Back in an M car!

[PunjabiM3]

Hey folks I'm back in a M after almost a four year absence! This is now my fifth M car (2004 e46 M3 cabrio, 2005 e46 M3 coupe, 2008 e92 M3, 2011 BMW 1M, and now 2017 f80 M3 ZCP). Just took delivery around noon today and have already racked up around 100 miles of around town driving. Car is Mineral Gray on full black leather, competition pkg, executive pkg, driver assistance plus, lighting pkg, DCT, Apple carplay, power rear sunshade. It is a Nov 2016 build and so far am enjoying it though still learning some of the new iDrive changes.

2017 M3 ZCP vs 2016 MB C63 S AMG:

Prior to the M3, I had ordered and taken delivery on a 2016 MB C63 S AMG. That was my very first MB; it was a blast to drive but I ended up having a love/hate relationship with it after 8 months and 3900 miles. The 4.0 biturbo motor was absolutely phenomenal. Power everywhere, gobs of torque, no lag, and instantaneous throttle response! The MCT transmission was great when on the throttle or downshifting. Very fast and crisp shifts, I would say just as fast as the DCT in the M3. However, the let down is that at slow speeds, it can be very jerky. I find the DCT in the M3 much smoother when driving around town. The other major gripe I had with the C63 S was the harsh ride, even in comfort mode. I do not understand why MB needs to make the ride so stiff in comfort mode when there is a sport, sport plus, and race mode available. Over large bumps, harsh roads, poor expansion joints in the road, you could hear the suspension make a thump/thud sound through the entire structure. The car was just too stiff for my tastes and lacked the compliance that is needed in comfort mode. Believe me when I say that the M3, even with the competition package and 20 inch wheels, has a more compliant ride and better absorbs bumps in the roads than the AMG. This leads me to the last major issue I had with the AMG: the build quality. The interior on the AMG is gorgeous IMHO, it has better tech than the M3, better sound system, etc. The fit and finish on both cars is excellent at eye level, but the car had so many minor rattles and squeaks on those rough roads that it felt like I was not driving a luxury car period. The M3, in contrast, does have a few very minor squeaks already, but nowhere near the level of what I experienced in the AMG.

Downsides to the M3 compared to the C63 S AMG:

Having driven the AMG for 8 months and 3900 miles, and now the M3 for all of a hundred miles, there are already some things that for certain are superior on the AMG. The first thing is that I loved having adaptive cruise control on the MB, which is likely one of the best systems out there. We have adaptive cruise in our 2015 X5, and though it works well, it is not nearly as good as the system in the AMG we had. It's too bad BMW does not allow this as an option in their M cars. It is pretty much 2017 now so hopefully BMW changes this in the next models. On the AMG I also had a superb surround view camera system. I have the side and top view cameras in the M3 as part of the driver assistance plus package, but unless I am missing something, it sucks compared to the one in the AMG. The AMG has a great front camera that lets you see the front lip of the car for when you park. It also has a wide angle camera up front and on the backup camera so that you can see if anything is coming when parked at the store for example. We have this same exact system in our 2015 X5, but it seems to me that BMW has left it off the M3. Stupid IMHO. The last thing that I feel is better on the AMG is the Burmeister sound system. It is not the same level Burmeister as is found on the S class or on P-cars, but my ears tell me that the HK in the M3 is not as good in the bass department or overall clarity as that Burmeister system. I can't imagine that it will bother me enough to do something about it, but I am sure there are options to upgrade the HK system out there.

Overall I am happy that I made the switch to the M3 as it is nice being back in familiar territory and I am very happy that the M3 rides better with better build quality than the AMG. If I can break-in the M3 fast enough, I hope to do some runs against my R8 V10 6MT from a roll when I'm in Mexico next time. Otherwise it may not happen as the R8 is being fitted with twins starting next month. Hope you guys enjoyed my thread and hopefully this can be of some use for those trying to compare the two cars.

[spyderbret]

Great compairison. We have a 2016 C63S as well and feel the same way. Love the power and features but driving slow in anything other than comfort is jerky. I get the same effect in my M3 but it's totally my fault. LOL!

Oh and....

[idocm4]

Congrats! MG is the best color!

