Testdrive: E63 AMG | C350 | 335i Convertible | 335d Coupé | Z4 Coupé| S80 V8 | V70 T6

[Just_me]

I know, it's a dirty work but someone got to do it
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Volvo V70 T6 AWD - 285hp/400nm




+ good acceleration
+ no wheelspin during acceleration
+ wonderful seats
- Light steering, not good feedback enough

Start and stop button for the first time in a Volvo?
Just like many Volvo the car feel safe and comfortable to drive, kinda numb driving experience but a good car for transports. I smell something burn when I came back, but probably nothing major.
Adjustable suspension settings (Four-C) - Comfort, Sport and Advanced. Not even BMW 3-series has this, hopefully for next generation.
Just like previous V70 this car is going to sell a lot. Volvo, the best selling car in Sweden.


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Volvo S80 V8 AWD - 315hp/440nm

+ Looks good
+ Comfort
- Steering like V70

Start and stop button also on the S80.
I like this better than the V70. Felt very relaxing to drive, the interior feels cosy and I like the seats better than the V70.
V8 in a Volvo, the sound remind me of an American car. V8 in a Volvo here in Sweden feels little bit pointless, I think the new turbo engine (see V70 T6) is a better choice here. Fuel is expensive in Sweden and I think the T6 drinks less fuel than a V8. But S80 V8 is probably aiming for the American audience.
Best Volvo I've ever driven.

[No photos but it was black. I made a filmclip but something went wrong, only lasted for 1 second when I watched it on my computer.]

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BMW 335i Convertible - 306hp/400nm



+ Great acceleration between 1500 rpm - 5500 rpm
+ Quiet with the roof up
+ Good steering
+ Great seats
+ Engine sound

Lovely acceleration and I couldn't feel the turbo working but If you listen carefully you could sometimes hear the Turbo breathing but I have been told its not possible. Maybe I have good hearing senses
I notice some wind noise when you reached 170km/h or 180km/h other than that you don't hear much besides for the engine of course. I never tried the car with the roof down, I didn't find the button *LOL* .

BMW 335d M - 286hp/580nm




+ Acceleration
+ Sportseats
+ M-package improves the design
- Sounds like a tractor when you start the car

Not much different from the 335i other than the engine. 335d feels faster than 335i, a greater push into the seat. Probably due of torque, 580nm versus 400nm.
When you think about it , this car has only 50 nm less than E63 AMG, impressive if you ask me. 335d doesn't sound as good as 335i.
If you don't mind the engine sound and that the car is only reeving to about 5000 rpm then I understand if you pick 335d over a 335i.

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BMW Z4 3.0si Coupé - 265hp/315nm




+ Thick steering wheel
+ Engine sound
+ Handling
+ The interior combination in this car
- Not a practical car

This is my first time with a Z4 Coupé and I thought this was going to be bumpy ride but it was a pleasant surprise that the suspension worked so well on the roads. I can't understand that this is something media/press have been complaining on. Maybe the roads in Sweden is of high quality, I don't know but the suspension wasn't that bad.
I like seeing the long bonnet during the drive. You sit low and the road presence is so awesome, this is a real sportcar. I liked the interior in this car, black piano wood combined with red interior, very classy.
The engine sounds better than the turbo engine, more meaty sound and the car happily rev to the redline and with ease, lovely acceleration. There is also a sport button to improve the gas feedback.
The handling is impressive and you feel this is a car with low weight and in the bends Z4 feels very agile.
I also had an encounter with the police. I was testing the acceleration and overtaking other cars, this little thing moves, I tell you this. At one point I picked the best gear and drove past two cars and when I passed them I suddenly saw a police car standing still on the road with the blue lights on so I hit the brakes hard and I was thinking - "Oh now, not my driving license again" - luckily the police car was empty, I didn't see the policemen, maybe they had a peeing break, I don't know but they weren't there and that was a big relief.
Also this was the only car with manual gearbox during the whole day after driving so many automatics, it was nice being back to the roots.
One thing I realized is that Z4 is an "old" car, there is no Start/Stop button like in all other new BMW's. Also you were using a normal key.

