products, how can they not do this, they have to project a none biased image. But when testing the M5, they say, there is no silly flat-bottom steering wheel, this alone says it all!
Even when a BMW weigh more than the competition, they will attribute that to a very good insulated cabin. Other cars, in their ccomparo, don't enjoy this luxury!
I understand why people sometimes think this bias exists but it isn't just C&D... most magazines appear to have a BMW bias. There is no way that this is money based or because BMW bought the magazines off... it isn't a conspiracy but many like to think so when their favourite car isn't a BMW.
BMW's, especially the M3 but all of their cars, are really built for driving feel. I think that BMW has just done a great job of building cars that appeal to driving enthusiasts. They aren't "better" necessarily in every way but they are great cars to drive and that is reflected in magazine opinions. I read somewhere that car magazine editors choose BMWs for their own personal cars more than any other. BMW is not giving away cars to these editors to influence opinion, it's the other way around... they actually LIKE the cars more and therefore buy them.
It is human nature to find something "wrong" with anothers opinion when it disagrees with our own... simply check this forum and all others for evidence of this. The conspiracy theory, IMO, is a function of this. Those who like Audi or MB cannot fathom how car magazines (most if not all of them) can continually like BMW product over there own car and, therefore, there is a bias or a conspiracy. What is silly about this argument is that BMW is NOT the largest auto company or contributor to magazines... VW/Audi would be a bigger company and likely spend as much or more on advertising as would GM, etc... but people still think that BMW somehow influences the reviews moreso than other manufacturers. If I wanted to generate ad dollars, I would cater to Toyota, the VW group, GM, etc.
I will say that having owned 3 BMWs (of the 21 cars I have owned in my life) that they ARE great driving cars and as good or better than anything else I have driven. The bias you see in magazines is because BMW builds cars that appeals to driving enthusiasts which the editors are. The perceived bias is because BMW does a better job of building a car that you can take to work everyday and then to the track every weekend than almost anyone. There are "better" cars for DD use and better cars for the track but there are few, if any, cars that do both better. The M3 is likely one of the best dual purpose car made today regardless of price and this is why it wins comparos. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street but guys who review these cars put a high level of emphasis on track performance in addition to street performance. BMW wins because they do a better job of blending driving experience, street ability and track ability than anyone.
But, like the review said, the C63 coupe is effectively on par now and is a MUCH faster car... that, IMO, makes it a much better street car and for 95% of us this is the more important characteristic. MB has also seemed to come a LONG way in the handling department and if they could just get the car on a diet then I think it would begin to dominate the M3 in reviews.
So, when people call "bias" and "conspiracy" then I call BS
as that is just sour grapes because someone doesn't like the car they bought as much as another. That hurts our pride and calls out our own decision process so we naturally then defend our opinion by calling bias, pointing out flaws in the reviews, etc. C&D and most every other car publication like the M3 better because it is the class leader for chassis balance, handling, feel, etc. I challenge anyone to drive one at the track and disagree. However, for many of us, that may not be the more important factor and therefore it may not be the better car. It so happens that driving enthusiasts (which include magazine editors) put a greater emphasis on this area of performance than many others. As an example, how many times has Toyota not won a comparison test with the Camry because another car handled better or had better driving dynamics? BUT, the Camry outsells almost anything else because the consumer likes a cushy and quiet ride. The car magazines value a different trait but it doesn't make it a conspiracy theory against the world's largest auto manufacturer. It simply highlights what the majority of car driving enthusiasts value the most and isn't because Honda paid off the auto mags or there is a Honda bias. It is because Honda builds cars that enthusiasts drivers prefer from a driving dynamics perspective than does Toyota. Not necessarily a better car but it gets better reviews generally speaking.The M3 is a better balanced car for the track... it just is. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street and closer to the M3 now on the track than it has ever been. The editors of car magazines put more emphasis on track/back road performance and driving dynamics than some and it is reflected in their scoring. It does NOT mean the car is better for everyone or for every purpose because it isn't. It also doesn't mean there is a conspiracy theory in C&D magazine... don't forget that most, if not all, magazines and car reviews have favoured the M3 since day one and I can assure you there is no industry wide conspiracy going on
So, if you truly believe in the conspiracy theory or magazine bias then you need to include almost EVERY publication out there because I don't believe the M3 has lost a comparison test anywhere of note (there might have been one or two). Jeremy Clarkson owned a C63 but even he proclaims the M3 as the car to beat. Boy, the industry is messed up favouring BMW isn't it? It is just a huge, industry wide, BMW bias/conspiracy without justification!! (sarcasm added)
Last edited by gthal; 12-04-2011 at 06:45 AM.
