What would you rather buy? Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3 Sedan or the Lexus IS-F

But the C63 AMG with it's over 450 HP is more tempting. Toyota needs to improve the ISF in it's next cycle to match the germans by lowering weight, improving handling, and using a design that does not give so much of an image of a street boy racer's car.

I think the M3 had the best test results.

Definitely the new M3. It has refinement, with confidence the best handling, and when your unleashing full horsepower the engine will just run so smoothly. It's as close to perfect as it gets... Mercedes is excellent but the handling is not as great as BMW's. The Lexus has a ton of power, yes, but is just not in the league yet...

ISF, because it has fake exhaust tips

M3 w/ dct

To be honest, I would have no idea between the C63 and M3. The IS-F seems to lower than the rest. The M3 is an Army Knife and the C63 is a Ax Murderer on Wheels. I have no idea. Is there a both option?

I would rather just buy a standard S550 sedan without the overpriced AMG stuff.

Whattttt?? S550? What hat did you pull that out of?

The S550 is only 27 inches longer and $35,000 more expensive than the M3 sedan. They compete.

lol

S4,

That has to be the funniest comment you ever posted. I am on the floor!

looking at the pics the benz looks more evil so i'll go with the benz or mabe the bmw??

M3

The other 2 or too fugly...So i'm going to have to go with the BMW M3 by a long shot....

Why I get de-boosted for picking BMW M3 and no one else above didn't and they also pick the M3?

Stop Whining.

You said Fugly. And to a Lexus on this site. I'm surprised they let you post your comment.

The BMW M3 is clean yet fast all at the same time, without the bulkyness.

isf? no. m3? no (335i is a better deal). that leaves C63!

Yep, from a performance aspect both the M3 and IS-F do 0-60 in 4.9 (i think the 335i is a better deal at 5.3)

The C63 does it in 4.3, now there's a number close to the supercars.

w209 ... Mercedes advertises there figures closer to what the car can actually do. BMW never does. Fastest Mercedes C63 test is 3.9 seconds ... BMW M3 quickest is 4.1 seconds .

EHm, E92/E90 m3 is doing 12.5-12.7 sec 1/4 @ +112mph, 335i is doing it in 13.3-13.5 at 102-104mph, thats a big difference. Notice the M3 is gaining speed at the top end. The 335i has the the torque advantage(at lower revs). The price difference is a little over 10g - for the V8, LSD, big brake setup, suspension upgrade, upgraded seats, etc. the 335i is hardly a "bargain" compared to the m3.

I disagree. M3 sedan is bigger(yes. both exterior and interior) and has performance tires unlike 335i which has run flat tires. With all that performance and unique look of M3 which separated it from Accord like 3-series presence on streets, M3 is better deal for money. (Except ripped off gas guzzler tax to gov)

The E90 (3 Series/M3 sedan) is three inches shorter in overall length than the E92 (coupe).

Errr... no. I seriously doubt that once you drive a C63 and experience the torque of that AMG V-8 or an M3 and experience its all-around brilliance that you'd go for a raw car like the Evo. It's not as raw as it used to be, but it is nowhere near as refined as the Benz, Bimmer or Lex.
If you're that concerned about money, you wouldn't be buying one of these cars anyway.

gooch:
"but it is nowhere near as refined as the Benz, Bimmer or Lex."
evo has worser plastics in the cabin and stiffer suspension , but it`s definitelly more technology refined . for what me good plastics in the cabin , this are performance cars . i would also choose evo like you TheBoss becouse it`s better in my opinion , it`s more technology advanced , it has better AWD even than nissan gtr . that`s why it generated 1,01g in motor trend test and is much faster than enything with even more power and less weight e.g. bmw 135i in motor trend comparo. better car don`t mean always car with more power , in evo even 290 hp is enough . and higher price also not always mean better .

That EVO would be more expensive, after you did all that, than any of the cars here in question. Are you mental?

