KIS007

I realize there have been endless threads on both this forum and Bimmerpost comparing the M3 to the C63. The only difference is that on Bimmerpost everyone concludes that the M3 is clearly the better car; whereas, on this forum the clear winner is the C63. I'll offer a slightly different perspective. They are both phenomenal cars, but with slightly different strong suits. The BMW is the more precise machine, but the AMG is more fun as a daily driver.

I could find fault with either car, but who cares, both are a blast to drive. Now excuse me while I terrorize the neighborhood...........

Vise_

This is a pretty good summary... I came from driving an E90 M3, first a 2008 and then 2011. I get asked by my friends which car is better but I still struggle somewhat to compare the two. I don't track my cars (not for lack of interest mind you) so this is based on normal day to day driving, mostly in the city but also some highway.

The M3 definitely feels lighter/more agile but you really need to work the engine hard to go fast... the lack of torque down low is quite noticeable. That said the balance, handling, and all around sporty feeling is awesome. On the other hand the C63 feels heavier but also beats you over the head with power/torque and the sound is magnificent. I also prefer the interior on the 2012+ C63, it feels way more modern than the E9x M3 which dates back to 2005. Cruising on the highway in the C63 is crazy too, drop a couple gears and jump on the throttle and you are gone. To me ithe C63 feels quite a bit faster in almost every normal day to day driving situation as well.

Both are obviously brilliant cars but I'm happy where I am for now... stomping on the gas in the C63 and hearing that sweet music won't get old anytime soon.

USCGTO

I cannot live without Torque. I mean **** loads of torque.

6 years with a 6.0L GTO will do that to anyone.

mdgrwl

I concluded the M3 is too serious for its own good.



It’s so bent on precision, it’s become clinical. The C63 on the other hand is all about fun. It’s handling is very very good, providing MORE driver feedback and involvement than the E92 - and I would say has 90% of what the E92 is in chassis balance. That 10% better in chassis feel is hard to feel on the street unless your driving at the limit.


C63 wins for straight up fun, power, and being 90% of what the E92 is in the handling.

LuisC55AMG

Agree with all these quotes. Testing back to back the M3 against the C63 made me realize that torque was the key factor in my decision. Really, I had to hit the upper revs on the M3's engine to extract fun at street speeds (40-50mph). Whereas the C63 was all fun at any speed.

mdgrwl

Yup. It puts a smile on your face when you hit the gas and INSTANTLY feel a nice hard pull -vs- The Litte Train That Could saying "I think I can, I think I can".... waiting until it hits 6000rpm to finally say "I can!" - and feel a hard pull.

Chug from down low. Love the torque throughout the curve. Not gassed out at the top end. Shift. Repete.

Kriston

These cars are totally different animals IMHO. The M3 is exactly as you mentioned, a precise machine. The C63 may not feel / be as nimble. But it makes up for that in the power / torque dept.

You have to Rev the M3 to get some good power out of it, but its the beauty of the engine. Being an old rotary guy myself I loved the high rev of the NA V8.

But on the street, I love the down low grunt of the 63. It really is a beast down low. Makes every day driving a lot more fun.

grendel88

I loved my E92, but when my lease ran out, I wanted a 991S, but I was not really impressed with the test drive, ended up with a Panamera GTS, which was about the same price. Biggest regret ever. The GTS was huge, drove small when you took it over a 100 MPH, but not really a great idea for most stretch of roads. Couldn't forget my M3. Was going to trade my GTS for a 991S but felt that the lack of torque was what made me not love my test drive.

Went to look at C63s because I always loved the look and sound, but not the tiny wheels, saw the WTF 507 model in a coupe with the 19"s, test drove, and fell in love.

Everyone is right: if you want a fun daily driver, C63 > M3. You cannot beat the low end grunt. I never track my cars so to explore the balance of a M3 or a 911 is not a good option on my regular commute. I think most guys fall into this category. What I have learned from RS4 to M3 to Panamera to C63 is torque is king. It is what I feel the most and use the most in everyday driving from work to going to dinner to picking up groceries to going to the golf course. Small cars with big engines forever

blindfold

besides the small fuel tank and the rate tires disappear, i must agree a tuned C63 is an excellent daily driver.

M3 in traffic is not something pleasant, however it is surprisingly capable on the track, relatively weak brakes when you push a bit but it is fully expected on street cars, oil temps are relatively okay too depending on how long the straights are, so far just splash of power steering fluid and big smiles at average driver at your average trackday.

DuaneC63

They are both wonderful cars. The BMW rewards you with better handling. The C63 rewards with the mash the gas factor.

ab0bab0i

I wish the C63 came in manual.

Karl901

M 3 definitely handles better, balance is almost perfect. But on the track a C63 needs a strong tune to keep up.

papashango

For me the sound and torque just kills the M3. I was the biggest fan of M3's growing up, but I am so glad I went with the C63.

mdgrwl

Yeah, more power to the already tail happy rear end... that will make it keep up.

KIS007

These 2 cars are clearly going after the same demographic, but with a different emphasis. I am enjoying the C63 more with each passing day. Over the years I have continually heard the negatives of the 63 (suspension and transmission), but in aggressive daily driving, it has not been a problem. I'm glad my first mod was to hardwire the V1...........

turbo8765

I know right! My M3 has 19x10 stock. Why does the C63 have such small wheels? And there doesn't seem to be many aftermarket options.

Despite being direct competitors they are two very different cars. When people ask me which I like better I can't even answer because they are so different.

The best thing about the M3 is that it really feels like a race car.

The fun factor of the C63 on the street is really hard to beat.

mdgrwl

^^ you can easily fit a 275 wide rear tire on the rear 18×9's but when it comes time to get new shoes, Ill stick with 255's as they are simply more fun. When the rear end breaks loose a little bit, I find it gets my pulse going a bit which is the point of the car.

We are not all at a track shooting for a personal best lap time.

turbo8765

DiscoZ

I disagree the M3 handles that much better. It is slightly more precise and neutral at the limit, and that is it. The C63 handles just as well (although it doesn't feel like it), has better steering feel, better brakes and all the other great things such as motor, looks, sound, etc. It's biggest weakness is its rear rubber. With 245 / 275 rubber, it is very different. It's a hammer to the M3's scalpel and needs to be driven as such. I found the E92 M3 (which I had) to be soulless. It could never fill the void that the departure of my Z4MC created.

turbo8765

If you think the M3 is soulless you might consider driving lessons

The M3 is more precise, but it's less neutral. The M3 with non-staggered tires is comparable to the C63 with staggered tires. The +12 up C63 is stunningly neutral. It's one of the best things about the car.

DiscoZ

I think you might consider lessons in manners; and I've taken a great many driving lessons around tracks both in test cars and my own. I'll stand by my opinions and you can stand by yours. I've owned both a E92 M3 and a C63 P31 with LSD.

mdgrwl

I think these are fair and accurate comments.

M3 chassis is more balanced, has a really cool feel in hard cornering. Hard to explain.
C63 is pretty balanced and neutral but doesn't have that 'magic' feel of the M3's chassis
C63 provides more feedback through the steering

Diabolis

100% accurate. Each car has its strengths and weaknesses.

Vise_

And you're forgetting the sound of the C63 at all times is better than the M3... revving the M3 up to 8k is a blast but is not something you can do all the time.

mdgrwl

I never really understood whats so great about revving it up so high. I've done it multiple times in my test drives... didn't do anything for me

The C63 revs pretty high as well compared to my last car (SRT8, 6200rpm gear changes)... doesn't do much for me either.