Test drove a 2012 c63 AMG yesterday

[gthal]

Originally Posted by 1911

Its a comparison between street legal, from the factory performance vehicles. Of course they are not thoroughbred race cars. Who would want to drive that to work everyday? thats why the key word in my statement was "modified," meaning altered or changed. Had the vehicle been developed as a race car and left the same, it would not be as appealing to drive everyday. The C63 just seemed as an afterthought type performance vehicle (not the best balance between luxury and performance, to much luxury feel). The M3 is a much better balance between luxury and performance (plenty of performance with just enough luxury to make you want to drive it everyday).

The C63 is louder. The C63 has a firmer ride. Other than a nice looking interior, I would say the C63 is LESS luxury.

IMO the M3 is actually the more comfortable car to drive day to day. The C63 isn't uncomfortable by any means but the M3 is better. One thing the M3 does really well (among others) is that it can go from being very docile to a screamer... the C63 is more intense all of the time which isn't necessarily always a good thing. It's great when you want to play a bit and have fun but not as good for the days you just want to relax and cruise home.

I'm curious why you would say the C63 is more luxurious other than that would be the reputation that MB would have as a company?

P.S. I am now only ever going to post when I can put down the C63... otherwise, I'm staying quiet

[exfyvem]

as far as driving goes, nothing beats M (thats why i have an X5M), and i would agree the M3 is a much better car in every aspect except the interior. However, i would take a C63 over an M3 10/10 times, but thats just me.

[1911]

Originally Posted by gthal

The C63 is louder. The C63 has a firmer ride. Other than a nice looking interior, I would say the C63 is LESS luxury.

IMO the M3 is actually the more comfortable car to drive day to day. The C63 isn't uncomfortable by any means but the M3 is better. One thing the M3 does really well (among others) is that it can go from being very docile to a screamer... the C63 is more intense all of the time which isn't necessarily always a good thing. It's great when you want to play a bit and have fun but not as good for the days you just want to relax and cruise home.

I'm curious why you would say the C63 is more luxurious other than that would be the reputation that MB would have as a company?

P.S. I am now only ever going to post when I can put down the C63... otherwise, I'm staying quiet

It is not more luxurious, just more luxury feel getting in the way when trying to track the car. To be more specific, it doesn't marriage the cars handling with power. Hence the reason I stated that it seemed like an afterthought. IMO

[DiscoZ]

C63 handles just fine. I think it has more steering feel than my erstwhile M3 (which I will always love). C63 with the AMG Performance Package ("AMG PP") feels much stronger than my chipped M3 with full exhaust and intake. Yes, I understand the naunces of torque making a car "feel" faster. C63 with AMG PP is faster. I've seen dynos of up to ~430 whp stock for a stock C63 AMG PP.

My biggest complaint with the C63 is the inadequate rubber. I do track a few times a year, unlike most M3 owners, thus what I say comes from someone who has driven the M3 "on the track" - many of the comments on the C63 (post suspension overhaul) are plainly overblown - we forget that it is faster on the 'ring than a M3 and that was on stock Contishits.

I prefer the C63 around town as it pulls anytime while sounding good and I don't need to rev the piss out of it to get pull; I do miss the "comfort" setting on my M3's EDC; the C63 does ride harsh. Surprisingly (for me given displacement), the C63 AMG PP feels like it revs just as quickly and fluidly as my M3.

[1911]

Is your c63 a coupe or sedan? Im curious if the coupe c63 is an improvement over the sedan. That was a huge factor in deciding on a c63 or m3. Also that auto shifter was not as esthetically pleasing as the m3 DCT. Seems like MB is giving BMW a run for there money.

[M5Hambre]

Originally Posted by CPB

Sincerely don't want to be a wise ass here, but this tells me you've never been in a race car.

Having come from a GTR to the M3, my overwhelming impression is a genuine amazement at just how comfortable the M3 is. It provides near Cadillac levels of comfort.

As well, having fun with a GT3 on the track...is what a "race car modified for luxury" really is.

I would never classify the M3 as a race car, or even something close to it.

I've had the M3 for 1000 miles now and really like it...but it's not a race car.

It sure can be easily modded, however, to become one. Don't forget M3's winning GT class in ALMS.

[Ghetto2315]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675974

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

The C63 is a lot of fun and there is a lot of room left on the table for tuning.. I still prefer the M3 though if you have never had either..

