Just_me

Looks like Sunny already answered your post no hamburger flipping

BTW it sounds like someone felt he got hit by an arrow

PC Valkyrie

Yes, it seems now that the M3 is indeed the best car in its class for the track AND on the streets. If I wanted to replace my C55 now, I would seriously consider the M3 sedan with DCT.

In the past the C55 and E46 M3 had very similar objective performance numbers (the C55 slightly faster in a straight line while the E46 M3 had slightly higher handling numbers). The E46 M3 was more raw and "involving" to drive, while the C55 was a better daily driver. Objectively, the C55 could match the E46 M3 on the Nurburgring and was only 0.3 seconds slower than the E46 M3 CS on the Evo 1.8 mile test track.

Now, the difference in acceleration between the C63 and E92 M3 is much bigger, while the handling superiority of the E92 M3 is not very large over the C63.

This makes for speculation that the C63 may indeed be faster than the E92 M3 on the Nurburgring, and maybe the C63 can match or beat the M3 even on a short track like Bedford Autodrome (not as likely). I can't wait for Sport Auto and Evo to test these cars.

ACE

What do you mean replace my C55 "now"? I enquired at my (UK) dealer about the M3 sedan with DCT and was told "that combination is at least 12 months away". Is this car coming out in Canada before Europe?

Does anyone have any stats on the E90 M3 DCT performance? I am guessing that it will be similar to the E92 M3 manual, i.e. slightly slower because of the extra weight but slightly faster because of DCT? Or not?

I am expecting that my next car will come out of this line up. At the moment I am favouring the M3 E90 with DCT. Although I have a lot of fun deliberating which is the best and why. To be honest, I don't like the looks of the Merc and the RS4 B7 is a previous generation model, imo, so at the moment the M3 is my favourite. One thing that concerns me about the M3 E90 is it's options list. It price get quite close to the M5 when you include the options like DCT, EDC, PDC and 19s that are included in the price in the M5 (in the UK at least). In the UK the M5 is £65k (easily reduced to £62K with discount) vs about £56K for the M3 with those options (not easily reduced for the first year of production).

Merc1

Wow, I hope this is my next issue which is due any day now!

M

Imhotep Evil

The E46 M3 came with the SMG II the current M3 comes with manual for now.
The SMG III used on the M5/M6 was better/faster at upshifts and even more so on downshifts (SMG II was really an more of an upshifter whereas SMG III worked for both).

This comparo also stops at 0-100 mph tests, whereas european reviews/comparos showed that the SMG III M cars really shined over the AMGs from this moment on as well (as improving flexibility times vs. the manual versions) witch is helpful on some parts of the Nurburgring but particularly the Hockenheim.


In conclusion the M3 with semiautomatic will IMO give have slight advantage at the Ring but a quite big one on the Hockenheim.

Imhotep Evil

It goes the other way around too.
If BMW would have given the car a semi-automatic, ceramics and more weight
reducing materials the AMG would have never stood a chance.

Centurion

Perhaps my post came out a little wrong. What I saw saying is that MB did a terrific job with the C63 except in the weight department. Off course no one can know for sure if it would have handled better than the M3 but would most likely been very very close.

coolraoul

I LOVE the C63... So brutal, so harsh, so bad boy, in the look like in the driving... This is really an old-school AMG, and I love it.

dr Dunkel

Stiff suspension is a not so optimal shortcut towards more inspiring handling. If the execution was not perfect this time it sure is one clear indicator of what Mercedes intentions are for the C-class now and ahead.

The Artist

Wow you really didnt understand my post..
and i cant be botherd explaining it to you in swedish..

so enjoy whatever your brain thinks this matter is about..