I am sick of seeing the new M3 doing 0-60 in 4.8 in first gear!!!!! When is the new C32 AMG comming in the press light.

I mean 333 hp vs. 354 hp. (AMG advantage)
.33 drag vs. .29(?) (AMG again)
The new C32 has more torque, but from what I have heard, it won't stack up to the M3. The M3 has better road dynamics is what I heard.

I mean look at the Tires, 255/35/18 in the rear of the M3, while 245/40/17 on the C32. A 6-speed manual on the M3 versus the 5-speed auto on the C32. 0-60 are said to be 5.2 for the C32. An 8000 rpm engine versus a 6500 or so engine.

So maybe AMG needs to do a little more tuning. In my honest opionon, don't step up to the competition if you are gonna lose.

------------------
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

- 99 Mercedes-Benz ML 430 V8 w/custom TVs, HI-Fi VCP, Tuner, played throughout BOSE speaker system
- 93 190E 2.6 (4-sale) w/ an amp, equalizer, and CD-changer, integrated w/ stock stereo and integrated cellular phone speaker system, 400E brake upgrade, 16" 8-hole replica wheels, KYB, and lowest pad height, K&N
- Fianlly, waiting list on the new 2001 C32 AMG.
- 4 Sale, 4 16x7 7-Spoke SLK Wheels and 2 16x7 and 2 16x8 7-Spoke SLK staggered setup wheels (look like the Evo II, except 7-spokes)
- 4 Sale, OEM 15" wheels from 93 190E. 4 have 205/55/15 and 1 has rarely used 185/65/15 full size spare.

It's not all about raw numbers, though... these are bound to be different cars by virtue of their heritage. While cross-shopping has increased as MB has made their cars sportier over the past few years, MBs will always cater to a more conservative crowd. And they don't break down every week, either
Conservative doesn't/shouldn't necessarily mean slower, look at the e55 vs the M5. Most automotive journalists have found the e55 to be less edgy, more comfortable, and still faster around the track, despite a power disadvantage as well.

Charlie,

I wouldn't consider that the C32 will be AMG's last statement with this chassis. In my C240, there must be five inches between the front of the V6 engine and the radiator. I believe that this was designed with the eight cylinder version of this engine in mind. The V6 in mine is the same external dimensions as the 3.2 and I expect that the V8 which is the same as both of them except with two more holes would bolt in very easily.

Additionally, this is not a ball game or an election. From MB's viewpoint they WILL win. Winning when you're in business, is getting people to buy your product. I'm sure that the C32 will sell.

Have a great day,

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Larry Bible
'01 C Class, Six Speed
'84 Euro 240D, manual, 533K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Those extra space in the engine bay would be taken up by supercharger in C32. However, if AMG is willing to drop in the 5.5L V8 and make it a C55 AMG, that would be very interesting.

In fact, Brabus has already put Brabus Tuned 5.8L V8 in W203 C-Class...

Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Pearl Grey/Black Leather
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.homestead.com

In the end there is only one winner. That is by default, the winner by historical standards.
You're sitting in the world class Mercedes Benz, the finest motor vehicle ever created by man. The other guy is still in a BMW.
All day long........

I guess the reason that everyone keeps comparing the C32 to the M3 is because the 3-series is always compared with the C-class. Unfortunately you can't do it with the M3 and the C32. The M3 is 2-door only and manual transmission only. The C32 is 4-door only and automatic transmisison only. Those two differences separate the two cars into markets that don't have much overlap.

If you still insist on comparing the two, you're going to have to wait a couple months for test data on the C32. The C32 is supposed to debut at the Detroit (NAIA) show in January. Sales are supposed to begin in Europe in March and in the U.S. shortly afterward.

You can get M3 in Auto and 4 door. at least you were able to with the 99's and before.

Alon

Friends dad has 4 door auto, and another buddy has 4 door in stick.

C class might get a coupe. C32 Vs M3 would be a good race, M3 would probably edge out the benz in some areas, and vice versa.

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon - Sold
2006 E350 Wagon - 368 - Dead
2015 GL350 Bluetec - 197U

Ya, I think the M3 will have the advantage, mostly because of its 8000 RPM redline, and the fact that you can hit 60 in first gear. I really don't see the C32 being able to overcome that.

