---
title: 'Audi RS4 vs Mercedes C63 vs BMW M3 // $30,000 Question'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=cFkDwMQxcNc'
video_id: 'cFkDwMQxcNc'
date: 2026-06-29
duration_sec: 1922
---

# Audi RS4 vs Mercedes C63 vs BMW M3 // $30,000 Question

> Source: [Audi RS4 vs Mercedes C63 vs BMW M3 // $30,000 Question](https://youtube.com/watch?v=cFkDwMQxcNc)

## Summary

The Throttle House hosts compare three iconic German performance sedans—Audi RS4, Mercedes C63 AMG, and BMW M3—all available for around $30,000. They debate whether these exciting, characterful cars can beat the logical choice of a new Honda Civic Hybrid, weighing driving thrills against potential maintenance headaches.

### Key Points

- **The $30,000 Question** [0:00] — The hosts introduce the comparison: a new Honda Civic Hybrid vs. three used German performance sedans (Audi RS4, Mercedes C63, BMW M3) all around $30k. The Civic is the logical, reliable choice, but these cars offer excitement.
- **Audi RS4: R8 Heart, Gallardo Steering** [2:00] — The B7 Audi RS4 (2006-2008) features a 4.2L naturally aspirated V8 (same as the R8), Quattro all-wheel drive, and a 6-speed manual. It has 420 hp, revs to 8250 RPM, and offers excellent build quality and solid steering feel.
- **Audi RS4: Known Issues** [3:30] — Common problems include carbon buildup on intake valves (requiring walnut blasting), leaking dynamic dampers (often replaced with KW aftermarket), and a stock exhaust that is too quiet (often upgraded to Miltek).
- **Mercedes C63 AMG: The 507 Edition** [7:33] — The W204 C63 (2008-2014) has a massive 6.2L naturally aspirated V8. The 507 edition produces 507 hp. It has a sportier chassis and better steering than the RS4 but a worse ride. The engine is derived from the SLS AMG.
- **Mercedes C63: Catastrophic Issues** [11:35] — The C63 is plagued by head bolt failures that can lead to head gasket failure and engine overheating. Other potential issues include timing chain problems. The transmission is also noted as being very slow.
- **BMW M3: The Driver's Choice** [13:03] — The E90 M3 (2008) is the last naturally aspirated M3, with a high-revving V8 derived from F1 technology. It's the lightest of the three, has a manual transmission option, and offers the best handling and balance for driving enthusiasts.
- **BMW M3: Rod Bearing Woes** [17:31] — The M3's Achilles' heel is rod bearing failure, which can spin a bearing and destroy the engine. Throttle actuators are another common issue. Preventative maintenance is crucial.
- **The Real Cost: Maintenance vs. Purchase Price** [28:28] — While all three cars can be bought for ~$30k, the true cost includes significant maintenance. The Audi owner has put $40k into it, the BMW owner $15k in 3 months, while the C63 has been relatively reliable but has appreciated in value.
- **Final Verdict: Live a Little** [30:29] — The hosts conclude that while the Civic is the logical choice, these cars offer a thrilling driving experience. The M3 is objectively the best, but the C63 is more lovable. The Audi is fantastic but in tough company. All represent a step away from the mundane.

### Conclusion

The video concludes that while a new Civic Hybrid is the sensible, reliable choice, these three German performance sedans offer a unique and thrilling driving experience that justifies their higher maintenance costs. The BMW M3 is deemed the best driver's car, but the Mercedes C63's character makes it the most lovable.

## Transcript

You're watching Throttle House. I'm
Thomas.
>> And I'm James.
>> And this is the Civic Hybrid. And it's
basically a perfect commuter car.
>> Yeah. For 30 grand, you can't ask for
anything better. It's just the logical
choice. But maybe you don't want
logical. Maybe you already do 10,000
steps a day and you remember to call
your mom and you eat well.
>> Maybe you make lowrisk investments.
>> Well, then maybe you're a bit pent up.
>> Yeah. So, at our age, you can do one of
two things. You can either get uh really
into sticking weird stuff up your bum or
you can take this money and spend it on
something more interesting. So, we used
autotempus.com who have supported this
video and we typed into their special
smart search feature. Give me something
that's not a Honda Civic but is compact.
