Possibly JUMPING SHIP!! Detailed C63 vs M3 Comparison.. Your thoughts?

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

"If you buy an M3, nobody will know you paid $100,000 (the price in Canada, all in) vs. a $40,000 BMW 323i (yes, we have those in Canada)."

Rather than swaying me more towards the Porsche, it had the opposite effect on me.

Yup, most people can't tell the difference between a regular 3 series and an M3. Everyone's different but, for me, all I care about is the M3 is worth its price premium... and it is worth it. And I know I can share my 'car talk' with other enthusiasts like me who can easily spot the differences between a regular BMW and an M car, and a regular Benz and an AMG.

Originally Posted by bimmerj

I do agree with you on the superiority of the M3, but to command a $92K in Canada this is a joke !!!! The best C63 is $15k cheaper.

The price of the M3 in Canada is ridiculous in the class. It's an excellent car but when you're talking sub-$100K cars, I couldn't get past the fact that it was $15K more expensive than the C63 or IS F. Considering that you can pick up either of the other two in the mid-high $70K's out the door, an additional 20% is a bit much. These cars are far too close in every category to justify such a disparity. Like you mentioned in one of your other posts, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

We all make our choices based on what our preferences/needs/desires are at the time but the pricing is a bit of a sticking point up here in Canada, imo.

[YolkyPalky]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

The price of the M3 in Canada is ridiculous in the class. It's an excellent car but when you're talking sub-$100K cars, I couldn't get past the fact that it was $15K more expensive than the C63 or IS F. Considering that you can pick up either of the other two in the mid-high $70K's out the door, an additional 20% is a bit much. These cars are far too close in every category to justify such a disparity. Like you mentioned in one of your other posts, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

We all make our choices based on what our preferences/needs/desires are at the time but the pricing is a bit of a sticking point up here in Canada, imo.

Scratching my head as to why M3 would be so much more in relation to C63 in Canada. Because I think it is the opposite here in the U.S., although not to the same degree. If you price both cars with basically equivalent options and packages and pretty much "fully equip" them, I believe the C63 is quite a bit more expensive than the M3 here in the U.S. Of course that is based on MSRP and no one is buying off MSRP these days, unless it's a new model rolling out with a waiting list.

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by YolkyPalky

Scratching my head as to why M3 would be so much more in relation to C63 in Canada. Because I think it is the opposite here in the U.S., although not to the same degree. If you price both cars with basically equivalent options and packages and pretty much "fully equip" them, I believe the C63 is quite a bit more expensive than the M3 here in the U.S. Of course that is based on MSRP and no one is buying off MSRP these days, unless it's a new model rolling out with a waiting list.

You are correct. The pricing down there makes much more sense. Fyi, dealers can't actually mark up vehicles here in Canada like they can down there.

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

The price of the M3 in Canada is ridiculous in the class. It's an excellent car but when you're talking sub-$100K cars, I couldn't get past the fact that it was $15K more expensive than the C63 or IS F. Considering that you can pick up either of the other two in the mid-high $70K's out the door, an additional 20% is a bit much. These cars are far too close in every category to justify such a disparity. Like you mentioned in one of your other posts, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

We all make our choices based on what our preferences/needs/desires are at the time but the pricing is a bit of a sticking point up here in Canada, imo.

Are you pricing the C63 with the performance package plus? (because that's the only way you get limited slip)

• When I price out a 2012 C63 AMG with the performance package plus + premium package + metallic paint, I get approx. $79,000 (with auto transmission)
• When I price out a fully loaded 2012 M3 with competition package + DCT, it comes out to approx. $86,500 (the BMW on-line configurator now automatically adds freight, PDI, air conditioner tax, 600 admin fee, etc., so you need to subtract approx. $1800 from the final build price to be equivalent to the Merc build price before freight, PDI, etc.)
• So I get an approx. 8K difference, rather than a 15K difference.

At any rate, it's a fair point.

I seem to recall not long ago that Mercedes Benz Canada was going to "aggressively" try to knock out BMW Canada out of first place in the premium category. And maybe they did succeed? Can't remember.

The C63 AMG is a good value in Canada. But for me, I just wanted the M3, even with the (now unjustified) premium over the C63. I wouldn't have been able to order the C63 or the IS-F at any rate, because they aren't the cars I really wanted...

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

Are you pricing the C63 with the performance package plus? (because that's the only way you get limited slip)

• When I price out a 2012 C63 AMG with the performance package plus + premium package + metallic paint, I get approx. $79,000 (with auto transmission)
• When I price out a fully loaded 2012 M3 with competition package + DCT, it comes out to approx. $86,500 (the BMW on-line configurator now automatically adds freight, PDI, air conditioner tax, 600 admin fee, etc., so you need to subtract approx. $1800 from the final build price to be equivalent to the Merc build price before freight, PDI, etc.)
• So I get an approx. 8K difference, rather than a 15K difference.

At any rate, it's a fair point.

I seem to recall not long ago that Mercedes Benz Canada was going to "aggressively" try to knock out BMW Canada out of first place in the premium category. And maybe they did succeed? Can't remember.

The C63 AMG is a good value in Canada. But for me, I just wanted the M3, even with the (now unjustified) premium over the C63. I wouldn't have been able to order the C63 or the IS-F at any rate, because they aren't the cars I really wanted...

