Is AutoWeek Insane OR Is Does The C63 REALLY Top The M3?

I'm crying foul on this one. If you are going to compare two cars to one another, shouldn't you make sure they are equipped equally? A manual vs a paddle-shifter is not fair when the first thing mentioned is comfort and the second is chore. Comparisons like this is why I stopped subscribing to "car" magazines because they are thinly disguised marketing campaigns!

As for an M3 vs C63, I'll take the M3 because it communicates better to me. If I wanted to win stoplight & freeway on-ramp races or if comfort was my main concern, the C63 is the obvious choice.

I agree. However, as a saloon, I'd pick the C63 AMG. As a coupe, I'd go for the M3. If I was to for example, prefer comfort in a grand tourer sense than I would go for an RS5. There, its all sorted out, and everyone wins.

@MorePower

Well, if auto mags subscribed to your theory of not comparing cars with the exact transmission, then there wouldn't be much to compare.

Plus Mercedes-Benz doesn't offer the C63 with a manual tranny.

Because of that we're suppose to ignore it compares on a price perspective and they ARE in the same class with relatively similar power ratings?

Well this is news; I didnt realize autoweek was even still around. And a better question is WHY are they even still around; they share the bottom rung with the truth about cars for most USELESS when it comes to car reviews.

Let em pick the c over the M3, that's their opinion. It doesnt stop the M3 from being more precise, more fun to drive, and better handling, just like it doesnt make the c any less overweight, boring, gas-thirsty, ugly or sloppy handling.

So you have also driven them back-to-back to compare....

@Enforcement

Watch yourself there, buddy.

First off, we don't sneak around. ALL of our articles link back to the source and I make a point to note my sources and direct users to the "Read Article" link.

Secondly, considering the size of our staff compared to AW's, they should be writing more original content. We do too, just not as much because we're a much leaner organization.

Thirdly, you must be out of touch with where the internet is going. Ever here of the Huffington Post and content aggregation? The internet allows for this to happen as long as it is all done fairly...

Long live Autospies!

There is nothing wrong with liking the C63 over the M3 it doesnt take away from the M3 at all it just means you dont like what makes the M3 objectively better. As far as 00R lol honestly who cares ive read your reviews they suck and are overly bias so certainly could care less about anythign you put as it more than likely is bs. Otherwise though for autoweek the C63 has its merits style, and power so to each their own.

So, how are my reviews bias? Please, enlighten me...

lol do me a favor for one try and make sense as oppose to jumping on my post are you really 00R as a different name the lack of logic fits as THIS POST IS NOT ABOUT AUDI lol the Audi guys always have me laughing no one here said anything about any Audi lol....they try so hard to be relevant enthusiasts. Im not going to comment on the RS5 as this post is about THE C63 AMG NOT AN AUDI

@bmwdrvr

Still waiting for your reply.

And Jesus H. Christ, stop "lol'ing."

yeah the I cant afford e class image is alot better along with the subpar interior materials and aged look right?? on top of there is nothing exclusive about a C class you see just as many. THe C63 on the other hand sounds amazing is incredibly fast and looks aggresive without being overstyled, the other c class models on the other hand are simply mediocre and in all honesty other than the AMG C class models theyve always been simply also rans...for those that need a three pointed star and a lower cost..

I guess it is lol its been clocked with JUST 230hp at 5.9 seconds so i would say cleary. Not to mention the 3 series is considered the benchmark the c class is uhm considered what the cheapest Mercedes you can buy it has no class defining traits it isnt even one of the top 5 in ANY test lol shameful.....

on a side note the C350 performs on par with the 328i....next...

"Not to mention the 3 series is considered the benchmark the c class is uhm considered what the cheapest Mercedes you can buy it has no class defining traits it isnt even one of the top 5 in ANY test lol shameful..."


The 3er is considered the benchmark because of its driving dynamics. Most people don't care about those aspects. And most of the people buying the 3er do so because of the badge.

And the C class has many defining traits. It's a safe, well-built car that is comfortable and offers a good mix of sport to. Most reviews state that the C class is a very well-balanced car. Those reviews you speak off where it doesn't do well are because they test it against SPORTIER cars like the 3er, G and IS. Big deal.

Oh, and I drive a W203 C230 V6. Before buying my car I testdrove everything from the IS250 to the BMW 3er and I made my choice: the C class was the best car for me because of its great blend of comfort and sport. And to this day I have not regretted my purchase.

