M3 vs 2012 C63 AMG Coupe

[gthal]

So I had the chance to spend some time in a new C63 AMG coupe and thought I would share my thoughts compared to the M3. I haven`t spent a ton of time with the car yet but hope to over the next few months.

Exterior Appearance

The C63 AMG coupe is much, much better looking in person. It is aggressive looking with very nice wheel offsets and obvious negative camber. However, the M3 (well, mine anyway ) is still a better looking car IMO but it's close.

Interior

The interior was completed updated on the C63 for 2012. It is AMAZING compared to the M3. Makes my car feel dated. The seats are amazing and more supportive than on the M3, the fit and finish is very high. The steering wheel is thick, flat on the top and bottom and perforated. The C63 with the updated interior that is new in 2012 easily takes this portion of the comparison. Also, I'm a fan of the M3s interior and do really like it but after sitting in the C63, I now find it lacking.

Sound

Start the C63 and holy mother of awesome exhaust/engine sound!!! Mercedes really got the exhaust right on this car... why BMW didn't do this is beyond me. It's good that this can be easily corrected on the M3 with an after market exhaust.

Performance

This car is the first or second in the region and has the extra 30 hp performance pack to give it 480hp. This car would walk my M3 anywhere, anytime. You can tell they tweaked the car just by looking at it with the negative camber, wider track, etc. The chassis and suspension of the C63 seems to be very well balanced. Very impressive car... much more so than I had anticipated.

The M3 is still, IMO, likely the better drivers car but the gap is not as wide as it once was and this has been confirmed by the EVO review. The C63 has made a lot of improvements in the 2012 and it is a great car. Here's the kicker... the C63 fully optioned with the performance package and extra power (which the one in the Evo review did NOT have) is $10,000 CDN less than my fully equiped M3. Great job Mercedes!! The other thing to note is that the C63 is also in mid cycle and due to be replaced in 2013/14 like the M3. It will be interesting to see what they do then relative to the M3.

I love the M3 and prefer it looks wise but if I was buying today, I would seriously consider the C63 given the price difference. I was really surprised by this car in every way. To be honest, I`m a little dissappointed that compared to my M3 it was so capable, so feature laden, so nice inside and cheaper than the M3. I kind of wish I didn`t experience one because now I kind of want one

[Nine]

Is your car DCT or 6SPD?

[gthal]

Originally Posted by Nine

Is your car DCT or 6SPD?

DCT

[mcp202]

Nice review. I see you came from a G37 too. My M is by far the fastest car I have EVER driven. I have never had seat time behind the wheel of a c63 but the numbers confirm it is very fast. Maybe some day. I dont know what I would do if I drove a car now that was faster than the M in the same segment. I would probably want one too!

[Kyoshi71]

Call me crazy but I like the 4 door better than the coupe. Although I've never seen one in person, from pics, it almost looks like a lot of the lines were lost.

[Moo]

Torque monster!

[lux]

gthal,

Can you comment on how the m3 DCT compares with the c63 MCT transmission?

[gthal]

Originally Posted by lux

gthal,

Can you comment on how the m3 DCT compares with the c63 MCT transmission?

My sense is the DCT is faster and crisper but I can't add much more. When I can get more seat time, I will comment more. The DCT is really an amazing transmission, the MCT is not a true dual clutch as we know. I would bet the next generation C63 will have a true dual clutch.

[mdosu]

I agree with you. I think this 2012 C63 AMG with the P31 development package is the one to get. It's got the updated interior and exterior. The P31 adds 30 more hp and it's the last year of the 6.2L V8 before they go turbo.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by mdosu

I agree with you. I think this 2012 C63 AMG with the P31 development package is the one to get. It's got the updated interior and exterior. The P31 adds 30 more hp and it's the last year of the 6.2L V8 before they go turbo.

MB knows how to make a turbo engine. I've only test drive a sedan and couldn't get over the TC coming on. Loved the power though. It's never a bad thing to have 481 bhp at the disposal of your right foot. Thanks for the review.