[dkhm3]

welcome back!

seen your issues on mbworld and was wondering when you were going to get something new, hopefully the m3 will suit your needs!

[yaymitch]

Congrats!! I had actually had my one and only experience with MB with the W204 C63, and really liked it. I think MB regressed with the W205 version compared to BMW with the F8X. Welcome back!!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Hey folks I'm back in a M after almost a four year absence!

Congrats! BUT ... anyone criticizing an ///M3 for it's lack of superb surround camera is, well ... i'll give you a pass since maybe you've had just enough time away from BMW to forget what ///M cars are all about!


Love the Mineral Grey! Congrats!!!

[F80Dreamer]

Congrats, welcome back to the M world! Great choice with MG, same color as me. See you around the streets of dfw

[Wah]

People that start "I got an M' posts and don't put up photos should be tarred and feathered or subjected to some other archaic form of punishment.

Congrats.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Wah

People that start "I got an M' posts and don't put up photos should be tarred and feathered or subjected to some other archaic form of punishment.

Congrats.

Unless its Alpine White then no one cares.

Grats on the car OP. Unless you are going around break in procedures you have not even started to enjoy the car yet. Thr S55 is fantastic as well. Enjoy!

[secretariat]

The fit and finish on both cars is excellent at eye level, but the car had so many minor rattles and squeaks on those rough roads that it felt like I was not driving a luxury car period. The M3, in contrast, does have a few very minor squeaks already, but nowhere near the level of what I experienced in the AMG.

If you are experiencing squeaks at 100 miles you could be in for some AMG like squeaks and rattles down the road. Congratulations on the purchase.

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by secretariat

The fit and finish on both cars is excellent at eye level, but the car had so many minor rattles and squeaks on those rough roads that it felt like I was not driving a luxury car period. The M3, in contrast, does have a few very minor squeaks already, but nowhere near the level of what I experienced in the AMG.

If you are experiencing squeaks at 100 miles you could be in for some AMG like squeaks and rattles down the road. Congratulations on the purchase.

I don't think that will be the case. The AMG had those issues pretty much from the get go. Perhaps build quality has been going down across the board? I never recall having such issues on my e92 M3 and my 2012 Audi R8 (and previous 2012 A6) has been silent as can be as far as interior squeaks and rattles.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!!

[ksa]

Welcome paaji, great choice in cars you got there. I too came from AMG's to M's and each of them have their own advantages. AMG's always catch me with their exhaust notes cs the M's but then M's have excellent gearboxes etc so they are both great in their own way. Anyway, chak de phattey!

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

I don't think that will be the case. The AMG had those issues pretty much from the get go. Perhaps build quality has been going down across the board? I never recall having such issues on my e92 M3 and my 2012 Audi R8 (and previous 2012 A6) has been silent as can be as far as interior squeaks and rattles.

I do hate squeaks and rattles. All my previous cars had squeaks and rattles unfortunately.

Audi (tranny knob area), MB (Creaks, and rear sunshade), BMW... etc.

My wife's GS350 @ 17k miles now and has 1 small rattle behind the front passenger door by the seat belt harness.

we thought the lexus would be the first car we owned without squeaks but oh well.

Maybe the 1st year issues on the c63s being built in alabama had something to do with it, although i think on the mb forums it seems across the board on the w205 c class build quality even in general vs "normal" mb build quality.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I do hate squeaks and rattles. All my previous cars had squeaks and rattles unfortunately.

Audi (tranny knob area), MB (Creaks, and rear sunshade), BMW... etc.

My wife's GS350 @ 17k miles now and has 1 small rattle behind the front passenger door by the seat belt harness.

we thought the lexus would be the first car we owned without squeaks but oh well.

Maybe the 1st year issues on the c63s being built in alabama had something to do with it, although i think on the mb forums it seems across the board on the w205 c class build quality even in general vs "normal" mb build quality.

Ill say this.. after owning an 08 M3 then an 11 and a 15 then a 16 Ill never buy a first year BMW again. Both my 11 and 16 are worlds "tighter" than the first year cars I had.

[smr123]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I do hate squeaks and rattles. All my previous cars had squeaks and rattles unfortunately.

Audi (tranny knob area), MB (Creaks, and rear sunshade), BMW... etc.

