As each generation of BMW M3 gets released, it automatically becomes the new performance benchmark for its category. Over the years the competition has narrowed that performance gap. With the newest generation, has Mercedes closed that gap completely?
EVO has pitted the BMW M3 outfitted with M-DCT and carbon ceramic brakes against the more powerful Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG in their latest Deadly Rivals video. The M3's carbon ceramic brakes provided fantastic braking performance while the front axle grip produced great precision through the corners. They found that the M3 may be down in power, but with its lighter weight and noticably more grip, it performs a little better on track.
The Mercedes' engine provides more power and torque which allows the C63 S AMG to pull harder down the straights, but there is a little bit of lag before all the power is on tap. The additional torque also made the C63 S AMG harder to control on corner exit as it liked to go into a power oversteer.
As for lap times, the precision of the M3 allows for quicker speeds through the corners and edges out the C63 S AMG by 0.7 seconds around the Bedford Autodrome Circuit with EVO's Richard Meaden behind the wheel. Though the performance gap may be closer than ever, BMW still produces the Ultimate Driving Machine.—Nate Risch
