Test drove an M3 sedan today.

[jhsu]

Overall a very impressive machine, although the seat of the pants meter tells me it doesn't has the low end punch of our cars. Maybe it's just a very smooth power delivery because before I knew it I was hurtling down the road at 80 mph with very little effort. I was afraid I was really going to have to rev it like the outgoing E46 M3 to get the full power out of it.
My only real gripe was with the shifter which seemed rubbery. The Sport setting for the steering requires a little too much effort for my taste, but the throttle response and damping are near perfect in Sport. Anybody else thinking of going to the dark side?

[channad]

with that hideous interior, I'd never switch, plus I need the quattro for the mountains.

[WinterRunner]

Overall a very impressive machine, although the seat of the pants meter tells me it doesn't has the low end punch of our cars. Maybe it's just a very smooth power delivery because before I knew it I was hurtling down the road at 80 mph with very little effort. I was afraid I was really going to have to rev it like the outgoing E46 M3 to get the full power out of it.
My only real gripe was with the shifter which seemed rubbery. The Sport setting for the steering requires a little too much effort for my taste, but the throttle response and damping are near perfect in Sport. Anybody else thinking of going to the dark side?

Funny you say this, I just test drove the all new 135i this past weekend. What a great car! smooth shifts, fadeless 6 piston brakes, an electronic LSD, and not to mention the great 3.0 straight 6 TT. Not quite as fast as the S4 but boy does it handle better, better brakes too! I may in a year or 2 consider buying one and doing the Dinan S2 package which brings the HP up to 381 BHP and 421 Tq. That will be faster than the RS4, or new M3. I was eyeing the new M3 though as well when I was there. Very pretty car, bigger than I would have liked tho......

[Silververtu]

If you have a chance, test drive the C63. I test drove both new M3 and C63, and the C63 gives me a strong motivation to switch my A4 to it.

[b00st]

If you have a chance, test drive the C63. I test drove both new M3 and C63, and the C63 gives me a strong motivation to switch my A4 to it.

C63 isn't even in the same ballpark....very apples to oranges in comparison. other than approx. the same size car.
a 60k car vs a 30k car...hmmm.........

[WinterRunner]

If you have a chance, test drive the C63. I test drove both new M3 and C63, and the C63 gives me a strong motivation to switch my A4 to it.

Besides the fact that you can only get it in an auto, i don't like the looks and from what i've heard it's handling doesnt even compare to either the RS4 or the M3...... but it is lightening fast.

[jstrat812]

C63 isn't even in the same ballpark....very apples to oranges in comparison. other than approx. the same size car.
a 60k car vs a 30k car...hmmm.........

bOOst, You must be out of your mind if you think the new M3 is starting at $30K.

Its more like comparing a $60K (BMW) to a $70K (Mercedes).

Both are incredible machines...the C63 packs more punch with 450hp and 443lbs of torque, yikes!

[b00st]

bOOst, You must be out of your mind if you think the new M3 is starting at $30K.

Its more like comparing a $60K (BMW) to a $70K (Mercedes).

Both are incredible machines...the C63 packs more punch with 450hp and 443lbs of torque, yikes!

what are you talking about. he said turn in his A4 for a C63. and as i stated
thats not a fair comparison. i did get that he drove the M3 and C63 for comparo but
going from A4 to C63 isn't a fair comparo...those cars aren't on the same playing level.
does that help.

[m5racer]

i think he is talking about how he compaied his A4 to a c63. ALso the reason why you might feel less low end power in the BMW M3 is beucase the way the car was designed the peak power is right near the redline, The car is made so the car is continusly getting faster as you climb the RPMS, so that you dont hit max power at like 5,000 and then between 5100-7000 there is no power

[jdmnomore]

bOOst, You must be out of your mind if you think the new M3 is starting at $30K.

Its more like comparing a $60K (BMW) to a $70K (Mercedes).

Both are incredible machines...the C63 packs more punch with 450hp and 443lbs of torque, yikes!

I think he was refering to the 135i in which case he would still be off.. its more like $45k vs $80k... (135i vs c63 AMG)

[b00st]

i think he is talking about how he compaied his A4 to a c63.

thank you.

[b00st]

I think he was refering to the 135i in which case he would still be off.. its more like $45k vs $80k... (135i vs c63 AMG)

the 135 is 35k and the 335 is 45k.

