CNET Battle Of The Beasts: The 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG vs 2008 BMW M3 Which Is Better?

CNET Battle Of The Beasts: The 2009 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG vs 2008 BMW M3 Which Is Better?

Given its model history, we all knew the 2008 BMW M3 would be an impressive car, and it didn't let us down. It got even better when we reviewed it with the dual clutch transmission, and although the retractable hardtop might hurt performance a little, it let us enjoy sunny days and hear the engine better. But the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG took us by surprise. Here was a car that seemed just as fun to drive as the M3, albeit with a radically different power layout. The M3's 4-liter engine gets trumped by the C63's 6.2 liters, yet the C63 also brings an automatic transmission to the contest. Given that both of these cars were a blast to drive, our judges might have a tough time determining a winner.

So, start your engines or raise your gloves, whichever metaphor we're going with here, and come out burning rubber



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KZ258KZ258 - 10/23/2008 1:51:03 PM
+9 Boost
hey oo 9, since you were born yesterday, i'll be polite and act like this topic was never posted on here in the first place ; )


car750icar750i - 10/23/2008 2:00:31 PM
+7 Boost
They compared the M3 convertible to the C63 sedan...that hardly seem like a fail match up.


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 10/23/2008 2:21:41 PM
+3 Boost
Especially when the M3 convertible is heavier, has a softer sprung suspension, and costs $11.6k more than the M3 sedan.


car750icar750i - 10/23/2008 2:21:51 PM
+1 Boost
*fair


Agent004Agent004 - 10/23/2008 3:39:44 PM
+5 Boost
Holy crap CNET.


1990300zxTT1990300zxTT - 10/23/2008 4:15:50 PM
0 Boost
lolzzzz....droptop vs a muscle car sedan. CNET are noobs!.

Handling the M3 is a tad better but both r fun cars to drive. my friend has the m3 hard top coupe and ive sat in the c63 sedan before too. straight line power mercedes own!. handling the m3 wins in more precise steering but the average joe wont tell the difference and who cares cuz its not that big of a difference anyways.

m3 or c63 can't beat the handling and luxury of my 300zx. i added nissan g35 seats and wrapped the rear too. the inside is redone in vinyl and the gauge cluster is top notch, almost infiniti-like.

its one classy coupe i tell you no joke.


racerf109racerf109 - 10/23/2008 2:04:57 PM
+5 Boost
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/
227415/mercedes-benz-c63-amg-v-bmw-m3-saloon.html

heres a new one from EVO mag,where they compare
sedan to sedan,which kinda makes sense?


GermanNutGermanNut - 10/23/2008 2:39:35 PM
0 Boost
Both goods cars but an unfair comparison. amazinBimmer is an uneducated high school boy who cleans the bathrooms at McDonald's!


Yonder7Yonder7 - 10/23/2008 2:53:12 PM
+3 Boost
Not a fair compare... Should be M3 Sedan against C63. That´s Final. M3 bright on tracks, C63 the King on the roads and Drag Strips.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 10/23/2008 4:59:48 PM
+4 Boost
I've been in a new C-class as a friend of mine works for a local Benz dealer, and I'm sorry but the interior is NOT "luxury". I love the exterior looks, the 6.2L V8 is awesome, and it's a great performance car. I'd definitely drive one. But there is nothing "luxury" about the interior. It is easily the cheapest looking and feeling interior in the class, and that includes the Lexus IS, 3-Series, A4, CTS, etc. The only thing better about the interior versus the M3 was the COMAND system and hard drive versus the iDrive system, but now that the new iDrive and hard drive systems are in the 2009 models that is no longer an advantage. I'd take an M3 coupe or sedan with the M-DCT all day over the C63.


B7FANB7FAN - 10/23/2008 4:18:27 PM
+1 Boost
I would say the M3 I am not putting down the C63 but from what I know about the mercedes AMG Division I know that their cars dont handle well and they have large amounts of torque over the M3 but if mercedes finds a way to make a better handling car I would go for the C63


thstonethstone - 10/23/2008 4:50:52 PM
+5 Boost
CNET should stick to reviewing computers and tv's. They are clueless when it comes to cars and even more clueless when it comes to luxury performance cars.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 10/23/2008 6:18:08 PM
+2 Boost
bingo.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 10/23/2008 6:18:16 PM
+2 Boost
bingo.


AudiNewEnglandAudiNewEngland - 10/23/2008 4:55:32 PM
0 Boost
RIP B7 RS4...


But in this case, C63, though the BMW should get the most improved award in the looks dept.


Threepoint1415926Threepoint1415926 - 10/23/2008 5:58:04 PM
-1 Boost
Hmm, most of the roads between my office and home are pretty darn straight. And should there be a curve or two, I somehow doubt that the C63 is going to fly off the road via poor handling. I think it's an insanely competent car for public roads, even in the handling department. The slight edge that the M3 has in handling isn't enough to persuade me to buy one over the engine with a car attached that is the C63.




enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 10/23/2008 6:17:21 PM
+2 Boost
are these editors idiots?
who compares a CONVERTIBLE to a SEDAN?

a convertible can never have anywhere near the structural rigidity of a sedan. not to mention the extra weight a convertible carries.

what does CNET know about cars anyway? apparently, not much.


Yonder7Yonder7 - 10/23/2008 6:59:53 PM
0 Boost
enthusiastx11 : Why you talk about that, We know them as computer experts , but cars? come on....Do you realy think that people that know about cars will mind the compare?....please...


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 10/23/2008 8:44:28 PM
+3 Boost
What a moronic review. Cars that don't compete with each other (sedan customer don't buy convertables) a compaired. All this review proves is that CNET is not quailified to review cars.


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