German Car Zone

The article is a great read. I wish I had a scanner so you all could get it today, but I guess it will be out soon enough.

I actually agree with you here. It seems to me that the C63 as with any Mercedes when rung out on a track suffers from too much roll. Springs, dampers, etc. they're doing something different or differently for some reason. I know full well they can produce an equal chassis because they've proven it with other cars like the CLK BS and even SL63, but here there is something amiss. Even the CLS55 AMG that Top Gear wrung out around their track a few years ago suffered from less roll. Hmmm....


M

Aargh, here we go again....



You dont need to drive on a track to notice these two cars are different to drive, that this are cars with different characters. Drive them on the streets and you'll notice they are different animals.

I can't drive my babybimmer to the limit on the streets either, neither can you do it with a Ferrari or a Porsche but you can still feel its different cars you are driving.

Personally, I've driven M3 and C63 and my choice is the M3.
Highreeving engine, manual gearbox (or DCT), bodycontrol, grip and design are the reasons why I prefer M3 to a C63.
And the comfort/ride, C 63 AMG dont have the comfort advantage the C55 had over M3 E46 anymore.
Both are excellent cars but as a complete package, M3 V8 is more attractive.

In the end I dont care what carmags or pro drivers says. I trust my own impressions and feelings.

Some of my full-time instructor cronies have told me that this new M3 is just about the most willing and predictable RWD performance car they have ever driven. In fact the one guy (happens to be an Aston Martin instructor down here) said the M3 was the most docile, controllable and obiding car he'd ever taken around the test track.

So, I guess, in a way the M3 does operate in narrower, more stratified envelope than the C63. The difference is, the M3 is more engaging than the faster, more instantly accessible C63. And let's face it; there are above-average, discerning and passionate drivers out there who will prefer the challenges and rewards offered by the M3.

The MCT transmission will be available to the CL63 and C63 by late 2009. The problem is Mercedes is only making enough of the MCT transmission to satisfy the number of SL63's being produced. They are waiting for the demand for the SL63 to fall a little and then make the MCT transmission available to other AMG 63 models.

Yes, to summarise it.

The M3 is a devastating weapon in the hands of a skillful driver who can get the most out of it.

Whereas for the C63, it's a case of POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Well, to those who could afford it anyway.

To tide you guys over until the article posts online.

M

If you are talking about drifting, 5th gear tested exactly that and they found that while the C63 is more dramatic and produced more tire smoke, the M3 is more controlled and predictable to drift.

Check the 5th gear and Top gear videos. The C63 is a handful and very untidy even in the hands of seasoned drivers like Tiff and Stig, I doubt it will do any better in the hands of a normal driver. The only performance criteria that I can imagine that is more accessible in the C63 than M3 is straight line acceleration.

M3 v C63 AMG | Planet evo | Videos | evo


M

95% of the owners will never race another M3 or a C63 or even drive like maniacs with their cars. Nor will they drift or go to the track very often.
You dont buy these kind of cars and hope that you one day will meet a M3 owner and race him.
On the streets both these cars are faster than you will ever need and if you drive fast, watch out for the police and try not to hurt innocent people.

That the average driver will enjoy the C63 more than a M3 is nonsense. I can use the power of the M3 just as much as I can use the power from C63.
I'm an average driver but still I can notice its two different cars to drive and I dont have to drive to the limit to appreciate the M3 more.