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Mercedes C 350 Avantgarde - 272hp/350nm




+ Looks very hot in AMG kit
+ Good comfort
+ Nice sport seats
+ Wonderful engine
+ Steering
- Interior
- Steering wheel

Finally it was time for a test drive with the car everyone here are talking about.
The test car in the color silver with AMG kit and Avantgarde trim. Its a beautiful car and the Avantgarde and AMG kit improve the look a lot. They also had one in white and it looks better than silver.
I like the engine, suit the C-class very well. During acceleration the acceleration is noticeable and with a luscious pull. The sportseats were comfortable. Good steering feedback although not as good as the 3-series.
Even thought the new C-class is very capable car, it also has its flaws. The steering wheel was too thin for me and I didn't feel comfortable holding it. There is too much black in the interior and it looks like plastic to me and also I'm not keen on the layout. The exterior is very nice but the interior is just alright in my eyes.

The infinite debate which car is the best, 3-series or C-class?
Just like C-class , the 3-series has its flaws but to me its impossible to say which car is the best. It's getting boring to say this but its all individual and comes down to personal preferences. To each his own but to me both cars are excellent cars.

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Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon - 512hp/630nm


+ Engine
+ Engine sound
+ Steering feedback
+ Handling
- Fuel consumption and price

Utterly pointless car where the speedlimit is only 110km/h but o'boy it's so powerful and respectful. It's brutal car that eat slow cars for breakfast.
The engine is loud and it scares the crap out of people when you floor the it.
Before I started to drive I was sure the steering feedback would be awful but it wasn't, improved compared to E55 and the handling is also better than E55, now it doesn't feel, dare I say not swaying as the E55?
It was fun taking the bends in high speed.
Although the engine sound is marvelous I miss the special supercharger sound from E55.
During heavy braking from high speed I felt the car was a little bit unstable but it could be this car only, I don't know.
I spend 98% of the driving on a country road and just acceleration over and over again. The engine sound roaring while you pass 3 or 5 cars in a row is exciting. I was experimenting with both automatic mode and manual mode and tried different settings and using the paddles is always fun.
E63 is perfect on a country road or on the freeway but it's not as engaging as the M5. But it was fun driving the E63 and I would like to do it again but only if I know my driving license will always be safe and untouchable from the police.

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A short conclusion from the day:
Z4 was the sportiest car and most fun to drive but the E63 was the fastest car today but fastest doesn't mean its always the most fun.

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I also have short video clips from different engines sounds. See below.

BMW 335i


BMW 335d


BMW Z4 3.0si


Mercedes E63 AMG

[cawimmer430]

Excellent job and a nice write up with the pros and cons! Karma given! Cool pictures too!

[Just_me]

Thanks Christian Dont forget the videoclips...

[Centurion]

Testdrive maraton huh, I wish I could pull something like that off here in Sweden.

Like always I love your photos, they are clear and very warming. Casual photography at it's peak

So you drove Sweden's golden boy aka V70 in it's new form? I have seen a few of them on the roads don't like them for a bit. I drove the S80 last year and share you opinion, comfortable but distant steering feel. It's nothing more than a long distance cruiser or Sunday-bingo mobile. Further more I was disappointed with some of the materials in the interior.

How did do you like the E93, any worse in handling and rigidity than the E92? Did you notice anything?

Finally you got a chance to meet with GCZ's favourite Teddy Bear, the C-class. Was the one you drove equipped with panoramic roof, I see that the roof it black? If you want a thicker steering wheel I'm sure Biltema can help you out. But I agree with you, there is too much black in most of the W204s for sale. I would personally never order buy a Benz with such a sterile and uninspiring interior combo. I'm also glad that the AMG-kit only cost 20 000kr compared with 50 000kr which was the case for the w203 and the other Benzes.

[ree]

Amazing review and great photos!! Thanks for sharing your experiences...

[Bruce]

Shameful promotion Andreas J/K

Very nice set of reviews, photos and video clips. Those BM's sound excellent; a perfect blend of mechanical howl if you will.

Once again, very nice and thanks for sharing.

[Just_me]

I think you can only feel a difference if you push them real hard on a track or something. I didnt feel anything worrying about E93. I think E92 doesnt have as much windnoise at high speed like E93 but the only windnoise for E93 I heard is when you drive very fast..

I talked to the sales person regarding C-class, the waiting list is to May 2008. the sales seem to be strong and Avantgarde is the most popular exterior people go for. yes I think it was panoramic roof, this car had pretty much everything.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Just_me

Thanks Christian Dont forget the videoclips...

I will have to watch those on my mom's computer since my Internet keeps hanging after about two minutes of working fine. It's a router problem and it will hopefully be fixed soon.

Will check them out ASAP.

[The Artist]

super reviews..good job..
very breif and honest ..
a good read...