Four-door 30 grand and chuck in a V8.
>> You can literally type that exact thing.
You can type in Yeah, that whole phrase.
>> Yes, it's clever now.
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. You can type in anything. We can't
type in anything. It's not anything. It
has to be car related. It's like it's
car that's not how it works.
>> Nude women
>> with boobies.
Oh, that sounds nice.
That sounds really, really nice.
>> You haven't even pressed S. Bounce the
exhaust.
>> Oh, I wasn't even in the loud mode.
>> I'll give it another go.
>> It's the same.
>> I think it's louder outside.
>> Okay. Okay. You are driving a car that
has the heart of an Audi R8.
>> That's right. Yeah.
>> And the steering wheel of a Lamborghini
Gallardo. That's where I've seen it
from. And the brakes of a Lamborghini
Gallardo.
>> That's cool.
>> Yes. This is the Audi RS4 of the B7
generation. So between 2006 and 2008,
this car, especially in Sprint Blue,
captured the hearts and minds of Audi
enthusiasts abound. Its engine bay plays
host to the same 4.2 L naturally
aspirated V8 that powered Audi's
mid-enineed masterpiece. Power that is
sent to all four wheels via Quattro and
controlled by three pedals and a
six-speed transmission. Like the other
two cars today, which have actually all
come together with the assistance of
Apex Motorcars here in Toronto, it
provides a pure unfiltered visit to an
image of yestery year.
all the way to 8250 RPM.
>> Yeah, it's nice. It's nice. You've got
420 horsepower just like the R8
except the R8 uses a dry sump to go
lower. It being a manual is is really
great. You know, some of the better
steering I've ever felt in an
>> I thought it was broken cuz I've been
living with this and I was like, this is
weird. I can feel stuff.
>> I know. Steering is actually really
nice.
>> Is this an aftermarket short shifter?
No, that is the same shift throws as
normal with the aftermarket part is
solid linkages. So instead of rubber,
he's replaced it with metal.
>> Ah, it makes a big difference.
>> So there's more there's more
>> gear. Yeah,
>> but it is otherwise the same throw
length.
>> Yeah. No, it's really nice.
>> So yes, there are some things when you
buy a 2007 V8 Audi that can go wrong. So
>> I mean that makes sense. It's all the
all the words you just said in that
sentence. It all adds up. Yeah.
>> It can't be perfect. And none of these
three cars,
>> neither of them.
>> None. None. None of them.
>> A few of them. No.
>> Nope.
>> Have are perfect in that sense. So, this
has it's known for carbon uh buildup in
the intake valves, which then
>> Yeah. You walnut blasted.
>> Walnut blasted. And we discussed this
off camera. I don't know why walnuts are
specifically the ones used.
>> He was worried. He's like, we said,
"What about almonds? Why can't I
>> I actually said pistachios,
>> right? Sorry.
>> I think Big Walnut is trying to
diversify.
>> Maybe they've all made an agreement cuz
almonds have almond milk.
>> Yeah.
>> Either way,
>> that's one of the things you need to
fix. The other thing, the dampers that
come with the RS4 are known for fluid
leakage, the dynamic dampers, and there
is pretty much no support by Audi, even
though it's only 20 years later for
those dampers. So, everyone basically
does the same modification, in which
case,
>> yeah, this is on the KW aftermarket. In
a in a way this is stock because Audi
has not supported real stock to
continue.
>> Yes, this is two decades later stock,
>> right?
>> Uh that and this has the Miltech exhaust
which is wakes up a bit which I honestly
don't even think this is that loud. If
you think about the V8 RS5 that we drove
that was insane.
>> The fact that this is woken up from
stock tells me stock is definitely too
quiet. You know, it's a beautiful
engine, but I think that for me, it
doesn't have much character as it goes
up in the rear.
>> No, it just it's muscly.
>> Yeah. Yeah. It just it just has a nice
tone all the way through.
>> Yeah. Go on. Take us to H250.
>> All right. I'm going to downshift.
>> An Audi that's nice to downshift in.