Your numbers are correct Julie. The IS F is only $72 877...fully loaded. The C63 with PP and essentially loaded is in the $79-80K range. The M3 fully loaded (non-individual) runs $90K...like you mentioned...all in so call it $88K. The $15K differential was in reference more to my purchase. Dealer had a frozen grey E93 that was listed at $106K. The pricing disparity just doesn't make sense to me. Thankfully we have options and get to drive what we feel like.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Your numbers are correct Julie. The IS F is only $72 877...fully loaded. The C63 with PP and essentially loaded is in the $79-80K range. The M3 fully loaded (non-individual) runs $90K...like you mentioned...all in so call it $88K. The $15K differential was in reference more to my purchase. Dealer had a frozen grey E93 that was listed at $106K. The pricing disparity just doesn't make sense to me. Thankfully we have options and get to drive what we feel like.

I think the M3 has changed pricing recently too...getting the ZCP use to be more money. My 2011 M3, fully loaded, was just over $90,000 and my fully loaded C63 was just over $80,000 so there was a $10,000 spread.

The difference is MB does NOT appreciably mark up the C63 in Canada vs. the US whereas BMW bends Canadians over and gets out the lube. There is a LARGE US to Canada price difference that you don't see with MB.

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by gthal

I think the M3 has changed pricing recently too...getting the ZCP use to be more money. My 2011 M3, fully loaded, was just over $90,000 and my fully loaded C63 was just over $80,000 so there was a $10,000 spread.

The difference is MB does NOT appreciably mark up the C63 in Canada vs. the US whereas BMW bends Canadians over and gets out the lube. There is a LARGE US to Canada price difference that you don't see with MB.

Yes, you're right, ZCP went from almost 6 grand to 3 grand.

Were there some standard enhancements to the C63 from 2011 to 2012? (suspension, etc.) Or is that part of the Performance Plus package?

[gthal]

Originally Posted by JulieDriving

Yes, you're right, ZCP went from almost 6 grand to 3 grand.

Were there some standard enhancements to the C63 from 2011 to 2012? (suspension, etc.) Or is that part of the Performance Plus package?

Yep... the suspension was updated on all 2012's as standard equipment. 2012 brought suspension adjustments, redesigned exterior (updated) and a totally new interior. I presume the 2012 coupe has the same suspension as the 2012 sedan but I don't know that for a fact.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by Jeskali

At the end of the day, take it from an old time who has a lot of cars, NOTHING drives like a BMW.

oh please..

[bimmerj]

Originally Posted by gthal

I think the M3 has changed pricing recently too...getting the ZCP use to be more money. My 2011 M3, fully loaded, was just over $90,000 and my fully loaded C63 was just over $80,000 so there was a $10,000 spread.

The difference is MB does NOT appreciably mark up the C63 in Canada vs. the US whereas BMW bends Canadians over and gets out the lube. There is a LARGE US to Canada price difference that you don't see with MB.

The base price for the M3 went from $71K to $74K.

[kardboard]

Originally Posted by gthal

Yep... the suspension was updated on all 2012's as standard equipment. 2012 brought suspension adjustments, redesigned exterior (updated) and a totally new interior. I presume the 2012 coupe has the same suspension as the 2012 sedan but I don't know that for a fact.

Hey gthal,

question, have you ever had any of your friends or acquaintances look at your c63 and overlook the fact that its a performance version different from the hundreds of c200, c250, c300, c350's out there?

I'm not a badge whore, I have just had SEVERAL people tell me that who own mercedes benz and was curious as to your own personal experience.

Do you ever feel stealth? Or do you feel like you stick out in a crowd of weak 4 cylinders. other than the roar of your motor of course....

[gthal]

Originally Posted by kardboard

Hey gthal,

question, have you ever had any of your friends or acquaintances look at your c63 and overlook the fact that its a performance version different from the hundreds of c200, c250, c300, c350's out there?

I'm not a badge whore, I have just had SEVERAL people tell me that who own mercedes benz and was curious as to your own personal experience.

Do you ever feel stealth? Or do you feel like you stick out in a crowd of weak 4 cylinders. other than the roar of your motor of course....

I actually get more attention than I did in my M3 which I actually don't like. In person, I find the C63 coupe to be as different to a regular C class as the M3 is to a 3 series. Although I prefer the look of the M3 still, the C63 with its sound and look get much more attention on the street... maybe because it's a coupe

[alms211]

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Your numbers are correct Julie. The IS F is only $72 877...fully loaded. The C63 with PP and essentially loaded is in the $79-80K range. The M3 fully loaded (non-individual) runs $90K...like you mentioned...all in so call it $88K. The $15K differential was in reference more to my purchase. Dealer had a frozen grey E93 that was listed at $106K. The pricing disparity just doesn't make sense to me. Thankfully we have options and get to drive what we feel like.

My god you guys/gals in Canada get hosed on pricing. $90K M3.

[M3 Montreal]

Didnt read the whole thread...

If I'm not mistaken the C63 in Canada pays the gas guzzler tax so add anither $2500?

If you do get a C63 you NEED the performance pack... I don't think the non p pack has LSD. All that power on one wheel... Good luck on dishing out on new tires.

My friend has one without the p pack and he hates it. Constant wheel spin, sucks in the winter and LOTS of tires he wears out.