2019 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Vs. 2019 BMW M3

2019 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Vs. 2019 BMW M3

Automobile Magazine test drives and compares the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and 2015 BMW M3. The two powerful sedans are the benchmark in their segment and head-to-head comparisons are inevitable. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. From 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph), it only takes 4.1 seconds for the C63 S AMG and 4.2 seconds for the base model. Both cars are limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The F80 BMW M3 features the S55 3.0 liter inline-six TwinPower engine producing 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the rear-wheels via a six-speed or an optional 7-speed M DCT transmission. Top speed is governed at 155 mph for both the BMW and the Mercedes. Also, Mercedes barely beats BMW in fuel economy, hitting 29 mpg combined on the European cycle versus 28 mpg for the M3. 1,875 more than the BMW.

The audio system is composed of 12 speakers, including a center and a subwoofer, powered by a 320-watt 8-channel amplifier. The 320 watts may not seem like much, but this system uses it well. The phone system in the C63 is also quite good. We had no problem pairing it with a Samsung phone, although we did hit a glitch with getting our contacts into the car. This failure seemed more to do with the individual phone model we were using, as the car's phone system can import contacts, letting you access phone numbers by name. All of the cabin electronics are the same as you would find in the C300. The real reason for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is its performance tuning, which makes it an incredible car to drive. Fitting yourself into the bolstered driver's seat only begins to let you know what the C63 can do.

Hit the start button and hear the heavy bark of the engine, and you're getting closer. But it's when you put the shifter into Sport mode and put the hammer down that the C63 reveals its true character. It will pin you to the seat, yet remain planted as you guide it through the turns. What moves the C63 forward is that hand-built 6.2-liter V-8, adorned with a plaque inscribed with the name of the engineer responsible for its assembly. The engine is made from a silicon-aluminum alloy and a new type of coating in the cylinders that decreases friction, according to Mercedes-Benz, which also claims a 4.3-second 0 to 60 mph time. There are two ridges in the hood, the one in front of the driver making a perfect gun-sight to aim down the road. This engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, what Mercedes-Benz calls the AMG Speedshift Plus.

Gearheads may fault Mercedes-Benz for not offering a manual or a double-clutch transmission, but the company has done a good job of tuning the automatic for performance. We got a chance to test the C63 AMG on the track at Laguna Seca raceway earlier this year, and found that, in sport mode, the transmission anticipated our needs well. As we braked on the approach to a turn, it quickly downshifted, holding the lower gear as we accelerated out of the turn and up the following straight-away. It only upshifted when we built up speed and kept the wheels straight. The transmission also has a manual mode, where you can select gears using the shifter or paddles mounted to the steering wheel. According to Mercedes-Benz, in sport mode it shifts 30 percent faster than in drive, while manual shifts happen 50 percent faster. You can get the back to swing out a little bit in the corners, but it's not as ready to let loose as the BMW M3. In our testing, we found that the C63 pivoted nicely in hard corners, although we did have a moment where the traction control intruded heavily.