>> It's a really nice tone. It really,
really is. That is quicker than a Civic.
>> Yes. Okay. One point to the Audi so far.
>> Yeah. There's something so solid about
this and we'll talk about the interior
and stuff later.
>> It's got solidity. It's got Audi
solidity. You know what it also has is
it has Audi handling
>> means that when I turn the steering
wheel James
>> yeah,
>> I'm lugging a massive engine around a
corner as opposed to that engine being
This is why I've never been interested
in these cars. But it it's not for the
track. It does have a 4060 uh power
distribution to the rear. Even though
it's not I don't care about the powder
distribution. Even though it's not for
the track, the weight distribution is
off. The position of this engine makes
Jesus cry. You don't want to make Jesus
cry.
>> It's too far out.
>> But for what though?
>> Quattro.
>> Exactly. So suddenly come rain or snow,
this one makes so much sense cuz it's
the most confidence inspiring car.
>> Yeah, but BMW can does a four-wheel
drive system as well. So does Mercedes.
>> Well, back then they didn't. Not with
the M cars.
>> Well, that who wants that? I can drift
in the other ones probably. Well, they
make them now, so that's
>> I can't drift this one.
>> No, you can't. Well, on ice, you could.
>> You?
>> Yeah, but it's one of those like Audi
drifts. It's like the four-wheel drive
thing.
>> Think of this as as as modernday Delta
Integra.
>> No, it is not a modernday Delta
Integral.
>> How is it not?
>> Because it just ask yourself that.
>> It's a big extremely heavy luxury sedan.
>> Oh, sounds you've driven a Delta
Integral.
>> I'm just saying it's really good. It's
that lineage. It's the rally
>> fine
>> confidence lineage. And once you apply
that,
>> I agree.
>> The engine is at the next stoplight. But
>> yes,
>> for road duty, I drove this here on the
highway today and I'm thinking like this
is the RS4. And I know Audi's never go
crazy, but it's still so refined. I was
listening to Night Shift by the
Commodores. I forgot I was in an RS
product.
>> Yeah. No, it's really it's a really,
really, really nice daily. But I think
you'll find that the other two are as
well. and they will do all of the extra
stuff that this can't.
>> All right, why don't we why don't we pop
into the one that I'm actually most
excited for today.
>> The reason he's so excited is because
this is a W204 generation C63, which in
sedan form ran from 2008 all the way to
2014. It has a massive naturally
aspirated V8 and is from back when
Mercedes AMG's main goal was making loud
noises and tearing up tarmac, which is
especially true of the 2014 507 edition,
which this is
all right. So, the 507 edition.
Woo. Has 507 horsepower.
>> Yes, it does.
>> Yes. From the 6.2ish
L.
>> Yeah. Well, it's just over 6.2, but they
call it a 6.3. Why? Heritage apparently.
>> Heritage, apparently.
>> That sounds like nepotism within the
band.
>> Of course, you got the gig.
>> Yeah.
>> Wow. We
>> It's a different sound. It's a unique
sound, isn't it?
>> Lot of car. A lot of car for 30 grand.
And it is a lot of car for 30,000
>> and it looks amazing.
>> This feels immediately quite a bit
sportier than the RS4.
>> Yeah, it does.
>> Chassis feels tort. The steering's
better.
>> That does mean it's got a worse ride.
>> Yes,
>> that's a thing.
>> That's a MK thing. That's an AMG thing.
>> It's quick.
>> It is quite quick, isn't it? Yeah. So,
this has a lot of really cool stuff cuz
as the 507 edition has got the different
hood and stuff and the black series, but
this actually has less mileage, is like
almost 10 years newer and cost the same
as the other two.
>> True. I think he got a good deal, but
that is a good deal. They all bought
them for about 40 Canadian.
>> What's interesting to me about this is
that the way the Audi has the R8 engine
in it, this sort of has the SLS engine
in it, it's the same difference. It's
the the the SLS uses a dry sump and it
has different exhaust but otherwise you
are driving
>> at this era in this era
>> the same engine as the king of your
brand.
>> Yeah, it's very it's a very very cool
engine. Steering in this is better than
the Audi. Chassis is better than the
Audi. Ride is worse than the Audi. Seats
are more comfortable.