[DiscoZ]

I've had both and C63 wins it for me. The car is not without faults. Some cannot be remedied (glass roof), others can... to an extent (rear tires).

My M3 was FBO + tune. Just for the inevitable track comment, yes i do track and have tracked both my M3 and my Z4M (rear exhaust, intake / scoop only) before (in addition to other cars).

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by Omar@VelosDesignwerks

The C63 is a lot of fun and there is a lot of room left on the table for tuning.. I still prefer the M3 though if you have never had either..

[KennyPowers]

Yet another thread where most of the posts are from fanboys who have never actually driven a c63 amg.

I own an m3, and just test drove (for the second time) a 2009 c63 amg. My m3 has all the bolt ons, and at no time does it feel as fast as the c63 even in stock form. The car flat rips, and is easy and comofrtable to drive fast. It has massive power basically off idle which the m3 does not have.

Pros of C63 over m3

-way more torque
-feels much faster
-fun on the street at low speeds
-sounds way better
-better seats
-comfortable and easy to drive imo

Cons (2009 version)

-interior is not as buttoned down as m3
-nav interface sucks
-suspension isnt quite as tight as m3
-brakes arent quite as good
-auto transmisison in sport mode is excellent, but shifting using paddle shifters sucks (auto version)

The 2012 version seems to have fixed all of the above issues. IMO the interior is amazing, the nav interface is fixed, the brakes are fixed in the development package, the new MCT is a lot better from all reports, and the car lapped the ring 12 seconds faster than the old c63, and also was faster than a DCT m3. Plus the optional power from the development package. With a tune, the power will be abosultely ridiculous and the MCT will shift even more aggressively and quicker.

It will be my next car in a coupleyears. I absolutely love it as a DD. I will hopefully add a z4m to the stable at some point so I can get my 6mt fix, but the c63 is a badass machine and fun to drive even going to the supermarket.

[Rekrul]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Yet another thread where most of the posts are from fanboys who have never actually driven a c63 amg.

I own an m3, and just test drove (for the second time) a 2009 c63 amg. My m3 has all the bolt ons, and at no time does it feel as fast as the c63 even in stock form. The car flat rips, and is easy and comofrtable to drive fast. It has massive power basically off idle which the m3 does not have.

Pros of C63 over m3

-way more torque
-feels much faster
-fun on the street at low speeds
-sounds way better
-better seats
-comfortable and easy to drive imo

Cons (2009 version)

-interior is not as buttoned down as m3
-nav interface sucks
-suspension isnt quite as tight as m3
-brakes arent quite as good
-auto transmisison in sport mode is excellent, but shifting using paddle shifters sucks (auto version)

The 2012 version seems to have fixed all of the above issues. IMO the interior is amazing, the nav interface is fixed, the brakes are fixed in the development package, the new MCT is a lot better from all reports, and the car lapped the ring 12 seconds faster than the old c63, and also was faster than a DCT m3. Plus the optional power from the development package. With a tune, the power will be abosultely ridiculous and the MCT will shift even more aggressively and quicker.

It will be my next car in a coupleyears. I absolutely love it as a DD. I will hopefully add a z4m to the stable at some point so I can get my 6mt fix, but the c63 is a badass machine and fun to drive even going to the supermarket.

I mean this is largely a subjective thing to be honest. I was just posting my personal impressions. The engine has tons of potential, and it is more suitable for DDing. However I wouldn't get rid of my m3 for it. There are many other cars that I'd rather pick up if I was going to get rid of the M3. Namely used GTRs, 997 turbos, etc. I priced out a c63 with the P31 it was over 70k. If I'm spending 70-90k the aforementioned cars would be a better choice for me.

[KennyPowers]

Originally Posted by Rekrul

I mean this is largely a subjective thing to be honest. I was just posting my personal impressions. The engine has tons of potential, and it is more suitable for DDing. However I wouldn't get rid of my m3 for it. There are many other cars that I'd rather pick up if I was going to get rid of the M3. Namely used GTRs, 997 turbos, etc. I priced out a c63 with the P31 it was over 70k. If I'm spending 70-90k the aforementioned cars would be a better choice for me.

I didn't mean to refer to you. You drove the car and formed an informed decision on your impression of the car.

As for what to do with 70k, I wouldn't buy an m3 or c63 for 70k.

When the c63 pp is used in 2 or so years, it will be 45-50k an represent a great value.