You are an Idiot!

abcd,

The money you're paying for the three V8 sport sedans buys you refinement and quality. Their technological depth is in details that aren't an alphabet soup of gee-whiz electronics that mask deficiencies or help sorry-ass drivers stay on the road. You go buy your Evo. Have fun with it. Hell, I used to sell Mitsubishis and I had fun every time I got to take an Evo out. But the Evo is nowhere near as refined to drive as an M3, and I tell you, having driven the E46 and E90 M3s, the Evo just does not stack up. The drive in the M3s left me tingling with anticipation of more. The drives in the Evo left me excited about its performance, but wishing that Mitsu went a bit further.
Or are you and the Boss the type of people who judge cars simply by numbers? Dude, it's all about how the car feels. And I've never seen an Evo post a 3.9 (C63) or 4.1 (M3) second run to 60. I know it can be done, but you'd grenade the engine trying to keep up with the Germans and the IS-F. Seriously, the Evo doesn't play in this league.

gooch:
"Their technological depth is in details that aren't an alphabet soup of gee-whiz electronics that mask deficiencies or help sorry-ass drivers stay on the road."

are you trying to say that evo is riding good becouse of traction control? evo and impreza sti are only cars that are racing in FIA production car rallying(pwrc) - there can`t be many modifications , so they are rather very good engineered cars that don`t need electronic traction control to have good traction .
gooch:
"I had fun every time I got to take an Evo out. But the Evo is nowhere near as refined to drive as an M3, and I tell you, having driven the E46 and E90 M3s"

you had evo with AYC(this isn`t electronic gadget) or with simple LSD(with isn`t very good in AWD cars-cause understeer e.g. impreza sti and audi rs4 quattro have LSD) - becouse I read somewhere that in USA previous evo had LSD ? I ask becouse evo is mostly about it AWD .
gooch:
"And I've never seen an Evo post a 3.9 (C63) or 4.1 (M3) second run to 60. I know it can be done, but you'd grenade the engine trying to keep up with the Germans and the IS-F."

hmmm... aren`t you playing with the numbers? haven`t you seen top gear where clarkson in old evo fq400 was racing with lamborghini murcielago awd , and won . guess which car is "the best sport saloon" according to clarkson("heaven and hell" and also different) - lancer evo . clarkson can value engineering of this car . and had you read track times in motor trend comparison bmw135i(less weight ,more power) with evo x . and compared to track times in motor trend M3 , C63 , is-f comparison :
evo x-152,92sec
M3-154,2sec
135i-156,34sec
c63-158sec
is-f - 158,6sec
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sports/112_0805_bmw_m3_lexus_is_f_mercedes_c63_amg_comparison/photo_16.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0806_bmw_135_mitsubishi_evo_mr_comparison/photo_12.html

abcd

Again, it's all about feel. And are the FQ Evos available in the US? Negative. I don't give a crap about what Clarkson thinks -- he's a Brit and his driving reality is not like mine here in the US.
It's cool that you'd choose an Evo over these cars, but don't pretend that you're getting "more" for the money. You're not. The Evo's performance is not readily accessible to people who don't know what they're doing. And even if you spend a bunch of dollars modding it up, it's far more likely you'll grenade your engine or screw up your suspension and you still won't get close to one of these three on a track (at least with a driver who's worth a crap).
Spend that modding money on driver training and it's more likely you'd be able to beat these cars on a racetrack with an stock Evo. Now that's money well-spent.

gooch:
"And even if you spend a bunch of dollars modding it up, it's far more likely you'll grenade your engine or screw up your suspension and you still won't get close to one of these three on a track"

you don`t need to modify to go faster around the track:
" evo x-152,92sec
M3-154,2sec
135i-156,34sec
c63-158sec
is-f - 158,6sec
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sports/112_0805_bmw_m3_lexus_is_f_mercedes_c63_amg_comparison/photo_16.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0806_bmw_135_mitsubishi_evo_mr_comparison/photo_12.html "

you don`t believe motor trend track times ?

Hey Boss shut up, what an idiot. Dont say something unless it's smart and actually relative to the topic being discussed.

The M3 is still the best "all around". However, its not about what's best sometimes but rather the feeling the car evokes in you. Personally a C63 for me :)

M3 Sedan, hands down.
The C63 looks good, but it doesn't push my buttons the way the M3 does. The IS-F, uuhhh... no. Just no.

The list was C63, M3, IS-F. Nothing else.

Realist0000: "Trying to fit in with the rest of these Fan Boy Losers by choosing a German brand, Infiniti guy?? What about the M45?? or G37?? "uh..no" what a dork!"

I believe the question on this article was very clear. It asks if you'd rather buy one of three very specific cars: the M3, C63 or IS-F. I don't think Infiniti made any of those.

I do like Infiniti. That's why I drive one, but that doesn't mean it is the only car I like. I happen to appreciate other brands.