>> The seats are more comfortable and
supportive. They're like the guy from
Fight Club.
>> What? Bob Pson. The one with
>> his name was Robert Pollson.
>> Friends call him Bob.
Oh,
>> cracks on the back.
>> It sounds really good, doesn't it?
>> Oh god, it's so It's so entertaining to
drive. It's so entertaining.
>> It is.
>> I I actually I don't know if I care
about the transmission.
>> You sort of learn to play it at that
speed.
>> You send the signal.
>> Yes, that's right. You you you telegraph
the signal.
>> Oh wow.
>> 3 to five business days later it will do
the shift. No, you just leave it in
auto. Mercedes at this era was not about
that like manual transmission driver's
car thing. But the pal
I know it's too bad. They just wanted
like a badass sport sedan.
>> You know you just clicked at the same
time it was going to shift anyway to
give yourself some sort of like Dawn P.
See? Yeah.
>> It doesn't have the same red line as the
other two. It doesn't go over 8,000 RPM.
But
>> no,
>> you don't.
>> No, this is about This is about meaty
AMG torque.
>> And somehow the 507 didn't come standard
with an LSD, but this has the optional
LSD. That's weird it didn't come with an
LSD. It just tells you more about what
Mercedes was about at that point. It's a
different philosophy to BMW. I don't
know what Audi was doing. They're eating
glue in the corner. But this is a
totally different philosophy to the M3,
believe it or not. It's It's doing the
AMG thing. It's making me drive like a
maniac.
>> Yeah, cuz it's got that torque. It's got
that mid-range torque. It's
fundamentally different, right? Google.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So, what does plague this
car?
>> Uh, head bolts. The bolts that hold the
head to the engine.
>> What happens to them?
>> They go wrong and then the head gasket
goes and then you overheat your engine
instantly
>> and it's done.
>> Yeah. Sounds quite bad.
>> That's quite bad. Catastrophic would be
the word. There's also a bunch of other
like I think timing chain related stuff
that can go on with the engine. It's all
engine related.
>> It's so AMG, isn't it? Listen to the
just
>> Yeah, but the transmission is quack on
the upshift. The other difference is
this has got the MCT, not the DCT. Yeah,
I was going to say the SLS, not only is
it a transaxle, it also has a fancy dual
clutch. That's really
>> Look how slow that is.
>> Terrible. This car is almost entirely
let down by the transmission.
>> Why do they all have these AKI Hills?
Why is the Audi engine in space? Why is
this transmission so slow?
>> I don't know. I think I think what
you're going to find, and there's a
reason why I have been a fan of BMWs for
years, I think you'll find that that M3
doesn't have any of these problems.
>> I love this engine. I love a good
engine.
>> Does the M3 have a good engine?
>> Yeah, it really, really does.
>> Okay.
Yeah.
>> Yeah, fair enough.
>> Yeah. So, that is what we would call
exotic.
It's exotic because it took a real piece
of BMW's racing knowledge and slapped it
in a cool, understated four-door body.
This is the E90 generation from 2008,
which is the only one of the three where
you can get an automatic or a manual,
and it was the last naturally aspirated
M3. And compared to the other two, for
me anyway, it's the one for drivers.
It's one of those cars where you you rev
and you feel like you should shift, but
then you don't and you just keep going.
>> Isn't that nuts?
>> Also, nausey speeds. I swear all of them
are doing that today. Yeah. Well, the
RS4.
>> Yeah. Cuz there's not much torque down
low. Only four lers. No, it's not right.
It's about revs. It's just about revs. A
lot of people complained when this car
came out that it wasn't torquy enough.
And everybody missed the point.
>> It's also the lightest car here by
hundreds of pounds.
>> And you can really really feel it in the
corners.
>> I love this hood bulge plays absolute
center stage.
>> It's such a bulge. It has a bulge. I've
got a bulge because of the bulge. I've
always loved the hood bulge.
Come on. Right.
>> Yeah. I mean, it's just naughty.
>> It's just so good.
>> It's obnoxious.
>> I would say the steering in this is on
par with the C63.
>> Yeah, it's not bad. None of None of them
are I don't know. I'd give the edge to
the C63. Maybe a little bit actually.
