My take: 2012 BMW M3 Coupe(ZCP,DCT) vs 2012 C63 AMG Coupe(P31,LSD)

[clar]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

SPOT on mate

I agree completely with you. I think the new m3 with the FI motor will provide the best of both worlds.

I cant wait. DI with FI technology is the future of performance street cars (what the m3 is).

Yeah, but the M engineers have their work cut out for them in the sound dept seeing how much flak ActiveSound is getting. They better don't deploy that in the next M3 and should instead, rely on more conventional methods of providing aural pleasure. I can live with ActiveSound in my M5, though not a fan of it.

[Darth_Hoffmeister]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

I'm not liking that BMW is milking a badge for what use to stand for an enthusiasts wet dream. I'm sure the next generation M3 will be a blast to drive and of course I'll want to see what BMW has to offer, but ///Marketing is taking that brand over and every grandma and their mother has one now....

Excellent review. ///M has really gone ///Mainstream now and the E92 M3 will be remembered as the turning point. Turning point towards accessibility and appeal to the ///Masses and posers. Posers who are quick to tout the M3's track prowess but never visit the track...the valets will more than likely extract more performance from the cars than their owners.

Therefore, the C63 which has no pretensions, is the purer road going bad ass. As the OP said, it is more fun more of the time. A quick stab of the throttle is all it takes, no need to put together a geeky powerpoint enumerating the car's capabilities.

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I'm glad we agree.

this knee grow here

[clar]

Originally Posted by Darth_Hoffmeister

Excellent review. ///M has really gone ///Mainstream now and the E92 M3 will be remembered as the turning point. Turning point towards accessibility and appeal to the ///Masses and posers. Posers who are quick to tout the M3's track prowess but never visit the track...the valets will more than likely extract more performance from the cars than their owners.

Therefore, the C63 which has no pretensions, is the purer road going bad ass. As the OP said, it is more fun more of the time. A quick stab of the throttle is all it takes, no need to put together a geeky powerpoint enumerating the car's capabilities.

Sorry, the C63 is pretending to be the M3. It has to resort to 6.2 litre to match the M3 in performance, which in my book, has already lost the technological edge. As a package, it might be more accessible, but please don't attempt to call it "purer."

[gthal]

Originally Posted by clar

Sorry, the C63 is pretending to be the M3. It has to resort to 6.2 litre to match the M3 in performance, which in my book, has already lost the technological edge. As a package, it might be more accessible, but please don't attempt to call it "purer."

The C63 is not "resorting" to a 6.2 to match the M3 nor is it "pretending" to be an M3. It is a different approach to how it delivers performance. The C63 is not pretending to be an M3 even though it is in the same class. Is every car in the same class pretending to be an M3?

Also being "pure" is a matter of opinion... Please define pure for us.... Is it pure of electronic gizmos? Pure of comfort? I think neither the M3 nor C63 are pure performance cars any longer.

Also, you can ask the C63 driver about the cars lack of technical edge when he is stopped waiting for you to catch up. . Now, I'm really joking about that piece as we all know speed isn't everything but this techno argument is silly as it is irrelevant on the street or track where only performance matters... Don't forget that the new C63 coupe bests the M3 around the Ring.... Although that doesn't prove anything either it isn't bad for a technologically deficient car

[Giccy]

Originally Posted by gthal

Also, you can ask the C63 driver about the cars lack of technical edge when he is stopped waiting for you to catch up. .

Was waiting for you to chime in

[Nine]

Originally Posted by gthal

The C63 is not "resorting" to a 6.2 to match the M3 nor is it "pretending" to be an M3. It is a different approach to how it delivers performance. The C63 is not pretending to be an M3 even though it is in the same class. Is every car in the same class pretending to be an M3?

Also being "pure" is a matter of opinion... Please define pure for us.... Is it pure of electronic gizmos? Pure of comfort? I think neither the M3 nor C63 are pure performance cars any longer.

