Unusually, I've come up against E46 M3s whilst out in my CLK55 three times in about the last 9 months or so.
Very strange, but it's confirmed something now - I can say with certainty that the manufacturer's figures for a CLK55 must be fairly conservative and those for an E46 M3 perhaps more accurate as the two cars are extremely well matched.
From a standing start the AMG is at least as quick through 1st and 2nd gear - even compared to an SMG varient. 3rd gear onwards and the M3 couldn't quite match it for pace.
I won't go into too many specifics, but it really surprised me.
Said SMG 'boxed M3 coupé driver tonight briefly chatted at the lights asked me if the CLK was standard (I assumed he knew it was an '55). Car and tyres were nicely warmed up, my fuel light was on, roads were clean and dry from the heavy rain over the last couple of days, temps were cool but not freezing - perfect conditions and I was travelling alone.
One other observation is the racket that these M3s make - I was chatting to someone about it tonight at the Ace - they sound very tinny when they are revved hard, almost like a cheap stainless exhaust system etc. The AMG is very quiet, and only makes a subtle deep growl under hard acceleration.
Nothing to prove particularly - but I'd assumed that an M3 would have the edge, and it seems not. A twisty road would of course be a slightly different story.
CLK55 - a slightly dull at times car but possibly underrated
Will
Very strange, but it's confirmed something now - I can say with certainty that the manufacturer's figures for a CLK55 must be fairly conservative and those for an E46 M3 perhaps more accurate as the two cars are extremely well matched.
From a standing start the AMG is at least as quick through 1st and 2nd gear - even compared to an SMG varient. 3rd gear onwards and the M3 couldn't quite match it for pace.
I won't go into too many specifics, but it really surprised me.
Said SMG 'boxed M3 coupé driver tonight briefly chatted at the lights asked me if the CLK was standard (I assumed he knew it was an '55). Car and tyres were nicely warmed up, my fuel light was on, roads were clean and dry from the heavy rain over the last couple of days, temps were cool but not freezing - perfect conditions and I was travelling alone.
One other observation is the racket that these M3s make - I was chatting to someone about it tonight at the Ace - they sound very tinny when they are revved hard, almost like a cheap stainless exhaust system etc. The AMG is very quiet, and only makes a subtle deep growl under hard acceleration.
Nothing to prove particularly - but I'd assumed that an M3 would have the edge, and it seems not. A twisty road would of course be a slightly different story.
CLK55 - a slightly dull at times car but possibly underrated
Will