A little late to reply to this thread, but here are my thoughts on the issue. I do occasionally take my car (C55 AMG) to the track

Not all benzes are "boats". The "boats" are generally the bigger cars like the E-class, S-class, CL-class, and SL-class.

The smaller benzes generally are the better choices for track duty, which makes sense because excessive weight is bad no matter how much power you have. A standard non-AMG benz is generally going to produce a lot of body roll and excessive ESP intervention. More recent small AMG's are much better (C55, SLK55, SLK55 BS, CLK63, CLK63 BS). The new C63 was supposed to challenge the E92 M3 for supremacy, but both Evo and now Top Gear have shown that the C63 is still quite bit behind the E92 M3 in terms of pace on a track. AMG's are not leaders of their class when it comes to track work, but they are no where as bad as what many people think.

I obviously have the most experience tracking my own C55 and I've driven my friend's E46 M3 as well so my experience relates to these two cars the most.

First of all, the objective data tells us that there is very little between these two cars from a handling point of view. If you look at published skidpad grip numbers, slalom speeds, and lane change speeds, you'll see that the advantage the E46 M3 has over the W203 C55 is very small. And this is confirmed by laptimes. Both cars have identical Nurburgring laptimes (8:22 minutes) as tested by Sport Auto magazine by the SAME driver. Evo had a head to head comparison between the E46 M3 CS and C55. The C55 was only 0.3 seconds behind the E46 M3 on their benchmark 1.8 mile Bedford Autodrome track (1.29,8 minutes vs 1.30,1 minutes). And we all know that straight line acceleration between the 2 cars is very similar, so the C55 can keep up because it's handling is not that far off the E46 M3. So the data tells us it's actually a driver's race on a twisty track.

Subjectively, there is quite a bit of difference between the 2 cars (other than high reving vs high torque). On initial turn in, the C55 has more body roll than the E46 M3, which instantly inspires less confidence. If you're not familiar with the car, you may back off. But if you stay committed, the C55 surprisingly has quite a bit of grip and it will pull you through a corner at a higher speed than you would expect. Compared with the E46 M3, maybe a slightly lower entry speed in the C55 can be made up by a slightly higher exit speed by taking advantage of that low end torque from the 5.4L V8. The BMW has better steering feel, and the car does feel more confidence inspiring.....but it does not necessarily mean you can go a lot faster.

From my own experiences on a track, I've always considered the E46 M3 to be the benchmark car to compare against, so I've often gone with a local BMW club for track days. I can tell you that I've passed some E46 M3's, while some E46 M3's have passed me. In other words, I've proven to myself what the data suggests.....that it's really a driver's race and there is not much between the cars when it comes to pace around a track, especially for a non-pro driver. I can tell you that all the E46 M3's that have passed me were either not stock or had R-compound tires (and generally have driver's with more experience). My C55 is bone stock, other than switching the stock P-Zero Rosso's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2's.

Here is a clip of me trying to keep up with my friend's Cayman S at Shannonville Pro Track.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=vSRDSF5kcv8

 

Very well written with a number of interesting points. After watching your video it has clarified some ideas of how the C55 handles. It appears that entry speed into most of the turns is where the weakest part of handling characteristics of your car are. I really want to test drive the C63 and see for myself. Thanks for the convincing input.

 

Actually, I generally stay with the more conservative approach of "slow in and fast out" because I'm still a relative newbie at this. In other words, I make sure I'm entering the turn within the limits of my car so I can hit the apex and maximize my exit speed by getting on the throttle as soon as possible.

There have been more than one E46 M3 that thought he could brake later for a higher entry speed and totally went off the track behind me. A stock E46 M3 may be able to have slightly higher entry speed, but not by that much.

 

Drive Smarter not harder is always good. Didnt mean to judge your driving technique but it "seemed" that i think my cars limit would be able to enter and hold the turn at a higher speed than that. Thats all. Thanks again for your input.

First few C63 owners chime in please!

 

PC is correct on his input on the smaller AMG cars - they handle pretty well (the non-Nurburgring/lesser suspensioned SLK55 has the same slalom speed as the competiotion packaged 330 Hp M3 - if you want to track the SLK - you can opt for the 030 package which has even bigger brakes & a stiffer suspension). The SLK is a great handling little car & has good power/torque as PC noted from the 5.4L V8. Good luck with your purchase.

-Matt

 

E55 driftin at Hockenheim (Germany), have fun!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=luJFLeTmUBY

 

Drifting with power oversteer is fun and can be entertaining to look at, but it is definitely not the quickest way around a track. When I go to track days, almost nobody deliberately drifts like that on every corner. The E55 AMG did not get the "Direct Control" upgrades that the C55 and E63 got, which are major suspension/steering rack tweaks which results in much better handling.

Anyways, here is another video of a C55 going around the Sepang F1 circuit. This guy is pretty good....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yw6IEc_mxY4

 

Thanks for the all vids fellas. Cool stuff. Lets try to keep this thread going. Please anynone with a C63 chime in. Since the winter has started i am getting withdrawls from the M3. This happens to me every year here in Chicago. Since i use it as DD its gets old but once winter hits i want it back "like ex girlfriends"