Jeremy Clarkson Reviews the E63 AMG

[CarGuy]

You know with that extra bit of torque(80) I really thought the E63AMG whould have the M5 in straight line. I dno maybe it weighs more.

 

[GTA45E]

After 130 km (~80 mph) the M5 is faster. The 63 lost the massive low end torque of the 55.

s6/m5/e63

0–100 km/h 5,4 s 4,7 s 4,5 s
0–130 km/h 8,2 s 6,9 s 6,9 s
0–160 km/h 11,6 s 9,4 s 9,7 s
0–200 km/h 18,0 s 13,5 s 15,0 s

elasticity

60–100 km/h 2,7 s 2,0 s 1,5 s
80–120 km/h 3,4 s 2,4 s 2,6 s

This is just one test. I`m not going to make an overall evaluation off one test.
Do we have more tests?!

Anyway the article was quit good. Clarkson is a pretty critical, journalist-entertainer... you know when something pleases him it has to be good!

 

[Zafiro]

This is just one test. I`m not going to make an overall evaluation off one test.
Do we have more tests?!

two tests so far with acceleration numbers. Both have been posted here GCF

 

[Bruce]

The engine response should be better too now that it is naturally aspirated.

Yes it certaintly is! Usually AMG engines have superb flexibilty, look at the SLK55 tested in Sport Auto's super test, few cars, even the most powerful coupes (911 and etc) fail to match it.

tell that to the guys over at mbworld.org

I'm a huge Mercedes fan and sometimes you've got to admit when even a car you love has a disadvantage

I could try and tell them crazy boys at Mbworld

 

[Zafiro]

I could try and tell them crazy boys at Mbworld

I dont know if you read the board on mbworld.org but majority of the E55 owners there go talking how much better and faster the E55 is over E63. All they seem to care is about straightline acceleration. Personally I care more about the total package and to me it looks like E63 is a sportier car to drive than E55 so obviously I would choose E63 over E55. But they are just weird over there

 

[GTA45E]

two tests so far with acceleration numbers. Both have been posted here GCF

Ok, still kind of earily though. Different magazines always come up with different test results. Some actually batter the cars to get the best numbers
like Car&Driver, I like Road&Track. Thay seem to have the best real-world methods.

Anyway I`m going to agree with Clarkson about his overall choice. Not that the M5 is a bad car cause we know it isn`t but for everyday use the M could use some improvements. While some also agree that AMG could also stand to improve in the cutting edge performance department. This is just proof that you can`t have the totall package in one car. Maby we will someday. My question is whos' going to get there first, M? or AMG-->

For now we must choose the best compromise.

 

[Zafiro]

Ok, still kind of earily though. Different magazines always come up with different test results. Some actually batter the cars to get the best numbers
like Car&Driver, I like Road&Track. Thay seem to have the best real-world methods.

lol , to me european carmags are just as good.

I was one of those claiming E63 would be slightly faster than M5 and it looks like I was wrong and I hate being wrong

 

[GTA45E]

lol , to me european carmags are just as good.

I was one of those claiming E63 would be slightly faster than M5 and it looks like I was wrong and I hate being wrong

I`m waiting for American car mags man! We usually get better numbers than our euro brothers anyway.

 

[Zafiro]

I`m waiting for American car mags man! We usually get better numbers than our euro brothers anyway.

yes because you guys meassure in mph and not km7h

 

[Bruce]

I dont know if you read the board on mbworld.org but majority of the E55 owners there go talking how much better and faster the E55 is over E63. All they seem to care is about straightline acceleration. Personally I care more about the total package and to me it looks like E63 is a sportier car to drive than E55 so obviously I would choose E63 over E55. But they are just weird over there

I agree with you. Straight line speed is important, but the E63 is still mightly fast and it adds a sportier suspension and better flexbility.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

Not just on a track, but on autobahns too. And let's not forget twisty roads.
So far I have to say that while the AMG definately is the more liveble car, its performance disapointed me.

If you're implying that M cars can outperform AMG cars on the autobahn or twisty everyday roads, I think you're wrong. I can't speak from personal experience regarding the M5 and E63, but I can speak from personal experience regarding the E46 M3 and W203 C55.

In what situation does M cars shine over AMG cars?.....when the car is at or beyond the handling limits. At that moment, the M cars usually inspire more confidence for the driver (because of superior steering/braking "feel")to get through the curve by modulating the throttle. How often do drivers take their M or AMG cars to the handling limits on everday twisty roads? Heck, how often do drivers turn off their DSC or ESP to allow any degree of power oversteer which many car mags brag about when testing cars? I would argue not very likely or often at all, as the speeds required to reach the handling limits are very high for both M and AMG cars. Furthermore, the "curves" you typically get on everday roads are never as tight as what you can get on a dedicated track or roadcourse.

