Mercedes-AMG C 63 takes on BMW’s M3

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This is the battle everybody has been waiting for. Has the Mercedes-AMG C 63 got the firepower to take on BMW’s M3? Mercedes-AMG makes use of an all-new 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine, boosting 1.2 bar that produces an impressive 350kW and 650Nm in the normal C 63 and an ever better 375kW and 700Nm in the S derivative we had on test at Gerotek.

This is the battle everybody has been waiting for. Has the Mercedes-AMG C 63 got the firepower to take on BMW’s M3? Mercedes-AMG makes use of an all-new 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine, boosting 1.2 bar that produces an impressive 350kW and 650Nm in the normal C 63 and an ever better 375kW and 700Nm in the S derivative we had on test at Gerotek.

This is quite a lot more than the 317kW and 550Nm that is produced by BMW’s 3.0 litre straight six, also featuring two turbochargers running at a maximum boost of 1.25bar. So on the road there should be no contest, the Merc C 63 should beat the BMW M hands down. But you need to take into account that the C 63 is registered at a tare weight of 1730kg to the 1560kg of the M3. This makes things quite different when you put them against the clock.

Both cars make use of seven-speed double clutch gearboxes with launch control to post their performance numbers and both systems have small flaws. The BMW needs grippy tar; otherwise even with launch control active you just turn expensive rubber to smoke. The Merc jumps off the line but then hesitates to catch its wheel spin and then gets going again.

Anyway, they both got to 100km/h in close on 4 seconds flat, which is really fast, with the BMW taking it at 4.1 to the Merc’s 4.2. This advantage stays with the BMW at the quarter mile which comes in at a 12.1 to 12.2, but by now the C 63 is going faster and gets through the 1km mark at 250km/h to the 243km/h of the M3.

The C 63 runs to a limited top speed of 290km/h thanks to the optional AMG Driver’s Pack. The M3 does a limited 262km/h in standard trim but can run 286km/h with an M Driver’s Pack fitted. Both will go over 300km/h if allowed to run free.

Both come with a comprehensive list of performance and comfort options to add to your purchase price, both are seriously fast, on the track and on the road as you have seen, with the C 63 edging the BMW at the top in a straight line and the BMW coming back to edge the C 63 on the track.

As close as what these two cars are in all aspects, on first impression when you hit the loud pedal, they could not be further apart in terms of feel and sensation. The BMW responds like you have scalded it with boiling hot water and it is never going to forgive. The C 63 responds in slightly more relaxed manner that is akin to controlled rage and this is going to separate many potential owners right up front.