2008 BMW M3 vs 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Two great super sedans, but I'd take the M3 without hesitation.

Yes, two great sedans.

I'd take the M3 for handling and drop in the Mercedes-AMG 6.2L engine. With gobs of power, combined with great handling, then you would have the ultimate sedan.

Mav, sounds like a great idea, but I think part of the tremendous driving feel that the M3 has is directly rated to the high reving, low torque engine setup. I really like the C63, but sometimes I think its to much motor (I can't believe I wrote that) for the Merc.

They both are fantastic cars, there is no denying it. I thought I really wanted the C63, but was at first disappointed by the interior. After a month I decided I still wanted one and went to an AMG driving event. The car is perfect on paper, but for me just wasn't fun. The gear box (no manual option) is almost too good, too graceful and the whole environment feels like I'm going incredibly fast in my favorite armchair. It doesn't feel like a sports car, and for me that's why the M3 has it beat. I drove home from the AMG day in my Cayman S, which is admittedly underpowered, but so much more fun to drive than the AMG. I'd rather feel like I'm going faster than I really am, as opposed to actually going faster than it feels.

Does anyone remember 001's vid of the 335d wagon keeping up with the M3? Makes me wonder what M and AMG could do do a diesel.

to a diesel

If you dont revere them, why did you claim to own one? I think you are wrong about two things. One, AMG's do handle great, just not as great as their BMW rivals in comparison tests but still most times better than Audi. What they lack in handling is made up in other ways. AMG's are often touted as having better high speed stability and ride compliance than their BMW competitors. The second thing I think you're wrong about is people's poor comparison of a Vette to a MB. No one compares the two because they dont compete for sales, not some notion that one is inferior to the other in some way. I would venture that almost everyone you talk to respects the Vette when they dont make anonymous submissions on internet-land. I would also venture that the "poor" handling of an E55 will dust just about any car out on the road today.

I dont understand your argument. I never said AMG was not aimed at M, it's quite obvious that they are and I would never say the contrary. Why you continue to compare the Vette to an AMG is a bit silly to me. They simply dont compare on any level. If it's simply "fondness" that you're comparing of the two, I'm certain that far more people as a number are fond of the Vette than AMG or dont you live in America?

I also dont understand the "complete package" argument. M's may perhaps be a "complete package" for auto journalists which make outings to the track and like to record test data on laptops but I have different ideas of what a "complete package" entails. One of which does not include an SMG for example.

Handling may not be AMG's forte, but it's certainly not overlooked. No doubt AMG can make great handling cars, we've seen lots and lots of them come out before but one must ask himself if Mercedes began to over emphasize handling how would the less compliant suspension compromise their high speed stability and acceleration, their true forte? Does AMG really want to build an M clone?

Both a perfectly capable Sport Sedans. It's really a matter of taste for most people, because odds are that they will never exploit either car's full potential.

Both are perfectly capable Sport Sedans. It's really a matter of taste for most people, because odds are that they will never exploit either car's full potential.

what can I say I think everyone knows the BMW M3 is a well balanced sports package since its inception. Everything is tied into the car luxury, sportiness, handling, comfort....just what a sport sedan should be

i would take the 650i over these 2. i'm not racing anyone from light to light so an "M, AMG, RS" is useless to me.

The 650i is still pretty fast as you can imagine, but it handles like a boat, because it is. Massive.

i know, i drive one as well as an A4 and i love them both.

M3 Sedan looks fabulous in person. C63 looks good also but I am partial to Bimmers.

I would take an M3 sedan, in LeMans blue, with either the black or beige interior. Stunning. Not only is it a looker but it does everything else you need it to do, and so much more. All for under $70,000.

The RS4 was discontinued earlier this year. Along with the rest of the B7 sedan platform.

If you've driven both, and I have. As much as they seem to aim at the same people, they don't.
The M3 is the benchmark of small sports sedan handling, but let's call a spade a spade, it's not all that refined in every day driving. The C63 is all about brute force typical of a "muscle car", coupled with above average handling and one of the sweetest exhaust notes you'll ever hear.
Most have said this a million times and you keep beating this comparison to death. They're both great cars for different people and if you disrespect either one, you're an idiot!!!

very true, ill take the M3 over the cheap "Muscle Car" Benz