I actually test drove one a couple of weeks ago but turned the radio off to hear the road and the engine (of course). So is the radio any good? I assumed it was but then read something where a reviewer said the radio wasn't all that great compared to its peers (assuming RS4, M3..).

I'm talking about the tech package upgraded radio BTW.

Any help is appreciated!

 

The low end bass is pretty bad, which is to be expected when the sound system doesn't come with a subwoofer.

 

The Harmon Kardon system IMO is very good. I've been very pleased at the clarity of mid-to-high range, and bass is good enough. The system actually makes over-the-radio sound very good, very similar to HD radio although I don't think it's a HD radio.

Brian - are you thinking about pulling the trigger on one? Go for it! It's a fantastic ride...and I never thought I would say that about any car with an automatic tranny. Trust me...I just came from a GT3 RS AND a Carrera S.

 

Wow...I thought I was the only one teetering between a C63 and a GT3. The cars are so different but I love each one...I guess for different reasons. Did you daily drive the GT3 RS? If so compare it to the C63 for me. Part of me yearns for the raw race car and part for dolby surround sound and comfort (with power).

I guess I can't go wrong either way.

And I guess I can always add a sub or 2 to the factory C63 setup to get a little boom out of it if I want to.

 

Ok, let me try.

RS:
First off, it may sound like blasphemy but I did not track my RS, so I can't talk from experience of driving it hard. It was a pure weekend, garage-to-garage driver. The RS is absolutely the most pure and raw machine I've ever driven/owned. It sounded great, intoxicating power, brilliant handling, fantastic gearing, stiff ride but I could cruise all day long. On the other hand...the ridiculously low front airdam was a PITA for it be a daily driver so I didn't even bother. Avoiding scraping it was constantly on my mind. It got constant attention from everybody: people snapping phone pics, rolling down windows to talk to you at redlights & while gassing up, others wanting to drag, etc. That's all good with me, but it was the Fuzz that do u-turns when they see you coming the other way...not cool ;(

C63:
I've only had the C63 (2010) for a week, and I'm still breaking her in. I can honestly say that I'm actually more excited about getting into the C63...please don't flame! It rides firm like a homologated race car, but doesn't kick your a$$. The power/torque/sound is amazing and I dare say it's like a RS with 4-doors. However, it is somewhat more luxurious (nice leather vs. leather/alcantara) and I don't think about scraping the bumper on inclines. For a Benz, it's a great handler from my limited experience on back-road twisties. Tracks precisely with firm steering - although not razor sharp as the RS. It's a Jeckyll & Hyde car: daily driving in traffic is easy and casual (with a great exhaust soundtrack so you always know that you're in something special), but you can light up the tires for some fun...although I've not done nor probably won't ever do that. What other car can you do that?!!! Raw and refined...best of both worlds. Like having the best qualities of my RS and C2S (2006) in one, plus take the family.

I'm a die-hard manual tranny guy. I'm not interested in PDK or what flavor of sequential or dual-clutch trannies. But oh boy, I'm a huge convert to the MB Speedshift-7 tranny. To me, it behaves like a manual. It's always in the right gear for acceleration in any speed. For example, when you're coasting off-throttle down from say 60mph to 30mph, the gears are kicking down so when you get on throttle again, it's instant acceleration. Most other auto trannies up-shift so when you throttle, there's a delay for it to downshift...

For reference:
The E92 M3 Sedan was also on my list. It's nice, but the just didn't do anything for me...it has no soul. Sure it's a great car, but you have to take it 8/10ths to get a thrill. Plus, the backseats are cramped...more rear-room in the C63. With the Benz, it's exciting just to be sitting at idle in traffic - did I mention the exhaust? Looks like you're in an RS4 so you know what I mean.

Well, I'm thrilled about the C63. I feel like a kid who just got his driver's license all over again. All the right technologies (old-school big V8, TC that can be completely disabled) and nothing fancy I don't need (e.g. FSI). It really is special car, that ranks up there with the RS.

If you want a daily driver sedan that drives/sounds like a race car, this is it. G/L!

 

If you don't need the back seats I would certainly consider the CLK63 Black. Closest thrill to the GT3/RS but IMO a better DD.

 

Great write-up -thanks! I think you're right on with everything including your soul-less assessment of the M3. I drove one and have a friend with one but it just doesn't inspire me. I actually just sold the RS4 which is why I'm shopping now for something new. In hindsight I should have kept it because it's a super fun car AND had the 6 speed I also prefer. I'm dragging the wife out to the local Benz dealer here in about an hour to have her check it out and give me another excuse to drive it again.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out. I'll post up what I end up with.

 

Yeah, the BS is really that much more special. I'm just really surprised that the market is not held up well for it though. There are some great deals out there. Also, is there a throttle blip on downshifts? The previous gen E63 did not have this rev-matching feature, although it's the same engine in the C63.

PCH - Fantastic car record!

Brian - Good luck finding your next ride. I got mine off the lot, and it didn't come with the Performance Package. If I had the patience, I would have ordered one with it, or found one. But I got an amazing deal since my cousin sells MB here in VA. It's not necessarily that I would have been able to take advantage of the PP, but I like to get all the performance options for my cars rather than going aftermarket.

 

I thought most cars in this segment (M3, RS4, ISF etc.) would all have decent sound systems stock, and would include a subwoofer.

 

All the manufacturers keep the advertised base price low by putting in a base sound system. Unless you plan to go with a complete aftermarket system, it's more cost effective just to get the factory upgraded sound systems which you know works with all the cabin interface controls.

I just went through the RSR4, M3, C63 decision. All very nice rides with strength and weaknesses. The AWD on the Audi was a minus (already have it on the Porsche which is just OK). The M3 is very nimble and BMW does make a 4door M3 but it would be a shame to put an automatic in an M3. So i picked the C63. It made more sense at a daily driver 4doors and an automatic (with some useful auto down shift programming). It always seems to be in the right gear without having to use the shift paddles very much. It's also nice to have your wife be able to drive it. I'll get my dose of a manual with the Porsche.

 

I think you can cover your eyes and throw a dart at any of these cars and be happy. I went shopping for a C63, M3 and IS-F and got the best deal financing on the lexus.......I wasn't hung up on it being German, or being this or that. All these cars have pros and cons and are all amazing four door machines! MB and BMW wouldn't budge below 70k for a nicely optioned model, I stole the IS-F fully loaded for 58k

 

yes sir...and I too have never consistently felt as excited to get into a car every day...

 

The radio just normal like any other car. H&C no better than Bose, and bass is terrible. anyway, you can still listening to engine sound and exhaust note.