Not sure if this is a re-post but if not, worth a watch for your morning coffee. That 4-sec 0-60 run for the C63 S is very conservative considering the fact that Car & Driver just tested a M3/M4 doing 3.6 secs to 60. The 4.3-secs stated in this video is odd.

 

Thanks for sharing
Short track with short straights it's what to expect. M3 had CCB as well.

 

Perhaps, but that C63 is the more expensive and powerful S version. Wait for the competition pack M3
j/k not trying to start a war. Both fantastic cars. The AMG is quicker in the straights. My buddy is buying the C63S soon and I'm super jealous. Trading up his 507 for it!

 

Given that the M3 had the carbon brakes and the short twisty track with few straights, I am surprised and pleased the C was only 0.7 seconds behind.


Also, perhaps the driver should have left the traction control on in sport mode on the C as I doubt it would have slowed him anywhere and it could well have prevented the two cases of severe over steer that cost the C some much time.


I also look forward to results from longer tracks with more space to stretch out the car's legs.

 

they went up against a m3 with ccb and that last corner they admitted the loss in slide was 0.3-0.4s

either way, give the track layout this was a phenomenal time from the benz.

 

So driver error at the last corner cost the C63 .3? Hardly the car's fault. The gap is nothing now which is a huge improvement, no question about it.


The guy is good but way too much analysis...like shut up already! He made the 100kg sound like he was towing a trailer, and of course he can feel it!

 

in the video, they concede to .3-.4s being the last corner, the car was still down a few tenths before it.

the video is very fair to both cars on a tight track that was in favor of the m3 and its CCBs.

 

.3 to .4 in one corner is representative of poor driving, is my point. Even if the M3 is still ahead at the end by a couple tenths over 83 seconds, is pretty much a dead heat regardless because of driver error.

 

This is to be expected. Given most tracks the M3 should win, but a drag strip would go to the Merc.

 

I totally don't understand the video


I understand he is trying to use lap time to see which car is quicker.... but wouldn't you want both cars to have have minimal mistake to have the best time?
I am sure he can do a few more lap to get a better time and show the best lap

 

.7 is nothing.

Driver error I would venture to say..

 

Over the course of 1 lap, its irrelevant. However it would add up over a 20 lap race.

 

I am pretty sure they did multiple tries. Lets be honest the C63 was never meant to out beat M3 on a track. Two difference styles two different beasts.

 

Here is what I said on the M3/4 forum that I also frequent (given my recent ownership of an M4).


The C63S is clearly more of a grand touring car than a hard core track car. This is especially true with the Pano roof which appears to weigh at least 150 lbs. On the other hand, having owned an M4 for a year and now having traded it for a C63S, I can say for me, the C63S is the "better" car.

I have concluded that when I want to drive on the track, I want to drive someone else's $70K+ car. I did not want to track my M4 as the cost in brakes, tires and general wear would be relatively high and the risk of very expensive crash damage made the prospect quite unappealing. I'm much happier to pay for some fancy driving school in which I drive even more track oriented cars, while enjoying my personal car on the road.

Based on this, why is the C63S "better" for me? I find the interior much more comfortable, particularly for longer drives which I expect to do 5 to 8 times a year. The A/C in my M4 was weak and did not keep me comfortable during the warmer North Carolina summer days. The C does just fine in this regard. The ride is much more comfortable in the C. Finally, the stability control on the C is actually much more pleasant and much less intrusive than on the M. I expect that with stability control off, the M will have higher cornering limits and perhaps better controlled limits than the C. However, even in MDM mode, the M was much more restrictive for cornering than the C. This actually makes the C more "fun" to drive on the street than the M as I was not willing to drive the M with stability control off regularly.

Finally, I have just one thing to say to all the folks lambasting the C for being bigger, heavier, more expensive and slower on the track than the M and claiming that this is really the most important thing; Camaro Z/28. If track performance is really that important for you, why did you buy the M rather than the Camaro? The Z/28 annihilates the M on every track test (e.g., 'ring time of 7:52 vs. 7:37), costs less, etc.

I expect your answer would come down to ride comfort and quality on the street, practicality and a few other non-track related factors. My point is that those same factors are just as relevant in choosing a C over an M even though the performance gap between the C and the M is much smaller than the gap between the M and Z/28.

 

In addition to the last corner slide losing .3 seconds and the BMW having CCB's the reviewer owns an m3 so he's obviously going to know the cars limits and traits much better then a new car he just got a few laps with. Why Is Mercedes providing media cars that they know are going to be tracked with pano roofs? lol not a smart move give them the steel roof and CCB's to go against the CF roof/CCB m3's

 

I dont think the reviewer and driver are the same people.. so he won't know the m3 limits like you say.

the c63s is going to have a hard time beating the m3 on small tracks - and as dave has pointed out .7 is huge - which is true on a small track and for one lap.. if you were doing multiple laps it would be a bad turnout for the c63s.

I still like the c63s very much - since I am not personally tracking my car. If I was I would probably go m3 route or something else entirely.

 

All excellent points.

My general rule when I want a "dual-threat" car (one that I can daily drive but is capable of track duty): It needs to be a magnificent road car first.

