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Has Mercedes Finally Built A M3 Killer?

We all know the M3 in the minds of the enthusiast has typified the ultimate sport sedan. With this  in mind the simple fact remains that everyone  is always gunning for you. Life is tough at the top.

 

After all bragging rights are at stake here, and if you can top the king in any performance factor, then you can proclaim your achievements to the world at large as a M3 killer.

 

While many have claimed they can topple the M3, so far all have fallen short.  The latest car to make the claim and draw the short stick was the Lexus IS-F. Even though it missed the target in several key areas, it may have come far closer  to hitting the mark than BMW would like to admit.. 

 

Mercedes Benz is the next up to the plate and the new C63 AMG may actually be able to topple the king, at least on paper. 

 

Powered by a hand built 6.3 liter V8 producing a thundering 457 hp and the AMG heritage behind the design, this uber-missle has not only the clout, but the class leading edge to possible topple the king at its own game.

 

Check out the gallery from the latest test drive roundup and tell us if the M3 has met it match once and for all and why?

 

Happy hunting!

Check Out The 2008 Geneva Motor Show Gallery


Has Mercedes Finally Built A M3 Killer?



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JRobUSCJRobUSC - 3/4/2008 2:42:12 PM
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+1. Great car, gotten good reviews, but the M3 is still the scalpel to the C63's hammer.

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adamsaf723adamsaf723 - 3/6/2008 9:30:39 AM
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It may be a lot faster, but the M3 Coupe is just so damn sexy!

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pushrod27pushrod27 - 3/4/2008 5:28:19 PM
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that used to be true, but from what i've read, this latest iteration of the C AMG handles very well and is closer to the M3 in personality than previous AMGs.

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simbabasimbaba - 3/7/2008 2:20:13 PM
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DW1968DW1968 - 3/7/2008 9:11:49 PM
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Although you spelled "compliment" correctly, you meant to use "complement".

I know your username is Spellchecker, not Grammarchecker, but I'm just sayin'

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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 3/4/2008 2:41:33 PM
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It's faster, and thats about it.

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1995e341995e34 - 3/4/2008 3:07:26 PM
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define "faster"


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 3/4/2008 3:37:02 PM
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60 mph in 3.9 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 116 mph.


JRobUSCJRobUSC - 3/4/2008 4:03:51 PM
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which incidentally is barely quicker. The M3 has been clocked at 4.1 second 0-60 and 12.6 sec 1/4 mile, with the M-DCT expected to shave 0.2 seconds off both. That would put them virtually dead even through 60 and the 1/4 mile. I'd expect the C63 to pull away in a straight line from there, but the 0.95-0.98g's and 73-75mph slalom that the M3 has gotten in test results indicate the M3 would be a much more entertaining car on a curvy road.


thethrillofdrivingthethrillofdriving - 3/4/2008 4:42:56 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
in a straight line


thethrillofdrivingthethrillofdriving - 3/4/2008 4:42:59 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
in a straight line


leelemonleelemon - 3/4/2008 6:12:51 PM
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JRobUSC, I agree that the M3 is better when the road gets curvy, but what you said about straight-line isn't really fair. The 4.1sec 0-60 figure for the M3 is from road&track, while the C63 3.9 sec is from C&D. It's not fair to compare car acceleration numbers from different mags because driver and weather conditions are different. C&D says 3.3sec for the M3 under the same conditions with which they got the 4.1sec for the c63.

And, while I hope that you do get .2 sec less with M-DCT, remember that bmw has been very "creative" when it comes to numbers.

In any case, the c63 probably won't sell as much as the M3, but it's nice to see other companies becoming more competitive with the M cars.


leelemonleelemon - 3/4/2008 6:13:56 PM
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oops, i meant 3.9sec for c63, not 4.1. sorry.


leelemonleelemon - 3/4/2008 6:15:19 PM
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oops again, 4.3 sec for C&D's m3, not 3.3.


