F80 M3 vs W205 C63s Edition1

[azzurro]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

If you don't track at all, it's fine. If you do, you'll feel every pound of it. It's like having 2 fat ladies sitting in the back of an M3 around the track. This is the same reason why 5 series aren't popular on the track. No bueno.

Keep in mind that BMW underrates the HP. 430HP on the M3 brochure = 430+ WHP, 480+ crank HP. BTW, they both go 0-60 in 3.9sec. Not sure where you find "faster" from.

Buy what you like, but it is BMW forum. Expect biased opinions.

Yes, I get it. I am looking for unbiased opinions. I've owned several BMW's and never owned a Mercedes so that says something. It's not about which is better but which is better for me/you.

I don't track nor ever will. This is a DD for me. My 335i is underpowered and so I'm looking for something faster/louder. What it will be? I don't know. Just looking for different options. I'm not looking for a BMW/Mercedes better or worse debate because both are great including a lot of other cars/manufacturers. Thanks for the input.

[jballs16]

Originally Posted by azzurro

BMW website says the M's 0-60 is 4.1 seconds. Maybe they are understated. They are close. The M is lighter but less HP while the C63 has more HP but is heavier. This is not what will decide one over the other for most people. Both are equally fast.

0-100kmh = 4.1

BMW NA stated 0-60mph was 3.9

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by azzurro

BMW website says the M's 0-60 is 4.1 seconds. Maybe they are understated. They are close. The M is lighter but less HP while the C63 has more HP but is heavier. This is not what will decide one over the other for most people. Both are equally fast.

Read again: http://www.bmwusa.com/bmw/M/M3/

Yes. Even if the Benz do 0-60 in 2sec, I will still like my M3 Thank You. If you haven't own an M3 or took one around the track (140mph then brake hard to take a 35mph hair pin turn), you'll never understand.

A BMW isn't meant for quarter mile drag race bro.

Buy what makes you happy. Don't let others influence you one way or another. You work hard for your money, the only way you know you like a car is to test drive it.

I've owned 8 new BMWs in the past 6yrs (from 3 series to 7 series), the M3 is by far my favorite. I had Infinitis, Benz, Acura, 350z, EVO IX, and they didn't do it for me. The way a BMW drives is just hard to explain.

I haven't owned a Porsche. I heard once you go P-Car, you won't go back. Too afraid to test drive a 911 GT3.

[theriz]

Good looking car. Always have been a fan of Mercs.

[azzurro]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Read again: http://www.bmwusa.com/bmw/M/M3/

Yes. Even if the Benz do 0-60 in 2sec, I will still like my M3 Thank You. If you haven't own an M3 or took one around the track (140mph then brake hard to take a 35mph hair pin turn), you'll never understand.

A BMW isn't meant for quarter mile drag race bro.

Buy what makes you happy. Don't let others influence you one way or another. You work hard for your money, the only way you know you like a car is to test drive it.

I get this so thanks. I've never even driven a Mercedes. I KNOW how my 335i banks and brakes and it's bomb. You're saying the Merc can't do this so that means something to me. There are so many things I love about my BMW 335i I was just thinkin I should consider something else but maybe not. I have another great friend in LA who just bought a new M3 and he' saying the same thing. That the BMW corners and handles way better so great info for me. Thanks. I may very well end up with an M3/M4.

[Mario_Kart]

So is that CCB at the front and iron rotors in the rear?

[JL M3]

Wow, the interior looks pretty nice! And I think the exterior looks pretty good as well. This is coming from a current f80 owner.

[bob330i]

guess I've not looked at the C43 that closely. Really don't like the rounded back end and the taillights. And I agree, the pics make it look huge.

Also after those interior pics, I don't care for a lot of it: weird stitching, the metal/chrome on the seats and the tack on nav screen. Just confirms my choice to go with the M3. Can't wait.

[Warriors8]

How did it sound op?

[Arcoril]

Originally Posted by azzurro

I get this so thanks. I've never even driven a Mercedes. I KNOW how my 335i banks and brakes and it's bomb. You're saying the Merc can't do this so that means something to me. There are so many things I love about my BMW 335i I was just thinkin I should consider something else but maybe not. I have another great friend in LA who just bought a new M3 and he' saying the same thing. That the BMW corners and handles way better so great info for me. Thanks. I may very well end up with an M3/M4.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Previous AMGs have been straight line muscle cars with very little chassis tuning. The comparable M was always the enthusiast's choice in the past, but now it honestly feels like it's different.

Perceptions are hard to change, but MB seems like they've massively upped their game this time around. Even Chris Harris can't decide which one is the better car. And he doesn't hold back the punches either. Just watch his RCF review if you want to see him tear into a car's flaws.

[coolmody]

Originally Posted by Mario_Kart

So is that CCB at the front and iron rotors in the rear?

Yes. That's how it comes if you order the CCB.

Originally Posted by Warriors8

How did it sound op?

Pretty muted, though we didn't get much time to spend with it. The owner and I agreed the note and tone was nice, but needed to be about 4x louder. My M3 with downpipes and open valves on the stock exhaust was much louder.

We were going to take some comparison videos until our fun got cut off early.

[azzurro]

Originally Posted by Arcoril

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. Previous AMGs have been straight line muscle cars with very little chassis tuning. The comparable M was always the enthusiast's choice in the past, but now it honestly feels like it's different.

Perceptions are hard to change, but MB seems like they've massively upped their game this time around. Even Chris Harris can't decide which one is the better car. And he doesn't hold back the punches either. Just watch his RCF review if you want to see him tear into a car's flaws.

