2015 F80 M3 vs. C63 S AMG and ATS-V instrumented comparison test by Car and Driver

[Arcades]

I'm surprised once again, BMW won lol (even barely). Could have swore the C63 S is going to run away with it.

[V1.47fan]

Originally Posted by Never Convicted

That's how the E9X won it's comparisons too. You'd think these wannabes would catch on. Maybe you could explain the difference in how pulling 1.02 g differs from pulling .98 g?

PS. This genre / formula was created by AMG not BMW.

In other words M-B just celebrated AMG 's 45th anniversary vs M division's 40th anniversary.

[JunkStory]

Originally Posted by V1.47fan

Expect the next M3/M4 to be bigger-er, plug-in hybrid.

yep, the next M will win yet again in C&D's review because it will have more rear leg space, better fuel economy, more trunk volume.

[Kyosho]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

Motor Trend's review of the three cars.

[snaimpally]

Its a "golden age" of automobiles right now. Performance that was only available in a high priced supercar is now available at affordable prices to mere mortals. I remember when I bought a used first gen Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX (200hp) in the mid 90s and gave the VIN to my insurance agent, he said "that is classified as a high performance vehicle".

These days, with a few add-ons and a tune, you can get 300HP out of a Ford Fiesta. Pretty amazing.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Kenu8187

Interestingly is how the BMW fell short on chassis( even with the lowest weight and carbon fiber goodness) and engine and brakes even with those CCBs. It won largely due to having the smallest engine and thus 3 points bonus for fuel economy over the other two( this likely has been previously mentioned, I haven't read every post yet).

Though I will likely still pick up an F80 next regardless, as the Cadillac is hideously ugly and the merc is just not my style albeit compelling

I hope BMW takes notice of it's relatively mediocre reception of the new M3 over the previous generations( across almost every comparo) and really picks it up for the next generation. Electric turbos(no choice here) more carbon fiber(like a CF tub please), and a more visceral experience for the senses

Mediocre reception??

M3's are hard to get and they're not sitting on dealer's lots.

BMW is having no issues selling the M3 whatsoever.

[Roadkiller]

In my book, these cars are pretty much the same -- subjectivity is really what pushes you to one car or the other. You gotta give GM props for joining this discussion so fast. Geez... You would think it would take them a few years to jump in this discussion with the big boys of this segment. That chassis is no joke.

[raysspl]

Good stuff, nothing out of the norm

[MavRick]

Originally Posted by stahlgray

What's up with after market looking screen on the C63?

I'll never understand BMW and Mercedes basically sticking a tablet on the dashboard. No surround...just there.

I remember thinking it would be trick to mount an iPad somewhere in a car. These new iterations make me think that I might've been high...

[MavRick]

Originally Posted by Roadkiller

In my book, these cars are pretty much the same -- subjectivity is really what pushes you to one car or the other. You gotta give GM props for joining this discussion so fast. Geez... You would think it would take them a few years to jump in this discussion with the big boys of this segment. That chassis is no joke.

Exactly. You would've expected them to take generations to sort the chassis out. They got it right on the first swing.

The hard part...and probably more expensive...will be to get the interiors up to snuff. Folks have to realize that they sell tons more chevy's than they do Cadillacs. It's gonna take some major coin to use 'bespoke' knobs, switchgear and dials for just 3 or 4 models. Especially when those models aren't the money makers.

But...as someone whose first car was a 1989 Beretta GTU (with the ubiquitous 2.8L V6) and whose 2nd car was an Olds Calais with that peaky Quad 4....I'm extremely proud of Cadillac. They've come a long way since the Cimarron and Allante...

[Stallion150]

Originally Posted by stahlgray

What's up with after market looking screen on the C63?

Not feeling this either. Rest of the interior better than the M3 IMO.

[Dinh335]

Originally Posted by swanson

[/B]



Finally, someone else sees it the same way I do. This is the furthest thing from a win for the M3/M4.

it won, based on a certain criteria. If only winning performance categories matters, why even have comparos, just line up a bunch of speed based stats regardless of the package it comes in, be it 2 doors, race cars, where do you stop?...is the Bugatti veyron the best car ever then since its the fastest? You have to have some criteria- and in this comparo it's sedans. A lot of people who buy them need the practicality aspect.

