C63 vs e90M3 vs IS-F: Motivemagazine comparison

jaeS4 · 07-30-2008, 11:49 AM

Here's the whole article for everyone to read, enjoy.

http://www.motivemag.com/pub/feature...xus_IS-F.shtml

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotiveMagazine

The BMW M3 is for the enthusiast who appreciates heritage and race-bred engineering. It has the most direct controls, the sharpest chassis, and the most high-strung engine. It's for the guy who's out to set lap records and has the time, money, and skill to do so. It's also for the track star who wants a complete escape from the intensity back on public streets, or simply gets enough track time that public roads aren't worth exploiting. But thanks to its split personality, it's also for the guy who wants to pretend to be that guy. And with stability control and its impressive drivability, the wannabe's lap times probably won't be terribly far behind.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is the entertainer of the group and, as such, it isn't for people who take life too seriously. The car's lap times will always fall a second or two behind the BMW's, but the extra time on the stopwatch will be worth it. For the other 340 days a year when you're not at a track, it's the most comfortable and the most fun to drive, not to mention it that it looks and sounds like it means business. And with one of the silkiest V-8s on the market, it truly does. The C63 is the car this writer would buy if he had the means.

That leaves the newcomer from Lexus, which, fittingly, is the best choice for track-day newcomers or casual enthusiasts. The car is an amazing first effort that needs better tires and better chassis control. It isn't as frenetic on-track as the M3 but it isn't as subdued on public roads. At the same time, it doesn't appeal to our inner child in either setting like the C63 does. It'll win most stoplight drag races and it'll turn respectable track times, but it's tuned for safety and won't bite. It sounds cool, looks flashy, and has a fantastic Mark Levinson sound system. Do those things top your requirements? The IS-F is for you. Andy's accepting orders now.

!Xoible · 07-30-2008, 12:53 PM

i just realized 3 rears are

chicagobimmerboy · 07-31-2008, 12:05 AM

well at least they had kind words for the M3..

Hammer · 07-31-2008, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagobimmerboy

well at least they had kind words for the M3..

they had kind words for every car?

M3 > C63 > IS-F
so easy

bimmerj · 07-31-2008, 05:48 AM

I am so happy I took my deposit on the M3 and put it on the C63.

TLud · 07-31-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerj

I am so happy I took my deposit on the M3 and put it on the C63.

Care to elaborate?

J08M3 · 07-31-2008, 09:52 AM

I'm about to fill the second spot in my garage with a C63, parking it right next to my E92 M3

best is to have one of each

bimmerj · 07-31-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLud

Care to elaborate?

I was a little disappointed with the driving at low rpm, it did not seem to me any different from the 335.

M3WC · 08-01-2008, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmerj

I was a little disappointed with the driving at low rpm, it did not seem to me any different from the 335.

Then its not he car for you. You need to know how to get the maxium out of a M powerplant to enjoy it. Your driving style seems more laid back, so the C63 would suit you better. There is no better feeling revving the hell out of a M powerplant, during spirited driving.

PowerLex · 08-01-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JetBlack5OC

Then its not he car for you. You need to know how to get the maxium out of a M powerplant to enjoy it. Your driving style seems more laid back, so the C63 would suit you better. There is no better feeling revving the hell out of a M powerplant, during spirited driving.

Kind of sad if you ask me.

hks786 · 08-01-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

i just realized 3 rears are

M3: very bulky looking rear and ugly lights. the facelift should make it look a lot better in real-life

C63: very lazy rear lights, bumper and quads are cool though.

IS-F: nice lip spoiler, but needs more interesting bumper and needs to lose those ugly quads!

Overall, it terms of design it would be between the C63 and M3. C63 has the better interior but I'm not sure which looks best from the outside. I havent seen the C63 yet to make a comparison, that's why I'm leaning towards the M.

addy85 · 08-01-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerLex

Kind of sad if you ask me.

No one asked you

footie · 08-01-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hks786

Overall, it terms of design it would be between the C63 and M3. C63 has the better interior but I'm not sure which looks best from the outside. I havent seen the C63 yet to make a comparison, that's why I'm leaning towards the M.

