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Comparative test: BMW M3 against Lexus Is F and Mucedes-Benz C63 AMG

It was hard to live. There was little money. The competition was cruel, if not merciless. Add a pinch of greed to this mixture and the ounce of the scandal. And all this is about the origin of the oil business in California in 1920. And also, oddly enough, about the automotive market of the model of the year 2008.
The picture of the oil, the plot of which is mentioned in the first paragraph, was nominated in the category of the best film at the 80th ceremony of presenting the awards of the film Academy, while the book on which the film was shot was written 90 years before that moment. The author of the literary masterpiece (later nominating his candidacy for the post of Governor of California), Epon Sinclair, was born in the city of Baltimore in 1878 and at the age of 15 began to write cheap stories in order to pay for training. Success awaited him in 1906 in the form of a jungle book, where he described the terrible conditions of the work and life of workers at a meat processing plant. And only in 1926, writing an oil novel!, He created a prerequisite for his most vivid masterpiece of the adaptation of this novel.
In the spirit of the fundamental novel by Sinclair, we collected three fast news in the class of sports sedan and drove them out in the central part of California. True, no one died with us, did not lose the family estate as a result of scam and did not lose all his impressive state into cards. We swept to the eastern part of the oil field to make several circles along the Reno-Fernley Raceway highway.
Participants in our research test are very similar. Each of them has a nameplate that speaks of character sports: M BMW, AMG has Mercedes-Benz and the new designation f of Lexus. Each has four doors and an evil V8 under the hood. Everyone has an aggressive design of the front and back parts, a unique hood shape, large brake perforated ventilation discs, advanced arches, luxurious wheel wheels, low clearance, xenon, more rigid springs and shock absorbers than standard configurations. In the salons they have leather sports seats, an electric drive of everything that can be imagined, as well as a number of buttons that allow you to instantly change the suspension settings in stiffness, adjust the work of the throttle, push the cutting off (not everyone), and also decide how much At the moment, you need clutch and stability. In order to further give exclusivity, these cars are produced by a limited circulation, and the prices for them begin at $ 63,000.
BMW released M3 last fall in a two -door version. Soon the light also saw a four -door set. This is the same M-SPEC equipment with a 4-liter V-shaped 8-cylinder engine with a capacity of 414 hp, which the compartment is equipped. The sedan was 76 mm shorter than the coupe, although they weigh the same way. The six -speed mechanical box is the only transmission proposed by the manufacturer at the moment, although by the end of this year a double clutch and a manual gearbox is promised. M3 has the smallest power from the machines presented in our test, but he has the smallest mass ratio to horsepower. Also, M3 turned out to be the only car with the good old pen.

Lexus has long threatened to release a sports sub-brand with the designation of Litera F. Under the convex hood, Lexus is F is a 5-liter V8 with a capacity of 416 hp. This is the largest engine installed in Lexus cars. It is equipped with the same six -speed automatic gearbox, like the Lexus LS460, but in this case it is processed under greater power, including manual gear shifts using steering wheel petals. All four arches are expanded, but the ventilation slots in the front wings of clean water decoration. In this test, IS F is a middle peasant in the number of horses and by mass.
Mercedes-Benz created several generations of a super C-class, but in none of them it was possible to combine the perfect body with an ideal engine. To date. The new representative of the C-class 2008 model year is greater, wider and more aggressive than his predecessors. And under the hood of AMG configuration, now you can’t find small V8 or superchard sixes now dominated by a 6.2-liter V8, which is also installed in E, S and R-Class in AMG, however, in deformed up to only 451 liters .With. option. It works with a seven-speed TRANS-SpeedShift AMG automatic machine, i.e. You can choose between Comfort, Sport and Manual. The C63 has a 35 mm wheelbase than other C-class models, and has an exhaust system that creates a pleasant vibration. Due to its mass of 1,816 kg (with a full tank), Mercedes is the most severe, but also the most powerful gasoline eater in our test.
Starting on C63 for a quarter mile is the same as shooting from Chatt GovernMent Model 45 caliber. The result is pleasing, but not quite traditional. From zero to hundreds, Mercedes-Benz accelerates in 4.3 s, and if the pilot has the correct start technique, the result is reduced to 4.1 s. This is quite comparable with the 8-liter Dodge Viper only ten children ago. In Sport mode, the transmission switches quickly and clearly, as if by cutting, without failures between transmissions. Four oval exhaust pipes sound like a napled Chevy Pro StoCker. The craving of C63 is excellent in the entire speed range, and despite the presence of seven pairs of perfectly selected gear rates, AMG V8 would have dealt with two.
V8 Lexus sounds no less thoroughbred and works excellently. He has the least revolutions from the presented: the cut -off is installed at the mark of 6,800 revolutions per minute, while Mercedes has 7,200 rpm in Mercedes, and the BMW has 8,300. With a throttle, the engine is not completely open, it works very quietly, But one should only press on the gas, how its sound becomes sharper and deeper, especially after 3,800 revolutions. The eight -speed automatic makes more switching than other boxes, but there is no particular abuse. But you just have to choose a Sport mode, how switching becomes clear, like blows. Switching down is under the control of electronics in order to avoid shock on the chassis. Being between the two Germans in terms of weight and power, IS F is also picked up.