I wouldn't buy any of these cars if they rode like crap and hurt every time i drove em and other wise were complete pain in the asses. It doesn't make me less of a man to care about fuel economy or back seat room.

Not fan boy-ing here, I get the spirit of what you're saying that the BMW lost some performance categories... but it still won based on the big picture. I just think the comment "furthest thing from a win" is arguably as short sighted as the short sighted ness you preach against. It also lost the same comparo in the other magazines..and any car enthusiast can pretty much conclude the cars are all pretty sweet.

I say this w respect and it's your opinion, just commenting on that that's all.

[taibanl]

"Outsteered by the cadilllac"

Are you paying attention BMW!!!

[autopal]

Originally Posted by MavRick

I'll never understand BMW and Mercedes basically sticking a tablet on the dashboard. No surround...just there.

I remember thinking it would be trick to mount an iPad somewhere in a car. These new iterations make me think that I might've been high...

There is a reason for these so called "tablet or iPad" thingy. As these screens gets bigger, it's getting more difficult to integrate them without a huge hump on the dash, especially in the smaller cars. The tacked on allows bigger screens, and lower dash, which makes the interior more airy, and improve outward visibility

[damnitBobby]

I thought the article was a good read.

The ATSV's 0-150mph time is respectable and makes you wonder. But the interior of the car overshadows anything Cadillac has going for it. Such good talent gone to waste. This is a segment of cars in which every aspect counts, so not surprised the ATSV got last place.

I don't understand Mercedes' transmissions. I have an '09 S550 and biggest gripe has to be the transmission. There are weird lags and lurches here and there. The slush box just feels weird and downplays the whole driving experience. Unfortunately it appears much hasn't changed. And don't understand the hate for the column mounted shifter.. once the car is in drive what business do you have putting your hand back down there?

[Jockey]

Originally Posted by autopal

There is a reason for these so called "tablet or iPad" thingy. As these screens gets bigger, it's getting more difficult to integrate them without a huge hump on the dash, especially in the smaller cars. The tacked on allows bigger screens, and lower dash, which makes the interior more airy, and improve outward visibility

Bingo. I hated the nav hump on the E9X.

[frcotting]

Originally Posted by Jmpascual

I don't understand what's the big deal with the start/stop button, It's been mentioned on plenty of reviews. You don't even have to press it twice... If the engine goes to ready when you park, unbuckle, then open your door and lock. Everything just shuts off when you lock the car. I've never had to press the button twice unless I'm trying to put the windshield wipers up or something.

Yeah. What the heck are they talking about when they say you have to press the start/stop button twice to turn off the car? I have an X1 and an M4 and they both turn on and off the same way - with one press of the button.

[MavRick]

Originally Posted by autopal

There is a reason for these so called "tablet or iPad" thingy. As these screens gets bigger, it's getting more difficult to integrate them without a huge hump on the dash, especially in the smaller cars. The tacked on allows bigger screens, and lower dash, which makes the interior more airy, and improve outward visibility

Sorry man...but they could've integrated it into the dash without a hump. It looks extremely lazy. Almost out of place. I'd almost rather it raised outta the dash than to just look like the stuck it there with some L brackets...

[MavRick]

Originally Posted by Jockey

Bingo. I hated the nav hump on the E9X.

That 'hump' was there because last gen screens washed out with sunlight glare. They needed a 'hood' over the screen to make sure you could see it, regardless of sunlight. Latest gen screens don't need that. They most def could've been integrated better...

[Ramos]

The Merc also lost points for ride comfort because tires were ridiculously overinflated (for mpg purposes)

C&D rules state that they have to inflate the tires to the settings recommended on the door. In the user manual, they list the "normal" recommended settings. Trying to cheat their way into a few more mpg may have cost the Benz this comparison victory.

I think it could have won or at least tied otherwise

[24601]

Too close to call.

[V1.47fan]

Originally Posted by Kyosho

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/viewall.html

Motor Trend's review of the three cars.

Wow! The M3 being the slowest around the track.

We happily let Pobst run all three cars around Willow Springs International Raceway's 2.42-mile circuit (the big track, aka Big Willow), and here are the results, in descending order: BMW M3 1:32.51, C63 1:31.52, Caddy ATS-V 1:31.43.*