M3
* Best nose
* Best engine note
* Best gearbox (M-DCT)
* Best handling
C63
* Best rear
* Best exhaust note
* Best steering wheel
* Best seats
* Best acceleration
IS-F
* Coolest dials
* Best stereo
* Best alloys
* Best Sat-nav

But if you were to include the RS4 into the mix then it would take the title for the best nose, rear, side profile, steering wheel, seat (Europe spec) and equal best engine note.

P.S.
With what I have seen of the new A4, I doubt it will win on looks, as for the rest it I rekon it will still be in with a shout.

AMJ_77 · 08-01-2008, 11:59 AM

C63 best steering wheel? You must be crazy!

addy85 · 08-01-2008, 12:03 PM

The M steering wheel is by far the most superior IMO

AMJ_77 · 08-01-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addy85

The M steering wheel is by far the most superior IMO

By far

Krueger///M3 · 08-01-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footie

M3
* Best nose
* Best engine note
* Best gearbox (M-DCT+ 6MT)
* Best handling
* Best rear
* Best steering wheel
* Best alloys
C63
* Best exhaust note
* Best seats
* Best acceleration
* Best Tire-Smokage
* Best torque
IS-F
* Coolest dials ???
* Best stereo ???
* Best Sat-nav ???
* Best first try

-

addy85 · 08-01-2008, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMJ_77

By far

I'm thinking about putting it in my car (I dont use my paddles anyway)

Garissimo · 08-01-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footie

IS-F
* Coolest dials

Disagree. Gimmicky & plasticky. Looks as if they were designed by Swatch. Same goes for the fake, aluminized carbon fiber trim. Digital clock is the same you'll find in a 1988 Corolla wagon. Not a fan of the IS-F's interior.

!Xoible · 08-01-2008, 12:40 PM

okay after this discussion i think im gonna buy me a M3. this review was the deal breaker for me

Krueger///M3 · 08-01-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///Mantis

okay after this discussion i think im gonna buy me a M3. this review was the deal breaker for me

Sounds good, then you can stop putting so many miles on the clutchenizer

Keto · 08-01-2008, 12:47 PM

Wow, the first review I've read that claims the C63 is the most "comfortable" -- general consensus from other reviews is that the C63 is harsh compared to the M3.

As for the best first try, clearly the IS-F loses to the E30 M3 in that regard.

07-30-2008, 12:53 PM	#2
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	i just realized 3 rears are
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07-31-2008, 12:05 AM	#3
chicagobimmerboy First Lieutenant 77 Rep 363 Posts Drives: Un esotico Italiano ;) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	well at least they had kind words for the M3..
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07-31-2008, 05:48 AM	#5
bimmerj Captain 146 Rep 795 Posts Drives: cars Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	I am so happy I took my deposit on the M3 and put it on the C63.
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07-31-2008, 09:52 AM	#7
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	I'm about to fill the second spot in my garage with a C63, parking it right next to my E92 M3 best is to have one of each __________________
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08-01-2008, 11:59 AM	#14
AMJ_77 Captain 20 Rep 667 Posts Drives: AW E92 M3 M-DCT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2)	C63 best steering wheel? You must be crazy!
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08-01-2008, 12:03 PM	#15
addy85 Got beef? 138 Rep 3,646 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arlington Texas iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	The M steering wheel is by far the most superior IMO __________________ Special Thanks to AU335
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08-01-2008, 12:40 PM	#20
!Xoible Banned 832 Rep 46,029 Posts Drives: .... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: . iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 M3 [4.00] 2007 335i [9.00] 2008 528i [8.00] 2006 Infiniti - G35 ... [8.00]	okay after this discussion i think im gonna buy me a M3. this review was the deal breaker for me
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08-01-2008, 12:47 PM	#22
Keto Lieutenant Colonel 73 Rep 1,603 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WHO DAT NATION iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [10.00]	Wow, the first review I've read that claims the C63 is the most "comfortable" -- general consensus from other reviews is that the C63 is harsh compared to the M3. As for the best first try, clearly the IS-F loses to the E30 M3 in that regard. __________________ 2015 SO/SO MT M3 :: Exec : Lighting : Adaptive : HK : CF trim : Full leather : DAP : Black 19's : sunshade Crystalline tint 40%/70% on windshield : M performance mirrors, spoiler, splitters : Status Gruppe CF lip : RKP diffuser : Fully dechromed Bavsound Stage 1 : V1 Savvy hardwired : Self-coded
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