Yeah,
>> it rides quite nicely.
>> Yeah, the ride is better in this than it
is in the C63. And it also handles
better. And it has a more advanced
differential. and it has a manual
transmission and it's lighter. There's a
reason why I got a reputation for being
a BMW fanboy even though I'm not. It's
just that out of these three cars, which
is where our obsessions for cars were
born truly, this is the one that always
really got me going because it can be as
comfortable as the other two. But this
is a car. I mean, I've driven this thing
around a track on throttle house, and
this thing will absolutely
smoke its tires to pieces in huge,
lovely BMW like slides. Here's the
thing. I know you like that C63,
>> but I also know that you really like
cars that rev very high and have manual
transmissions, and this has both of
those things.
>> Yes. But the whole point of this class
is it's it's got that
>> double personality. So So it is a daily
car. So, I don't mind my daily, which is
currently a Golf R, being automatic. And
I think that the transmission in the
AMG, while slow, it feels like you're
firing a Stinger missile or a heat
seeeking thing where it goes, dude.
>> You're just making excuses for it.
That's what you're saying.
>> Military grade MC. That's what the M in
MCT stands for. It's a military grade
wet clutch system.
>> Hey, listen. At least those two cars
have engines derived from their
flagships.
This is like F1 technology. F1
technology these days means you get a
four cylinder in a C63.
>> That's right. This car for me is truly
one of the cars that really kind of like
turned up the volume on my car
obsession.
>> Right.
>> But I've always liked cars before this,
but this one when this car came out and
I saw and heard that engine and those
revs going really high and I saw it
sliding around in videos, I was just
like, "What is this?" The E46 M3 did
that, but this was just like, oh my god,
more more of what I like. This is what
I'm all about.
>> It does feel quite substantial compared
to the E46. Like, it feels big. This is
big.
>> Yeah, it is. It's a bigger, heavier car.
And I'll be honest, an E46 M3 is more
fun to drive, I think. However, this is
a much more refined and modern vehicle
than an E46 M3. Don't look out for the
thing.
I was trying to ignore it, but you
can't. This, like the other two, does
have some absolutely catastrophic
problems.
It is it possible that German cars are
are just crap? Is that possible? Anyway,
>> this one rod bearings is the one you
have to do. All right. And the owner
literally just did the rod bearings.
Also, the throttle actuators. Also,
there's some other little engine stuff.
And what happens if you don't replace
the rod bearings?
>> You'll spin a bearing and then your
engine is going to be damaged basically.
>> So, or you could really mess it up and
throw a rod through the block and you
need a new engine.
>> Does a Civic Hybrid have anything like
that?
>> Nope.
>> Right. It doesn't have any of those
things. Uh yeah, it's it all three of
these cars have
really like they don't have Achilles
heels. They have like Achilles like
right legs,
>> right? You know,
>> they're sirens, aren't they? They lull
you in with their exotic nature.
>> Exactly. And then there's just
>> there's just a lot of extra stuff that
you have to do.
>> Where's the shifter and BMW? It does
kind of suck, doesn't it? No matter what
you do. The engine though. Oh.
Yeah, that's good. Which one looks the
best?
>> Oh, that's easy.
It's the AMG.
>> Is it?
>> Yes. Look at it.
>> Okay, listen. It's the most aggressive.
That doesn't mean it's the best looking.
That's not how that works. This, I would
like to point out, is subtle. BMW has
completely lost the plot.
>> Subtle. It's got the same bulge as a
thingy in Dodgeball. Ben Stiller.
I do know what you're talking about.
Yeah. No, this is what BMW used to be
about, which is, you know, there's a few
things here and there that may catch
your eye, but it's not over the top.
It's not it's a completely different car
cuz it's the M3. Like, now they've
actually made it literally a different
styling to the 3 series. But outside of
the grill, which I guess you can't ever
get outside of
>> No, it's impossible. It's huge.
>> I don't know. I think aesthetically,
I've always found this to be a weird
middle child between the E46 and the
F80. I think there are beet those are
better looking generations of the
>> I agree with you. This is not the best
showing. However, it is still at least
quintessentially BMW, I think. And it's
not too over the top. And it's got
fender flares, and it's got the Mwing
mirrors, and it's got absolutely the
best dish of any wheel in this lineup.
