What Benz is 'equal' to the BMW M3?

[Q]

Just curious. I like to pretend that I have $30K to drop on a nice car and was just wondering what the equivalent to the M3 is by Benz.

M3 values drop like flies, which is good for a used buyer

 

[Corporate Thug]

C55/C63

 

[Q]

Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

 

[Dman877]

Mercedes has a tuner brand name called AMG. The Merc equivalent to the 3 series is the C class. Thereofre, their equivalent to the M3 is the C55/63 AMG. Basically, Mercedes shoehorns a big V8 into it's smallest sedan, beefs up the brakes and suspension, and slaps some big azz wheels on it. They're nice cars, really fast, really comfy, and really expensive. I don't know how the used car market treats the AMG brand but most lux brands tend to depreciate quite a bit more than value brands.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

You should also look into the C32AMG - 3.2L V6 Supercharged from the early 2000's.

Back in the mid/late 90's they had the C36 whcih was a punched out 3.2L and a C43 which was the V8 dropped in with a tad bit of tuning.

I think the Benz AMG prices drop faster than the BMW M prices.

 

[woodie1]

You might look at the CLK55AMG. I had a 2003 and it was one quick car.

 

[zerocool84]

Why don't you get a Crossfire SRT-6. Basically an older gen benz in chrysler clothing, but if you want the name you want the name.

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Just curious. I like to pretend that I have $30K to drop on a nice car and was just wondering what the equivalent to the M3 is by Benz.

M3 values drop like flies, which is good for a used buyer

Not sure I understand. New M3s are $60k. The E-46 M3s (previous gen) are still going for around $40k in good shape, they've held their value amazingly well because people know what good cars they are.

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Why don't you get a Crossfire SRT-6. Basically an older gen benz in chrysler clothing, but if you want the name you want the name.

M3 is a "name"? Come on. The SRT-6 is 330 hp, but it's supercharged and only available in Auto-stick (i.e. Automatic). The E46 M3s produced at that time were 320 hp, but naturally aspirated, and out-handled everything comparable.

In my view, the AMG cars are are really nice and really fast (usually faster in a straight line than the BMWs), but the M cars are better overall.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200

Originally posted by: Quintox
Just curious. I like to pretend that I have $30K to drop on a nice car and was just wondering what the equivalent to the M3 is by Benz.

M3 values drop like flies, which is good for a used buyer

Not sure I understand. New M3s are $60k. The E-46 M3s (previous gen) are still going for around $40k in good shape, they've held their value amazingly well because people know what good cars they are.

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Why don't you get a Crossfire SRT-6. Basically an older gen benz in chrysler clothing, but if you want the name you want the name.

M3 is a "name"? Come on. The SRT-6 is 330 hp, but it's supercharged and only available in Auto-stick (i.e. Automatic). The E46 M3s produced at that time were 320 hp, but naturally aspirated, and out-handled everything comparable.

In my view, the AMG cars are are really nice and really fast (usually faster in a straight line than the BMWs), but the M cars are better overall.

Hey I'm just saying since you can get an SRT-6 for pretty cheap and it's just a rebadged earlier gen slk/c-class and you can get one in the mid 20's. They handle pretty damn well and are easily moddable. Oh and I was referring to the Mercedes not the Beamer.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

lol

or an S, SE, SEL, or SES?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

lol

or an S, SE, SEL, or SES?

or

XLR
STS
CTS
BLS
DTS
SRX?

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

Most of those vehicles have a name associated with them that you cut off. SRT-8 in particular isn't the name of a car (300, Magnum, Charger, Grand Cherokee, Challenger, etc...?). Just saying you have an SRT-8 says nothing except what engine is in your vehicle. Same goes for SRT-10. As for Cadillac, they went with their naming scheme because of the Europeans since the random letters and numbers name is perceived as higher luxury because that's what the Euros use. So you can still blame them for Cadillac dumping actual words for names.

 

[bigal40]

Yeah, the foreign car names seem to make more sense to me.
They usually will tell you what size/type of car it is and the engine type. Makes alot more sense than the american system.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: bigal40
Yeah, the foreign car names seem to make more sense to me.
They usually will tell you what size/type of car it is and the engine type. Makes alot more sense than the american system.

You mean like the 335i with a 3.0L engine? or the C63 AMG with a 6.2L? etc

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

Yes, but it's:
Corvette Z06
Viper SRT-10
Charger SRT-8
Mustang GT
Corvette C6
(Ford, OK I'll give you that one) F-150

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Quintox

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: Quintox
Thing I don't like about European cars is all the letters/numbers

Would you prefer a:

Z06
SRT-10
SRT-8
GT
C6
F150

:laugh:

Yes, but it's:
Corvette Z06
Viper SRT-10
Charger SRT-8
Ford GT
Corvette C6
(Ford, OK I'll give you that one) F-150

Fixed

 

[DivideBYZero]

See my second reply then, you cheeky monkeys!

 

[Blackjack200]

Originally posted by: zerocool84
Hey I'm just saying since you can get an SRT-6 for pretty cheap and it's just a rebadged earlier gen slk/c-class and you can get one in the mid 20's. They handle pretty damn well and are easily moddable. Oh and I was referring to the Mercedes not the Beamer.

Sorry, thought you were talking about the M3 because that's what the OP says he wanted. I wish there was a rebadged BMW available in the mid 20s, I'd pick it up in a heartbeat.