BMW says there are no current plans to produce an 4-door E46 M3. Considering the number of changes to the 2-door and the fact that the 2-door and 4-door have alot of different body panels, I don't think BMW is going to make one in the near future. However, if BMW made a 4-door M3 with auto, I'm quite sure the C32 would beat it in acceleration, but probably still not in handling.

BTW, The E36 M3 4-door was offered in the U.S. only for 2 model years.

yes but it was still offered, and I am sure they will make a covertible version and a 4 door if demand persists for it.

Demand will decide if they will make a 4 door and a convertible version.

I think demand is why Mercedes started making AMG factory tuned cars to give people who want a sportier benz that is similar to the m of BMW.

And I'm not comparing the cars, just saying AMG is the equivalent of M to BMW as far as factory offered tuned cars. Both have gone into the demand. people want their cars but want sportier versions. so both companies offer sportier versions of their models.

I think the BMW will edge out the C32 in most cases, but I'm sure the C32 will have its strong points as well.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon - Sold
2006 E350 Wagon - 368 - Dead
2015 GL350 Bluetec - 197U

I know this is off the subject, but I've always wondered why Mercedes only offer automatic transmission on almost ever car they built?

Chuck

The M3 Cabrio will debut at the same time as the coupe in the U.S. The coupe has been delayed for so long that they will be read to launch at the same time. BTW, I read in the bimmer.org E46 M3 forum that the reason for the M3 delay is that the new high-revving engine tends to throw the #3 connecting rod quite often. I see a big edge for the C32 if that continues. ;-)

Chuck, if you have driven a M-B with a manual transmission (even the new 6-speed is mediocre), you'll know why they offer only automatics on some models. Their manuals are really poor and their automatics are the best out there.

In the U.S., it's a matter of profits. M-B has to certify engine-transmission combinations at a cost of more than $1M each. It's not very profitable for M-B to certify another transmission combination on an AMG model that will sell less than 1000 units per year.

Historically, M-B doesn't offer manual transmissions on models with more than 200hp (there are a few exceptions, including the SLK320 at 215hp).

RELATED TO THIS TOPIC BUT - not concerning the *new* M3. I sat a buddy's 1997 M3 over the weekend and I'll be honest guys - I've never driven a car this good before. Sure, after 44k miles, a perfect maintenance record and almost no abuse (if my poser friend has EVER found the floorboard with the go-pedal I'd be surprised) the rattles and rough idle were big-time surprises, as were some creaks and groans. But I HAVE to tell you all - I've driven NOTHING that comes close in terms of balance, handling, power and driveability as this car. The C32 I test-drove as new crashed over everything and skipped harder than this used bimmer. This car was sooo good and easy to drive fast. Nail third at 50mph, grab fourth at redline and in almost no time flat you're at 110. Power everywhere. Turn-in is so dialed you could apex over a dime in the road at eighty. Brakes so good (though heavy and hard to use smoothly when cold) you could go deeeeep into corners. And amazingly predictable handling. And I didn't even come close to using the potential of this car. It DANCES. AMG had (and may have) work to do, but it truly is the combination of all the assets that bring the M3 together. Problem is, I can't picture how a sports coupe could be much better (maybe more power?). Then again, I spend my days in a 190...

- a big MBZ fan but...

I am beginning to think that M-B should just call in the folks from Brabus as OEM, to shake things up a little . That will give these 'complete loss of value after 5 years' bimmer owners something to think about.

[Edited by yal on 12-05-2000 at 07:16 PM]

I've stayed out of this as long as i could.

The new M3 is awesome, and the C32 will never be that car. They come from different starting points with different goals and it is only the size and price that make them comparable.

///M has created a great car. The new limited slip diff is unreal. The car is 3rd in hp per liter, (natural aspiration - ferri 1st, honda 2nd), but 1st in torque per liter!!! Having had an E36 ('92 325is) for 83,500 miles it was a GREAT car - FUN. I'm sure E46 M car is tremedous do all - that i would be happy with.

My daily driver now is a 1999 C43AMG. The car has fewer squeaks and rattles after 26k than it had when new. It is stronger and faster too. If AMG has made the C32 well, that it should be better than the C43. I haven't driven a new C more than 20 miles so i can't say how the new front suspension is - but i'm hoping much better than what i've got now.

I look forward to test driving both in year (as well as the C sport coupe).