M3/M4 vs W205 C63 AMG

[jbockrd]

If the C class is in Detroit, I'll check them out AFTER I check out my new M!!!

[filip75]

AMGs don't hold their value at all. I considered one several years ago and when I saw the resale prices I opted out. Way worse than BMW in general, and much worse than the M3 (historically).

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by Sam335ix

Where is the gear stick?

Not sure how the DCT will look, but this is the standard auto


.

[bimmerj]

Originally Posted by Sam335ix

Where is the gear stick?

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

Not sure how the DCT will look, but this is the standard auto.

I believe another member demonstrated my point with photos above, but just to reiterate, the W205 AMG will have a gear selector mounted on the center console, just like all of the other AMG sedans, coupes, roadsters, and convertibles.

Standard Mercedes models with gear selectors on the steering column:

- E-Class (AMG counterpart has shifter on center console)
- CLA-Class (AMG counterpart has shifter on center console)
- W205 C-Class (AMG counterpart will have shifter on center console)

[Thurman Murch]

I love the thrust of the current C63 but the seats are too narrow and the build quality is questionable in certain areas of the interior

Tried to get the wife to buy off on it but she said M3 which to me is more controllable

Can't go wrong with both but I'm not really feeling the styling of the new C class

I can see that with pending change that people will take a little longer to warm back down to the idea of a turbo 6 but to me I'm curious how the RCF will turn out

I see that Aston has tried to mimic certain elements of the E92M in its new offerings and this is where both Lexus and Ford and GM too have hedged their bets but with the reduced weight, reduced cog, reduced friction and m workings I'm sure the new F8X will still reign supreme on the track

Are we seeing the best of M or just marketing? Has the competition caught up to the point that M needs to up its game

[Nang Vann]

Both!

But I'm leaning towards M3

[GregW / Oregon]

A new report indicates Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch the new C63 AMG late next year with a new V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine.

According to British publication Autocar, the new C63 AMG will be introduced towards the end of 2014 with a newly developed V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo gasoline engine. The motor is expected to produce anywhere between 454 bhp (338 kW) and 493 bhp (367 kW). It will allegedly send the output through the familiar 7G-MCT SpeedShift automatic transmission, while the engine will be implemented eventually in all future AMG models.
-WorldCarFans.com

[mkoesel]

Thanks for the info and latest spy pic Greg, though we already new about the 4L M177 V8 and rumored output between 450hp and 500hp. I hope WCF is wrong about the MCT.

[hotsoup]

I was excited about the new C63 until I saw the exterior pictures. God, that thing looks so nasty both inside and out. The C63 Black Ed. (previous model year) is awesome but I'm afraid of looking dated.

The only car brands getting their exteriors correct are Audi and Porsche, at least in my opinion. If the production M3/M4 doesn't turn out to be an A+, which so far looks to be a disappointment, then I will be choosing my next car on aesthetics and wow-factor - an R8, an i8, or an S7, depending on the size of my bonus check.

[bmwluvr24]

Originally Posted by hotsoup

I was excited about the new C63 until I saw the exterior pictures. God, that thing looks so nasty both inside and out. The C63 Black Ed. (previous model year) is awesome but I'm afraid of looking dated.

The only car brands getting their exteriors correct are Audi and Porsche, at least in my opinion. If the production M3/M4 doesn't turn out to be an A+, which so far looks to be a disappointment, then I will be choosing my next car on aesthetics and wow-factor - an R8, an i8, or an S7, depending on the size of my bonus check.

I am sure Audi will be happy to have you. Good luck!!

[LDSM]

go for the c63

[AW335OME]

In this same dilemma...

[Black Gold]

no manual = no c63

[mkoesel]

http://autoblog.com/2013/12/30/2015-...mg-4-liter-v8/

Nothing really new, but they are confirming a 2014 release for the sedan.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

no manual = no c63

Basically!

[gblansten]

As someone who had an '09 C63 and now has an M3 I would really only consider the new C-AMG if they offer it with a true DCT. I wouldn't hold my breath over the manual since that won't happen. The DCT really adds to the fun of driving the M3 for me compared with the slow to shift gear automatic.

Even though they offered a single clutch pack automatic in recent years it is still not a great transmission for a sporty car.

[TC M3]

Originally Posted by camber

C63 AMG, hmmmm. No manual trans. Garbage.

That was easy.

Hope you are kidding lol

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by gblansten

As someone who had an '09 C63 and now has an M3 I would really only consider the new C-AMG if they offer it with a true DCT. I wouldn't hold my breath over the manual since that won't happen. The DCT really adds to the fun of driving the M3 for me compared with the slow to shift gear automatic.

Even though they offered a single clutch pack automatic in recent years it is still not a great transmission for a sporty car.

From what I've read, the newer MCT does a lot to close the gap that existed between the original 7G-Tronic with AMG Speedshift and a modern DCT.

But I definitely agree that the DCT is a key part of the M3 experience and I would not be eager to go back to a traditional planetary automatic, even with the wet clutch. I've never owned a car with such a transmission - only manual and DCT. So it definitely warrants a test drive. In fact I will be comparing the transmissions in the 435i, C400, M4, and C AMG regardless of whether the latter ends up with a DCT or not. I want to understand exactly how each rates on the overall scale.

[catpat8000]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

From what I've read, the newer MCT does a lot to close the gap that existed between the original 7G-Tronic with AMG Speedshift and a modern DCT.

But I definitely agree that the DCT is a key part of the M3 experience and I would not be eager to go back to a traditional planetary automatic, even with the wet clutch. I've never owned a car with such a transmission - only manual and DCT. So it definitely warrants a test drive. In fact I will be comparing the transmissions in the 435i, C400, M4, and C AMG regardless of whether the latter ends up with a DCT or not. I want to understand exactly how each rates on the overall scale.

Well I have some experience with the Mercedes MCT and I can tell you firsthand it is in a different league than BMW's DCT. And not in a good way.

In driving the 2014 E63, the main problem you notice with that transmission experience is that from the time you press the shift paddle to the time the tranny shifts, a shocking amount of time elapses. Far, far more than the DCT. For example, from a dead stop, I can start in manual mode, floor the gas pedal, and immediately pulled the shift paddle but I still hit the rev limiter in 1st. That car can't be launched in manual mode simply because it takes to long to process inputs from the shift paddles.

Shift inputs appear to be regarded as suggestions, to be acted on at some point in the future.

Also, the actual shift, once the tranny actually decides to shift, is softer than it is on the DCT. Shifting the DCT at level 6 with your foot to the floor results in a hard slam in the back on my M3. If traction control is off, it completely unsettles the car in the 1-2 shift. The MCT is more like a firm shift, definitely not a slam in the back and definitely won't unsettle the car.

But apart from these two factors, and apart from the fact that the Mercedes creeps at idle, unlike the DCT, it's basically not possible to tell the DCT apart from the MCT through driving, in my view.

Launch control on the E63/MCT is extremely effective.

Pat

[mkoesel]

Thanks for the input Pat. I have read some opinions of DCT vs. traditional automatic that are similar to yours. Although, I have noticed there is a lot of variation out there, probably based around how much experience people have with a real DCT. I guess I'll form an opinion once I've had a chance to test them all out "back to back".

[ixse]

traditional auto is def smoother than dct.. i did do a back to back comparo between used c63 n e92 dct couple yrs back. i just felt sports cars need something to engage (which i prefer manual over anything). DCT seems to bring a bit more engagement with what im doing vs c63 where sound dominates over everything else.