C63 AMG vs M3

[Doc Oc]

So 5-6 months ago I jumped over to the dark side and sold my m3 for a c63. Had a desire to get back into drag racing and didn't feel the M was well suited to that, so I switched. After spending some time getting used to the car, racing it, hitting the mountains, etc, I thought I'd post up an honest comparison of the two for anyone interested.

Chassis/Handling: Winner - M3
You can feel that the Amg is carrying more weight. Handles great but understeers more than the M, doesn't transition quite as well, and just doesn't feel as composed. Turn in feels better in the amg though. So while it's close, it's not that close. Also, with only 50k miles I have several annoying interior rattles that the M never had.

Interior: Winner - c63
More technology, better ergonomics and a more modern, appealing look. Seats are a little more firm than the M but just as comfortable.

Tranny: Manual Mode - M3, Auto mode - C63
The dct is a better tranny than the mct, period. Shifts faster, responds faster, does exactly what you want it to do exactly when you want it to, every time. Its a masterpiece and not even close except when you switch to auto mode. The c63 programming is much better and if you don't want to change your own gears then the mct offers an advantage there. In the mountains it downshifts and upshifts at the perfect time and makes concentrating on the road easier. It does in auto mode exactly what I do in the M in manual mode. Very nice but that's it's only saving grace.

Engine: Winner - c63
The s65 is a fantastic engine, but between the bearing issues and the lack of torque, this one isn't that close. The amg pulls harder in every gear at any rpm. It only revs to 7200 which isn't as exciting, but it's more modable than the s65, as well as more durable with forged internals. Launching from a stop is painless and there just doesn't seem to be an end to the torque. With $2k in mods I'm at 472 rwhp and there are several people over 500 rw with just bolt ons. This is the main reason I made the switch, simply because I couldn't afford to supercharge the M nor did I want to risk it long term.

Brakes: Dead even. While the Merc has more initial bite, the excess weight evens things out.

Overall I'm glad I changed as I wanted a drag racer with refinement and that's what I got. But I miss the M...it's a tremendous car. The mountains won't be the same....

[BOOF-M3]

Good to see you got your name back. I'm surprised the C63 won due to HP/Tq/speed although I guess what else is there to an engine. What kind of drag racing are you doing? Test and tune nights at a track or light to light on a Friday night? You planning on bringing her to the Tail in November?

[Doc Oc]

Me too. I missed m3post. The c63 forums are dead.

I'd love to come if invited Just let me know when.

I've been going to Darlington and Rockingham a lot. Headed to Jackson Sunday. Just trying to meet some good car people and socialize a little. Will never set the world on fire in a bolt on daily driver but it's still fun. Ran 12.03@118 before the flexfuel kit so anxious to see what she's got now. Ironically my first race ever was against a white e92 m3. He sounded supercharged. I was a little concerned but something must've happened because he only ran a 15 something at 80 mph. Hope all is well!

[Redd]

Well the fact that a 10 year old platform can hold its own in certain aspects to a brand new car says a lot about the E9x M3.

What are your thoughts in the Sound category?

[m3jala]

You're welcome here anytime buddy. Keep us posted as to your adventures.

[BOOF-M3]

Of course you are invited Doc. We can't wait to see you. Will be thanksgiving again. And we are going to have thetastelingers show you what's up with his Super charged E92. I'm certain he's in the 11's.

[jv92red]

When I think drag racer with refinement I think CTS-V. Second gen with a flex fuel kit, 1000+ cc injectors, aux fuel kit and a pulley change and your running low 11's. Then add a cam, porting, and cooling mods then your in doing 10's all day. LSA motor is stout. And like the M, an option to get a sedan and manual transmission.

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by Redd

Well the fact that a 10 year old platform can hold its own in certain aspects to a brand new car says a lot about the E9x M3.

What are your thoughts in the Sound category?

It does say a lot. As far as a competent blend of everything there is probably nothing better....at least in my price range.

As far as sound, few things compare to the s65 screaming at 8k rpm, but the sound of a c63 cold start will give any car guy a semi. Glorious sound. Unfortunately once you open up the exhaust it becomes far too aggressive and can be obnoxious.

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by jv92red

When I think drag racer with refinement I think CTS-V. Second gen with a flex fuel kit, 1000+ cc injectors, aux fuel kit and a pulley change and your running low 11's. Then add a cam, porting, and cooling mods then your in doing 10's all day. LSA motor is stout. And like the M, an option to get a sedan and manual transmission.

The ctsv was on my contenders list. Test drove a 550 rwhp sedan a couple days before I got the Merc. It was impressive but neither my wife or I could get past the looks. It's just not an attractive vehicle imo. Combined with their horrible reliability and ratings, we decided to pass. It was close though as the speed was intoxicating and the car even came with drag radials. It just didn't have IT though. Maybe when we get a little older

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Of course you are invited Doc. We can't wait to see you. Will be thanksgiving again. And we are going to have thetastelingers show you what's up with his Super charged E92. I'm certain he's in the 11's.

Awesome, we'll be there! I'm saving now for a Zex kit with all the goodies so I should also be in that range. Should be fun! Gotta get some new tires too. Drag radials on the back with all seasons up front would make for a very interesting mountain trip.

[Doc Oc]

C63 start up

[Redd]

Isn't that video of a different generation C63?