I didn't choose the M3 because I want to fit in with anybody. I chose it because, in my opinion, it is the best out of the three. Choosing an Infiniti model on this thread when none is included in the list would make me an Infiniti fan boy, don't you think?

M3 Convertible. (When it comes out.)

I'd really have to drive them all first. My first impulse is to go with the Mercedes, but the other two are amazing in their own right so it would all come down to which just felt right for me after a test drive.

I'd take the Merc.

All are awesome, but the Benz is the most subdued in appearance.

the selection between them will be based on the shape of the skull! people with long head " such as mango " will go for the m3 because it matches their head style.
mid age men with bold skull will Definitely go for the C63.
would like to know what kind of skulls will IS-F gonna attract.

Flat!

Dammit, fatboi, did you have to remind me of my age!?

C63 AMG for me.

At first I didn't want to be that guy, but can I say Audi RS4? 420hp, 4.1L V8, 0-60 in 4.8 sec, Quattro. It's a bit more expensive at $67k, but come on...I had to.

I would take the C63 all the way, it is better built,durable and will last longer over the years, hell it's the weakest of the AMG 63 series which tells me the motor would last a lifetime and has alot of room for more power when wanted and Mercedes is the king of torque.........

It will be helpful to use performance figs from Car magazines rather than the offical figures (often conservative). Consider the BMW 335 coupe hits 60 in 4.8 and so does the Lexus IS350, so the M3 and ISF can't be slower, right? Here are some #s from C&D and R&T

Mercedes C63 3.9
BMW M3 4.1
Lexus IS-F 4.3

BTW, BMW 135 hit 60 in 4.7 seconds. I know all the above provides better handling, but is any of them worth an additional $20,000 large. I would rather a BMW 135 or 335 and use the extra for a motorcycle.

It's funny how they say the IS350 = 335i in terms of straight line speed. I like the interior of the IS, Navigation blows the bmw away(plus you can play movies), but my cousins IS has never gotten closer than 3 car lengths @ 115+mph. I say up to 60mph we are neck to neck, then it starts to pull away slowly. He weighs a good 30 lbs less than me too.

Both cars have over 10k miles.

@kablaam

OMG... I can't play movies in a BMW ???!!! I will switch for some other car that can do that... Seriously, What's wrong with you ?

... and I forgot about the BMW's iDrive. I don't know if you are aware that in EU and Canada (soon in US too) you have internet access and as such you can actualy write an address to go to in the browser, using the iDrive controller. I guess that (soon enough) your TOYOTA IS350 will have little keyboard in the glovebox...

Bimmer:
I own an M5 and 335i and I will be the first to tell you that Lexus has a better navigation and stereo system.

Idrive is fine once you get used to it, but its very slow even with the latest update. It takes about 30 seconds to load up after starting the vehicle, probably another 30 seconds if your bluetooth phone syncs it's contacts with the system.

So please, give credit where credit is due.

P.S. IMO Acura has the best Nav system I have ever tried, haven't tried the new C/S Mercedes Command system, heard it's very intuitive as well.

Bimmer:

I don't own an IS350(although it is IMO a very nice vehicle-rear is too cramped) my COUSIN DOES!!!!!!

id definately take the C63. monster engine, monster class, talk about ballin'

bclemans

C&D figure are based on cars with slicks! With stanard tyres it will different.

4.7 was also obtain by Motor Trend in there comparison against the Evo

What
in
the
hell
are
you
smoking?

I'll take the EOS.

That's not possible, she died in a hit and run when some arrogant BMW driver ran into her, but I'm available sweetie!

CTS-V..... again. Wasn't this same discussion posted a couple months ago??

I'll take another CTS-V over these as well. Funny, in most other threads it gets compared to these AND the bigger boys. I'll take it over any German car...'cept an R8.

No one interested in the IS-F. I'm predicting poor sales.

M3

M3, not a fan of MB or Lexus

dual clutch M3 coupe or C63... checked out the IS-F at a dealer and it just didn't seem to be "all there" with the other two... ricey/blah exterior and bland interior... have not driven any so just going off what I know

Why is IS-F even on the list?

Tell me why is this ricer is even here in the same class,why?????????????Good question.

I'd be happy with anyone of these in my garage.

M3 Sedan with M-DKG, no doubt, and that could be what I end up with in real life.

Now I'm doubting myself, because I saw that great C63 ad. It makes me want one.

