What Would You Do Differently?

[scarhead]

I really don’t want to beat a dead horse here. Having said that, as I get closer to pulling the trigger on a new car purchase I’m looking back on the purchase of my car and wondering what, if anything, I would do differently.

It’s come down to a new M3 or C63. As an M3 owner I have my opinions about the car and what I would do differently if I were to buy one again. Although the list is really small and trivial there are some things I would do differently. To be fair, some of the things I would get weren’t available at the time that I got my car (i.e., individual options, competition package, etc.).

The 2012 C63 is attractive and I’m giving it serious consideration. If the wagon/Estate were available in the US I can comfortably say that I would be buying it.

So, after owning your vehicles what would you differently in terms of options? On the other hand, are you considering a switch to another vehicle such as the C63?

[J BONE]

Thought about the C63 before the M myself. I took everything into consideration and felt like the M was the best choice. Was nervous about the M in the chicago winters but the thought of a C63 in the winter was much worse. Of course, I did not get the chance to test drive the C63 in the winter. Loved the sound of the exhaust on the merc but felt like the interior was boring (not that BMW has the best interior).

Overall, glad I bought the M. Car does everything I want it to. It's very comfortable as a daily driver but when you want to kick back and drive it like it should, you can. Def bias on BMW however. This is my second BMW and have been happy both time. Give it some thought, take the C63 out for a test drive and see what you think

From an options standpoint, I wouldn't do anything different. Maybe add the rear window shade but that is minor

[Crazy Bimmer]

If i was in the market between an M3 or C63 then i would think hard about the new C63 since has a lot of improvements. BUT if I already have an M3 then i dont think i would trade in for a C63.

Only thing I would get is OEM alarm, should have ordered it with the car. Otherwise im still happy with all my options. Also really glad I did European delivery.

[saeedg48]

Got the M over the C63. Love the power of the Merc and the exhaust but not sure about some of the smaller things that bother me. The BMW fits me much better as a all around car. I can't sit in the Mercedes for more than 30 minutes with those damn race seats; there's practically no headrest in the merc...

The M3 with C63 torque = BIG SMILE

Guess I'm going to have to go aftermarket to get that kindov power.

[radiantm3]

I liked the idea of getting back into a high revving car and 6MT was a requirement so the C63 was never on my radar. I would have loved to get a cayman s or exige, but I needed to be more practical and have a back seat for my son.

[1Cyrus]

No manual transmission?...no likey.....so fuck Mercedes for alienating people like me who love the feel of a clutch, and a six speed manual transmission...enough said?

[scarhead]

I distinctively remember test driving both the M3 and C63 among a few other cars with the ISF being one. When I pulled into the lot after one of the drives with the M3 I actually said out loud "This is the car for me." I'm sure all of us M3 owners can agree that there is something "just right" about the car. From the way it drives to the seats to the way it looks and sounds it's a great car.

I agree with almost everything other posters have written here. Specifically, what JBone said about the interior of the Merc. If there was one thing that dismayed me about the C63 it would have been the interior. I just couldn't get over the interior being pretty much the same as a regular C class.

If I were to purchase an M again I would still get the fox red interior, but I would opt for the piano black trim. I may, and there's an emphasis on may, go with the two tone interior. Other than that I can't think of anything else.

Onto the C63. From what I've read about the upcoming C63 I find it very attractive. I like appearance changes both on the exterior and especially on the interior. The driver's assist options (backup camera, lane departure) are big for me and the improved transmission is great.

What it comes down to is seeing the C63 in person and driving it. To answer my original question, though, I really don't see doing much differently. I don't know what that says. Does it say that the M3 is a perfect car for me? The bottom line is that after all this time with the M3 I really don't regret it and I'd do it again.

BTW, thanks for the great input from everyone.

[scheherazade]

I don't have any regrets - because I wouldn't have today's opinion had I not done what I did.

However, in theory, I would instead have gotten :
1) Exige s260
2) 911 turbo

It's anachronistic to say so, though. I feel satisfied with my GTR experience, and had I not had it, I wouldn't feel that way, and I would be longing to try out a GTR.

-scheherazade

[1cleanm6]

I would order a special color

oh ya and order rear parking sensors..

Besides that nothing

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by scarhead

So, after owning your vehicles what would you differently in terms of options? On the other hand, are you considering a switch to another vehicle such as the C63?

I have a E92, cloth manual seats, DCT, ZCP, and convenience package. I sometimes miss the manual tranmission. I sometimes feel like why did I even get the convenience package... who cares about keyless entry or nav?

But then, E92 is not a sports car, it is a sports sedan. It is a nimble, small GT. So DCT makes sense, nav makes sense..

That being said, I'll buy a s2000 for heavy track duty. M3 will see some track days until I get one, and even occasionally after I get one.

C63 is a nice car. I haven't driven one. But from every magazine/friend that drove it I hear that it does not have the handling of the M3. Also, I'm so used to high revving engines, I would be disappointed with a redline < 8k.