Well, this can be a entertaining story.....this week i was ready to finally buy my new baby, a 2016 M3, marina Blue. Been saving for this the past 2 years, buying cash. Yesterday finally went to the dealer (4hr away from me) with the check ready for 45k. I reach the place and saw this 2009 c63 AMG p30 package. Wasn't even considering it as a potential buy, but was my childhood wet dream,always been in love with these monsters. So i ask my guy to tell me more before shedding my savings on the M3. Turns out to be the car dealer owner car, bought in 2009 brand new and kept like a jewel. It has 19000, yes 19k miles on it . I test drove it and it felt like a brand new car, even the new car scent, amazing. It did put a smile on my face instantly. I fell in love. At this moment I'm confused, not so excited about the M3 anymore. The rawness of that na engine is addictive. So much that i pause the purchase of the M3 and told them I need to think and go back on Monday. The guy wants 35k for it, NTN less .im seriously thinking to buy it. I love M3 but that connection is missing, expecially from the sound, which to me it's very important. So i have been doing a lot of research from last night and I'm liking it more and more, already looking at the moshammer fenders as the only thing I don't like about the car is the narrow rear fenders not matching the fronts. So since it's 10k less than the M3, i can use the extra 10k to tune it, wide fenders and wheels, exhaust and I'm good to go. What you guys think? I'm completely new to AMG world, is 35k a good price? Am i loosing my mind? All i can tell that driving the M3 didn't give me that same feeling and huge smile that the c63 put on my face. My last car was a E92 V8 M3, and i find in this c63 the same excitement, where with the f80 M3 is lost. Open to hear your opinions before i make up my mind completely by Monday morning.

 

I know this is a C63 forum and all but even still, being as objective as I can, I'd get the C63. The F80 M3 is a very handsome car but the driving dynamics suck and it sounds like crap, no matter what you do to it.
I would throw the VIN into a decoder to confirm what equipment it has: https://www.mbdecoder.com/

If I remember correctly the P30 had a slightly lower and very stiff suspension that was softened in mid-2010 when the package was discontinued. I think the P30 came with the stock LSD whereas the later P31 did not (and was a standalone $2k option)
Being a 2009, this is the pre-headbolt update, so you'll want to check to see if that's been done. Sounds like the car was enthusiast owned which is great, but check for frequent oil change intervals because that's the single most important thing on these engines, including the ones with low miles that get driven short distances, or sit for months on end.

The price seems about right given the market. I sold a 2013 P31 with 15,900mi for $43K on C&B last year, and a similar one with 28K just sold for $50,000. Pre-FL (2011 and older) almost always go for less than 2012+ but a 2010 with 66k just sold for $27K on cars and bids.

 

Also wanted to point out that the speedo is in km/h and temp is in C, but the odometer is in miles, so depending on where you are located, this car may have been first sold in a different country.

 

Read the FAQ here, it’s full of valuable information that will help you.

As it’s a 2009, and therefore a defective headbolt affected car, set aside $5k to do those ASAP absolutely before anything else. Keep saving for the fenders.

So now you’re at only a $5k difference. I’m not a BMW guy, but much newer car… if it were a facelift C63 it’d be a pretty easy choice. But as things are - PFL car, head bolts - I’d probably take the M3 IMO…

Either way, make sure to get an independent PPI on the C63. If it’s got lifter tick, adjuster rattle or any other top end noises, pass.

(Quick edit: It’s also important to ask what you’re going to use the car for. Very important actually. If this is just going to be a weekend fun toy, something to tool around with and build up as a long term project, you like its hooligan nature, or the “last of the big V8s” thing appeals to you, the C63 is probably your car. If you’re going to commute or drive it regularly, prefer a maybe sharper or more refined chassis, better looks IMO, or appreciate having a nicer place to sit with better technology all-around, then the M3.

Both cars are mod-able and both have enthusiastic communities, so that’s all a toss up… So what are you going to use it for?)