My wife's GS350 @ 17k miles now and has 1 small rattle behind the front passenger door by the seat belt harness.

we thought the lexus would be the first car we owned without squeaks but oh well.

Maybe the 1st year issues on the c63s being built in alabama had something to do with it, although i think on the mb forums it seems across the board on the w205 c class build quality even in general vs "normal" mb build quality.

You ever happy? Im surprised you are still married

[PunjabiM3]

Originally Posted by dkhm3

I do hate squeaks and rattles. All my previous cars had squeaks and rattles unfortunately.

Audi (tranny knob area), MB (Creaks, and rear sunshade), BMW... etc.

My wife's GS350 @ 17k miles now and has 1 small rattle behind the front passenger door by the seat belt harness.

we thought the lexus would be the first car we owned without squeaks but oh well.

Maybe the 1st year issues on the c63s being built in alabama had something to do with it, although i think on the mb forums it seems across the board on the w205 c class build quality even in general vs "normal" mb build quality.

Yeah I think it is the w205 that seems to suffer more so than the usual norm for MB. My C63S was a second year later build; first year was 2015 and by the time mine was produced they had already been building them for over a year. Hopefully it is something they will improve on as it is otherwise a superb car. I do agree that Lexus has superior build quality to any of these German brands. We have owned several Lexus over the years and even after years of ownership the cars interiors were still like new, with rattles and squeaks pretty much being non existent. We still have our 2009 ES350 (gave it to my mother a few years ago); 7.5 yrs old and 95k miles later I swear the car doesn't have a single rattle or squeak when driving around town. If only they made cars that were more exciting! I looked at the new GSF as well this time around, but I felt the lack of FI and the interior were a letdown.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Yeah I think it is the w205 that seems to suffer more so than the usual norm for MB. My C63S was a second year later build; first year was 2015 and by the time mine was produced they had already been building them for over a year.

Appreciate the write-up ... I wonder if build quality between the AMG sedan (US built) and coupe (euro built) will be / is different?

The AMG is very tempting ... probably the thing holding me back is no lease deals like BMW has. The benz just isn't worth that premium for me.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by smr123

You ever happy? Im surprised you are still married

when my choices from my garage are an m car and another m car, well... i'm pretty pleased all day.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Yeah I think it is the w205 that seems to suffer more so than the usual norm for MB. My C63S was a second year later build; first year was 2015 and by the time mine was produced they had already been building them for over a year. Hopefully it is something they will improve on as it is otherwise a superb car. I do agree that Lexus has superior build quality to any of these German brands. We have owned several Lexus over the years and even after years of ownership the cars interiors were still like new, with rattles and squeaks pretty much being non existent. We still have our 2009 ES350 (gave it to my mother a few years ago); 7.5 yrs old and 95k miles later I swear the car doesn't have a single rattle or squeak when driving around town. If only they made cars that were more exciting! I looked at the new GSF as well this time around, but I felt the lack of FI and the interior were a letdown.

Yes, the Lexus dealer warned us that the only way to justify getting rid of the car is to break it yourself.

[Bowser330]

In regards to squeaks and rattles does anyone know of a service that can identify and fix? It's usually caused by plastic bits rubbing against each other and I've seen DIYs but was wondering if there was such a service that focused on that?

[W///]

Originally Posted by PunjabiM3

Yeah I think it is the w205 that seems to suffer more so than the usual norm for MB. My C63S was a second year later build; first year was 2015 and by the time mine was produced they had already been building them for over a year. Hopefully it is something they will improve on as it is otherwise a superb car. I do agree that Lexus has superior build quality to any of these German brands. We have owned several Lexus over the years and even after years of ownership the cars interiors were still like new, with rattles and squeaks pretty much being non existent. We still have our 2009 ES350 (gave it to my mother a few years ago); 7.5 yrs old and 95k miles later I swear the car doesn't have a single rattle or squeak when driving around town. If only they made cars that were more exciting! I looked at the new GSF as well this time around, but I felt the lack of FI and the interior were a letdown.

Not to go too far OT, but why did you think the interior of the GSF was a let down? From the pictures, it looks like it should be one of its strong points (minus the ridiculous infosystem)

I actually like the car, just not for the crazy price they're asking for.