Used Sports Cars: M3 vs. C63 AMG – Sports Cars
Used Sports Cars: M3 vs. C63 AMG – Sports Cars
If it weren't for super taxes and finance poised to enter your home, the second hand market would be a huge source of not-to-miss deals. For the price of a well-equipped compact C-segment, you can take home two wild animals, practical and fast: BMW M3 E90 и Mercedes C63 AMG W204.
The new generations of the M3 (now the M4) and C63 are objectively better: they are smaller, lighter, have more horsepower and better equipment, but they have lost a very important thing for us motor lovers - a natural desire.
The "old" versions are still modern, both in line and mechanically, but old enough not to succumb to the influence of the economic crisis and the mania (and the need) for staff reductions.
BMW E90 M3
La BMW M3 It is powered by a naturally aspirated 8-liter V4.0 engine with 420 hp. and a torque of 400 Nm, capable of speeds up to almost 8.300 rpm. This unit comes from the V10 M5 engine, from which two cylinders were removed, and has a throttle valve for each of them, which is a very rare solution for an engine for road use.
On the other hand, the roof is made of carbon fiber, which is a useful solution for both weight reduction and a lower center of gravity; While the gearbox is available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DKG dual-clutch and paddle shifters.
The M3 accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 4 "8 in the version with a six-speed manual gearbox and in 4" 6 with a sequential gearbox. DCG.
Bavarian weapons are clearly more accurate and sharper than the C63; and it's great for both grocery shopping and track days. The lack of cavalry at speeds below 5.500 RPM, however, requires some gear shifting work, and when thrust finally comes in, you're driving at pretty unacceptable speeds. Not necessarily a drawback, I personally like aspirators that "wait", but if you like the pair below, then you are looking.
Mercedes C63 AMG
La C63 AMG W204 hides an atomic bomb under the hood: its naturally aspirated 8-liter V6.2 is capable of developing 457 hp. (480 with performance package) and a whopping 600 Nm of torque, and also accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km / h in 4,5 seconds.
The Mercedes AMG has always been a fast car, but never a sporty one. However, with the introduction of the W204, the C has taken a big step forward: its frame is stiffer and lighter than its ancestor, and its large-sized engine is a source of guaranteed pleasure. The C63 AMG W204 is only available with the AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, which is not very fast, but fits perfectly with the "German muscle car" character of the sedan.
The beauty of the C63 is that you don't have to pull like crazy to enjoy its capabilities, the torque is so great that you just have to reliably bury the throttle to perform near-infinite oversteer.
It can be frustrating at times if you're aiming for clean driving or on surfaces with poor traction, but awful fun if you're a fan of oversteer.
Cost
Needless to say, they are both quite expensive. Keepbut if you make enough money, the price of used goods will be really good value. Samples 2008/2009 with mileage from 50.000 to 60.000 to XNUMX XNUMX km can be found just over 30.000 euro... Don't be intimidated by the high mileage examples, both V8s are sturdy, better make sure they aren't used too much on the track.
When it comes to usability, the C63 wins by a small margin in terms of more comfort and a softer seat. BMW is better off opting for a manual transmission, as the first version of the DKG transmission was a little flimsy.
