M3 vs C63 v RS4

[REXman]

I wasn't very impressed with the sound of the AMGs running around Albert Park at the Grand Prix, although, the Estate looked tough going around the track. The 6.2 litre (okay, 6."3") sounded like a muffled big-block V8 - not a high-strung, racey V8. Being track-side at Phillip Island and hearing stock M3s barrel down the straight, now that got the hairs on my neck standing, not to mention it's the best performer in the group whilst the others are still playing catch up.

Dubbed mate, I reckon your better off driving your MY00 GTI. The sound of the AMGs is one of the finest man made sounds available in 2011. And you would have to be the first person I have ever heard using the words " unimpressed" , "exhaust noise" and "C63" in the same sentence.

And I was under the impression that in a straight lint they are at a dead lock, if anything gong to the c63!!

[dubbed]

Okay. I wasn't planning on not driving it, mate. But if it helps you sleep better at night....

[bigfoot]

Exposed! Audi's new RS4

And I was under the impression that in a straight lint they are at a dead lock, if anything gong to the c63!!

maybe, but corners are where it matters

[Rockett55]

Nice to hear some first hand ownership experience. Can you elaborate on the heap of warranty claims? What are we talking about exactly?

We have just a 325ci, and we have had no warranty claims and my old man forgets to service it and stuff..It's about 7 years old now, (the E46 was a good car - very solid, the E92 looks good but feels so flimsy in comparison - apparently all the panels etc are thinner and the car is lighter.get this, for fuel economy! Like a person blowing $100K on a car cares about an extra $20 a week at the pump!) I digress!

Lastly, which year did you get it and what's the service cost?

A Service $600+ (Remember this is oil and filter change plus check over car)
B Service $950+ (This is also oil and filter change plus check over car)
Spark plugs $1,100 (Thats installed....)
Transmission service $750+
Air filter $140 (this is not included in an almost $1,000 B service.
Anything else they find on the car is an extra

Standard 2nd B service is
- B Service $950
- Transmission service $750
- Plugs $1,100
- Air Filter $140
That's $2,940 to start with, plus what ever else they find, front pads and rotors......

Warranty -
- Headlight control units $3,000 per side
- Cataletic converter $2,500 per side
- Key amplifier (remote control in rear window) $800
- Rear window $3,200 (not an MB issue, Mr wintow tinter picked up that one, cut the demister)
- Weakened boot springs ($??) with AMG body kit the boot won't open so the springs are set to full hard and then get soggy and won't open.
- Bonnet release latch $?
- Bits of trim, etc. etc. etc.

Whilst at the dealers discussing various "things" with the car, almost every (85%) service sheet that went back to the customer had the big red "Warranty" stamp on it for 1 reason or another. On average about 1 in 3 were rebooked within the next week to get parts installed that had to be ordered in.

Don't want to turn this into a MB bashing exercise, they are great cars (and they put on excellent drive days). I'm sure alot of others could say similar things about almost every brand. But if you want one of these, they are a "Toy" that will cost money, and for those that can blow the cash (obviously not me as I found out)

It's just as well they go so good, cause with the flex of the right foot, there's a thunderous exhaust note, a whack in the back of the seat and a gentle (well that's up to you) stepping out of the rear end at almost any speed that really puts a smile on your dial.

[Sharkie]

Dubbed mate, I reckon your better off driving your MY00 GTI. The sound of the AMGs is one of the finest man made sounds available in 2011. And you would have to be the first person I have ever heard using the words " unimpressed" , "exhaust noise" and "C63" in the same sentence.

With you having only ever had a 325ci and never a M BMW I can understand that you don't understand where Dubbed is coming from ..... whilst a C63 has a really nice big V8 bellow, it is sadly soundwise no match for any of the late generation BMW Ms ....

I too, am unimpressed by the sound a C63 makes ....

I have owned 3 generations of the M straight sixes and have driven the V8 engined M5 (E39) and current E92 M3 quite extensively and the high rpm sounds they emit is pure metallic scream that is far far better than the RS4 or C63 can ever hope to deliver.

Also, refer to the latest Wheels for an article on NA engines, there is a comment on the sound of the E46 M3 in there ...

My pick stays on the latest M3 with a 2nd to the RS4 and sadly a 3rd place for the C63. Too much gansta and not enough substance to back it up when needed.

[shakespeare]

C63, as it sounds the loveliest!

I wouldn't say no to either of the three if someone threw me the keys

[jamesatfish]

The C63 arrived a couple of days ago and we've just gotten it home after a 1300km drive from the dealer. Although we haven't really spent much time with it yet I am really enjoying the car so far and especially looking forward to a bit more spirited driving once we're through the run-in period.

A few observations so far:

•Although fuel economy isn't too bad on the highway (we averaged about 12l/100km for the trip home) the tank is only 66l, so we were only getting about 450-500kms between petrol stops which is a bit unexpected. Maybe I'm just used to the 90l tank in the Cayenne which managed 650-700kms with smooth highway driving.

•Surprisingly I'm finding the automatic modes to suit the car more than the paddle-shift manual mode. Although the paddles do all the right manual things (like letting the car bounce off the limiter, blipping the throttle on downshifts and ignoring the 'kick down' position on the accelerator pedal) the car just seems happier when left in Sport auto mode. Will probably be a different story when it gets on the track or some proper twisty roads.

•The engine noise is fantastic - from the little blip when you start the engine to the quite throaty growl under load. Personally I'd like the same noise turned up a bit louder but it is after all a family car and with that in mind it's a good compromise between calm and quiet on the highway and aggressive when you want it to be.

Hopefully we won't have any of the issues Rocket55 reported, though at least we don't have the boot spring issue as the car has the electric open/shut tailgate.

All in all I'm glad we went for the C63 - even having seen the latest spy shots and rumoured specs of the new RS4 Avant a couple of days ago.

[robbie]

My dad is going to buy the new c63 coupe. But i want him to buy the New M3 As he has had beemas for 25 years and loves them.

[Finance_Analyst]

RS4 only because

1. C63s are becoming a bit too common now (see 2-3 every day in the Brisbane CBD)
2. M3 shape is getting old - new 3 series is out next year

Yes I know the RS4 is even older in shape, but something about that look Audi somehow nailed it......

For all intents and purposes, shouldn't we be comparing the RS5?

Perhaps we could even throw in the Lexus ISF as a 4th contender....

[Capercat]

The RS5 is a backwards step from the RS4. Can someone shed some light of any substantial improvements other than it's now a 2 door coupe?