B7 RS4 vs. E90 M3 vs. C63 AMG

[ORD]

Does anyone really nail the throttle through several gears while driving the family around?! I had always assumed that the point of a super fast family car was that it gave effortless pace when transporting the family and was at least reasonable fun when driving alone.

To be honest, I think 99 % of the appeal to 90% of buyers is pub bragging.

[GTID]

AM7 said:

Christ, not this diesel talk again! If OP has a shortlist of cars, why even bother suggesting something that doesn't fit the criteria as mentioned? Power and torque figures don't make for an enjoyable experience alone, a 335d with a remap is a long way from an M3 when you're hooning on a back road wanting to put a smile on your face.

Surprised xjay1337 didn't recommend a 2.0tdi scirocco again, in a previous thread it was claimed to be quicker than an rs4 because comparing it's acceleration times to an rs4 acceleration video said so.

Now back on topic to answer the OP, as above, have a drive in all of them and see how you feel! For me it'd be the C63, just a hooligan machine. As you said the M3 is definitely the sharper tool but is most enjoyable on the limit, RS4 is the safe choice (excluding bork) and the C63 is just silly

But remapped 335/535d's have a zillion lb/ft of torque and do 60-100 faster than anything in the world in 5th gear you know! Just don't show them a corner whatever you do

Anyway, I have been considering either the RS4 or M3 for a while myself. The C63 never really interested me, it does sound bonkers though! My old boss had an E92 M3 from new and I've wanted one ever since he let me have a short but very sweet test drive, that engine!! The RS4 would probably tick all the boxes for me too, the all weather performance is attractive especially considering the weather round these parts! The carbon build up is worrying though, although saying that the throttle actuators on the M3 sound pricey too!

[RobM77]

ORD said:

Does anyone really nail the throttle through several gears while driving the family around?! I had always assumed that the point of a super fast family car was that it gave effortless pace when transporting the family and was at least reasonable fun when driving alone.

To be honest, I think 99 % of the appeal to 90% of buyers is pub bragging.

I always drive quickly to be fair, unless specifically asked not to, but what I don't get is how people manage to use anywhere near the power of an M3 or similar on the public road. My speed is so rarely below 40mph and the speed limit on most roads is only 20mph more than that. If I had the grip of an M3 my minimum speed would be higher still. I presume it's a certain sort of town/dual carriageway driving with 70mph limits and slow roundabouts?

Then again, it's not my place to question it - I adore the E92 M3 and C63 and long may they continue making cars like that and so long may people buy them!

[cerb4.5lee]

RobM77 said:

what I don't get is how people manage to use anywhere near the power of an M3 or similar on the public road.

That for me ended up being quite a big frustration because you are mostly in flowing traffic with limited over taking opportunities and the chance to really open it up when it came just put you into license losing territory.

So you questioned the need for over 400bhp in a daily driver that only returns MPG in the teens and it ended up not making much sense to me but appreciate its nice having the power if you do want or need it though.

[edc]

You can't use the performance of a 400bhp car in most normal driving conditions. I have a C55 approaching 400bhp and it is meant to be the sensible car but the exhaust noise eggs you on. Sure a Golf or Focus would do the job I need but I have one because I can and because I want one.

[RobM77]

edc said:

You can't use the performance of a 400bhp car in most normal driving conditions. I have a C55 approaching 400bhp and it is meant to be the sensible car but the exhaust noise eggs you on. Sure a Golf or Focus would do the job I need but I have one because I can and because I want one.

As I said in my post, they're wonderful cars and I'm glad people buy them so I get to wind down the window and listen to the go past. If I could afford to run one as well as the things I prioritise (racing, my house etc), then I'd have one in an instant. The reason for the low priority is exactly as described above. If there were no speed limits and people didn't take so much offence to being overtaken, then I may even have one now.

[xjay1337]

AM7 said:

Christ, not this diesel talk again! If OP has a shortlist of cars, why even bother suggesting something that doesn't fit the criteria as mentioned? Power and torque figures don't make for an enjoyable experience alone, a 335d with a remap is a long way from an M3 when you're hooning on a back road wanting to put a smile on your face.

Surprised xjay1337 didn't recommend a 2.0tdi scirocco again, in a previous thread it was claimed to be quicker than an rs4 because comparing it's acceleration times to an rs4 acceleration video said so.

Now back on topic to answer the OP, as above, have a drive in all of them and see how you feel! For me it'd be the C63, just a hooligan machine. As you said the M3 is definitely the sharper tool but is most enjoyable on the limit, RS4 is the safe choice (excluding bork) and the C63 is just silly

No, I said because the two races I had with those had them.

The OP didn't want a 2.0 TDI Scirocco so I did not suggest it.
The thread diverted to the possibility of two cars, so it was suggested as a diesel daily and a fun petrol weekend car.

Idiot.

[ORD]

RobM77 said:

As I said in my post, they're wonderful cars and I'm glad people buy them so I get to wind down the window and listen to the go past. If I could afford to run one as well as the things I prioritise (racing, my house etc), then I'd have one in an instant. The reason for the low priority is exactly as described above. If there were no speed limits and people didn't take so much offence to being overtaken, then I may even have one now.

The overtaking thing is massively overstated. It's only ever happened to me once or twice that someone has tried to block an overtake. I think a lot of the people who get bad responses to their overtaking may be doing it wrong.

Doing it right - fast, respectful distance, loud - is still very safe and rarely bothers anyone.

[Court_S]

RobM77 said:

ORD said:

Does anyone really nail the throttle through several gears while driving the family around?! I had always assumed that the point of a super fast family car was that it gave effortless pace when transporting the family and was at least reasonable fun when driving alone.

To be honest, I think 99 % of the appeal to 90% of buyers is pub bragging.

I always drive quickly to be fair, unless specifically asked not to, but what I don't get is how people manage to use anywhere near the power of an M3 or similar on the public road. My speed is so rarely below 40mph and the speed limit on most roads is only 20mph more than that. If I had the grip of an M3 my minimum speed would be higher still. I presume it's a certain sort of town/dual carriageway driving with 70mph limits and slow roundabouts?

Then again, it's not my place to question it - I adore the E92 M3 and C63 and long may they continue making cars like that and so long may people buy them!

We have an E90 330 and even with a modest 257bhp, there's not many places to use the power and red one much. On that basis these kind of cars are pointless.

But, I still really really want an M3 or a C63. A big part of it for me is things like the engibe and exhaust note. On things like the C63 you can still enjoy those at low speeds. Hell, even start up on a C63 is an event that makes the child in you grin....its automotive filth!

I always thought the M3 sounded a but anemic, but having had a few of the new ones it's made me appreciate how good the E9x does sound.

I love the B7 RS4 and have done since getting a good drive in one. The bucket seats are brilliant in both looks are feel but the bork factor puts me off. I also think they're getting a bit long in the tooth now. I do like the noise though, especially in sport mode with the baffles open. I have fond memories burbling around Oxfordshire on Boxing Day giggling...a fairly dull looking grey saloon shouldn't make that kind of racket. I think the B7 looks right too.