Arcoril..we are on the same page. I would have never even considered a Mercedes even two years ago. I agree they have stepped up their game bigtime with regard to sportiness. They are now a REAL BMW competitor but so many BMW lifers aren't going to buy it.

There are so may things that are important. HP, 0-60, handling, cornering, comfort, safety, options vs, standard. I know BMW so I probably need to test drive the C63 and just compare because I pretty much know what the BMW is. There is no wrong choice here, both would be worthy vehicles to own and have in your garage that most people would envy. we are just splitting hairs but this is what makes it fun. I'll be curious what you decide. When are you going to buy?

[Arcoril]

Originally Posted by azzurro

Arcoril..we are on the same page. I would have never even considered a Mercedes even two years ago. I agree they have stepped up their game bigtime with regard to sportiness. They are now a REAL BMW competitor but so many BMW lifers aren't going to buy it.

There are so may things that are important. HP, 0-60, handling, cornering, comfort, safety, options vs, standard. I know BMW so I probably need to test drive the C63 and just compare because I pretty much know what the BMW is. There is no wrong choice here, both would be worthy vehicles to own and have in your garage that most people would envy. we are just splitting hairs but this is what makes it fun. I'll be curious what you decide. When are you going to buy?

I'm hopefully making a purchase in late 2015/early 2016. It gives me a little bit of time to see if the 2016 gets a mid-year competition package. And while I'm pretty set on getting a 4 door for practicality, I'm still super curious to see what the W205 coupe looks like when it premieres later this year. So still a ways to go! And if you happen to make a choice or test drive the pair of them before then, I'd also love to hear your thoughts.

[solstice]

Great to see them together, it's a pity though that there is so much wide angle distortion in the pictures, it makes it hard to see the lines and compare properly.

But the cars seem to have an eerily similar side profile of the front from the A-pillar and forward. Just look at how similar the front overhang shape is.

I can't stand diamond stitching though, it looks like some old stuffy British stiff upper lip nonsense. The interior is iMO much worse than the exterior. I was in stop and go today next to an E63 wagon, it said S//AMG on the right side of the trunk lid and V8 Bi-turbo on the front fender. I'm really not a Benz fan but what a cool and practical family hauler that was totally ruined by the interior, some beige stuff looking like a euro taxi interior and seats from the outside. BMW need to bring a wagon like that with a proper M interior.

[Blksnowflake]

Car looks very good. I think it actually looks equally as attractive as the M3, just not as aggressive. The interior looks plush and the wheels are a nice touch.
The coolant issue is likely 100% related to a mechanic not prepping the car correctly.
I'm sure it'll all be fine once it gets back to the dealer. Cant wait to see one of these on the road.

[Hedoniste]

I like a lot the Merc. Beautiful car. The interior is simply stunning!!

[GOLFFRR]

very cool, thanks for sharing. The MB does have a pretty sweet interior!

[gthal]

I'm excited to see one in the flesh.

[adc]

Originally Posted by azzurro

I don't track nor ever will. This is a DD for me. .

And why is that, are you opposed in principle? My M's have all been daily drivers, that is precisely the point - it's a DD which you can occasionally track.

You don't even have to worry about fancy brake pads or tires, really just pay your $400 for the weekend and I guarantee you will have a blast. From a driving pleasure perspective, there's nothing better.

[Bahn360Photo]

nice cars, merc looks too subtle for a performance car, most people would never tell it apart from a base model. interior is very nice, seats look comfortable. not a fan of glossy center console and "don't forget your key" message

thats what happens to merc when you run it hard during the break in

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by azzurro

I get this so thanks. I've never even driven a Mercedes. I KNOW how my 335i banks and brakes and it's bomb. You're saying the Merc can't do this so that means something to me. There are so many things I love about my BMW 335i I was just thinkin I should consider something else but maybe not. I have another great friend in LA who just bought a new M3 and he' saying the same thing. That the BMW corners and handles way better so great info for me. Thanks. I may very well end up with an M3/M4.

I'm sure the Merc will corner well. At 4,000lbs (500lb heavier), it will not drive or handle like an M3/M4. Power doesn't make up for the 500lbs difference when it comes to vehicle dynamic. This is the same reason why a GT3 is untouchable on the track. It weighs 3,152lb. Even with 100ft lb less tq than an M3/M4, it will slaughter the Ms on the track. (even with the incorrectly placed rear engine)

With that, I can never claim an M3/M4 will drive or handle as nice as a GT3.

If you're hung on a car because it's .0001 sec faster going to 0-60 or how the engine sounds, it's the wrong reason to ever choose a car. You have to like how it drives overall. The new M3/M4 can run low 11s with less than $2k of mod. As for sound, a dozen exhausts out there that makes the M3/M4 roar. You can fix speed and sound, but you can't fix the 500lb weight delta.

Get an M. Join the BMW CCA, Hit the track. You'll figure out why 80% of the people at a BMW track meet drives an M. It took me 6yrs and 8 BMWs to figure this out (Go M or None as those who don't have a BMW M at a BMW meet feels disconnected).

[OneRib]

azzurro it's nice to get opinions, but for these two cars you have to drive them yourself. They are both extremely capable and excellent cars for what you want them to do.

It is purely personal preference. This gen of ATS-V, C63/63s, and M3/4 are so good that there is no wrong choice. So far only the RC-F has fallen on its face and even that car has some redeeming qualities.

Trust me one test drive in each and you should know which one is for you.

My only question is why do you keep saying the M3/4 is more expensive than a basic C63? The MSRP is lower on the M3/4. Is it more when you configure each the way you want it?