BMW vs Benz: M3 vs C63 AMG

     The debate over BMW vs Benz has been going on for quite some time. Which manufacturer makes a better product?  Here's the breakdown.  BMW and Mercedes Benz are both superb german cars.  They have led their class, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.  Although Japanese cars are very competitive, they lack the refinement (and hefty price tag) that accompanies these art-on-wheels vehicles.

Benz: while Benz has been the more popular of the two car, BMW does not lag behind.  Benz are luxurious, they have options for just about every interior function.  Their engines are make great power and they are a joy to drive.  Benz and BMW are two great cars, benz ears more on the luxury side of the spectrum whereas BMW is more geared toward a driver.  The E class is the best selling mid-size luxury car on the market.  The Benz C63 AMG pictured above is a rocket ship.  Even in this class, the Benz does lead in Power.  But, here's the catch.  IF you want a true sports car, Benz does not offer a manual gearbox, but rather a paddle-shifted automatic.  The C63 AMG does come STOCK with 451HP, however, a common trait of most all of BENZ AMG line cars, is.....ALL THE POWER DOES NOT REACH THE GROUND. 

BMW: Let me start by saying that i prefer BMW to BENZ.  In life there are BMW drivers and there are BENZ drivers.  I adore the styling of Benz, however, people lie, the numbers DONT.  BMW has posted faster lap times with the M3(coupe, which is not pictured here, but looks better than the sedan) than the C63 AMG. The M3 also make less HorsePower, rated at 414HP (or should i say M Power), it is a precision instrument.  The cars characteristics are calm until you open it up.  It handles as well as it accelerates as good as it looks and sounds.  ALso,the M3 is available in 3 trims (to the Mercedes Benz' 1). The M3 comes in a coupe, sedan, and hardtop convertible trims.  Also, BMW's are known to hold their value better.    The two cars cost about the same, however, the M3 is simpler and is more of a true sports car.  The M3 pictured above is a 6-speed manual transmission. It has an LSD, or Limited Slip Differential.  In driving terms that is very good.  It will shift power from the wheel that starts to slip, usually the inside wheel and shift the power to the outside wheel.  The Benz does not keep up with the M3 at all around a track.  Although it is the faster car in a straight line, it is more of a SHOW-Man's car.  It loves to slide and do burnouts.

But here's the question i leave you with.  If I am going to pay that much money for a sports car, do i want a precision instrument or a flamboyant muscle car???

The new BMW 760i and the Mercedes Benz S63 AMG are two very serious luxury sedans.  They are the FLAGSHIP cars of each manufacturer and they are very different indeed.  The 760 now utilizes a Bi-Turbo V12 while the S-Class uses a Normally aspirated V8.  The two cars a very fast, however, in a recent comparison, testers (top Gear on BBC Network) gave the crown to BMW's 760.