C63 AMG v BMW M3 on Fifth Gear

[MAB01UK]

Mercedes Benz C63 AMG goes head to head with the BMW M3 on Fifth Gear Ch5 8pm tonight according to my tv guide............

 

[robtt]

And the BMW wins!! What a surprise on a programme biased to BMW! Nothing to do with BMW having the largest and slickest (SICKEST) PR department in the business of course.The two presenters never made the call but good ol' Vicky immediately says at the end the BMW won even tho' she never drove them. This show stinks: at least with Top Gear you get a fairish summation at the end of a test. OK I feel better for that rant..have a good day...

 

[verytalldave]

I know which car I would rather have. And I dont need a show load of almost pre-pubescent giggling halfwits to tell me.

 

[jubhi]

In a straight line the AMG destroys it as was shown in Top Gear against the M3 and RS4.

In a real life traffic light situation that is all that counts!!

 

[philharve]

Hi

No one has posted the clip on UTube yet.

I missed the road test comparison and would like to know why the M3 was chosen over the C63 AMG? Was it all down to speed and handling? I thought that in a straight line the C63 AMG leaves all the competition behind?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[jubhi]

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o6wMBLwlDY

 

[verytalldave]

Its very, VERY difficult for the current crop of TV motoring "experts" to actually let the M3 and the M5 topple from their lofty perches.
They have waffled on for so many years about how good the M3/5 are that now they cant bring themselves to admit that they arent perhaps as untouchable as they once were.
Even Clarkson almost choked on his own words when he (very reluctantly) admitted that the current V8 RS4 was better than an M3.
I have been in an M5 (not driven) and it didnt particularily impress me. OK, it was fast, but it just seemed like an overpowered 4 door saloon.
Its now more than simply plonking a 500bhp++ engine in a smallish body. Its about the whole package. And to me Mercedes/AMG/Brabus have really got the market cornered.
Personally, I could not compare the M3 with a C63. They are aimed at different markets. The BMW is aimed at the lads who once drove XR3i's and GTE's but have aged a few years and got a tad richer. The C63 is aimed at 330 and Boxster owners who have matured and can see past 0-60 times and TV programme recommendations.

 

[jubhi]

Well said verytalldave. Think you hit the nail on the head.

Even to look at the M3 doesn't look that special, standing next to a 335IiMSport it doesn't look much different. The same goes for the M5, everytime I see a 530d/535dSport from then front/side I think it's the M5.

However, you wouldn't have the same problem with any AMG from the Merc range, you'd know straight away what your looking at.

 

[jberks]

I'd have to disagree with you guys and actually ... can't believe I'm saying this .... agree with the 5th grear team.
If you want to scream round a track, the M3 is the clear winner. If I wanted a track day only car, I'd probably but an M3 (or perhaps an evo). However, as VBH hints at the end, for real world use, tescos, M6 and an occassional drag off the line, the softer, more comfortable and more user friendly C63 beats the M3 hands down.

 

[verytalldave]

I'd have to disagree with you guys and actually ... can't believe I'm saying this .... agree with the 5th grear team.
If you want to scream round a track, the M3 is the clear winner. If I wanted a track day only car, I'd probably but an M3 (or perhaps an evo). However, as VBH hints at the end, for real world use, tescos, M6 and an occassional drag off the line, the softer, more comfortable and more user friendly C63 beats the M3 hands down.

In that case then, in my book at least, the C63 wins.
Be honest....exactly how many owners even go on track days - let alone treat their pride and joy with the degree of disrespect that Clarkson et al treat the cars they drive round the track. The answer is none. Unless you have shares in a tyre manufacturing company or own a chain of petrol stations.
I recall when Clarkson brought his own Mercedes in for the Stig to drive round the track he told him to "take it easy and treat it with respect. Its mine you know". So there you have it. Even Clarkson has a degree of mechanical sympathy - although to watch him drive other peoples cars that would come as a surprise.

 

[jberks]

no contest - it would be an E63 over an M5 for me every day of the week. Much nicer to look at, sit in and for what I'd actually use it for - e.g. going to Tescos and a 150 mile non stop run down the M1, aiming to be fresh enough to sit in a meeting for 3 hours then drive home again! (try doing that in an M3!)
I'm sure VBH and the other 2 racing drivers prefer the Ms but that's the point, they are racing drivers. We're not.
Still - rather academic really as my E270 will have to do for the forseeable - oh the hardship!

 

[philharve]

Here you go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o6wMBLwlDY

Thanks jubhi. I now appreciate how the decision was arrived at. The phrase "different horses for different courses" springs to mind.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[100%Bitch]

I also like the way the decision was arrived at. Accelerating as fast as possible to see how fast they were at the end of the straight, drifting around the corner and finally throwing it about a race track. These tests are of course things we all do every day of our lives and why we buy our cars.

Who do they think they are aiming this programme at? Reasonable people don't treat a car in that manner and mindless idiots who like that sort of thing can't afford those cars.

I give up. What does it take for the Fifth Gear presenters(?) to understand that "of course the C63 is the better car". It's a no-brainer for God's sake!

 

[MarkCL]

Maybe I just didn't notice but I can't help but think they never said anything about using the built in driver aids (traction control etc) - or did I miss something? If the only test they did was Tiff chasing that M3 down using nothing but his own "superior" driving skills to control over 450bhp and 600Nm of torque and had all the traction control etc turned off then I still want to know how it would have faired with those aids switched on?

As has been pointed out by other people - track driving situations are not real life driving conditions and so it really wasn't a fair test IMHO. I'd prefer to see a more rounded test done under road conditions as well and also see what difference having the driver aids switched on as well as off made. If that doesn't happen then how can you make a valid comparison? My own personal choice with £50k + sitting in my pocket, I'd go for the C63, but maybe thats just because I already have a C43 and know how much I love that? Who knows. That M3 is a great car and no doubt, but the AMG has an edge in that one already has it's hooks in me and just won't let go :wink:

Cheers,
Mark