2008 Best Car Series: Deutschland! Nominieren! Schnell!

[YSSMAN]

First of all, I want to thank all of you that have been participating thus far. We've managed to keep things interesting, and we're getting a lot of great nominations that have turned out to be very close races (points to British and French threads) for "Best Car."

Same rules as always. Post your nomination (with a picture?) and maybe give a small explanation. You only get one, but feel free to second others if yours is taken early on.

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Oh, and yes, the Bugatti counts on this one...

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For the title of "2008 Best German Car," YSSMAN nominates:


The Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series

Lets be honest with ourselves, there are too many cars from Germany that are absolutely amazing. At the very peak, you have the predictable choices. Then you have the cars that fit everyone's needs while maintaining that "Made in Germany" feel that separates them from the Japanese and Americans. Then there are serial-killers like this.

I don't know if there is a car that has blown me away so easily without ever seeing one, a car that will likely end up being so rare, I'll never see one. A car that will happily kill you and any innocent bystanders that are nearby. It has too much power, too much attitude, and way too high of a price. But I want one, badly, and I'd happily pay the F430-like price for it.

 

[Tornado]

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black edition.

Suck it McMerc.

 

[Jim Prower]

And in this Cornerrrr, the reigning Champeeen....

As much as I dislike it, I have to get the obvious choice out of the way. Still the standard everyone shoots for. Still one for everyone who can afford a $70,000 and up car. Porsche 911 (997, full range)

 

[Sage]

Oh wait, sorry, I was dreaming for a second that 🤬-🤬 VW hadn’t pulled the plug on what would have been one of the most awesome automobiles ever made.

 

[///M-Spec]

It was a tough choice and it came down to the GT3, R8 or this car. The other two are probably even better driver's cars, but I think this is the better all-arounder.



I had the pleasure of driving one of these a couple of months ago. It actually exceeded my expectations by not an inconsiderable margin. I went in counting on a powerful but polished and comfortable GT --and that's what I got.

What I didn't count on was also getting in a really, really damn good sports car. With the M-Drive engaged and the EDC, steering and throttle response set to their most aggressive settings, the car transformed into a truly engaging experience. So buttoned down, so immediate, so transparent in everything that it does... The car was completely intuitive. It not only made going fast easy, but it made it fun. The E92 is truly worthy of the M3 name.

There's a lot of complaining about it's 3700 lb. curb weight, but I think the pundits need to drive one before jumping on the bandwagon. Like the best GT cars, the E92 M3 simply sheds it's weigh away. The faster you go, the smaller it gets. If I didn't already know what the car weighed, I'd probably guess closer to 3400 lbs.

The only time the fancy EDC couldn't completely mask the weight was when I executed a 180 degree turn (at a break in the median). You can feel the weight shift around as the car turned in and quickly scrubbed off a lot of momentum, because I trail braked heavily in the turn. But it managed it like a pro-linebacker changes directions.

My only complaints? The engine sound could be a little less stifled. Even at full throttle the motor sounded a little distant. The rear seats fold down for extra storage capacity (as they do on all 3-series coupes), but I wish it was optional, because I wouldn't mind the increased body stiffness of a fixed rear bulkhead. I wish BMW didn't FORCE you to get iDrive (in a $4,000 Technology Package) in order to get M-Drive, but I understand the interface made controlling the options easier.

And I wish it was about $10,000 cheaper because if it was, I would have gone home in that car.


M

 

[homeforsummer]

My choice, for once not too difficult:

Volkswagen Scirocco

Best looking Volkswagen to come out in years, apparently more fun than a BMW 1-series Coupe, GTI performance with better looks for not much more cash, looks great in a number of different and not necessarily expected colours (kermit green, light metallic blue, white etc). A true successor to the old Sciroccos and the Corrado.

 

[McLaren]

It was a tough choice and it came down to the GT3, R8 or this car. The other two are probably even better driver's cars, but I think this is the better all-arounder.



I had the pleasure of driving one of these a couple of months ago. It actually exceeded my expectations by not an inconsiderable margin. I went in counting on a powerful but polished and comfortable GT --and that's what I got.