E92 M3 6MT AW Fox Red

IS-F

i might choose the is-f, but the c63 (in the picture above, especially) looks the coolest imo. i like the is-f's back end (ok, maybe not the tailpipes), but i like the mb's front end. m3 is just plain, and dull. the is-f's lower grille needs work.

but isnt this thread just plain redundant?? everybody knows that whoever chooses the m3 or the c63 will be boosted up, and whoever chooses lexus will be deboosted. whats the point???????????????????

blk/blk isf

I would chose the c63...then I could pretend im lewis hamilton on my drive to work =P

C63.

I would get the IS F because everyone wants the M3 so the IS F would be less common. But don't get me wrong, the M3 is nothing to sneeze at.

I may go with C63. I liked the M3 like begining, but the more I see, the more I feel its kind of boring. However, all those three are great choices. But, the gas prices these days is killing my interests.

With all honesty I would get the Mercedes 451, but I would test drive the M3 as well.

Oh, I would go to Wal*Mart and get the IS~F matchbox :-/

Um, the C class and 3er have great interiors. You should spend more time inside them and you will notice that. There's a difference between CHEAP and BLAND. The C class and 3er interior might look bland but they're certainly not cheap.

"IS-F looks Ricier than a typical Ricer. Has best looking interior, use high grade materials and has most refine engine/tranny"

Sorry but thats the funniest thing I'v heard, what a joke.

And you call yourself theboss , should be "the no idea"

the boss is right

TheBoss is funny. Really. Thanks for the laugh.

Now I just can't tell if you're joking or retarded.

Everytime I read his comments I laugh! lol.

amazinBimmer - I would prefer the M3 sedan because it is the most well-balanced (acceleration, braking, handling, comfort) of the three listed, I like its looks, and I can fit it into it. I preferred it in spite of your usual idiotic rant about Audi and the rest of the Volkswagen Group.

You are one helluva head case, my friend!

I like the M3 but the C63 engine is a beast, C63 for me

Give me a black monster C63 anyday, but also love the M3, sorry I don't rate the is-f yet.

buy? IS-F for sure.
lease? maybe M3.
those of you who wanna buy M3, have you actually owned a German car for 6+ years?

Yes 11 germans cars and I can say they heve being excellent right down to my current Black 500SL.

ive never owned a german car but most people that i know that have, werent very happy..its only on this site that i have ever heard of good experiences..maybe its the warm weather that causes them to fail here in south fla

Yes, I have driven the star for over twenty years, and have owned 7 of them.Six were high speed autobahn blasters........And I am very interested in maybe buying the C63......

Hard to choose between the M3 and the C63 AMG. Agree with others that the lowly IS-F should not be part of this comparison.

Civic Si.

M3 sedan for me. But if the C63 AMG came with all-wheel drive to take advantage of all that torque, I would have picked the C63 AMG All-wheel drive.

Top Gear's Clarkson said the C63 AMG scared him "to death" every time he got in it, but he loved it.

m3

Do you truly, honestly believe that? Because if you do, wake up. That simply won't happen. It's asinine to think it will.

have you not been reading your consumer reports subscription? bmw is one of the few brands with multiple "recommended" models (including all variants of the 3-series).

your comments have no basis in reality.

I thought you were more sensible than that... turned out I was wrong. PROVE that the M3 isnt reliable.

Lol, yeah sure XeroTOOL, i can't drive anywhere in my BMW without it breaking down, sometimes i wonder why i even keep it...

For Track the M3, but for Autobhan C63 which have also a lot of torque for drifing without any efort.

For the performance, looks and gas mileage - M3.

The M3 seems like a boxer: light, quick, refined in its movements

The Mercedes is like a linebacker: brute and full of power

The Lexus (sorry guys) seems to just be like the new kid trying to fit in. Poser

I'd be happy with the Benz or the BMW. Just not the Lexus.

I think I would be "happy" with the Lexus, because who wouldn't be happy with a 416hp hot rod sedan?

However, if I ever saw an M3 sedan or C63 AMG, I would be green with envy.

The M3 seems like a boxer: light, quick, refined in its movements

The Mercedes is like a linebacker: brute and full of power

The Lexus (sorry guys) seems to just be like the new kid trying to fit in. Poser

I'd be happy with the Benz or the BMW. Just not the Lexus.

in canada a fully loaded M3 coupe is 20k more than a fully loaded IS-F. so realistically if i had to choose between the two i would choose the IS-F and use the extra 20k for mods. I believe i can transform the stock IS-F into a car just as capable as the M3 if not better.