While the F8X is undoubtedly a great road car, there are some things the W205 does a bit better when acting in that capacity. And that's not a knock against the F8X, props to MB for going above and beyond when it came to the interior of the W205. They seemed to have nailed the ride quality and ESP system as well.

 

I partially agree with your statement.

I'd revise it slightly though. The C63 was never meant to beat the M3 on every track. There are going to be tracks where the C63 is faster.

The W204 C63 was 4 seconds faster than the E9X M3 around the 'ring. The W204 was also faster than the E9X around Hockenheim (the standard C63 also "tied" the E9X M3 CRT there).

What do Hockenheim and the 'ring have in common? They're "fast" tracks with ample straights and lightning quick sweepers (rather than short straights and technical hairpins).

 

If I want to bench race a bimmer boy I'll use this data, if I want to race a bimmer boy at a track .... well.... I'll do it on a track.

These reviews are nice for banter, but this just tells me the two cars are in the same league, and it's up to the driver.

Buy what you like, and if you actually track it, there will be plenty of mods susp/brakes/tires tunes and driver training to get you where you want to go.

Now on the other hand if you wish to have some fun water-cooler benchracing... well..... race away.

 

I feel this topic has been beaten to death.

 

This is one of the best head to head videos I've ever seen and he's giving a great summary as he goes of the comparisons... And there is a frame by frame matchup at the end of the same pro driving both cars... Don't know what else you are looking for ... A track that makes the c63 look better?

Most people buying the c63 and m3/4 will in all reality just care about straight performance ... Way more vids on YouTube about straight shoot outs than any of head to head in twisties

 

Many still live and die by c63 vs m3/4 discussions

 

I agree...but as long as they continue to produce newer models, this will continue to be discussed. Which new car got lighter, faster, more power, more torque, faster 0-60, 1/4 mile -- it will never end. I confess that some of it is very entertaining, like this video. However, I don't track my cars so it doesn't really matter to me. Having said that, I believe I'm on the right side of this debate. For me, straight line muscle FTW.

 

Fixed it for you



Again, that is what suits you. For every person who share the same views as you, there are just as many others that rather buy the M because of such capabilities on the track and no compromise will do. I've attended driving schools and HPDE but nothing gives you that feeling of controlled racing in your own car. To them, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.


I do agree that the interior of the new C63 is quite a nice place to be. The M3 is no slouch in that department, but there is a touch of elegance to the décor in the C63. If interiors were clothing, the C63 would be a tuxedo and the M3 would be a suit. Although I can't speak for the AC, my friend's M4 blows ice cold. Although my last E92 M3 did not blow as cold. I drive with stability control off. I haven't driven the new C63 yet but if this vid is any indication, it should handle the limits quite nicely but that is what was missing in the W204 C63 that I had. The E92 M3 was such more balanced and predictable. The M3/M4 carries that tradition once again so I'm eager to test out the new C63-S and see what "feel" I get under my *** in comparison. I'm no Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg. Not even close lol but I'm no average driver and have plenty of track time.




I haven't once heard or has it ever popped in my head to cross-shop a C63/M3 with a Z28. Where as comparing the C63 to the M3 is like comparing jelly to jam, comparing the C63/M3 to the Z28 is like jelly to mustard. You know as much as I do that this notion is quite a reach. We here chose the C63 or the M3 because it's a jack of all trades car. Daily driver, track duty, weekend warrior, family hauler, garage queen, etc. You cannot put the Z28 in that category. Z28 is a track focused weapon with no A/C. Call me crazy but I like my A/C...

There is no wrong or right answer as to why somebody chooses the C63 over the M3 or vice versa. For you, it's because your main focus was comfort as evident by your long trips and your taste for a stepped-up interior. For me, I have an M4 on order because it was that "feel" and balance at the limit in my E92 M3 that I did not want to give up over the creature comforts of the new C63. Plus, I must have a 6-speed manual and 3-pedals so my choice was also made by what the C63-S couldn't offer me (and many, many other people). The C63 is just as fast as the M3 around a track. Maybe not equally fast or faster but in the same regard. The M3 is just as fast as the C63 in a straight. Maybe not equally fast or faster but in the same regard. Both will often come down to the driver's skill rather than the car's specs.

Where as I believe the M3/M4 is still #1, I'll concede and put the C63-S as #1-B because if the reviews by you guys are that good, I can't help but be a believer before I drive it. I'll reserve my judgment when I get to flog it soon but for now, people who argue that the M3/M4 is better or worse than the C63 are probably people who regurgitate stats they read online (or biased towards "their" favorite brand) as their basis of argument rather than actual seat time behind the wheel.

It's a great time to be a car enthusiast. Especially in this segment. The C63-S, M3/M4, RC-F and the newly ATS-V make it one crowded bunch. Add a new RS5 and perhaps Jaguar's planned XE-R, and this is looking to be a royal rumble. Didn't have my morning coffee yet so if none of this makes sense, forgive me!

 

hahaha, its good to hear different opinions. I just don't like to hear comments from people who are biased towards their brand before even driving the other.
I've noticed on several reviews where to reviewer is biased which is just unfair towards the newbie who is car shopping for his once in a lifetime purchase of a high performance German luxury brand.