1995e341995e34 - 3/4/2008 9:06:14 PM
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i don't consider a car faster if the method used to attain results could damage major mechanicals. i know, i've ranted about 0-60 times being overrated before, but there is way more to BOTH of these car's dynamics than 0-60.


i like them both. the benz is a bit more practical, the bmw being a better handler. i would be interested in seeing an amg c-class with a clutch vs an m3 sedan with a clutch. but that test will never occur.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 3/6/2008 5:20:15 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
1995 - How many times do REAL civilians drivers get the numbers seen in the mags? Of course the Mags #s are from clutch drops from good drivers. This is for most cases..even the 3.3 the GTR got...can you believe it!?!

M3 typically comes with a better driving feel and feedback that is desireable in a sports car, but in a Luxo Sedan/coupe. MB, Cadi, Lexus are close on its tail and may one day match or succeed. Until then BMW is the leader in this category.


07G35J07G35J - 3/4/2008 2:57:29 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It looks so sweet in white. God! that's an awesome looking car!!
However, as good as it looks and performs, I don't think that it will beat the M3.
The M3 is, well, the M3!! The M3 has been, is, and will be the King of ultimate sport sedans. Period.

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TalliTalli - 3/4/2008 3:10:55 PM
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
we have already seen head to head comparison on top and fifth gear. the M3, no matter how many horses less, laps the track faster.

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devitocokedevitocoke - 3/4/2008 3:13:33 PM
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Putting more horsepower in a car, doesn't make it a better performance car or an M3 killer.
I thought MB was done with the HP war.

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njshiftnjshift - 3/6/2008 8:32:13 AM
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No manufacturer can keep up with MB in the HP war. Everyone else has given up..


mmeeccmmeecc - 3/4/2008 3:18:20 PM
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The M3 and C63 cater to different drivers and give different levels of enjoyment. Reviewers are not only split as to which is the best car, they're also split as to which particular characteristics they prefer from each car.
Razor sharp handling = M3 / Pure power = C63 / Steering feel = M3 / Exhaust sound and interior fit and finish = C63
Obviously all of these are subjective and are all opinions but that's how reviewers seem to saying.
In this case, let's credit Mercedes in building a small sedan finally capable of even being compared to the M3. Whether it's better or not is a matter of opinion because statistically, the numbers are also split.

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theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 3/4/2008 3:45:20 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You forgot the biggest difference STICK -vs- AUTOMATIC!


MonkMonk - 3/4/2008 3:19:59 PMView My AgentSpace
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well, at least AMG is finally making some competitive SPORT sedans now. Their new philosophy is going to churn out some great cars.
My favorite colors are black and white for this car. If I could just get my hands on some AluBeam paint, that would be awesome!

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bulldogzbulldogz - 3/4/2008 3:33:23 PM
-5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
bu..bu...bu..but I thought car enthusiasts only considered them 'true' sports cars if it offered a stick...which AMG doesn't?

...of I forgot, it's German and has heritage...

Does an RL350 also have heritage then?


thethrillofdrivingthethrillofdriving - 3/4/2008 4:47:57 PM
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the best handling car out by mercedes is the CLK63 AMG Black Series. It's the best handling car they have made in a long time.


daydaydayday - 3/5/2008 3:45:22 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
well, i think in this case, we will have to wait for the M3 CSL to come and see.

i actually really looking forward to see black series with csl together~~~


devitocokedevitocoke - 3/4/2008 3:25:14 PM
-4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well i am glad they made a nice C AMG, atleast now my wife and I will have different cars. I will get the new M3 and she can get the C63. That way when I am in her car i don't get bored of the same look.

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bclemansbclemans - 3/4/2008 3:40:44 PM
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The C63 doesn't have a manual, the M3 being tested also has two fewer doors.

For a fair comparison, we can look forward to later this year when BMW debut its 4-door M3 with a double clutch transmission. It has been reported that the M3 convertible will be the first car to get this box.

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amazinBimmeramazinBimmer - 3/4/2008 3:49:29 PM
-6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
hahaha. compete with M?.. just ask audi how it feels.. hahahaha

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JRobUSCJRobUSC - 3/4/2008 4:10:17 PM
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every single time you post you make BMW fans (myself included) look bad. We all end up getting lumped in with you, guilty by association. If you really liked BMW you would realize that and stop doing it.


bulldogzbulldogz - 3/4/2008 4:34:50 PM
-1 Boost