Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Ace
IMO, I think the best AMG for the money is a late model (2011-2015) W204 with the updated performance (comes in 507 trim or P31 trim).
You get MCT transmission, LCI updates inside and out, and you still get the M156 V8 which will never be built again in this type of chassis.
Overall, I think BMW M does it better than AMG across all chassis except the small sport coupe chassis where AMG has the GT, and BMW doesn't have a Z4 M anymore.
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Mine is an early one with the torque converter so I may be slightly bias but I'd rate them as:
C205 coupe with MCT
W/S 205 with MCT
W/S/C 204 prefacelift with torque converter (P31)
W/S/C 204 facelift with MCT (obviously you'd be best to look for a 507, then P31)
The reasoning for this is:
The C205 Coupe is the best as it has the much wider rear track with wider wheels and tyres, this gives it the best grip and handling overall.
The new engine is nuts, hence why the 205 series is next. Maybe it isn't as charismatic as the old M156 but the flat torque from 2500rpm upwards is crazy. Note that they claim 1750rpm but that must be in 7th gear flooring it from 1000rpm and waiting for the boost to build. If you're at 2000rpm in 3rd/4th/5th which is more likely then you'll have a bit of lag until 2500rpm or so when it all comes alive.
The 204 with the Torque Converter is much smoother and better. The big engine loves to work anywhere in the rev range and even though the gearbox is a bit slower than the MCT, with the M156 engine it isn't as much of a deal. The MCT coupled with the M156 is a bit nasty, it is stuttery at low rpm and honestly I don't think it is much better than the SMG on E46 or E60 cars.
Of course the prefacelift interior is rubbish on the 204 and really is two generations behind in tech as well as feeling really cheap.
I've done 125,000km in my S204 P31 and it really is a fantastic car. I'm looking at an F13 M6 next because I don't really need a wagon and all of the 7 speed gearboxes from AMG annoy me! I know I suggested the C63s earlier and it is a great car, but I can't help but think the F13 M6 is better overall.
On my car, apart from a bigger petrol tank the gearbox is the only thing that isn't perfect. I've driven the MCT both in the 204 shape with the M156 and the 205 shape with the M177 and I think the MCT is slightly worse overall.
I've spent a bit of time in the F13 M6 Comp Pack and while the F13 is obviously getting a bit old now it is clear that it is a step above in terms of interior comfort and quality. The C205 comes across as flashier and fancier at first but at the same time cheap and gaudy. It is a generation ahead in style, yet the quality is one step lower down.
The weight isn't too different at for the C63s Coupe at 1800kg versus the M6 at 1925kg and is in fact a lot closer to the M6 than it is to the M4 I think. The M4 is 1660kw FWIW so the C63s Coupe is right in the middle.
However at the same time, the C63s Coupe and the M4 are both quite on-edge and almost try to make everything exciting at all times - I think they try too hard. The M6 can be both a relaxing high speed cruiser and a back road basher which is something you can't get from any other 4 seater car with a decent gearbox and a V8 sound. For me that is what makes the F13 special, it has 4 seats, a V8 and a dual clutch. Nothing else has that apart from the old RS5 which is much slower and has epic understeer via its 4wd system and weight distribution.
I'm hoping the M8 is fantastic and has a decent gearbox with RWD.