BMW M3 vs. MB C63 AMG vs. Audi RS4 by Car and Driver...M3 wins

So Car and Driver has done a test that auto-enthusiasts have anxiously been waiting for.

The BMW M3 is tested against the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi RS4.

The BMW M3 wins this comparison because, although it may not be the fastest, it offers the most sporting driving experience and thrills in this group.

The Audi RS4 finished in third place, which is kind of surprising considering it won the last comparison test Car and Driver did between it, the Mercedes C55 AMG and old E46 BMW M3. The car has great acceleration and handling, but it was too easy to drive. Although the easiness to drive is a plus, the reviewers noted running the M3 and C63 AMG hard brought great rewards and thrills that the RS4 couldn't match. The Audi RS4 has clearly been carefully reviewed by Mercedes and BMW and both companies brought more power to the contest this time around.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is the clear extrovert of this group. Where the RS4 is understated luxury, the C63 screams "look at me." With its creases, bulges and vents indicating that it is a true high-performance Benz, this car looks worlds apart from a standard C-class. The car has the most horsepower and torque out of this trio. Although it doesn't come with a manual transmission, the C63's automatic is a brilliant 7-speed. The 0-60 mph dash is cleared in....get this.....3.9 SECONDS! The BMW M3 and RS4 were easily outgunned in the straights by the C63. However, the downfall of the C63 was its ride. The ride is extremely harsh and unforgiving.

The winner is the BMW M3. Armed with a 420 horsepower V8 and manual transmission the M3 offers sportiness and thrills the Audi RS4 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG can't produce. The M3 is more of a challenge to drive than the Audi RS4. The RS4 is too composed and easy-natured for its own good against the M3 and C63. The M3 due to its manual transmission is more involving than the automatic trasmission C63 AMG.

However, the M3 shouldn't rest comfortably. Audi has just announced it will end production of the B7 Audi RS4 by the end of this year and a new RS4, based on the B8 platform, should debut in about one year from now.

This segment keeps getting better and better.....
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S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 11:24:50 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, this segment definitely does. I have no idea what I would (or will) buy.

BTW, re-post. I'm guessing you posted this at the same time as the other article, but the Spies only just put it in.

printhan - 10/28/2007 11:46:08 PM

0 Boost

I'm Not Surprised!!!
Someone gotta be too stupid to buy RS4 for that price with less performance!!!

S4cabriofoxone - 10/28/2007 11:49:53 PM

+1 Boost

They will all be roughly the same price... and the RS4 posts the same numbers as the M3.

britbox - 10/29/2007 12:12:07 AM

+1 Boost

Dude, I just posted this article to. Ha, ha. I owned a MB C 240 and loved it (lowered with H&R) and E46 M3 and I loved it. I drove my friends Audi S4 and loved it. At the end of the day, they are all cool and all fun. I have no idea what to get now. I guess I'll have to test drive all three and see which one talks to me....

Yonder7 - 10/29/2007 3:48:09 PM

+1 Boost

C63 Is a lot heavier, true, but predictable due as CD said, is the one with more amenities, however what realy is amazing is that with all that weight it was almost in the same perfomance league as M3 in lane change. From my view point this is the new King of the Roads and in the tracks, well is the king GTM. 3.9 0 to 60, thats cool just like regular SLR wich is lighter. BMW needs to replace the engine, no doubt about that. If the C63 loose weight Removing some unnecessary "amenities" I am sure, it could over pass the M3 in all the other numbers, but is not the MB thinking. Regarding the suspension, I agree with CD, M3 is more civilized. But for now and on I can see a several of M3 fans moving to the C63. The worst defect in the C63 is the apetite of the engine, But if you have a monster under the hood, Well you know it won't eat as baby, and is because you are willing to pay for what you get, The most powerfull engine. M3 did a great job. For people that prefer softter suspensions and a better millage to adjust the budget (but not for much), they won't go wrong. If you talk about engineering the three cars ar winners but defintely the AUDI and C63 will always be heavier. Now I will waite for the next Compare C63 Versus M3 Sedan. It is almost sure that we will get similar results, due the amenities of the C63 and the extra weight generated for all those gadgets. BMW did a agreat job saving weight but please put fog lights in the cars M cars the next time. Audi should continue doing quatro cars, they are great and fun to drive as no other car, specially if you have a familly and you are looking for security.

GermanNut - 10/29/2007 5:44:53 PM

+2 Boost

amazinBimmer enjoys posting HIS version of brand cachet viewpoints which would not be reflective of the world's view.

AmazinBimmer, quit your brand cachet and desireability nonsense. Audi's A6 outsells the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class in terms of worldwide sales.

Audi sells more cars in Germany than Mercedes-Benz and is growing faster than any other luxury brand in the world.

Audi is as desireable as BMW and Mercedes-Benz if you take the entire world into account which means Europe, Asia and Middle East etc... in addition to the United States.

GermanNut - 10/29/2007 5:46:28 PM

+1 Boost

amazinBimmer, go ask a Chinese person in China what brand they prefer....they won't say BMW.

Audi is to China what BMW is to the United States.

MunichRob - 10/29/2007 6:33:21 PM

+1 Boost

Hey 'Nut' get this, Audi's the fastest growing luxury brand but BMW's the worlds biggest...and with upcoming releases such as the 1-series, X6, & M3 sedan, its only getting bigger.

GermanNut - 10/29/2007 7:33:38 PM

+1 Boost

I already told you, but you are too dumb to go and find my post. First off, its not a 335xi.

Sorry, I wouldn't waste my time on BMW's phony xDrive that will probably wrap me around a tree in the snow. I would go with the true Quattro for snowy conditions.

BMW is known for RWD. Hence, I got the 335i coupe. It accelerated almost as fast as M3s and it costs $10K less.

MunichRob, BMW maybe getting bigger, but they are not getting bigger as fast as Audi is.

9% annual growth rate kiddo. Let's compare that to BMWs lousy 3% annual growth rate and see who will be the winner in the sales race come 2025.

MunichRob - 10/29/2007 10:46:55 PM

+1 Boost

Well if you're still posting on autospies I'll be sure to get back to ya!