[Black Gold]

nice review. so disappointing that merc amg cars are not offered with manual transmissions

[K-M3]

I am in the market for an M3, but if ever they had made the C63 AMG with a traditional manual gear box, I would be getting that one with their P30 performance package. I was kinda surprised that they didnt offer a traditional stick, but merc started to move away from stick-shifts a long time back - which is why I switched loyalties to BMW. I mean - even the new 650 can be ordered with a 6 speed stick , so can the 550i - that 4.4L turbo with a stick is probably a hoot to drive....

and I agree with one of the comments above - the C63 for me does look better as a 4 door than as a 2 door.......

[kindafast]

Get it!

[gthal]

Originally Posted by kindafast

Get it!

I'm investigating in a preliminary way

In all honesty, every time I see my M3 and drive it, I don't think about the C63 AMG coupe at all. I really do prefer the M3 looks wise. I prefer the C63 for interior and engine/exhaust. M3 for handling and feel but it is very, very close. As capable as the C63 coupe is, I suspect I won't be changing anything anytime soon .

[Cdnrockies]

Very good review.

Aside from the subjective discussion points, I don't think many of our American friends understand the price differences that exist here in Canada.

I had actually tried to purchase a C63 before picking up my IS F but wasn't willing to wait the minimum 5 months for delivery that they quoted. My personal preferences couldn't justify an additional $10K for a comparable M3 over a C63. The fact that the IS F was $15K less expensive was a bonus.

[graider]

i really want the 2012 c63 amg too. love it.

[scarhead]

Great information. I have only seen photos of the 2012 C63 and read some pretty favorable reviews. Based on what I have seen and read it has really peaked my interest in purchasing one. As with my M3, I am more interested in the sedan. As for the C63 Coupe you saw would you happen to have any photos? If I'm not mistaken they should be arriving in U.S. dealers soon, right?

Aside from performance, I have to give credit to MB for updating the interior of their vehicles. Having said that, I also have to say that the old saying "Don't fix what isn't broken" is true and perhaps that's why BMW hasn't upgraded the interior, at least cosmetically. Technology is a different story.

[1MOREMOD]

i have never seen a MB at the track. not one. why is that?

[DefBringer]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i have never seen a MB at the track. not one. why is that?

There are certain age and ethnic demographics that are drawn to Mercedes. These same group of people are not typically the ones you see at the track.

[redline9001]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i have never seen a MB at the track. not one. why is that?

your not going to the drag strip? its seems that C63s are there regularly...

From my reading on some C63 forums it seems the members perfer Drag racing... atleast that seem to be from the threads that i have read. there are very few road race threads. Each to their own

[adc]

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i have never seen a MB at the track. not one. why is that?

Last time I went, I came across 2 of them - one bone stock and the other with some minor goodies that would be equivalent to the power pack perhaps.

It was raining, and the M3 (stock PS2 worn to the bars) was on a different level. I gained 1/3 of a lap in 5-6 laps on them, with at least one of them being a better driver than me.

[TheKosherStogie]

Also since people are discussing the P31. If you wont mod your car w/ a tune it is a must have. If not a tune c63 is equal with a P31. People gain about 50whp with a tune on these so the P31 is definitely under rated from the factory and dyno between 417-430whp on a dynojet. Although the P31 has different engine interals as well, some say it revs a little more freely. Also comes with a LSD and upgraded brakes.

Originally Posted by adc

Last time I went, I came across 2 of them - one bone stock and the other with some minor goodies that would be equivalent to the power pack perhaps.

It was raining, and the M3 (stock PS2 worn to the bars) was on a different level. I gained 1/3 of a lap in 5-6 laps on them, with at least one of them being a better driver than me.

Depends on the track set up, the M3 is the superior track car no question and on a more technical track will have the advantage, more straights favor the C63. But at Buttonwillow I did pretty well, was 90% M3's and there were only 3 faster than me, 2 being highly modded and 1 with RE-11's as I was on stock conti's.

Originally Posted by chriszeh

i have never seen a MB at the track. not one. why is that?

Here I am