12-04-2011, 06:34 AM
#118
12-04-2011, 06:35 AM
#119
12-04-2011, 11:54 AM
#123
MBWorld Fanatic!
12-04-2011, 11:57 AM
#124
Senior Member
yeah, well now I have my daily driving/track sports car in a matte finish...ugh, argh, fuggit! got the microfibers and the simple green in the trunk! I think my new sig is going to be "I HATE RAIN."
12-04-2011, 12:35 PM
#125
Super Member
Their comment on a steering wheel wouldn't impact the result of a comparison test. Their decision to ignore a BMW weighing more than its competition is because BMW does a better job of hiding the weight through suspension and chassis tweaks so it isn't felt when driving than the competition.
I understand why people sometimes think this bias exists but it isn't just C&D... most magazines appear to have a BMW bias. There is no way that this is money based or because BMW bought the magazines off... it isn't a conspiracy but many like to think so when their favourite car isn't a BMW.
BMW's, especially the M3 but all of their cars, are really built for driving feel. I think that BMW has just done a great job of building cars that appeal to driving enthusiasts. They aren't "better" necessarily in every way but they are great cars to drive and that is reflected in magazine opinions. I read somewhere that car magazine editors choose BMWs for their own personal cars more than any other. BMW is not giving away cars to these editors to influence opinion, it's the other way around... they actually LIKE the cars more and therefore buy them.
It is human nature to find something "wrong" with anothers opinion when it disagrees with our own... simply check this forum and all others for evidence of this. The conspiracy theory, IMO, is a function of this. Those who like Audi or MB cannot fathom how car magazines (most if not all of them) can continually like BMW product over there own car and, therefore, there is a bias or a conspiracy. What is silly about this argument is that BMW is NOT the largest auto company or contributor to magazines... VW/Audi would be a bigger company and likely spend as much or more on advertising as would GM, etc... but people still think that BMW somehow influences the reviews moreso than other manufacturers. If I wanted to generate ad dollars, I would cater to Toyota, the VW group, GM, etc.
I will say that having owned 3 BMWs (of the 21 cars I have owned in my life) that they ARE great driving cars and as good or better than anything else I have driven. The bias you see in magazines is because BMW builds cars that appeals to driving enthusiasts which the editors are. The perceived bias is because BMW does a better job of building a car that you can take to work everyday and then to the track every weekend than almost anyone. There are "better" cars for DD use and better cars for the track but there are few, if any, cars that do both better. The M3 is likely one of the best dual purpose car made today regardless of price and this is why it wins comparos. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street but guys who review these cars put a high level of emphasis on track performance in addition to street performance. BMW wins because they do a better job of blending driving experience, street ability and track ability than anyone.
But, like the review said, the C63 coupe is effectively on par now and is a MUCH faster car... that, IMO, makes it a much better street car and for 95% of us this is the more important characteristic. MB has also seemed to come a LONG way in the handling department and if they could just get the car on a diet then I think it would begin to dominate the M3 in reviews.
So, when people call "bias" and "conspiracy" then I call BS as that is just sour grapes because someone doesn't like the car they bought as much as another. That hurts our pride and calls out our own decision process so we naturally then defend our opinion by calling bias, pointing out flaws in the reviews, etc. C&D and most every other car publication like the M3 better because it is the class leader for chassis balance, handling, feel, etc. I challenge anyone to drive one at the track and disagree. However, for many of us, that may not be the more important factor and therefore it may not be the better car. It so happens that driving enthusiasts (which include magazine editors) put a greater emphasis on this area of performance than many others. As an example, how many times has Toyota not won a comparison test with the Camry because another car handled better or had better driving dynamics? BUT, the Camry outsells almost anything else because the consumer likes a cushy and quiet ride. The car magazines value a different trait but it doesn't make it a conspiracy theory against the world's largest auto manufacturer. It simply highlights what the majority of car driving enthusiasts value the most and isn't because Honda paid off the auto mags or there is a Honda bias. It is because Honda builds cars that enthusiasts drivers prefer from a driving dynamics perspective than does Toyota. Not necessarily a better car but it gets better reviews generally speaking.