On the autobahn, the "curves" are usually long sweeping turns, which is where AMG cars are at their best.

On everday roads (twisty or not), the most easily exploited feature of a performance car is acceleration, not handling.

In fact, the best place to exploit the handling advantage of M cars over AMG cars is at an autocross course in a parking lot. The constant tight/sharp turns at relatively slow speeds is where the M cars wil shine(mainly because of increased weight and inferior weight distribution of the AMG cars).

What I say is definitely true about the E46 M3 and C55 (from personal experience, and from the very close absolute grip and slalom speeds from published magazines for the 2 cars). It is also likely to be true of the M5 and E63, meaning that it is VERY hard to really experience the handling benefit of the M5 over the E63 anywhere other than a tight race track or autocross course.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

First YES, I was implying when the cars are took to their limits.
How else do you really compare 2 cars ?!


1. On tracks the M5 wins.
But in everyday life this doesn't count.

2. On Autobahns until 130 Kmh they're pretty much the same, after this the M5 will pull away, it's advantage being clear at ~200 Km/h.
But in everyday life this doesn't count.

3. Twisty roads, M5 has better steering, and the SMG III downshift faster than everything (like 7GTronic, DSG etc.).
This was BMWs turf for about 35-40 years, when its sport sedans starting winning on the Spa and Nurburgring, the most demanding track in the world.

4. I don't give a damn about everyday use, not my point in the first place.
But if handling counts less and acceleration more, why did MB create the E63,
a car witch handles better than the E55, but accelerates worse.
And in everyday life from 80 to 120 km/h is were the M5 wins, while 60 to 100 Km/h were the E63 wins, but in real life 0.5 sec. or less is pretty much useless since in everyday life this doesn't count.

5. C55 vs. M3 useless comparison.
C55 was similar to the E55, not E63.
M3, no SMG III, engine rather comparable to the new AMG V8, not BMW V10.

BUT, after all the pre launch hype, I was expecting the E63 to beat the M5 just about everywere (perhaps minus a racetrack), that's why I'm disapointed.

 

[PC Valkyrie]

OK....so you basically agree with me that you likely will not experience the handling benefit of the M5 over the E63 on everday roads.

Also, I think the analogy between E46 M3 and W203 C55 is VERY similar to the analogy between the E60 M5 and W211 E55.

In both cases the predecessors (C32 and E55) got blown away in terms of handling by their BMW counterparts. As part of the facelift for the C-class, the C55 got all the Direct Control upgrades to the steering/suspension/wider front track), and instantly became a much better performer on the track. It doesn't beat a E46 M3 in handling, but it's much closer than ever before.

Now the facelifted E-class gets the same Direct Control upgrades, and what do people say? It's a much better handling car than its predecessor. Like the C32/C55 story, the E63 got a naturally aspirated engine as opposed to its supercharged predecessor.

So I think there are more similarities than differences....

And no, Mercedes AMG cars likely will never have the same driving dynamics as a M car. They have different philosophies and priorities for their customers. I never expect AMG cars to handle better than their M counterparts. Mercedes AMG has always had a slight bias towards comfort for everday roads.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Yes, I agree, but it was all this pre launch hype.

 

[Zafiro]

The most important thing is which car suits YOU, which car do YOU enjoy the most, which car suits YOUR needs the best.
Which one accelerate fastest or which one handles the best, those stuff are just for braggin rights. In the end its up to YOU which car you choose, its not for others to decide. Personally I already know my choice

 

[GTA45E]

The most important thing is which car suits YOU, which car do YOU enjoy the most, which car suits YOUR needs the best.
Which one accelerate fastest or which one handles the best, those stuff are just for braggin rights. In the end its up to YOU which car you choose, its not for others to decide. Personally I already know my choice

lOl, I agree the car must suit you but the M5 being your choice are you willing to spend the extra cash (or road-side hastle) that comes with this, or any other sports car that
has a few tranny and other eletronic bugs just to get the driving pleasure
(most of which your not going to get the best out of anyway) in everyday use? Thats not practicle thinking... but thats just my opinion.

I would never use an M5 everyday.. I`ve said it before it would take away the thrill of it.

 

[Zafiro]

lOl, I agree the car must suit you but the M5 being your choice are you willing to spend the extra cash (or road-side hastle) that comes with this, or any other sports car that
has a few tranny and other eletronic bugs just to get the driving pleasure
(most of which your not going to get the best out of anyway) in everyday use? Thats not practicle thinking... but thats just my opinion.

yes I am, I experienced both M5 and M6 and they work very well for daily-use for me. Its important that the seats are comfortable which they really are and the suspension is livable. BTW The new M5 is more comfortable than M5 E39
But the question would be if I would choose SMG or manual tranny on my M5.