Hypothetical choice: E90 M3 vs AMG 6.3

[twm67]

So I watched a Speed Channel episode where Tommy Kendall test drives a car or (in this case) a whole line of cars. In this episode it was the AMG line of cars from MB.

At the end of the show, he test drove a CLK mule running the (soon to be standard) new AMG V8 - 6.3l V8, naturally aspirated, about 500hp and it sounded GREAT This engine will replace the 5.5l engine across the AMG lineup, and supposedly is light enough to fit in the C Classes of cars.

Now I'm wondering...

I've wanted an M3 since I can remember. I also REALLY enjoy the hot 302 in my Mustang - pictured below. Is the upcoming M3 going to be a track day screamer - tons of revs and great reflexes, but low on grunt? If so, I might find more enjoyment from the AMG engine (There's no replacement for displacement )!!

Heresy I know, but follow my thinking for a second...

One of the big complaints of the e46 M3 was the lack of torque in a car that was suited for neither the street or the track in stock form. If the M Power engineers bring a 4.0L V8 to the M3 with the same sort of characteristics as the M5, won't those criticisms remain the same? If I could get a big fat v8 that could hammer everyone at stoplights and scare small children with the sound, but still come in 2nd to the M3 at the track, wouldn't that be a good thing?

I'll step back and let the flames engulf this thread...

[ChristopherM3]

wooooo......tough decision that would be. I would like to be in the position to have to make it though.......

I love both the ///M cars and the AMG cars.......It seems like the AMG Benzes are getting more refined the past few years.......I don't know, but I am liking them a whole lot!!!

[China Man]

one thing that would keep me away from an AMG is the poor quality Merc has been putting out as of late

[benathon]

The AMG's are not of poor quality; it was the C classes and ML's mainly.

[statdoc]

Originally Posted by benathon

The AMG's are not of poor quality; it was the C classes and ML's mainly.

I beg to differ. My wife's E class (2003) has definitely not been the quality I expected it to be (and not the quality of my 1997 and 2001 CLK's).

[benathon]

2003 is also the first year production of the new E class. There are problems with ALL first year production cars. All cars have problems; there are plenty of people with problems with their X's, but many more without problems. Some get lucky, some dont.

[statdoc]

Originally Posted by benathon

2003 is also the first year production of the new E class. There are problems with ALL first year production cars. All cars have problems; there are plenty of people with problems with their X's, but many more without problems. Some get lucky, some dont.

Yeah, I will grant you that, about the first year. Still, MB quality is declining in many areas, other than the models at the very top of the line (such as the AMG's).

[vinuneuro]

Chances are this AMG car too will be an automatic, which is reason enough to go with the M3. There's also the fact that I will take any BMW over almost any Mercedez any day. The thing with the AMG vehicles is that all of them are quite spectacluar in a straight line, but in terms of steering, road feel and overall precision, I think a 3-Series could take on most of these AMG vehicles.

[SANguru]

the new SLK55 is pretty spectacular.. remember somebody here had one?? maybe Peter?? can't remember.

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

Chances are this AMG car too will be an automatic, which is reason enough to go with the M3. There's also the fact that I will take any BMW over almost any Mercedez any day. The thing with the AMG vehicles is that all of them are quite spectacluar in a straight line, but in terms of steering, road feel and overall precision, I think a 3-Series could take on most of these AMG vehicles.

[JV]

I think it's a win-win comparo: the AMG will whip the M3 in a straight line, and sound a lot better if you like that V8 rumble (M3 tone has always been too raspy for my tastes), but the overall package leans heavily toward the M3. I've driven several M3's- SMG, 6speed and 5 speed...some stock, some heavily modded up- all I can say is I wish it had about 2 inches more legroom and an inch more headroom and there'd be one in my garage now. It's a purely divine experience to take an M3 out on a lonely highway or twisty country road or even on a busy city street around lunchtime :p

It was AMG and Mercedes who kept the muscle car alive while US makers were trying to go mass-market economy, but BMW has always managed to make a sports car out of whatever 2 axled 4 wheeler they stick a roundel on.

JV