Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_me Which one do you want to be fastest around those two tracks? is your heart still beating for the Benz?  |
Why do you think my heart is "still beating for the Benz"? In the other thread, I voted that the C63 will be a touch slower than the M3's time of 8:05 around Nurburgring when Sport Auto publishes the issue. It was Sunny who made a post thinking the C63 may be faster than the M3.
But I am curious how the legions of BMW fans will react IF the C63 AMG is a faster car around a track in the hands of a pro (even though I have a feeling that won't happen). The responses from the many internet forums would be very entertaining to read.
But no matter what happens, privileged owners of cars like the E92 M3 and W204 C63 AMG will enjoy their cars. And to be honest, the C63 will likely win most street encounters because of it's significant acceleration advantage. And on the track with average non-pro drivers, I bet the C63 will also be faster than the M3 for a lot of people, simply because there is so much more power in the low rpm range that is easily accessible. You really have to know how to shift properly and push the M3 to keep up (which is why it can be so enjoyable if you do it right). Again, this is from personal experience comparing my W203 C55 with E46 M3/Z4 M Coupe/Z4 M Roadster on a track (remember I went with a local BMW internet club to the track these past 2 years). No matter how "good" the BMW M cars feel for the driver, having a perceived "inferior" track car (like the C55) pass them doesn't make them feel very good at all. Some stop talking to you with a smile and generally avoid eye contact afterwards.

I've seen M3 drivers push too hard when they try to keep up/pass me and spin themselves off the track.....classic example of pride getting in the way of driving correctly and within the limits of their car.
Think about it this way, JustMe: you take your 120i M Sport to the track and a driver in a Mercedes B200 can keep up or is faster than you. Not a pretty situation......either the driver in the B200 is a much better driver than you, OR the B200 with sport suspension isn't as bad as you thought it was compared to your car.......both possibilities tend to dampen the BMW driver's enthusiasm about their car or driving ability. Don't worry, JustMe, I doubt you'll ever see a B200 faster than you on a track, but I'm just trying to make a point.
Whatever laptimes the Sport Auto and Evo gets for the C63/M3 is great for bragging rights, and it will be an objective measure of overall perforamance capability of the cars, but it may not mean much for the average track driver because I doubt the M3 handles SO much better than the C63 in the hands of most people. C63 owners will enjoy mind-bending acceleration, while the M3 drivers will enjoy slamming that perfect shift just before hitting the redline along with a perfect feel for the road.