German Car Zone

Autobild had a little go at these three performance machines in Spain and compared them. It's pretty lame that they didn't pick a winner or tested them properly but in the end they said the usual public relations stunt by claiming they're all impressive and they're all fun to drive. Either way this is probably better than anything else currently out in the automotive world (a somewhat direct comparison) even though they didn't talk much about the IS-F and C63 AMG but focused more on the M3 (weird...). The Fazit (overall) is also extremely lame where the tester talks about the top speed of the IS-F and how this means the Lexus doesn't have to fear the Germans anymore. He seems to forget that AMG in particular has two speed limiters. One limiter limits the car to a top speed of 250 km/h because of the gentlemans agreement. The other limiter limits the car to 280 km/h because of the tires. Overall, this review is pretty boring and lame but I translated the important stuff anyway.


Both BMW and Mercedes aim to dress up their cars with the premium look while making them appear mildly aggressive. Despite this the C63 AMG grabs the most attention because of its brutal AMG styling and looses the elegance typically associated with the current W204 C-Class. The BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F on the other hand are more conservatively dressed up.

The Lexus is the best equipped of the trio. The price starts at 69,000 Euros and there are few extras that one can buy since so many things are already standard. Interestingly enough both Germans are cheaper with the M3 and C63 AMG costing 64,750 and 67,830 Euros respectively. Both Germans are reasonably well equipped with useful features. Anything else can be ordered but at an extra cost.

The Lexus IS-F was the first car to be tested. The engine is a modified LS600h V8 and the 423-horsepower start with an aggressive growl. It is also mated to an 8-speed automatic. The car is also loaded with electronics and electronic nannies. On the racetrack the IS-F displays good handling qualities and brutal acceleration. The ESP systems intervene when things get dangerous - and this something that can happen to amateurs behind the wheel of the IS-F with the ESP turned off. The rear wheelspin is excessive in corners where the gas is applied. Hence it is recommended to drive with the ESP on active as it reacts quickly and allows light drifts without much danger.

Next up was the Mercedes C63 AMG. With 457-horsepower and a torquey 6.3-l V8, the testers expected this car to be extremely brutal in the performance aspect. It was. Put the C63 AMG next to the IS-F and the IS-F engine sounds tame compared to the rough snarl of the C63 AMG which one tester described as "the apocalypse". Never before did a C-Class from AMG for the street feel a German Touring Car racecar, and never before was a C-Class this uncomfortable. It was one of the easiest to control cars in this test and its handling on the track was impressive considering its weight.

The last car to be driven was from Bavaria, the M3. Having come out of the C63 AMG, the testers felt that the M3 was more comfortable than the Mercedes. The testers felt that the M3, despite the "small 4.0-l V8", was a practical everyday family car with a good balance of qualities. It's fast, it handles but the engine sounds timid compared to the Lexus and Mercedes in neutral. An unfair assumption because when the M3 was driven on the track, the engine awoke. The Bavarian V8 is rev-happy (all the way to 8,400 RPM) and the midrange performance of the 420-hp V8 is eager. The M3 is a car waiting to attack anything that challenges it, as one tester noted. On a curvy track the M3 is in its element. The steering is precise but controlling the M3 correctly on the race track is something best left up to the professionals.



Overall: With the IS-F, Lexus doesn't have to fear BMW or Mercedes anymore. With a top speed of 270 km/h, the Lexus is also faster than the electronically limited M3 and C63 AMG, which both only do 280 km/h with the limiter removed. A professional test with real numers wasn't possible because other magazines were waiting to drive the cars after us in Spain. The facts however are: the Mercedes is brutal, the BMW feisty and the Lexus is lusty.


The Scans

Thanx Chris

It's weird that thetwo germans costs less than the Lexus i know it's more equipped bt still in most caes lexus cas are more equipped than the germans and still comes at a cheaper price tag.

And did they actually say that the C63 is the easiest to drive around the track? coz most other reviews only ai it was a brutal mad Merc.

Out of the three the C63 really shines with it's styling,crushing power and a roar from hell,my kinda car

and the Lexus cost more than the germans

But you don't have to pay for everything - leather interior, navigation, Xenon lights etc...

but still.... I think a normal Lexus is cheaper than a normal bmw/MB so I thought it would be the same case with the performance cars. I was obviosly wrong.

I'm getting more and more impressed by the E90 M3. BMW seem to have a very good job with it. It's a shame that it didn't make the facelift because the tail lights needs freshing up.

I'll be waiting the U.S. magazines to do this comparo along with the RS4.

M

Lexus has solved the options issue in a way of their own. Almost everything is included. Almost, that is. That is a good thing but here in Sweden, if you want a rain sensor for your IS you have to pay about €5,500... but if you want the rain sensor but not the sports suspension you have to pay €6,500.

Of course you get many other things also but my point is you have very sparse options and not much room for individuality - "give me an IS 250, a white one, please". No need for more than that when ordering a Luxus.

Anytime.

Yep, they said it was easy to control and the handling on the track was surprising considering the heavy weight.

Again, this wasn't a very detailed test, more like a quick drive of each car back-to-back. I expect a proper review to come soon.