What I didn't count on was also getting in a really, really damn good sports car. With the M-Drive engaged and the EDC, steering and throttle response set to their most aggressive settings, the car transformed into a truly engaging experience. So buttoned down, so immediate, so transparent in everything that it does... The car was completely intuitive. It not only made going fast easy, but it made it fun. The E92 is truly worthy of the M3 name.

There's a lot of complaining about it's 3700 lb. curb weight, but I think the pundits need to drive one before jumping on the bandwagon. Like the best GT cars, the E92 M3 simply sheds it's weigh away. The faster you go, the smaller it gets. If I didn't already know what the car weighed, I'd probably guess closer to 3400 lbs.

The only time the fancy EDC couldn't completely mask the weight was when I executed a 180 degree turn (at a break in the median). You can feel the weight shift around as the car turned in and quickly scrubbed off a lot of momentum, because I trail braked heavily in the turn. But it managed it like a pro-linebacker changes directions.

My only complaints? The engine sound could be a little less stifled. Even at full throttle the motor sounded a little distant. The rear seats fold down for extra storage capacity (as they do on all 3-series coupes), but I wish it was optional, because I wouldn't mind the increased body stiffness of a fixed rear bulkhead. I wish BMW didn't FORCE you to get iDrive (in a $4,000 Technology Package) in order to get M-Drive, but I understand the interface made controlling the options easier.

And I wish it was about $10,000 cheaper because if it was, I would have gone home in that car.


M

My BMW-ness gets the better side of me here, so I second M's nomination. The Audi RS6 & CLK63 Black Series were close choices, too.

 

[Joey D]

Audi RS6 Avant

A ton of power and AWD make the thing sporty but the estate part makes it practical. I would have one if price were no objective and they sold it in the states.

 

[wrcsti]

And in this Cornerrrr, the reigning Champeeen....

As much as I dislike it, I have to get the obvious choice out of the way. Still the standard everyone shoots for. Still one for everyone who can afford a $70,000 and up car. Porsche 911 (997, full range)

You're doing it wrong.

This is what it's like.
997 GT2

 

[G.T]

So many good cars from Germany. The Scirocco is a good nomination, but I'll go more expensive (like all the others in here already):

Mercedes S-Class

 

[homeforsummer]

but I'll go more expensive

We need a GTP version of Top Gear's "Down to Earth" board. I can see the final of GTP's favourite car being full of Veyrons, Astons, 911s, a big Buick that's apparently Chinese, GT-Rs etc... I suspect the final running being rather light on things that anyone here has ever actually driven enough to give comprehensive verdict on.

Not that I'm trying to spoil it or anything It's definitely good for banter!

 

[G.T]

I do agree. With the exception of the GT-R, which I really think deserves the votes, I've been voting for the more realistic car as possible, even though the more expensive cars will probably get voted for. I'll still vote for the Scirocco, but with all the other stuff in here already I doubt it will win...

 

[homeforsummer]

even though the more expensive cars will probably get voted for

That sentence sums up what seems to be going on, so good on 'ya for voting for the more realistic choices.

I'm not a personal fan of the GT-R but I won't be "disappointed" to see it win. Just because I'm not prepared to enter in all the GT-R debates it doesn't mean that I can't see the car's merits, and weaknesses. I guess I sit on the fence with that thing.

But yeah, on with the nominations!

 

[Jondot]

Guten Tag.

Der neue Opel Insignia, of course! Well, y'know, while everyone here nominates Audis, Mercs, Porsches etc, I thought I'd bring it down to average company car level for a moment.

 

[homeforsummer]

Nice choice Jondot 👍 Great looking car the new Insignia.

 

[Jondot]

Indeed. Looked gorgeous at the motor show, as I'm sure you can attest.

 

[orimarc]

I nominate...THE BEAST! Bugatti Veyron 16.4:

It's the car that defines the category of "Ultracar".

 

[Joey D]

You might want to rethink your picture choice.

 

[homeforsummer]

Indeed. Looked gorgeous at the motor show, as I'm sure you can attest.

It did indeed:

 

[Danny]

Audi R8

A tour de force in excellence.