My brother is making this decision as we speak. I say C63. He says M3. We'll see what he chooses when both models arrive with auto trannies.

Man... why wont it let me deboost myself =/

Don't be fooled by the Germen's base prices, when you add the options they sky rocket. So definitly the IS-F I would get, a white one.

And don't be fooled by this troll/krauter.

ISF

Honestly, I wouldn't mind any of these cars. They all have unique different characteristics, and you'll end up with a smile on your face after driving any of them! But I personally prefer the M3's character over both, and thats why it's the car I would choose.

M3 no question...C63 a close second.

ehh M3 because of the manual transmission

This is a tough choice for me between the M3 and C63... Thinking it well, I'd take the M3 as first option

oh, free "Boost ME" time.

I wish this site had 'how many times you were boosted or deboosted' counts.

M3 for me :)

Mon to Fri - ISF

Weekend - M3 Sedan MT

C63 because it is just a tad more cushy!

Actually, it isn't. It has a pretty sporty ride, according to the magazines.

is-f for 45k at 55,000 m3 all the way.

C63 AMG

Hummm i'm between the is-f and the amg

I'll take the Benz. As much as I'd rather be driving the Lexus, don't like the looks of ISF (old IS300 look much better)

I have nothing against BMW cars themselves but upon years of observing what these BMW drivers are like on public roads, I don't want the stigma associated with driver of that marque :)

Audi RS4 for real world usable performance in everyday driving situations. Rain or shine, doesn't matter. BMW fanboys stay in your garage polishing your turd dreaming about your first 80 degree sunny and dry track day, I'll be driving my car in the real world.

All three cars are bad-ass !! And most of the people on here trash taking on or the other can't afford the gas for these vehicle's, yet alone the car itself !!!

All three have their own plus's and minus's. Without driving all 3 the way I would normally drive, I can't pick. Yes I work for Lexus, but that pays my bills. The IS-F is a great car, and onthe 25th I get a chance to road race it !! But, the BMW is a great car, and the C63 is nice too !!

I think it's personal prefrence.

They all look Asian, but only Lexus is. BMW handling on the track bests the others. Lexus has the best defects numbers. None of these cars inspire me, but if I were forced to pick one, it would be the Lexus.

You guys need somthing to do, how about finding a nice lady to share your life with, or maybe a puppy. Your scaring me with your comments.

Oh, almost forgot M3

LOL

If we were considering the M3 coupe instead of the sedan, it would be a sure bet. However, I've never loved the E90 3-Series sedan, and while the M3 is vastly different, it's still the same. The IS-F may have great performance statistics, but I would never set foot in a dealership for one. It's mind boggling when I see one on the road, that someone bought (and spent more!) on it than an M3 or C sedan, or S/RS4 for that matter.

C63

I used to own an E46 M3 for about a year and that car compared to my RS4 was woefully inadequate in any sort of condition, inclement weather, what have you than an absolute pristine day and smooth road. You simply do not have the benefit of run off and smooth road on the street to exploit any benefit that any M3 (E90,36,46,92) has over the RS4. Basically the M3 has always been a narrowly focused car whereas the RS4's potential is far more broad to enjoy on the backroads and everyday life. Imo the RS4 is a far better street car for where I live as well, the Pacific Northwest where it is often wet outside. That old M3 I had was basically as fast as a Honda Civic when it was wet out. I always had to use a light foot with it as it would just not put the power down when it was wet. And I really don't get the whole 'drivers experience' that BMW's fanboys always talk about. If I wanted a total 'drivers experience' I'd get a Lotus Exige not a M3. My RS4 feels better behind the wheel than my old M3 without question. The power, fit and finish, steering, design, the interior appointments, the Audi wins in my book.

Dreamtime is over lets deal with reality shall we?

M3=best dreamtime track day car.
RS4=best performance car if you're dealing w/ reality.

Personally I would take the C63AMG. I don't see a lot of them ever, I seee M3's everywhere, and the Lexus is not up to my total taste just yet being the newcomer. The Mercedes C63 that was in the commercial they aired had just a thunderous roar that I would never get enough of.

I agree w/ whelan... anywayz the c63 is rarer than the m3. You see them evrywhere. The c63 obviously is a better performance car, I mean a considerably advantage in horse power and 0-60 hp timig really get my att:, but I dont want to be biast the truth being that both 3 and lexus is-f have a better interior.