Look at the rear dish of that wheel,
James.
>> But look at the the arches on the RS4.
>> Yeah, they're a bit much.
>> That's all it gets.
>> No, this is This does nothing for me.
>> It just ends.
>> It's funny.
>> When I drove in this morning, that's
what Thomas said. What? And Carson came
over, our cameraman and editor, and
said,
>> "That's just desiraability, isn't it?"
>> It isn't. I I couldn't. That's proof
that these three cars answer the
Squirtle. I'm going back to Pokémon
here. Charmander and uh Bulbasaur
question.
>> Part of the reason that this car doesn't
look that good is because fundamentally
it's designed. These cars both have
engines that are mostly back past their
axle.
>> Yes.
>> Right. This one, watch this.
>> What?
>> Yeah. So, you know, just take a look.
>> You know how a compass has north
northwest?
>> Sorry, this is worse than I thought.
>> So, there's there's front mid,
>> there's front, and there's front.
>> And there's front front. Look how far
forward the engine ends here.
This is why you have to take off the
entire front bumper to do anything to
one of these engines. That's so dumb.
Look at it, though. Oh, no. It looks
great. It's just in the wrong spot.
>> So, get an R8 then.
>> I would rather Yes,
>> I think the Sprint This is a spec
dependent. They're all quite spec
dependent, and I think the spec on the
507's nuts. This Sprint Blue is a
classic. And this is he's he's matte
black this. I think this is better when
it's left chrome.
>> Okay.
>> But otherwise, I think it looks classic.
the next generation, the B8, which we
didn't get in North America, that
modernized the front, I think, in a way
that you would prefer where it sort of
flared the front and it made it almost
what the facelift.
>> You know, your Audi's. I just don't know
my I just don't know my Audi's. I I
couldn't tell you what generation this
is. I just for some reason all
throughout all of Audi's history, I've
never really been interested. That is
really cool to me. And I have always
respected those, but I respect them so
much I stay the hell away from them. You
know what I mean?
>> So good. It does look like in a magnetic
>> weirdly suiting you. I don't know why.
>> No, I not me at all.
>> James has an angry side. Okay. He's he's
very quiet, small.
>> Why would I have an angry side?
>> Then occasionally he's just really,
really vicious. You never see it. It's
only me that takes the brunt of this.
>> I need calming low visual noise to
>> and that brings it out in him.
Therefore, I don't like it.
>> All right, let's
let's let's have a look at the inside of
the Audi. Okay. So we can at least
admire this Gallardo wheel another time.
>> Oh, you feel the door slam sound.
>> So we've tested this. This has the best
door close clunk of the bunch
>> of the three. Yeah, the Mercedes has an
extra little
BMW's in the middle and this one's just
really solid and German.
>> But that is the theme of this car. The
build quality is incredible. 200,000 km.
200,000 km.
>> It looks literally brand new. Like it's
unreal. This is aftermarket obviously.
Yes, you want aftermarket for that to
get carp.
>> But like all of these buttons are still
like and then they have the nice solid
click to them, right?
>> Look at this.
>> Oh, it's so good.
>> That'd be a $5,000 option on a a modern
Porsche.
>> Yeah, it would. This for me represents
when we were pretty much at the peak. I
think there was a generation of Audi
after this where I think it got better,
but it was
>> Yeah,
>> it was showing signs.
>> No, no, BA was fine. B9 was my
generation of S of S4. That was when it
was like
>> it it started to become that's when the
enchiting started.
>> The enching. Yes. So that was this is
before initing. This is be
>> this is this is be how many when was
initing? When did it begin?
>> I feel like it was after co
>> it was after co the brand staggered
though.
>> Yeah.
>> Although the X3 and the new S5 those
>> it's when we started adding a lot of
stuck on screens and putting functions
in the menus. So that was probably like
2022 23
>> somewhere. It's somewhere around. You
guys tell us where you think that the
true and shittening began because we're
going to from now on. What What year is
this car again?
>> 2007.
>> So, this is no longer a 2007.