I don't think a gtr or 997 turbo can be compared in terms of price or daily driveability. I've driven my friends 997tt a lot, and it's fun as hell, but awful as a dd bc it's so damn small. It also doesn't cost anywhere near 70k

[LS7 N55]

I had a run in with a modded C63 and needless to say I was impressed . not that I doubted it but man with the tune and basic mods they can get close to 500 rwhp? pretty awesome. I love the M3 but the C63 is pretty bad ass.

[DiscoZ]

They can run over 500rwhp with tune and full bolt-ons and trap high 120's / low 130s. Can also run well on a track.

The new AMG PP with the MCT and new interior have corrected all the faults I found in it the first time I drove it.

Kenny - I want my Z4MC back too... ideally, I get that back and keep the C63.

In Canada, the C63 AMG with all options is cheaper than a M3. So, it would not have "lost" C&D's compro!

[BMoney]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Yet another thread where most of the posts are from fanboys who have never actually driven a c63 amg.

I own an m3, and just test drove (for the second time) a 2009 c63 amg. My m3 has all the bolt ons, and at no time does it feel as fast as the c63 even in stock form. The car flat rips, and is easy and comofrtable to drive fast. It has massive power basically off idle which the m3 does not have.

Pros of C63 over m3

-way more torque
-feels much faster
-fun on the street at low speeds
-sounds way better
-better seats
-comfortable and easy to drive imo

Cons (2009 version)

-interior is not as buttoned down as m3
-nav interface sucks
-suspension isnt quite as tight as m3
-brakes arent quite as good
-auto transmisison in sport mode is excellent, but shifting using paddle shifters sucks (auto version)

The 2012 version seems to have fixed all of the above issues. IMO the interior is amazing, the nav interface is fixed, the brakes are fixed in the development package, the new MCT is a lot better from all reports, and the car lapped the ring 12 seconds faster than the old c63, and also was faster than a DCT m3. Plus the optional power from the development package. With a tune, the power will be abosultely ridiculous and the MCT will shift even more aggressively and quicker.

It will be my next car in a coupleyears. I absolutely love it as a DD. I will hopefully add a z4m to the stable at some point so I can get my 6mt fix, but the c63 is a badass machine and fun to drive even going to the supermarket.

I just traded my 2010 C63 in for a 2012 over the weekend. MB definitely did a great job on the refresh. The interior is top notch now and the tranny while not as good as DCT or DSG is still miles ahead of the previous auto.

[graider]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Only 2 things impressed me on the C63
Seats and engine sound
The seats on the M3 always hurt my back
Whether you use the inflatable lumber support or not
The actually mechanism inside the seat starts to hurt my back after 20 minutes
And the engine sound on the C63 is amazing

i second the lumbar issue on the m3. I had the older e46 m3 and the lumbar support suck. I had to yank the back of the seat out and inserted some towel for extra lumbar support. i couldn't walk straight after more than 1 hour drive in the m3. I hated it.

[graider]

i heard nobody got GTR at that price. most dealer would add 10k mark up on it anyway.

Originally Posted by persian54

over a 1/3 of the warranty gone in miles, 75k + tax you're looking at mid 80s.

Not good considering the 2010 was new MSRP for 84k....


I've seen better and still don't consider them "good"

damn GTR went up in value instead of down..

But I thought we were talking about new cars anyways lol

Back in 09, people were getting new GTRs in the 70s.
Lucky bastards lol

[persian54]

Originally Posted by graider

i heard nobody got GTR at that price. most dealer would add 10k mark up on it anyway.

I know of a couple people who got new 09 GTRs for mid 70s OTD

They used to sit on the lots for quite a bit

[IFX]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

I didn't mean to refer to you. You drove the car and formed an informed decision on your impression of the car.

As for what to do with 70k, I wouldn't buy an m3 or c63 for 70k.

When the c63 pp is used in 2 or so years, it will be 45-50k an represent a great value.

I don't think a gtr or 997 turbo can be compared in terms of price or daily driveability. I've driven my friends 997tt a lot, and it's fun as hell, but awful as a dd bc it's so damn small. It also doesn't cost anywhere near 70k

I think this is sig worthy. Seriously.

[krnnerdboy]

I'd choose the m3 over the c63 by the slightest of margins, but when I drove the e92 m3 from my z4m my first thought was, it felt like a boat....

[EvosM3]

I drove next to one for about 10 minutes today and it was fun. I love its styling and it sounds amazing, especially when it starts up. I would not chose a C63 over an M3 though, I like balanced cars and the C63 seems too full of torque to deliver that balanced feeling.