Top Gear's C63 test drive is out and they do like it.

[vulcan747]

I still am on my dealers M3 list but did put $500 down
on a C63 last month. The performance pack on the C63 sounds great.
"The PP option includes a higher-set speed restrictor, up from 155mph to 174mph. PP cars also get stiffer, lowered suspension, thicker anti-roll bars and a limited slip differential"
I'm thinking with a minimum of 370lb ft available from 2,000rpm all the way through to 6,250rpm, BMW's M3 division may be concerned.

http://www.topgear.com/drives/C7/K1/...sts/20/01.html

[GregW / Oregon]

I'll bet M-B comes out with a DCT for their AMG models. The auto is fine in my ML, but just doesn't cut it for performance driving. I'd consider the C63 with a different transmission.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

I'll bet M-B comes out with a DCT for their AMG models. The auto is fine in my ML, but just doesn't cut it for performance driving. I'd consider the C63 with a different transmission.

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that MB is indeed working on a DCT tranny that will be available with this car.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by lucid

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that MB is indeed working on a DCT tranny that will be available with this car.

That would be the ticket for this ride. I'd almost guarantee they will offer a DCT for this car. Almost all manufacturers are working on getting DCTs out, performance cars or not (performance cars first). They will largely replace MTs, ATs and SMG type boxes in the mid term future. DCTs are revolutionary and the next big thing in automotive transmissions.

C63 AMG + DCT is going to be trouble for the M3. It looks like they are trying to get the price really close to the M as well but as usualy it will probably be at least a couple grand more than the M3.

[kishg]

its still an MB. how does it handle compared to the m3?

[gtb75]

As usual, great Top Gear review!

I hope MB offers some kind of DCT for the C63... The 7-speed auto is sounding more and more like what's keeping this car from greatness. I won't rule it out until I drive it, but I'm still leaning more towards the E90 M3.

[hks786]

Yeah I think the DCT for the C63 is very possible...

"Talking to AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg , seems like he's aiming to beat BMW M-Sport at its own game. I told him I didn't like the transmission much, thought it was too slack and soft, and his eyes lit up at that.

"Just wait," he said. He wouldn't tell me what he's up to, but he's definitely up to something. "

[lucid]

Originally Posted by kishg

its still an MB. how does it handle compared to the m3?

Remember that it is AMG tuned. It also seems that they are going directly after the M3 with this one (at least the 4-door). I have read 3-4 first impressions on this car, and none of them said anything negative about the handling, and all were somewhat comparing the car to the M3.

[jpm3]

thanks for the post. C63 AMG is still my second choice but we'll see how it will par.

[lucid]

I missed this part during my first pass:

"according to official weights from BMW and Mercedes, the AMG engine weighs 199kg, compared to 202kg for the M3's four-litre V8."

I am not sure what they include/exclude in this measurement, but at least it gives us a rough estimate of how much these engines weigh. Does anyone have numbers for the RS4 and the 335?

[lucid]

Originally Posted by swamp2

C63 AMG + DCT is going to be trouble for the M3.

That is especially true if the 4-door M3 waitlists are indeed longer than the 2-door M3 lists as someone was claiming here earlier.

[MI6]

I'm going to address this is a new thread but the new "C" isn't all it's cracked up to be........

I spent some time in a brand new one this weekend and the influence from Chrysler is obvious. Quite possibly the cheapest, most poorly designed interior I've seen in a German car for years..........

After this, I can only view the C63 as a German version of the Chrysler 300 SRT8 with a lot more power.....

If that's all you want than buy it.

[JEllis]

Isnt this car going to cost at least 7-10K more than the M3 and have maybe only slightly better performance? Best case scenerio the M3 will be had for 65K well optioned. The C63 AMG will probably be more like 75K well optioned. At that price I would almost rather have 997S or slightly used 996TT or an M5...

Jason