>> No, it's 15B.
>> It's 15B.
>> Um, but yes, the the interior of this is
not exciting. It's very like the
Gallardo steering wheel is a very nice
touch. Couple of simple buttons.
>> It doesn't need to be exciting because
it's just functional and good. The end.
The carbon fiber weave is too thick.
>> It's of its time. That's what happened
in 15B. That's what they were doing.
>> Back seats, very usable, very
comfortable, and it has seats that you
can use cuz it's a four-door. Why would
you need a Civic
>> if you say Apple CarPlay?
>> The Civic's interior is very
>> You can look. They've added it with this
aftermarket thing.
>> I know.
>> Look at that. Okay, it's all you need.
>> What does the Civic do better in here?
Look at that.
>> It has cup holders that aren't going to
be a $600 part to replace. That's what
>> everything's cheap to maintain about
this.
>> Yeah. Yeah. All of these cars are like
famously cheap to maintain.
>> Well, we'll get to that in a minute.
>> Yeah.
>> Should we look at the uh BMW?
>> Sure.
>> Okay.
>> All right. This is Okay. Come. First of
all, it's a better design than the Audi
visually.
>> Incorrect.
>> So much busier.
>> No, no. It's only because of this double
bubble for the this. You don't want
that. But it has it. But you don't want
that. You just get the one that goes
with this clean. I love that. You don't
need that. Then you get the thing that
goes like this. Right. Yeah. And this is
prefci.
>> This is preci cuz they updated some of
the MMI, but this is
>> Yeah, it's good. Like this is it's
really really well made. Honestly, this
stuff will last forever. Mhm.
>> Right.
>> What am I holding right now?
>> This is literally Okay. God damn it.
>> Does it still work? Oh, it still works.
>> Yeah. Yeah, it's fine. It's meant to
come off.
>> It's portable.
>> It's portable. Yeah,
>> portable electronics. I'm sure I've
heard that.
>> Bring it with you.
>> Um they don't like cup holders in this
era. If you're driving on Zatons, you
don't need to see drinks, right? It's
just like, come on. Why not just a cup
holder?
>> No, I like that they hide away. No, it's
perfect. Hideway.
>> Oh, here we go. This is a totally
>> a hideaway cup holder settles all
debates.
>> No, it doesn't. I want a good strong cup
holder right here where I can have my my
sippy drink.
>> What's happen to that button?
>> It's by design.
>> I think Audi build quality has it on BMW
in this era.
>> Yes, it does. You're right. Okay, I
can't I can't defend this because it's
worse. However, it's still quite good
and it's low noise and it's easy to use.
Climate control simple.
>> What do you mean?
>> That's not low noise.
>> Yes, it is.
>> There's so much going on.
>> No, there's not. It's a climate control
system that you don't any more
complicated than that is terrible,
right? This is just a CD player. You
don't have to use it. No one's forcing
you.
>> I won't pick a fight because the fact
that you can just press M and go into
mode.
>> Boom. Now we're It's game time. Yeah.
>> And these two gauges are some of my
favorite automotive gauges ever. They're
right up there with the Aston Martin
because they're big. They're incredibly
legible and I love the just the dual
gauge pod look because it reminds me of
a vintage car.
>> So for Christmas, I'm gonna get you one
of those old people phones that has just
bigger legible buttons and none of the
smart features. That sounds like what
that's what you need.
>> You just need to know at a glance. You
don't need to know any more than that.
>> You know what? I read in the car and
driver review of this car that the
button situation was overly complicated.
That was one of the weaknesses.
>> They had no idea what was coming.
>> They had no idea what was coming. No
idea what was coming, did they?
Literally, what is too complicated?
Literally, what is possibly too
complicated here?
>> I don't know. I don't know. Driver
modes, they said.
>> No, but there's just the one. Look how
there's a button down here and a button
here at the end.
>> Yeah,
>> those poor innocent souls.
>> Yeah, like cars now. There's like
>> traction control and the thing and then
the separately, you have the program.
>> 14B.
>> It was 14.
>> They couldn't have known.
>> They couldn't have known. It was We knew
very little back then.
>> All right. Pretty simple in here. Let's
go have a look at the Merc.