From M3, with its smaller torque, a wider range of revolutions and a mechanical box, you expect other behavior in the root compared to other participants in the dough. And these expectations are justified. You do not have to spin the engine as if you were chasing a patrol, but this is exactly what you get great pleasure. The engine built on the basis of V10 from M5, despite a certain decrease in volume and power, still provides good craving at low speeds. The sounds of intake and release are very similar to the work of V12, and at higher speeds merge into one beautiful symphony. The clutch is soft, and the speed set is even and stable. In modern BMW, the switching lever is the same as it is: quite clear, but giving feelings of some inconsistency between the programs, like a lever with a diameter with a straw. We would like to see something like what you find in Porsche Carrera, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution or Mazda MX-5. But, nevertheless, you always turn on the desired transmission, the distance between them is optimal, which cannot but rejoice that part of the audience that prefers to choose the right speed on its own. To a hundred, it accelerates as quickly as a heavier IS F.
The information content of the steering and its responsiveness in such cars are appreciated above all things. The Mercedes steering wheel behaves as if it had been lowered into a viscous solution, but nothing more. He returns very clearly, giving the driver full information about the road and a pleasant sense of confidence. Lexus is F is equipped with an electronic steering wheel amplifier, which is not as organic as hydraulics. The steering wheel is informative with a calm and moderate ride, but with an aggressive manner, it loses sensitivity. IS F is very good at turns, although the limit is felt insufficient rotation and loss of adhesion to the road. The BMW steering wheel also informative, but lighter. In terms of information content, BMW even surpasses C63, exactly transferring all the information about the road to the wheel.
Clutch with the road in cars is similar: acceleration during side departure varied in the range from 0.95G (for Lexus and Mercedes) to 0.97G in BMW, which, in principle, is slightly. With braking, there is approximately the same picture: the spread between the results of three cars was only 1.5 m. Differences are detected when driving in real roads.

C63 is well controlled, he has a harsh, focused on a sports ride, move. He passes well, his behavior is predictable, in difficult situations it does not let the rear axis into demolition to the last. He confidently presses to the road, if in the center of turn the internal wheels suddenly fall on unevenness, which is typical of the AMG configuration, its resistance at high speeds does not cause complaints. The speed of this model is limited to 250 km/h, but the next year, Mercedes-Benz promises to equip AMG models with the function of removing this electronic limiter, which will accelerate to 297 km/h.
In IS F, aggression is felt and at the same time restraint, it has to be provoked. It remains neutral up to the rotation limit, and then goes into a tightness. The irregularities in the center of fast turn will force him to lose his balance somewhat, but only when he really gets on them. Like any Lexus, it goes very smoothly, but there is no feeling of lubrication or slowness. The noise of the oncoming air flow is minimal. In terms of sound insulation, Lexus was the best of the subjects.

