I thought I would post a short review comparing my C7, M3 and C63 for those interested. It is a bit of a difficult comparison as they are somewhat different cars... the C7 being by far the most purpose built sports car of the three with the other two being the more practical cars.
Also, I haven't had the C7 at the track yet for a comparison there but I had the chance to put 100 miles on it yesterday and was able to push it pretty hard so I think I have a very good feel for it. Both my E92 M3 and C63 saw lots of track time so I think I know those cars well.
Exterior Design:
Subjective for sure. To me, the C7 in person is stunningly beautiful and exotic looking. It cannot be captured well in pictures and none I have seen (including those below) do it justice. It is aggressive looking, low, wide and draws a ton (too much really) attention. For a pure sports car look it is ahead of the other two IMO. The E92 M3 would be close in looks IMO but is more tame and stands out a bit less. More of a sleeper but very beautiful in its own right. For me, the C63 is third. This, however, is personal and subjective.
Interior Design and tech:
The C7 has come a LONG way. IMO, it is now on par with the interior quality of either the M3 or C63. The seats are fantastic, beautifully and designed. They are the most supportive of the 3 (and they are the standard seats, the competition seats would be moreso). High quality feel everywhere. Fit and finish is high. The technology is also amazing with a HUGE amount of customization in the gauges, settings, etc. The touch screen works well and is crisp. The HUD is something I have grown to love and think every sports car should have one... being able to see RPM, speed and G force without looking down is awesome.
Interior design is subjective and I think all three are similar in design, quality and fit/finish. Which one you personally like better is subjective. This is where the C7 has made, IMO, one of its most significant strides.
Engine/exhaust:
From a "feel" and sound perspective, the M3 engine is stlll the best IMO. The sound and smoothness of a red line pull is unmatched IMO.
The C7 engine feels great and sounds great too. It is very similar in sound and feel to the C63. They both are very responsive and provide HUGE torque. They also sound incredibly mean and purposeful. The one area they are better than the E92 M3 is in torque... they are brutal. The C7 even moreso than the C63... more torque and less weight so that doesn't surprise me. At 55 mph on the highway, the C7 will throw you back in your seat when you drop the pedal. The acceleration is fast and brutal. Subjectively (and I suppose as has been tested) it is notably the fastest of the three and it feels it. It is almost scary fast to me as it sneaks up on you.
The C7 and C63 sound the best from an exhaust perspective IMO. The C63 sounds the deepest and most muscle car like. The C7 is similar but with a bit more of a "European" sound than the C63. The M3 is the most subdued. The nice thing about the C7 is you can put it in "quiet" mode and it s similar to the M3 or in "loud" mode and it is similar (maybe louder) than the C63.
Handling:
I would rate these as C7 #1, M3 #2 and C63 #3.
The C7 feels subjectively much lighter and more nimble than either the M3 or the C63. It also has better grip with the Z51 specific tread compound in the PSS tires. The car corners flatter than the other two, has far less understeer and the steering is the most direct and responsive. The M3 would be next and the C63 last IMO. This is as you would expect IMO. The C7 is a purpose built sports car, lighter and more track focused. The M3, however, compares very favourably which speaks volumes about it.
Other:
To this day, I miss my E92 M3. I loved that car. The C7 will fill the void in my soul better than the C63 did. The C7 is far more visceral, more "exciting" and more like a race car. It is also less practical (although still not bad).
The C7 MT is very good... similar to the MT in my first M3 but with shorter throws. Very easy to use. The C7's rev matching in the MT is outstanding. I am very proficient at heel/toe work but the C7 is as good or better than I am. I'm not sure if I will use it at the track or not but it works exceptionally well (surprisingly well) and is a ton of fun.
The seating position is VERY low in the C7 and the cockpit feels like a real cockpit. It will be a good DD but not as good as either the M3 or C63 were.
I have been fortunate to have owned all three and all three are amazing cars. The C7 is the most purpose built, most visceral, most "fun" and highest performing of the 3 but that is expected. The M3 is the best track/DD blend and is a car I still lust after even today. It is stellar. The C63 is a bit like the C7 (engine, sound, power) and a bit like the M3 (DD ability and comfort) but not quite as good as either overall IMO. Still a stellar car.
Here's where the other two can't compete... the C7 was $70,000CDN, the C63 was $82,000CDN and the M3 was $91,000CDN. I know the US pricing gap may not as dramatic. The C7, IMO, wins regardless but when you include price it is no longer even a fair fight unless you need 4 seats.
My M3...
My C63...
