Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M3 vs Mercedes-AMG C63 S - evo Deadly Rivals

Two four-door heavyweights go head-to-head on track

The BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 S have both ditched natural aspiration for downsized twin-turbocharged engines, making them more powerful and efficient than their predecessors. On paper they both move the game substantially on, but in our latest video, we're eager to find out which is faster around a lap.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Somehow, the BMW M3 manages to swap issues with traction and damping on the road for supreme composure and accuracy on track. Dan Prosser needs just a few laps on the silky smooth asphalt of Bedford Autodrome to confirm that, in this environment at least, it’s amongst the very fastest four-doors on sale.

Precise as the M3 may be, its key rival, the AMG C63 S, harnesses substantially more power from its ‘hot V’ twin-turbo 4-litre V8. Power peaks at 503bhp and torque reaches 516lb ft, which comfortably beats the 425bhp and 406lb ft of the M3’s twin-turbocharged 3-litre straight-six.

But here’s where things get interesting, because the 1655kg C63 is also significantly heavier than the 1560kg BMW, ensuring both cars are separated by just a tenth when accelerating from 0-62mph (the C63 S just wins with 4sec to the M3’s 4.1sec).

The result is an immensely close battle, with these two heavyweight saloons representing either brute force or precision. It’s almost impossible to accurately pick a winner, so let’s hand it over to Prosser and contributing editor Richard Meaden to reveal the fastest…

Specifications

BMW M3

Enginein-line 6-cyl, 2979cc, twin-turbo
Power425bhp @ 5500-7300rpm
Torque406lb ft @ 1850-5500rpm
0-604.1 (claimed 0-62)
Top Speed155mph (limited)
MPG32.1 (claimed combined)
Lap time1min 23.3sec

Mercedes-AMG C63 S

EngineV8, 3982cc, twin-turbo
Power503bhp @ 5500-6250rpm
Torque516lb ft @ 1750-4500rpm
0-604.0sec (claimed 0-62)
Top Speed155mph (limited)
MPG34.4 (claimed combined)
Lap time1min 24sec

Winner

Told you it'd be close. The M3 takes the win by just seven-tenths, confirming that, on this day at least, lighter weight and more responsive controls are better suited to the track than an overall power advantage.

But perhaps more importantly, what this battle reveals is that despite their switch from atmospheric to forced induction, these two German rivals are still incredibly capable and characterful machines.

On the road, it's even more difficult to seperate these two super saloons. For our full on-road verdict, check out the August 2015 issue of evo Magazine (evo 211).

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024