The M3 is a better balanced car for the track... it just is. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street and closer to the M3 now on the track than it has ever been. The editors of car magazines put more emphasis on track/back road performance and driving dynamics than some and it is reflected in their scoring. It does NOT mean the car is better for everyone or for every purpose because it isn't. It also doesn't mean there is a conspiracy theory in C&D magazine... don't forget that most, if not all, magazines and car reviews have favoured the M3 since day one and I can assure you there is no industry wide conspiracy going on So, if you truly believe in the conspiracy theory or magazine bias then you need to include almost EVERY publication out there because I don't believe the M3 has lost a comparison test anywhere of note (there might have been one or two). Jeremy Clarkson owned a C63 but even he proclaims the M3 as the car to beat. Boy, the industry is messed up favouring BMW isn't it? It is just a huge, industry wide, BMW bias/conspiracy without justification!! (sarcasm added)
I understand why people sometimes think this bias exists but it isn't just C&D... most magazines appear to have a BMW bias. There is no way that this is money based or because BMW bought the magazines off... it isn't a conspiracy but many like to think so when their favourite car isn't a BMW.
BMW's, especially the M3 but all of their cars, are really built for driving feel. I think that BMW has just done a great job of building cars that appeal to driving enthusiasts. They aren't "better" necessarily in every way but they are great cars to drive and that is reflected in magazine opinions. I read somewhere that car magazine editors choose BMWs for their own personal cars more than any other. BMW is not giving away cars to these editors to influence opinion, it's the other way around... they actually LIKE the cars more and therefore buy them.
It is human nature to find something "wrong" with anothers opinion when it disagrees with our own... simply check this forum and all others for evidence of this. The conspiracy theory, IMO, is a function of this. Those who like Audi or MB cannot fathom how car magazines (most if not all of them) can continually like BMW product over there own car and, therefore, there is a bias or a conspiracy. What is silly about this argument is that BMW is NOT the largest auto company or contributor to magazines... VW/Audi would be a bigger company and likely spend as much or more on advertising as would GM, etc... but people still think that BMW somehow influences the reviews moreso than other manufacturers. If I wanted to generate ad dollars, I would cater to Toyota, the VW group, GM, etc.
I will say that having owned 3 BMWs (of the 21 cars I have owned in my life) that they ARE great driving cars and as good or better than anything else I have driven. The bias you see in magazines is because BMW builds cars that appeals to driving enthusiasts which the editors are. The perceived bias is because BMW does a better job of building a car that you can take to work everyday and then to the track every weekend than almost anyone. There are "better" cars for DD use and better cars for the track but there are few, if any, cars that do both better. The M3 is likely one of the best dual purpose car made today regardless of price and this is why it wins comparos. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street but guys who review these cars put a high level of emphasis on track performance in addition to street performance. BMW wins because they do a better job of blending driving experience, street ability and track ability than anyone.
But, like the review said, the C63 coupe is effectively on par now and is a MUCH faster car... that, IMO, makes it a much better street car and for 95% of us this is the more important characteristic. MB has also seemed to come a LONG way in the handling department and if they could just get the car on a diet then I think it would begin to dominate the M3 in reviews.
So, when people call "bias" and "conspiracy" then I call BS
as that is just sour grapes because someone doesn't like the car they bought as much as another. That hurts our pride and calls out our own decision process so we naturally then defend our opinion by calling bias, pointing out flaws in the reviews, etc. C&D and most every other car publication like the M3 better because it is the class leader for chassis balance, handling, feel, etc. I challenge anyone to drive one at the track and disagree. However, for many of us, that may not be the more important factor and therefore it may not be the better car. It so happens that driving enthusiasts (which include magazine editors) put a greater emphasis on this area of performance than many others. As an example, how many times has Toyota not won a comparison test with the Camry because another car handled better or had better driving dynamics? BUT, the Camry outsells almost anything else because the consumer likes a cushy and quiet ride. The car magazines value a different trait but it doesn't make it a conspiracy theory against the world's largest auto manufacturer. It simply highlights what the majority of car driving enthusiasts value the most and isn't because Honda paid off the auto mags or there is a Honda bias. It is because Honda builds cars that enthusiasts drivers prefer from a driving dynamics perspective than does Toyota. Not necessarily a better car but it gets better reviews generally speaking.The M3 is a better balanced car for the track... it just is. The C63 is, IMO, a better car for the street and closer to the M3 now on the track than it has ever been. The editors of car magazines put more emphasis on track/back road performance and driving dynamics than some and it is reflected in their scoring. It does NOT mean the car is better for everyone or for every purpose because it isn't. It also doesn't mean there is a conspiracy theory in C&D magazine... don't forget that most, if not all, magazines and car reviews have favoured the M3 since day one and I can assure you there is no industry wide conspiracy going on
So, if you truly believe in the conspiracy theory or magazine bias then you need to include almost EVERY publication out there because I don't believe the M3 has lost a comparison test anywhere of note (there might have been one or two). Jeremy Clarkson owned a C63 but even he proclaims the M3 as the car to beat. Boy, the industry is messed up favouring BMW isn't it? It is just a huge, industry wide, BMW bias/conspiracy without justification!! (sarcasm added)