Cars are like women...at the end you will fall in love with one even if the other looks better. I am an MB fan but I am not Blind...I already test both cars...I wish I could have both. These are the diferences that I saw: M3= Precision tool and the best in the Track where miliseconds will matter....It is the King. C63 PPP..the King in open Road..(this car also should have a warning on the panel "Do not drive this car if you are not and Expert")..the reason: Heavier than the M3 and more power and torque will be doing tail slides very easy (ppp have 487HP not 451) If do not have the expertise and the car start to slide...that acction wil bite you quicker than a Cobra ...so most of the time you will have pay to a lot of stressful attention or you are going to pay for your mistakes (if you can not handle the stress this car IS NOT FOR YOU). M3 due the lack of Torque works a lot better in the track (where if you want to win, you will have to avoid the tail slides) It Is a more relaxed ride due the Extraordinary precision. M3 is lighter so it will overpass the inertia better than the C63 which is around 200 pounds heavier. C63 have a stronger chasis and better structural rigidity but that is only for security reason, it won´t help on the track. M3 does not have the same security (marginal in side impact said NHTSA in all 3 series based coupes) level but you have to sacrifice something if you need less weight so the engineers did a great job doing a REAL SPORT Car..C63 is good but definitely not for track but it does a rgeat job in the track in the same way the M3 have an excelent performance in the open road. Forseen, M3 will win over MB C63 Coupe cause MB is Road oriented. To compare a Sedan a against a coupe also is not a wise decision. If enjoy Power Slides and have the expertise take the Benz...If you are looking for Track superiority...no other way M3 should your choice...M....another thing that I prefer on the M3....wonderful sound coming form that engine....it is beautiful...it is your personal choice and at the anyone will be nice (boobies or derrier) sadly most of us can´t have both....have a nice day folks.

"Cars are like women...at the end you will fall in love with one even if the other looks better. I am an MB fan but I am not Blind...I already test both cars...I wish I could have both......."


We need more honesty like this on this site not fanboys!

Listen to the BMW fanboys whine!!! LOL

I have to agree with Wes that the C63 is tops in this group for me as of this writing because of its exemplary combination of performance, comfort and styling. The S4 is a tight second, mostly because of my inability to get a really "right" seating position in the car, followed by the M3, for its legendary handling prowess. Every one of these cars could run circles around the IS-F.
And for a car that's supposed to be a top performer, power is only on par with the S4 (a supercharged V6)
Should have stopped reading right there. This guy judges cars? First the s4 shouldnt even be in this article. second the last time i checked the s4 has 333 hp while the M has 414 but anyway here are my 2 cents.
If you want a 4 door you get the benz. If you want a coupe you get the M. You cant go wrong with either. I have an M but when i see the benz i say I want that. If i had a c63 and saw the M coupe i would say I want that. Pick your poison.

Personally, I do not like or trust advertiser supported magazine opinion. On one hand, I'd like to think that the folks at AW simply reported what they found. On the other hand, I worry that since all of the other magazines had picked the M3 that they felt that they could pick up a little notoriety (and maybe a little extra advert income) by selecting the C63. Always impossible to know the real truth.

Just because someone doesn't agree with your opinion, doesn't make them wrong, it's an opinion! Personally, I would take an RS5 over the M3 every day of the week.

you would also pay 15k more and lose every race but would have a hot car

If you read all the posts not all picked the C63 first. There is definately a little division. This only goes to prove that everyone is entitled to their opinion.What seemed to bring the C63 up was it's "comfort" quotient,straight line performance, and the sound of it's exhaust. In terms of steering and handling precision the M3 bested the C63.Also they were talking about day in and day out driving. This would not surprise me that the C63 would be easier to live with. I think that was the point. It's not only about what a car can do on a track,it's also about what it does in traffic and on the highway.But again it's still opinion.

mini22 : You are right.....If they were in close circuit ....the history would be another one completely diferent.

There are other reviews where the C63 AMG has won over the M3.

WHO CARES?

Different people have different opinions. The C63 AMG is an extremely capable track car - the M3 is just a bit more capable.

Willis; More capable depending on where you are going to use it...

I'd think lighter, more balanced weighted M3 should be the winner, if only it comes w/ a 420hp FI engine.

they state that the m3 has the better chassis, better handling, more of a drivers car as they connect to the road, but then they say the choose the AMG. its like saying you love coca cola, then you go and buy pepsi

Not quite.

Just because a car has a better track set up does not translate into a better performing vehicle FOR THE ROAD.

The M3 and the C63 are both built to be sports cars so in judging which is the better they should focus primarily on the sporting ability of both. Every day driving should play only a small role in deciding which sports car is better. Plus the BMW is $10 000 cheaper. With this in mind, the BMW wins hands down.