>> Okay,
>> it's hot in this one.
>> It's hot.
>> Yeah, this this engine can't This air
conditioning can't keep up. That
engine's putting out way too much heat.
That's what's happening.
>> Too much power.
>> Too much power.
>> Too much power for one man. This is not
the nicest interior. It's fine, but
>> it's very office.
>> Yeah. By by design, I think.
>> I know.
>> It's not my favorite.
>> I like the filter back on on the on the
shifter.
>> That's cool. Yeah. And the and the
Alcantara touches which now have seen
some age.
>> Yes.
>> But otherwise it's it's more functional.
Smaller weave on the carbon fiber
though.
>> That's nice. I like the design of the
BMW the best, but the Audi has the
nicest quality interior.
>> Does that make any sense?
>> Yeah. I just forgive it.
>> It sounds very good.
>> I just I associate this with the car
that it is and so I don't mind. It fits
the personality of it. So, the purpose
of the video is to try and figure out if
any of these are a better buy than a new
Civic Hybrid. And a new Civic Hybrid
will always work and it has, you know,
modern modern technology,
>> steering, modern tech.
>> But, I mean, come on, for 30 grand, you
are getting some incredibly cool cars.
>> But you're not though, are you?
>> You're not.
>> You're not getting
>> They're not 30 grand. That's the
problem. Because the Audi, even though
he bought it for 30 grand,
>> Yeah.
>> he has put 40 more thousand into it
>> to make it work properly.
>> The BMW has he's owned it for 3 months
and has put 15,000 into it already.
>> Yeah.
>> And this, even though it was 30 grand
when he bought it, in the years since
has gone up in value.
>> Yeah.
>> And has only done regular maintenance on
this actually.
>> Actually, this one's been the best so
far.
>> Really good. Yeah.
>> But yeah, whereas a Civic
>> No, they the other two were doing
preventative maintenance though to be
fair. Like if you had
>> different to reactive maintenance, you
still
>> because react you only you a very small
window to do reactive maintenance.
>> But if you have to do preventative
maintenance,
>> we don't have to. You just do it to
prevent things. See what preventative
maintenance means.
>> Yes, but you have to do it to prevent
the error.
>> No, I know. But it's preventative. So
you don't have to.
>> It's not it's not
>> No, it's not it's not imperative,
>> but it is at some point.
>> So is this then? You can't say you can't
say it hasn't done it because there's
preventative
this was that was the dumbest debate
we've ever had. We're sorry for that. Um
this is a really really cool car. The
Audi is better to drive than I thought.
Has a great engine and a really good
shifter.
>> Yes,
>> the BMW still for me is the one that I
would buy because it has that M nature
that you can't get anywhere else. Right.
This almost has the same feeling, but it
has this crappy transmission, and that
ruins it for me.
>> I I I thought it would for me.
>> Yeah.
>> But it doesn't.
>> And the heart of this because these are
now becoming Sunday drivers, even though
you could daily them with a lot of
preventative maintenance.
>> I I I I love this a lot more than I
expected to.
>> Yeah. It's a good car. They're all good
cars. Just don't ever buy one. You
should buy a Civic.
>> Yeah. Yeah,
>> we'll get shot for that.
>> Yeah.
>> Wait, don't shoot. Yes, the Civic has
its merits. But unless, like Thomas,
apparently, the fruit bowl starts
looking tempting for completely
different and sinister reasons, this is
how we've got to live a little. And as
far as these cars go, they all worked
perfectly throughout filming. And
annoyingly, Thomas is right. The M3 is
objectively the best car here. But for
me, the C63, despite its foy balls, is
just so lovable. And the Audi, well,
it's fantastic. But it's in tough
company here, especially in the dry. As
we said earlier, all three will appeal
to different people for completely
different reasons. And yet they all
represent the same brave step away from
the darkness of the mundane and into the
lightness of your wallet, but a happier
heart. So, there's that. And yes, this
video was supported by AutoTempest, a
website that puts all the used car sites
in one search and now has a cool feature
that allows you to describe what you're
looking for as well. We use it, you
should use it, too. So, check it out.
autotempest.com.
Thanks for watching.