And again the optimal epithet for describing M3 is balanced. He quickly passed our ligament in the form of an eight, during which we measure acceleration, inhibition, rolls in corners when changing tacks and the degree of adhesion to the road surface. BMW turned out to be the most mobile and athletic of all. He gives you all the information that you need, and it is difficult to bring to the limit. It is fun to ride it, while it never breaks into rudeness. The BMW M3 clicks high -speed turns, like seeds, demonstrates excellent stability at high speeds and is most neutral in terms of controllability.
Since we are not comparing the number of cup holders here in the cabin, it is necessary to note the most important positions for the driver. We examined two main points: sitting and steering wheel. In accordance with the assertive disposition of C63, hard front seats with good lateral support. Some found them overly tough and aggressive for daily trips, but there are few of them, although it was precisely these seats for the track without exception. BMW seats are comfortable for daily trips, but that is why they do not provide enough support in high -speed turns. The Lexus seats were in this case the golden middle.
The steering wheel Mercedes everyone likes. He has a lower part of his lower part, as in the cars participating in the DTM championship, he is moderately chubby, covered with perforated skin in places where the driver’s hands should lie, and the steering wheel switches are extremely conveniently located. IS F Ware is not so thick and stylish, but it does not make it less convenient. The m3 steering wheel also looks good, but it spoils that it is covered with smooth skin, which is why the hands can slip.
BMW has a gloomy salon, although someone would call it in a businesslike strict one, it all depends on your perception. Despite the general severity, we liked the combination of carbon and skin, which trimmed the armrest and the dashboard. The Lexus interior is inferior to rivals. The console, other details of the cabin are finished with metal and material that imitates carbon, which not everyone likes. And the display of the navigation system, like its buttons, are taken exactly from Toyota Prius, although it is worth recognizing that its work does not cause complaints. In Mercedes, we found a retrievable monitor screen, which is advanced when you need it, and removes when it is not necessary. Its business interior is slightly diluted with sportingly designed pedals.

In addition to traditional tests and numbers, we included comments on two rating employees. Kim Reynolds: Lexus and Mercedes impress sports versions made on the basis of some other serial models. M3 creates the feeling that it was just that he was planned. The summary of Ed Lowe is even more concise: Lexus and Mercedes magnificent hot sedans. M3 is a sports car with four doors.
Despite the fact that Lexus in this game is a beginner, he came out folding, nimble and realistic, contrary to the fact that the company that created it is developing quiet and neatly assembled, but several detached luxurious sedans. A pair of heavy details in design somewhat burden its appearance, and the steering and suspension do not quite adequately behave to the limit. Since IS F is no less than its German rivals, we did not have to throw lots. And since we determined who is better and who is worse, we can’t do without defeated, although we are sure that the subsequent efforts of the brand will bring competitive results in this class.
Bad Benz won many hearts. He turned out to be the fastest when accelerating in a straight line, showed the second result on the highway and the best in the braking test. The fierce acceleration of C63 and the sound of the Howitzer release is enough to decide to buy. This evil pit bull on four wheels causes violent emotions, knows his price, and he frankly does not care, whether others like the harsh character.
The magnificent M3 from the BMW is the latest model in the line with more than twenty years of history, and the best at the moment. A fighter by nature, he showed the best time on the highway, thereby proving that all his aspects work harder and harmonious than others. BMW is flexible and sports, but at the same time we suffer to errors, and, most pleasant, comes in a configuration that will enjoy it at any time in any situation. The fact that on the approach of the M3 in the coupe and the Roadster, as well as soon, two variants of the transmission will be provided with a choice, means that M3 is a philosophy, and not just a single model. And she worthy of letting the rivals blood.
1 place
BMW M3. 4.0-liter gasoline engine V8, power 420 hp. at 8,300 rpm, torque 400 nm at 3,900 rpm, 6-speed manual transmission. The cost of a test copy: $ 63 625.
Speed, balance and athletism are successfully combined in the best compact sports sedan today.
2nd place
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. 6.2-liter gasoline engine V8, power 457 hp at 6 800 rpm, torque 600 nm at 5,000 rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission. The cost of a test copy: $ 63 930.
A strong, exciting machine that can work as a daily vehicle and accelerate as a first -generation Dodge Viper.
3rd place
Lexus is F. 5.0-liter gasoline engine V8, power 422 hp. at 6,600 rpm, torque 503 Nm at 5,200 rpm, 8-speed automatic transmission. The cost of a test copy: $ 62 940.
Lexus’s first attempt to register in the sports category was a success, but there is not enough completeness in some details.