... Don't forget that the new C63 coupe bests the M3 around the Ring.... Although that doesn't prove anything either it isn't bad for a technologically deficient car

There are a couple of reasons why the term 'pure' and the c63 are in conflict. 1 being the glass roof, 2. Weight, 3. Tire sizes even,... 4. transmission

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by clar

Sorry, the C63 is pretending to be the M3. It has to resort to 6.2 litre to match the M3 in performance, which in my book, has already lost the technological edge. As a package, it might be more accessible, but please don't attempt to call it "purer."

The 6.2 in the C63 Coupe keeps up with the F10 M5 in a 0-60 sprint. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by Nine

There are a couple of reasons why the term 'pure' and the c63 are in conflict. 1 being the glass roof, 2. Weight, 3. Tire sizes even,... 4. transmission

Which I've highlighted in my review. The removal of the glass roof would help shave a couple hundred pounds off.

[mdosu]

at the end of the day, it depends on what you use the car for. Grocery getter like 99% of my driving, today, I think I likely would have gone with the C63 the 2nd time around. If I auto-x, track it at least twice a year, I would likely go with M3.

[Nine]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Which I've highlighted in my review. The removal of the glass roof would help shave a couple hundred pounds off.

Wasn't really commenting on your post, just the comment about purity being equal between the M3 and c63, it's hard to imagine that they are equal...

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

The X5 was the car I was driving.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Just as a tease:





Taken early last month when they had their winter event still going.

[adc]

For me, the lack of a manual transmission would be a deal killer, even if everything else measured up. And I tend to like the balanced approach the M division took with the S65 power delivery, where you can use most of the power most of the time without killing yourself. I drove some torquey cars (Vette, Mustang, modified 135i/335i, GT-R) and still like the M3 power delivery more. Makes me feel a better driver than I really am .


But if you like it, then congratulations are in order! Where in MD are you located? Maybe we can meet up sometime and talk cars...

Are you planning to take it to a track? If so perhaps we can sync you with our little group someday this year.

[drvai]

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

P.S. I really don't see him say the C63 is better. He says the M3 is the better drivers car while the C63 is the better DD.

Not if you know how to drive the m3.

[K-M3]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Which I've highlighted in my review. The removal of the glass roof would help shave a couple hundred pounds off.

and they probably will.... nothing stays the same..... i am sure that MB will be offering a lighter roof atleast as an option........not that i care, heck...i love both of 'em..... if i could I would have both....but then again, maybe not....'cause if i can afford both.....then we are talking R8 territory......but then I digress......

to OP - awesome review.......and great cars these two....dont know about others, but I do think that we are fortunate to have a choice between these two great cars..... and other great cars as well --- the Boss mustang, the upcoming Shelby GT, the ZL-1,R8, SLS, the 'vette, heck even the raptor...... very different vehicles but all of them great in their own right.......... and above all......funnn!!!!!! .... is that not what we like automobiles for?????

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by drvai

Not if you know how to drive the m3.

It doesn't come down to how a car is driven. It comes down to the fact that 444 ft lbs of torque is ready to shred the rear tires so low in the RPM range. The C63 AMG is HOOLIGAN.

[gthal]

What I find interesting is the similarity in the opinions expressed by several people when it comes to the C63 coupe vs. the M3. A lot of consistent comments. At the end of the day, taking fanboyism out of the equation (yes, you know who you are ), the two cars are really quite something and both offer a huge level of performance in most any circumstance and we are all very lucky to own either.

[clar]

Originally Posted by gthal

What I find interesting is the similarity in the opinions expressed by several people when it comes to the C63 coupe vs. the M3. A lot of consistent comments. At the end of the day, taking fanboyism out of the equation (yes, you know who you are ), the two cars are really quite something and both offer a huge level of performance in most any circumstance and we are all very lucky to own either.

That i agree

[HotIce]

Great review!

[CptSlow]

M3....Tack Hammer
C63....Sledge Hammer

Both great cars.

[klammer]

Took forever to decide between these two, but considering I wanted a track toy as well, thought the decision was relatively simple. Taking the track out of the consideration would have gone with the C63