I've been negotiating for a couple of weeks now for a new C63 and I was pretty much ready to do a deal.

Ironically on the way to Mercedes a C63 was up my arse. We had a good play off some roundabouts and some straight line drags up to the speed limit on some dual carriageways. First thing to note is the sound off that thing was immense.

During the battle I was stuck to his bumper all the way to 70 time and time again, where I backed off due to speed limits. Out of the twisties the Audi felt more composed that the Merc looked.

After the joust we both pulled into Mercedes. Pulled up next to him and I asked him if he was at full chat he said yes and was very surprised how close I was to him. Both of us were pretty shocked.

We ended up chatting for a good while (he was there to test the new SL63) and my salesman approached me. Ended up chatting for a while to him also at which point I told him I'm not paying an extra 15k for something that merely sounds better and only pulls away at higher speeds. I was gutted as I really wanted a C63 but also pleased at the S5 V6T staying power at low to mid range.

The guy took me out for a good blast in his C63 afterwards and yes the sound was immense but it didn't feel quicker low down. Once he really got going at high speeds then yes the C63 would demolish the S5, but I don't drive at speeds that illegal so what's the point.

All in all gutted but my wallet and mrs aren't.

Worked out right then, otherwise you could now have an expensive car you didn't really want!!!

 

So the S5 going OK then?

Better than I thought apparently. Guess I'll stay with the S5 then, new exhaust an air filter should liven it up a bit more.

Most performance cars are very hard to separate between say 30mph and 90mph.

 

They all cover that gap in such a short space of time you need more than 200bhp difference between cars to FEEL a big difference.

 

One of my closest friends purchased a 996 X50 (I think they are 480bhp) and tbh it didn't feel that much quicker than a B5 S4 (standard 265bhp) between 30-90mph, After that granted the 996 just keeps going and going.

 

But the noise of them C63's!!!

 

Less than £650 per month (inc VAT) on personal contract hire too and that will be less soon as the new one is due in later this year.

Edited 12 July, 201312 yr by vrs777

Add options though and the price rockets up plus FUEL!

You make a good point tough, I had a cupra not far behind me the other week. Though it was definitely tuned.

Edited 12 July, 201312 yr by Nicky boy

Those cupras can do some seriously quick times for little money. £1500 worth of engine fettling with bring 350+bhp.

Great in the dry but when it gets damp you will be wishing you spent the extra 5-7k on an S3!

For true cross country ability of normal roads I personally think a decent power Audi with quattro is hard to beat unless you are talking tuned cars or Jap rocket.

 

I'd soon tire of the Merc's ability to only go well in the dry... in a straight line.

 

 

I think you made the right decision Nick.

I think so to, it's just that noise though. As mentioned not worth 15k.

My boss is just back from hockenheim doing the two day AMG driving course in the c63 that we have at work. The c63 was bought because it had to go with the other cars we have which are mercs too, once you get showing how to drive the cars properly by the instructors and what settings to use, they turn into bullets and will match an M3. I get what the op is saying is it worth paying another 15k for a car that's only pulls away after 70mph, but will an s5 do 174 mph and only be in 5th gear with to more to go with a total unrestricted speed off about 200mph. But then do you want to get speeding at that numbers.

Aside from a german autobahn when are you going to get anywhere near 174mph? Even if you were doing track work in a car every weekend I doubt there are many tracks you get anywhere near that. 15k for more pace at a speed that is too high to be able to exploit is just pointless imo. 

You will be shocked how fast it can get to its limited top speed. The car pulls and pulls till it gets there, from 160 to 180 on the speedo only takes about 7 seconds. And it wasn't done in Germany but a very close country or two. I do have a a video clip of it but the quality of the vid is not so good but you can here the speeds being called out, I can show it to blacklinestu if you want it verified.

If it is just about usable straight line speed, then you are probably right not to have changed. However there is much more to a car than how fast it is. Having driven the AMG C63, I reckon is is an epic GT / coupe with a very entertaining handling balance.

If you get your jollies from going in a straight line or cross country fast in a relatively inert 4 wheel drive car, the C63 is probably not for you. If you are more entertained by using driving skills to balance the interaction of throttle and steering, the C63 will definitely be the more involving car.

Chris

Edited 14 July, 201312 yr by Chris GB

The trouble is about having an entertaining car without amazing skills is the risk of crashing it and potentially hurting myself. Quattro offers a decent level of safety and the ability to really push out of a corner.

There are many other factors than straight line speed. However it was just the main reason to change to the AMG. Or not as the case may be.

Nick it may be with doing the AMG driving expirence at Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands to give you a taste, possibly longer than a dealer test drive and you can play on there track.

Even in Germany anything higher than 120-130mph is very difficult to achieve unless you want to put yourself and others at risk, touring over there on big Kawasaki ZZRs top speed 190mph.you rarely managed to exceed those lower speeds, its low down balanced power you need with faultless handling not some supersounding straight line rocket. Will it lap a track any faster than a evo or even the new small  bmw m class ? The road is a great leveler trying to loose a well ridden modern 600 m/c with a well ridden 1000 m/c on a twisty road is impossible. So why do we buy these overpowered vehicles mainly because we can and it makes you feel more superior even if you never use it its exactly the same with cars. Who cares realy its all about free choice, and how much you believe the hype.

I suppose it's a 'bragging rights' thing. For me, I would rather have a car that went 100 mph flat out but got there in 5 seconds and handles and stops like a go-kart. It's each to their own. :sun:

Yes i know it's not all about straight line pace, a car has to handle too. Most people think the merc can't due to the motoring press who take it on tracks and switch the traction of, how many of us could do that in real world terms like what the motoring press drivers do who are also racing or ex racing drivers with far more skill than we will ever have. Then if you don't want to boot it and drive nice relaxed it is best car I have ever driven, smooth, quite and a pleasure to be in. If it was the op I would stay with the Audi, it's already a very fast car and the way things are going on the speed catching front it's just not worth it. If he didn't have the Audi I would say go for it. The AMG power and passion courses are only done in Germany.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/apr/193738-apr-pleased-present-directport-programming-3-0-tfsi.html#post1918462

 

 

I've already considered that! Getting exhaust and intake first.

Pooch, an ex Briskoda member, is taking his S4 straight to stage 2 very soon. Results should be very nice indeed.

Can you still buy audis with ABT tunning from the dealers, so you still have the factory warranty.

Can you still buy audis with ABT tunning from the dealers, so you still have the factory warranty.

Yes, crazy prices though. 4,300 for a remap.

Oh that's not cheap.