[EuroB6]

Funny you say this, I just test drove the all new 135i this past weekend. What a great car! smooth shifts, fadeless 6 piston brakes, an electronic LSD, and not to mention the great 3.0 straight 6 TT. Not quite as fast as the S4 but boy does it handle better, better brakes too! I may in a year or 2 consider buying one and doing the Dinan S2 package which brings the HP up to 381 BHP and 421 Tq. That will be faster than the RS4, or new M3. I was eyeing the new M3 though as well when I was there. Very pretty car, bigger than I would have liked tho......

yes, but im sure the fuel pump will fail on you, and the car will over heat. BMW still has NOT corrected these problems.

Talk about opposites. The 135 and the M3 are on opposite sides of the spectrum. The 3series used to be your entry level into a BMW, but now they have these new BUGGY-EYED looking 1series. You can buy two 135s, for the price of one M3. M3 is superior in every way to the 135. Who cares how much faster it can be with a chip. If that was the case, I would've purchased a B7 A4 and make it faster than my S4.

[EuroB6]

If you have a chance, test drive the C63. I test drove both new M3 and C63, and the C63 gives me a strong motivation to switch my A4 to it.

i would love to test drive one. i love the way they look, but I am not sold on that exhaust note. Sounds too much like an american car. But i do love the C63.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Haven't test driven one, but I did check them out not too long ago. The interior is absolutely terrible compared with the Audi. While that's not a complete deal breaker, I wouldn't pick one over an RS4 if I had my druthers. I'm an Audi homer though, and would likely never by an M3.

Also, one word - QUATTRO

[jhsu]

Agree on the interior and Quattro. However, I live down in Florida so Quattro isn't as big a selling point and the interior isn't as important and ride and handling to me.
I am in the military getting ready to deploy and I will have the opportunity to purchase one at a significant discount through their overseas military sales program. Not sure if I can pass up the opportunity.

[EuroB6]

go for it..the M3 is the best out there..i love the RS4, and since you dont need the AWD, i would be all over the new M3

[Auditude2.0T]

Performance wise: C63 > RS4 > M3
Appearance wise: RS4 > C63 > M3

What would i buy, well after driving my dads RS4 getting a ride in a C63 and seeing the New M3 it would be between an RS4 and C63. Since i love 4 wheel drive i would pick the RS4 but the C63 is nice too.

[SoCalS4Avant]

How much of a discount are you looking at? You're car will likely be sitting for a while though, huh?

[aaron1085]

the 1 series seems sooooooooooo small

[jhsu]

I would save about $5-6k. They would build it and deliver it to a dealer of my choice once I get back, so it won't be sitting around.

[Ill 3.0]

Performance wise: C63 > RS4 > M3

pretty sure you have that backwards. or maybe you just mean straight line?

[SoCalS4Avant]

I would save about $5-6k. They would build it and deliver it to a dealer of my choice once I get back, so it won't be sitting around.

Well, that's not so bad, I guess.

You fly? Tomcat (if they're still around!)?

[jhsu]

I used to fly Tomcats. Then went to Super Hornets when my baby went away.

[SoCalS4Avant]

I used to fly Tomcats. Then went to Super Hornets when my baby went away.

Very sweet! Now that's a true ride!

[Silververtu]

i think he is talking about how he compaied his A4 to a c63. ALso the reason why you might feel less low end power in the BMW M3 is beucase the way the car was designed the peak power is right near the redline, The car is made so the car is continusly getting faster as you climb the RPMS, so that you dont hit max power at like 5,000 and then between 5100-7000 there is no power

No, I am comparing the new M3 and C63. Just want to make it clear, I am considering trading in my A4 for the new M3, S5, or C63, but after test driving the M3, it is not my cup of tea. I prefer a manly v8 exhaust note, like S5 and C63 does, and the exhaust note from the m3 is kind of racy/high pitch in my opinion.

[Silververtu]

Besides the fact that you can only get it in an auto, i don't like the looks and from what i've heard it's handling doesnt even compare to either the RS4 or the M3...... but it is lightening fast.

Yes, that's the only thing I don't like in it. When I test drove it, I had a hard time getting used to driving a performance car like this without engaging the clutch. I felt kind of weird at the beginning. There is also a problem that I need to get used to it, which is the turn signal and the cruise control stick that's behind the steering wheel. They are all on the same side and I can only see the cruise control stick, so whenever I wanted to use the turn signal, I pushed the cruise control instead of the turn signal. But this problem can be solved just a matter of time.

[Silververtu]

i would love to test drive one. i love the way they look, but I am not sold on that exhaust note. Sounds too much like an american car. But i do love the C63.

I am totally opposite. I like the exhaust note alot.