 

Not a far cry from rare but neither a dime a dozen. Going rate for spec'd P30.
Having driven BOTH M156/S55 bone stock/extensively modified applications very few and far between resonate raw like the C63, can't say the same about the S55.
As mentioned above do your homework, be mindful that mileage is just a number and ultimately comes down to service. You don't have to play the cards you were delt, sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together
DESPITE MILEAGE REQUEST COLD START UP IN PERSON MONDAY TO ENSURE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTERS DON'T RATTLE WITHIN THE FIRST 3"

 

What BLKROKT said ^. Assuming both are in good condition, between Pre Facelift and F80 M3, I’d go M3, regardless how low mileage or rare the C63 is.

If it were a Facelift C63 with P31 package and LSD, then it would be no brainer from my point of view.

 

If having the skills doing the headbolt DIY, you can get away with a whole lot less.
If engine isn´t having any issues related to them yet, you might get away with changing them out one by one and never lift the heads.
But if needed to lift the heads FCPeuro has a kit: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...ing-1560160769

ONLY DIY if you got experience, as you need to degree the cams(need a tool for that also)

 

I'm not a fan of bmw's but for around that price point, I would go with the M3 over the 2009 C63. Or look for a FL C63 (2012+) if you are still interested in it.

 

UPDATE
so i have been thinking a lot and as much as i love the C63 it's not a good financial choice right now. I feel like i better buy the M3 as it's way newer and it's value for the money. The c63 will stay in my WANT CAR list, but for when I can afford to spend that money for something extra.

 

Probably a good choice, (as the peeps above have correctly noted)). I wound up with a C63 because my girl was shopping for a 435 convert. The dealer had a Yas Marina Blue M4 that I fell in love with. I'm sure it would have been great, but after decades of BMW's, (740il, 540M wagon, 3.0si. 2002 Tii, 320, 323, 325, M3), I thought it would be fun to go over to the dark side. I stumbled across a one owner low mile 507 and glad I did. Completely different animal, I love it and it's the ultimate for me, but I would still be smiling in that Yas Blue M4! GL!

 

Get some BBSs on that F80 and I promise you won't look back on C63s!

 

UPDATE

Ii still can't make up my mind, so I'm taking some more time to think. I can't stop thinking of doing the moshammer fenders and put on some wide wheels in the back. My heart wants the C63, my head saying the F80 M3....lol.

 

the M3 is faster with less mods, I haven't driven one but it being an M car should handle very well.

long term, it'll eventually fall apart like all BMW's do. they're meant to only be owned during a lease period and will deteriorate soon after.

the C63 comes with in my opinion, the greatest mass produced V8 on the planet. with that you get huge amounts of torque and that V8 sound. and you will not have a car breaking every week after week causing you to go bankrupt like BMW's tend to do.

 

Just make a decision dude, you’re a big boy you can do it.

 

At your budget, you should be able to find a clean facelift 2012+ c63. Am I missing something? Or are you set on this particular c63?

 

Not much of a choice, i live in the island of Jamaica, where only 2 C63 w204 were ever registered. On the other hand we have plenty of M3s and M4s...plus 19k miles pretty rare to find anywhere.
Is that V8 that makes this car special ..i also believe sound is immensively important to the driving experience.The M3 has sex appeal and status, also easy to resell , while the C63 is just a smiling making experience, but the narrow rear fenders it's a big turn off......

 

You can always just import a FL C63 in and still probably be a good amount under budget. Then do whatever modding after. Can even have a dealer take care of the transaction/inspection.

 

only kids have to choose, get both!

 

I'd probably go with the M3 over that pre FL C63. Low miles sounds nice but this is now a 13 year old car and I'd be worried that it sits for months on end never being driven along with the other issues others have stated. Sounds like the C63 you really want is like mine with a renntech wide body kit in the rear. The fender lines are much better matched to the front wide fenders and I can run an 11" wheel in the rear.

 

Jamaican yourself crazy, fulfill that childhood dream like wonder

 

GLWB