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

The ctsv was on my contenders list. Test drove a 550 rwhp sedan a couple days before I got the Merc. It was impressive but neither my wife or I could get past the looks. It's just not an attractive vehicle imo. Combined with their horrible reliability and ratings, we decided to pass. It was close though as the speed was intoxicating and the car even came with drag radials. It just didn't have IT though. Maybe when we get a little older

Bad reliability on the V? That's surprising to me. I'm assuming that's with its electronic bits?

I don't know much about the newer CTS-V's, but I've had a few LSx cars and they just don't give up.

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by Redd

Isn't that video of a different generation C63?

No that's it. First gen came with the m156 which they used from 2008-2014. New gen has a turbo and sounds totally different.

Here's a video of my last dyno. This is after exhaust mods:

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

Bad reliability on the V? That's surprising to me. I'm assuming that's with its electronic bits?

I don't know much about the newer CTS-V's, but I've had a few LSx cars and they just don't give up.

I have too....and am a big fan of the lsx. My nephew just bought a 2014 Camaro SS and we changed plugs, added an afternarket air box and gutted his cats this past week. What a joy that car is to work on compared to the tight cramped spaces of the M and amg. However when I was shopping cars we did a lot of research and Cadillac was ranked far behind the Germans in the quality/reliability catagories. In fact they were ranked dead last in the article I read. I didn't see anything terrible about the V specifically but after having 5 corvettes, a gto, and my daughter's 2014 RS Camaro I can say that Chevy makes a good engine but puts a relatively shit car around it. Also, the cts-v's interior was pretty antiquated and boring. Gaps were big and fit and finish not so hot. That engine and the potential of it almost won me over but I was worried we might be buying a headache.

[94jedi]

Doc Oc, I remember looking at your white M3 and was seriously considering it but it just wasn't what I wanted (wasn't black lol). I too looked at the W204 before buying my M3 but I just couldn't find one in my price range that was in the condition I wanted. the M156 is intoxicating, no doubt. I think you made a great choice but of course, now I'm partial to the M3. You've got the right tool for the job though, if you like the light to light action, few cars are as good as the C63. Plus with the 2011+ you don't have to worry about the head bolt issues. Any reason you didn't go w/ the Advanced Fuel Dynamics kit?

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by 94jedi

Doc Oc, I remember looking at your white M3 and was seriously considering it but it just wasn't what I wanted (wasn't black lol). I too looked at the W204 before buying my M3 but I just couldn't find one in my price range that was in the condition I wanted. the M156 is intoxicating, no doubt. I think you made a great choice but of course, now I'm partial to the M3. You've got the right tool for the job though, if you like the light to light action, few cars are as good as the C63. Plus with the 2011+ you don't have to worry about the head bolt issues. Any reason you didn't go w/ the Advanced Fuel Dynamics kit?

Just one, price The AFD kit for the c63 is around $1600 whereas the eflex kit does the same thing, with a better app, for $399. Performance parts for the amg are even more expensive than the M, so I've been trying to stick to a pretty tight budget.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

I have too....and am a big fan of the lsx. My nephew just bought a 2014 Camaro SS and we changed plugs, added an afternarket air box and gutted his cats this past week. What a joy that car is to work on compared to the tight cramped spaces of the M and amg. However when I was shopping cars we did a lot of research and Cadillac was ranked far behind the Germans in the quality/reliability catagories. In fact they were ranked dead last in the article I read. I didn't see anything terrible about the V specifically but after having 5 corvettes, a gto, and my daughter's 2014 RS Camaro I can say that Chevy makes a good engine but puts a relatively shit car around it. Also, the cts-v's interior was pretty antiquated and boring. Gaps were big and fit and finish not so hot. That engine and the potential of it almost won me over but I was worried we might be buying a headache.

That's too bad on the Caddy. I have never driven one, but on paper it has all the right kit.

And correct you are about the car that surrounds it for GM products. I'll take my 4th gen Camaro SS hardtop as an example. It was a complete cream puff of a car that I bought from the original owner of about 10 years with only 11k miles on it. The whole thing sounded like it was going to fall apart with all kinds of squeaks and rattles. I think they make killer purpose cars...just no fun for the comfort on street.

Good luck on the AMG Benz! I think they make the ultimate comfortable street basher. DAT TORQUE.

[Scharbag]

I also love the AMG. Just my preference, but if they made a manual, I would buy one. But damn they sound so awesome.

[Doc Oc]

Having a manual wasn't an option for me anyway as my Jeep is a manual and the wife has to have one car she can drive. But I agree....the mct is not a satisfying tranny. If I could change one thing it'd be to drop a dct in it.

[thetastelingers]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Of course you are invited Doc. We can't wait to see you. Will be thanksgiving again. And we are going to have thetastelingers show you what's up with his Super charged E92. I'm certain he's in the 11's.

I believe you are giving my car more credit than it is due. Even with the supercharger, these things still have no torque. LOL

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

Awesome, we'll be there! I'm saving now for a Zex kit with all the goodies so I should also be in that range. Should be fun! Gotta get some new tires too. Drag radials on the back with all seasons up front would make for a very interesting mountain trip.

Oh we like spray!
Drag radials do fine in the mountains. Just put some stickies up front. Those all seasons will definitely push.

So why make a nice thread like this with no pictures? Come on man. Feed our manly need for eye candy!

[Doc Oc]

Lol, I'm sad to say that I haven't taken any good pics. Here are a couple I have in my phone, but nothing exciting. Will have a lot more after our next mountain trip.