 

[ccxftw]

I'll nominate the Gumpert Apollo. Fastest around the Top Gear test track, but can't make it over a speed bump.

 

[Turbo Lag]

I'm all in for the M3 👍 Although there are many other tempting cars.

I may as well nominate, Audi A4.

 

[JCE]

First of all, I want to thank all of you that have been participating thus far. We've managed to keep things interesting, and we're getting a lot of great nominations that have turned out to be very close races (points to British and French threads) for "Best Car."

Same rules as always. Post your nomination (with a picture?) and maybe give a small explanation. You only get one, but feel free to second others if yours is taken early on.

===========

Oh, and yes, the Bugatti counts on this one...

===========

For the title of "2008 Best German Car," YSSMAN nominates:


The Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series

Lets be honest with ourselves, there are too many cars from Germany that are absolutely amazing. At the very peak, you have the predictable choices. Then you have the cars that fit everyone's needs while maintaining that "Made in Germany" feel that separates them from the Japanese and Americans. Then there are serial-killers like this.

I don't know if there is a car that has blown me away so easily without ever seeing one, a car that will likely end up being so rare, I'll never see one. A car that will happily kill you and any innocent bystanders that are nearby. It has too much power, too much attitude, and way too high of a price. But I want one, badly, and I'd happily pay the F430-like price for it.

Mercedes SL65 AMG Black edition.

Suck it McMerc.

Audi RS6 Avant

A ton of power and AWD make the thing sporty but the estate part makes it practical. I would have one if price were no objective and they sold it in the states.

Thank you gentlement for nominating stuff I was going to. But I think my #1 has to be this...

2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG:

Bonus Estate:

And for grins:
http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/2008-mercedes-benz-c63-amg-on-the-dyno

We have our first C63 dyno report to come in. With just 100 miles on the odometer, a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG put down a solid 380.67 horsepower and 364.30 pounds of torque to the rear wheels on a DynoJet dynamometer. Using an 18% driveline loss, this puts the C63 at around 464 HP and 443 pounds of torque, just a bit higher than the 451 HP and 443 lb-ft torque rating from Mercedes.

Thank you Merc for underrating the power. With its price so low with what kit and power you get it just boggles the mine on how this can't be #1? This is possibly the #1 car I want post 1973 and under $100,000 USD. NOTHING is as cool as this for the money.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think this is the most Mercedes love we've ever seen in a German thread. Seems like it is usually dominated by BMWs and Audis. A good change of pace, surely!

 

[JCE]

Well when Mercedes has completely turned into something worth mentioning like they have its warranted yes?

And any Black series Merc is as ******* awsome as mechanically possible.

 

[YSSMAN]

I just had a thought as well...

How huge of an upset would it be if any of the Mercs pushed the Veyron or 911 out of the running for the top two spots?

 

[Prosthetic]

I'm a sucker for fast Sedans so here my nomination...
Audi RS4! These things are just too damn sexy and fast.. I want one.

 

[JCE]

If the C63 didn't exsist I'd probably vote that as the best German saloon...but the C63 is just too hard to ignore.

Is it true that the RS4 sells in the US for $80,000 insane dollars? I'll take the cheaper, faster, better looking, more spacious, C63.

 

[Prosthetic]

If the C63 didn't exsist I'd probably vote that as the best German saloon...but the C63 is just too hard to ignore.

Is it true that the RS4 sells in the US for $80,000 insane dollars? I'll take the cheaper, faster, better looking, more spacious, C63.

I am going to vote for the C63 too... But i decided just to put another car up there... I will happy in life with either care... Really I don't mind...

 

[McLaren]

If the C63 didn't exsist I'd probably vote that as the best German saloon...but the C63 is just too hard to ignore.

Is it true that the RS4 sells in the US for $80,000 insane dollars? I'll take the cheaper, faster, better looking, more spacious, C63.

The RS4 is $66,910. But, yes, the C63 AMG is cheaper, by about $10K. MSRPs at $55,975. BMW's M3 Sedan undercuts the Merc. though, at $53,800. However, the power you get with the Merc. pretty much equals out the extra $2K.