test drove M3 convertible and C63
10-05-2011, 12:39 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
test drove M3 convertible and C63
Last weekend I had a familly thing close to a carmax so on my way back I decided to bother a bit the sales people 
I jumped into the latest BMW M3 convertible manual and the Sedan Mercedes C63 auto, both were 2008 model with 30k miles.
First the M3 convertible, the suspension seems softer than the sedan I tried in the past, the clutch is super light, almost bothering and the gear lever feel flimsy compared to my B&M shortshift so I did not enjoy it too much, but the main issue was the power, I think I had press the power button when I left for the drive but even flat out I though it was slow. The speed was creeping up but the kick in the pansts... zero. Good steering and great cruiser but on the sensation part, i was quite disappointed.
Then came the C63, superb seats, very hugging and really transmitting well the feeling of the car. The suspension is a tad firmer, but very civil. The gear box is fast enough and the engine is crazzyyyyy. The power goes all the way up to red line around 7500rpm and it is a thrill.
After my short test drive I'd take the C63 in a heart beat, just love at first drive The M3 looks better and the convertible top is nice for the florida winter but my track days would be over.. 
But driving my 996, I think it gives you so much more sensations than any of those cars, which are still $50k used. So I don't feel the need to upgrade even if I really try to find a way to get something newer when I think my 996 is already 8 years old, but really I can't see what would beat it at this price point of $30k
I wonder if you guys have tried those cars and came to similar conclusion
I jumped into the latest BMW M3 convertible manual and the Sedan Mercedes C63 auto, both were 2008 model with 30k miles.
First the M3 convertible, the suspension seems softer than the sedan I tried in the past, the clutch is super light, almost bothering and the gear lever feel flimsy compared to my B&M shortshift so I did not enjoy it too much, but the main issue was the power, I think I had press the power button when I left for the drive but even flat out I though it was slow. The speed was creeping up but the kick in the pansts... zero. Good steering and great cruiser but on the sensation part, i was quite disappointed.
Then came the C63, superb seats, very hugging and really transmitting well the feeling of the car. The suspension is a tad firmer, but very civil. The gear box is fast enough and the engine is crazzyyyyy. The power goes all the way up to red line around 7500rpm and it is a thrill.
After my short test drive I'd take the C63 in a heart beat, just love at first drive
The M3 looks better and the convertible top is nice for the florida winter but my track days would be over.. But driving my 996, I think it gives you so much more sensations than any of those cars, which are still $50k used. So I don't feel the need to upgrade even if I really try to find a way to get something newer when I think my 996 is already 8 years old, but really I can't see what would beat it at this price point of $30k
I wonder if you guys have tried those cars and came to similar conclusion
10-05-2011, 01:02 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I am sure it was fast, but it felt slow may be too effortless. no grunt and no kick in the ***... so no fun I think..
I know the M3 kick *** on paper but on a straight line, I did not have fun.
may be too effortless. no grunt and no kick in the ***... so no fun I think..I know the M3 kick *** on paper but on a straight line, I did not have fun.
10-05-2011, 09:55 AM
#7
Drifting
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bastrop By God Texas
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
It probably wasn't a fair test comparing the M3 cab to the C63. It is significantly heavier that the M3 coupe. Still, I wouldn't describe it as slow. The ones I've driven howl like a banshee at WOT and register plenty on the butt-o-meter. Are you sure it wasn't a 335 with the M Sport package?
The C63 has a beast of an engine though.
The C63 has a beast of an engine though.
Trending Topics
10-05-2011, 10:13 AM
#8
Track Day
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Farmington, CT
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had an e46 M3 and found that you needed to rev it up real high before it started to feel like you were accelerating fast. Havent driven the e9X but imagine the hp/torque curves are similar.
The 996 feels much more raw and powerful (even if on paper it is actually slower)
The 996 feels much more raw and powerful (even if on paper it is actually slower)
10-05-2011, 10:31 AM
#9
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
no newer car will feel more powerful IMO...they add more weight, more gadgets and remove the feel and sound of actual driving....
wanna "feel fast?" - try driving something 10 or more years OLDER than your 996...anything! (well almost anything)
10-05-2011, 11:32 AM
#10
Drifting
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Bastrop By God Texas
Posts: 2,255
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
I had an e46 M3 and found that you needed to rev it up real high before it started to feel like you were accelerating fast. Havent driven the e9X but imagine the hp/torque curves are similar.
The 996 feels much more raw and powerful (even if on paper it is actually slower)
The 996 feels much more raw and powerful (even if on paper it is actually slower)
10-05-2011, 11:58 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I also think they might be tuning the convertible to feel more of a cruiser. I hope someone can chime in to compare the coupe and the convertible as I think that was the main problem.
This got me thinking of test driving a 1998 911 C2S
those are fun fun fun !!
10-05-2011, 12:58 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
I had an E90 M3 sedan but I didn't bond with it. I LOVE the C63 but if it's my only car I gotta have a manual. Now I'm thinking about an Evolution MR to companion my 996.
10-05-2011, 01:02 PM
#13
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
humm interesting comment about you going to an EVO from an M3... May be I am not completely crazy then...
I had the subary wrx for a week as a test drive and I loved it. the turbo kick is old school, but it adds the word fun to the equation!
PS: I am a BMW fan boy and I really wanted to love the M3.
I had the subary wrx for a week as a test drive and I loved it. the turbo kick is old school, but it adds the word fun to the equation!
PS: I am a BMW fan boy and I really wanted to love the M3.
