Road & Track review of M3 CP vs C63s vs Giulia Quadrifoglio

[M3Tooner]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...s-amg-comparo/

Disappointed that there was no track times but I think they like the M3 best on the track.

To that end, the Giulia Quadrifoglio is the gutsiest, a serious first stab that leaves an impression. The M3 is objectively sharpest, still a siren yet no longer infallible. Whatever modicum of performance the Mercedes leaves on the racetrack, it makes up everywhere else. For what "regular use" means today, the C63 S is damn near irresistible.

While both Germans gain favor on the bigger track, the Italian's novelty factor wears thin. It's suspect of drama-by-design, same as Alfa's mid-engine 4C. That car is a bit smoke and mirrors, akin to what someone who's never driven a race car would think a race car feels like. The Quadrifoglio is similarly edgy, to the point of feeling disconnected. Finding a rhythm takes serious work.

Exactly what my impression was when I drove one. The steering is so unnecessarily quick, somewhat trying to be dramatic, to wow the journalist. Feels like a race car because it is so quick but is it really needed to put together a fast lap? Probably not.

[Racer20]

You drove a Giulia QV? How was the engine compared to your M?

I've driven a couple 2.0L Giulia's, and I was quite impressed with them compared to my wife's 228i. The steering on the base Giulia is too quick too, but I got used to it after a while and it didn't bother me too much.

[M3Tooner]

Giulia QV's engine has a lot of power and performs well at full load. It's just less smooth/refine versus the S55, especially at partial load and idle.

Regarding the base Giulia, it definitely feels a lot closer to the QV for driving dynamics than a base 3 series is to an M3. Afterall, the Giulia was developed to meet QV requirements first before the base car, unlike the 3 series. I suspect they share a lot more of the tuning between base car and QV due to the short development timeline.

[No Boost]

I debated starting a new thread but I'll just leave this here....

There's been a lot of discussions about the Alfa's superior Corsa tires; do they make a considerable difference in performance tests and driving dynamics? An insert in the latest C&D mag explains this. It's summarized as follows:

We wanted to retest the GQ on PSS but a matched set wasn't available on the car's staggered sizes. After discussing with Tire Rack, we decided to use Continental ExtremeContact Sports (PSS equivalent). A retest was performed. On the road, didn't feel any different, same sharp steering, etc. The comparative tests below...

Pirelli:

0-30...1.6
0-60...3.6
0-100...8.1
70-0...143'
skidpad...1.00

Continental:

0-30...1.7
0-60...3.9
0-100...8.4
70-0...156'
skidpad...0.96

Personally, these show considerable differences. The QV is back in the pack with normal street summer rubber.

[MCarRacr07]

@M3tooner you drove a Quad on the track? or you managed to get a test drive...

[M3Tooner]

No racetrack, work related test drive.

[MCarRacr07]

Originally Posted by M3Tooner

No racetrack, work related test drive.

interesting..I now have a Quad (4 Months) and I have had an F80 (prior to the ZCP being available) have not driven the Quad at the track yet but have signed up for a few track events so far for the season will be interesting to see for myself...
I happen to be very happy with the car so far. There are def. certain quirks about it that irk me... I attribute that to having been an M owner for 30 years and frankly I am used to the interior and functions of a BMW. to be fair however there were some things that bothered me with my new M's that were not present in the old ones....

without you having to divulge what you do...you work in the auto industry in some capacity?
Regards
M

[mcc3456]

Originally Posted by M3Tooner

Giulia QV's engine has a lot of power and performs well at full load. It's just less smooth/refine versus the S55, especially at partial load and idle.

Regarding the base Giulia, it definitely feels a lot closer to the QV for driving dynamics than a base 3 series is to an M3. Afterall, the Giulia was developed to meet QV requirements first before the base car, unlike the 3 series. I suspect they share a lot more of the tuning between base car and QV due to the short development timeline.

I think what you are experiencing at idle is cylinder deactivation. Engine actually becomes a 3 cylinder whenever possible to save gas and lower emissions in certain situations. Disagree about being less refined at partial load. It is actually significantly smoother than the S55. I had 22K miles on my S55 and now 2k miles on a Quad. Great engine.

[M3Tooner]

Originally Posted by MCarRacr07

...you work in the auto industry in some capacity?

Yes