[Auditude2.0T]

According to Road and Track:

RS4 does the 1/4 in 13.0 @109
M3 does the 1/4 in 13.0 @110
C63 does the 1/4 in 12.5 @114

RS4 pulls .94g's on the skidpad
M3 pulls .95g's on the skidpad
C63 pulls .93g's on the skidpad

RS4 averages 16.2 MPG compared to the C63's 15.1 and M3's 14.6.
C63 is the fastest to 60mph at 4.1 compared to the RS4's 4.5 and M3's 4.6.

The Best stats for the RS4 is 12.7@111mph, 0-60 in 4.0 and .96 on the Skidpad
The best stats for the M3 is 12.9@114mph, 0-60 in 4.4 and .95 on the Skidpad
The best stats for the C63 is 12.5@115mph, 0-60 in 4.1 and .93 on the Skidpad.

So it comes down to 4WD, Appearance and Price.

It is truly a drivers race in dry conditions but in any other conditions the RS4 will walk both.

[SFA4]

The M3 and the C63 are really 2 totally different cars and appeal to 2 different groups of drivers. The C63 is an automatic trans, stop light dragster. It is very clear that it is all about brute power and not finess. If you care mainly about racing from stoplight to stoplight then the C63 is your car.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a drivers car and the most complete overall package (braking, handling, engine, vehicle dynaics, performance, etc.) then the M3 is the clear choice.

AMG is a complete joke. Hmmm, lets see how big of an engine we can cram into a car with an auto trans. Not very hard.

Let me correct someones earlier post M3 > RS4 > C63

[joec500]

I used to fly Tomcats. Then went to Super Hornets when my baby went away.

Fighter Jets > *cars

On top of that, they can blow Sh*t UP, and who needs airbags when you have an ejection Seat....


Be Safe on Deployment.

[SFA4]

Fighter Jets > *cars

On top of that, they can blow Sh*t UP, and who needs airbags when you have an ejection Seat....


Be Safe on Deployment.

Can't argue with that.

[jhsu]

Thanks. Unfortunately I'll be "boots on the ground" instead of in the air this time around.

[sotirakis]

i don't get what the hype of the c63 is. i mean first of all, it's a pretty ugly looking car. but above all, it's got a 6.2L engine! are you serious! 450 hp out of 6.2L! wow... that's impressive. the rs4 puts down almost that with 4.2L. ok, so the c63 is a little faster in a straight line. wouldn't you expect it to be? put them both on the track and i would put my money on the rs4 any day. oh, and who puts 6.3L on the car when it has a 6.2L engine

[SFA4]

i don't get what the hype of the c63 is. i mean first of all, it's a pretty ugly looking car. but above all, it's got a 6.3L engine! are you serious! 450 hp out of 6.3L! wow... that's impressive. the rs4 puts down almost that with 4.2L. ok, so the c63 is a little faster in a straight line. wouldn't you expect it to be? put them both on the track and i would put my money on the rs4 any day.

Agreed. Put it on the track and it is out of it's element. I would be surprised if you regularly run into any C63's at the track at all. Maybe a dragstrip, but that is it. That is why the M3 and RS4 are much more similar to eachother than the C63. That is also why the C63 was designed for a different type of person all together.

[Tiesto]

I really like the 335 and the 7 series. The rest in the whole lineup are meh in my opinion.

[SFA4]

I really like the 335 and the 7 series. The rest in the whole lineup are meh in my opinion.

I just saw on a BMW forum that the new 7 series should be unveiled around July 7th of this year. Rumor has it, you will have your choice of either the 4.4 litre V8 twin turbo (currently in the X6) or a V12 twin turbo in the more expensive model. I heard that all wheel drive and 4-wheel steering may be options as the model runs it course.

[rs4guyfolife]

Funny you say this, I just test drove the all new 135i this past weekend. What a great car! smooth shifts, fadeless 6 piston brakes, an electronic LSD, and not to mention the great 3.0 straight 6 TT. Not quite as fast as the S4 but boy does it handle better, better brakes too! I may in a year or 2 consider buying one and doing the Dinan S2 package which brings the HP up to 381 BHP and 421 Tq. That will be faster than the RS4, or new M3. I was eyeing the new M3 though as well when I was there. Very pretty car, bigger than I would have liked tho......

since when is a s4 faster than the 135i?

[Overboostin]

I think the e46 is a superior m3 imo

[b spot]

I think the e46 is a superior m3 imo

For it's time? Maybe. compared to the E92... it does nothing better.