$30,000 Question...RS4 v C63 v M3

smokinjoe64 · 06-27-2026, 02:31 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Ok, yeah it's Throttle House...still an entertaining throwback comparison

Arounder · 06-27-2026, 05:20 AM

Love the cars. All money-pits.

I've never seen those guys. Thanks.

pbonsalb · 06-27-2026, 10:16 AM

I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and liked it. Mine was not a money pit but I DIY so I just paid for parts. Even did the rod bearings myself as preventative maintenance. Modded it a fair amount as well — bolt on parts, tune, springs and mounts, bushings, StopTech 6 piston front brakes, etc.

allinon72 · 06-27-2026, 10:43 AM

Dare I say it...the AMG was much more competitive in this era of cars. The Audi isn't even in the same conversation, but which car is the most "motorsport" between the AMG and BMW? It's a tough call.

KMP259 · 06-27-2026, 11:27 AM

AMG any time on a race track or high speed HPDE.

smokinjoe64 · 06-27-2026, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

Dare I say it...the AMG was much more competitive in this era of cars. The Audi isn't even in the same conversation, but which car is the most "motorsport" between the AMG and BMW? It's a tough call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KMP259

AMG any time on a race track or high speed HPDE.

C63 AMG Myth Busters 🤔
From a motorsport perspective between 2008 and 2012, records clearly demonstrate, BMW E92 M3 was substantially more successful.

HPDE related:

E92 M3 - The stronger platform. Lower mass, more balanced chassis, and endurance-oriented design make it easier to drive consistently at the limit over multiple sessions.

W204 C63 AMG - Delivers a more dramatic powertrain experience and impressive straight-line speed, but it typically requires far more preparation to match the M3's consistency and confidence during sustained track use.

///M3 for the WIN 🏁

👇🏽

allinon72 · 06-28-2026, 01:04 PM

Damn you brought the receipts haha.

smokinjoe64 · 06-28-2026, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

Damn you brought the receipts haha.

Yup, always good to balance 'perception' with actual outcomes, historical facts...right?

Machinebuilder · 06-28-2026, 06:58 PM

All these cars are money pits. I offer as an alternative the 2026 Subaru WRX Base model. In the US its $33,000 brand new but you can get them for $30,000+. Honestly, its a screaming deal for a car that can be used as a daily and is fun to drive.

ShocknAwe · 06-28-2026, 07:30 PM

That generation? E90/92 M3.

I did like the C63 too. But you couldn't pay me to own a merc.

pbonsalb · 06-28-2026, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

All these cars are money pits. I offer as an alternative the 2026 Subaru WRX Base model. In the US its $33,000 brand new but you can get them for $30,000+. Honestly, its a screaming deal for a car that can be used as a daily and is fun to drive.

Considerably slower, no character, and no mature enthusiast following compared to the 15 year old money pits, but the WRX has a warranty and you will get attention from teenage boys and men in their 20s. I would take any of them over a WRX, but if shopping with a $30k budget today, I probably would not choose a 15 year old car. Maybe 10 years old like a Golf R, Cayman, M235i or M240i, F10 M5.

smokinjoe64 · 06-28-2026, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinebuilder

All these cars are money pits. I offer as an alternative the 2026 Subaru WRX Base model. In the US its $33,000 brand new but you can get them for $30,000+. Honestly, its a screaming deal for a car that can be used as a daily and is fun to drive.

No thanks!

Yuille36 · 07-20-2026, 10:33 AM

Having owned a W204 C63 AMG, I can say without hesitation that this car is an absolute beast. It out‑muscles both the BMW E92 M3 and the Audi RS4 in straight‑line power, even if the BMW still has the edge in handling precision. But the C63’s driving experience is something else entirely; raw, loud, and unapologetically aggressive. And the sound it makes… nothing short of addictive. If I could go back in time, I will take a C63 just from my experience with it.

BrokeF15_ · 07-22-2026, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arounder

Love the cars. All money-pits.

I've never seen those guys. Thanks.

yup!!!!!

06-27-2026, 02:31 AM	#1
smokinjoe64 Tailhooker 4061 Rep 1,680 Posts Drives: e92 M3 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OC SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 [9.75] 2025 Mazda MX-5 [0.00] 2003 BMW M5 [0.00] 2024 Ranger Raptor [0.00]	$30,000 Question...RS4 v C63 v M3 Featured on BIMMERPOST.com Ok, yeah it's Throttle House...still an entertaining throwback comparison __________________ e92 M3 - Interlagos Blue \| Recaro GTs w/Fox Red Extended \|Carbon Leather BPM Stage II; SuperSprint: header-back, catless, nonresonated, F1s; Infinity Design CF intake; Partee Racing CF plenum; do88 coolers; Bilstein B16 kit w/EDC, monoball links; Brembo BBK; AutoSolutions SSK
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06-27-2026, 05:20 AM	#2
Arounder New Member 12 Rep 22 Posts Drives: BMWG26 Join Date: Jun 2026 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	Love the cars. All money-pits. I've never seen those guys. Thanks.
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06-27-2026, 10:16 AM	#3
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 7679 Rep 13,759 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	I had an E90 M3 for 10 years and liked it. Mine was not a money pit but I DIY so I just paid for parts. Even did the rod bearings myself as preventative maintenance. Modded it a fair amount as well — bolt on parts, tune, springs and mounts, bushings, StopTech 6 piston front brakes, etc.
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06-27-2026, 10:43 AM	#4
allinon72 Brigadier General 6002 Rep 4,626 Posts Drives: 21' M5, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (3)	Dare I say it...the AMG was much more competitive in this era of cars. The Audi isn't even in the same conversation, but which car is the most "motorsport" between the AMG and BMW? It's a tough call.
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06-27-2026, 11:27 AM	#5
KMP259 Enlisted Member 54 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW M6 Competition Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Gurnee, IL. iTrader: (0)	AMG any time on a race track or high speed HPDE.
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06-28-2026, 01:04 PM	#7
allinon72 Brigadier General 6002 Rep 4,626 Posts Drives: 21' M5, 23' X1 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Indianapolis, IN iTrader: (3)	Damn you brought the receipts haha.
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06-28-2026, 06:58 PM	#9
Machinebuilder Second Lieutenant 418 Rep 333 Posts Drives: I5, I4 Mini Cooper Se,Outback Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Northeast USA iTrader: (0)	All these cars are money pits. I offer as an alternative the 2026 Subaru WRX Base model. In the US its $33,000 brand new but you can get them for $30,000+. Honestly, its a screaming deal for a car that can be used as a daily and is fun to drive. Last edited by Machinebuilder; 06-28-2026 at 06:59 PM..
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06-28-2026, 07:30 PM	#10
ShocknAwe 1Addict 5381 Rep 9,253 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	That generation? E90/92 M3. I did like the C63 too. But you couldn't pay me to own a merc. __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
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07-20-2026, 10:33 AM	#13
Yuille36 Colonel 1753 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: F85 X5M, F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW ///M3 [8.66] 2015 BMW X5M [9.87]	Having owned a W204 C63 AMG, I can say without hesitation that this car is an absolute beast. It out‑muscles both the BMW E92 M3 and the Audi RS4 in straight‑line power, even if the BMW still has the edge in handling precision. But the C63’s driving experience is something else entirely; raw, loud, and unapologetically aggressive. And the sound it makes… nothing short of addictive. If I could go back in time, I will take a C63 just from my experience with it. __________________ *It is never taken for granted that a commitment to speed and acceleration must be matched with an equivalent ambition when it comes time to stop!* Last edited by Yuille36; 07-22-2026 at 02:17 PM..
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